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  • Thoughts & Tips For February 2021

    February 1, 2021

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    Red-blurThis photo is part of my Blurry collection.

    CURRENT HAPPENINGS

    January seemed to be on cruise-control here at our home.  All is good health-wise and no major COVID-19 impacts.  One super great blessing is that Christy's school where she teaches has been able to hold classes since September with no major issues.

    Suite-dude

    The attack on the Capital was horrific. It is shocking to me that so many in the Senate and the House are so supportive of the Cult of Trump. I'm not confident much will change with the impending Impeachment #2.

    The kids are back in school, and we are back to juggling spaces, times for video calls, etc.  But we are getting pretty good at that!

    LOOK FORWARD TO

    Conrad is turning twenty-two this month and seems to be enjoying SDSU. He and a friend did a fun video recently called "The Shed" (YouTube)!

    It looks like Christy and I are going to be headed back to The Oaks (our photos from our 1st trip) in April which should be a great retreat as we celebrate our 27th Wedding Anniversary.

    I am going to be Dungeon Mastering (DMing) for my Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) group two little side adventures over the next month or so. One is an "epic" battle and another is going to be a "snatch-&-grab."

    TECHNOLOGY, TIPS, & SUGGESTIONS

    Here is a great visualization of the Pomodoro Technique for breaking up focused work into time slices that I've found to be pretty effective especially when working a big project:

    The_pomodoro-technique

    I also ran across this graphic on tips for camera settings that I've saved off in Google Keep for easy access:

    Photo-Cheat-Sheet

    This article — "Comic-Con 2019: Former CIA agents explain 6 ways to conduct and evade surveillance" — has some technology tips worth reading from a perspective of how to be more private and secure with your phones and devices.

    QUOTE I'M THINKING ABOUT

    “If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. – Mary Engelbreit

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  • Wild Ale, Pilsner, Imperial Stout, Quintuple IPA | Episode 29

    February 1, 2021

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    Main-photo-29

    In Episode#29 (subscribe) we were able to physically come back together socially distanced to share with listeners our thoughts on four very different style craft beers:

    • "Shrine of the Forsaken Gods – Part 2" (Barrel-aged American Wild Ale) [Untapped] from Modern Times (San Diego, CA) in collaboration with Jester King Brewery (Austin, TX)
    • "Paisley Pils" (Italian Pilsner) [Untapped] from Humble Sea (Santa Cruz, CA)
    • "Depth – Variant 1" (Imperial Stout aged for 12 months in Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrels and conditioned on raw coconut, toasted coconut, vanilla beans, & cacao nibs) [Untapped] from Burgeon Beer Company (Carlsbad, CA) in collaboration with Moksa Brewing (Rocklin, CA)
    • "Shadow Of The Moon" (Murky Quintuple India Pale Ale) [Untapped] from Pure Project Brewing (San Diego, CA). 

    Here are the additional links mentioned during the show:

    • Triple Crossing 
    • Beer Zombie
    • Mason Ale Works
    • Kern River Brewing
    • Green Cheek
    • Urban Roots
    • Track Brewing
    • Russian River Brewing
    • Bottle Logic
    • Moab Brewing
    • Mostra Coffee
    • White Labs
    • Photos taken during the recording of Episode 29

    Check out these recommended products we have been using recently:

    • Just Glass Design
    • Checkout YOPENERS for your own specialized bottle opener!
    • Glass To Mouth Beer Glasses

    Please feel free to reach out to the ThePodCraft Show via Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. 

    Subscribe to ThePodCraft Show!

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  • India Pale Ales (IPAs) from Aslin & Mikkeller | Episode 28

    January 25, 2021

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    28-main-photo

    Episode#28 (subscribe) is another maximum social distanced remotely recorded show where we sampled the following two beers:

    • "Trite" (American IPA) [Untapped] from Aslin Beer Company (Alexandria, VA)
    • "Do Stuff Together" (New England Style IPA) [Untapped] from Mikkeller (San Diego, CA).

    Charlie-stout-small

    And then Charlie & Chris' after party beer was "We Like Birds" (Imperial Double Stout with pistachios & vanilla) [Untapped] from Green Cheek Beer Company (Orange, CA) in collaboration with Horus Aged Ales (Oceanside, CA)

    Here are the additional links mentioned during the show:

    • Great Notion
    • Humble Sea
    • Other Half 
    • Equilibrium 
    • Triple Crossing 
    • Burgeon Beer 
    • Moksa 
    • Good Seed
    • Alesmith 
    • Protector Brewing
    • Laughing Monk 
    • North Park
    • Photos taken during the recording of Episode 28

    Check out these recommended products we have been using recently:

    • Just Glass Design
    • Checkout YOPENERS for your own specialized bottle opener!
    • Glass To Mouth Beer Glasses

    Please feel free to reach out to the ThePodCraft Show via Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. 

    Subscribe to ThePodCraft Show!

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  • A Ghost Hawk Has Opaque Dreams | Episode 27

    January 18, 2021

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    27-main

    In Episode#27 (subscribe) we experience our first maximum social distancing show where we 'remotely recorded' our sampling of the following two beers

    • "Opaque Dreams" (Fruited sour with blueberries & peach) [Untapped] from Pure Project Brewing (San Diego, CA)
    • "Ghost Hawk" (Imperial New England/Hazy IPA) [Untapped] a collaboration with Ferrous Falcon (San Marcos, CA) & Parish Brewing (Broussard, LA).

    27-charlie-photo

    Charlie's after party beer was "Brother Charlie" (Hazy/New England IPA) [Untapped] from Laughing Monk Brewing (San Francisco, CA).

    27-chris-photo

    Chris' after party beer was "Fruit Monster with Mango, Guava, & Passionfruit" (Fruited Sour) [Untapped] from Great Notion Brewing (Portland, OR). 

    Here are the additional links mentioned during the show:

    • Photos taken during the recording of Episode 27

    Check out these recommended products we have been using recently:

    • Just Glass Design
    • Checkout YOPENERS for your own specialized bottle opener!
    • Glass To Mouth Beer Glasses

    Please feel free to reach out to the ThePodCraft Show via Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. 

    Subscribe to ThePodCraft Show!

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  • Our First Stout Fest | Episode 26

    January 11, 2021

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    26-Main-Photo

    In Episode#26 (subscribe) we have our first stout fest with four very hard to find beers from Modern Times (San Diego, CA):

    • "MT Ultra: Coffee Edition (2020)" [Untapped]
    • "MT Ultra: Vanilla Edition (2020)" [Untapped]
    • "MT Ultra: Coconut Edition (2020)" [Untapped]
    • "Monster Tones (2020)" [Untapped]

    Woke-after-party-beer

    The surprise after party beer was "Woke" (Apple Brandy Double Imperial Stout with Vanilla Beans, Coffee, Maple, & Pecans) [Untapped] from Three Chiefs Brewing Company (Los Angeles, CA) in collaboration with Untitled Art (Waunakee, WI).

    Here are the additional links mentioned during the show:

    • Stone Brewing
    • Horus
    • Ballast Point Brewing 
    • Green Flash Brewing 
    • Other Half
    • Burning Beard
    • San Diego Beer News
    • City Beer Store
    • Funk Factory Geuzeria
    • Photos taken during the recording of Episode 26

    Check out these recommended products we have been using recently:

    • Just Glass Design
    • Checkout YOPENERS for your own specialized bottle opener!
    • Glass To Mouth Beer Glasses

    Please feel free to reach out to the ThePodCraft Show via Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. 

    Subscribe to ThePodCraft Show!

    20210109_142451-COLLAGE

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  • The California Representatives That Supported Election Fraud Claims

    January 8, 2021

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    Representatives-california-who-voted-against-2020-election-results

    The above California House of Representative Members all voted on January 7, 2021 to challenge the legitimate election of Joe Biden as President of the United States of America. (ABC7) (NYT) (TheVerge)

    By the end of the day on January 7, 2021 the U.S. Capital was attacked by terrorists in an attempted insurrection to keep Donald Trump in office.

    Here is some references on them:

    • Ken Calvert (CA-42) – website, news, twitter
    • Mike Garcia (CA-25) – website, news, twitter
    • Darrell Issa (CA-50) – website, news, twitter
    • Doug LaMalfa (CA-1) – website, news, twitter
    • Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) – website, news, twitter
    • Devin Nunes (CA-22) – website, news, twitter
    • Jay Obernolte (CA-8) – website, news, twitter

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  • Examining Craft Beers from Deft Brewing, The Veil Brewing, & North Park Beer Company | Episode 25

    January 4, 2021

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    Episode-25-Main-Photo

    In Episode#25 (subscribe) we examine the following four craft beers:

    • "Scrummy Suds" (British Dark Mild Ale) [Untapped] from Deft Brewing (San Diego, CA)
    • "2020 Is Over! Hazy Double IPA" [Untapped] from North Park Beer Company (San Diego, CA)
    • "Sticky Ferrari" (Double IPA with marshmallows, fluffy oaks, & vanilla) [Untapped] from The Veil Brewing Company (Richmond, VA)
    • "2020 Is Over! Pastry Stout" [Untapped] from North Park Beer Company (San Diego, CA). 

    Here are the additional links mentioned during the show:

    • Photos taken during the recording of Episode 25
    • Moab Brewing
    • Pure Project
    • Russian River
    • The Answer
    • Mikkeller San Diego
    • Humble Sea
    • Surly
    • Triple Crossing
    • Belching Beaver 
    • Mostra Coffee

    Check out these recommended products we have been using recently:

    • Just Glass Design
    • Checkout YOPENERS for your own specialized bottle opener!
    • Glass To Mouth Beer Glasses

    Please feel free to reach out to the ThePodCraft Show via Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. 

    Subscribe to ThePodCraft Show!

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  • All The Breweries & Graphics Used In 2020

    January 2, 2021

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    Here is a downloadable PDF of all the breweries and graphics used on our YouTube videos this 2020.

    Part 1:

    Logos-2020-Part1

    Part 2:

    Logos-2020-Part2

    Part 3:

    Logos-2020-Part3

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  • Thoughts & Tips For January 2021

    January 1, 2021

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    Pine-needle-treeThis photo is part of my Nature Collection!

    CURRENT HAPPENINGS

    Over the past month we have been celebrating outdoors & socially distanced the Holidays, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. Best of all is that we continue to be blessed with a hedge of protection with regards to COVID-19 and health in general.

    Christmas2020

    Unfortunately I do have some bad news — on Saturday morning (December 26) we found out our elderly black lab Kaley escaped our yard, and we have not been able to find her.  We are all very concerned and sad.  But we continue to hold out hope she will be found:

    Screenshot 2021-01-01 at 1.08.46 PM

    SUPER FUN ADVENT CRAFT BEER CALENDAR

    Chris and Charlie — the hosts of ThePodcraft Beer Show — gave me this awesome customized Advent Calendar filled with twenty-four excellent craft beers:

    Thepodcraft-advent-calendar

    You can see photos, descriptions, and top 3 list here!

    HOLIDAY SCAVENGER HUNT

    The NAVWAR Enterprise had a fun virtual scavenger hunt for employees and their families over the weekend of December 18-20, 2020.  The family had a good time working on it.  We didn't finish in the Fastest Top 30, but we got everything done!

    Scavenger-hunt

    TECHNOLOGY, TIPS, & SUGGESTIONS

    If you are looking for a great coffee mug, tea kettle, desk/garden creatures, or unique stickers/t-shirts/etc. then check out Skeletal Dropkick!  I am enjoying my new Bear Mug, and custom D&D stickers!  I also got an original custom drawing on my box! FUN!

    Skeletal-dropkick

    If you are doing "family" tech support for folks on multiple platforms, then check out the free Chrome Remote Desktop tool from Google.  It works cross platform, and also works on Chromebooks.  I personally use this nearly on a daily basis to get from my Chromebook to my Windows 10 PC for Windows-based activities.

    This site puts some things in perspective on what has changed since you were born – https://neal.fun/life-stats/. It includes a lot of positive data, and not so much on data that might be controversial, but definitive worth trying out.

    This great calendar visualization of 2021 continuous year from Kairos Cognition (a productivity consulting & consulting firm associated with David Allen's Getting Things Done) inspired me to create my own version in Google Docs which I published in PDF.  This is what mine looks like:

    My-Continuous-Wall-Calendar-2021

    In discussing this continuous year calendar on the GTD Connect forms, a fellow member shared his own horizontal version.  I copied it (PDF) and here is what it looks like:

    My-Continuous-Wall-Calendar-2021-Horizontal

    QUOTE I'M THINKING ABOUT

    “Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” — George Carlin

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  • 2020 Christmas Advent Craft Beer Calendar

    January 1, 2021

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    I got the following Christmas Advent Craft Beer Calendar from Chris & Charlie who host ThePodCraft Beer Show (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook):Beer-advent-calendarCraft Beer #1:

    1

    "Centre" (Imperial India Pale Ale (IPA)) [untapped] from Other Half 

    Craft Beer #2:2

    "Motueka Daydream" (Oak Cream New England-style IPA) [untapped] from Other Half

    Craft Beer #3:

    3

    "Tropic Of Thunder" (Lager) [untapped] from Stone Brewing

    Craft Beer #4:

    4

    "Yodale" (Coconut Lager) [untapped] from Creative Creature

    Customized glass from Glass To Mouth

    Craft Beer #5:

    5

    "Lilikoi Sour" (Sour Ale) [untapped] from Harland Brewing

    Craft Beer #6:

    6

    "Dort" (Dortmunder-style Lager) [untapped] from Modern Times

    Customized glass from Glass To Mouth

    Craft Beer #7:

    7

    "Circle Of Hops" (San Diego Pale Ale) [untapped] from Burning Beard

    Craft Beer #8:

    8

    "BCN Fog" (Double Dry Hopped Bi-Coastal Double IPA) [untapped] from Humble Sea

    Craft Beer #9:

    9

    "Pseudo Sue" (Pale Ale) [untapped] from Toppling Goliath

    Craft Beer #10:

    10

    "Tree Hugger" (Tart Ale with tropical dragon fruit, passion fruit, and coconut) [untapped] from Great Notion with Pure Project

    Craft Beer #11:

    11

    "The Pupil" (IPA) [untapped] from Societe Brewing Company

    Customized glass from Glass To Mouth

    Craft Beer #12:

    12

    "Autumn Gold" (Murky IPA) [untapped] from Pure Project

    Craft Beer #13:

    13

    "Smacker's Mango Passionfruit" (Fruited Sour Ale) [untapped] from Creative Creature

    Craft Beer #14:

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    "Covington" (American Pilsner) [untapped] from North Park Brewing Co.

    Customized glass from Glass To Mouth

    Craft Beer #15:

    15

    "H-C (Hecto-Cooler)" (Fruited Imperial Sour Ale) [untapped] from Creative Creature

    Craft Beer #16:

    16

    "Fingers Of Gold" (Murky IPA) [untapped] from Pure Project

    Customized glass from Glass To Mouth

    Craft Beer #17:

    17

    "Where Vultures Fare" (German-Style Pilsner) [untapped] from Burning Beard

    Craft Beer #18:

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    "Blueberry vs. Lime" (Sour Smoothie Ale) [untapped] from Creative Creature

    Craft Beer #19:

    19

    "Bluemeboshi" (Imperial Sour Ale with salted plum & blueberries) [untapped] from Pure Project

    Craft Beer #20:

    20

    "SuperFun!" (Double Dry Hopped Pale Ale) [untapped] from Other Half

    Craft Beer #21:

    21

    "Reality Maze" (Imperial Stout with Coconut & Vanilla) [untapped] from Modern Times

    Craft Beer #22:

    22

    "Passion Pool" (Gose Style Ale with passionfruit & sea salt) [untapped] from MKSD (Mikkeller San Diego)

    Craft Beer #23:

    23

    "Strata Rocket" (Wet Hopped West Coast IPA) [untapped] from North Park Beer Co.

    Craft Beer #24:

    24

    "Larry's Latest" (Sour Ale) [untapped] from Bell's Brewery

    Customized glass from Glass To Mouth

    My favorite top three beers from this year's advent calendar:

    1. "H-C (Hecto-Cooler)" (Fruited Imperial Sour Ale) [untapped] from Creative Creature
    2. "BCN Fog" (Double Dry Hopped Bi-Coastal Double IPA) [untapped] from Humble Sea
    3. "Motueka Daydream" (Oak Cream New England-style IPA) [untapped] from Other Half

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