The End of February and I wasn't even paying attention

As I have been in Limeyland for some time now (that’s England, for me, London), I missed out on the most spectacular of American Holidays. No, not Thanksgiving, I left New York after that gluttonous day of joy.  I am referring to President’s Day.  Oh, great holy holiday of no holiness, you are just a day to give a quick nod to Washington and Lincoln and then be lazy and continue to sleep in.  Truly, an American holiday that has absolutely no obligations attached to it.  No feeling of having to make elaborate plans or organize a party.  The best part is you certainly don’t have to learn anything, unlike other holidays where you have to hear about wise men or something to do with 1776 or how Native Americans and Pilgrims were such chummy neighbors.  So here’s my nod to the dead Presidents and specifically Lincoln.  Not that Lincoln needs any recognition; Lincoln is the subject of the most biographies out of all the U.S. Presidents. 

Here are a few words the great essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson had for President Lincoln upon his death*:

             ...His broad good humor, running easily into jocular talk, in which he delighted and in which he excelled, was a rich gift to this wise man.  It enabled him to keep his secret; to meet every kind of man and every rank in society; to take off the edge of the severest decisions; to mask his own purpose and sound his companion; and to catch with true instinct the temper of every company he addressed.  And, more than all, it is to a man of severe labor, in anxious and exhausting crises, the natural restorative, good as sleep, and is the protection of the overdriven brain against rancor and insanity.

Whatever Emerson may have failed to capture about Lincoln’s character may be captured here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGMxXHT--Io

The above video was created by my friend’s Bill & Max for the last Sparrow Bar Film Festival.  I recommend checking out some of the other entries from past festivals as many talented people have made entertaining contributions to the event.  You can see all the videos at http://www.YouTube.com/sparrowbar

*Excerpt from: “Abraham Lincoln,” The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Modern Library, copyright 2000.  Modern Library is a registered trademark of Random House, Inc.

Museums are still free (mostly)!!!!

Dear Economy,

            I hope this letter finds you in good spirits, as we are all still quite worried about you.  Please get better before the government is forced to charge entrance fees at all of their free museums.  Culture must be passed down from generation to generation for free otherwise no one cares; At least, no one cares enough for such institutions to be profitable on their own.  Plus us young and unsuccessful people are cheap so an entrance fee would really be a pain, especially with you being so ill and all.  I must say it really is quite stingy of you.  You’re sick and the rest of us are trying to pay bills and enjoy life but you are just lying there occasionally moaning and saying, “oh, why me? I feel so awful.”  What you need is a good kick in the ass.  Oh, you’re sick? Oh no! Serves you right for acting like such a whore for the last few years.

            Best wishes for a happy and healthy recovery.

Sincerely,

GRTR

Beer: Joker I.P.A.

Scottish Joker I.P.A. (India Pale Ale); 5% ABV

Brewed by Williams Bros Brewing Co

The Joker I.P.A. is a smooth and tasty beer.  This is on the lighter side of India Pale Ales, as these brews often tend to have a higher alcoholic content than other styles of beer.  Although I do enjoy over-hopped/extra-hopped/maddeningly-hopped ales, this brew is not overdone with hops, which may make it more accessible to those who are only beginning to try pale ales or who will only on occasion stray from their favorite lager.  I recommend that everyone give this one a try, but I can’t say that I would go out of my way to procure it.  It is a great beer, but I have a long standing bias in favor of Brooklyn Brewery’s East India Pale Ale when it come to pale ales. 

The brewers have placed this descriptive label on the back of the bottle:

Joker premium pale is created from a complex blend of malt & hops with the sole purpose of bringing a smile to your face.  Joke has a fresh citrusy aroma and bittersweet, full flavour.

By the way, you look great. (That’s the beer talking!)

Even if just as a reward for their sense of humor it may be worth taking a chance on this brew from The Williams Bros.  You may find it to be one of your new favorites. 

www.williamsbrosbrew.com

It's raining here, again, for all you weather aficionados

Unfortunately my local Sainsbury's Market does not carry Maker's Mark among its liquor selection, nor does the nearest Tesco.  Fortunately, sweet Providence is a bourbon drinker and a nearby liquor store does carry it.

Right now you may be wondering, "why is there an apple so prominently featured in this photograph?" or "Did he eat the apple? I bet he didn't." Firstly, I don't feel I need to explain my art. Secondly, I didn't eat the apple. The apple had been sitting there for two weeks when I took this picture and I finally just threw it out.

You could be reading highlights magazine right now, but, obviously, you are not a discerning reader

Here is the first post representing "the increasingly poor decisions" of myself, the honorable reverend GRTR. I will puzzle over the oddities of London, bitch and moan, condescend, and spew a bunch of nonsense which would make medieval monks regret their efforts in collecting and writing manuscripts in order to preserve the English language.  Well, at least they would have some beer to console themselves with if they ever saw this page.  I hear time machines were big in medieval England (I was the one who said it, but technically that means I still heard it).

Await the grandeur that will be:  Pictures I took myself, poorly, in bad lighting, while stumbling from the drink.

I may even make a portion of this educational.*

*educational meaning ceaseless indoctrination consisting of fictional statistics and wild accusations.