I have managed to loose my work keys. This is very frustrating. I remember the last time I used them, however I have no idea what happened after that. On the positive side I have safe guards in place in the event something like this happens. Getting into the building will not be a problem, finding my keys will still be an issue.
Today is a big day for Nora. It is her first ever field trip. The kindergarten classes are going to the children's museum in Bloomington. She gets to take her first lunch to school, her first school bus ride, and it will be her longest day at school, 3:10 p.m. To say she is excited would be an understatement. Robin and I are very excited for her as well. I cannot wait to get home and have her tell me all about the big day.
My training is going well. I moved up the distance I am running to .75mi vs. .25mi walking for a total distance of 4 miles. I am managing a pace just under 10 minutes a mile. I have three more weeks until my first 5k, so I still have work to do before I am ready. I have no doubts that I will be fine.
Have a great day.
Cheers
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Blow Up
As I am getting more adventurous in my brewing I am discovering new...let's call them "challenges".
In my latest batch, a blonde ale with a hint of lemon, I used more grains than I have in the past. Between the all the grains and malt extract there were more sugars than usual. More sugars means more food for the yeast. So, the fermenting process was a bit more lively than usual. I found my brewing bucket in the morning whistling and beer bubbling out of the air lock. As I was on my way to work I did not have time to really deal with it. All I did was push my lock back in and and make sure the seal was still tight. The plan was to fix it when I got home. No way I could wait that long. I called Robin and had her check on it. What I thought was my temporary fix turned out to be a permanent fix. The water in my air lock had been replaced by beer, but it was bubbling happily away. Life is good, beer is good.
How is this for a name for the afore mentioned brew..."Beach Blond Ale".
Have a good Tuesday.
Cheers
In my latest batch, a blonde ale with a hint of lemon, I used more grains than I have in the past. Between the all the grains and malt extract there were more sugars than usual. More sugars means more food for the yeast. So, the fermenting process was a bit more lively than usual. I found my brewing bucket in the morning whistling and beer bubbling out of the air lock. As I was on my way to work I did not have time to really deal with it. All I did was push my lock back in and and make sure the seal was still tight. The plan was to fix it when I got home. No way I could wait that long. I called Robin and had her check on it. What I thought was my temporary fix turned out to be a permanent fix. The water in my air lock had been replaced by beer, but it was bubbling happily away. Life is good, beer is good.
How is this for a name for the afore mentioned brew..."Beach Blond Ale".
Have a good Tuesday.
Cheers
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Six Word Bios
At long last I am finally posting the six word bios submitted by some of the Chrisophiles. I would still love to have more. Maybe ready these will give the rest of you a jump start. Thank you to those who took the time to write these up. I love them and I think the rest of you will as well.
Allison Robinson (My Mom, do not judge her counting ability)
wife, mother, teacher, grandmother, tour leader, loner
John Murray (My Cousins Hubby)
father, husband, coach, loves all sports
energetic, hardworking, enthusiastic, proud, easy going
outdoorsman, winter lover, passionate beer connoisseur
Jeremy Tuke (My Cousin)
Father of Teenagers getting gray
Locomotive driving tie pounding train freak
River lovin' golf cart driving daddy
Karen Fyke (My Mother-In-Law)
Delighted wife, exhilarated grandmother, laughing friend
Kris Murray (My Cousin)
mother, wife, animal lover, horse trainer
sensative, emotional, outspoken even to a fault
proud, happy, blessed by the Lord
Robin Robinson (My Wife)
skinny smart yarnie with a neckache
not yet rich, but already eccentric
spends too much time inside head
Chris Robinson (Me)
Hubby Superdad Brew Meister Meister Brewer
Laid-back goofy getting fit magnetic
Easily angered by repetitively stupid people
Enjoy!
Allison Robinson (My Mom, do not judge her counting ability)
wife, mother, teacher, grandmother, tour leader, loner
John Murray (My Cousins Hubby)
father, husband, coach, loves all sports
energetic, hardworking, enthusiastic, proud, easy going
outdoorsman, winter lover, passionate beer connoisseur
Jeremy Tuke (My Cousin)
Father of Teenagers getting gray
Locomotive driving tie pounding train freak
River lovin' golf cart driving daddy
Karen Fyke (My Mother-In-Law)
Delighted wife, exhilarated grandmother, laughing friend
Kris Murray (My Cousin)
mother, wife, animal lover, horse trainer
sensative, emotional, outspoken even to a fault
proud, happy, blessed by the Lord
Robin Robinson (My Wife)
skinny smart yarnie with a neckache
not yet rich, but already eccentric
spends too much time inside head
Chris Robinson (Me)
Hubby Superdad Brew Meister Meister Brewer
Laid-back goofy getting fit magnetic
Easily angered by repetitively stupid people
Enjoy!
A First
On Saturday May 31st at 7 a.m. Washington, IL is hosting the first annual Washington Cherry festival 5k run. On Saturday May 31st at 7 a.m. I am running in my first 5k. Guess where. I am excited. This will be my first run in preparation for the Morton Pumpkin Festival 10k. I have no illusions of actually competing in the run, but it is going to be a blast participating. In exchange for my entry fee the race officials are going to provide me with a performance t-shirt and a ticket for the pancake and sausage breakfast.
Overall the training is going very well. I am sticking to my program and progressing well. I am up to 14 miles a week of a run/walk mix. Today was a 5 mile outing that consisted of .25mi walks alternated with .50mi runs. Robin is putting my runs to good use as well. This morning she had me pick up some items from the grocery store on the way home.
The weather here is pretty nice and fairly cool. Perfect for brewing. I am not one to pass up good brewing weather. I made a citrus blonde today. This is the second brew I have made from a recipe instead of a kit, and the first that I have actually remembered to write down the recipe. That way if it is a success like my stout and New Moon, I have a chance of replicating it. Next up is a Vanilla Porter.
Yesterday was the movie event of the decade. Iron Man!! Robin and I sent the kids off for a sleep over with Grandma and Grandpa Robinson and off we went. The movie blew away our expectations. I am a huge Batman and Superman fan, but this movie was the best superhero film to date. Go see it now.
Cheers
Cheers.
Overall the training is going very well. I am sticking to my program and progressing well. I am up to 14 miles a week of a run/walk mix. Today was a 5 mile outing that consisted of .25mi walks alternated with .50mi runs. Robin is putting my runs to good use as well. This morning she had me pick up some items from the grocery store on the way home.
The weather here is pretty nice and fairly cool. Perfect for brewing. I am not one to pass up good brewing weather. I made a citrus blonde today. This is the second brew I have made from a recipe instead of a kit, and the first that I have actually remembered to write down the recipe. That way if it is a success like my stout and New Moon, I have a chance of replicating it. Next up is a Vanilla Porter.
Yesterday was the movie event of the decade. Iron Man!! Robin and I sent the kids off for a sleep over with Grandma and Grandpa Robinson and off we went. The movie blew away our expectations. I am a huge Batman and Superman fan, but this movie was the best superhero film to date. Go see it now.
Cheers
Cheers.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Wow!
I am shocked that I have not written in over a week. Plenty has happened that I could write about, but I guess I have just been a bit lazy. Pushing these little keys is tough.
Work events:
We had another bird in the warehouse. As there is no inspection upcoming the pacifist side of me has been on display. I allowed the little fella to fly around for a few days and work its way to the back garage. Once in there I trapped him and opened the doors to let him fly out.
My latest annoyance at work has been the complaints of gas prices. I have no issue with people being upset about the high prices. My problem is with people complaining and then rejecting all possible solutions to ease the situation. "Oh I couldn't possibly walk to the grocery store. It is 4 blocks away, how would I get the groceries home?" Ahhhh!
The Kids:
They both have bike helmets now. Nigel does not want to take his off. I think it may not be a bad idea that he wears his. He got his Daddy's coordination. Nora has regained her confidence in bike riding. When I got home she was riding up and down the sidewalk. Today was a big day for Nora. Queen day at her school. All the boys escorted the girls to and from class, and the girls were allowed to pick some of their activities today.
Robin and I:
We are counting down to the release of Iron Man. Baby sitters have been lined up. We will be there on Saturday.
I am training for the Morton Pumpkin Festival 10k. I am taking it very slowly to make sure I do not hurt myself. I am using a training program from running online. It takes you from the couch to a 10k in 20 weeks. Today I went out and did a 3 mile walk/run. I ran a total of 2 miles in intervals...walk .25, run .5. It felt pretty good.
I know that I promised to publish the six work bios this past Saturday, but I did not post an entry. Also, I do not have that many entries yet. I would love to get a few more before I post on Friday. Come on Chrisophiles....make me proud.
Cheers
Work events:
We had another bird in the warehouse. As there is no inspection upcoming the pacifist side of me has been on display. I allowed the little fella to fly around for a few days and work its way to the back garage. Once in there I trapped him and opened the doors to let him fly out.
My latest annoyance at work has been the complaints of gas prices. I have no issue with people being upset about the high prices. My problem is with people complaining and then rejecting all possible solutions to ease the situation. "Oh I couldn't possibly walk to the grocery store. It is 4 blocks away, how would I get the groceries home?" Ahhhh!
The Kids:
They both have bike helmets now. Nigel does not want to take his off. I think it may not be a bad idea that he wears his. He got his Daddy's coordination. Nora has regained her confidence in bike riding. When I got home she was riding up and down the sidewalk. Today was a big day for Nora. Queen day at her school. All the boys escorted the girls to and from class, and the girls were allowed to pick some of their activities today.
Robin and I:
We are counting down to the release of Iron Man. Baby sitters have been lined up. We will be there on Saturday.
I am training for the Morton Pumpkin Festival 10k. I am taking it very slowly to make sure I do not hurt myself. I am using a training program from running online. It takes you from the couch to a 10k in 20 weeks. Today I went out and did a 3 mile walk/run. I ran a total of 2 miles in intervals...walk .25, run .5. It felt pretty good.
I know that I promised to publish the six work bios this past Saturday, but I did not post an entry. Also, I do not have that many entries yet. I would love to get a few more before I post on Friday. Come on Chrisophiles....make me proud.
Cheers
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The "NEW" Golden Rule.
Everyone is familiar with the the Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." As we all know times change and with that so do many of the things to which we have grown accustom. With that said I propose to you a new and improved Golden Rule.
Do not take responsibility for your actions which you can easily blame on others.
I see this very concept in action on a daily basis. Today was a great example. Every day the office personnel where I work order out for lunch. One of them goes and picks it up, returns to the office, and then they all divvy up the goods. Just so you know, there are only 6-10 orders made at a time...not too big. At least once a week there is a mistake made and a huge ordeal follows. In the end we call and have a credit given in our company name for our next order.
Today I made the suggestion that whoever goes actually checks the order for accuracy before leaving the restaurant. Judging by the looks that were given to me I am fairly certain I was speaking Chinese and at the same time said something negative about their mothers. Seems to me that a simple 2-3 minute check would save us a lot of time and trouble. Finally someone cleared it up for me by saying, that's not my responsibility. We are the customer.
Now, when we deliver to our restaurants, make a mistake, and it is not discovered until after the paperwork is signed and the diver is long gone, whose fault do you think that is? Based on the facts laid out in the preceding paragraph it would be our fault. No, no, no. It is the customers fault. They checked it in and should have caught the mistake.
Common concept....
Do not take responsibility for your actions which you can easily blame on others.
It is a catchy concept...jump on board the bandwangon.
Cheers
Do not take responsibility for your actions which you can easily blame on others.
I see this very concept in action on a daily basis. Today was a great example. Every day the office personnel where I work order out for lunch. One of them goes and picks it up, returns to the office, and then they all divvy up the goods. Just so you know, there are only 6-10 orders made at a time...not too big. At least once a week there is a mistake made and a huge ordeal follows. In the end we call and have a credit given in our company name for our next order.
Today I made the suggestion that whoever goes actually checks the order for accuracy before leaving the restaurant. Judging by the looks that were given to me I am fairly certain I was speaking Chinese and at the same time said something negative about their mothers. Seems to me that a simple 2-3 minute check would save us a lot of time and trouble. Finally someone cleared it up for me by saying, that's not my responsibility. We are the customer.
Now, when we deliver to our restaurants, make a mistake, and it is not discovered until after the paperwork is signed and the diver is long gone, whose fault do you think that is? Based on the facts laid out in the preceding paragraph it would be our fault. No, no, no. It is the customers fault. They checked it in and should have caught the mistake.
Common concept....
Do not take responsibility for your actions which you can easily blame on others.
It is a catchy concept...jump on board the bandwangon.
Cheers
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Why My Dad Could Never Be A......
Truck driver.
For those of you who know him you may think NEVER is a strong choice of words. After all my Dad loves to travel, get off the beaten path, and meet new people. Truck drivers do just that. Over the last year and a half I have met a number of drivers that seem to be doing just that. They tell me of the interesting places they have been and people they have met. Maybe driving a truck would not have been so bad for my Dad.
WRONG!
Two reasons make this vocation impossible.
1. A vast majority of the drivers that come into my facility have no idea where they are going when they head out. So many in fact that I am starting to believe this is a personality trait of drivers. I field no less that 5 calls a day from drivers needing directions. Can any of you imagine my Dad leaving the house with out carefully plotting his route and then double checking it with his Tom Tom while en route?
2. And this is the most important...
WAITING!
Truck drivers spend a lot of time sitting and waiting. Whether it be waiting to be loaded/unloaded, or to find out what their next destination may be. My Dad is not a patient man.
I hope you enjoy this early morning fare.
Cheers
Get on those bios people. I have three so far. Karen, Kris and Jere, kudos to you!
For those of you who know him you may think NEVER is a strong choice of words. After all my Dad loves to travel, get off the beaten path, and meet new people. Truck drivers do just that. Over the last year and a half I have met a number of drivers that seem to be doing just that. They tell me of the interesting places they have been and people they have met. Maybe driving a truck would not have been so bad for my Dad.
WRONG!
Two reasons make this vocation impossible.
1. A vast majority of the drivers that come into my facility have no idea where they are going when they head out. So many in fact that I am starting to believe this is a personality trait of drivers. I field no less that 5 calls a day from drivers needing directions. Can any of you imagine my Dad leaving the house with out carefully plotting his route and then double checking it with his Tom Tom while en route?
2. And this is the most important...
WAITING!
Truck drivers spend a lot of time sitting and waiting. Whether it be waiting to be loaded/unloaded, or to find out what their next destination may be. My Dad is not a patient man.
I hope you enjoy this early morning fare.
Cheers
Get on those bios people. I have three so far. Karen, Kris and Jere, kudos to you!
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