BEER 101

Beer 101

I decided that I wanted to brew my own beer.  Immediately I thought of my cousin, Ron, who has over 16 years brewing experience, resident brewing expert and has taught homebrew to many people.  So I called him and he got me in contact with Kim at Let's Brew.

I set up a time so that Ron could teach both myself and my friend Karen in the kitchen how to do a home brew in a small batch. Karen has gluten intolerance so she was able to create a gluten free beer.  I decided to make a Belgian style beer called Abbey.

Karen adding in hops

Specialty grains were placed in hot water to steep.  For Karen, she had adjunct grains of corn to steep.   As for the pots water on the burners, I added belgian candy sugar and hops.  Karen added sorghum and hops.  Hops come from the Humulis Lupulus plant or vine. It is the female flower that is used in brewing. Hops are what makes beer bitter.  Hope also act as a natural preservative that allows beer to last up to a year in storage at properly controlled temperatures.

To be honest, the concoction of water, hops and sweetener didn't look so great - much like the consistency boiling watery puke.  Look below and decide for yourself.

Left is my Abbey Ale and the right is Gluten Free

We then drained off the water that the grains or corn were steeping in and added it to the pots with another round of hops for aroma and I added sweet orange peel to my beer.

Sterilizing the fermenter

Everything must be sterilized because of the yeast in the beer.  Any contamination that gets to the yeast affects the beer.  Which by the way, beer gets most of it's flavor from yeast.  

Adding in hops

Ron

Once the process of boiling is complete, we transferred the pots to the sink area where we placed an immersion wort chiller which is a coil of copper tubing that has cool water running through it.  You stir the beer (without creating bubbles) to a set temperature....which I can't remember at this time.  This is why I had Ron help me being the beer expert.  Then the beer can be transferred into the fermenter.  Once the beer is in the fermenter yeast is added and the Brix is checked with a refractometer, which measures the number of Brix, identifying which identifies the amount of sugar content that is in the beer before fermentation.  Post fermentation a Hydrometer is used to check the gravity of the beer and then alcohol content can be measured.

Karen pouring her beer

Pouring in my creation

Checking Brix

Writing down pertinent info

Look how different our beer is.

Quality time with Ron

Brewing Beer Part Deux

Two weeks later we return to Let's Brew.  We begin by choosing our caps for our bottles and cleaning the bottles.  The bottles are washed and some are transferred to a holder, as we needed to wash additional bottles.  

Cleaning the bottles

Redneck Christmas Tree

Next is to transfer the beer and not take any of the yeast.  The beer is siphoned off so that we can pour the beer into the bottles.

Look at the yeast at the bottom

Siphoning the beer 

The bottling process is four steps once the bottles are washed.

1. Add a carbonation drop
2. Blow out any additional air in the bottles with CO2
3. Add beer
4. Cap bottle

Ok the last step is to place the bottle in the box.

Adding carbonation

Blowing out the air

Pouring in the beer

Capping the beer

Finished product

The beer is stored at room temperature for about two weeks.  I am then going to test one of the beers.  It is not quite two weeks yet.  However, I am anticipating that it will be fabulous.  I always enjoy spending time with Ron and had a blast doing this.  In the future, I would like do a barley wine and honey cream ale.  Watch out McMenamins.

***As of today the beer is ready to taste, however, I am in not in a position to taste anything as I have come down with the flu.  I will keep you all posted.  

March Flowers

While I was away in Pasadena, my parents dog sat for me.  They love their grand-doggy in part because that is the closest thing to a grand kid that they have.  My dad would trade us all in for my dog, Roms.   He loves him (well he loves all dogs & birds) so much and really is terrible about reinforcing bad habits.  But really, how can you refuse a face like this.

Waiting for a floor score

So I come home from Pasadena and my mom bought me flowers.  (now make sure you say the sentences by mom out loud with your best Japanese accent otherwise the effect is not the same).

Me:  Mom, thanks so much for the flowers.

Mom:  Ahhh, you know, you buy cut flower and you never water them so they die.

(I think she starts out most sentences with ahhhh, you know....in part because it gives her more time)

Me:  Well they only last so long because they are cut flowers.

Mom:  I know, so I got you real ones.  You can plant them after they done.

Live spring flowers from my mom

Double bonus for February and March!  The only bad thing is now I have to go find the time and find a spot for them to plant them.

True to form, I did go out and buy flowers for March.  Just because I received flowers does not mean I should stop buying flowers every month.  It means I get to enjoy more.  I have become quite adept at justifications.  I mean I've had 39 years to perfect this skill.

  I wonder what my mom will say when she sees another bouquet of cut flowers.....

March Bouquet

Ziba the Fortune Teller

Over the holidays, Tony came home to visit family.  So we met up for lunch and I was sharing with him about my 39 experiences before turning 40.

First I have to give you some back story on Tony.  I met Tony when I was looking for some make-up for a my cousin's birthday party. It was a themed party - Pimps and Hos.  So I was looking for some make up at the MAC counter.  Tony not only helped me but did my full make up.  From the very moment I met Tony I had complete trust in him.  So when I mentioned to him that I want to go to a psychic or have my cards read, Tony immediately told me about Ziba and insisted that I see her.  Tony told me that he has gone to see Ziba several times and everything she has told him has come true, including his move to Salt Lake.  He gave me Ziba's number and of course I contacted her.

Ziba met up with me and my partners in crime, Kelli and Karen, who also wanted in on the action.  Karen went first, then Kelli and I went last.  I am not going to disclose any details...but some of the things she said was completely spot on for all three of us.

Here is what I will share with you all.... when Ziba first began laying out the cards, she stopped and said "Oh my, this is not good.  I need a minute".  Ziba told me that she sees me going on a trip out of the country, my career is not changing and that I'm comfortable, I have two young people in my life that will be calling me a lot because of drama they have in their life, I may have some difficult times ahead of me especially this summer but in the end I have the best reading one could ever have.  This is the quick and dirty condensed version...as a lot more was said but I think I'll leave it at that for now.

Ziba said to call her and let her know when things start happening.  She also recommends if we want another reading that we wait at least 4 months, but 6 months is best.

Another experience completed....I definitely am curious to see how things play out.  I think what was most fascinating was how she was able to discuss things with such detail.  Two things she said to me that really stuck out - "Never argue with your fortune teller" and "If you try to change your future, the universe will make a stronger statement".  

So here I am allowing life to take its course.  Maybe I will give you an update in 6 months what has come true.  

PTFC - Go Timbers!

The Portland Timbers is the newest sporting franchise to come to Portland.  Last year tickets were snatched up so quickly so you had to win or go with a group.  So this year, pre-season game (or match? maybe a soccer aficionado can clarify this for me) tickets were available through a fundraiser to support the PCC nursing program.  I quickly jumped on the opportunity and requested tickets without even asking anyone.   Prior to the game I went out and bought a Timbers t-shirt to show support.

When setting up the self timer I must remember that I'm taller than Karen unless she is wearing heels.

As it turns out my friend Karen was the only other person who could go to the game.  We met up with our friend, John at Blue Moon and then headed to Jeld-Wen field.

At Blue Moon

So we arrive and find our seats.  I see another co-worker from student services, but other than that we do not know anyone.  The players are warming up and then they take what looks like a fire hose and begin watering the field.  It had snowed the day before and it is freezing.  I can only imagine what sliding on the wet turf in freezing weather might feel like.  The water is used to level everything out.

From our seats the view.

As the game begins, besides hearing my teeth chattering and I am realizing that we are in the "quiet" section.  At the far end from where we are sitting are fans waving flags and chanting.  I was informed by Rich (who is probably the soccer aficionado that I'm talking about) that this is the Timber Army.
The chanting is constant.  It happens the whole game!  We decided to move closer to the "fun" section.  All the moving and chanting in this section made me feel like it was physically warmer.  My reasoning for this was the Army was throwing off body heat and my teeth stopped chattering. 

It's blurry but the Timber Army is like none other.

The other thing I see is every fan has a scarf.  Hmmm smart thinking since it was so cold.  Why didn't I think of that!  At the break we decided to buy coffee.  I have decided if I attend another game, I will have to invest in at the very least a scarf.  In fact, Timber fans use their scarf and add sound effects to the Star Spangled Banner.  Something I have not seen or experienced at any other sporting event.

No Timbers wear you can see - another reason to get a scarf!

So this is what I know about soccer:

• Before Lacrosse came along this was the number one sport I lost athletes to 
• The field is not grass but turf
• The players comprise of a goalie, defenders, mid-fielders and forwards 
• There is a lot of hitting the ball with one's head
• The two halves - each 45 minutes long.  If they go in overtime it is for 2 minutes.
• It seems to be in some organizational sense in my mind a similarity to hockey (but not)
• PTFC stands for Portland Timbers Football Club (I did figure out what they were chanting some of the time)

Ok so as you can see I need to either get a Soccer tutor to catch me up to speed or find the book Soccer for Dummies.  Another thing that happens at the game is there is a lumberjack who roams through the stands with his chainsaw and occasionally starts it up to get the crowd going.  After a player scores, he cuts a slab off the log. 

Timbers score!

If you look at the picture above you see a guy in a pink sweater.  At first from far away I thought he was a crazy fan without a shirt on in freezing temperatures.  Who wears a pink sweater to a soccer game?  Oh wait we are in Portland....where we keep it weird or put a bird on it!

I definitely would go back to another game.  I had a great time.  That reminds me, I've completed another thing off the list of 39 experiences.

Superman is not super!

Last winter dragged on way too long.  I have known people to experience the winter blues of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) but I had no knowledge of what this was like.   Until last year.  I wouldn't say that I had SAD but I sure was tired of the gray and the rain.  I seriously contemplated a move down to Arizona after a friend offered me a job.  But with further contemplation, the idea of moving away from my parents and friends set in and I snapped back into reality.  In lieu of my move to better weather, I put out an inquiry amongst the women I run with (aka Runner Chicks) about doing a race somewhere sunny.  This did not illicit much response until I tempted them with "bling".  All of the runner chicks signed up for the inaugural Portland Rock 'n' Roll half marathon.  If you sign up for more than one race within the same year you get a medal called "Rock Encore".

2012 Heavy Medals Series

Well it worked and the next thing I know we are having a bbq at Shelly's and voting on whether to do the Phoenix Rock 'n' Roll half, Tinkerbell half or the Pasadena Rock 'n' Roll half.

Anyhow so we voted to do the inaugural Pasadena Rock 'n' Roll half marathon.  We bought our plane tickets....fast forward 8 or 9 months later and we were off!  

At the airport

It was great to have a girls weekend get some sun and a run.  Cyndi's sisters live near Pasadena.  Her sister Gayle graciously offered to put all of us up and Dyana hosted a pre-race pasta dinner.  We had a bit of fun at the expo and drove most of the course.

Playing around at the expo - A little less conversation!

The day of the race I felt good and actually was running quite strong through mile 8.  I started to get feel the steady incline but it was nothing I couldn't handle.  However, the course was deceiving and after mile 10.  I began to have a tough time. (I think we all had a tough time starting at mile 10).  My left foot started to seize up on the last steep incline and what goes up must come down.  Fatigue set in and my hip could not endure the downhill and my left foot took a beating.  I just got rid of my fascial tissue pain in my left foot...which started up and my gait shortened.  I struggled the next two miles.  I was more mentally irritated than  my foot.  I had a personal record (PR) of 2:05:16 and shaved off 22 seconds off of my last half marathon but was under what I had hoped to come in at.  

What a great team!

My post is not just about my race but the opportunity to go to Pasadena allowed me to spend time with my run buddies, get some sun and also ride one of the three tallest roller coasters.  Superman Escape from Krypton is listed as the third tallest roller coaster at 415 feet. 

Waiting in line at X2

The next day after the race we decided to have a fun day at Magic Mountain and we did.  Our first ride was X2 which takes you to the 5th dimension and probably one of the best rides in the park.  The souvenir picture looks as if I have a Joan Rivers facelift because of the force pushing back everything or as I've stepped out of a Beverly Hills medical spa with an overload of botox.

See Joan Rivers face lift for me...I think Shelly is about to have an accident.

So as we are in line for X2 I see the Superman ride but no cars.  Not a good sign.  So we wind through the park and arrive at the entrance I read the the sign.....

They are redoing the superman ride.  UGH!  Was I disappointed?  I would be lying if I said no.  

What can I do???

I think it's important to note that what I learned from this is that I cannot predict the future and things may not happen the way I would want them to.  I am creating moments that I want to experience.  Even though I was unable to ride the 3rd tallest roller coaster in the world, the time I got to spend with some amazing women will last longer in my mind and heart than any 2 minute ride.  

No trip to California is complete without a stop at In-n-Out.

Working on the List

Checking In
It's time to take a look at how far I have come and what needs to be accomplished.  I realized some of the experiences on my list are open ended, which really is not a bad thing if you think about it.  Like for instance buy a bouquet of flowers every month.  At the very least you will see new flowers such as the ones below.  

January 2012 Boquet

A different view which shows the roses off better

February bouquet - hydrangeas

Goal Setting

Like anyone accomplishing a goal, they must be realistic, measurable and have a deadline. When looking over the list, I realized due to things beyond my control, as in nature, that I had to change one of the items, snowmobiling.  I thought about what I could do in its place.  It has to be something that provided meaning to me and others, not just an experience.  I'm still contemplating and have not made a decision on what this might be.

The List

Ok so lets take a look at the list again.

1. Create and write a blog of my 39 experiences before I'm 40 In Progress
2. Sky dive July/August
3. See a psychic or have my cards read or both  On my list to set up in 4 months
4. Run a marathon  April 29
5. Run a half marathon in sub two  May 20
6. Organize my office  - no really - organize my office On my list to set up in 4 months
7. Travel somewhere I have not been Done
8. See Herman the sturgeon  On my list to set up in 4 months
9. Do a full spa day retreat  
10. Ride on a train to anywhere On my list to set up in 4 months
11. Raise $1000 for breast cancer 
12. Improve my vocabulary and ability to speak Japanese On my list to set up in 4 months
13. Hike to tunnel falls
14. Stay overnight in the aquarium
15. Learn to knit or crochet a blanket and give it to a shelter  In Progress 
16. Take an art class - Glass blowing March 10
17. Attend a timbers game March 1
18. Be an extra in a film or tv show In Progress
19. Brew my own beer March 1
20. Attend an opera performance Done
21. Go whale watching in the San Juan Islands
22. Go crabbing ***My attempt January 15 does not count
23. Snowmobiling Because of the lack of snow I have decided in lieu of snowmobiling I will be ???? (to be determined)
24. Do a scavenger hunt
25. Buy a bouquet of flowers every month In Progress
26. Go to Portland Japanese Garden (it's been a long time) April 15
27. Go to Lan Su Garden April 22
28. Go to the Oregon Garden
29. Spend from sun up to sun down not talking to anyone
30. Purge - get rid of my wedding dress and items in that large bin I haven't looked in
31. Have one evening or day per week where I take time for myself In Progress & doing this quite well
32. Wear more dresses/skirts In Progress
33. Have Afternoon Tea
34. See Crater Lake  
35. Go wine tasting in Applegate Valley
36. Go to the house of Vortex
37. See the sea caves
38. Stay the night in a treehouse
39. Ride one of the top three tallest roller coasters (May happen February 21 or in May)

• Roller Coaster	Amusement Park	Height
  Kingda Ka	Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, New Jersey, United States	456 ft
  Top Thrill Dragster	Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio, United States	420 ft
  Superman: Escape from Krypton	Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, California, United States Roms is not so sure about knitting	415 ft

STATS
Completed:  2/39 or 5% complete
In progress:  6/39 or 15%
Set dates to complete: 10/39 or 26%
To set up in the next four months: (March - June) 5/39 or 13%
Remainder 16/39  or 41% to complete in the next 8 months


Reactions
I'm actually shocked that I have only completed two items.  I realize that I have chosen some things that are continual.  Maybe that was not the best idea, as far as measuring completion rates.  However, the benefit for me is far greater than the completion of a one time experience as the sum of monthly or even weekly goals such as taking time for myself.  


Let's face it, I have some work ahead of me.   

Madame Butterfly

I attended my first opera, ever.  When I decided to have 39 experiences before I turned 40 I mentioned this idea to a couple of my friends.  Immediately, my good friends Kelli and Karen said that they wanted to do some of the things on the list with me.  So when it came time to purchase tickets for the opera, I mentioned it to them and said I was going to take my mom.  Kelli and Karen got on the band wagon and invited their mom.  This not only became an opportunity to go to the opera but a mother-daughter time for bonding.  We met up and had brunch at Veritable Quandry.  Afterwards we had a little bit of time so the six of us walked to the riverfront and had a cup of coffee.  


When planning this, we had not realized that opera coincided with the superbowl.  It was a packed house with every seat filled.  I bought the tickets online and requested best available.  Little did I know that what great seats we had.  As we walked down the ramp at the Keller auditorium, we found our seats 3 rows from the stage.  Maybe it was a good idea to go to the opera on the same day as the superbowl after all.

At Madame Butterfly

Things to note when attending the opera:

• It is Portland and so one does not have to be dressed up
• Late seating is not allowed so make sure you are there in advance
• You can't understand Italian - not to worry, there is a thin screen above the stage with subtitles  (However I did not notice this right away and then found it distracting to look up and then look back at the singers)  With that being said it did give me a better understanding of Puccini's famous aria from Madame Butterfly, Un Bel di Vedremo.  I've heard it so many times, but experiencing the opera and Butterfly's belief of how she will be reunited with her love was moving.

To listen to the aria click on the link below
Un Bel di Vedremo

The question now is will I attend an opera in the future?  Possibly...I don't see myself being a season ticket holder, but I would be open to going again if it was an opera that peaked my interest.  I think for my mom, she would prefer going to the symphony, especially if they were playing Debussy. Overall, it was an around wonderful experience on so many levels.