Joe Sixpack's Philly Beer Guide By: Don Russell
Non-fiction: Food and Drink 211 pages
Book Count: 98
This book is on all things beer in Philly and the surounding area. It includes information on local bars, brewpubs, breweries, stores, homewbrew suplies and most anything else beer related in the area. It is part travel guide and part book on beer types, brands etc.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Holidays
You may have noiced the lack of super holidayness. Afte like 5 years of this we have run out of ideas for the time. So we are giving it a rest. Maybe next year. And now back to the books.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
A Book in Review: The Stardust Kid
The Stardust Kid By: J.M. De Matteis & Mike Ploog with Nick Bell & Dave Lanphear
Non-Fiction: Graphic Novel, Children, Fantasy 128 Pages
Book Count: 97
This is a fantasy adventure book for kids around age 8-12. It's the story of a boy named Cody who is friends with an ancient being from before time and outside of time (which makes the storyline quite unusual.) His mirror (like a soul mate only more so) has turned against the world of humans and tries destroying it. So Cody, his human best friend and their little siblings must try and save the world.
Non-Fiction: Graphic Novel, Children, Fantasy 128 Pages
Book Count: 97
This is a fantasy adventure book for kids around age 8-12. It's the story of a boy named Cody who is friends with an ancient being from before time and outside of time (which makes the storyline quite unusual.) His mirror (like a soul mate only more so) has turned against the world of humans and tries destroying it. So Cody, his human best friend and their little siblings must try and save the world.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
A Note to Self: How They Croaked
How They Croaked - The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous
Non-Fiction: children's, history 161 pages
Book Count: 96
Long time readers of this blog will know that when we read a non-fiction book that has "facts" in it that we know are incorrect (without some supporting information showing new research etc.) we wonder about the truth of all the new to us information in it. This book had multiple cases of this. It also was written in a way that clearly showed the author's opinion on many things(religion, politics, etc). As these two things colored my thoughts on the book sooo much, I'm not going the review it.
Non-Fiction: children's, history 161 pages
Book Count: 96
Long time readers of this blog will know that when we read a non-fiction book that has "facts" in it that we know are incorrect (without some supporting information showing new research etc.) we wonder about the truth of all the new to us information in it. This book had multiple cases of this. It also was written in a way that clearly showed the author's opinion on many things(religion, politics, etc). As these two things colored my thoughts on the book sooo much, I'm not going the review it.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Holidays of Yesterday:
With sooooo many holidays that happened yesterday (some that we may never see again) we forgot about another one. Yesterday was Pocky Day/ Pretz Day in Japan. Yes, that’s right Japan has a whole holiday to celebrate stick shaped snack food. Now we don’t know how big of a thing it is there, but it is big enough that it has stayed up on Wikipedia for at least a month now. (So it’s most likely not just a prank.) Has anyone else heard more about this day, and what they do for it besides the eating of stick shaped snacks?
Friday, November 11, 2011
This is Spinal Tap quotes:
“In ancient times, hundreds of years before the dawn of history, an ancient race of people... the Druids. No one knows who they were or what they were doing...”
“I do not, for one, think that the problem was that the band was down. I think that the problem *may* have been, that there was a Stonehenge monument on the stage that was in danger of being *crushed* by a *dwarf*. Alright? That tended to understate the hugeness of the object.”
“Dozens of people spontaneously combust each year. It's just not really widely reported.”
“It's like, how much more black could this be? and the answer is none. None more black.”
“You can't really dust for vomit.”
“We're very lucky in the band in that we have two visionaries, David and Nigel, they're like poets, like Shelley and Byron. They're two distinct types of visionaries, it's like fire and ice, basically. I feel my role in the band is to be somewhere in the middle of that, kind of like lukewarm water.”
And of course the reason for the whole holiday:
Nigel Tufnel: The numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and...
Marty DiBergi: Oh, I see. And most amps go up to ten?
Nigel Tufnel: Exactly.
Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it's louder? Is it any louder?
Nigel Tufnel: Well, it's one louder, isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?
Marty DiBergi: I don't know.
Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?
Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven.
Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder.
“I do not, for one, think that the problem was that the band was down. I think that the problem *may* have been, that there was a Stonehenge monument on the stage that was in danger of being *crushed* by a *dwarf*. Alright? That tended to understate the hugeness of the object.”
“Dozens of people spontaneously combust each year. It's just not really widely reported.”
“It's like, how much more black could this be? and the answer is none. None more black.”
“You can't really dust for vomit.”
“We're very lucky in the band in that we have two visionaries, David and Nigel, they're like poets, like Shelley and Byron. They're two distinct types of visionaries, it's like fire and ice, basically. I feel my role in the band is to be somewhere in the middle of that, kind of like lukewarm water.”
And of course the reason for the whole holiday:
Nigel Tufnel: The numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and...
Marty DiBergi: Oh, I see. And most amps go up to ten?
Nigel Tufnel: Exactly.
Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it's louder? Is it any louder?
Nigel Tufnel: Well, it's one louder, isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?
Marty DiBergi: I don't know.
Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?
Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven.
Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
A Book in Review: Eleven on Top
Eleven on Top By: Janet Evanovich
Fiction: mystery 405 pages
Book Count: 95
The post on book ten can be seen here.
In this book Stephanie gives up on being a bounty hunter all together. But that doesn't stop her cars from blowing up, or anything else as it looks like one of her past cases has come back for revenge. She tries setting the record for the most jobs in the shortest amount of time between explosions. And speaking of explosions her sister's wedding it just days away.
Fiction: mystery 405 pages
Book Count: 95
The post on book ten can be seen here.
In this book Stephanie gives up on being a bounty hunter all together. But that doesn't stop her cars from blowing up, or anything else as it looks like one of her past cases has come back for revenge. She tries setting the record for the most jobs in the shortest amount of time between explosions. And speaking of explosions her sister's wedding it just days away.
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
A Turkey By Any Other Name. . .
Turkeys have many odd names from around the world, showing that no one had any idea what this American bird was. Here are what some of them translate into in English.
- Roman Rooster
- Ethiopian Bird
- Egypt
- Greek Bird
- French Chicken
- Peru
- Dutch Chicken
- Indian Bird
- Calicut (India)
- Chicken from India
- Rooster of India
- Native Fowl
- Western Chicken
- Elephant Chicken
- Big Chicken
- Cough up a Brocade Chicken
- Cough up a Ribbon Chicken
- Fire Chicken
- Peafowl
- The Great Duck
- Big Bird
- Seven-faced Bird
In short the turkey is a large chicken from some country (possibly India) that you should stay away from if it is coughing.
- Roman Rooster
- Ethiopian Bird
- Egypt
- Greek Bird
- French Chicken
- Peru
- Dutch Chicken
- Indian Bird
- Calicut (India)
- Chicken from India
- Rooster of India
- Native Fowl
- Western Chicken
- Elephant Chicken
- Big Chicken
- Cough up a Brocade Chicken
- Cough up a Ribbon Chicken
- Fire Chicken
- Peafowl
- The Great Duck
- Big Bird
- Seven-faced Bird
In short the turkey is a large chicken from some country (possibly India) that you should stay away from if it is coughing.
Monday, November 07, 2011
Marie Curie's Birthday
Today is Marie Currie's 144th birthday. She is best known as the Nobel prizes winning scientist that single handedly disproved 1/2 of all comic book heroes origin stories. . . so remember kids radiation kills.
Sunday, November 06, 2011
A Holiday E-Book in Review: Beer Is Proof God Loves Us
Beer Is Proof God Loves Us Reaching for the Soul of Beer and Brewing By:Charles W. Bamforth
Non-fiction: Memoir, Food
This book is a combination of a memoir and a history of modern brewing. It was written by an English man and so has British words in it, but it includes a lot of information on the US, German, Belgium and other big brewing countries. As it was as much about the author as about beer it does include a lot of personal opinions about beer, politics and religion. Also, he did work for Anheuser-Busch, and sees no problem with "bland lagers" as he himself calls them. Although, much of the praise that he gives them are based on their consistency. But I have issues with someone that thinks its just a matter of personal taste if you like the yellow water that passes for American Lager, but then decries against Alcopops (Flavored Malt Liquor)because many brewers (and from the context that includes him)think that "their very existence jeopardizes the long-term existence of beers as they know and love them for the simple reason that younger drinkers who are challenged by bitter products will not gravitate from these sweeter and easier-to-drink alcoholic products." Also, 1/2 of this book is the notes on the end, but many of the notes are just more personal stories.
Non-fiction: Memoir, Food
This book is a combination of a memoir and a history of modern brewing. It was written by an English man and so has British words in it, but it includes a lot of information on the US, German, Belgium and other big brewing countries. As it was as much about the author as about beer it does include a lot of personal opinions about beer, politics and religion. Also, he did work for Anheuser-Busch, and sees no problem with "bland lagers" as he himself calls them. Although, much of the praise that he gives them are based on their consistency. But I have issues with someone that thinks its just a matter of personal taste if you like the yellow water that passes for American Lager, but then decries against Alcopops (Flavored Malt Liquor)because many brewers (and from the context that includes him)think that "their very existence jeopardizes the long-term existence of beers as they know and love them for the simple reason that younger drinkers who are challenged by bitter products will not gravitate from these sweeter and easier-to-drink alcoholic products." Also, 1/2 of this book is the notes on the end, but many of the notes are just more personal stories.
Saturday, November 05, 2011
Thanksgiving Songs:
Look. look at all the songs we have for this major holiday. . . some one really needs to work on this. Why is it that Christmas has a ton of songs about everything from what the holiday is actualy about to the weirdest Christmas gifts ever, but many of the other ones get stuck with a handfull of songs that were only written in the last 60 years that somewhat have to do with some part of the day? Anyway enjoy.
OK, there are a few more Thanksgiving Day songs out there, but name 3. Unless you are a kid singing silly songs about turkey and mashed potatoes in school, or you have a favorite artist that happenes to like Thanksgiving a lot, or you looked it up on youtube I doubt that you can. Maybe later this month if I have a day that I don't have anything for, I'll share some of the youtube ones as well, but it's slow right now, and their are only so many songs about eating turkey you can lissen to before lunch.
OK, there are a few more Thanksgiving Day songs out there, but name 3. Unless you are a kid singing silly songs about turkey and mashed potatoes in school, or you have a favorite artist that happenes to like Thanksgiving a lot, or you looked it up on youtube I doubt that you can. Maybe later this month if I have a day that I don't have anything for, I'll share some of the youtube ones as well, but it's slow right now, and their are only so many songs about eating turkey you can lissen to before lunch.
Friday, November 04, 2011
A Holiday Book in Review: Yetis, Sasquatch & Hairy Giants
Yetis, Sasquatch & Hairy Giants By: David Hatcher Childress
Non-fiction: Paranormal 378 pages
Book Count: 94
This book is odd, like most on the subject it seams to be written to show people the legitimacy of Bigfoot research and that they exist. However, it uses Wikipedia as a source more then a professor would allow on a school paper. Also it includes random pictures of the cover of the "Weekly World News". It starts by talking about giants in history and legends as if the next step from really tall people is a Sasquatch. Much of the book is just quotes of people's stories of seeing a yeti, Bigfoot, grassman or any of the other names for the same or similar animals. It talks more about cases that seam to be faked then the most reliable Bigfoot information. It does have a bibliography in the back and notes where each story is from, but that is the extent of scholarlyness in the book.
(Also, this ends the Halloween books that I didn't finish before the holiday.)
Non-fiction: Paranormal 378 pages
Book Count: 94
This book is odd, like most on the subject it seams to be written to show people the legitimacy of Bigfoot research and that they exist. However, it uses Wikipedia as a source more then a professor would allow on a school paper. Also it includes random pictures of the cover of the "Weekly World News". It starts by talking about giants in history and legends as if the next step from really tall people is a Sasquatch. Much of the book is just quotes of people's stories of seeing a yeti, Bigfoot, grassman or any of the other names for the same or similar animals. It talks more about cases that seam to be faked then the most reliable Bigfoot information. It does have a bibliography in the back and notes where each story is from, but that is the extent of scholarlyness in the book.
(Also, this ends the Halloween books that I didn't finish before the holiday.)
Thursday, November 03, 2011
A Holiday Book in Review: The Book of Pirates
The Book of Pirates By: Jamaica Rose and Captain Michael Macleod
Non-fiction: Children's, activities, history, 219 pages
Book Count: 93
(Yes, I was a little off in the book reading timing for the holidays.)
As we read a book on ninjas it is only fair to read a pirates one too. (given that they are natural enemies of each other.)
This is a book for kids all about pirates. It includes information on real pirates, pirates in books and movies, and pirate activities that kids could do. (some with a little adult help.) It has a good mix of information on pirates: including female ones, Chinese pirates, modern ones and other things that often get overlooked in books. It also names websites that have more information or where you can get supplies for the activities in the book.
Non-fiction: Children's, activities, history, 219 pages
Book Count: 93
(Yes, I was a little off in the book reading timing for the holidays.)
As we read a book on ninjas it is only fair to read a pirates one too. (given that they are natural enemies of each other.)
This is a book for kids all about pirates. It includes information on real pirates, pirates in books and movies, and pirate activities that kids could do. (some with a little adult help.) It has a good mix of information on pirates: including female ones, Chinese pirates, modern ones and other things that often get overlooked in books. It also names websites that have more information or where you can get supplies for the activities in the book.
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Quotes on Death by Dead People
~ Nothing can happen more beautiful than death. - Walt Whitman
~ First our pleasures die - and then Our hopes, and then our fears - and when These are dead, the debt is due, Dust claims dust - and we die too. - Percy Shelley
~ Death lies on her, like an untimely frost Upon the sweetest flower of all the field. - William Shakespeare
~ Is death the last sleep? No, it is the last final awakening. – Sir Walter Scott
~ Call no man happy till he is dead. – Aeschylus
~ Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. - George Bernard Shaw
~ One can survive everything, nowadays, except death, and live down everything except a good reputation. - Oscar Wilde
~ Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. - Mahatma Gandhi
~ Thousands of geniuses live and die undiscovered -- either by themselves or by others. - Mark Twain
~ Thank Heaven! the crisis --The danger, is past, and the lingering illness, is over at last --, and the fever called ''Living'' is conquered at last. - Edgar Allan Poe
~ The hour of departure has arrived and we go our ways; I to die, and you to live. Which is better? Only God knows. – Socrates
~ Death and love are the two wings that bear the good man to heaven. – Michelangelo
~ As a day well spent brings blessed sleep, so a life well spent brings a blessed death. - Leonardo da Vinci
~ Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends. - J.R.R. Tolkien
~ I'm not afraid of dying. To me dying is like getting out of one car and into another. - John Lennon
~ Why should I fear death? If I am, death is not. If death is, I am not. Why should I fear that which can only exist when I do not? - Epicurus
~ First our pleasures die - and then Our hopes, and then our fears - and when These are dead, the debt is due, Dust claims dust - and we die too. - Percy Shelley
~ Death lies on her, like an untimely frost Upon the sweetest flower of all the field. - William Shakespeare
~ Is death the last sleep? No, it is the last final awakening. – Sir Walter Scott
~ Call no man happy till he is dead. – Aeschylus
~ Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. - George Bernard Shaw
~ One can survive everything, nowadays, except death, and live down everything except a good reputation. - Oscar Wilde
~ Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. - Mahatma Gandhi
~ Thousands of geniuses live and die undiscovered -- either by themselves or by others. - Mark Twain
~ Thank Heaven! the crisis --The danger, is past, and the lingering illness, is over at last --, and the fever called ''Living'' is conquered at last. - Edgar Allan Poe
~ The hour of departure has arrived and we go our ways; I to die, and you to live. Which is better? Only God knows. – Socrates
~ Death and love are the two wings that bear the good man to heaven. – Michelangelo
~ As a day well spent brings blessed sleep, so a life well spent brings a blessed death. - Leonardo da Vinci
~ Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends. - J.R.R. Tolkien
~ I'm not afraid of dying. To me dying is like getting out of one car and into another. - John Lennon
~ Why should I fear death? If I am, death is not. If death is, I am not. Why should I fear that which can only exist when I do not? - Epicurus
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Holidays in November
1 All Saints Day
Day of the Innocents – 1st Day of the Dead
2 All Souls Day
Day of the Dead
9 World Freedom Day
11 Armistice Day/Remembrance Day/Veterans Day
Pocky Day
Metal Day
13 World Kindness Day
14 World Diabetes Day
15 Winter Lent
16 International Day for Tolerance
17 International Students’ Day
19 International Men’s Day
World Toilet Day
20 Universal Children’s Day
21 National Adoption Day
World Hello Day
World TV Day
24 Thanksgiving
25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Black Friday
27 Start of Advent
28 Cyber Monday
30 Cities for Life Day
Day of the Innocents – 1st Day of the Dead
2 All Souls Day
Day of the Dead
9 World Freedom Day
11 Armistice Day/Remembrance Day/Veterans Day
Pocky Day
Metal Day
13 World Kindness Day
14 World Diabetes Day
15 Winter Lent
16 International Day for Tolerance
17 International Students’ Day
19 International Men’s Day
World Toilet Day
20 Universal Children’s Day
21 National Adoption Day
World Hello Day
World TV Day
24 Thanksgiving
25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Black Friday
27 Start of Advent
28 Cyber Monday
30 Cities for Life Day
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