Beer Brewing Fool

Believe it or not, I made my first brew (well, I did with the help of a friend). An American Cream Ale. It looks like beer, it tastes like beer, but who knows how much, if any, alcohol it contains (we missed that part of the beer making procedure). Learning experience- yes. Messy kitchen- absolutely. Does it take longer than originally thought- don't most things?

It takes about a month before it is in the form that one can actually consume. 2 weeks in the carboy (or food grade bucket) and then 2 weeks in the bottles.

Last Saturday was the moment of truth- would it be drinkable beer or something to water the plants with. We were cautiously confident that this would be drinkable beer. Other than following the alcohol measuring procedure (which isn't necessarily that important, say, in comparison to adding the yeast), the procedures were followed. Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize!

Brew Camp was extremely helpful in providing a down and dirty (sanitize, sanitize, sanitize!!) class on home brewing (and they give you a beer sample while you are there- bonus!) They have all the necessary supplies for getting started, including kits, which, for a novice like me, is the best way to get started. There are so many moving parts to brewing that the kit already measured out was helpful.

Again, this is NOT a "I like to keep my kitchen free of stickiness and mess" process. It is messy, especially if you do not have the tap closed on the food grade bucket, oops!! Oh, and regulating the temperature of water is a pain. It sounds easy in theory, but try it. It is a pain in the rear. I knew this from film development, but I clearly forgot how finicky water temp. happens to be.

It is ugly looking, isn't it?!?

After the first process was completed and the future beer was safely in its bucket, one of my cats somehow found the thermometer (a foot long thermometer), which was hidden under all the other contraptions and pots all air drying, and broke it. A casualty of brewing. He was fine just a little shocked at my rushing out of the bedroom to scoop him up away from the shattered glass. It is amazing how certain sounds can wake one from a dead sleep. A tinkling sound is not a normal night sound  (not like the soothing sounds of base coming from the open window of a car missing a muffler that is speeding down your street) and thus I was up immediately. Thanks Dell.

Anyway, 2nd part, the bottling process, went off without too much fan fair, other than properly filling the bottles (something to get the hang of- another mess can ensue), making sure not to suck up the sludge that sits on the bottom of the transferring bucket and being certain that the caps are on well. It is similar to the apprehension of canning- no one wants to offer a friend or family member a contaminated food item. If you do, that person my not like you anymore. Unless you are looking to reduce your circle of friends, properly sealed foodstuffs is a good thing.

So, you might ask, how was it? It was good. Good color, nice taste, a good foam head and those family and friends that have tried it so far are still alive to talk about it.

If you have some free time and are looking to make a mess, I highly recommend brewing up some of your own. It is fun and there is something satisfying about sitting down to a beer that you created. Cheers!

A Silent Night Broken By Song

Rarely do the holidays evoke anything more than commercial harassment, accentuated by the grumpy red eyed shoppers, who in the spirit of giving, trample each other to get that last hideous holiday sweater for the family dog.

This year, I wanted to see the other side. The side of people that made me not despise the whole of the human race. Oddly enough, one of the activities was sent to me via e-mail from my local events committee. Apparently, there would be caroling at the "Bean" (aka Cloud Gate, which sounds like a sequel to Watergate, but I digress...).

On the last Friday performance, I bundled up and headed out of my office, happy to leave off the long hours of staring at a computer to see how the rest of the world was spending this holiday season.

Upon arriving, I was shocked. A crowd had already formed, smiling and cheerful, and oddly polite. There were patient lines for free hot cider, the coffee and hot cocoa having already been chosen and consumed by those who arrived earlier. Another group of volunteers handed out song books and cupped candles.

People waited their turn, said please and thank you- all of this out of the ordinary for the holidays.

Once the choir began, a hush spread across the expectant crowd.- without the requisite pushing to get into a better position. The crowd listened to instruction and obediently turned to the various pages to sing along with the Wicker Park Choir. Children danced and leapt around, watching their reflections moving this way and that in the surface of the Bean.

And when the last song was sung, the last applause complete, people parted in an orderly manner moving passed the ice skating rink and their other fellow patrons, still warmed by the congeniality of the singing and community, not to mention the hot beverages, experienced all in the name of the holidays upon us.

Here's to hoping that your holidays had a moment of calm, clarity and serenity that will last you throughout the coming year.

Happy New Year All!

Combating Irrational Fears, One Graveyard at a Time

I do believe in confronting one's irrational fears. With this belief, I try to combat my fear of the undead, mentioned in my previous post, by going into graveyards to take photos. I go alone. I still find myself avoiding the areas right around headstones and such, just in case.

Personally, I have no interest in being buried. My request, once dead, of course, and, one which will not be granted by any of my loved ones due to its unseemliness, is to be driven out to an outer lying wooded area and left. Not buried, not covered or encased in an expensive box, just left, en plein aire. Why not? It's economical and adventurous. This is not, I repeat, not how my mother saw it when I suggested it to her during one of our “you are going on vacation and therefore, it is possible, that you may die and I need to know what to do with you and everything you own before you leave” conversations. I love my mother. She plans for everything.

After the last big snow storm in Chicago, I ventured out to Graceland Cemetery. The cemetery is beautiful and old. It has a charm that most “newer” cemeteries do not (is there really a “newer” cemetery? Haven’t they all been around forever?). This is the cemetery where Burnham and Sullivan were buried- Remember the stories of the White City? Yes, this cemetery.

I still find most of the monuments and mausoleums eerie. The same holds true for the ultra serene landscape found while promenading through the rows and rows of dead.

Because on this visit there was snow on the ground, I found myself hopping through the snow drifts trying to get close enough to the shrouded statues and angelic marble guardians of the dead all the while trying to avoid stepping too long in any one place- one must move quickly where there are dead below. Each remained quiet, undisturbed by my gazelle like movements across the smaller headstones buried under winter’s icy blanket. Each protecting their safely tucked away booty, six feet underground or so- many of them peacefully slumbering away the century.

Many of the names found here caused me a moment of pause- men of great importance resting forever there. Pullman, McCormick, Palmer, Field, Armour- each man having left lasting legacies- each creating this Chicago. And me, the closest I will ever be to the historical great of this city- standing amongst their places of internment. Still, not wanting them to reemerge from their resting places and so, I moved on, in my own jerky jumpy fashion through the snow, across the layers of earth separating the dead from the living. Maybe I am the one I fear to see "unfresh" and roaming the cemetery grounds in slow jittery movements searching for brains. If anything, the brains sought, would not be of the living, but of those below.

Girls with Guitars (and Drums and a Bass)

On the last Saturday of each month (during the summer), my neighborhood puts on free musical performances in the square. Sometimes they are good, other times it is just nice to be outside enjoying the weather. Last night was more than a nice night to be out.

When Flying Feels Like Falling, previously called Circular Convention, an all girl alternative/punk band, entertained the Logan Square crowd with a couple covers including one from Blink 182, and some originals from their own collection. WFFLF came together while the young women were participating in a rock music summer camp through Girls Rock Chicago. It was refreshing seeing these girls up on the stage with their skinny jeans, purple hair and punk attitudes rocking out to music they created. So few girls are ever encouraged to get out there and play. Nice music and great job!

Girls Rock Chicago, through its summer camp, works with girls between the ages of 8 and 16 teaching them how to play instruments and form a band. This organization has been in operation since 2005 and is growing with more girls, more staff and more great music.

I applaud the founders of this organization because Girls Rock gives girls a chance to explore their musical inclinations and supports their talents while showing them the ropes of what it takes to be in a band. Programs such as this which provide guidance and an emotional outlet to pre-teen and teenage girls  are so important in developing strong individuals. I remember from my teenage years most bands tended to all male with no room for any female talent. It is nice to see girl bands holding their own out there.

I cannot say enough good things about this project so I will end here. If you get a chance, you should check them out.

Music to My Ears

This weekend was the 9th Glenwood Ave. Arts Festival in Chicago. Hands down, this is one of the best neighborhood music festivals around. Rarely if ever do I enjoy the music played at the festivals I attend. I focus on the people watching, which was plentiful at this one too. Although I cannot replicate the music from all the wonderful bands we saw, I can provide a photolog of the musical journey. Regardless of what your musical leanings are, each band was enjoyable and provided a great festival atmosphere to go along with the visual art.

The first band were were able to catch was the Sons of Susan. This is a blues and swing type band.

The next band we found our way to was the Lowdown Brass Band. They bill themselves as Afro-beat, Funk and Crunk. Fun group!

We were entertained by Bible of the Devil. A metal and rock band and definitely lively. They drew quite a crowd. 

Mississippi Gabe Carter was the next act up. This is a blues type band. Really great! 

The Polkaholics were a very lively bunch! They kept the crowd entertained with various songs including Went out for a beer.

Walking on to the next stage, excited to see what was in store, we came upon Ode. A gypsy punk band. This was one of my favorites at the fest.

Finally, our night wrapped up with Tom Holland and the Shuffle Kings. What a finale!

Other than all the wonderful bands scattered throughout this wonderland of sound, there were also the other painters, weavers, knitters, and street artists. This woman was kindly entertaining the puppy with her baton twirls.

The day was long, but so worth it! If you find yourself in Chicago while this festival is going on you should definitely get out to see it for yourselves. Not one to be missed!

Korean Festival

On Sunday I ventured out to the 15th Annual Korean Fest. The festival is free with donations accepted-I like this idea. It allows everyone to enjoy the festival, not just those with the money to support it. Moreover, I like that Chicago has such a diverse population that it can have a Korean Festival which provides an introduction to specific neighborhoods and cultures. Everyone was very welcoming and out to have a nice time.

This was my third year attending and although not my favorite year, it was still enjoyable. I was sad we missed the wonderful drumming group, which I have recorded in years past, but it was a beautiful day and there is always a good bubble tea to be had.

Even though there scheduled are performances, it is the people watching that makes most festivals interesting.

Here are some photos from the day...

And the events...

Korean Flag

Shin Myung and Mask Dance

East Sea Martial Arts

And, of course, the food...