Do you have another hobby?
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Well to get started, I play semipro paintball. That's probaby #1 with fresh water fishing pulling a close 2nd. I live in Michigan where youare surrounded by water. If you don't fish here then something is wrong with you. 
I love to nature hike with my family and 2 dogs. I have a German Shorthair Pointer and a Redbone Coon Hound. They are seriously high energy like my self and can handle all I throw at them. Love the outdoors and putting a pink splat on your dome! :laughing7:
:cheers:
I love to nature hike with my family and 2 dogs. I have a German Shorthair Pointer and a Redbone Coon Hound. They are seriously high energy like my self and can handle all I throw at them. Love the outdoors and putting a pink splat on your dome! :laughing7:
:cheers:
I worked on the version of ALFS that went out in 2001ish, with a bunch of guys that came from Raytheon. We actually worked for a now-bought-by-someone-big company called Digital System Resources. We did the software for the new release, and some of the interface work. I don't actually know much about any of it, since I was an entry level system engineer, which is a fancy name for 'person in charge of keeping track of changes to spec documents'.
Whats this unusual coralation between mead and enginering. Not just that but tinkering in general. I know Smokey is into botany. Two peps build harps which I know cant be to easy. JephSullivan does the math pictures preaty tecnical based stuff. All analitical order based, left side of the bean activities intresting.
:happy10:
:happy10:
Teljkon,
My initial training was in electrical engineering and I drifted into programming some years later. I gave up the corporate world later (with a big F.U. to my boss) and bought a bar. It made me happier. But one of the things that made me do that was that I had started brewing beer a few years before. Now I manage a beer store and turn people on to different flavors and experiences. I don't miss the pressure of the bar but I do miss the range I had at the bar (26 taps of very tasty micros and imports and over 120 different bottles).
I love to tweak and perfect. It's just so much more satisfying to do it with something that I love rather than doing it for the big bucks. "Here, try this" instead of "gee boss, is it good enough for you?"
But I still love tweaking and getting all the variables under control. Someday, I will reach the nirvana of fermentation. And I can only hope that I will be able to share that with you and everyone else on this board...
Wade
My initial training was in electrical engineering and I drifted into programming some years later. I gave up the corporate world later (with a big F.U. to my boss) and bought a bar. It made me happier. But one of the things that made me do that was that I had started brewing beer a few years before. Now I manage a beer store and turn people on to different flavors and experiences. I don't miss the pressure of the bar but I do miss the range I had at the bar (26 taps of very tasty micros and imports and over 120 different bottles).
I love to tweak and perfect. It's just so much more satisfying to do it with something that I love rather than doing it for the big bucks. "Here, try this" instead of "gee boss, is it good enough for you?"
But I still love tweaking and getting all the variables under control. Someday, I will reach the nirvana of fermentation. And I can only hope that I will be able to share that with you and everyone else on this board...
Wade
OI!
My 3rd post.
I am 37.5.
I play chess on a international team (ICC) and individaully(Colorado).
I write code - OO mostly, but I have developed some learning algorithms and nural networx that I have applied to metrics output for medical-device companies (bread-n-butter) and telephony(the fricken bread). I didn't hack Coclorado Rockies Tix. :drunken_smilie: Whatever - no smiley.
I am an Eagle Scout, and I work with my son (7 yrs) in this exploit. As an eagle ('85), I feel I can say that the bullshit stance BSA (Boy Scouts of America) has taken on gay participation is criminal - I didn't want my boy in it because BSA was treating gay men as septic to boys and, IMHO, was rending the strands that connect a community.
Men and women, gay, bi, and straight, can be a co-hesive unit unless artifical boundaries are 'established' between what is socially corrrect and poliically expident.
Just in case ---
I was made Eagle in 1985 at the age of 15.
I have a wife of 10+ years, and 2 children.
I am pleased to mead you all,
CW
My 3rd post.
I am 37.5.
I play chess on a international team (ICC) and individaully(Colorado).
I write code - OO mostly, but I have developed some learning algorithms and nural networx that I have applied to metrics output for medical-device companies (bread-n-butter) and telephony(the fricken bread). I didn't hack Coclorado Rockies Tix. :drunken_smilie: Whatever - no smiley.
I am an Eagle Scout, and I work with my son (7 yrs) in this exploit. As an eagle ('85), I feel I can say that the bullshit stance BSA (Boy Scouts of America) has taken on gay participation is criminal - I didn't want my boy in it because BSA was treating gay men as septic to boys and, IMHO, was rending the strands that connect a community.
Men and women, gay, bi, and straight, can be a co-hesive unit unless artifical boundaries are 'established' between what is socially corrrect and poliically expident.
Just in case ---
I was made Eagle in 1985 at the age of 15.
I have a wife of 10+ years, and 2 children.
I am pleased to mead you all,
CW
Welcome archae13! Glad to mead you too (love that phrase!) :icon_salut:
Come to think of it, I do have some other hobbies/fun things that I do beyond fermenting/tasting good things and photography.
I'm also a caver and enjoy finding twisty tight passages that show mother natures insides like no one else will ever see!
I love finding hot springs that no one else knows about. I love running naked through the woods! I know, that's more information than you all wanted but natural hot water does that to me. The smell of sulfur and the feel of sand up the crack of your ass will make you feel mother nature in ways you've never thought about before!
I used to enjoy fishing a lot too but haven't had the time to do it lately. I miss it. Especially this time of year, it's always so good when the weather changes like this for the fall. Fall and ice-off in the spring are the time for the 6 pound trout!
Come to think of it, I do have some other hobbies/fun things that I do beyond fermenting/tasting good things and photography.
I'm also a caver and enjoy finding twisty tight passages that show mother natures insides like no one else will ever see!
I love finding hot springs that no one else knows about. I love running naked through the woods! I know, that's more information than you all wanted but natural hot water does that to me. The smell of sulfur and the feel of sand up the crack of your ass will make you feel mother nature in ways you've never thought about before!
I used to enjoy fishing a lot too but haven't had the time to do it lately. I miss it. Especially this time of year, it's always so good when the weather changes like this for the fall. Fall and ice-off in the spring are the time for the 6 pound trout!
Let me welcome you, too, archae13! As you've probably noticed, we're a congenial bunch who mead regularly online!! ;D
And Wade, as someone still doing engineering to pay the bills, I salute you for your willingness and courage to pull the plug and take up your true calling! I'm considering such a move myself, actually doing more than toying with the idea of a commercial meadery, but it is difficult to take the plunge when mine is the only income for a family of five. I'm hoping when the kids leave home (just about 5 years away at this point -- barring any unforeseen problems), I can leave the aerospace biz behind and do what I truly love, make mead! I'm like you; I like to have complete control of all the variables, and I like the combo of analytics and artistry that fermentation allows. It's basically stimulating BOTH sides of the brain -- far more satisfying than taking a paycheck for developing requirements documents!!
And Wade, as someone still doing engineering to pay the bills, I salute you for your willingness and courage to pull the plug and take up your true calling! I'm considering such a move myself, actually doing more than toying with the idea of a commercial meadery, but it is difficult to take the plunge when mine is the only income for a family of five. I'm hoping when the kids leave home (just about 5 years away at this point -- barring any unforeseen problems), I can leave the aerospace biz behind and do what I truly love, make mead! I'm like you; I like to have complete control of all the variables, and I like the combo of analytics and artistry that fermentation allows. It's basically stimulating BOTH sides of the brain -- far more satisfying than taking a paycheck for developing requirements documents!!
teljkon, I think wayneb made a good point about it "stimulating Both sides of the brain" and this likely explains why it is an enjoyable hobby for people that use one side predominantly in their day jobs. Furthermore, I feel that brewing touches on something very primitive in us 'advanced' animals which feeds an urge that goes largely unsatisfied in modern society and modern jobs. For me personally, the final aspect that I enjoy so much is the necessity for good "gut instincts" or what they call "listening to the stomach chakra" over in the east. This is a sense that is outside of logic and science, but when used in conjunction with them, has truly wonderful results. Allright, mystical-alchemical rant over :color:
smoky
smoky
Hi!
Well, I'm building a model of the U.S.S. Constitution for now. You know, the 38" one with 2 bloody miles of string rigging and 80 little hand-painted cannons. I also grow and breed orchids and other tropicals. I actually have a Cattelya hybrid that no one else in the world has, so there may be a Martinii out there one day if it lives. Also big into organic gardening, survivalist training, self sufficiency, raising & breeding German Shepherds that hate the local power company guys, gourmet cooking (I'm a Chef), bow hunting and martial arts. I have degrees in botany/plant taxonomy, aquaculture, business mgt., and a culinary degree.
Now it appears I've gone up and over the high wall. You know, half a seabag. I'm getting more involved with mead making. As a married man, I really have to ask myself, Self, how cold do you think the shed is these nights? Did I fix that leak? Will the faithful hund keep me warm? Will the neighbors see me dragging my sleeping bag out there? Then it's the 'Here Baby! Try it! it's GREAT stuff!'. So she tried it. No shed quite yet.
You know, I don't think it'll be that bad really. At least when she drinks my (OUR ,'scuse me), mead, she doesn't scowl at the deer heads..... :cheers:
DD
Well, I'm building a model of the U.S.S. Constitution for now. You know, the 38" one with 2 bloody miles of string rigging and 80 little hand-painted cannons. I also grow and breed orchids and other tropicals. I actually have a Cattelya hybrid that no one else in the world has, so there may be a Martinii out there one day if it lives. Also big into organic gardening, survivalist training, self sufficiency, raising & breeding German Shepherds that hate the local power company guys, gourmet cooking (I'm a Chef), bow hunting and martial arts. I have degrees in botany/plant taxonomy, aquaculture, business mgt., and a culinary degree.
Now it appears I've gone up and over the high wall. You know, half a seabag. I'm getting more involved with mead making. As a married man, I really have to ask myself, Self, how cold do you think the shed is these nights? Did I fix that leak? Will the faithful hund keep me warm? Will the neighbors see me dragging my sleeping bag out there? Then it's the 'Here Baby! Try it! it's GREAT stuff!'. So she tried it. No shed quite yet.
You know, I don't think it'll be that bad really. At least when she drinks my (OUR ,'scuse me), mead, she doesn't scowl at the deer heads..... :cheers:
DD
Funny that people think about left brain when it comes to the scientific application of techniques and processes to mead, wine or beer making.
My major was microbiology with a minor in chemistry. But I always test dead center on the brain orientation tests and according to the girls I've dated I'm an archtype Taurus. Music, art, food, poetry . . . so making mead, wine, beer, etc is my artistic outlet not that I'm not in a band.
Cheers,
Oskaar
My major was microbiology with a minor in chemistry. But I always test dead center on the brain orientation tests and according to the girls I've dated I'm an archtype Taurus. Music, art, food, poetry . . . so making mead, wine, beer, etc is my artistic outlet not that I'm not in a band.
Cheers,
Oskaar
Hobbies. Hmm. The list of what is current:
I have a wonderful horse that I spend as much time as I can with. She is a Friesian/Shire cross. I can't ride yet, long story. But that will come soon. We do a lot of ground work and she is a great friend.
I play a lot of SCA (Laurel, Pelican, Baroness). That's what got me started brewing. Teach a lot of different skills in SCA settings. Live in the Outlands.
I do a lot of fiber things. Wool fleece to spun yarn then natural dyed. I then don't do anything with it. Sort of starting to knit a bit, but mostly enjoy the spinning and dyeing. In the middle of processing a fleece that is a light gray and a dark gray. I am spinning up enough wool so that a friend of mine who loves to knit can knit me a sweater. I want this cool Celtic knotwork pattern with the dark sweater with the design worked very subtly in the lighter gray. Just started playing with alpaca, nice fiber. Steadfastly refusing to learn how to weave, though. I would like to have a nice hand-spun, hand woven blanket/cloak. But I know folks who weave, so I don't have to!
Read a lot, mostly mysteries, SciFi, various history books on topics diverse but Medieval time period. Right now enjoying a book on "Leechcraft".
Herbalist both modern and Medieval. Most anything herb related I do, except for grow the stuff that gets you put in jail.
Forge blades a bit, dreaming of having my own knife forge. Do a bit of glass bead making. Do a bit of wood working.
Middle Eastern dancing (belly dancing) now and again. Just joined a Medieval Choir that is a lot of fun. We perform every couple of months.
Sew, mostly for garb in the SCA. Enjoy cooking, but done with SCA feasts for a while yet. Decided to work on an extract beer recipe based on historical info. Do not want to have to get the equipment to go to AG beers. Not that much of a fan of beer.
whew. But the main focus of my hobby life is my horse, my fiber, my various herbal projects, and my mead.
It's a good life!
Leonora
I have a wonderful horse that I spend as much time as I can with. She is a Friesian/Shire cross. I can't ride yet, long story. But that will come soon. We do a lot of ground work and she is a great friend.
I play a lot of SCA (Laurel, Pelican, Baroness). That's what got me started brewing. Teach a lot of different skills in SCA settings. Live in the Outlands.
I do a lot of fiber things. Wool fleece to spun yarn then natural dyed. I then don't do anything with it. Sort of starting to knit a bit, but mostly enjoy the spinning and dyeing. In the middle of processing a fleece that is a light gray and a dark gray. I am spinning up enough wool so that a friend of mine who loves to knit can knit me a sweater. I want this cool Celtic knotwork pattern with the dark sweater with the design worked very subtly in the lighter gray. Just started playing with alpaca, nice fiber. Steadfastly refusing to learn how to weave, though. I would like to have a nice hand-spun, hand woven blanket/cloak. But I know folks who weave, so I don't have to!
Read a lot, mostly mysteries, SciFi, various history books on topics diverse but Medieval time period. Right now enjoying a book on "Leechcraft".
Herbalist both modern and Medieval. Most anything herb related I do, except for grow the stuff that gets you put in jail.
Forge blades a bit, dreaming of having my own knife forge. Do a bit of glass bead making. Do a bit of wood working.
Middle Eastern dancing (belly dancing) now and again. Just joined a Medieval Choir that is a lot of fun. We perform every couple of months.
Sew, mostly for garb in the SCA. Enjoy cooking, but done with SCA feasts for a while yet. Decided to work on an extract beer recipe based on historical info. Do not want to have to get the equipment to go to AG beers. Not that much of a fan of beer.
whew. But the main focus of my hobby life is my horse, my fiber, my various herbal projects, and my mead.
It's a good life!
Leonora
I love the outdoors and spend more time than money out there, but I have still spent a pretty penny.
I also enjoy firearms... plinking, hunting, paper punching, defensive, etc.
Two of my favorites is the G36 (Glock) and the AR15 (RRA).
Aside from that, I love to read and spend many months out of the year with my face head in a book.
I also enjoy horses, but have not had one in over 10 years now. :sad5:
I also enjoy firearms... plinking, hunting, paper punching, defensive, etc.
Two of my favorites is the G36 (Glock) and the AR15 (RRA).
Aside from that, I love to read and spend many months out of the year with my face head in a book.
I also enjoy horses, but have not had one in over 10 years now. :sad5:
A lady who forges blades? :love10: I'm starting to swoon. All of my knives have been made by the stock removal method (grinding away what is between me and the knife I see in the flat stock). I tried to forge weld steel cable into a blade once, but did very poorly. I need to try that again, but work and home ownership really cut into my available time.Leonora said:
I always have been fascinated by the knives that people make. I dont have the tools space time or money to get into that for a while though. maybe ill just do some reading on the subject...
Interesting group of folks. I see most enjoy a wide array of "stimuli".
Computers were once a big hobby. After a decade of software development, I'm feeling burnout and use computers mostly as a tool.
I love the outdoors and nature in general. Gardening and growing fruit and veggies is what got me interested in fermenting. Mountain biking, snowboarding, inline skating, adrenaline rushes, and dangerous activity in general get me excited. Over the last year I got really interested in off-road vehicles (Jeeps) and have built a friggin' crazy rock crawler. I also own quite a few guns and enjoy shooting. My black powder cap 'n ball revolver is a particular favorite.
Computers were once a big hobby. After a decade of software development, I'm feeling burnout and use computers mostly as a tool.
I love the outdoors and nature in general. Gardening and growing fruit and veggies is what got me interested in fermenting. Mountain biking, snowboarding, inline skating, adrenaline rushes, and dangerous activity in general get me excited. Over the last year I got really interested in off-road vehicles (Jeeps) and have built a friggin' crazy rock crawler. I also own quite a few guns and enjoy shooting. My black powder cap 'n ball revolver is a particular favorite.
The whole "left brain" thing...
My degree was in Astronomy... With a minor in computer science.
Truthfully I feel that wine/mead making is an expression of my artistic side... Feeling that the chemistry aspects of brewing are like an artist knowing his/her tools... What you do with them is what makes the mead/art.
Brian
My degree was in Astronomy... With a minor in computer science.
Truthfully I feel that wine/mead making is an expression of my artistic side... Feeling that the chemistry aspects of brewing are like an artist knowing his/her tools... What you do with them is what makes the mead/art.
Brian
Hey ssteufelhund!
I just got back from a walk during my lunch break in downtown Boston, and I passed by Old Ironsides. You're not from around here are you?
I snapped a picture. This thread has made me aware of all the photography talent present, so I apologize in advance for the terrible camera phone shot.
(The Bunker Hill Monument can be seen in to the left.)
ssteufelhund said:
I just got back from a walk during my lunch break in downtown Boston, and I passed by Old Ironsides. You're not from around here are you?
I snapped a picture. This thread has made me aware of all the photography talent present, so I apologize in advance for the terrible camera phone shot.
(The Bunker Hill Monument can be seen in to the left.)
Funny thing I guess its a point of view I see brewing as a fairly technical stuff. On the list of hobbies a little more technical than most. But i can see the art to it. It is kinda 70-30 to me leaning more to the technical side. Of course this is just my opinion.
:happy10:
:happy10:
