I like this time at night on HBT

[BBL_Brewer]

Shoot, I'd go for the lasagna. That sounds good, I haven't had any for a while.

 

[Varmintman]

You are just now discovering extract brewing? Going a little backwards there buddy. You will see how it tastes, okay beer but not the same.

Tonight I broke my virginity with extract. I tell you I was really worried about it at first but dang it was easy.

Will I quit all grain well no not likely since I can drink more beer doing a all grain

 

[BobbiLynn]

A friend of mine bought a mr beer thing and wanted to have me help him brew it. I got some extract stuff and shared some of my hops with him. I took 2 hours from start to finish to brew that thing up

It will be good, not the best you ever made, but will be good. Your friend will want to learn more.

 

[BobbiLynn]

Extract brewing is too expensive. Go back to AG :rockin:

 

[Varmintman]

It will be good, not the best you ever made, but will be good. Your friend will want to learn more.

He has been drinking my beer now forever and wants to try and make his own. He thought I was doing extract beer all the time.

Heck I had 5 people here seeing how to brew extract beer. I told them I do all grain and showed them the grain mill and all but no they all wanted to do extract.

Tis cool though we drank beer and talked about groovy stuff

 

[Dan]

Time for music?

I've been listening to some slow jazz tonight. I haven't heard this one in ages. Kenny G. Smooth easy soft tune..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxoteheK-ms

 

[Varmintman]

Extract brewing is too expensive. Go back to AG :rockin:

Tell me about it. 20 bucks for 2 1/2 gallons of beer. 10 bucks for 6 gallons all grain

 

[BobbiLynn]

Wow! I can see your mind is focused. Replied to V-man's brew day and started talking about ricotta and lettuce.


I'm really enjoying your positivity right now Sis! Stay strong! :fro:

Hey there, Danny, I love you. Like the brother I never had. 3 sisters.

 

[Varmintman]

Time for music?

I've been listening to some slow jazz tonight. I haven't heard this one in ages. Kenny G. Smooth easy soft tune..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxoteheK-ms

Oh yes I can dig it. I am out of smokes and need to roll some more so this will be nice to listen to

 

[Leadgolem]

Yes much like cottage cheese just a little drier I believe. The only thing I can think of using it for is lasagna. I'm sure there are other uses that I just don't know about.

Ricotta is Great!
Too many people sub cottage cheese or other weirdness where ricotta is a hearty
staple of dishes like lasagna or similar.
It is mild like mozzarella but with many foods (and beer), it is the texture that makes the real difference.
Cottage is too soft on the palette, it does not provide the fullness needed to compete with the garlic and onion
that we cook with the beef (or lamb).
To me the dish falls apart without the hearty ricotta.

Cooking with Italian sausage for manicotti is another great use for it.
Or hearty ravioli.
I said "hearty" too much.
Well, I guess I mean it.

Yup, great on salad. I like to mix it with some herbs and mozzarella for stuffed manicotti.

I usually make my ricotta from soured milk, so the extra lactic acid gives it a little bit more zing and savor for that matter. It does stand up to strong flavors a lot better then cottage cheese... Or, mine does anyway.

That reminds me, I've got some milk in the fridge that may be about right for ricotta. I'll probably be making some tomorrow.

 

[Cygnus_X1]

Alright so Dan gave me the kick in the tail to tell the Story of Cygnus.
It's not a tale of pride, it's a tale of self sacrifice.
But the paradox is like Oedipus, one that brags is one that has not sacrificed at all.
The ultimate story of self fulfilling prophesy is life itself, but I for can't stand those that
say they have little control over their own destiny.
"God helps those that help themselves".
And to paraphrase, "Jesus despises those who pray in public".

The short story is that while a lifelong machinist I had always had an interest in the
craftsmanship of guitars and electronics, especially guitar amps.
My wife and I worked a combined 5 jobs for 5 years and saved enough money to start a music store
to serve the small Columbia, SC market that only had one other store that...well...didn't really serve the customers very well.
There were high end (still my friend, and will drop his name here, Eric Ernest) and the usual pawn shop options, but no real middle of the road stores.
So we decided to put our saved cash into a music store.
CD's, used and new, guitars, amps, PA's, lessons, and repairs.
This was in 1991 to 92.
When the thought of a name came up I dug into my fascination with astrophysics, and the discussions of the black holes, worm holes, and cosmos stuff in general.
The running joke was "If you buy a boat, it's equivalent of throwing money into the water".
So, I chose "Cygnus Music", as we were throwing our money into a black hole.

Somewhere in there, in between and prior, the band Rush grew on me.
I HATED Rush for a long time.
Could not stand Geddy's voice.
But looking back I realized they did touch a spot for me in an intellectual, nerdy way.
Take the song "Xanadu", a take on Milton's "Paradise Lost".
As I spent my days in the music store I had retied from the machining world, I soon realized that I had walked away from a world of craftsmen that really cared about their work.
Rather than musicians that were passionate but really not very successful or defined.
Bottom line is...although we had a lot of fun, it is true that musicians live on the edge,
and don't contribute to a very good business plan!

So, it really was "Cygnus X1".
I went on with life and resumed my career as a machinist, and could not have been happier doing so.
I went in with a renewed passion for an art that is getting lost.
And the tales of Xanadu, and especially Cygnus meant something real in my life.
So although Cygnus did not start with Rush, it certainly has wrapped that way.

One of the cappers was taking my 18 year old son to see Rush for their Time Machine concert at
Greenville last year.
It was his idea, and his first concert.
We had a ball, and yes they played "Temples of Syrinx", and this 49 year old went nuts like a teenager.
After all, it's about a man that decided to take to the music, isn't it?

Now I build amps, and enjoy machining...and brewing beer.

[ame]http://youtu.be/PCj3oBHSA5M[/ame]

 

[BobbiLynn]

Who need words? Kenny G....

 

[opus345]

Most excellent story. And the final words of the story are the real story.

Welcome to HBT and thanks for sharing.

 

[BobbiLynn]

Cygnus, I was raised in Columbia, SC.... well, the outskirts, Red Bank, know that area?

 

[emjay]

I'm an AG brewer but I have a 55lb box of DME :rockin:

That's how you brew extract on the cheap.

 

[BobbiLynn]

Awesome story.... we are the priests of the temple!!!! God does help those who help themselves..... Not trying to get religious here, just listening to the music. :rockin:

 

[Dan]

Alright so Dan gave me the kick in the tail to tell the Story of Cygnus.
It's not a tale of pride, it's a tale of self sacrifice.
But the paradox is like Oedipus, one that brags is one that has not sacrificed at all.
The ultimate story of self fulfilling prophesy is life itself, but I for can't stand those that
say they have little control over their own destiny.
"God helps those that help themselves".
And to paraphrase, "Jesus despises those who pray in public".

The short story is that while a lifelong machinist I had always had an interest in the
craftsmanship of guitars and electronics, especially guitar amps.
My wife and I worked a combined 5 jobs for 5 years and saved enough money to start a music store
to serve the small Columbia, SC market that only had one other store that...well...didn't really serve the customers very well.
There were high end (still my friend, and will drop his name here, Eric Ernest) and the usual pawn shop options, but no real middle of the road stores.
So we decided to put our saved cash into a music store.
CD's, used and new, guitars, amps, PA's, lessons, and repairs.
This was in 1991 to 92.
When the thought of a name came up I dug into my fascination with astrophysics, and the discussions of the black holes, worm holes, and cosmos stuff in general.
The running joke was "If you buy a boat, it's equivalent of throwing money into the water".
So, I chose "Cygnus Music", as we were throwing our money into a black hole.

Somewhere in there, in between and prior, the band Rush grew on me.
I HATED Rush for a long time.
Could not stand Geddy's voice.
But looking back I realized they did touch a spot for me in an intellectual, nerdy way.
Take the song "Xanadu", a take on Milton's "Paradise Lost".
As I spent my days in the music store I had retied from the machining world, I soon realized that I had walked away from a world of craftsmen that really cared about their work.
Rather than musicians that were passionate but really not very successful or defined.
Bottom line is...although we had a lot of fun, it is true that musicians live on the edge,
and don't contribute to a very good business plan!

So, it really was "Cygnus X1".
I went on with life and resumed my career as a machinist, and could not have been happier doing so.
I went in with a renewed passion for an art that is getting lost.
And the tales of Xanadu, and especially Cygnus meant something real in my life.
So although Cygnus did not start with Rush, it certainly has wrapped that way.

One of the cappers was taking my 18 year old son to see Rush for their Time Machine concert at
Greenville last year.
It was his idea, and his first concert.
We had a ball, and yes they played "Temples of Syrinx", and this 49 year old went nuts like a teenager.
After all, it's about a man that decided to take to the music, isn't it?

Now I build amps, and enjoy machining...and brewing beer.

http://youtu.be/PCj3oBHSA5M

Cygnus,
That was one of the humblest, heartfelt and honest post I ever read here on HBT. I'd like to have a couple brews together someday if that'd be okay with you.

 

[Leadgolem]

Alright so Dan gave me the kick in the tail to tell the Story of Cygnus.
It's not a tale of pride, it's a tale of self sacrifice.
But the paradox is like Oedipus, one that brags is one that has not sacrificed at all.
The ultimate story of self fulfilling prophesy is life itself, but I for can't stand those that
say they have little control over their own destiny.
"God helps those that help themselves".
And to paraphrase, "Jesus despises those who pray in public".

The short story is that while a lifelong machinist I had always had an interest in the
craftsmanship of guitars and electronics, especially guitar amps.
My wife and I worked a combined 5 jobs for 5 years and saved enough money to start a music store
to serve the small Columbia, SC market that only had one other store that...well...didn't really serve the customers very well.
There were high end (still my friend, and will drop his name here, Eric Ernest) and the usual pawn shop options, but no real middle of the road stores.
So we decided to put our saved cash into a music store.
CD's, used and new, guitars, amps, PA's, lessons, and repairs.
This was in 1991 to 92.
When the thought of a name came up I dug into my fascination with astrophysics, and the discussions of the black holes, worm holes, and cosmos stuff in general.
The running joke was "If you buy a boat, it's equivalent of throwing money into the water".
So, I chose "Cygnus Music", as we were throwing our money into a black hole.

Somewhere in there, in between and prior, the band Rush grew on me.
I HATED Rush for a long time.
Could not stand Geddy's voice.
But looking back I realized they did touch a spot for me in an intellectual, nerdy way.
Take the song "Xanadu", a take on Milton's "Paradise Lost".
As I spent my days in the music store I had retied from the machining world, I soon realized that I had walked away from a world of craftsmen that really cared about their work.
Rather than musicians that were passionate but really not very successful or defined.
Bottom line is...although we had a lot of fun, it is true that musicians live on the edge,
and don't contribute to a very good business plan!

So, it really was "Cygnus X1".
I went on with life and resumed my career as a machinist, and could not have been happier doing so.
I went in with a renewed passion for an art that is getting lost.
And the tales of Xanadu, and especially Cygnus meant something real in my life.
So although Cygnus did not start with Rush, it certainly has wrapped that way.

One of the cappers was taking my 18 year old son to see Rush for their Time Machine concert at
Greenville last year.
It was his idea, and his first concert.
We had a ball, and yes they played "Temples of Syrinx", and this 49 year old went nuts like a teenager.
After all, it's about a man that decided to take to the music, isn't it?

Now I build amps, and enjoy machining...and brewing beer.

Sometimes you find what you have is what you really wanted all along.

Thank you for reminding me of that.

 

[Cygnus_X1]

The capper (or not) is now I have been drafted to be a floor level safety professional.
I also thought about "what happens when my eyesight is not so good, or the physical challenges are too much" to be a good machinist any more?
I've witnessed heart attack victims in their late 40's from the stress of the work.
It's not rocket science, or brain surgery, but it CAN be a lot of pressure to always get the metallurgy, the variants, and the machines all correct all of the time.
I was drafted into safety and it gave me a new outlook in communication, and teaching from experience.
Now my most stressful times are preparing for classes and all that damned paperwork that OSHA demands.
But the good news is I am a floor level safety guy, not a manger that ends up in court when things go wrong.
I retired 15 years ago and show up because I love my work.
Not bad for a 50 year old dog.

 

[emjay]

I'd share my story but I'm afraid it's inappropriate for this forum. I'll just leave a few words here:

Finance/Investment banking
Professional gamer
Neuroscientist
Med student

Countless trials and endless tribulations. But still, I am here, I guess.

 

[BobbiLynn]

Not sure why, but I love you Cygnus. You are my kind of man. :cross: Not even sure what all you said, but every word was meaningful, heartfelt.

Yeah, probably we all been drinking too much, it's that time of night. Glad you stopped by to chat with us. I can give you a kiss since hubby is in hospital and not looking.

 

[Dan]

Emjay, is that top to bottom or bottom to top? Or does that even make sense?. I'm guessing med student was first.

 

[Dan]

Not sure why, but I love you Cygnus. You are my kind of man. :cross: Not even sure what all you said, but every word was meaningful, heartfelt.

Yeah, probably we all been drinking too much, it's that time of night. Glad you stopped by to chat with us. I can give you a kiss since hubby is in hospital and not looking.

You're my little sis but I think I'm jealous.

 

[Cygnus_X1]

Sometimes you find what you have is what you really wanted all along.

Thank you for reminding me of that.

That's really what it comes down to.
We learn, in the end, it's not about us at all.

Everyone should read read Neil Peart's writings, whether they like him or not.
One of the most humble human beings to exist, but one of the best drummers in the world.
Yes, I got sick of that label myself.
Apparently he doesn't buy it either.
No, that's too soft.
He gets sickened by it.

Here is one take, and take it for what it is:

http://www.shakingthrough.net/books/reviews/2002/neil_peart_ghost_rider_2002.htm

 

[BobbiLynn]

You're my little sis but I think I'm jealous.

Come here, you get a big smooch too. We'll pretend we aren't brother and sister for a minute.

 

[Cygnus_X1]

I'd share my story but I'm afraid it's inappropriate for this forum. I'll just leave a few words here:

Finance/Investment banking
Professional gamer
Neuroscientist
Med student

Countless trials and endless tribulations. But still, I am here, I guess.

If I were an employer I would be plenty interested and would have lots of questions...mostly positive.
But HR types would piss all over us!

 

[Dan]

BL, it might take a little longer than that.

 

[SharonaZamboni]

And don't get my opinion wrong.
Cottage cheese does taste like ricotta.
The difference is in the texture, and how ricotta holds up to the casserole process.

Cottage cheese is no substitute for ricotta, for sure.

My dad was a machinist for probably 60 years. He retired and worked a few half days a week, then down to one half day before his health, I think, kept him home. I wish he was here now to have a homebrew and make me a grain mill! My ex husband did machine work, and my son also trained and worked as a machinist. I hear that lately, skilled workers in the field are in demand.

Keep on keepin on, BobbiLynn.

 

[opus345]

Here is to finding what is important. And it does take time.

A little music.



Ya know, they wouldn't have sounded like this if they tried to sign together 10 years ago.

 

[Cygnus_X1]

Cygnus, I was raised in Columbia, SC.... well, the outskirts, Red Bank, know that area?

Wife and I lived in Oak Grove Lexington for a bit and gradually made our way to Irmo, where we have lived for 20 sumpin' years.
I know Red Bank just by passing through.
If they don't have a thrift store, we aren't much for visiting!

My sons have taken up that habit.
They buy broken gaming systems , fix them, and resell them.
Wonder where they learned THAT from?