Basketball and Blackened Voodoo Lager

Convenient, pay-as-you-go wireless internet will be shutting off at some point in the near future.  I don't know if the phone or computer banks on base will still be operating or if I'll simply be out of touch again.

I'm not good at Basketball.  As an altitude-disadvantaged youth, I actively avoided the sport and related skills.  Despite going to Pitt, I never went to a game at the Pete or owned a Zoo t-shirt.  Most of what I know about the rules and strategy comes from watching Space Jam.

Nevertheless, I've been playing a lot more basketball here than I have since middle school gym class.  This began as mandatory squad PT, just a break from cardio machines and weightlifting.  It was good to do something not army-related as a group, even though there was a wide range of skill levels and experience and almost zero penalties called.  Since then I have occasionally stepped up to make even teams in non-mandatory games, but that can be less fun with pick-up game egos and such.  Mostly, I cannot shoot or dribble, so I'm only really useful alongside people who can.  That way I can focus on finesse defense, rebounds, and passing.  I don't know if my techniques would be legal in a normal game, but it works well enough here.  My flailing arms have earned me the nickname "Octopus" on the court.

Dixie Blackened Voodoo Lager

The Dixie Brewing Company is the last of the old brewers from Louisiana and they almost didn't make it through Katrina.  Their Blackened Voodoo is a Schwarzbier is one of the last beers I tried before leaving the States.  It has a bit stronger hops profile than I usually go for.  Far from a hops-demon, though; the balanced roasty malt flavors came through while staying rather light in body.  I'd like to compare it head-to-head with Shiner Black which I remember being a bit sweeter and less hoppy.  

Photo from FoodMayhem.com

Care Packages and Warsteiner Dunkel

Our platoon got a care package from Soldiers' Angels nearly a month ago now after my squad leader applied for it. There were several large boxes containing mostly snacks but also playing cards and crossword puzzles and smallish toys. Included with the Package was a stack of postcards from a high school in Florida; probably where the snacks were donated/collected.

More recently, I personally received a care package from my Grandparents' newspaper.  They also had a collection and our unit was selected; there was more than enough for our platoon.  The 5 packages were full of books, a few movies, puzzles, lots of sunflower seeds and jerky, various trail mixes, soaps, deodorant, disposable razors.  I had the guys go through my room and take what they wanted, but there's still 3 boxes worth of stuff left.  The jerky, gum, and bodywash were most popular.

-- Edit 10/Aug --  2 more boxes have arrived from the newspaper.  Holy peanut butter cheese crackers, batman.  I'm spreading the wealth around to other platoons now.  Unfortunately, I've already sent the thank-you note back to the editor.

-- Edit 12/Aug -- Another box arrived.

I've never been on the other side of such charity/support before.  It's good to know and appreciate that real people took the time and money to collect and send us these items.  Of course we always "know" people care, but it's more tangible when your holding a postcard from a high school kid or a novel someone thought you'd enjoy.

Warsteiner Premium Dunkel

I found it similar to the Flying Dog Tire Bite Golden Ale, but with less hops and slightly more roasty malts.  Upon reflection, it's a rather strange association (Golden Ale to Dunkel Lager), but that's what I wrote when I tried both back in February.  The Warsteiner brewery of Germany is better known for their brews with citrus fruits added.  Adding grapefruit to a lager doesn't sound very unappealing, but I'm curious nonetheless.

Photo from 365beers.wordpress.com

Rivalry and James Boag's Lager

What makes a Rivalry?  I've dropped quite a few paragraphs over at the Penn State sports blog Black Shoes Diaries on the matter from the conference expansion rumors up through the recent schedule announcement for 2016/17.  It may be better to start with what a rivalry isn't.  A rivalry between two teams/clubs/schools does not come from geography, playing each other frequently, or exchanging a trophy (though such things can help get one started and keep a rivalry vigorous through down years).  A lasting rivalry requires meaningful or memorable games, such as standing in each others way toward post season glory or controversial antics or calls.  A contest need not be especially close or have dramatic implications, so long as there's a memorable narrative fans can take away.  Once you have those memorable contests, you need to keep playing, giving fans an opportunity to relive and expound upon those memories, whilst passing the feelings and sense of community on to younger fans.  It's that sense of community and patriotism (for your team and against that team) that builds a strong and enduring fanbase.

Pitt and PSU had this for a while, year after year of close games and shared memorable experiences.   But Pitt lost it's mojo for a decade with some bad teams and diminishing fan support in a region dominated by pro franchises.   All the while PSU grew more distant in the Big Ten until they eventually decided to drop the Pitt series for more variety and national appeal in their schedule.  There will always be folks who work with fans and graduates from the other school to keep the conversations alive, but without new contests the memories of past games will grow stale while new fans have nothing new to contribute and resort to academic comparisons and empty what-if scenarios.

It's a bit different with pro teams, since the scheduling is usually out of their hands and they have more simplistic organizational goals, but the principals of shared memories and opportunities to relive them as a group are just as true and just as important to the organization's popularity and bottom line.  Savvy owners and commissioners seek to promote and protect these rivalries and sometimes succeed (keeping Dallas in the NFC East) and sometimes fail (Separating Oklahoma and Nebraska into different divisions).

If this image just feels wrong to you, you certainly understand what a rivalry is.

James Boag's Lager was another Outback Steakhouse find.  It's brewed in Tasmania and that is its most distinguishing characteristic. I found it to be a refreshing, archetypical pale-lager.  I'll call it "the Heineken of the southern hemisphere," though perhaps with smaller production and less of an ad campaign.  Nothing special and inflated in price do to its origin on the complete opposite side of the world; I wouldn't get it again.

Packing Up & Lucky Buddha

It is true that one's work expands to fit the time allotted and my 4-day weekend slipped way too fast.

My day after PT was consumed by a whirlwind of packing up my military gear for a ruck march and inspections tomorrow.  I am amazed how such a small room can become so disorganized and cluttered with stuff.  I've got to get this tidied up before Sarah arrives.

Lucky Buddha is neat.  It's made by an Australian company, but in what they call "an Asian style."  I assume this means they use rice in addition to traditional grains, but that's common with the big american-style light lagers and pilsners as well.  I thought it felt and tasted a bit like Heineken, very drinkable but with a more skunky flavor than American offerings.  Overall it's not good or bad; easy on the wallet for an import and certainly worth the price for the cool glassware alone.

Cinco de Mayo y Sol

Got up way before the sun in order to draw an M4 out of the arms room this morning.  I haven't shot an M4 since basic rifle marksmanship, but I grouped, zeroed, and qualified on my first try today.  It felt nice to get back into practice and get reasonable success right away.  I actually scored higher than my qualifying day in basic training, but not well enough to upgrade the medal on my dress uniform.  Oh well.

Part of this day at the range involved tactical march from the company to the range in full battle-rattle.  I had a full assault pack over my Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV).  I have not used either for a ruck march before and it wasn't particularly comfortable.  I'm not sure which device is to blame, but I suspect it's the assault pack.  I carried way more water than I needed and there's no frame or supporting hip belt for it.  Unfortunately my nifty new Medium Rucksack with frame and hip belt is already packed away in a CONEX for Iraq.

For Cinco de Mayo please allow me to introduce you to Sol, la cerveza tan guapa.  Unfortunately, the pretty bottle design and presentation is the best thing this Mexican lager has going for it.  It's a light and drinkable lager; I liked it better than Corona, but lagging way behind the more flavorful Negra Modelo.  Still, Sol would be great on a hot day, with or without lime.

Saint Patrick's 4-Day Pass & Harp Lager

Surprise 4-day pass, perhaps in honor of Saint Patrick?  I can only guess. If only someone had told me, then maybe I could have made plans.

Today's review sort of honors the holiday with a look at Harp Lager.  Most folks know Harp as the bottom half of a traditional Black and Tan.  The Imported Harp available this time of year is 'imported from Canada' from 'an Irish recipe.'  Unfortunately, it's no more Irish than Killian's "Irish Red" (made by Coors in Colorado).  The taste itself is very underwhelming.  A bit more skunky/hops character than an american lager, but really nothing special.  I won't be getting this again, unless I can find some that was actually brewed in Ireland.