Aura

Happy holidays everyone!

Just submitted my third pc-related RMA. Samsung exchanged a backup harddrive. Corsair upgraded me to a better power supply. Hoping for the same from EVGA on my 8800GTS that is pulling an error code on Windows now. It's painfully obvious that the desktop is nearing its end. Luckily, the RMA's are helping me prepare for the inevitable switch to a new motherboard and cpu and possibly a new HTPC setup altogether.

So sorry for your loss Mike. Will be wishing your family the best.

Damn, so glad to hear you're *relatively* okay Mike, Allison noticed your post on FB and immediately asked me about it, which of course led me to this thread. Let me know if you need anything. Take care brother.

So sorry Chris, I'm very glad you got to see him. Thinking of you and your family.

It was on-tap. It was listed as barrel-aged on the menu, I just didn't realize that there was a 'regular' version. Considering opening a bottle of something right now, but it's late and I have a few hours of driving and two parties to attend tomorrow beginning at 9 a.m.

Had a Stillwater Autumnal Saison earlier with dinner. Very pleasant surprise. This was my first Stillwater, and if their other stuff is on par with this one, I'll be looking for damn near everything they brew. Edit - after checking Beer Advocate, I realized I had the much more limited Autumnal aged in wine barrels. So apparently it's not something I'm likely to come across again. That's saddening.

Busy, and no *good* beer around here to make the weekdays go any faster! Bah humbug. Must live vicariously through this thread.

Do it Al! Raffy - just remembered I still need to return a pm to you. Sorry bro.

^ Nice Mike! ^ Me - Great Lakes Blackout Stout. Quite underwhelming.

As of right now, in for the get-together, not necessarily for the race.

Rancid beer is the best. That was a great vertical tasting opportunity Al, props.

Congrats Shelly! Hope everything works out on the refi, Dinners.

Three Floyds Jinx Proof with some leftover mexican food. This is way better than I remember it being the last time I had it. The beer, I mean.

Thanks so much everyone, it was definitely a calm and quiet birthday this year. Allison and I went and had an amazing breakfast in the morning, followed by tv, then she made me sausage bread (probably my favorite food ever), followed by more tv. Surprisingly, no beer for me this year. I had some great tastings the night before and everything I have in the apt. I'm trying to age, so I decided to stick to milk and brownies instead. Also, thanks to everyone for the best wishes on my new job. Training, here I come!

Early birthday dinner tonight with the parents at the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle. Three Floyds Zombie Dust followed by a very small 1-2 oz. sample of Surly Darkness followed by Bell's Batch 10,000. The Surly keg kicked right as they were going to pour me a healthy 8-9 oz., but at least I got to try it. Quite a nice on-tap trifecta tonight. Might dig through my bottles here at the apt and find something else.

How'd you get banned from twitter?

Happy birthday Jeff! I expect an epic level of malt and hop consumption over the next 12 hours.

I started work yesterday. So far, so good. Accenture seems to have great people across the board. My orientation group primarily consisted of experienced hires given the time of year but they were all respectful, humble, and as eager to learn as me. Already they are allowing me to work from home tomorrow, next Monday, next Tuesday, and forcing me to burn a rolling holiday that will expire at the end of December. The only negatives I have to share thus far are a confusing time reporting system, lag time in providing me a Career Counselor (which seems important), and assigning me to learn some bits of Java in a 2 week period when I've already been told it's relatively useless in project work.

My god Al, I could not be more jealous of PVW 50/50. Opened my first Bruery Black Tuesday 2011 with my friend Dan tonight. Trying to polish off what he could not finish, which is a blessing of course.

I don't how Mike G. is feeling about Three Floyds at present time, but I would 100% help with organizing a full-fledged Chicago gathering.

Hope the recovery goes smoothly Shelly, glad you're okay so far .

Happy birthday Dinny!

^ see my post on your latest FB status ^

Sorry Mike. Considering the time and money you've spent at the brewpub, you certainly don't deserve that. Lots of folks on BeerAdvocate are sharing similar experiences as well. I'm pretty shocked, everyone seemed so happy with this year's Dark Lord Day and it sounded like it ran smoothly. Not sure what the fuck they are thinking/doing.