This American Life: On HealthCare

If you have been following the heathcare debate going on in the United States, then these PodCast here are Very informative, the fact is they are a must listen i think. (These Views do not reflect the other 2 members of this site)

More Is Less Full Episode

An hour explaining the American health care system, specifically, why it is that costs keep rising. One story looks at the doctors, one at the patients and one at the insurance industry.\

Someone Else's Money Full Episode

This week, we bring you a deeper look inside the health insurance industry. The dark side of prescription drug coupons. A story about Pet Health Insurance, which is in its infancy, and how it is changing human behaviors—for example, if you have the pet health insurance, you bring your pet to the vet more often, and the vet makes more money and...well, you can see the parallels. And insurance company jargon, frighteningly decoded.

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/

An Evening of Hot Chili and Cool Brew Thursday, October 15, 6 pm @ The Newark Museum

On October 15 2009 I attended one of the best beer tasting events for me to date. The Newark Museum Volunteer Organization and The Newark Museum Business & Community Council hosted An Evening of Hot Chili & Cool Brew. It was one of the Most well organized beer events I have ever witnessed. Because it was on a Thursday night and the venue it was held in , it was calmer than the usual beer festival or tasting.

Those who attend beer tastings, to drink as much as possible, were not in attendance. The Crowd Consisted of museum members, news paper readers, chili fans and Genuine Craft beer fans. All, basically, seemed to acknowledge that Friday was a work day.

The, around, sixty domestic and international beers were presented and poured mostly by Volunteers. There was a slight air of cluelessness to those serving the beers, but that was OK, they were learning as the night went along. Some became craft beer fans in one night. It would have been nice if more Local Brewers attended the event. Those brewers from the Tri state area who did sent proper representatives were Shmaltz-New York, Climax-New Jersey, Cricket Hill -New Jersey, River Horse-New Jersey and Weyerbacher-Pennsylvania (who happened to have the best beer of the evening).

The Chili at the event was mostly decent. Many of the caterers added extra beans as filler to the chili. The Stuff I did try was respectable enough though. There was good Corn Bread all around and some nice desert to round things off. BEER AND ICE CREAM FLOATS also.

Overall it was a Great Event at the Newark Museum. Something I am looking forward to next year.

The following companies for contributed their cool brew & hot chili:

Blue Point, New York	Samuel Adams, Massachusetts
Brooklyn Brewery, New York	Shmaltz, New York
Climax, New Jersey	Sierra Nevada, California
Cricket Hill, New Jersey	Smuttynose, New Hampshire
Duvel, Belgium	Spaten, Germany
Encore Catering	Steenbrugge, Belgium
Franziskaner, Germany	St. Pauli Girl, Germany
Gaslight Brewery & Restaurant, New Jersey	Unibroue, Canada
Harpoon, Massachusetts	Weyerbacher, Pennsylvania
High Point, New Jersey	Exquisite Entertaining
Hilton Newark Penn Station	Frungillo Caterers
Lagunitas, California	Hobby's Delicatessen & Restaurant
Magic Hat, Vermont	Kilkenny Ale House
Maredsous, Belgium	Laurence Craig Catering
Okocim, Poland	Moghul Catering
Ommegang, New York	New World Catering & Food Boutique
Palm, Belgium	Terra Luna Catering
Peak Organic, Maine	Touch Bayou Catering
River Horse, New Jersey	Ultimate Caterers

Matt and "The Monster"- Rock Art Brewery vs. Monster Energy Drink

Matt Nadeau of Rock Art Brewery (http://rockartbrewery.com/), sits down with Green River Pictures to let the world know his side of the Monster Energy drink Trademark lawsuit.

An attack has been launched on Matt and Renee of Rock Art brewery
SEptember 14 , 2009 an energy drink issues a cease and desist order on :
THE VERMONSTER
the energy drink Claims that consumers will likely be confused with the two products.
I have Input from 5 Trademark lawyers In various states saying: No infringement issue. Clearly a "nuisance lawsuit".
You will lose because they have the financial resources that can wear you down till you can not afford to fund the fight, Then THey win by default. Rock Art Brewery has the beer trademark to
The vermonster
in the state of vermont.
the american pledge of allegiance does not say
"and justice for all who have the deepest pockets"
I have offered to meet the energy drink halfway and give up my rights to my Vermont trademarked VERmonster in energy drinks
read my official response letter here
This is quickly cruising the web, twitter and facebook please show your support for our small brewery.
learn how stores have pulled the energy drink and the parent company's products,
a natural drinks company, in support of our efforts.

contact Rock Art Brewery rockart@pwshift.com

as and FYI #Beer&Wine Tasting @ Mompou Tapas lounge 10-15-09 (not going, better even @ Newark Museum)

Mompou
Tapas, Wine Bar, Lounge 77 Ferry St.
Newark, NJ 07105 Toll-Free: 866-99-TAPAS
Phone: 973-578-8114
Fax: 973-578-8117 info@mompoutapas.com

Morning bike Ride Called on My own stupidity

Well as some know, I get up at, what my comrade iZatherez proclaims is an “UNGODLY” hour, around four thirty a.m. , to get my morning cardio with a brisk bike ride. At minimum I ride about twenty minutes, in the quiet and tranquil, lemon yellowish gaslight illuminated streets of South Orange New Jersey. It’s a hilly area, so its and interesting work out.

This morning I got up and checked the temperature. It’s fall so the temperature is unhurriedly falling towards the winter harshness. I checked it and the temperature outside read forty six degrees, Fahrenheit. So I figured that would be ok, got dressed warmly all except for my frellin gloves, I have these, now stupid, bike gloves with no finger tips. When I went downhill I felt all the heat leach out of my hands into the passing wind. !!!! I just had to call it quits at that point. I don’t need frozen fingers when my job involves typing.

Lesson learned, when temperature goes down, WEAR PROPPER FRELLIN GLOVES.

How Can I Support My Craft Brew?

The first and best way to support your favorite craft brewer is to purchase their beers, and if they are not sold in your local liquor store, ask the manager to stock it. Most will willing to bring in beer they know will be purchased.

http://www.newbrewthursday.com/?p=36

Tonight (or any night for that matter ) is a good night to support you local Craft Brewer,EnjoY a cold one and kick back and relax! TGIF

Gigantor - Kobe

Japan Does it again, another coool Giant Robot, G I G A N T O R !!!!
Found on

miho's dad's photostream on Flickr

Free from the planning and the scaffolding, the $1.5 million Gigantor (or Tetsujin) statue is now complete. More here aloso http://gizmodo.com/5375245/gigantor-lives

Starbucks VIA Italian Roast = Meh

20090930-SDIM0254
Originally uploaded by gservo

Compared to other Instant Coffee’s , Like Nescafe taster Choice Columbian, the VIA Italian Roast Is not bad. It Mixes Better, faster, seems more flavorful. Is it the best thing since sliced bread. NO . (About the coffee in question Visit Starbucks website - http://www.starbucks.com/VIA/)

To me, Starbucks really does not make good coffee anyway, expensive, utility coffee at best, and the Via Reminds me of what they sell in the store. It’s a good attempt at something others have been doing since World War 2, I believe. The worse thing starbuck could of done was make the coffee bad, they did not. BUT I think they spent too much time on the aesthetics of the coffee, the fineness of the powder and the packaging, and what the coffee would be served in and not the coffee.

If you’re in a fix, this is Decent, but expensive convenience coffee. It your actually care about what coffee you drink and how you drink it, this is not for you. Get a French Press Coffee Tumbler, grind your coffee, separate out it out to 2 or 3 servings and have some access to hot water. You will get better coffee that way and probably spend less. Or drink water its better for you anyway.
Oh and Why the hell do I want to go to StarBucks to by INSTANT COFFEE, I think that is such a STUPID idea.

Be Well, Drink Good Coffee Keep in touch

An Evening of Hot Chili and Cool Brew Thursday, October 15, 6 pm @ The Newark Museum

click here for printable brochure (PDF)

The Newark Museum Volunteer Organization and The Newark Museum Business & Community Council Invite you to Taste more than 60 of the finest domestic and international beers and sample meat and vegetarian chilis and other tantalizing treats in the setting of the beautiful Newark Museum.

Guests will have exclusive access to the historic Victorian Ballantine House, home of the famed beer-brewing family, and the exhibitions Party Time: Re-imagine America, a Centennial commission by internationally acclaimed artist Yinka Shonibare MBE, and 100 Masterpieces of Art Pottery, 1880-1930, featuring the Museum's internationally known collection of art pottery.




Image: Catherine A. Patt, Oktoberfest, oil on canvas, Courtesy of the artist.



Exciting Raffle Prizes



Tickets: $50 per person/$90 per couple
(All but $15 of each ticket is tax deductible)
This is a 21 and over event. All ticket and sponsor proceeds benefit the Newark Museum.



To purchase tickets by credit card, become a sponsor or make a donation, kindly call 973-596-6559, or mail checks to:

Newark Museum
An Evening of Hot Chili & Cool Brew
49 Washington Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102-3176

We thank the following companies for contributing their cool brew & hot chili:

Blue Point, New York Samuel Adams, Massachusetts
Brooklyn Brewery, New York Shmaltz, New York
Climax, New Jersey Sierra Nevada, California
Cricket Hill, New Jersey Smuttynose, New Hampshire
Duvel, Belgium Spaten, Germany
Encore Catering Steenbrugge, Belgium
Franziskaner, Germany St. Pauli Girl, Germany
Gaslight Brewery & Restaurant, New Jersey Unibroue, Canada
Harpoon, Massachusetts Weyerbacher, Pennsylvania
High Point, New Jersey Exquisite Entertaining
Hilton Newark Penn Station Frungillo Caterers
Lagunitas, California Hobby's Delicatessen & Restaurant
Magic Hat, Vermont Kilkenny Ale House
Maredsous, Belgium Laurence Craig Catering
Okocim, Poland Moghul Catering
Ommegang, New York New World Catering & Food Boutique
Palm, Belgium Terra Luna Catering
Peak Organic, Maine Touch Bayou Catering
River Horse, New Jersey Ultimate Caterers


.

Image: Catherine A. Patt, Oktoberfest, oil on canvas, Courtesy of the artist.

NJ Beer Goes here: New Jersey Beer Company.

Yep, a New Brewery is opening up in North Bergen, NJ. They are well under way in getting them selves up and running . It will be nice to see a New Beer Company Launch. I, as well as some friends, will be there for their opening. Their Beers look Interesting and I am really looking forward to trying their ‘Garden State Stout’.

The NJ Beer Company has already made preliminary agreements with Nash Distributors in Kearny and VRR in Passaic to get our beers into your local bars, restaurants, and retail locations. Their beers will be available in Hudson, Bergen, Essex, and Passaic Counties in North Eastern New Jersey.

Their website http://www.njbeerco.com is under construction and will be undergoing constant updates and improvements, so please check back often. For updates, follow them on Twitter or Facebook using the buttons at the top of their site .

NJ BeerCo’s Year Round Brews -

Hudson Pale Ale

The Hudson is an American-style Pale Ale, with a bright, hoppy nose, smooth mouthfeel and quick, light finish. This represents a great introduction to the world of hoppy beers and should whet the appetite of true Hop Heads for what is yet to come.

Garden State Stout

Our stout is a strong, full-bodied chocolate stout, brewed with real belgian dark chocolate and dark malt, with just enough hop character to balance the sweetness.

1787 Abbey Single

The 1787 makes a great session beer. It's light sweetness and distinctive belgian taste make it emminently approachable and perfectly refreshing.

Seasonal Brews - Coming Spring 2010


Limited Release Brews - Coming December 2009”

Commuter Comics… Magog #1 (DC Comics) Spoiler free

Well I read Magog #1, it has been out a few weeks, but I am just getting to it. Written by Keith Giffen; Art and variant cover by Howard Porter and John Dell; Cover by Glenn Fabry, the book sort of Reintroduce this Member of the Justice Society of America. This Character, with Roots in the original ‘Kingdom Come’ Story and Reintroduced around the Latest Crisis of the DC Universe, was initially somewhat of a ‘Cable’ rip-off (it happens a lot in comics Look at Deadpool and Deathstroke, no really). I like the way current storylines get you past that now.

Anyhoo, this Story, this series even, is a fluff peace of a comic for me. I think it’s supposed to lead him down a similar path he was theoretically supposed to go down in ‘Kingdom Come’ leading new heroes to be more aggressive, destructive way of doing things, with lots of seemingly futile aggression. This is a Story, I believe that should be light weaved through the Justice Society of America more that a series. In this day of price rising back up stories, it would fit that mold also.

I will avoid the Retcon (Retroactive continuity is the deliberate changing of previously established facts in a work of serial fiction. )issues I have with the book, they are not that important, just something that’s needs to be noted.

If you are new to Magog, Read Kingdom Come, it is well worth it.

[Updated] My #Photog Wish list (looking for suggestions…)

(… and I will except donations , test equipment etc lol ) Anyhooo, I am planning on going deeper down the rabbit whole of photography. In my research I have been crafting this list of things I want to own. I do not want to purchase these things all at once, but over time. This is a Work in Progress, and any Suggestions would be welcomed appreciated.

-Update- After An Existential Crisis during my week off from normal reality , in my down times, I got to think about my Camera Wants and needs. I got to do a ton more research and talk to a photographer or two, and well, I came to the conclusion that the Nikon D5000 was just not right for me. It’s a fine Camera but… … there are others. For a little more money, this camera would work better, so here it is, the new list buying a camera, the way I am doing it, is an experience, more on that later…

Well here is the current working list.

-Nikon D90 12.3MP DX Digital SLR Camera or Sigma SD14

- 18-105mm VR Lens or 18-200 mm

- 50mm f/1.8D prime

-12-24mm Nikkor 0r 10-20mm Sigma

-Lens Pouch

- Neck Strap

- 2 x SanDisk - 8GB Extreme III Secure Digital (SDHC) Card - 30MB/s Edition

-Glass Lens Filters

- Lowepro - Topload Zoom 1 Camera Holster Bag

-ML-L3 Remote Control Transmitter if I get nikon

-Flash (yet to be determined, which one)

-Seat Belt Camera Strap

-Level Camera cube

-White Balance lens Cap

-Monster Pod

-MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack if I get the Nikon

- Versipod II Monopod/Tripod Combination

-Desk Tripod

As things change, are acquired, and/or discovered, this list will change

You can tell a man who boozes by the company he chooses and the pig got up and walked away

Test
Originally uploaded by gservo

I have been distracted, disturbed, hell even a little demented. I have also been A slightly consumed by something I've always wanted to do, but never could justify, till now. I have, moreover, been Moving. This entails deconstructing and reconstructing a kitchen, throwing out all the planning, which is also something that, looks as if ,to have become a sick and twisted exercise in time wasting.

It is good theater, replete with the appropriate, seemingly sadistic props. It is all very very frustrating. There are a ton of underlying issues which make this all very tense. The best part of it all is all sides involved seem at fault, so there is no 1 to blame. Most of the summer seems wasted due to all this.
Bah
Is this going anywhere, no I’m venting for you all to see.

Here is a poem, I like, see how far down I have fallen!
Moving Day
by Ron Koertge
While sitting home one night, I hear burglars fiddling
with the lock. This is what I've been waiting for!

I run around to the back and open the door, invite
them in, and pour some drinks. I tell them to relax,
and I help them off with shoes and masks.

In a little while we are fast friends, and after a dozen
toasts to J. Edgar Hoover, they begin to carry things out.
I point to the hidden silver, hold the door as they
wrestle with the bed, and generally make myself useful.

When they get the truck loaded and come back inside
for one last brandy, I get the drop on them. Using Spike's
gun, I shoot them both and imprint Blackie's
prints on the handle.

Then I get in the van and drive away,
a happy man.

"Moving Day" by Ron Koertge, from Making Love to Roget's Wife: Poems New and Selected. © University of Arkansas Press, 1997.

Here are the comics we pulled For Comics shipping 08/26/09

This is your brain on too much anime & comics...
Originally uploaded by gservo

Avengers Initiative #27

Batman And Robin #3

Blackest Night Titans #1 (OF 3)

Dark Avengers #8

Dark X-Men Beginning #3 (OF 3)

Deadpool #14

Detective Comics #856

Doctor Who Cold-Blooded War (One Shot)

Flash Rebirth #4 (OF 6)

Gold Digger Tech Manual #7

Gotham City Sirens #3

Green Lantern #45

Grimm Fairy Tales Cvr A Campbell #41

Justice Society Of America #30

Last Days Of Animal Man #4 (OF 6)

New Avengers #56

New Mutants #4

Nova #28

Phantom Generations #4

Secret Warriors #7

Skrull Kill Krew #4 (OF 5)

Star Wars Dark Times #14

Star Wars Legacy #39

Superman #691

Supermans Pal Jimmy Olsen Special #2

Timestorm 2009 2099 #4 (OF 4)

Wednesday Comics #8 (OF 12)

X-Force #18

PhotoFu; GServo's Thoughts on the Sigma DP2

I did not discern what I was in store for when I received my loaner Sigma DP2 Camera. Oh The scores of Pictures I have taken, accompanied by fanatical laughter (using my inside voice of course, no really!!! ). It has to be understood, I really have developed an affection for this camera. The pictures were so pleasant to take and behold. So far the Sigma Dp2 is the best camera I've ever used.



First off the DP2 boldly has the heart of a DLSR thumping at its core. Saying that, it’s a camera preordained for people with a certain level of patience. This Camera is not sympathetic to rushing shots. The camera works best when you put modest thought towards taking a picture. What its FOVEON X3® picks up is amazing. The camera is not hard to learn, especially if you have experience with ‘Manual mode’ on other cameras.



If you don’t have experience, it will take a little determination to get your pictures correct, initially. The menus were very easy for this geek to learn. I did not have any issues with them what so ever. My Geek Intuition Wrapped my brain around it very fast. Adjusting things was very easy, and the DP2’s manual focus was purely splendid.



The Sigma has an Amazing 'Depth of Field' control to it. I was caught off guard at first. The first set of pictures I took were at a Train station I use every day. I got to look at the station in a new light after those initial shots. The DP2’s Manual Focus was my favorite part of the Camera, I rarely did not use it.



The Camera’s Body was unique. As I was using it, I sometimes got the comment that the Camera did not look like much. That’s one of my Favorite things about the camera. It's a great camera to hold, fitting in my hands nicely. Very lite to me, but not flimsy.



Sigma DP2 Specs
-Format FOVEON X3® Direct

-Image Sensor (CMOS) Image Sensor Size 20.7×13.8mm (0.8 inch×0.5 inch)

-Number of Pixels Effective Pixels 14.06MP (2652×1768×3 layers)

-Aspect Ratio 3:2 Focal Length 24.2mm F2.8 (35mm equivalent focal length:41mm) –

-Lens Construction 6 Groups 7

-Elements Shooting Range 28cm??(Full Mode)

-Storage Media SD Card/Compatible with SDHC,Multi Media Card

Full Specs here http://sigma-dp.com/DP2/specification.html



It’s Hard to complain about anything on this Camera. It Performed as it should have. Did I desire anything? Yes, an optical zoom of some sort would have been nice. In the end that is just my personal opinion. I am just a student in the art of Photo Fu.



Shooting with the Sigma DP2 made me feel like a trainee being able to practice with a master level sword for the first time. I have a bit of faith that says I will own this camera or maybe it's predecessor, one day. Sigma would be a fool not to continue the evolution of the DP line. I didn't want to write this review at all. It basically meant I was at the twilight of my demo period. I have to reluctantly return the Sigma dp2b.This makes my heart is heavy.



The Sigma DP2 does not play to the Common understanding. It’s a Piece of art meant to produce art.



Created with flickr slideshow.

Thanks To www.akihabaranews.com for the Inspiration

Thanks to Sigma for the Camera Loan

Operation Sigma DP2
Done

Thinking about Droping Some X-Books

For the first time in all years I've been reading x titles I thinking about dropping a few of them, ive dropped Wolverine and Wolverine Origins Months ago. The Troubling thing now is this new NECROSHA Story line. I got my Zombies in DC thank you, this story line seems too similar. ALSO Marvel seems to be putting some other New X Titles that may be more interesting.

The Titles on the chopping block are

X-FORCE

NEW MUTANTS

WOLVERINE WEAPON X

Thought it would be more? Well it's not just Droping, there are a host of books im just refuse to pick up like

PSYLOCKE #1 (of 4)

WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS

UNCANNY X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

X-BABIES

With these Drops at least i can keep up with Deadpool...

Torn Between Two Styles of Camera, DSLR/Micro 4/3 and the Sigma DP2 a quick rant

As I write and think about my review for the Sigma DP2, (I am very close to buying one),there is one issue. I have doubt and i have extremely Cold feet about committing to the purchase. I am on the verge of Making the biggest Camera Purchase I have ever made in my geeky like and I am not sure what the correct path is.

Here is the Issue, I am trying to figure out what type of a photographer I want to be. A DSLR user who might possibly want to sell some photos' one day, Having the choice between a multitude of lenses? Or do i want to be an artistic photographer who wants to have fun with a camera in my spare time?

When you read my review and thoughts on the Sigma DP2, you will see it’s a totally different beast than a DSLR even thought they share a similar sensor and purchasing it, may have to wait for a bit. It all boils down to how much I want to learn at the moment. I feel if I get the Sigma DP2, even though I will take some of the best pictures ever. I might not learn enough.

I lump the Micro 4/3 Camera’s and the DLSR’s into the same pool because they are basically that similar, to me. The things that make Micro 4/3 and DLSRs different, are another issue all together. so it's not the focus, I will most likely use them in the same manner anyhoo.

So what do I do? Do I go for the Sigma DP2 which I am totally infatuated with. Or do I put it on hold and go the DLSR route, which I have a whole lot to learn about, especially when it comes to lens use. Decision decisions





Created with flickr slideshow.

Here are the comics we pulled For Comics shipping 08/12/09

3 Green Lantern #Blackestnight books this week
Originally uploaded by gservo

Action Comics #880

Adventure Comics #1

Batman #689

Blackest Night #2 (OF 8)

Blackest Night Batman #1 (OF 3)

Booster Gold #23

Cable #17

Deadpool #13

Escape From Wonderland Cvr A Campbell #1 (OF 6)

Farscape Dargos Trial #1

Gold Digger Tiffany & Charlotte 2nd Semester #2 (OF 4)

Green Lantern Corps #39

Prototype #5 (OF 6)

Red Robin #3

Superman Secret Files 2009 #1

Uncanny X-Men #514

Wednesday Comics #6 (OF 12)

Relativity-10j1

Relativity-10j1
Originally uploaded by gservo

Artistic interlude

I am GServo and this is Eclec-ti-cal-ly Geeking

Stone Brewing Cali-Belgique IPA
Originally uploaded by gservo

Cheers