Off-Topic: My friend the ski model

OK, maybe my friend Steve Keller isn't a professional ski model in the same vein as those who huck themselves off cliffs for the cameras, but he *is* the face of Steamboat on their web site, in ski mag ads and even in one of the world's greatest magazines.

Philippe Kahn Successful in Transpac Sailing Record Attempt

Congratulations to Philippe on his and Richard Clarke's successful Transpac Sailing Record. I'm by no means a close friend of Philippe's, but I have been lucky enough to have had an e-mail conversation with him (we have a mutual professional acquaintance). I'm not a sailor, but it's fun following one I know.

Anatomy of a Bee Sting

About 40 minutes into a quick hour long ride this afternoon (you may need to click on the image to see it bigger):

Support Saranac

I've been a fan of Saranac beer for a long time. It's good brew and the company is topnotch (they once shipped a case of free beer to a friend of mine who had written them a letter asking where to find a certain style for his wedding...and personalized it by wishing him well at the wedding.

Unfortunately, the brewery took a hit somewhat recently. A fire destroyed its canning building. So, it's good to see them back up and running:

New York: Black Diamond Bock, Saranac, Utica: "

The news from Utica is good. F.X. Matt, makers of the Saranac brand, will live on after the fire that took out the canning building two weeks ago and in fact beer is still being brewed now.

The news is also good about this beer. I picked up a six at the Alex Bay Mart the other week for a pittance - made more pittanced by the wave through by the lad at the border. This beer pours a orange-chestnut with a white rim. Medium bodied with dark cherry and vanilla malt cut by tobacco hops. I had the occasion last weekend to consider this brew with a wee dram of decent bourbon, Woodford Reserve and the combo was a natural. Plenty of BAer respect."

(Via A Good Beer Blog.)

Support a great beer maker and purchase some Saranac Black Diamond Bock this weekend.

Earthquake Story Cracks Me Up

CNN is reporting that a 6+ magnitude quake hit northern Nevada this morning. Reading the story, however, I have to laugh at this quote:

"We have cracks in our walls," Jane Kelso, who answered the phone at the Motel 6 in Wells, Nevada, told AP. Wells is 10 miles from the epicenter in sparsely populated eastern Nevada.

I'm thinking the reporter didn't even mention the earthquake.

Folliculay, Folliculah

I love science. Genetics saddled me with a bad case of follicle deforestation. Rather than comb-over, I shave the dome down to the skin. However, it now looks like there may be hope on the horizon:

"Hair loss in humans might not be irreversible, suggest scientists who have helped create new hair cells on the skin of mice."

Of course, I'll probably be 115 years old by the time any of this science will bless me with a full head of hair.

R.I.P.: Tom Poston

A sad day in comedy: Emmy-award-winning actor and Bob Newhart sidekick Tom Poston died.