Ross E. Lockhart's Blog, page 52
January 28, 2012
Happy Maddie-versary...
Fourteen years old... and still stompin'!
Eight years ago today, Madeline came into our lives. These days, it's hard to remember the time before Little Miss Underfoot, our opinionated canine companion, was a part of our daily routine, sharing everything from road trips to routine workdays with Jennifer and myself.
Of course, getting older comes with its challenges. We're up against Cushing's syndrome, Glomerulonephritis, and Hypothyroidism, not to mention assorted warts, bumps, cysts, and aches and pains, but that's par for the course when you're a fourteen-year-old Shih-tzu. Plus, we've recently had to transition Maddie from a canned-and-kibble diet to a home-cooked one of boiled chicken and sweet potatoes (and there's nothing quite as comical as a pair of vegetarians attempting to figure out how to cook chicken for their dancing, hungry dog). But Maddie's as happy as she's ever been (so long as she gets in her several naps and at least one romp around the block a day), with plenty of attitude (Maddie-tude).
So what did we do to celebrate the day? Drop by the Country Vet for an early-morning blood test (and a romp through their zen garden), what else? And this afternoon? Some serious sitting by the fireplace and reading.
So raise a glass (of Metamucil?) and share a toast with us: To eight years of Maddie, our fourteen-year-old Shih-tzu. And to many, many more.
And here's a round-up gallery of the last seven Maddie-versaries:
Seven Years... 2011
Six Years... 2010
Five Years... 2009
Four Years... 2008
Three Years... 2007
Two Years... 2006
One Year... 2005
First pics... 2004
"Thanks for sticking around, folks!" says Maddie.
Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.
Adult Beverage: Ruthless Rye
Another week gives way to another weekend. And what a busy week it was. I seem to be coordinating and correcting a ton of projects right now, having just wrapped up Jonathan Strahan's The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year: Volume Six, and working concurrently on Ellen Datlow's The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Four, Phil and Kaja Foglio's Agatha H and the Clockwork Princess, Bradley P. Beaulieu's The Straits of Galahesh, Laird Barron's The Croning, and Mary Gentle's The Black Opera. It's a lot of juggling (and unfortunately, my training is in fire-breathing), but all the balls seem to be remaining in the air. And good reviews are starting to hit for February's NSB titles (all of which I edited), including W. G. Marshall's Enormity [Review], Jennifer Safrey's Tooth and Nail [Review], J. M. McDermott's When We Were Executioners [Review], and Will McIntosh's Hitchers [Review 1] [Review 2]. And a spot of week-making news: my anthology, The Book of Cthulhu, is now available in the Sonoma County Library system. Sounds like a great reason to crack open a cold one.
So I'm sampling a Ruthless Rye, from Sierra Nevada Brewing, a "complex ale for the tumultuous transition to spring."
Ruthless Rye pours a deep, translucent amber with a thick, fluffy white head. Heavy, sticky lacing clings to the glass in spattered arcs and snowdrift peaks. Earthy citrus hops and spicy rye on the nose, inviting. Citrus on the tongue; grapefruit and orange peel, followed by rye malt crispness, a touch of caramel, and peppery pine resin. Dry, spicy finish with a bitter rye kick. Medium mouthfeel, with plenty of carbonation. Ruthlessly drinkable.
"Enough about beer," says Maddie. "Read me a story."
Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.
January 23, 2012
Adult Beverage: The Vixen
Randy and Jan invited us over for enchiladas tonight, so earlier today, when I stopped by Petaluma Market for a few necessities, I picked up a little something that caught my eye: The Vixen, a chocolate chili bock from Samuel Adams. An "Ale brewed with cinnamon and with spices and cocoa nibs added," The Vixen sports an attention-grabbing label, featuring a lovely blonde, rose clenched in her teeth, eyebrow provocatively arched. Can't resist a pinup. And the ingredients? Promising.
The Vixen pours near black, with an implicit reddish-brown tinge, and a half-finger head that quickly gives way to an equatorial ring, bulls, and kiwi birds.
Chilies, cocoa, and cinnamon on the nose. Suggestions of mole--perfect with enchiladas--on the tongue; warm roast chiles, sweet chocolate, earthy cocoa and malt. Dark, fruity, and candy sweet. Warm alcohol and bitter hop finish. Smooth mouthfeel; goes down easy.
Very drinkable. Fairs well against Theobroma and Suckhole Stout. Paired nicely with dinner, and into dessert, a The Niner cupcake from Sift.
Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.
January 22, 2012
Adult Beverage: Butchertown Black Ale
Third time's the charm.
I have the best intentions in writing these reviews. I believe that brewing is one of the hallmarks of civilization, and that by sharing my thoughts on quality adult beverages with you, I somehow enrich your lives.
Thing is, some of these adult beverages can be a bit strong. And I've reached the point a few times, mid-way through a bomber of fine ale, where I've said to myself, "This is quite good, but there's no way I'm gonna be able to objectively review this one tonight."
.
So tonight, I'm (once again) knocking back a Butchertown Black Ale, from San Francisco's Speakeasy Brewing. For the third time. Because at 8.2% alc/vol, this one packs a wallop
Butchertown Black Ale pours deep brown-black with an inch-thick toffee-colored head that collapses to a thin cap, leaving splatters, rings, and dashes of lacing down the glass. Toasted malt, chocolate syrup, and spicy hops on the nose. Taste is dark malt sugars, burnished barley, peppery hops. Bakers' chocolate and a touch of tobacco. A pinch of grapefruit citrus bitterness lingers. Lightweight, creamy mouthfeel. Tongue-tickling carbonation. Deceptively easy-going and drinkable, this one has a habit of lolling you into comfortable submission, then sneaking up on you and BAM!, right in the head. Recommended, but take precautions.
Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.
January 16, 2012
Adult Beverage: Epic Armageddon IPA
I'm having an epic day. Not only did I just realize it's a three-day weekend, but I got word earlier today that Publishers Weekly have given my anthology The Book of Cthulhu a coveted starred review. In the book biz, that means you've done something right.
So I'm marking the moment with an Epic Armageddon IPA, which comes "All the way from New Zealand." I've never been clear what was wrong with the old Zealand, but everybody I've ever known from NZ has been good people, so I'm more than willing to give this Kiwi version of an American IPA (with its 6.66% alc/vol) a shot.
Epic Armageddon IPA pours bright copper with visible carbonation and a two-finger head that quickly falls to a ring of bubbles and scattered lacing. Hops, citrus, and tropical fruit on the nose: Pine needles, orange, lemon zest, and pineapple, with a toasted caramel character that emerges as it warms. A touch of skunky (lager?) yeast. Taste follows scent, adding pepper and malt sugar to the mix. Medium mouthfeel, creamy and warm. Lightly bitter finish. Not quite as bitter or aggressive as a California IPA, but pleasant and drinkable, though it has a disquieting yeasty aftertaste reminiscent of beers from Coney Island Brewing Co. Decent, but compared to the rest of my day, Epic Armageddon IPA falls a little short.
Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.
December 31, 2011
Books Read: Xmas to New Year's Eve 2011
Here's a quick list of titles read this week, in no particular order (other than alphabetical), all of which I'd recommend, with possible further comment to come:
The Vegan Revolution... with Zombies by David Agranoff
Seven Seagulls for a Single Nipple by Troy Chambers
Trashland a Go-Go by Constance Ann Fitzgerald
The Damned Highway: Fear and Loathing in Arkham by Brian Keene and Nick Mamatas
Wave of Mutilation by Douglas Lain
Placenta of Love by Spike Marlowe
The Kobold Wizard's Dildo of Enlightenment +2 by Carlton Mellick III
A Plague of Wolves and Women by Riley Michael Parker
The No Hellos Diet by Sam Pink
Nine books. One week. Not bad. Wonder if I can squeeze in one more (Gina Ranalli's House of Fallen Trees) before the ball drops.
December 20, 2011
Мои твиты
December 16, 2011
Мои твиты
December 13, 2011
Мои твиты
Etsy Cthulhu
Why? For you, dear reader...
So here you go. Something you never thought you'd need. The nine best Cthulhu-related items currently on Etsy. Happy shopping!
1) Meatspider Cthulhu Idol v202
Cthulhu of Willendorf
2) Cthulhu with Jayne Cobb's hat
For the Browncoat in your life. With bonus secret compartment.
3) Remembering The Future II
Giclée Print of Original Painting by Jason Brammer
4) Box of Miniature H. P. Lovecraft Books
Say, is that a tiny copy of Unaussprechlichen Kulten you're reading?
5) Steampunk Wall Tentacle
We can't stop here, this is octopus country!
6) Don Cthulhu
The Call of La Mancha!
7) OOAK Steampunk Cthulhu Pocket Watch
Is it time for the stars to be right?
8) Cthulhu HP Lovecraft small sized PROP radio
You're listening to KTLU, Radio R'lyeh...
9) Standing Santa Cthulhu Figurine
The horror! The horror!
As always, this post was brought to you by The Book of Cthulhu, now available from better independent booksellers everywhere, and online through Amazon.com, and Barnes & Noble. Want your bookstore mentioned here? Drop me a line!
