Rescue me, beer! (a bit of a rant)

[FedoraDave]

The pest/termite season has hit here in my neck of the woods, so we're naturally going to be busy. I expect that. But last week and this week it's also converged with what I've come to call the End-of-Month-Crazies, where we always seem to be scrambling to a) finish our work and b) get more sales and initial work done. As an extra added attraction, last Thursday one of our guys hurt his back and has been out, so our service manager has been working those accounts and juggling things around.

Last week I worked six days. Two of them were 12-hour days, and on Saturday (usually a five-hour day at most) I worked at least 7 hours. I worked 12 hours yesterday, I have a ton of work today, including four initial services, and tomorrow I've been given a bunch of services that belong to the injured guy.

I'm also concerned because there are two more weeks left in bowling league, and my team is in first place, and I lead in individual points. I want to be able to contribute to my team's effort, and stay in the lead, but I know I'll be exhausted by Friday night.

My life is just crazy right now.

But I've got a batch of South Ferry Steam Beer in the closet. The temperature peaked at 77 degrees during the most active fermentation phase, and I just have a good feeling about it. This past Sunday I brewed a batch of Straw Boater, and it krausened very nicely. I also have a good feeling about that. I took a peek recently at the Ottertoberfest which I put in a secondary a couple weeks ago, and on which I am slowly lowering the temperature (it's at 44 right now). It's the most beautiful, clear coppery color. I know my patience will pay off this fall. And this coming Sunday I'm going to brew a nice big batch of Crown Top Pale Ale, which will be kegged and ready to enjoy during the early summer months.

There's so much to appreciate about homebrew, as we know. We get the satisfaction of making excellent beer ourselves. We can customize the beer we drink, and we get immense creative satisfaction out of honing a recipe to get it just right. But I've always maintained that, for me, it's more than a hobby. It's even more than an obsession. It's my therapy. No matter how crazy and frustrating things get, I have brew day to look forward to. The aroma of freshly-crushed grains, that first intoxicating whiff of malted barley meeting hot water as I begin the mash, the sight of the first runnings, the precision of timing the hops additions, the whole routine of the process. I do it for me. I do it because beer brings balance and sanity back into my life. I don't know what craziness Monday may dump on me, and it doesn't matter what craziness I experienced the previous week. Sunday is brew day. It restores me, as it's no doubt restored millions of people throughout mankind's history.

Beer is life.

Thanks for reading.

[John Sand]

The Church of Brewing.
Kidding, of course, with irreverence to brewing rather than church. I do go to church for grounding and balance. I also go sailing for it. I'm glad that brewing provides you that value.

[Inkleg]

Brewing puts life right. Hope the rest of the hectic slows down for you too.

[Beer-lord]

I hear ya Dave. This is my busy season when dates can't be pushed back and are locked in. Have a rain storm and lose power for 3 hours and can't get work done? Too damn bad! Shipping loses a package? Too damn bad! And of course, customers who don't know what the hell they are talking about try to tell you how to do your job.
Yep, I get it all and feel your pain and have the same T-shirt you do.
So brew your ass off when you can and don't look back.

[BlackDuck]

Brewing puts life right.

Yup....and so does drinking it!!!

[RedBEERd]

Brewing puts life right.

Yup....and so does drinking it!!!

T.H.I.S.

[Dawg LB Steve]

Weather finally came around, once I get all plumbed up I'll be getting that needed therapy on a regular basis too.

[FedoraDave]

Things haven't improved. I'm really busy, and really hassled. I simply can't fulfill my assignments; it's just impossible, and I know I'm falling farther and farther behind, and we're not even a week into the new month. This is exhausting.

I've resolved, though, that Friday, come hell or high water, I'm not going to be late for bowling. It's the final round. My team is still in first place, and I'm still leading in individual points. It would be very unfair to insist I miss my one night of recreation, especially since I'm killing myself for this company the rest of the time.

[Inkleg]

Bowl well and brew hard. Work will always be there.

[Beer-lord]

Have I ever told anyone how much I hate my job (RedBEERd excluded)?

[BlackDuck]

Have I ever told anyone how much I hate my job (RedBEERd excluded)?

Yes....you have!!!

[Dawg LB Steve]

Take it out on the pins Dave!