Tuesday Tidbits

You know the drill...

* Byahh!!! The CrapBags knocked off the league leaders this week! The Bags are somehow getting it done, but need to continue to win in order to hold on to our precious playoff spot. Go Bags!

* So I was watching something on TV the other day about our future first lady, Michelle Obama and I realized something....something that makes me like the Obamas even more. It's the fact that Mrs. Obama looks a helluva lot like Sigourney Weaver....check it:

Don't try to tell me you don't see it...I think they're sisters.

* So now that we're all in getting in the Christmas spirit it's time to find a new Christmas CD for all to enjoy this Holiday season. I've been trying to find out if anyone is "dropping" a new Christmas album and the only one I can find so far that might be of interest (besides Amy Grant's new Christmas CD!!! How dare she try to top, "Breath of Heaven") is "This Warm December: Brushfire Holiday's Vol. 1" this is Jack Johnson's record label and this CD includes songs from him, Matt Costa, G. Love and others...it should be decent. But, if anyone finds anything better please let me know.

* So I've tried to tell you about Samardo Samuels...but you really just have to see him. He's got a ways to go on the defensive end and he needs to rebound better....but I'm pretty pleased with this...

(it'll take a while to play through the first time)

* My attempts to stick it to the man are finally working. I wrote a pretty scathing review of Budweiser's American Ale on the Brouha Blog, and it appears the folks at Anheuser Busch have taken notice. I looked at the records of this blog and the Brouha Blog and it turns out we have a visitor from Anheuser Busch checking us out every once in a while. I pretty flattered they're reading the blogs...now I hope they do me a favor and issue an apology for producing the giant turd that is American Ale.

* The weather right now in Louisville is simply amazing. It's about 40 degrees and rainy...I wouldn't have it any other way.

* Hey, does anyone know of anything I should ask put on my Christmas list? I'm starting to be asked for ideas from a few people and I've got nothing besides a new watch and the new Beatles monopoly game...if you know of something that would make a great gift for me let me know...or buy it yourself and send you're favorite blogger a lovely Holiday present this December. (Only do this if I'm you're favorite blogger)

* Have I told you guys about my new workspace? I don't think I have...I used to have a nice office with a window overlooking Main St. but then my boss decided some guy named Jason was more important than his son...so I got moved. To tell you the truth I actually like my new little cubicle...it's walking distance to the fridge and water cooler, it has it's own heating and air conditioning and I've been able to leave the office for hours at a time with no one noticing! Also, since Jason is an attorney and I'm Mr. Scanman...he probably does deserve the office...nice call boss!

* College basketball started last night....I haven't been this excited since I was selected most likely to write a blog about himself in eighth grade. I don't know why I love college basketball, but I do...I'll attempt to explain it to you some day.

That's all for me today kiddos...enjoy your Tuesdays...I'm get to work in the kitchen tonight at the bar...it should be...how do you say it...lame. Oh well.

Song of the Day: Modest Mouse - Ocean Breathes Salty
Beer of the Day: Samuel Smith - Oatmeal Stout

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

Christmas!!!

That's right it's time. I'm actually about 10 days late with this post...but I've just been busy, and it was 70 degrees last week so it just wasn't working for me...but now it's time. It's time to start celebrating the greatest holiday in the ever....CHRISTMAS!!!

I know some people can't stand when Wal-Mart and Target start putting out Christmas decorations in the middle of October and well...I can't stand some people, so there!

For me, as soon as I take off my Halloween costume and go to bed, the next morning on November 1st is when it is officially time to start celebrating Christmas. Ol' Roy Lee and myself have actually thrown a party on November 1st the last two years, complete with a tree, yankee swap, pin the nose on Rudolph and other fun Christmas festivities.

I know some of you are sitting there thinking, "Come on Brian, it's still too early to celebrate this amazing Holiday, I mean what about Thanksgiving?

Well I love Thanksgiving, and in no way am I trying to take away from it's power, I'm simply trying to include it and make it one big holiday extravaganza. I mean when push comes to shove, if I don't start celebrating Christmas until after Thanksgiving is over....I'm not going to get to do everything that I want to do that's Christmas related.

For instance I have to watch Elf, Love Actually, Christmas Vacation and Home Alone all at least three times, not to mention the many other Christmas films I have to watch at least once. I have to make a new "Christ-mix" which is a CD I put out every year filled with Holiday favorites. I have to decorate my apartment, I've gotta shop and find great gifts for all of my loved ones, I've gotta take like 5 "Christmas naps", I've got to try to remain as calm as possible as Christmas gets closer and College basketball starts (I still don't know how I ever passed a fall semester final in college), I've gotta work on my Christmas list powerpoint presentation, I've gotta try at least 10 different Christmas ales, and this year...even though I've never done it before...I'm going caroling. ("Are you Carol singers? Please sir...Pleeeeaaassse" - Love Actually)

I mean you see, this is just a ridiculous time of year so to try to do all that in less than a month is clearly just not possible. So, that's why I celebrate Christmas throughout November and on into December. Plus, who's not dying to watch "Elf"? That movie is just great.

Also, for what it's worth....before you make fun of me and think my Christmas activities list is out of control....e-mail Roy Lee and ask him his...It'll make me look a little more sane...but not much.

Alright kids, there you have it...official Life of Brian approval to start celebrating Christmas...not that you needed it.

But, let me be the first this year to wish each and every one of you...A Very Merry Christmas!

Song of the Day: Dean Martin - Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
Beer of the Day: Breckinridge - Christmas Ale

100th post!

Woo-hooo today is the 100th post in the history of the Life of Brian! Man, it seems like forever ago that I sat down on that special June afternoon and decided that it was time for the world to be hit with a daily dose of Brian.

Since June 14, we've been through quite a bit together, there have been some ups and downs, some angry rants and some sincere posts. I think one thing is for sure, I think that we can all agree that our lives have changed because of this blog, I'd hope they've been changed for the better...but I'm not so sure.

The really neat thing about writing this blog is going back and seeing the different posts and remembering the feelings and such that I had during various times.

So, in honor of this historic moment in LoB history...let's take a gander at what all we've been through together.

The blog started shortly after I graduated and on the blog we've seen me attempt to deal with big moments in my life like: getting a full-time job, Taylor moving away, moving into my own apartment and of course buying the big TV and kegerator.

Those were all big moments in my life, both for good and bad, and I am glad you guys got to help me get through those.

Let's see what else has happened....

Well, we single handedly made "Boomshakalaka, Wassssssssuppppp and 'That's so funny I forgot to laugh'" cool again. As well as inventing and using the words, "Stankafoodaphobia" and "Beardo"

We've seen my ongoing battle with the abusive relationship that I am currently still in with Becky, my yeast baby.

We've seen the creation of a second blog that I contribute to in The Brouha Blog.

We've been there as I began and continue my education as an employee at O'Shea's family of Pubs, where I've learned that not only do old ladies sometimes vomit on the bar, but also some people really don't get sarcasm.

We've seen me set up a retirement plan.

We've seen the magic that is the Life of Brian Fan base pull together to get 50 fans before the 4th of July! A feat that will one day go down as one of the greatest achievements in blogging history.

We've seen the blog go worldwide with hits from India, Canada, Mexico and Australia.

We've experienced a once in a lifetime hurricane type storm in Kentucky.

We've gotten extremely patriotic during the Michael Phelps show that was once known as the Beijing Olympics.

We've followed UofL sports in an unhealthy fashion.

Heck, we've even seen an African American elected president of the United States!

As you can see, we've been through a lot here. Now, I want to takt this time to thank those of you who read this blog. The past 5 months have been a weird and wild time in my life as I struggle with the battle of not only becoming an adult, but living away from my girlfriend and also starting my own business. It hasn't always been pretty, it hasn't always been fun, but neither is life. This blog allows me a chance to voice whatever is on my mind and I appreciate those of you who read the blog and refrain from calling me a weirdo, moron, loser...at least to my face.

Thanks again to the readers and here's to making the next 100 posts even better!

Have a great weekend everyone, cheers!

Song of the Day: The Beatles - In My Life
Beer of the Day: BBC Dark Star Porter

The Angry German

Man, yesterday was a pretty patriotic post, yeah? Well today I'm going the opposite route.

The only magazine the I subscribe to is Esquire. I really like this magazine and there are at least three articles every issue that I truly enjoy reading and usually learn something from. However, my favorite part of Esquire is the article called, "The Angry German." Basically, it's a short article written by an anonymous German man who has been living in America for about 10 years...and he is often angry. Each issue he talks about something that Americans do that is absolutely idiotic. While he is very aggressive and his language can get a bit filthy (I'll edit a bit to keep LoB family friendly), the points he makes are almost always brilliant.

So today, I'll give you a triple shot of "The Angry German" and then I'll give you some more down the road whenever I feel the need to unleash the beast.

Also, before we start I'll give you the same piece of advice that Esquire gives before reading the articles:

"The article is best read aloud in a German accent"

The Angry German: Punctuality

I grew up with a father who would not let me eat dinner if I wasn't at the table exactly at 7:00 P.M.; 7:01 and I went to bed hungry. So when I get a meeting, party, dinner invite for a certain time, I am there at that time, not 5, 10, or even 15 minutes late. In my early years in America, people were in shock when I arrived at their parties at 8:00 P.M. Well, why don't you bleeding invite people for 9:00 P.M. then?

I play soccer with a bunch of people. Every week I send an e-mail to please be on time -- well, I don't say please, I say, "Be on f***ing time or you won't play next week," yet the same nimrods show up 10 to 20 minutes late every game. "Hey, sorry, West Side was clogged." Oh, is that the same kind of clogged it has been the last three years at this time? To many of these morons -- elite-school grads, by the way -- being on time is an insurmountable task. In my observation, the true idiots of this nation are the Ivy League grads.

The Angry German: Englishmen in America

Dear Americans,

Please, if you hear someone speak with an English accent, it does not make him smart by default. There are millions of people in England who are complete idiots, yet they speak with an English accent. In my group at work we have an Englishman, and it regularly happens that I propose something with my Arnold accent, and he jumps in literally a minute later and says the exact same f***ing thing, and everyone nods and says, "Yeah, Simon is right, this is the way we should do it."

Really, if your forefathers had had the same reaction, you'd still be reporting to Buckingham Palace. Whereas I want to drown him in Pimm's lemonade.

Women seem to take the English accent as an aphrodisiac. I can say, "Hey, I work for an investment bank, have my own place, and write a column in Esquire magazine" and get no response. Whereas butt-ugly Mr. Winterbottom to my side says, "Hey, I am on parole and need to buy some coke -- care to help me out?" As long as he says it with a Brit accent, it is guaranteed that she will go home with him and fund his cocaine addiction.

Please, dear Yanks, take this advice at heart. Now, I myself have many English friends, and I can take the accent thing, as long as they continue to be the biggest underperformers in world sports. But don't you be fooled.

The Angry German: The Work Place

What's with all the friendliness? Everybody in America seems to want to make sweet love to all their colleagues while behind their backs they want to ram rusty screwdrivers down their throats. In my country, it's the other way around: Everyone at the workplace is unfriendly to each other, and then they are best friends over the weekends playing football. When I started working here, one of my first e-mails went to a senior database administrator. It said: "Database is down. Fix it." It landed me a first-row seat in the department head's office, getting a talking down about work culture. To this day, I don't see anything wrong. I didn't say, "You stupid f*ck, you let the database go down while masturbating to Mexican donkey porn. Fix it." Now, I learned that the proper way to say this is: "I know you are really busy, but I cannot continue my work while the database is inaccessible. If you don't mind, could you look into the problem and let me know if there is a chance you can rectify it? Sorry to be a bother." No wonder shit doesn't get done in time when you have to write a freaking novel for each simple thing.

Also, I had to learn that it is frowned upon to have a beer during lunch break.

Well yeah, there you have him. I apologize to anyone the Angry German has offended...but let's be real here...he's right. And because he tells the truth I'll ignore his potty mouth, especially the part about Mexican Donkey Porn.

Enjoy your Thursdays all!

Song of the Day: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Soul to Squeeze
Beer of the Day: Rogue - Double Dead Guy Ale

President Obama

I wasn't going to talk about the election today. I didn't really care who won. I liked both candidates and thought either one would have done just fine. I ended up voting for Barack Obama.

I'm not well informed when it comes to politics. In fact, to be honest...to say I'm adequately informed would be a better way to put it. I don't get into it much, but I know enough to carry on a conversation. However, last night as I watched the news for hours...I was proud to have voted, to have had the chance to vote and overall just to be an American.

Here's how I see it...the country is not booming right now...there are lots of problems. We could go on and on as to who is to blame...but most would blame the current president and administration. Whether that's entirely fair or not is not something I want to discuss. But, I think it's clear to see that we're in need of some kind of change. Whether a new president in general, regardless of party, would have been enough...I'm not sure. But now, we do get change. Will we get as much change as promised? Probably not, but that's the way it is. We will get a good deal of change though...and it's something I'm excited about.

After hearing John McCain's speech last night, I was a bit sad that he didn't win...that guy is one hell of an American. He's spent his life serving our country and he just wanted to do it at the highest level...it was sad to see him not reach his goal.

However, soon there after, President-elect Barack Obama stepped to the microphone in front what seemed like millions of people in Chicago's Grant Park and delivered a speech that can only be characterized as inspiring. If that didn't make you feel proud, give you goosebumps, or help calm whatever fears you may have had about the man who is going to be our President...well than I feel sorry for you.

Ever since the speech I've been thinking about why I was so inspired by that speech and I'm still not sure. But here is what I do know...last night was historic. I could spend an entire day on how wonderful it is that an african-american was elected president...but I think that fact is not being lost on anyone. What makes this election so wonderful in my mind is the fact people once again supported their candidates with such passion and energy. The last few elections have been so ho-hum in regards to hard fought campaigns that lead to a wonderful celebration by the winning party and an honorable and inspiring second place finish for the other. Last night people celebrated, they cried, they jumped up and down. My girlfriend Taylor, a die hard democrat thanks to her parents, told me she believes her reaction to Obama's win was similar to how I would react if UofL won a National Championship in basketball. I at first laughed and told her that she clearly was underestimating how important Cardinal basketball is to me. She responded that I was clearly underestimating how important President Obama was to her. She was right...and that's the best part.

This is a nation that cares strongly for athletics. In sports we all choose one side and support them till the bitter end, and afterwards we shake hands with our worthy opponents and move on. Well this was it...the biggest of games. Two top notch candidates taking each other one...giving it there all. There has to be a winner and there has to be a loser. But, the glory is that whoever the winner is...we get to have them lead our nation against the problems we all face.

I know the sports analogies are kind of lame...but, if you hate the Lakers....you're still rooting for Kobe and the dream team when they take on Spain or whoever...because he's not the Lakers player anymore...he's our player. He's playing for America.

So, to wrap up this long, adequately informed ramble about our new president....let me say this, at the end of the day, we're all Americans (even Lautaro). We have freedom, we have rights and we're the best country in the world. We're also bigger than anyone one man...no matter if his name is Barack Obama or John McCain. So these days when times are hardest and the country is facing one of its toughest challenges ever...I would hope that everyone can get behind Mr. Obama and give him the support, respect and recognition that comes with being elected The President of the United States of America. It's true that a change is coming, and hopefully it will end up being one of the best things to ever happen to our country...only time will tell.

Congratulations President Obama!


Also, in order to show just how inspired I was by last night's election I did as I always do and made an impulse online purchase...check it:
That's right...it's a tap handle for my kegerator. Because from now on when I drink...I drink with POTUS....although the kegerator is still out of order....which is ok, because he won't really be president until January.

Song of the Day: Sam Cooke - A Change is Gonna Come
Beer of the Day: Avery Brewing - Ale to the Chief

Tuesday Tidbits

Byahhhh.....

* Hey there's an election today. All of us over the age of 18, who are U.S. citizens get to go fill out a little scan-tron sheet and decide who not only gets to be the next president, but also gets to have his every move followed and watched for the next four years...with all of his mistakes being replayed over and over again...good times.

In all honesty though, being an American is great and being able to vote is a really awesome thing. I'm not going to tell you the importance of voting because Diddy has already threatened to kill everyone who doesn't...so if I were you I'd go vote.
* The Crapbags played like big bags of crap this week and got drilled. It's ok, we're still hanging on to the 4th and final playoff spot.

* Anyone watch the UofL football game this weekend? Well I did and I firmly will now say that I no longer want Steve Kragthorpe to be the head coach. I've flirted with the idea for a while and always gave him the benefit of the doubt...but you don't lose to Syracuse...twice...and then have your players say, "They were overconfident." What the hell has the UofL football team done under coach Kragthorpe to have any reason to be overconfident? I hate to be that kind of fan...but it's pretty clear this guy really doesn't have a clue. I mean you'd think as a head coach he could at least be able to count high enough to inform his offensive coordinator that running 5 yard out routs on 3rd and 8 doesn't pick up the first down...regardless of how many times you try it. UGGGGHHH!

* Saturday night Ben, Daniel, Lautaro, some stranger named Blade (hilarious), and myself departed from T.J's "bachelor party" and traveled down to the Outlook Inn for a Bloody Mary. If you've never had a Bloody Mary...try one of theirs. If you have had a Bloody Mary, try theirs and then cry because you've never tasted anything so good. It's the truth.

* I forgot to mention last week that the Phillies won the World Series! (did I mention it? I can't remember) Congrats to them, and to Dude...the only Phillies fan outside of Pennsylvania. Phill's second baseman Chase Utley is making headlines for his now infamous (MORE than famous) World Series Parade speech. Apparently he just got up to the microphone in front of thousands of Phillie's fans and said, "World...F***ing...Champions!" It was pretty impressive...but still the second best post-game comments from a Philly this post season:

I will never EVER listen to that clip and not laugh.

* So some of you probably don't know Samardo Samuels yet. Well he's the new bad ass who plays Center for UofL's b-ball team. Here is his picture:
If I were you I'd go HERE and read an awesome story about this young man. It really makes it tough not to root for someone like this...it also makes it tough to not love America and College sports for the chances they give so many under privileged kids. It's also tough to not bang your head against the nearest wall when thinking about what a waste Derrick Caracter is.

* By far the best costume I saw this weekend was the little kid who was dressed up as Kobayashi, the hot dog eating champion. It was even cooler because I guessed his costume and then he ran down the sidewalk jumping up and down...because someone actually knew who he was supposed to be.

* Lautaro and I have almost beat the new guitar hero...oh, how I love to waste time.

* Check out LoB's favorite cellist Ben Sollee's new song on his MySpace page. The song is called, "Only a Song" and it features none other than Mr. Jim James....also this song is wicked awesome.

I think that's all the tidbits I have for today...enjoy watching hours and hours of election coverage tonight!

Song of the Day: Ben Sollee - A Few Honest Words
Beer of the Day: Avery Brewing - Ale to the Chief

iGoogle is the Shiz!

Oh Monday...how I loathe you. So the weekend was good, Very fun Halloween night, Unexpectedly fun Saturday as a late invite came to TJ's bachelor party, relaxing Sunday (although some old lady threw up on the bar at work last night...it was gross) all in all it was pretty swell.

Now, we're on to Monday...I don't have much to talk about today...but I thought I would tell you guys about a super sweet thing my brother turned me on to...it's really changing my life.

it's called...iGoogle

Basically it's a quick and easy way to customize a webpage and then use it as your ultimate homepage.

To use it, just sign in to your google account (gmail and yahoo work...they're all free) then you choose a theme which is basically just a background for your page. They have pictures, colors, animated ones...anything you could want.

Once you've decided on a theme...then you can choose gadgets to add to your page. This is the best part...they've got a gadget for everything. Sports, music, games, ebay, whatever. For instance, my page displays my e-mail, the latest sports scores, local weather, ESPN's top story, Beatles history for each day, a trivia question, today's woot.com listing, Liverpool FC news, CNN headlines, a beer of the day, a post it note that you can edit for reminders, a London photography slideshow and today's beer news.

I know you're probably thinking this is an insane amount of info for one page, but they make it so compact that it all fits. You just add and subtract things as you please and then you can set the page as your homepage and get all that info as soon as you get online.

It literally takes just a three minutes to set up and you can customize it anyway you want. It's a really amazing tool and I would highly suggest that you give it a whirl. You can thank me later!

Enjoy your Mondays kiddos!

Song of the Day: Jimi Hendrix - The Wind Cries Mary
Beer of the Day: Bell's - Expedition Stout