geekdom

What I did this weekend

beer, geekdom, posts interesting only to me
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a boot full of Westvleteren beer

So this weekend was spent in the beautiful old town of Gent, with a couple of friends, as we went to pick up a supply of what’s supposedly the best beer in the world: Westvleteren 12. The results you can see above.

For those who are not beer geeks, Westvleteren is a socalled Trappist beer: beer brewed by Trappist monks within the monastry itself to pay for the upkeep of the monastry, with any remaining profit going to charitable works. What makes Westvleteren unique amongst the eight existing Trappist breweries is that it’s only sold at the abbey itself and brewed in limited quantities. To get it, you first need to make an appointment a couple of weeks in advance, then show up by car to pick up your two crates of 24 bottles. You can’t choose the beer they’re selling and you have to wait at least two months before you can buy them again.

All of which has imparted a certain mystique to the beer, as most beer geeks, especially those outside Europe, will have had little to no chance to drink it. Personally I quite like both the 12 and the 8 as I sampled them this weekend, sitting in the restaurant across the monastry, but I’m not sure how much its reputation reflects its own intrinsic qualities and how much it has to do with its rarity.

But getting it was a good excuse for a trip to a beautiful city and spent a couple of days boozing in its bars with friends who appreciate good beer. Not to mention that it also gave me the opportunity to visit an old friend for the first time and admire his beautiful, well kept house and perfect family…

The Great Urban Fantasy Cover Pose off: Jim Hines v John Scalzi

funny, geekdom
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Jim Hines in a typical breakback urban fantasy cover pose

A while back, fantasy author with a sense of humour Jim Hines did two posts mocking (urban) fantasy covers. In the first one he imitated cover poses female heroes found themselves in, in the second he took on their male counterparts. That made him as famous around the internet as John Scalzi is for taping bacon to a cat. Now he decided to harness his powers for good, doing a series of cover poses for charity:

Aicardi Syndrome is incurable. It’s hard to diagnose. It’s scary and overwhelming, and most people have never heard of it.

The Aicardi Syndrome Foundation is pretty much the only source in the United States for funding into research on this condition. The foundation also funds a family conference every two years, paying for hotel rooms, flying in researchers, and even covering many of the meals. It unites families fighting this disease, connecting them to a network of support they might otherwise never find.

I’m asking people to donate to the Aicardi Syndrome Foundation. In exchange, I will give you what the internet has deemed my most important contribution to society: ridiculous cover poses. All you have to do is email me at ASF@jimchines.com letting me know how much you donated. If you give more than $25, please include a copy of your receipt from the foundation.

Responses have been overwhelming, which has led to Jim’s first pose as shown above and also meant that he reached one of his first stretch goals: $1,000 in donations means a pose off with John Scalzi. Which is better: Jim’s specially shaved legs or Scalzi’s frighteningly blonde wig and little black dress? You decide! Btw, there’s still time to donate and one of the next goals is a group pose including Charlie Stross…

Sarah Brightman wants to sing in space

funny, geekdom, video
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Sarah Brightman wants to be the first professional singer in space:

British singer Sarah Brightman is to travel as a space tourist to the International Space Station.

The classical recording artist, once married to Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, will be part of a three-person crew flying to the ISS.

After completing a tour in 2013, Ms Brightman will embark on six months of preparation at the Star City cosmonaut training centre in Moscow.

She will be the seventh space tourist to visit the ISS.

Once there, she says she intends to become the first professional musician to sing from space.

I say we let her do what she wants, as long as she sings this song: