d.i.y. ikea bike rack
It finally happened. After several attempts – luckily, before we began making holes in walls – we finally found the perfect solution. Loran found the idea on a blog, and it was perfect. A quick trip to Ikea later and we had all of our Stolmen supplies and hardware. For this project we bought 2 tension poles, a pack of 4 clamps and 4 additional hooks – all from Ikea. It cost around $80, which is more than we originally wanted to spend on this project, but for the convenience of not dealing with putting holes in the wall, and trying to drill into a non-centered stud on the small wall that we had – it was well worth the money. We now have an aesthetically pleasing, functional bike rack that you can vacuum under. It’s perfect for our condo, since we barely have any additional storage.
Filed under: projects | 2 Comments
Tags: bike rack, condo, d.i.y., d.i.y. bike rack, fixie, ikea, ikea hack, ikea stolmen, indoors, loft, small space, stolmen
the most lovable quality…
|
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
the good samaritan
Last Sunday, at the Covenant Church we are a part of, the sermon was on the parable of the good samaritan. A story many people have heard, probably dozens of times if you grew up in a christian community, etc. What I loved about hearing it this time around was how our pastor presented it in a culturally rich, confrontational and self-reflective way.
I had never known so much about the one who was testing Christ in this parable, how Christ tended to respond by question and how the challenger at the end wasn’t able to clearly admit, or even say the ‘name’ of who the true neighbor was in the situation, rather he could only mutter “The one who had mercy on him.
I hadn’t felt the Holy Spirit so present in my heart during a time of teaching as this in a while. Personally, I pride myself on being a child of God who accepts that people of other, little or no faith can still bring glory to God. This pride is not good. Not in the sense of all people having the opportunity or ability to bring glory to God, but more that I think highly of myself for believing this. This is pride. Getting high off the thought that what you believe is what scripture and God teaches can be extremely dangerous. This is something I feel I will struggle with my entire life. Like many, I feel good when I think (or think I know) I’m right. It’s dangerous.
To love is to live through love, by action. Not thought. Not belief. Not solitary. This was humbling on many levels for me. I was facing this teaching in a way that I never had before. I wasn’t necesarrily questioning the core intent of this parable, but the prideful feelings that drown me as I listened.
At the end of the parable, and the sermon, our pastor pointed out a new interpretation (to me) of Christ’s question, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The challenger replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” The interpretation was that this wise, expert of the law felt guilt and shame, forced to deal with his pride. He thinks he knows, and he might believe what is right, but his actions did not reflect this. And he felt ashamed to know that the samaritan, one who likely believed something different than he (in our modern culture, possibly a mormon, jehova’s witness, muslim, buddhist. etc.) did the loving thing that brought glory to God.
At our church, after the sermon, we enter a time of discussion, reminiscent of a college lecture/discussion-type setting. The question of who we should be a neighbor to, or for how many people we should be a neighbor to came up. We talked about it, expressing feelings of being overwhelmed, or not sure where to cut off our willingness to be a neighbor to someone, because obviously, one person does not have the capacity to love and be a true neighbor to everyone. And then, it was said, don’t ask who you should be a neighbor for, rather, just be. Be a neighbor.
Being is action. It doesn’t matter what you think or believe, or how righteous you think you are. Be a neighbor. To all and any that you pass. For there will shine the love and glory of Christ. You can feel as good as you want believeing and hoping for others, but we must act, through love and faith, knowing that the Holy Spirit is with us. Always.
peace, kevin.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c]and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Filed under: christianity, God, Jesus, spirituality | 2 Comments
coming soon…
So, my most popular post on this blog was my review of my top 10 albums from 2009. It actually got 5,438 views! Let’s just say, I’m overdue for my 2010 list – but it’s coming!!! Like last years, it’s going to be hard to narrow it down to only 10, but I’m ready for the challenge. Stay tuned! In the meantime, enjoy this pic of my cat Rocky that I took with my new fish eye lens for my iPhone 4. You can buy it here.
peace, kevin.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
rogue santa’s private reserve
After the type of week that makes you feel like your tank is on E, I’m excited to finally fully enjoy one of these Rogue ales. Today it’s Santa’s Private Reserve Red Ale. Pouring this healthy looking, amber/red colored ale, I’m excited that it’s a 22 oz. bottle that needs to be finished.
With a healthy head, this 6% ABV and 65 IBU ale has a bitter bite of hops that strangles your tongue until you swallow. Roasted malts, spices and a hint of crisp citrus – I don’t really know what to compare this ale to. But I like it!
I thought that it would be a little – excuse my language – ballsier, but it’s still good. I just wish it was a 9% ABV big boy, I think the flavors and richness of the beer would be better complicated with a higher alcohol content.
Upon refilling my glass, I come to the conclusion that this is an earthy tasting beer. It doesn’t seem to be an over-perfected recipe, but slightly raw. This is a filling ale, so I don’t think I could drink a ton, but I would love to try it again, preferably paired with a medium-cooked filet mignon!
If you like earthy beers – specifically ales – go for this one. Rogue seems to take their craft extremely seriously, and I really respect that. Not to mention, their bottles are the coolest.
(7/10)
Read more people’s opinions and reviews at the Uptown Beer Guild!
Filed under: beer/wine, uptown beer guild | Leave a Comment
brewfarm select golden lager
Well, this was definitely my least anticipated of all of the Citizen’s Six-Pack beers, but it was surprisingly tasty. Ok, so a golden lager is not your first choice of brew after MN’s first 7-9″ snow fall, but it did the job. There’s not much info out there about this beer, but you can read the brewery’s blog here.
The only one of the bunch in a can, Dave’s BrewFarm Select Golden Lager is 12 full ounces of wind-powered bliss. Not nearly as clear and tasteless as I judged it to be, this 5.5% ABV lager has a deep citrus smell and a mouthful of flavor. Crisply carbonated with a chasing flavor of malts and a hint of alcohol.
I don’t recall the price of this lager, but assuming it’s within reason, I think I will for sure pick some up. I must say that this one surprised me the most of all!
(8/10)
Filed under: beer/wine | Leave a Comment
Tags: brewfarm, dave's brewfarm, golden lager, wind-brewered beer, wisconsin
odell brewing co. isolation ale
There’s something about drinking seasonal brews that make me feel exclusive. Part of that is the fact that they actually are exclusive, the other is that it shows that craft beers are living, breathing things, that age and have a moment-in-time. Now, I’ve never been one to be able to tell the difference between this years _____ (insert beer name here) and last years, but I would one day like to be able to!
I’ve had beers by Odell Brewing Co. before, and I must say I’m a fan. My favorite of theirs, is their IPA – big surprise! This is definitely a full bodied ale, perfect for us northern folk. It’s seriously a mouthful. It’s not crazy strong, at 6.1% ABV, but it definitely is a contender. I wouldn’t say Isolation Ale is necessarily sessionable because it’s filling, but I could definitely have a few, especially since it gets dark at like 5:30pm now, and you know the cold & nasty is right around the corner.
I can definitely taste malts galore with this ale, proving that seasonal ales have an established quality. I would for sure recommend this one to anyone I know and I will soon be heading to Lake Wine and Spirits for a six-pack! I guess winter won’t be that bad if I have access to Odell Brewing Co.’s Isolation Ale! I also have to mention that I highly consider listening to Dooomtree’s own, Paper Tiger’s Made Like Us album when enjoying your next brew!
(8.5/10)
Read more people’s opinions and reviews at the Uptown Beer Guild!
Filed under: beer/wine, uptown beer guild | Leave a Comment
Tags: ale, beer, doomtree, isolation ale, made like us, odell brewing co., Paper Tiger, seasonal brew, uptown beer guild
new belgium brewing trippel
Maybe I should start by explaining why I’ve been reviewing so many beers as of late. I became a member of the Uptown Beer Guild and was one, in a group of people, picked to receive a Citizens Six-Pack, which is a mixed six-pack chosen by Lake wine & Spirits, a somewhat new liquor store in Uptown, Minneapolis that has a huge selection – especially in craft beers!
This week’s review is New Belgium’s Trippel Ale brewed with Coriander. I really like New Belgium’s beers. All of their beers are unique, both in taste and style – the Trippel is no exception. Out of the beers I don’t usually gravitate towards, I would say Belgian beers are growing on me the most. Especially the Trippel, coming in at 7.8% ABV – it’s got bite, bitter flavor and it’s bottle conditioned.
Unfortunately, not too long ago a friend of mine told me his opinion of Belgian-style beers and I haven’t been able to shake it. Hopefully, expressing my viewpoint won’t tarnish others’ opinions, but I must agree with my buddy (thus far). And that is, that all Belgians taste like a yellow fruit that “sounds like” shashana.
Ever since I heard that, I agree and taste “shashana” in every sip. I’ve also discovered that I only order Belgian beers when I’m at a place where I feel/think I’m cool (e.g. The King and I Thai, The Bulldog Uptown, etc.) So, my knowledge is continuing with Belgians. The Trippel definitely has spice, and is not a beer for the sensitive taste bud.
If you like belgians, this Trippel is a golden, crisp slice of strong flavor that you can just tell goes back to the middle ages. I definitely would get this beer again, because it’s a good quality Belgian without the spendy pricetag!
(8/10)
Read more people’s opinions and reviews at the Uptown Beer Guild!
Filed under: beer/wine | 17 Comments
Tags: beer, belgian, citizens six pack, lake wine & spirits, new belgium brewing, trippel, uptown beer guild
estrella damm lager
I recently went on a trip to Norway and the local breweries there specialize in two types of beer: lagers and pilsners. So, with the light, crisp flavor of those beers still in my temporary memory – I can definitely say that this beer brought me back to the motherland.
Although this is a Spanish beer, I don’t think pilsners have the flexibility or versatility of ales – so it’s no surprise that they all taste fairly similar to me. Crisp and bubbly, pouring this clear, pale beer, all I can think is that it looks and smells like any other pilsner I’ve tried. It had a head that I wouldn’t even call foamy, it just about disappeared before I could snap my picture. I don’t even know how to describe this, there’s not much flavor and at 5.2%/5.5% ABV, it’s not a very strong beer. I guess I view it as Stella Artois’ little brother because it’s similar, but less skunky, which is the main reason I enjoy Stella.
I seem to be finding myself between a rock and a hard place with this one, because it was my first beer of the night after getting home from work – I seemed to have “downed” it fairly quickly. It was refreshing, I’ll give it that. Maybe if it wasn’t my first beer of the evening I would have drank it slower, but I’m pretty sure having an IPA before tasting this beer would have demolished my taste buds enough for the evening to make this lightweight even more flavorless. (After re-reading this, I realize that this “first beer” talk may sound like I have a drinking problem, but I can assure you, I do not!)
I probably wouldn’t ever get this again in a typical circumstance. Maybe that’s because my appreciation for this style of beer is not quite there yet? Either way, I think I’m going to have to give this beer two ratings. One for how I think it compares to the european lagers I’ve recently had, and two, how I rate it in my personal opinion on the overall beer spectrum. All this to say, I think I’d rather just stick with Stella Artois when I’m in the mood for a light one.
(8/10) in comparison to other light lagers/pilsners
(5/10) overall
Read more people’s opinions and reviews at the Uptown Beer Guild!
Filed under: beer/wine | Leave a Comment
Tags: barcelona, beer, estrella damm, lager, review, uptown beer guilde
between every rib. 
