So, how was your year?

Of course; if you follow the Chinese calendar or Muslim or Aztec or whatever else the question is moot. But I am disgressing.


You can blame it on the three glasses of St0ne 11th Anniversary Ale I had been drinking (in preparation of the arrival or 2009 in Tijuana; yes, I know already arrived in a lot of places already); my daughter Vicky got me a 2 liter growler full of 11th Anniversary Ale; and I got some more Russian Imperial Stout when picking it up; I think Bonita was not thrilled about it... In any case; the purpose of this post is to try to reflect on 2008 and to start getting ready for 2009.


So, how was 2008? It depends; overall it was good. And it is ending good; but in the middle (October) there was all the financial crisis, Vicky leaving the house, Bonita is about to lose her job (this might be a good thing...) and some other minor negative things. On the positive side; I got a promotion at work (February), Vicky graduated from college (Psychology), Mediana and Pinka did great at school (The Lion King and the basketball tournament) and the recovery after October had been great. Found old friends (it took one of them dying of cancer for this to happen, so... bittersweet) and we made GREAT new friends (even though there was an accident last time they were visiting).


So, it was business as usual. Hope 2009 will be kind of the same.

See you around.

P.S. And for those wondering; yes, the killings in TJ decreased because of all the guys taking time off because of Christmas, so, no explosion here...

Intermission II (Back at school)

What was I doing yesterday at 11:00 am at Cal State San Marcos?


Attending the XII Anniversary party of the St0ne Brewery, of course!


And with the opportunity to try 10 different beers from the world with the souvenir glass you get with your ticket and the party after that at KC's house, it was a good place to be.

KC got me tickets to the party, but everyone of the people that was supposed to go, either cancelled or could not go (I still feel it for will, but we had a taste of the XI anniversary beer on Friday night).

It was a little difficult to get up on Saturday morning; the party session started at 11:15 am, in San Marcos and I had to get to KC house in Escondido at 10:00 am. After several false wake up calls I finally got up at 8, woke up Vicky, who accepted to join me (since she likes speciality beer too, unusual for a girl) and we left home around 9:00. Bonita, Mediana and Pinka were to go buy the school uniforms; the school decided to change the uniforms completely (a bummer because is Mediana's last year at this school) and we waited until the end of vacations to avoid buying the wrong sizes (they had grown so much since the end of the school year); anyhoo, they were going shopping, Vicky and me were going beer sampling (to avoid saying drinking!).

Got to KC's house on time, went to pick up Dave (a Londoner who lives closeby and works at the same place than KC) and went to take the train to the place (police were patrolling the university and after drinking, driving would have been dangerous!). We did not count it was a 15 minutes walk from the train station to the party site, but we got there at 11:00, waited 15 minutes in a really LONG line (I believe close to 1000 people got there before us) and 10 more minutes to get in and then we started the sampling; we had three hours to try 10 different (or same) beers, so we pace ourselves. Here is a list of what I had:

1) Green Flash West Coast IPA -> Good, hoppy beer.
2) Alesmith Brewery IPA -> Even better than Green Flash one.
3) Lost Abby Witch's Wit -> Terrible, terrible beer. Tasted like a Michelada gone really wrong. It's not even listed on their website.
4) Tijuana Morena -> Just to take out the taste of the previous one.
5) Duvel -> This was really good.
6) La Trappen Bockbier -> I have a fixation with Bock beers; from the Mexican Nochebuena (seasonal Christmas beer), I always try to taste them.
7) Stone Arrogant Bastard -> Needed to get back to something I knew.
8) Russian River Pliny the Elder -> Last year I had a Pliny the Younger, I remember it was better.
9) Stone XII Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout -> Bitter, chocolate-y, good enough.
10) Brouwerij Verhaeghe Vichte Pils -> First sample of the day, with the sun and the heat it was really good.
11) Pizza Port Carlsbad Chronic -> Amber Ale, from San Diego. It was OK.
12) Ommegang Three Philosophers -> The best of what I had today.

Ate half a hot-dog, half a tri-tip sandwich, Arrogant Bastard onion rings and tried the Napalm Beer Cheese Spread (from Mike, the St0ne "Cheesemaster") for second consecutive year, it is really good, I hope they decide to sell it.

So, a little bit tipsy we started our travel back to KC's home. 20 minutes walking this time (to the train station) and 15 minutes on the train made the trick. By the time we got to the Escondido Station everyone was feeling better (besides the sampling glass is a 4 ounces! not enough to get you really drunk).

At KC's home, the beer was waiting for us. Oaked Arrogant Bastard (bitter than the original one), a Stone Cal-Beli (never heard of it, but it was OK, like a Heifenweizen) and I also tried a little of Wells Bombardier (Premium Ale).

Food was there too; pulled pork sandwiches in Cuban style (with ham, cheese, mustard and a pickle) and sweet potato fries. Really good time. I hope next year there will not be something that prevents more people to attend.

See you around.

Empty!!!

Guess what I'm doing now?

I’m only happy when it rains….

...I’m only happy when is complicated. I woke up yesterday morning with this song on the Video Channel and also I heard it during my morning ride going to work. The name of the group is Garbage.

OK, we took off Tijuana at 4:00 p.m. going to Mexicali. The car was fully loaded and we were merrily in our way. I was trying to drive slower than normal (110-120 Km/h [70~75 Mph] when normal is 130~140 KM/h à 80~90 Mph) because we are not in a rush.

We stopped at La Rumorosa; to appreciate the view (some pictures here) and drove down to the Laguna Salada plain. I was passing a semi, when… (big dramatic pause here for effect) …Mediana said, “what is that noise?” I heard something strange and saw something flying back in the rear view mirror.

The freaking luggage carrier got open!!! I had loaded 4 luggage pieces (ours) and later my brother Nolo wanted to send some things to my sister and brother living in Sinaloa (for their kids) and I put them there. Seems like the carrier was a little overloaded and with the combination of wind, speed and load worked together to break it open. We lost the things my brother sent; my bag flew but it was unharmed.

Bonita freaked out!! Fortunately there were no weapons in the car so I am still alive. She wanted to go back to TJ immediately and start looking for planes to go somewhere else; Mediana and Pinka started to cry because after they were convinced by their parents to go on this trip. I finally calmed down everybody, close the thing and started driving to Mexicali at 80 Km/h (50 Mph). Got there and then our cousin Mexicali, gave Bonita a tequila (for the excitement, you know?). We talked, she vented, we did not agree to anything yet. I went out to buy some straps to close down better the thing and then decide what to do. I will keep you posted.

On a side note, “Mexicali” invited me to the Cucapa Brewery. Arqui, Mexicali and me went there to try to have some Cucapa draft. They did not have any. They did not know the Chupacabras version so I had a “Chope” (from Modelo, which I thought is a “Negra Modelo” in a different name, but now I know otherwise). After Arqui had 4 beers (Cucapa Light) we said enough. Mexicali and me went to eat tacos (first time I see a “Taqueria” closed and with Air Conditioning, but the temperature in Mexicali was really high).

I went to bed at 1:00 a.m. and I am now waiting to see if we take off for Hermosillo or back to Tijuana; I will let you know.

See you around.

Atone, alone.

I do not know. The story is OK, the characters lack some emotion but you can understand what is going on, the interactions seem to lack deepness, but in overall I do not think it is that bad. Of course; knowing that it comes from a book gives me a very low expectation of what it could be. I have to read the book now, I am sure there were many things left out and imagination works better when you are reading (at least for me).

Anyway; I got “Hard Candy” and yesterday night we started watching it. We were so tired that we got asleep in the first half hour. We will give it another go tonight.

The last two days I was in San Marcos, CA. And yesterday my boss wanted to have a conversation with me; but he does not like to be in the factory (the one in San Marcos, he likes to be here in Tijuana; go figures). So, he invited me for an early dinner at a Thai food restaurant. We did not make it there; since there were two more people invited, one of them (KC the sales guy) suggested we should go to the St0ne Bistro, next to the brewery. I was on the freeway when they called me and gave me directions to the place.

I’ve been considering stopping by a number of times, but did not have the will to do it. The reason being, they have a really good beer. And if I stopped by I would drink some. And then I had to drive to Tijuana later, maybe not a good idea to drive in US with alcohol in your blood stream. But, as the Mexican saying goes: “when the Captain gives orders, the sailors follow them” (this is a very loose translation, but that is the meaning).

There we were. The place is really good; it has tables inside and big window doors that open to the patio and gardens. Really good environment, there were a couple of families there (5:00 pm) and everybody was quiet and enjoying themselves. I was amazed at the number of available beers they have (I counted 105; 32 on tap and 73 on bottle) and the variety of them and the fact they changed the beer menu in a daily basis (I asked and they changed only 1 to 3 beers on tap daily and also a limited number of the bottled ones; so if you like one you have a good opportunity to repeat). The food is good; the mac’n cheese is really good and the onion rings are amazing. Everything is organic or with the least amount of conservatives; which I think this is supposed to be good.

I had a couple of beers (I couldn’t help myself here!); a Cucapa Chupacabras Pale Ale (the tap handle pictured in the middle) and an Arrogant Bastard (they had Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA on tap, but I was in control; could not let it happen; maybe next time!). And that was enough; I was tired (after the 10+ hours for each day on meeting) and didn’t want to risk myself a DUI or something like that.

In any case I headed home around 7:30, and by that time a lot of people were arriving carrying beach chairs and blankets, etc. Every Wednesday they have an event called “Late Night Movies” and people go and drink and watch movies in the garden! They were going to show “El Mariachi”. And then, the 12th anniversary party is coming (August 16th). It is a brewery meet, with food and beer tasting. You get a souvenir glass and the opportunity to try 10 different beers (is a 6 ounces glass, so overall you drink like 4 or 5 beers). I will be there again.

Well, today is a slow day; next week will be frantic (starting with the weekend; since my brother-in-law Arqui’s birthday is coming and we will celebrate Saturday or Sunday; I’m not sure now) and is month close week for us at work. But, vacations are a week away and we will surely enjoy them.

See you around.

What is the opposite of “hibernation”?

Well, not exactly the opposite; what do you call it when because of the hot weather you enter in that sleepy mode similar to hibernation?

That has been the way I’ve felt for so many days. I start thinking about something to post and then when I get in front of the computer it goes away. I read something interesting (like this) and want to comment and I just cannot get myself to write the right comment (because OF COURSE it has to be the right comment!).

Finally I decided to give it a go. Let’s see where it takes us (yes, because you are reading this, aren’t you?)

I saw a really strange accident the other day. Well, it was more of a provoked car crash than an actual accident. This guy driving from the right side of the road, made a left turn in front of another car (cut him off?) and the second driver could not avoid him and crash (slightly) into him.

They then got off the cars and started talking and the first driver made a gesture like pointing out that the other guy cut him off previously… They were laughing and if it wasn’t because the cars were damaged I would have thought they were joking. They pulled their phones and started calling insurance (I think) but I was really intrigued. Of course I started to think about a post regarding “road rage”, but then I would have to accept that I am one of “those freaking drivers” that transform from somebody really nice (?) into a pushy, get-out-of-my-way driver. Well, I’ve got no patience for hesitant drivers. Once you start doing some maneuver you bloody finish it instead of stopping in the middle! But, let’s move away from this. It can end badly (for me!).

Pinka’s birthday party was another post (maybe still is, not at this moment). I was really surprised when only two of her classmates showed up for the party. We invited over 80 people, 40 showed up. Even in the informality we live in Mexico, when you get 50% of the attendance, I believe that is a new record low. I knew some of her friends from school went on vacation the previous day, but still there were many (I think) that could have gone. Special thanks to will and Maria that showed up with the kids and helped me out to consume the beers!

I got drunk (standard Mexican practice, you have alcohol at kids’ parties!) which also is another beginning for a post. I got drunk during my work’ summer picnic and now during Pinka’s birthday party. That is really unusual. I think my previous rate was once or twice a year. My wife is worried about me, actually I am a little worried about me… I am trying to find out a reason/cause/excuse for that to happen and I haven’t been successful yet. When I find the answer I’ll let you know.

Finally, the road trip. I kind of remember mentioning this. We will take a two weeks vacation; driving. We will go from Tijuana to Hermosillo; to Sinaloa; to Guadalajara; to the central part of Mexico (Guanajuato, Morelia, San Miguel Allende, Queretaro) and then return. The original plan was to get there quickly and then maximize our time in central Mexico. Now the plan is under review because we mentioned the trip to a friend from Los Cabos and we also mentioned that we would like to drive through the Baja. He then asked us why wouldn’t we do it this time. So we started taking times and investigating the ferry to La Paz and when we could take it and now; seems like we will return to Los Cabos and then drive back to Tijuana from there. It is a sketchy plan now, but if we pull it through we will have the opportunity to meet my new nephew (I have a brother living in Los Cabos) and see some of the prettiest beaches in Mexico. Let’s see what happens. (Red is for going and Blue is for returning in the map)

Well, we are at the end of today’s post. Only have to mention that today’s is (s)wine’s birthday and wanted to say “Felicidades!” to him.

See you around.

Beer with me.

OK, being a true Sinaloan, I like beer. I started drinking beer since I was 16. Yes, under the legal age, and yes, I would not have my daughters do the same, I am that kind of parent (some would call me hypocrite, but you should ask Vicky my point of view, at least she agreed).

In Mexico there used to be only two big beer companies: Grupo M0delo and Cerveceria Cuauhtem0c-M0ctezuma. Until a few years ago they had the complete beer market in Mexico; now there are more options being local microbreweries (Tijuana and Cucapah come to mind) and some good additions to the current leaders (like Casta).

Most of the brewing done in Mexico comes from German influence, because in the XIX century Austrian Duke Maximilian was named Emperor of Mexico. He brought master brewers from Germany and that is how Mexican beer started.

Most of the beer sold in Mexico is pilsner or pale lager beer; Corona, Tecate, Carta Blanca, Modelo, Estrella, the Light versions of them all, Dos Equis (XX) lager, Montejo, Tijuana Guera, Mexicali, Cucapah Triguena, Bohemia, Pacifico, etc. The best are Bohemia (if you like your beer hoppy) and Pacifico (of course, since is from Sinaloa! But you have to get the one brewed in Mazatlan). If you are in Tijuana, Tecate or Tijuana Guera are OK.

There are some darker beers; Negra Modelo, Victoria, Leon, Indio, Dos Equis Ambar, Tijuana Morena, Casta Morena, Bohemia Oscura, Cucapah Oscura, Nochebuena (for Christmas season), etc. Again, I like Tijuana Morena the best (draft version, not bottle), but I would drink any of those or Pacifico if there are not any dark beer.

However, last year, KC (sales rep of the company I work) invite me to taste St0ne beer. Man, I was slapped silly by the hoppiness, but once it passed I got hooked on it (I am not ashamed to say I now moved to the “Darker side” of beers). He got me samples of the Imperial Russian St0ut (10.8% alcohol; dense, black beer; almost solid), the X Anniversary (very similar to the Arr0gant Bastard, with higher alcohol content) and the Vertica1 Epic (070707 version; citrusy flavor). I tried all of the regular brews (Pale Ale, IPA, Levitati0n, Ruinati0n and of course the Arr0gant Bastard) and ender up liking most of them (Ruinati0n has a very distinctive bitterness that is way past me).

I attended the XI Anniversary party (in the brewery) and sampled several more beers (there were 32 breweries showcasing their products, I liked the Belgian beers and some German, Mexico was represented by Tijuana, Cucapah and Modelo); I specially liked the XI Anniversary Beer and the St0ne Nuclear Cheese spread (they have a bistro in the brewery); good times.

Anyway, in September there is the XII Anniversary party; I think you will find me there.

See you around.