BrewBlog

Polanski is a Perv. Deal With it.

All of the people that are defending Polanski need to wake up and smell the karma.  First, we are a republic, yes?  If we don't respect our laws and due process as a society, then this country is in worse shape than I thought.  Several laws were broken and just because he's a famous director, it was a long time ago and he's had a tough life, it's no reason to let him off.  If it were an unknown, poor, black man that committed this crime and was captured 30 years later, would there be public outcry to drop the charges?  I don't think so.  So what does that mean?

Second, a 44 year old man lured a 13 year old girl into private to do a "photo shoot".  He gets her high on alcohol and quaaludes so he can have his way with her more easily.  She resists, verbally, repeatedly.  He asks her to get naked.  He performs oral sex, intercourse and sodomy.  She is 13.  He is 44.  He's a pervert folks, sorry.  He pleads guilty and then flees the country.  Oh, but his movies are great.  It's been a long time.  He's had a hard life.  How the hell does any of that negate the fact that he did what he did, on purpose. 

Then there is the argument that the victim, Samantha Geimer, wants there to be no legal action against Polanski.  She says she just wants it to go away, doesn't think he will be a repeat offender and forgives him.  He pleaded guilty, he broke the law.  Then he took off, which is also a crime.  It's not up to Samantha Geimer because that's not how the law works and it doesn't matter if you like it or not.  I've heard many in France are disappointed in the U.S. for this and I say, who cares.

Polanski should do time for what he's done and it's pretty straight forward as far as I'm concerned.  He'll probably get off light if he does any time at all.  Am I missing something?

Californian's Can Enjoy Warehouse Prices for Alcohol Without Membership

While I was having lunch with a friend today, we were talking about wine and he recommended I try Cameron Hughes Lot 150 (2005 central coast meritage).  It's six dollars and change per bottle and a real deal for a decent wine.  He said they only sell it at Sam's Club since they purchased the entire allocation.  I became a little sad because I do have a Costco membership, but not a Sam's Club membership, so no Lot 150 for me unless I have someone buy it for me.  Wrong.  Apparently, there is a little known law that permits anyone, member or not, to go into any warehouse type store in California and purchase alcoholic beverages at the club prices. 

Immediately after lunch, I decided to go test this out with my friend and it does work.  I walked into Sam's Club and the guy at the door asked to see my club card.  I simply said, "I'm here to buy wine" and he waved me on.  So far so good.  Then I simply grabbed three bottles of Lot 150 and went to the cashier.  The cashier needed to call over a manager type to ok the purchase or whatever and I was on my way.  So there you have it.  My fellow Californian's can enjoy discount prices on beer, wine and liquor as well as get exclusive access to some wines without paying a membership.  Thank me.

We Love our Phones in the Car

Have you noticed that people are back to talking on the phone in their car, without a blue tooth device, despite the law in place to prevent it?  When the mobile phone law was first passed in California people, at least around where I live, really seem to cut back on talking on the phone while driving.  Lately though, people are back at it.  Some got their blue-tooth devices and use them faithfully.  Some probably got the blue-tooth device, used it for a while and then decided they didn't like it.  Some are still planning to get the blue-tooth device but haven't got to it yet.  Then there are those that started using the speak-phone on their phones and hold it a few inches from their mouth because somehow that is different than holding it up to their head (I did that once and realized how ridiculous that is).  Finally there are the flagrant defiers.  They don't hunch down in their seat because they think cops won't be able to see them, they just drive around with the phone stuck in their ear as they did before. 

People love their phones!

Era of Irresponsibility

Radio, television, internet, and mail have been flooded lately with ads pertaining to credit card, mortgage or other debt payoff.  The adds try to appeal to those buried in debt by referring to debt as if being some sort of cold people have been catching. 

"Are you in debt?  It's not your fault!  Are creditors calling you?  Stop the madness!"

It's simple isn't it?  Free individuals are incurring debt and then are expected to pay it back.  The idea of credit exists for a reason and it would seem we've lost our way somewhat.  If you give everyone a card that will allow them to buy whatever they want, a mortgage to buy a house, a loan to buy a car, and whatever else, many of them can not and will not pay it back.  Seems like lately we're seeing it a lot.  I can't say I feel too sorry for the banks that are luring in people and giving them credit cards and allowing them to buy houses they cannot afford.  The banks most certainly share the blame, as does the Federal Government for interfering with the free market.  But let's be honest, the people that get these cards and charge them up and buy cars they can't afford and mortgages they can't afford are mostly to blame.  It would seem that owning a house is slowly becoming viewed as an entitlement.  If you can't afford something, you shouldn't have it!  Society doesn't owe someone something because they have lost any asset that they shouldn't have had to begin with.  And each time that happens, someone else is having to pick up the slack.  The "greedy banks" that loaned the money to begin with is just going to pass the expense along to the rest of us.

Most that have lost their home do not necessarily fall into this category.  I'm certainly not suggesting that anyone that has debt or anyone that has suffered foreclosure is part of the problem.  We've all had debt and we've all likely struggled.  I'm not lumping everyone together.  In fact, I'd suggest that a lot of hard working people are now struggling more than they should have to in part because of the irresponsibility of others.  The whole notion of defaulted loans and not paying back credit cards has become an acceptable pastime for some.  What ever happened to fiscal responsibility?  People want something so therefore they should just have it?  Never mind that they cannot afford it?  If someone borrows money they should have to pay it back or lose the asset.  What is this idea that we need to bend over backwards to keep people in their homes?  If you've run up a credit card debt of $20,000, why should it be ok that you just pay back $5,000 and call it even?  The banks will take it because it's better than nothing but why is society today so comfortable existing in this unsustainable, broken model? 

We've truly become a spoiled nation of people that have this sense that they should have the same things as anyone else.  It's simply owed to them somehow.  Any hardship is likely someone else's fault.  For some, declaring bankruptcy is a form of "sticking it to the man".  Isn't this going to eventually catch up with us?  My generation is going to get old and most won't have two nickles to rub together for retirement.  Then it's going to be up to someone else to provide for them.  Sure, they had some nice things, lived fairly comfortably, but didn't bother putting anything away for retirement?  And why is that?  It's too hard?  It's unfair?  How many people can seem to come up with money to pay to have cable TV, a cell phone with a data plan, high speed internet, multiple televisions, expensive hobbies, and so on and so on and so on but won't put anything away for a rainy day or for retirement?  We've lost our way as a society.  Far too many are irresponsible when it comes to their finances. 

I'm probably coming across as harsh, insensitive or an ass.  And that's probably because we seem to be expected to accept all this debt and irresponsibility.  Don't we still want standards and accountability like the generations that preceded ours?  What are our children going to think when they are having to support our sorry asses?  Future generations are going to be left with less and less, not to mention the trillions of dollars of debt we're leaving them in the form of national debt.  We need to get off our asses people.  We need to stop spending money we don't have, as individuals and as a society.  Future generations are depending on it.

Splash '09!

Allison and I went to a fun, local event this past weekend.  "Splash" is a yearly fund raising event that takes place at the Roseville Aquatic Center and put on by the City of Rosevilleand the Roseville Chamber of Commerce.  This is the first time we've gone and I'm fairly certain we'll be going again.  We had a really good time sampling an abundance of food and drink from 40 restaurants and 30 breweries and wineries.  We were able to get plenty to eat even though we are vegetarians, which was something we were wondering about.  Drinks were flowing freely and there was something for everyone and plenty of it.  We tried some very nice wines.  A few of the restaurants had some nice mixed drinks as well.  Peet's and It's a Grind were both there with coffee booths that were great as it got later and the temperature dropped.  Price of the ticket covered everything and the whole event was very laid back and relaxed with everyone just having fun.  The people watching aspect didn't disappoint either.  An enormous pool was in the middle of the whole thing and we were certain someone would have fallen into the pool at some point but that didn't happen.  Although there was a lifeguard on duty so someone else thought of that as a possibility as well.  For us this event was a very nice treat because not only was the event a good time, but we got to out together without the kids, which we don't get to do very often.  Anyone interested in going next year?

www.SplashRoseville.com

No More "Working" Red Light Cameras in Roseville

The City of Roseville has decided to do away with the red light cameras because the system was not cost effective.  According to an article in the Press Tribune, "After four years of troubles with the system, the Roseville Police Department earlier this summer quietly ended plans to bring back photo red-light enforcement to Roseville intersections, officials said."

Can't say that I'm sad to see these go.  For the most part, I don't like the idea of computerized cameras ticketing citizens when there is such a blatant conflict of interest involved.  The company that made the cameras were getting paid for doling out tickets, which is a little bit of horseshit.  If it were less of a controversial subject, I'd perhaps have a differing opinion.  There are valid arguments against the fairness and legitimacy of the technology.  There is also data that shows that while t-bone style accidents were on the decline, rear enderswere on the rise.  That's not great results.  Also, they are going to leave the cameras there as a deterrent, even though they are not doing anything. 

I'm not completely against automated law enforcement though.  For instance, if we could invent a robotic turret of sorts that could identify a perpetrator in the middle of committing a crime and deliver non-lethal stoppage with 100% accuracy, that would be cool.  I may be able to get behind that.  We can call it "Crime Stopper 2000".  You need the number to make it sound cooler. 

Bloom Coffee & Tea

Even though Bloom Coffee & Tea has been around most of the year, I've finally gotten around to visiting for the first time this past week.  This place is pretty cool and worth checking out for sure.  You'll likely want to stay and hang out.  It's refreshing going somewhere that feels unique and has more soul than your regular coffee place.  Don't get me wrong, I like the corporate/franchise places too, but Bloom feels special. 

They have done a good job on the inside.  It's comfy.  The music is good, too.  Of course, the point of going to a coffee place is the coffee and the coffee is definitely above average.  So yeah, this place has a lot going for it.  Let's hope it sticks around!

Yoga Impressions

For the first time in several years, I went to a yoga class.  My gym offers many of these and I've been thinking about doing yoga since I've been sidelined from playing racquetball.  I need other activity to help keep me less out of shape until I can get back on the court.  Yoga may be something I can do somewhat regularly.  My stress needs managing and I can definitely use the core strength and flexibility.  Today's class taught me a couple things.  First, I'm decent at the physical part of yoga.  Not sucking horribly helps make it enjoyable right off the bat.  Second, my ability to relax and focus is not the best. 

For starters, I was running late but did make it in time.  So to begin with, my anxiety level was elevated slightly because I was in a hurry.  The first few minutes of class was lying motionless, in repose.  I thought that term was reserved for what you did after you were dead, prior to cremation or burial.  For the first few minutes, while the late people trickled in, a CD of tranquil music was playing.  The music was accompanied by a woman's voice calmly repeating affirmations.  "You will no longer let the past failures of your life weigh you down" and things along those lines.  I began mentally debating each of the statements.  I quickly realized what I was doing and made a strong effort to squelch my conflicting thoughts.  Debating the lady on the CD made me realize the focus part of all of this was going to be hard.  Also while in repose, eyes closed, I felt a little twitchy because I kept waiting for my three year old son to run up and stomp on my nuts.  Even though he was not there, I'm just conditioned to remain on guard.

Overall, I really enjoyed the class enough to do it again.  I'm curious to see how much the chatter in my head reduces in future classes.  For instance, at the end of the class there is a six minute period where you lay comfortably and attempt to clear your mind using visualization.  It's intended to be relaxation to the max.  The instance it was over and we were finished, my brain shouted "I'm getting up and getting my mat put away before all these slow people so I don't have to wait".  That's a totally inappropriate thought for me to have immediately following yoga.  I obviously have some work to do.