Not much new happening (though I'm a month behind with the sermon). From a techie standpoint, I've finally implemented CGI based mail/comment forms in lieu of the previous browser-specific ones I was using. Makes communicating less of a hassle for everyone, eh?

From a scholastic vantage, yours truly, Reverend James, has just begun the second half of summer semester at FSU/IS. The previous half consumed much of my time with the Information Theory courses...almost enough to drive a person to drink (not that that's a completely bad thing...as long as it's a high quality libation, and consumed in moderation). Just started a Networking class...woohoo...the I.S. meat...now I get to learn to screw up systems on a much broader basis.

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That should definitely give me a more marketable resume, eh.
Speaking of marketing.....
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I have some good friends in Orlando who play in an excellent groove/blues rock band called Refried Confusion. As I don't get the opportunity to see them play down in Cent. F-L-A very often, I jump at the opportunity to see them anytime they visit Tally. I was even able to overlook the fact that they played at a bar located in the geographical center of Fraternity Row at Florida State. Luckily though, they actually sold a select few quality brews, so it was tolerable.

I stayed through the first set, which was, I might add, one of the best sets I've heard them spew out. (Side note: Refried Confusion plays again at PotBelly's in Tallahassee on July 18, and I urge anyone with an appreciation of quality groove to check them out...you won't be disappointed -- buy a CD too!!!). So, after the first set, I spoke with several members of the band on some graphical & web design projects we're "collaborating" on. Their much needed and well deserved break ends, and they trudge up on stage to inject another dose of good-natured, rockin' sound waves into the misguided minions once again. Before they play even a note, two identically dressed skeezy hoochie mamas (for translation, refer to "Encyclopedia of Daytime Talk Show Jargon) step up and start their propagandized spiel. When I first see tham, I assume they're waitresses pushing drink specials, or some other respectable, appropriate, interruption.....
Here's a transcript of the events that ensue:

Hoochie ONE: How's Tallahassee doing tonight?!?

Crowd: Weeooo, yeah... (loud whistles from the percussionists brother)

Hoochie TWO: How about those (insert local collegiate sports team here)?

Crowd: Weeooo, yeah (insert overplayed sports team war chant that induces epileptic seizures and aneurysms)!!

Hoochie ONE: You guys having fun tonight?

Crowd: (See previous crowd response)

Hoochie TWO: We're with Anhauser-Busch, and we're here to give you guys some T-shirts and make sure you're drinking Budweiser tonight!!

Me: (Bass Ale spews from my nose when I realize the hopless heathens have made their evil presence known)

Crowd: (op. cit.)

Hoochie random(): Who wants a T-shirt?!?

Crowd: (40 frat boys and two drunken, underage floozies bum rush the stage)

Well now, it paints an ugly picture, doesn't it?

Goes to show you the lengths these swill-mongers go to in order to sell their evil, tasteless sludge.

That's what the world is all about boys and girls...marketing. You can have the crappiest, most useless product, slap a couple of jazzy, snazzy, Madison Avenue produced, frog laden commercials and advertisements on the air, and make a mint. Sadly, a good portion of Americans have become dependent upon the general media for their information...and sadly, many of them believe the majority of what they see and hear. Do we know why these misguided youth were so fanatic for this substandard swill? Yes we do my brethren and sistren...T-shirts...it's all those misguiding "t-shirts" that the PR folk at A-B (and all the other swill brewers of the world) have been passing out to the world for years. Children grow up humming those maddening beer jingles. Their first beer is inevitably an ill-gotten media-spewed brew...only because that's all they have ever known. Some gain knowledge and insight, and with the help of others, discover that there is quality to be had...some, sadly, either from ignorance or economics, never reach 'eternal hoppiness.' They in effect, retain a tainted palate for life.

What can we do to prevent these evil, empirical, 'spam-brewers' from dominating the US market? Well, bottle-feeding Bass Ale from infancy is not, as some might suggest, a feasible option. We can, however, ignore the hype of ad-men and consume what we enjoy. We must educate ourselves and others with the knowledge of what REAL beer is. I can't promise it to be an easy task, but we must persist against all ad-versity, and let the truth flow forth to all the world. Take the time to learn the brewing process, sample a variety of real brews, and learn the true beer experience. For those so inclined to learn further...I wholly recommend homebrewing....it begets a new and fond appreciation for that which is of the Sacred Saccharomyces.

Drink well my fellow OLoMB&Hers...and again, I remind you to attend the Refried Confusion show on July 18th (9.30ish)..we can have our first 'official' local congregational gathering...and groove as we go!

Be excellent to each other

Reverend James 'jarboy' Farmer

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