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Post by Kapitan on Jul 23, 2021 14:22:27 GMT
Sam Adams definitely had its summer ale and a handful of other varieties by the early 00s. That's right around the time when Minnesota liquor stores and bar began seriously ramping up the varieties (and strange varieties) of crafts--right through the 00s. By the late '00s, it was seen as odd in my social circles at least to drink a Miller, Bud, etc., though small towns still mostly stock those.
Because I'm close to Wisconsin and am not so much into the rivalry, I can let your "local" comment slide, but many in both Minnesota and Wisconsin would bristle at the heresy! To your point, though, I actually don't recall it being mentioned at all. Maybe it got some headlines in Wisconsin or closer to their brewery, but I certainly didn't notice anything.
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Post by kds on Jul 23, 2021 14:51:25 GMT
Sam Adams definitely had its summer ale and a handful of other varieties by the early 00s. That's right around the time when Minnesota liquor stores and bar began seriously ramping up the varieties (and strange varieties) of crafts--right through the 00s. By the late '00s, it was seen as odd in my social circles at least to drink a Miller, Bud, etc., though small towns still mostly stock those.
Because I'm close to Wisconsin and am not so much into the rivalry, I can let your "local" comment slide, but many in both Minnesota and Wisconsin would bristle at the heresy! To your point, though, I actually don't recall it being mentioned at all. Maybe it got some headlines in Wisconsin or closer to their brewery, but I certainly didn't notice anything.
I remember Sam Adams with their Oktoberfest in the early 00s, but I don't recall having Summer Ale until around 2008, but I also didn't start trying to branch out with my beer taste until around then either. Until then, partly for economic reasons, I was content with macros or cheapos. I'm not sure why I thought Leinenkugal was MN based, so oops on me. Seemed like their logo was more of a tribute to me, but the Summer Shandy is still my go-to post lawn mowing beer. Something about the lemon flavored beer just hits right after sweating in the yard for a couple hours. I've mentioned before that one of the things I don't like about craft beer culture is the snobbery, and sometimes pretentiousness, that comes with it.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 26, 2021 13:39:57 GMT
Today is officially my last day of vacation. I returned from my little sojourn a few days ago, but took today off as well just to allow a shorter week when I do return. I also hoped to get some errands handled.
Among them, renewing my drivers license, which--whoops!--expired Friday. And I see now that walk-in renewals don't seem possible anymore, I'm guessing because of the pandemic? Anyway, I need to begin the process online and then make an appointment to do it, meaning it seems I won't get it done on my little errand-day after all. (Hope the fact that I stupidly let it expire doesn't screw it up even more...a few days can't hurt, can they?)
Also, I just need to complain yet again, for the billionth time this summer: these heat waves, enough already! We've been back in the 90s every day for a while, and are again for the coming days. Still dry as a bone. I haven't mowed my front lawn in a LONG time. Like, probably approaching two months.
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Post by kds on Jul 26, 2021 13:46:57 GMT
I gave my lawn some much needed attention this past weekend. Usually, when I take my mid July vacation, we're in the midst of a weather pattern like you're experiencing, and my lawn's essentially....dead. But, not this year. We had the remnants of Elsa dump some rain on us, and another bad storm come through while I was on vacation.
Not to mention the Brood X cicadas killing the leaves on the trees, making it seems like fall came early.
But, I did finally break down and buy a new weed whacker / edger. This one's a battery operated one, so I no longer have to lug my extension chord all around the house. Ah, the things a 40 year suburban Dad gets excited about these days.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 26, 2021 16:38:28 GMT
I always renew my driver's license and car registration online. It's instant!
I'm trying to keep my flowers alive by watering almost every day. It's about 92 degrees right now. And humid. But, it's hard to believe it's almost August already. The summer is flying by.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 26, 2021 16:40:55 GMT
Among them, renewing my drivers license, which--whoops!--expired Friday. And I see now that walk-in renewals don't seem possible anymore, I'm guessing because of the pandemic? Anyway, I need to begin the process online and then make an appointment to do it, meaning it seems I won't get it done on my little errand-day after all. (Hope the fact that I stupidly let it expire doesn't screw it up even more...a few days can't hurt, can they?) Oh my god, this is annoying. The online preregistration is complete. However, to make an appointment, I had to call. (Seems like of all the things your website could do, scheduling appointments is an easy one to relieve stress on employees and customers.) Naturally, I spent the first five minutes working my way through the series of automated menus, all of which advise callers of high call volume, long wait times, and recommend people use the website (which, again, does not allow the scheduling of appointments).
I have now been waiting on hold for 40 minutes and am debating whether I ought to just hang up and try another time or have faith that I'm closer to the front of the line now. (There are no ETAs given.)
This is why many people hate government! To simply renew a drivers license in normal times meant dropping in to any DMV, filling out a form, taking the eye test, and paying the fee, often all within 30 minutes or so, depending on how many people were in line. And THAT was already something people complained about.
I have now spent an hour between the time online figuring out current requirements, completing the online form, and waiting on hold--and I will still have to (eventually) go do the in-person stuff that presumably will still take the typical 30 minutes or so.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 26, 2021 16:43:42 GMT
I always renew my driver's license and car registration online. It's instant!
We can usually renew registration but not licenses online.
However, rubbing salt in my wounds, a friend who I complained to and whose birthday is just a few days before mine said he renewed his early--about a month ago--and because the pandemic emergency hadn't been fully lifted yet, fully online renewal was available then! So he finished his in minutes and didn't have to go anywhere, while I'm stewing in my own rage.
Guess the lesson is that if I'd been on top of things and tried to renew early, I'd have saved myself the hassles.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 26, 2021 17:07:28 GMT
I hung up just past the one-hour mark. Now I'll have to try again later and just pray it's not as bad or worse.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 27, 2021 19:11:07 GMT
Day Two, the saga continues!
I figured I could just let my phone sit on hold while working, and just pick up if or when somebody picks up at the DMV. My first attempt, after about five minutes, an automated message said their queue is full and to try another time, then it disconnected me.
Tried again and have been on hold for 35 minutes so far. I'm just going to let it go as long as I can, but I have a video call at 3 (so in 50 more minutes) and will have to hang up for that. So ridiculous.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 27, 2021 19:45:25 GMT
And it's over! Well, Phase II of III is over. After an hour, I got through to a somewhat rude operator (whom I don't really blame, considering she is dealing with people who presumably have yelled a lot at her for having been on hold for literally hours, which isn't her fault).
I also agreed to take the first available appointment ... which is in late August. Seriously. Almost a month out. All this TO RENEW MY DRIVERS LICENSE, a process that I don't think has ever taken me more than about 45 minutes in the past, even when I had to wait in lines.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 27, 2021 19:52:32 GMT
And it's over! Well, Phase II of III is over. After an hour, I got through to a somewhat rude operator (whom I don't really blame, considering she is dealing with people who presumably have yelled a lot at her for having been on hold for literally hours, which isn't her fault).
I also agreed to take the first available appointment ... which is in late August. Seriously. Almost a month out. All this TO RENEW MY DRIVERS LICENSE, a process that I don't think has ever taken me more than about 45 minutes in the past, even when I had to wait in lines.
I feel for ya. Here in Pennsylvania, you can renew your Driver's License online. You then print some "paper"/receipt out and take it to the DMV at your convenience to have your new photo taken and to get the physical license.
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Post by kds on Jul 27, 2021 20:09:18 GMT
In Maryland, you used to be able to get your driver's license online every other time. But, that might've changed when they made them good for eight years instead of five.
Luckily, I don't have to worry about it for another three years.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 29, 2021 14:11:41 GMT
How's the air quality where you are?
Odd question, maybe, but here in Minneapolis (and across the state, from what I understand), it's terrible! The combination of hot weather, humid weather, stagnant air, and the wildfires in Canada have us at levels deemed unhealthy for everyone (as opposed to the occasional warnings for the elderly or sick).
Yesterday there was actually a yellowish-brown tinge to the sky, and--this next part is hard to explain--not just when you looked up, but across. You know how the sky looks blue when you look up, but transparent when you look across? It was not like that, but rather seemed to have substance, color, everywhere, even though it wasn't exactly smoky or hazy. And there seemed to be a texture when you'd breathe, something between grit and moisture. In short, it's been MISERABLE!
I feel for anyone who has to be outside. At least I can just sit in my air conditioning and complain that going outside is unpleasant. Obviously many people don't have that option. I think back to my grandparents talking about a historic heat wave they experienced back in the '30s, when nobody had AC and many people didn't even have fans and such. People and livestock died. People slept on front porches, in yards, even on the shores of lakes! And meanwhile I whine that I have to stay inside in my comfortable house...
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Post by kds on Jul 29, 2021 14:47:28 GMT
We've had that yellow-ish haze here too, and it's not too uncommon for July. The pollen count remains high too. This is the second straight year I'm taking my seasonal allergy medication well into summer.
I have to wonder if our grandparents' generation was just tougher for not having AC. I see those old pictures of people at baseball games during the day in suits and people strolling the Ocean City Boardwalk in full suits and evening wear. I love hot weather, but I couldn't imagine being at a ball game or on the Boardwalk in July or August wearing anything besides a tee shirt and shorts.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 30, 2021 12:02:42 GMT
Last night we were fortunate to have temps drop to the high 60s, but the air quality hasn't improved at all: it's still an AQI of 158 right now (with 150 considered unhealthy for everyone). Apparently the high levels of smoke are expected to hang around through today and tomorrow. It's really miserable!
But kds, I think you're exactly right that those previous generations were just tougher. I'd say this is not because they wanted to be or tried to be, but had to be, without our technological solutions. But as to why their customs/culture maintained the formality of dress in those heavy suits even in hot weather is beyond me.
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