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Weekend Update 33

Author: Chris ODonnell From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Dec 7th, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

Happy first weekend in December to all who celebrate. We had our first snow of the year this week. It snowed 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) on Thursday night and Friday morning. They shut the city down on Friday. All schools, government offices, etc., were closed. As I type this on Sunday morning, all the snow is already melted. Winter in the South...

Snow in the backyard

We went to the Richmond Ballet production of The Nutcracker last night. We saw the Atlanta Ballet production in the previous century, but I remember absolutely nothing about it. I did read the Wikipedia page on The Nutcracker this week so I would have some idea of the story. I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed it. In fact, I would go to another ballet. I don't know if it was opening night jitters, or this is just what you get with the local ballet company, but in the group dances the symmetry was often noticeably off and the lines frequently not straight or evenly spaced. I'm not complaining; this is RVA, not NYC. Just something that I noticed. And let's face it, I really don't know the difference between good and bad ballet.

We dressed up for it. I'm about the least formal person around, but I am also old enough to remember when people generally didn't wear jeans or shorts on airplane flights. The airplane industry treats us like bus passengers, so I think reacting by dressing like it's a low-budget bus trip is a reasonable response. But when we had Broadway in Richmond tickets for a couple of seasons, I was surprised by how casual many people were. So I was pleasantly surprised last night that the vast majority of patrons at the ballet dressed like it was a special event.

I told Michelle that maybe we should make 2026 a year of the arts and try to get out to the ballet, the symphony, gallery shows, etc.

Also, NPR called me again to check in and ask if I'd done anything or made any changes since they interviewed me. I told them that I'm at the acceptance stage of the stages of grief on this. I don't expect Congress to do anything useful. I did die a little inside though when the reporter commented that she was glad she was still on her parents insurance.

Reading

I've also started A Farewell to Arms by Hemingway, and I find the primary characters annoying and his writing style weird. Maybe there is a reason this is my first Hemingway book. I'm about 1/3 in, so I'll probably force my way through it to check it off the reading list, but so far, I don't get the hype around it as one of the all-time greats.

Watching

We finished binging The Beast Inside Me, the Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys miniseries on Netflix. It is very entertaining, as you would expect with those two actors in the leading roles. We also watched our first cheesy Christmas movie of the year, Champagne Christmas. Minka Kelly and Paris scenery are a winning combination. It's cheesy, schmaltzy, and 100% predictable, which is why we watch these movies. However, there is a 90-second bit involving Die Hard in the movie that had me rolling.

Listening

I had two new-client pitches this week, so my work week was intense without a lot of time for background music. I mostly streamed That Station after hours, and as I type this, I've got The Red Clay Strays Live at the Ryman on the MP3 player.

Links

In Grow Slowly, Stay Small, Herman (the Bear Blog developer) shares his philosophy of running a small, sustainable business. I wish this approach was the default in the US, instead of the grow fast and break things ethos that has taken over the country.

Anil Dash on the power of not just telling stories but sharing stories in a way that amplifies them to spread beyond you, because you alone can never reach everyone in the target audience.

I haven't had time to go through Bitter Southerner's list of best Southern albums yet, but I'm sure there are several gems in that list.

And that is it for this week. Remember, in a world where you can choose to be anything, you can choose to be kind.

Weekend Update 33

Author: Chris ODonnell From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Dec 7th, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

Happy first weekend in December to all who celebrate. We had our first snow of the year this week. It snowed 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) on Thursday night and Friday morning. They shut the city down on Friday. All schools, government offices, etc., were closed. As I type this on Sunday morning, all the snow is already melted. Winter in the South...

Snow in the backyard

We went to the Richmond Ballet production of The Nutcracker last night. We saw the Atlanta Ballet production in the previous century, but I remember absolutely nothing about it. I did read the Wikipedia page on The Nutcracker this week so I would have some idea of the story. I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed it. In fact, I would go to another ballet. I don't know if it was opening night jitters, or this is just what you get with the local ballet company, but in the group dances the symmetry was often noticeably off and the lines frequently not straight or evenly spaced. I'm not complaining; this is RVA, not NYC. Just something that I noticed. And let's face it, I really don't know the difference between good and bad ballet.

We dressed up for it. I'm about the least formal person around, but I am also old enough to remember when people generally didn't wear jeans or shorts on airplane flights. The airplane industry treats us like bus passengers, so I think reacting by dressing like it's a low-budget bus trip is a reasonable response. But when we had Broadway in Richmond tickets for a couple of seasons, I was surprised by how casual many people were. So I was pleasantly surprised last night that the vast majority of patrons at the ballet dressed like it was a special event.

I told Michelle that maybe we should make 2026 a year of the arts and try to get out to the ballet, the symphony, gallery shows, etc.

Also, NPR called me again to check in and ask if I'd done anything or made any changes since they interviewed me. I told them that I'm at the acceptance stage of the stages of grief on this. I don't expect Congress to do anything useful. I did die a little inside though when the reporter commented that she was glad she was still on her parents insurance.

Reading

I've also started A Farewell to Arms by Hemingway, and I find the primary characters annoying and his writing style weird. Maybe there is a reason this is my first Hemingway book. I'm about 1/3 in, so I'll probably force my way through it to check it off the reading list, but so far, I don't get the hype around it as one of the all-time greats.

Watching

We finished binging The Beast Inside Me, the Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys miniseries on Netflix. It is very entertaining, as you would expect with those two actors in the leading roles. We also watched our first cheesy Christmas movie of the year, Champagne Problems. Minka Kelly and Paris scenery are a winning combination. It's cheesy, schmaltzy, and 100% predictable, which is why we watch these movies. However, there is a 90-second bit involving Die Hard in the movie that had me rolling.

Listening

I had two new-client pitches this week, so my work week was intense without a lot of time for background music. I mostly streamed That Station after hours, and as I type this, I've got The Red Clay Strays Live at the Ryman on the MP3 player.

Links

In Grow Slowly, Stay Small, Herman (the Bear Blog developer) shares his philosophy of running a small, sustainable business. I wish this approach was the default in the US, instead of the grow fast and break things ethos that has taken over the country.

Anil Dash on the power of not just telling stories but sharing stories in a way that amplifies them to spread beyond you, because you alone can never reach everyone in the target audience.

I haven't had time to go through Bitter Southerner's list of best Southern albums yet, but I'm sure there are several gems in that list.

And that is it for this week. Remember, in a world where you can choose to be anything, you can choose to be kind.

St. Nicholas, Defender of the Faith and Patron of Brewers

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Dec 6th, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

December 6 is the feast day of St. Nicholas, one of several patron saints of brewing. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, was a wealthy and extraordinarily generous man. His charity toward others ultimately inspired the tradition of Santa Claus and the custom of gift-giving.

It’s not entirely clear why Nicholas was chosen as a patron saint of brewers. Tradition holds that he once stopped at an inn where the innkeeper had murdered three boys and hidden their bodies in a barrel of brine. The innkeeper served Nicholas salted meat with his beer, but during a time of local food shortages, Nicholas grew suspicious. Upon investigation, he discovered the bodies and miraculously restored the boys to life. While the story is chilling, it also ties Nicholas unmistakably to both beer and barrels.

St. Nicholas was also an ardent defender of the Faith. He attended the First Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325, where one of the primary goals was to refute the Arian heresy. Legend says that at one point the debate grew so heated that an enraged Nicholas struck Arius across the face. Shocking as that may have been, it’s hard not to admire his conviction. One can’t help but wish for a few more bishops today with the backbone of St. Nicholas.

St. Nicholas died on December 6, in either A.D. 345 or 352. Inspired by his feast day is Samichlaus Bier — an imposing 14% ABV doppelbock that was once billed as the strongest beer in the world. “Samichlaus” means “Santa Claus” in the Swiss-German dialect of Zürich. Brewed only once a year on December 6, the beer is aged for nearly a full year and released in time for the following year’s celebration. Originally brewed by Brauerei Hürlimann and later by Feldschlösschen, it is now produced by Schloss Eggenberg of Austria.

We toasted the Saint by pouring some 2008 vintage bottles of Samichlaus Bier on the eve of his feast day.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Cheers!

St. Nicholas, Defender of the Faith and Patron of Brewers

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Dec 6th, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

December 6 is the feast day of St. Nicholas, one of several patron saints of brewing. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, was a wealthy and extraordinarily generous man. His charity toward others ultimately inspired the tradition of Santa Claus and the custom of gift-giving.

It’s not entirely clear why Nicholas was chosen as a patron saint of brewers. Tradition holds that he once stopped at an inn where the innkeeper had murdered three boys and hidden their bodies in a barrel of brine. The innkeeper served Nicholas salted meat with his beer, but during a time of local food shortages, Nicholas grew suspicious. Upon investigation, he discovered the bodies and miraculously restored the boys to life. While the story is chilling, it also ties Nicholas unmistakably to both beer and barrels.

St. Nicholas was also an ardent defender of the Faith. He attended the First Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325, where one of the primary goals was to refute the Arian heresy. Legend says that at one point the debate grew so heated that an enraged Nicholas struck Arius across the face. Shocking as that may have been, it’s hard not to admire his conviction. One can’t help but wish for a few more bishops today with the backbone of St. Nicholas.

St. Nicholas died on December 6, in either A.D. 345 or 352. Inspired by his feast day is Samichlaus Bier — an imposing 14% ABV doppelbock that was once billed as the strongest beer in the world. “Samichlaus” means “Santa Claus” in the Swiss-German dialect of Zürich. Brewed only once a year on December 6, the beer is aged for nearly a full year and released in time for the following year’s celebration. Originally brewed by Brauerei Hürlimann and later by Feldschlösschen, it is now produced by Schloss Eggenberg of Austria.

We toasted the Saint by pouring some 2008 vintage bottles of Samichlaus Bier on the eve of his feast day.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Cheers!

The Lingering Shadow of Prohibition

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Dec 5th, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

On December 5, 1933, the long and difficult chapter of Prohibition finally came to an end. Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution, officially repealing the 18th Amendment that had attempted to ban alcohol nationwide. With that vote, Americans regained a personal freedom that had been lost for more than a decade. To this day, the 18th Amendment remains the only amendment that took away a freedom instead of guaranteeing a freedom.

This anniversary should serve not only as a reminder of those dark days, but also of the continuing pressures placed on personal liberty. Even today, there are efforts to restrict the right to enjoy alcoholic beverages. Some forget — or choose to ignore — the lessons of history and seem willing to repeat the mistakes of the past. Too often, biblical teachings are misinterpreted and the truth is bent to advance a particular agenda. Debates over regulation, responsibility, and personal choice continue, but history reminds us that sweeping bans often create more problems than they solve.

The effects of Prohibition are still felt across much of the United States. Concentrated mostly in the South and parts of the Midwest, “dry” areas continue to exist in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kansas, and Alabama. Even parts of Kentucky and Tennessee — despite their rich distilling heritage — retain Prohibition-era restrictions. The Prohibition Party itself remains active, though thankfully largely ineffective. Freedoms once lost are often slow to return.

Here in Virginia, we continue to live with the legacy of that restrictive era through the state’s three-tier alcohol regulations. After Prohibition ended, the Commonwealth chose to maintain tight control over hard spirits — and, just as importantly, a reliable source of revenue. Over the years there have been efforts to reform or modernize that system. There was a glimmer of hope for change when Senator Obenshain introduced a privatization bill in 2009, but it never made it out of committee. Governor McDonnell later floated his own proposal, ultimately limiting it to privatizing retail storefronts while keeping wholesale and distribution under state control — an approach that sounded bold but changed little in practice. That effort failed as well.

In the end, there is simply too much money tied up in taxes and state-run profits for Richmond to loosen its grip on the system. And the situation is unlikely to improve under incoming state leadership that tends to favor restrictions and taxation over personal choice and individual freedom.

So today, responsibly enjoy an alcoholic beverage and celebrate the gift of personal choice.

Cheers!

The Lingering Shadow of Prohibition

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Dec 5th, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

On December 5, 1933, the long and difficult chapter of Prohibition finally came to an end. Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution, officially repealing the 18th Amendment that had attempted to ban alcohol nationwide. With that vote, Americans regained a personal freedom that had been lost for more than a decade. To this day, the 18th Amendment remains the only amendment that took away a freedom instead of guaranteeing a freedom.

This anniversary should serve not only as a reminder of those dark days, but also of the continuing pressures placed on personal liberty. Even today, there are efforts to restrict the right to enjoy alcoholic beverages. Some forget — or choose to ignore — the lessons of history and seem willing to repeat the mistakes of the past. Too often, biblical teachings are misinterpreted and the truth is bent to advance a particular agenda. Debates over regulation, responsibility, and personal choice continue, but history reminds us that sweeping bans often create more problems than they solve.

The effects of Prohibition are still felt across much of the United States. Concentrated mostly in the South and parts of the Midwest, “dry” areas continue to exist in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kansas, and Alabama. Even parts of Kentucky and Tennessee — despite their rich distilling heritage — retain Prohibition-era restrictions. The Prohibition Party itself remains active, though thankfully largely ineffective. Freedoms once lost are often slow to return.

Here in Virginia, we continue to live with the legacy of that restrictive era through the state’s three-tier alcohol regulations. After Prohibition ended, the Commonwealth chose to maintain tight control over hard spirits — and, just as importantly, a reliable source of revenue. Over the years there have been efforts to reform or modernize that system. There was a glimmer of hope for change when Senator Obenshain introduced a privatization bill in 2009, but it never made it out of committee. Governor McDonnell later floated his own proposal, ultimately limiting it to privatizing retail storefronts while keeping wholesale and distribution under state control — an approach that sounded bold but changed little in practice. That effort failed as well.

In the end, there is simply too much money tied up in taxes and state-run profits for Richmond to loosen its grip on the system. And the situation is unlikely to improve under incoming state leadership that tends to favor restrictions and taxation over personal choice and individual freedom.

So today, responsibly enjoy an alcoholic beverage and celebrate the gift of personal choice.

Cheers!

Weekend Update 32

Author: Chris ODonnell From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Dec 1st, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

How the hell is it already December?

It was Thanksgiving weekend here in the US. So a lot of us had 4 days off. All my other long weekends this year have involved travel, so although they were often fun, I typically came back tired. This 4-day weekend was 4-days of staying close to home. I got so relaxed that I spent most of Saturday thinking it was Sunday. There is probably a lesson here but I'm sure it's going over my head.

Thanksgiving was chill for us. Just us and a roast turkey breast with mashed potatoes, balsamic and honey glazed roasted carrots,dinner rolls, and a fruit salad. On Black-Friday we went out to 2 local vendor fairs and an art gallery. We spent $9. Take that capitalism! On Saturday we did more local vendor fairs, and Sunday I went out birding in the AM. I got 46 species and one lifer on Sunday, putting me at 213 species for the year.

We also put up the Christmas tree and I put up the exterior lights. I feel a little like Charlie Brown. I'm not going to let the state of the world ruin my mood any longer. I'm going to enjoy life in spite of the bastards in charge.

On Thanksgiving Eve I wanted to watch the WKRP Thanksgiving episode, which I own in the I paid Amazon money for it sense of ownership. Amazon lost the rights to it (Apple has it now) so it's gone from my Amazon account. And that dear readers, is how I came to acquire all 4 seasons of WKRP, now safely stored on my computer.

Links

"...I remain unconvinced that I am any better off having posted all of the stuff in all of those places over the last thirty years than had I just written it down on paper."

An animated meditation (is that a thing?) reminding us that it's the journey, not the destination, that counts.

Overthinking A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Watching

We binged season 2 of A Man Inside, the Ted Danson cozy mystery on Netflix. If you enjoyed season 1 you'll enjoy season 2. We also watched Carry-On, a Netflix only movie (I think) starring Jason Bateman has a terrorist hell-bent on destruction on Christmas Eve at LAX. The movie is trying a little too hard to be Diehard, but I was entertained, which is all I ask of a movie. So two thumbs up from me. I also discovered Tasting History, a YouTube channel where the host cooks 50-500+ year old recipes and weaves in a history lesson in 20-30 minutes. They are very entertaining, and educational.

Reading

I finished up A Shattered Piece by John Scalzi last night. It's the first book in the Old Man's War universe in 10 years. If easy to read space opera with a side of snark is your thing, you'll enjoy this. But it is book 7 in this universe. It's a stand alone story, but I think you'll enjoy it more if you go back and start at the beginning.

listening

Tesla - Mechanical Resonance Live is currently "spinning" in the MP3 player on my computer. I also listened to quite a bit of Jukebox the Ghost this week. And Christmas music, because it is that time of year.

And that is it for this week. Remember, in a world where you can choose to be anything, you can choose to be kind.

Weekend Update 32

Author: Chris ODonnell From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Dec 1st, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

How the hell is it already December?

It was Thanksgiving weekend here in the US. So a lot of us had 4 days off. All my other long weekends this year have involved travel, so although they were often fun, I typically came back tired. This 4-day weekend was 4-days of staying close to home. I got so relaxed that I spent most of Saturday thinking it was Sunday. There is probably a lesson here but I'm sure it's going over my head.

Thanksgiving was chill for us. Just us and a roast turkey breast with mashed potatoes, balsamic and honey glazed roasted carrots,dinner rolls, and a fruit salad. On Black-Friday we went out to 2 local vendor fairs and an art gallery. We spent $9. Take that capitalism! On Saturday we did more local vendor fairs, and Sunday I went out birding in the AM. I got 46 species and one lifer on Sunday, putting me at 213 species for the year.

We also put up the Christmas tree and I put up the exterior lights. I feel a little like Charlie Brown. I'm not going to let the state of the world ruin my mood any longer. I'm going to enjoy life in spite of the bastards in charge.

On Thanksgiving Eve I wanted to watch the WKRP Thanksgiving episode, which I own in the I paid Amazon money for it sense of ownership. Amazon lost the rights to it (Apple has it now) so it's gone from my Amazon account. And that dear readers, is how I came to acquire all 4 seasons of WKRP, now safely stored on my computer.

Links

"...I remain unconvinced that I am any better off having posted all of the stuff in all of those places over the last thirty years than had I just written it down on paper."

An animated meditation (is that a thing?) reminding us that it's the journey, not the destination, that counts.

Overthinking A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Watching

We binged season 2 of A Man Inside, the Ted Danson cozy mystery on Netflix. If you enjoyed season 1 you'll enjoy season 2. We also watched Carry-On, a Netflix only movie (I think) starring Jason Bateman has a terrorist hell-bent on destruction on Christmas Eve at LAX. The movie is trying a little too hard to be Diehard, but I was entertained, which is all I ask of a movie. So two thumbs up from me. I also discovered Tasting History, a YouTube channel where the host cooks 50-500+ year old recipes and weaves in a history lesson in 20-30 minutes. They are very entertaining, and educational.

Reading

I finished up A Shattered Piece by John Scalzi last night. It's the first book in the Old Man's War universe in 10 years. If easy to read space opera with a side of snark is your thing, you'll enjoy this. But it is book 7 in this universe. It's a stand alone story, but I think you'll enjoy it more if you go back and start at the beginning.

Listening

Tesla - Mechanical Resonance Live is currently "spinning" in the MP3 player on my computer. I also listened to quite a bit of Jukebox the Ghost this week. And Christmas music, because it is that time of year.

And that is it for this week. Remember, in a world where you can choose to be anything, you can choose to be kind.

Into the Dark: Beer, Cigar, and Black Friday

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Nov 29th, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

It had been almost two weeks since I’d enjoyed a cigar. Between day trips, weekend travel, holiday prep, and time with family, I hadn’t found a moment to sit down for a proper, relaxing smoke. I’m not one to light a cigar just because — for me, a cigar is an intentional pause to sit, unwind, and appreciate the craftsmanship.

While the family binged on football, I slipped away for an afternoon smoke. It was cold and windy outside, but the enclosed screened porch offered welcome shelter. And since it was “Black Friday,” I went with the theme and grabbed two dark companions: a Micallef Black and a Winter Storm from Heavy Seas Brewing. That’s a far better way to mark the day after Thanksgiving than chasing supposed deals at the mall.

Winter Storm “Category 5 Ale” is a seasonal ESB (Extra Special Bitter) from the Baltimore brewery, a longtime favorite of mine going back to its Clipper City days. The label has changed over the years, but the beer remains the same.

At 7.5% ABV, the malt-forward ale shows rich caramel-toffee and dark fruit notes, balanced by a subtle pine and herbal hop presence. It’s thoroughly enjoyable. In years past I’d buy it by the case to age into the summer — or even for far-future drinking — but this year’s stash will likely be enjoyed fresh.

The Micallef Black I chose was the 5” x 52 Robusto. A Mexican San Andrés wrapper encases an Ecuadorian Habano binder with Nicaraguan fillers. The dark, oily wrapper and gold-on-black band make for an irresistible presentation. The Black is full-bodied, opening with earth, cocoa, and pepper. As it warmed up, I picked up dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and a touch of sweetness. Construction was excellent, with a clean burn and thick, flavorful smoke.

I actually selected the Micallef Black before considering the pairing, but the combination turned out beautifully. The bold, dark-leaning profiles played off each other well. The beer’s slight sweetness and dark fruit lifted the chocolate and sweeter tones in the cigar, while the cigar’s pepper and earth kept the ale from drifting too sweet. A satisfying match all around.

Outside, the day hinted at winter — 38° with a windchill of 26°, though sunny. Inside the porch, with the portable heaters on low, it was a comfortable 64°. Add some jazz from the speaker, a good book in my lap, and a cigar in hand, and it made for a remarkably pleasant afternoon escape before heading back inside to resume the holiday feasting.

Cheers!