This is not surprising.  With the strangulation REGULATION of the German Reinheitsgebot  I gave up German beer after drinking the Belgians that were served in Paris a couple of years ago.  It became difficult for me to enjoy one of Dr. Kevin's favorites like Bitburger any more.  My taste changed on exposure.

The rest of the world has discovered that beer is a varied celebration and playground with many different styles, flavors and ingredients.   But the Germans?  To quote John Belushi, NooooOOOOoooooo! 

Current favorite beer supplier: Wegmans in Woodbridge NJ.  Brand new store with great selection and pricing.  Beer, Wine and hard stuff.
JA
 

German Beer Drinking Hits Post-Reunification Low

 

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30 Jan 2013, 7:21 AM PDT 8 post a comment

(AP) - Germans are emptying fewer beer steins these days.

Consumption of the national beverage fell by 1.8 percent last year to the lowest level since West and East Germany reunified in 1990.

The German government statistics agency reported Wednesday that Germans drank 96.5 million hectoliters of beer last year. That's 2.55 billion gallons.

The German brewers' association DBB says an unusually cool summer made fewer people quench their thirst with a cold one.

German beer consumption has been slowly falling for three decades. Reasons include health concerns and growing preference for other beverages such as wine, especially among younger people.

SOURCE: http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2013/01/30/German-beer-drinking-hits-post-reunification-low

Barnes & Noble to Whittle Stores - The Wall Street Journal.

I thought you would be interested in the following story from The Wall Street Journal.

Barnes & Noble to Whittle Stores

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323854904578264400822084708.html

The Wall Street Journal App provides a new way to experience the Journal's award winning coverage, blending the best of print and online. Special features include:

• "Now" Issue featuring updated coverage throughout the day, with top article picks from Journal editors
• Market Data including quote search and customizable Watchlist
• Videos and slideshows published with free articles

Click or tap the link below to download The Wall Street Journal from the Apple iTunes App Store.

http://www.wsj.com/mobile

Sent from my iPad

1/26/13 Fun Stuff Updated & Fixed

Fun Stuff has been updated.  Music today. 

The site had been hacked and had been rendered usless with spam from India.  Hopefully this is now fixed.  WE DO NOT OFFER COUPONS TO ANYONE AT ANYTIME.  We do not scam people!
JA

You may wish to bookmark the site at:
http://jafunstuff.blogspot.com

As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls - Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays

Saturday Nights in this household when I was growing up was Jazz time.  I try to keep some semblance of the tradition going.  Sunday afternoon classical that my mom favored has been replaced by Jazz brunch.  But Classical still works its way in with mostly Modern folks like Debussey and Holst.  Marshal, don't get me started on Mahler. I still remember the White Mouse discussion.

I "rediscovered" this long absent CD that I only recently acquired.   As you could probably tell from the title of this post, As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls  by Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays, 1980 release is a classic disc.  The title track is a 21 minute test of endurance for the ADD or ADHD crowd.  But for the astute, it has a lot to offer.  Maybe it is still not for the taste of most but it is worth exploring.  My other favorite from the CD is the track called "It's for you..."  This is from that seminal Metheny period where his signature sound was forming and still occupies a very fond shelf in my mind.  Brilliant cover photo too.
JA

http://www.amazon.com/As-Falls-Wichita-So/dp/B000026255/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359241377&sr=8-1&keywords=as+falls+witchita+falls

Dolphin asks SCUBA Diver for help - Hawaii

Check this out!  We have done the Manta Dive on the Big island where this took place.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2266794/Stricken-dolphin-asked-Hawaii-diver-help-Moment-mammal-stuck-fishing-line-pushed-scuba-instructor-waited-patiently-freed.html?ICO=most_read_module

Personal Technology: Perils of a Windows Upgrade

From Walt Mossberg of the WSJ.  For those of you still clinging to Windows, good luck.

JA

__________________________________
Personal Technology, by Walter S. Mossberg
from The Wall Street Journal


If you're thinking of upgrading your PC to the new Windows 8, be prepared for hassles and disappointment, especially if the computer is more than a year or two old, says Walt Mossberg.



http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323936804578229682529360570.html?mod=djemptech_t

Electronics Develop Sixth Sense - The Wall Street Journal.

I thought you would be interested in the following story from The Wall Street Journal.

Electronics Develop Sixth Sense

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323706704578225583650108320.html

The Wall Street Journal App provides a new way to experience the Journal's award winning coverage, blending the best of print and online. Special features include:

• "Now" Issue featuring updated coverage throughout the day, with top article picks from Journal editors
• Market Data including quote search and customizable Watchlist
• Videos and slideshows published with free articles

Click or tap the link below to download The Wall Street Journal from the Apple iTunes App Store.

http://www.wsj.com/mobile

Sent from my iPad

Toyota, Audi to Show Self-Driving Technology - The Wall Street Journal.

I thought you would be interested in the following story from The Wall Street Journal.

Toyota, Audi to Show Self-Driving Technology

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323374504578220081249592640.html

The Wall Street Journal App provides a new way to experience the Journal's award winning coverage, blending the best of print and online. Special features include:

• "Now" Issue featuring updated coverage throughout the day, with top article picks from Journal editors
• Market Data including quote search and customizable Watchlist
• Videos and slideshows published with free articles

Click or tap the link below to download The Wall Street Journal from the Apple iTunes App Store.

http://www.wsj.com/mobile

Sent from my iPad