The Last Candle

Popular Mechanics isn’t the first place I’d expect debunkings of 9/11 conspiracy theories to occur, but they’ve got ‘em. <p/> Great article: thorough, plainly spoken, lots of external sources. (Via Instapundit.)

Still here, but in a sorry state: I broke the 31-day non-stop posting pledge last Friday. Hey, Anthony was visiting, and we were yukking it up in Battlefield 1942 for hours. After I missed that first day, letting the next six days go was as easy as resting my head on a fat down pillow. Ahhh. <p/> Still sick. First the awful, awful stomach flu that put me under almost total bathroom-arrest; next comes a nasty cold that’s latest a week and a half. The worst part about it has been the beer I bought almost two weeks ago that’s been lingering in my fridge, untouched and undrank for lack of an appetite for it. That’s go away soon, though, since I had a little Samuel Adams’ Chocolate Bock tonight. Sam Adams’ is generally decent in my book, and being domestic usually fairly priced. (For comparison, Lindeman’s lambics imported from Belgium are $7 for 750mL. You can get almost the same amount of Keystone Light for five dollars less, or four times the quantity of Natural Ice for the same cost. But, my GOD, you don’t want to. Take the Lindeman’s.) <p/> There’s a little matter of the price tag on this Chocolate Bock, however: a liter bottle domestic brewery will set you back $16.99. I mean: HOLY SHITE. This is Sam Adams we’re talking about, not Queen Elizabeth’s blood in a vial. The bottle is all dolled up to make it look expensive, too: matte foil cap cover, embossed metal front label to make it look like an artisan wine bottle. Cool. But $17! <p/> Of course I bought some. It just happened to be on sale tonight — for $13.99. This is the best chance you’ll get to grab it, uh, cheap! Uh, for less, I mean! said the little beer-battered voice. Right. I’m pretty weak when trying to stop myself from buying beer. Verdict: pretty good stuff, really. Probably the best Sam Adams brew I’ve tasted, but for porter/stout flavors (nevermind that it was supposed to be the bock style — it was dark and very malty, at least), Young’s Double Chocolate Stout is still the body favorite. A fine experience in the end, even if a liter of beer and a bag of cheese Combos set me back almost 20 bones. <p/> Also: going home tomorrow, so no more updates for a few more nights. Considering the post volume as of late and the low quality of the posts before the lull, I don’t think extending the break will cause any sort of stir. <p/>

Back in November I lamented heavily online about the Ethereal Magnanimus leaving Lost Horizon. (Offline my curses to the metal gods, having caused the the destruction of a truly powerful metal band, could have been loud enough to change Rip Van Winkle’s story forevermore.) <p/> My hope after the break was that the Ethereal M. would put his bald head back where it belongs and return to Lost Horizon. Two months later, the ether-man hasn’t joined back up yet — he must be still quite mad, returning back to earth after such heavenly metal disciplining. While there’s still hope for a reunion, that amazing voice shouldn’t go to waste; my pleas to the stars were cast in the fortunes that he’d find a band that tried to reach the greatness of Lost Horizon for which he could cast his astral talents far and wide. <p/> SO. About two days ago, courtesy of the Lost Horizon forums, I discovered that the Ethereal Magnanimus (posing now as Daniel Heiman) had chosen to sing an album for the group Crystal Eyes. Never heard of ‘em, but damn if that isn’t some good news. Got any clips at Crystal Eyes’ page? Why, yes they do. <p/> HERE is what the Ethereal Magnanimus sounds like. To see what Daniel Heiman, you can check out the 3:00 sample of “Confessions of the Maker” from Crystal Eyes’ page. <p/> Earth to Daniel Heiman: Leave us. Go back to the stars and Lost Horizon; true power metal misses you. Or get the other dudes in the band to release a different sample that makes it sound like you haven’t joined Another Power Metal Band. (Which isn’t bad. Power metal is by default pretty darn good. But Lost Horizon was one-of-a-fricking-kind, and Crystal Eyes kinda sounds like — well, nothing special.) <p/> I weep again.

Another night of I got close to nothin’. But no, not quite nothing; here’re some small observations from the past few days (and NONE of them about being sick):

• I think that Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is a better film than the previous two in the film series, but I don’t think it works as well with the Harry Potter universe. Too many details left out, many which could have been easily and quickly explained to enormous effect.
• The video of this guy dancing around at different places around the world (here first, then click through the Dancing link) is just kinda ahhhhh-h. Just a good feelin’. And good music.
• In the three weeks since purchasing Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, I’ve sat down to play it about five times. Damn.
• Vernors versus Coca-Cola: which is best for putting at stomach at ease? Personally, I like the flavor of the Coke, but I don’t like giving something made out of ginger, one of the greatest-smelling things alive today, second place. The testing continues.
• I’ve decided that the next homebrew will be Night Cap Cherry Stout, as seen at Midwest brewing supplies. “The smooth sweet flavor will put you to bed like a glass of warm milk.” Sounds good to me, as long as it doesn’t look like a glass of warm milk.