Hey "Working Hard to Get My Phil" blog readers!
In the spirit of the season of giving, I have setup a fundraising page on Change.org to help support Porchlight Inc. This page will be up now until December 31st.
This is a great organization that runs most of the shelters in Madison and in Dane County, among many other things, and they need your support! I have been working with them when I volunteer at the Grace Lutheran Shelter and I can tell you from first-hand experience that they are doing great things in these peoples' lives!
In addition to this, on Monday, December 1st members of our lifegroup will be distributing blankets and hats to the homeless in the State St./Capital area.
Now is the time to make an impact and you can help!
If you would like to donate, please click on the link below:
Donate to Helpfulness for Homelessness
Even the smallest amount helps!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Deer Hunting
Ah, November. Deer hunting season! A Malchow family tradition. I've been going deer hunting since I was about 11 or 12. I go with my 2 uncles, 2 cousins and my grandpa. Over the past two years we started using my uncle's cabin. We leave Thursday afternoon!
Some of my best memories are from going hunting. Here are some pictures from over the past few years!
Plenty of cards to be played.
Leader of the camp: Uncle Steve
Trying to stoke the fire!
Piggy back ride at the shooting range.
Some of my best memories are from going hunting. Here are some pictures from over the past few years!
Plenty of cards to be played.
Leader of the camp: Uncle Steve
Trying to stoke the fire!
Piggy back ride at the shooting range.
It will be a very cold 11 hour sit on Saturday and Sunday, but I got a book to read and it's great to sit and contemplate for that long. And there is a LOT of sleeping to be done in the treestand.
Oh, and here are more beer pictures, I'm such a nerd. But the labels came in and they look great! (With the help of the new digital camera)
Oh yes.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
It's a Beer!
Well, it appears my worries and doubts about my beer have proven unfounded. I got home from work and was thinking about waiting until later tonight to try the beer, but I couldn't resist. I grabbed a bottle out of the fridge, cracked it open, heard the characteristic "bssshhhhed!" sound of the carbonation, took a smell and was blown away. I took a sip and it tasted even better. I'm relieved. Ezekiel Brewery's Prophetic Porter is a success!
Welcome to the world.
The first in a long line of quality Ezekiel Brewery home micro brews.
It Has a Name!
Last night, our life group met at Cheeseburger in Paradise after a church meeting and Camann, Buck and I were discussing lots of things. We got on the topic of my beer and both agreed that my use of MikerobRew was a terrible, terrible idea. And I thank them for giving me their honest opinion. This is what friends are for. So we were trying to figure out a better name. We wanted to keep Ezekial in the name for sure. We knew that Ezekial was a phophet. It was tossed around that we could use a verse from Ezekial like "3:16 Porter" by Ezekial Brewery. Adam suggested Apocalyptic Porter since he was a prophet of the end times. Then it was suggested by Adam (Andy?) to call it "Prophetic Porter" by Ezekial Brewery. Boom! Brilliant! I loved it immediately and this is what I shall call it.
Also, we discussed the cover art for my eventual album. I had an idea in mind for a while now but they helped me focus my thought process and hone the look. It was just a very productive and inspiring night. I won't release details yet, but I'm sure there will be a post on it eventually. Thanks guys!
I put the beer in the fridge last night as it is technically compete, although they suggest to let it sit for another few weeks to let it condition more. Still, I think I'm going to try one tonight and see how it goes down. I'm quite nervous because it may either encourage or discourage me from making more beer based on how it tastes. I'll bring some to Thanksgiving, Deer Hunting and Christmas.
I've stopped shaving on Sunday. And I won't shave until Nov. 24th which is after deer hunting. Amber will hate this, but it is a rite of passage and family tradition every year. My uncles and I see how thick and lush our beards can get by hunting. It's pretty itchy right now but it will soon become smooth, spotty and greasy.
I'll post pictures of it, it is sure to disgust.
Also, we discussed the cover art for my eventual album. I had an idea in mind for a while now but they helped me focus my thought process and hone the look. It was just a very productive and inspiring night. I won't release details yet, but I'm sure there will be a post on it eventually. Thanks guys!
I put the beer in the fridge last night as it is technically compete, although they suggest to let it sit for another few weeks to let it condition more. Still, I think I'm going to try one tonight and see how it goes down. I'm quite nervous because it may either encourage or discourage me from making more beer based on how it tastes. I'll bring some to Thanksgiving, Deer Hunting and Christmas.
I've stopped shaving on Sunday. And I won't shave until Nov. 24th which is after deer hunting. Amber will hate this, but it is a rite of passage and family tradition every year. My uncles and I see how thick and lush our beards can get by hunting. It's pretty itchy right now but it will soon become smooth, spotty and greasy.
I'll post pictures of it, it is sure to disgust.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Run Down of the Following Week
I feel bad that I haven't been able to post all week! I've been getting really caught up at work so usually I've been working straight until 4:00, hard to imagine, right? Anyway, it's been a real good week. Actually, things couldn't be going better in every aspect.
Last weekend was pretty fun! We drove back to Neenah on Friday night, we got in pretty late so Amber went to bed and then I drove over and hung out with Old Man Dobbins and we went out to College Ave. on Halloween to check out the scene. We tried to find the lowest key bar (which was impossible) but ended up at this crazy crowded bar where everyone was wearing costumes and the place was decorated with things from all the holidays but I can't remember the name. Then we found a nice sports bar that wasn't too crowded and had a nice High Life on tap. After that we drove back to Andy's and hung out for a bit more before I headed back home. Always a good time with Dawg.
Saturday, Amber and her mom went to a baby shower for her cousin. Amber's dad and I drove to Point Beach SP with the jeep because it was such a nice day. We brought Abby, the dog, with us. It was so sweet driving the jeep once again. It's a bit tough to shift some times, but I think I've become a master. When we got back we had to take down their big 50' antenna to adjust its direction. This was crazy. Amber and her mom helped us and if there was even a slight breeze it could have easily killed all of us. But it didn't and here I am to write about it. Later that evening, it was time to get dressed into our Halloween costumes! Amber's parents went as Creula Deville and her Dad went as a flasher (nice!) They had a party with friends by Waupaca and Amber and I went to a party up in Green Bay with a few of her close high school friends. We didn't want to stay too late because we had to get back to Madison that evening. I went as Special Agent Dale Cooper and Amber went as the Log Lady from Twin Peaks
We had to drive back to Madison right after that but luckily with the time change we got home in only 1.5 hours instead of 2.5!
Then on Sunday morning we had a meeting at Blackhawk for our Book Group. We got a ton of great suggestions and info plus it was cool to meet some other leaders.
Tuesday was obviously huge with the Obama win and all. So much excitement is in the air! He's got so much work ahead of him and I really hope the country can unite behind him no matter who they voted for. I was checking out foxnews.com and man, they hate Obama! I know it's a pretty conservative site, but they are so biased. I guess CNN is pretty biased toward Obama, though. Where is a good news site that doesn't have a slant?
That evening I also bottled my beer. Wow, that was no fun at all. I made such a mess, beer was everywhere. I started at 7 and got done at midnight. The longest part was washing the 48 bottles. When it came to fill up the bottles I transferred the beer into a large plastic bucket via siphon. That was the easy part. It was very difficult using the siphon to fill up the bottles. It was spraying everywhere in the basement and I was all sticky. In the end I think I lost about a half gallon on the floor. I filled 46 bottles. Still plenty of beer. I get to try the first one this week! How's this for the beer bame "Ezekial Porter MikerobRew" Get it?
On Wednesday my Aunt and her friend were in town doing some shopping so I met them for lunch at the Great Dane. I knew it was going to be a long lunch, because my Aunt, Dana, is one of those people who is such an engaging and interesting person, you just get sucked into whatever she's talking about. We talked about the U.S. Foreign Policy, the election, what makes the sun so hot and why doesn't it burn out, where Heaven is, etc. She is one of the strongest Christians I know and one of my biggest mentors. Amazing lady, you'll have to meet her sometime. The lunch lasted just over 1.5 hours and then I had to get back to work. Then we had book group that night, this week's chapter was pretty darn tough so the discussion wasn't that great but it was great fellowship regardless and we talked about a few outreach activities we could do with our group coming up.
Thursday we had nothing going on so that was pretty sweet! We watched some more Twin Peaks, made some dinner, hung out.
Friday we went out to Takara which is a Japanese Restaurant. I had my very first sushi and sushi roll. I really liked it! We will definitely go there again. Then we met some friends at Barriques to have some beer, wine and conversation. Good times!
On Saturday night we played Rock Band 2.0 with our book group. There were a ton more songs, and I was rocking the vocals like a champ. I sang "Any Way You Want It" like I was Steve Frickin' Perry. We ordered some great pizza, played with our friend's dog, Phyillis. Just a good night had by all.
A busy, yet fun week, stay tuned!
Last weekend was pretty fun! We drove back to Neenah on Friday night, we got in pretty late so Amber went to bed and then I drove over and hung out with Old Man Dobbins and we went out to College Ave. on Halloween to check out the scene. We tried to find the lowest key bar (which was impossible) but ended up at this crazy crowded bar where everyone was wearing costumes and the place was decorated with things from all the holidays but I can't remember the name. Then we found a nice sports bar that wasn't too crowded and had a nice High Life on tap. After that we drove back to Andy's and hung out for a bit more before I headed back home. Always a good time with Dawg.
Saturday, Amber and her mom went to a baby shower for her cousin. Amber's dad and I drove to Point Beach SP with the jeep because it was such a nice day. We brought Abby, the dog, with us. It was so sweet driving the jeep once again. It's a bit tough to shift some times, but I think I've become a master. When we got back we had to take down their big 50' antenna to adjust its direction. This was crazy. Amber and her mom helped us and if there was even a slight breeze it could have easily killed all of us. But it didn't and here I am to write about it. Later that evening, it was time to get dressed into our Halloween costumes! Amber's parents went as Creula Deville and her Dad went as a flasher (nice!) They had a party with friends by Waupaca and Amber and I went to a party up in Green Bay with a few of her close high school friends. We didn't want to stay too late because we had to get back to Madison that evening. I went as Special Agent Dale Cooper and Amber went as the Log Lady from Twin Peaks
We had to drive back to Madison right after that but luckily with the time change we got home in only 1.5 hours instead of 2.5!
Then on Sunday morning we had a meeting at Blackhawk for our Book Group. We got a ton of great suggestions and info plus it was cool to meet some other leaders.
Tuesday was obviously huge with the Obama win and all. So much excitement is in the air! He's got so much work ahead of him and I really hope the country can unite behind him no matter who they voted for. I was checking out foxnews.com and man, they hate Obama! I know it's a pretty conservative site, but they are so biased. I guess CNN is pretty biased toward Obama, though. Where is a good news site that doesn't have a slant?
That evening I also bottled my beer. Wow, that was no fun at all. I made such a mess, beer was everywhere. I started at 7 and got done at midnight. The longest part was washing the 48 bottles. When it came to fill up the bottles I transferred the beer into a large plastic bucket via siphon. That was the easy part. It was very difficult using the siphon to fill up the bottles. It was spraying everywhere in the basement and I was all sticky. In the end I think I lost about a half gallon on the floor. I filled 46 bottles. Still plenty of beer. I get to try the first one this week! How's this for the beer bame "Ezekial Porter MikerobRew" Get it?
On Wednesday my Aunt and her friend were in town doing some shopping so I met them for lunch at the Great Dane. I knew it was going to be a long lunch, because my Aunt, Dana, is one of those people who is such an engaging and interesting person, you just get sucked into whatever she's talking about. We talked about the U.S. Foreign Policy, the election, what makes the sun so hot and why doesn't it burn out, where Heaven is, etc. She is one of the strongest Christians I know and one of my biggest mentors. Amazing lady, you'll have to meet her sometime. The lunch lasted just over 1.5 hours and then I had to get back to work. Then we had book group that night, this week's chapter was pretty darn tough so the discussion wasn't that great but it was great fellowship regardless and we talked about a few outreach activities we could do with our group coming up.
Thursday we had nothing going on so that was pretty sweet! We watched some more Twin Peaks, made some dinner, hung out.
Friday we went out to Takara which is a Japanese Restaurant. I had my very first sushi and sushi roll. I really liked it! We will definitely go there again. Then we met some friends at Barriques to have some beer, wine and conversation. Good times!
On Saturday night we played Rock Band 2.0 with our book group. There were a ton more songs, and I was rocking the vocals like a champ. I sang "Any Way You Want It" like I was Steve Frickin' Perry. We ordered some great pizza, played with our friend's dog, Phyillis. Just a good night had by all.
A busy, yet fun week, stay tuned!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)