TROY'S WORK TABLE

WILD RUMORS OF REALITY

2012-02-12T15:37:00.000-08:00

"But at least one thing had been proved: Fat might be clinically crazy but he was locked into reality—a reality of some kind, although certainly not the normal one."
—page 318, VALIS by Philip K. Dick, as found in VALIS and Later Novels (The Library of America).

WILD RUMORS OF REALITY

2012-02-08T22:40:00.000-08:00

"Things may look different to you than they did before. I've had that experience myself. But don't let appearances fool you. There's always only one reality."

—page 9, 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami.

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Herman Melville. Philip K. Dick. Steve Erickson. Haruki Murakami. Others, many others.

THE GROUNDHOG'S SHADOW

2012-02-07T07:11:00.001-08:00

Sunrise in the Pacific Northwest.

WILD RUMORS OF REALITY

2012-02-06T21:58:00.000-08:00

"That is the power I have, and it is not the power of enchantment; it is the most precious gift of all: reality."
—page 540, The Divine Invasion by Philip K. Dick, as found in VALIS and Later Novels (The Library of America).

JUDGMENT

2012-02-05T22:54:00.000-08:00

Taken through "stained glass" Plexiglas (transparent thermoplastic).

CLOUDS

2012-02-04T19:54:00.000-08:00

Vibrant sky.

ICE

2012-02-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

Today, the temperature approaches 60ºF. Two weeks ago, temperatures were at or below freezing and the "world" was coated in ice.

WILD RUMORS OF REALITY

2012-01-30T23:10:00.000-08:00

"...wild rumors abound, wherever there is any adequate reality for them to cling to."

—from "Moby Dick," chapter 41 of Moby-Dick by Herman Melville.

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A new yearlong reading project begins.

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Originally, it seemed that The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was the natural next book and project to ruminate upon. The scope and structure of Steinbeck's masterpiece seemed the terrestrial companion to Melville's oceanic tome.

Then, however, The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick was published.

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The more than 8,000 pages of The Exegesis have been edited, arranged, and curated by Philip K. Dick scholar Pamela Jackson and author Jonathan Lethem, and distilled into almost 1,000 pages of presentable material.

It appears that two of the most referenced works in the first hundred pages of The Exegesis are Ubik and VALIS, so they were the first two Philip K. Dick novels that I read.

Now, it is time to continue to read in The Exegesis, to revisit Ubik and VALIS as necessary, and to read other Dick novels as necessary (Radio Free Albemuth anyone?). Additionally, various Philip K. Dick biographies, articles, and scholarly papers will be delved into.

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The "Wild Rumors of Reality" begin.

ONE WEEK (LATER)

2012-01-28T20:14:00.000-08:00

One week later mostly melts away.

ONE WEEK (LATER)

2012-01-27T22:05:00.000-08:00

One week later is a shambles, shattered, fragments.

ONE WEEK (LATER)

2012-01-26T23:32:00.000-08:00

One week later is laughable.

ONE WEEK (LATER)

2012-01-25T21:54:00.000-08:00

One week later is mere memory.

DREAMS

2012-01-17T23:09:00.000-08:00

"In comparison to my life in the inter-connected dreams, this life is lonely and phony, and worthless; unfit for an intelligent and educated person...In the dreams, I see what a full life really consists of, and it is not what I really have."

—page 278, VALIS by Philip K. Dick, as found in VALIS and Later Novels (The Library of America).

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"Maybe they’re just dreams, he thought. And maybe I’m just dreaming this dark cluster of houses and the dogs barking and this stream murmuring peacefully in its motionless current and this urge I feel to go and break into that house jutting out on the river bank, just waiting for me."
—page 230, The Galley Slave by Drago Jančar.

WINTER (TREE)

2012-01-17T22:52:00.000-08:00

Yggdrasil and Niflheim, superimposed on Black Walnut and Puyallup.

WINTER (WELL)

2012-01-16T23:12:00.000-08:00

Mímisbrunnr, the Well of Knowledge.

WINTER (FOREST)

2012-01-15T21:40:00.000-08:00

Snow and cold, Puyallup, Washington.

SUNSET

2012-01-11T23:19:00.000-08:00

Sunset, Wednesday 11 January 2012, Edgewood, Washington.

SUNRISE

2012-01-10T21:47:00.000-08:00

Sunrise, Wednesday 04 January 2012, Edgewood, Washington.

SUNRISE

2012-01-09T22:15:00.000-08:00

Sunrise, Tuesday 03 January 2012, Edgewood, Washington.

THE TWELFTH BEER OF CHRISTMAS

2012-01-05T23:01:00.000-08:00

10² Highly-Hopped Barley Wine Ale, a Barleywine by Fish Brewing Company.

22 ounce bomber bottle served in a snifter.

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The pour is a deep brown body, with an aura of brick red (almost a ruby red). There is no real head of which to speak, only a nearly non-existent ring of ivory.

The nose is beef broth and leather, cocoa powder and dust, figs and a hint of cherries.

The similar tongue is bitter and shifting on the flavor, long and drawn out. This is followed by a warming on the tongue that makes its way well into the throat. Wow!

Additional flavors are varnish and brown sugar.

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This barleywine is complex and shifting, thick but not oily.

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This bottle is an excellent experience.

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As it warms: more brown sugar, more of a buttery mouthfeel, and smoother, more intense alcohol.

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This bottle is way too much for one person and one sitting. On the second half of the bottle on another evening, I discovered even more sweet brown sugar and some green apple on both the nose and tongue.

As I stated before, this is an experience. I will be returning to the wonder and joy of the 10².

THE ELEVENTH BEER OF CHRISTMAS

2012-01-04T22:31:00.000-08:00

Mac & Jack's Cascadian Dark Ale, a CDA/Black IPA by Mac & Jack's Brewing Company.

32 ounce growler filled from 99 Bottles tap, served in tulip glass (1/2) and Samuel Adams glass (1/2).

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These tasting notes are "rougher" than some. Compare them to those of Pelican Bad Santa.

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Mac & Jack's CDA possesses a “darker” nose (and is less hoppy) than Bad Santa.

More malts, more chocolate, a hint of espresso, and more cream.

No hint of mint.

This is very similar to Bad Santa, and a good CDA, although Bad Santa is more nuanced and complex on both nose and tongue. With that said, this is also very enjoyable and drinkable. My guess is that this would be more accessible to a greater number of beer drinkers than Bad Santa.

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After more thought (or meditation, which is what it really was) upon this ale, it is almost like a liquid Oreo cookie—dark chocolate graham with a hint of whipped cream for the frosting center. Next time, I'll have to pair it with Oreos or vanilla ice cream.

THE TENTH BEER OF CHRISTMAS

2012-01-03T21:02:00.000-08:00

Bad Santa Cascadian Dark Ale, a CDA/Black IPA by Pelican Pub & Brewery.

22 ounce bomber bottle served in a tulip glass.

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The pour brings a black body and a finger-thick head of light brown to the glass. Minor lacing is left behind upon each drink.

The nose is citrus peel and chocolate malts. The flavors are many and varied—roasted malts, citrus of grapefruit and lemon peel, dark chocolate, whipped cream, and a bit of stew/broth to undergird the other flavors.

The mouthfeel is thick and hearty, even as a crisp cleanness makes itself present, before finishing with a hint of cocoa chalkiness.

As it warms, the hops become a bit more piney and grassy, and there is almost a chocolate mint flavor that presents itself.

As far as I am concerned, this is a spectacular black IPA, and one of my current favorite beers. If you find it, make sure you pick up a couple of bottles!

WHY READ MOBY-DICK?

2012-01-03T06:44:00.000-08:00

Why Read Moby-Dick? by Nathaniel Philbrick.

For the newcomer, this is a helpful introduction to themes encountered within the pages of Moby-Dick, as well as the life of Melville.

For the convert, each brief chapter acts as a meditation, a devotion, for this "one book that deserves to be called our American bible" (9).

For everyone, it is a tribute from an admiring and passionate reader to an author influenced by Owen Chase, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Shakespeare, the Bible, and his own whaling experiences.

For me, this was a wonderful and quick read filled with gems of observations and lines of inquiry. I enjoyed seeing the themes and set pieces that we were equally intrigued by, as well as those that we differed upon.

This is definitely a book that I will be returning to and opening again and again.

THE NINTH BEER OF CHRISTMAS

2012-01-02T22:03:00.000-08:00

Timmermans Framboise, a Lambic by Timmermans.

12 ounce bottle served in some small glass found in the home of the parents.

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I didn't drink the whole thing. I actually inherited about half of it, when The Sister found it "too much like beer" and not enough like Lindemans Framboise for her liking.

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The color is pinkish-brown with a white head (which is all the more brilliant due to the contrast). The glass is filled with light and lively bubbles.

This lambic smells like my memory of Frankenberry cereal, primarily raspberry and grain.

The flavor is boldly raspberry, with yeast and grain making brief appearances in the background. The flavors are nicely balanced, however, working well together.

This is quite nice.

THE EIGHTH BEER OF CHRISTMAS

2012-01-01T16:46:00.000-08:00

Snow Cap Ale, a Winter Warmer by Pyramid Brewing Company.

22 ounce bottle served in shaker glass. 7% alcohol by volume. $2.79 per bottle at Fred Meyer.

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The pour delivers a brown body with a reddish-brown aura and tan head, which quickly departs.

The nose is mostly beef broth with a hint of floral.

The flavor is beef broth, candied sugar, ginger (I checked it against The Wife's spice rack), other spices (although none too powerful), and dark malts.

The mouthfeel is medium-heavy, but not thick or oily.

This is a good, solid beer at an inexpensive price. For what it's worth, it's a good beer. It's not showy or over-the-top, but it is a good option for a meat-and-potato dinner (or stew!).

THE SEVENTH BEER OF CHRISTMAS

2011-12-31T22:45:00.000-08:00

Lozen Boer, an Abt/Quadrupel by De Proefbrouwerij.

750 ml bottle served in tulip glass. 10% alcohol by volume.

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As promised earlier, Lozen Boer is my New Year's Eve ale. I am excited to see if a full glass matches up to the anticipation and hope experienced in a tasting sample.

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The pour is a hazy dark brown body that has an eerie translucent "vegetable green" aura as it leaves the bottle.

The nose is anise and wallpaper glue. The flavors include the same in the foreground, with beef broth, earthiness, and sugary canned pear syrup in the background.

This isn’t as complex as some beers, but I like the simplicity and the strangeness of the aromas and flavors. They shouldn’t work but they do.

As it warms, a bit of apple juice flavor creeps in. A bit more warming and I'm also catching a faint hint of pizza sauce plus additional anise (although neither is brash or bold).

It’s as good in a full glass as in the small sample “taster” I had earlier. In fact, it's better because it had more time to allow additional flavors to blossom forth. Definitely recommended.

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It was good with red velvet cake. It wasn't a perfect match, but I'd pair them again.

THE LAST MEAL

2011-12-31T22:21:00.000-08:00

Snow crab legs and pincers on a platter.

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We celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another with our annual "last meal." There are food items that knit the meal together—green salad, baked potatoes, buttermilk biscuits—and items that are special for each of us. This year, TWT enjoyed wood-smoked steak medallions and Infinium ale; The Wife enjoyed snow crab legs and sautéed mushrooms; and The Child enjoyed Kraft macaroni and cheese with a Frostie's Blue Cream Soda.

We toasted to the blessings of a good year, choosing to ignore the challenges and sorrows for a few moments.

THE SIXTH BEER OF CHRISTMAS

2011-12-30T16:59:00.000-08:00

Doggie Claws 2011, a Barleywine by Hair of the Dog Brewing Company.

12 ounce bottle served in wine glass. 11.5% alcohol by volume.

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I love a good barleywine. I love Doggie Claws. I've had it many times in the past. As I took tasting notes this time around, I felt that I was catching a different flavor profile than I had before.

I was (and am) unsure about the flavors I was noticing.* Am I noticing particular flavors right now because I'm drinking beers that are heavier in flavor and body? Has my taste evolved to where I am discovering nuances that I couldn't before? For instance, why am I noticing notes of cherry in so many dark and bold ales right now?

Or, is the 2011 version just different enough from past vintages to be noticed?

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The pour is a dark brown body with half a finger of white head.

The nose is molasses, dark fruits, and a hint of mint.

The flavor is molasses, brandy, chocolate, figs, cherries, and a hint of mint on the finish. As it warms, I believe the mint grows in strength. In fact, I'm thinking mint M&Ms, even if the association is still rather faint and fleeting.

The alcohol is just on the cusp of being too much. Fortunately, it isn't. Some restraint has been shown as it sits right on the threshold.

As expected, this year's vintage is excellent. Some time in the beer cellar would make it even better.

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*Here is what I noticed two years ago, in 2009.

THE SEA

2011-12-30T12:54:00.000-08:00

Pacific Ocean. Ocean Shores, Washington.

THE FIFTH BEER OF CHRISTMAS

2011-12-29T23:38:00.000-08:00

Thomas Hardy’s Ale, a Barleywine by O'Hanlon's.

8.5 ounce bottle served in a wine glass. 11.7% alcohol by volume.

2005 vintage from the beer cellar. Number P14372.

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Thomas Hardy's is my favorite beer. Unfortunately, it's been retired and is no longer in production. This was my final bottle, but a fourth day of Christmas prime rib dinner needed its traditional accompaniment. I savored this ale, sipping it and thinking about it and simply experiencing it throughout the meal.

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The pour delivers a plum-brown body with no head and no carbonation.

The body is smooth and strong, focused around alcohol, brown sugar, dark fruits (especially figs).

Words fail me* as I try to explain a beer that is "to die for."

For me, it pairs perfectly with prime rib and au jus.

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If you ever come across a bottle, I recommend that you pick it up and stash it away for a gray winter day.

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*Although that obviously hasn't stopped me in the past. 2009. 2006.

THE SEA

2011-12-29T23:31:00.000-08:00

Pacific Ocean. Ocean Shores, Washington.

THE FOURTH BEER OF CHRISTMAS

2011-12-28T21:47:00.000-08:00

Ommegang Abbey Ale, an Abbey Dubbel by Brewery Ommegang.

12 ounce bottle served in wine glass. 8.5% alcohol by volume.

This abbey ale pours a slightly hazy red-brown with a finger-thick ivory head of tight bubbles.

The aromas are banana peel, yeast, cherries and broth.

The flavors are fruity, with a hint of yeast—starfruit, a hint of green banana, broth, cherries, brown sugar, and a bit of yeasty funkiness. As it warms, the cherry juice and brown sugar move forward from the background and become more prominent.

This is an excellent and enjoyable ale.

THE SEA

2011-12-28T11:42:00.000-08:00

Pacific Ocean. Ocean Shores, Washington.

THE THIRD BEER OF CHRISTMAS

2011-12-27T17:16:00.000-08:00

Santa's Private Reserve, an Amber Ale by Rogue Ales.

22 ounce bomber bottle served in shaker glass.

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This ale was given to me last year by Santa Claus. I pulled it out of the cellar. It's style isn't usually a good choice for the beer cellar, but I forgot that it was there and recently rediscovered it. It actually held up quite well.

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It's a clear reddish-orange with a white head. The nose is caramel/brown sugar and bread/dough. The tongue is earthy/grassy, apple/tomato, candied sugar, and leafy hops.

It worked rather well as an accompaniment to meat-laden slices of pizza.

To state it simply: I liked it.

THE SEA

2011-12-27T16:21:00.000-08:00

Pacific Ocean. Ocean Shores, Washington.

THE SECOND BEER OF CHRISTMAS

2011-12-26T19:30:00.000-08:00

Infinium, a Bière de Champagne by Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company) and Weihenstephan.

750 ml bottle served in Champagne flute. 10.3% alcohol by volume.

$19.99 per bottle! (Listed as on sale, with an original price of $27.99 per bottle!)

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The pour is a slightly hazy gold with a white head.

The nose is honey, light fruit, sugar, and very light spices. The tongue is lightly sweet and spicy—honey, candied sugar, candied syrup, a hint of brown sugar, light fruits, apricot, light cloves.

This reminds me of a Champagne, but the barley rather than grapes makes it much more drinkable to me. Actually, I can drink this and enjoy it, where with sparkling wines I find the former debatable and the latter mostly lacking (even if I find it drinkable).

It has a light and airy mouthfeel, but is heavier than I expected.

It begins sweet then dries some as it finishes, although it is never overly sweet.

Infinium is rather pleasant, but I don't know if it's worth the price. I've had plenty of beers of similar nose/flavor that were less expensive and equally (or perhaps even more) pleasing.

There is a stealth alcohol content that isn’t noticeable while drinking but definitely makes itself known rather quickly in the brain and body.

All in all, this is quite good. If you have a chance to try it, then, by all means, do so.

GINGERBREAD MAN

2011-12-26T19:08:00.000-08:00

Gingerbread man. Milton, Washington.

THE FIRST BEER OF CHRISTMAS

2011-12-25T21:27:00.000-08:00

Matilda, a Belgian Strong Pale Ale by Goose Island Beer Company (now owned by Anheuser-Busch).

12 ounce bottle served in miniature snifter glass. 7% alcohol by volume.

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The pour is an extremely clear orange body with a thin white head, which includes large bubbles.

The nose is leathery yeast, light cloves, flowers, and a hint of rum.

The flavors are similar with heavier cloves and other spices, apricot, and honey. The flavors are clean and clear. As it warms it has more of a citrusy rum character.

Matilda is very good. I've had it before during the holidays, and I plan on doing the same in the future.

CHRISTMAS DINNER

2011-12-25T21:06:00.000-08:00

Christmas dinner. Bremerton, Washington.

CHRISTMAS EVE

2011-12-24T21:02:00.000-08:00

Stuck River Bridge. Sumner, Washington.

ZOO LIGHTS

2011-12-23T22:38:00.000-08:00

ZooLights at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Tacoma, Washington.

WINTER SOLSTICE

2011-12-22T23:16:00.000-08:00

One-hundred-twenty-second Avenue East, Edgewood, Washington. Solstice sunrise through fog, trees, and wetlands.

HAPPY DONUTS

2011-12-21T20:30:00.000-08:00

I did something completely out of character this morning. On many days, I show up with a single doughnut from Happy Donuts, my favorite doughnut shop. It's either a sugar doughnut or a chocolate bar (to accompany a cup of rooibos vanilla or chocolate puehr tea) and my coworkers drool over it. This morning, I picked up a dozen and left them out for everyone to pick through.

ORNAMENT

2011-12-20T22:43:00.000-08:00

Fourth Avenue Northwest, Puyallup, Washington.

WAVES

2011-12-19T22:04:00.000-08:00

Milwaukee Avenue, Puyallup, Washington.

NEW YEAR'S EVE BEERS

2011-12-17T22:19:00.000-08:00

I attended a recent tasting at 99 Bottles that allowed me to sample four New Year’s Eve beers. Each was a corked-and-caged beer that would be a wonderful ale to welcome in the new year.

I scribbled down the following notes in my miniature composition book.

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Timmermans Oude Gueuze, a Gueuze by Timmermans Brewery.
Clear light yellow, almost champagne-like bubbly. Sour, paper, lemon nose, followed by a tart lemon tongue. Good and sour.

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Delirium Tremens, a Belgian Strong Ale by Brouwerij Huyghe.
The same color and appearance as Timmermans. The nose is of fine paper and apple juice. The taste is a bit funky, with Seabreeze antiseptic (and perhaps the spice sage, but Seabreeze was my first impression). A trip to The Wife’s spice cabinet confirms the sage.

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Lozen Boer, an Abt/Quadrupel by De Proefbrouwerij.
A darker pour than the prior two, with a light brown body, but still bubbly. The nose is anise and (wallpaper) glue. The flavors are the same, with the addition of beef broth, freshly tilled soil, and sugary canned pear syrup. All in all, the most complex and my favorite of the bunch.

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Deus Brut de Flandres, a Bierè de Champagne by Brouwerij Bosteels.
A rather bubbly yellow-orange body. Clove and sage on the nose. Clove, sage, and tobacco leaf on the tongue. Not what I was expecting, and a pleasant surprise! A close second for me, right behind the Lozen Boer.

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While any of the four would be pleasing to explore further in a full tasting, rather than in small quantities, I decided upon Lozen Boer as the ale to welcome 2012. I will share those notes and thoughts after the cork is popped.

O LITTLE DOG of BETHLEHEM

2011-12-16T14:01:00.000-08:00

O little dog of Bethlehem...

WINTER LIGHT

2011-12-15T23:54:00.000-08:00

Winter light, an hour before sunset. Watching squirrels.

VÖLUSPÁ

2011-12-14T07:56:00.001-08:00

"The sun will go dark, earth sink in the sea. From heaven vanish bright stars. Steam surges and life's warmer, high flame flickers against the very sky."
—from the "Völuspá," as found in the Poetic Edda and quoted in the Prose Edda, by Snorri Sturluson, translated by Anthony Faulkes.

FROST and THORNS

2011-12-13T22:17:00.000-08:00

One-hundred-twenty-second Avenue East, Edgewood, Washington.

ALL THE HEROES ARE DEAD AND BURIED

2011-12-07T23:02:00.000-08:00

"All the Heroes Are Dead and Buried," TWT's contribution to Les Sar'zine issue #4, the "Heroes" issue, is now printed, folded, cut, published, and ready for tomorrow's release date. 120 copies are available in five snazzy colors—Asgard (rare, 6 copies); Midgard (uncommon, 30 copies); Jötunheim (common, 48 copies); Niflheim (uncommon, 30 copies); and Ragnarök (rare, 6 copies).

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Eight new related poems from TWT:

"Just Another Day in the Life of the Pagan King"

"Dark Days Are Coming and the First Is Likely a Thursday"

"This Is the Slow Collapse Into Fire and Ice"

"Your First Glimpse of Hel Is Like a Gateway Drug"

"All the Heroes Are Dead and Buried"

"The Wolves Linger Just Outside Your Front Door, Growling"

"Heroes"

"The Colds of Hel Are Just a Foretaste"

Five new commissioned pieces of artwork from The Child:

"Mjölnir"

"Bifrost"

"Fork-moon"

"Spearflake"

"Fenris-wolf"

Plus "Heroes" books from eight other writers and original artwork from our "Heroes" artist in each issue.

$15.

Les Sardines.

THE WOOD

2011-12-05T16:33:00.000-08:00

One-hundred-twenty-second Avenue East, Edgewood, Washington.

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"By the way, the town where Asklepios’ sanitarium existed, I read now, is up in the mountains. Probably the climate was and is cool and moist; I read it’s heavily wooded. I bet the stars are quite visible there. It’s the place I yearn for. Out of memory."

—page 37, The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick by Philip K. Dick, edited by Pamela Jackson and Jonathan Lethem.

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"[Beowulf] went in front with a few men, / good judges of the lie of the land, / and suddenly discovered the dismal wood, / mountain trees growing out at an angle / above grey stones: the bloodshot water / surged beneath..."

—page 99, Beowulf, bilingual edition, a new verse translation by Seamus Heaney.

FALL BERRIES

2011-12-04T15:48:00.000-08:00

Red: One-hundred-twenty-second Avenue East, Edgewood, Washington.

White: Riverwalk Trail, Puyallup, Washington.

Red and Shadow: Riverwalk Trail, Puyallup, Washington.

FOG

2011-12-01T21:13:00.000-08:00

One-hundred-twenty-second Avenue East, Edgewood, Washington.

Fog, seagulls, frost-covered moss covering a roof, chimney—the same as last year, December 01—less poetic, perhaps.

ADVENT

2011-11-28T23:13:00.000-08:00

Riverwalk Trail, Puyallup, Washington.

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"But nevertheless something shines in the dark ahead that is alive and makes no sound. We saw it once before, but that was a long time ago, or maybe our ancestors did. Or we did as small children. It spoke to us and directed and educated us then; now perhaps it does so again. It sought us out, in the climax of peril. There was no way we could find it; we had to wait for it to come to us."
—page 21, The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick by Philip K. Dick, edited by Pamela Jackson and Jonathan Lethem.

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Thank you to JNQ and KSB for nudging me to see Advent in the above quote, when I could only see the monsters lurking in the shadows.

SUMNER BRIDGE LIGHTING

2011-11-25T19:01:00.000-08:00

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

More than 100,000 white Christmas lights come to life on Sumner's Stuck River Bridge.

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2008.

2007.

2006.

DUVEL

2011-11-24T22:05:00.000-08:00

Five years ago, I had my first bottle of Duvel for Thanksgiving. I wasn't fond of it then. This Thanksgiving, I once again sipped on my annual holiday bottle with turkey and cranberries. It's grown on me. It still isn't my favorite, but I can appreciate it in ways that I couldn't half a decade past. And, now it's a tradition.

FALL

2011-11-23T21:50:00.000-08:00

Grayland Park, Puyallup, Washington.

FALL

2011-11-22T23:02:00.000-08:00

Meridian Avenue, Puyallup, Washington.

FALL

2011-11-21T18:31:00.000-08:00

Puyallup Public Library, Puyallup, Washington.

FALL

2011-11-20T19:37:00.000-08:00

Fourth Street Northeast, Puyallup, Washington.

BEOWULF

2011-11-19T00:39:00.000-08:00

Robert Zemeckis, along with accomplices Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary, has made a horrible mockery of an epic poem. He has taken communal, ritualized violence and transformed it into individualized hypersexuality. He has given Beowulf Freudian legs, three of them, as one of his cross-eyed wenches attests. He has transformed a tale of heroism into a narcissistic Dungeons and Dragons fantasy, trying to hang it on the lyrics of the original text. Unfortunately, this is animated action film and I am the worse for having watched it.

OBSOLETE

2011-11-16T06:07:00.000-08:00

"I have to somehow come to terms with the fact that so much of what has informed me, inspired me, and driven me is becoming, for lack of a better word, obsolete. Wait. Let me re-write that. Not inherently obsolete. Obsolete in the eyes of a free market that values frictionless shopping, portability, and digital content over everything else."
—Matt Kish, from his blog "Canst thou draw out Leviathan with a hook?" ("Nothing is the same: What will happen" on Wednesday 09 November 2011)

FALL COLOR

2011-11-15T22:11:00.000-08:00

A WIDOW'S STORY

2011-11-15T22:04:00.000-08:00

"Too late, this is a sinkhole I have blundered into—the kissing, the hugs, the bright exclamatory voices—I am plunged in to a blackness ten times black—as Melville would have said the blackness of the soul without hope—staggering away seeing again with such hallucinatory vividness it’s as if I am there, again—I have never left..."

—page 351, A Widow's Story by Joyce Carol Oates.

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Plain and simple, this memoir is sad. I found myself reading it slow and steady, absorbing it in small chunks and at a constant, consistent pace. I found myself meditating not only on the death of Ray Smith and the grief of Joyce Carol Oates as she mourns the loss of her husband, but of my own mortality. I fear losing The Wife should she die first, but fear more for her should I be the one to depart before her.

---

Joyce Carol Oates spares us none of the madness, terror, suicidal thoughts, moments of remembrance and brief respite from the pain experienced during her journey through grief. She does leave us with a bit of hope toward the end of the book, although it is a strange and tarnished hope. She isn't done grieving.

---

This book feels cathartic. As she writes down the darkness upon the page, I can almost feel a healing on the other side of the writing. This is what keeps me reading it. This is perhaps part of the slouching, trembling, less-than-perfect hope that shuffles along toward the book's conclusion. This act of writing, of defiance, of exploration and experience, is what keeps me engaged as a reader, even through the difficult passages, the pain of another.

Like Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking, which covers similar terrain, you need to journey within this book's words and sentences, to learn from a fellow wanderer on this world, and to reflect upon your own life and love and death.

WHALE RIB SKY

2011-11-14T16:55:00.000-08:00

HE'BREW GENESIS 15:15

2011-11-08T06:23:00.000-08:00

As for yourself, you shall go to your ancestors in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age.

—Genesis 15:15

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He'Brew Genesis 15:15, a Barleywine by Schmaltz Brewing Company.

8 ounces served on tap in a tulip glass at The Red Hot.

---

This is not exactly a "hot dog" beer, but was excellent anyway.

---

I've had a couple of the Jewbelation ales over the past few years, so I knew that Genesis 15:15 would be a treat. Looking at the beer board in The Red Hot, I also knew that it packed a 13.4% alcohol-by-volume punch. I was hoping that it would be served in a smaller glass since I would be driving after lunch. It was, which was a good thing because it was potent brew.

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It arrived with a black body and a sturdy, lasting, finger-thick light brown head. Intricate lacing was left behind.

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The nose is dark chocolate, malts, rye bread, dark fruits, and a wee bit of funk (yay!). The flavor builds upon these base aromas and expands—raisin, figs, dark chocolate, brown sugar, rum, as well as hints of lacquer, campfire, tobacco leaf, and broth.

---

This ale is rich, rich, rich! It is dense and chewy. The mouthfeel is thick and dense, coating the tongue and palate, and leading to a slow, warm burn in the mouth and esophagus. The finish is long and sweet. This is an awesome barleywine.

The 13.4% abv isn't overwhelming. Instead, it sits in the background, peeking through here and there. However, its effects can definitely be felt at the end of the glass.

---

As it warms, this ale smooths out, becomes more silky, mellows, and blends. I can only imagine what a cellared bottle of this holy nectar would taste like. My guess is that it would make it's ancestors proud in its "good old age," just as Abraham was promised by Yahweh.

ART AT WORK

2011-11-05T19:18:00.000-07:00

As part of Tacoma Arts Month, TWT and The Child headed out to visit a few artists in their natural habitats: their home studios. We packed up sandwiches (TWT's in the Weekly Volcano's Art at Work cover and The Child's in a fabric wrap) and began to wander.

First, we stopped off at Holistic Forge Works and Ms. Darcy's Woolly Cakes Studio, where The Child actually placed a quarter in the donation box. Then we went inside...

...where we encountered local political cartoonist wunderkind R.R. Anderson amongst his tools, toys, inventions, haunted machinery, artwork, Tacomic cartoons, and assorted curiosities.

Afterwards, The Child and TWT stopped by Tacoma's Wright Park for a picnic...

...and the W. W. Seymour Conservatory to warm up and look at flowers.

Then it was off to the studios of Springtide Press, Holly A. Senn, 2 Ravens, and Hilltop Artists. The Child had to eventually be dragged away from viewing the glass blowing of the youth of Hilltop Artists, exhibiting a patience rarely seen unless someone has a passion for what they are experiencing.

After a long day of being immersed in art and wandering, it was time for some brief napping before dinner.

ALL HALLOWS' EVE

2011-10-31T20:21:00.000-07:00

Trick or treat!

OCTOPI FROST PARK

2011-10-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the final Friday of season four (number 31 of 30!) of the Frost Park Chalk Off. It was filled with pumpkins and ghouls of various types. Troy's Work Table headed in a different direction.

TWT played homage to his various cephalopod pieces this season. He also played to the notion of it being the final chalking until April 2012, as well as to the "end-of-the-world" feel that permeates our metaphorical public square.

And, TWT won!

CORN MAZE

2011-10-22T22:21:00.000-07:00

The Wife, The Child, and Troy's Work Table braved the first real fall rain—drizzle, sprinkles, showers, full-on rainstorm, repeat in random order—to wander the UW and WSU corn mazes at the Carpinito Brothers Farm in Kent, Washington.

[1] Entering the UW corn maze.

[2] Corn, endless corn.

[3] Punching my map at one of the landmarks.

[4] "The corn is alive with the sound of music..."

[5] Corn, endless corn, and more corn.

[6] A completed corn maze map and a background of miniature pumpkins.

FROST PARK: SCARECROW

2011-10-21T21:34:00.000-07:00

For today's Frost Park Chalk Off, I decided I would pay homage to one of The Child's recent pieces of artwork. I think I did a fair job of capturing it's essence, although it was more difficult than it would appear.

"Scarecrow" by The Child. Crayon and watercolor wash on paper, 2011.

"Scarecrow Homage" by Troy's Work Table. Sidewalk chalk and chalk pastels on concrete wall, 2011.

CTHUHULY

2011-10-18T22:10:00.000-07:00

I took the "Learn 2 Draw"™ "The Call of Cthuhuly" challenge over at The Tacomic. This is my finished piece.

PUMPKIN SPICE

2011-10-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Spice, a Pumpkin Ale by Two Beers Brewing Company.

Served on tap in a pint glass at The Red Hot.

---

It works like this:

A quick punch of pumpkin flesh that turns to pumpkin pie and finishes on the spices, which linger for a long time.

The only negative is a bit of alcohol burn that sneaks in here and there, but it's a minor complaint.

---

It arrives with a slightly hazy orange body and a thin, brilliantly white head. The nose is pumpkin and spices—allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. The flavors are pumpkin and spices galore. The spices continue for a long time, with a long spicy finish, which is mostly cloves.

The mouthfeel is medium. My first impression is that it is a bit watery, but after the first two or three quaffs, that impression changes.

---

I had this with a Chicago-style hot dog, but this would be even better with cookies, especially snickerdoodles.

FROST PARK: KHRONOS

2011-10-14T22:54:00.000-07:00

Frost Park Chalk Off Challenge 4:29 saw me delivering more cephalopod goodness. I drew over the site of previous octopus pieces "Octopus Rides a Bike" and "Ghostopus," which still had elements of both visible. I simply utilized the colors/forms of those and other works as part of the background canvas for "Khronos."

A detail of "Khronos"—blue octopus and red tentacle.

A detail of "Khronos"—motion lines and underside of purple octopus.

GNAWED TORSO

2011-10-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

"I came upon the gnawed torso of a seal, silver fur agleam against the sand like a coin thrown down in a losing bet."
—from "I came upon the gnawed torso of a seal" by Melanie Braverman, as found in the October 2011 issue of Poetry.

SHERMAN ALEXIE

2011-10-04T22:09:00.000-07:00

"Being blasphemous, profane, poetic, ridiculous, and funny is what makes us human."

—Sherman Alexie

---

Sherman was all of those things and more this evening, when he spoke at the Pioneer Park Pavilion as part of Banned Books Week. He used coarse and vulgar language at times. He told personal self-effacing stories. All of this was a way of cutting through the bullshit that we build around ourselves as barriers to keep others away, to keep others defined as the Other.

---

It seems weird to refer to Sherman as Mr. Alexie, especially with the confessional tone he set during his talk, so "Sherman" it is.

---

Sherman challenged everyone present. He took on liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, whites and Indians, Christian fundamentalists and vegans. He questioned our cultural assumptions about sexuality and violence. He spoke truths. Oftentimes, those truths brought the audience of 350 or so gathered to a place of complete and uncomfortable silence.

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Sherman wondered about how ideas in a book could rattle someone to the point that they would feel threatened by it and then move to have it removed from a library.

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Sherman wove personal tales and family tales and cultural tales into and around astonishment at how fearful we can be about books and ideas that we don't understand because of our own ignorance and naivete and biases.

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Sherman spoke about overcoming his own demons of depression and poverty and abuse through books. He read to become something more than an object: a someone.

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Sherman talked about exploring the world, exploring worlds, through the pages of books.

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Sherman summed all of the above with one powerful sentence: "I push and push and push myself and, likewise, I push and push and push my audiences."

---

As I laughed and squirmed and reflected and laughed some more, I thought of how wonderful it was to have this man challenging us by speaking truths. It felt like a good sermon, except that it was "blasphemous, profane, poetic, ridiculous, and funny." It felt like the words of a modern-day prophet, of one willing to speak truth to help us save ourselves from ourselves, to allow us to learn from his mistakes and missteps and misfortunes (and from our own).

---

Sherman spoke for eighty minutes to a crowd that laughed and lingered upon his every word. Then he signed books.

---

Even signing books, he was generous and challenging. He smiled and cajoled and conversed. He took pictures with those who asked.

---

As I waited in line, I was given a Post-It note and a pen, in order that I could write down what I wanted him to sign in my copy of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian. I asked him to include the final sentence of the book because it summed up the story as well as the stories of the evening (and his hope for the future).

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Sherman looked at the Post-It note and said, "That's one of my favorite lines from the book." I replied that it was mine as well.

---

"To Troy: We didn't keep score. Sherman Alexie."

NORTHWEST BOOKFEST

2011-10-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

I discovered last week that Northwest Bookfest had been resurrected. In its glory days of the late 1990s and early 2000s, it was the Pacific Northwest's premier festival of books, so I was excited to see what it would look like, especially in the shadow of Portland, Oregon's upcoming Wordstock (which is now the PNW's largest book festival) and amidst an embattled book industry (in an increasingly digital age).

Many of the exhibitors were local authors or homegrown presses representing one or a handful of books. One of the larger exhibitors was Seattle Center for Book Arts, which made its booth interactive and lively. SCBA had a working letterpress on hand and various mini books for kids and adults to make. Otherwise, with its outdoor tents (in Kirkland's Peter Kirk Park) on a drizzly October day, it felt like a literary farmer's market. That wasn't a bad image to portray, but the gray and rain seemed to be keeping crowds away. Next time, an indoor location for a fall event, seems a better idea.

For the most part, the exhibitors, authors, presses, publishers, literacy groups, and book industry services that participated were passionate about being present. The constant threat of rain couldn't dampen their spirits. Attendees were greeted with smiles and stories and welcome arms.

In addition to the booths, workshops, author discussions, book signings, and literary events took place in nearby buildings. The Wife, The Child, and I saw "Junk Puppet Land" by Zambini Brothers. It was a creative collection of five vignettes told with puppets made out of second-hand or discarded household items. The crowd of gathered children and adults loved the imaginative take on folk tales from around the world.

---

I left Northwest Bookfest somewhat sad. I remembered what it once was, and this wasn't it. I know that it will difficult to try and be the large, well-attended events that took place on the Seattle waterfront, for those glory days are past. But I hope that the organizers of Northwest Bookfest have the same passion and tenacity as the authors and publishers that were present to make next year's event bigger and bolder.

FROST PARK: ST. JOHN

2011-09-30T22:36:00.000-07:00

The theme of this week's Frost Park Chalk Off Challenge (season four, episode twenty-seven) was fountains, in celebration of the Frost Park fountain being restarted by the City of Tacoma. I drew St. John of Nepomuk, patron saint of running water as a tribute. Small purple cuttlefish (seven of them) swim around his halo.

HONEYBEE'S LAST BREATH

2011-09-29T17:46:00.000-07:00

I discover honeybee on the sidewalk, gasping for breath. I slide her onto a piece of cardstock and place her beneath her beloved flowers. A few minutes later, her body is still, quiet. I hope that someone will show me as much compassion and reverence some day.

DOGGY DREAMS

2011-09-27T22:30:00.000-07:00

Late evening in the lap of one reading, napping.

SQUIRRELS

2011-09-26T20:26:00.000-07:00

The Dog lies in wait for squirrels beneath the Italian prune tree. Patience is a virtue.

SAMUEL ADAMS OCTOBERFEST

2011-09-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

Octoberfest, an Oktoberfest/Märzen by Samuel Adams.

Served on tap in a Samuel Adams Octoberfest dimpled mug.

---

I kept hearing good things about this seasonal offering from Samuel Adams, so I decided I would keep my eye open for it. I found it on a lunch outing with The Wife.

The generous dimpled mug arrived with a red-brown beer with two-fingers of ivory head. The nose was of a sweet dark bread. The flavors were primarily caramel and nuts, with a hint of the same sweet dark bread beneath. This is much sweeter than I expected, but the sweetness is just about right.

This is a beer that would easily complement sauerkraut and brats or a burger and fries. I had it with wild salmon and seafood chowder, which worked as well.

---

This is a great beer for someone new to the world of craft beer or trying to explore a transition from macrobrews to microbrews. Also, very sessionable.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

2011-09-23T22:08:00.000-07:00

TWT and The Child watched some Friday night high school football at Puyallup's Spark Stadium. Rogers HS (Puyallup) versus Todd Beamer HS (Federal Way). Final score of Rogers, 50 to Beamer, 24.

SHELF LIFE

2011-09-22T23:13:00.000-07:00

TWT went on a field trip with Les Sardines to the Henry Art Gallery's "Shelf Life" exhibit.

PUYALLUP RIVERWALK

2011-09-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Sunrise on the Puyallup Riverwalk this morning.

THE PARIS MAGAZINE

2011-09-21T06:51:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine recently returned from a European vacation. Prior to her departure, I told her that if she was in Paris that she should visit the historic Shakespeare and Company bookstore. She did and returned with an unexpected, but joyfully accepted, gift for me: a copy of the fourth issue of The Paris Magazine.

The Paris Magazine was conceived as "The poor man's Paris Review" by it's founder George Whitman. That seems to have been achieved. It was also conceived of as a quarterly literary journal. In that aspect it is a huge failure. Only four issues have been published over the past forty-four years—in 1967, 1984, 1989, and 2010.

Issue number four is equal parts literary journal and bookstore promotion. It contains pieces by literary authors and poets such as Michel Houellebecq, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Luc Sante, and Todd McEwen. It also contains a brief look at the bookstore, the magazine, and George Whitman by his daughter, and successor, Sylvia, as well as "tumbleweed diaries" by wandering writers who have spent the night in the store during their travels.

Therefore, the magazine functions as souvenir, historical document, homage, literary journal, snapshot of a particular time (2010, 2011), descendent in a lineage of European writing. And now, as cherished object, reading material, thought provoker.

I delve deeper within its rich pages...

THE GATES OF HELL

2011-09-20T21:28:00.000-07:00

"The enticing odor which comes out of the mouth of a whale / represents the lust of the flesh. / The jaws which close on unwary schools of fish / symbolize the Gates of Hell closing on the lost. / The mistake of a sailor who chooses evil for good, or / danger for safety, is the tragic error that leads / to utter damnation."
—page 237, Notes from a Bottle Found on the Beach at Carmel by Evan S. Connell.

PIETÀ

2011-09-18T22:33:00.000-07:00

"I begged the empty earth / of him. Death / believes in us whether / we believe / or not..."
—from "Pietà" by Kevin Young, as found in the September 2011 issue of Poetry.

SAINT PAUL

2011-09-16T23:09:00.000-07:00

Saint Paul by Troy's Work Table. Pen and ink on paper, then digitally colored.

I was "commissioned" to draw art for a work project. "Saint Paul" is the third of three saints I drew, somewhat inspired by Greek Orthodox iconography and somewhat inspired by the cartoons of Mike Judge (Beavis and Butthead, King of the Hill).

SAINT JAMES

2011-09-16T23:06:00.000-07:00

Saint James by Troy's Work Table. Pen and ink on paper, then digitally colored.

I was "commissioned" to draw art for a work project. "Saint James" is the second of three saints I drew, somewhat inspired by Greek Orthodox iconography and somewhat inspired by the cartoons of Mike Judge (Beavis and Butthead, King of the Hill).

SAINT PETER

2011-09-16T23:02:00.000-07:00

Saint Peter by Troy's Work Table. Pen and ink on paper, then digitally colored.

I was "commissioned" to draw art for a work project. "Saint Peter" is the first of three saints I drew, somewhat inspired by Greek Orthodox iconography and somewhat inspired by the cartoons of Mike Judge (Beavis and Butthead, King of the Hill).

FROST PARK: KRUSTY PUP

2011-09-16T22:40:00.001-07:00

Another Friday afternoon equals another session of the Frost Park Chalk Off Challenge, specifically Season 4, Episode 25.

I wasn't feeling especially inspired. The theme was "SEND A MESSAGE TO A POLITICIAN" or alternatively "EVERYBODY DRAW a MAYOR DAY!" I toyed with a cuttlefish mayor, a monkey mayor, and The Dog as the "mayor of mischief." I ended up with "Krusty Pup, Mayor of Fair Food." I wasn't all too happy with the execution. Oh well.

Then my spirits were lifted by some of the other Frost Park artists and observers. They variously described Krusty Pup as "disturbing," "obscene," and "NSFW." I figured it was a actually a good art day.

It's no Michelle Bachmann encounter with a corn dog, but I'll accept the "compliments."

SNUGGLED IN

2011-09-12T06:47:00.000-07:00

The Dog manipulated, tugged, and wrestled one of The Child's blankets until it was just right, crawled into the middle, and promptly fell asleep.

YESTERDAY'S ROOSTER

2011-09-10T22:06:00.000-07:00

RUNNING OF THE COWS

2011-09-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

Cows await their chance to run the streets of Puyallup to kick off the Puyallup Fair and Rodeo.

DACHSHUND

2011-09-08T06:53:00.000-07:00

Troy's Work Table introduces a new character: The Dog. The Dog is a seven-year-old female dachshund rescued from a shelter. She immediately took to the idea of her new home.

THIS IS NOT...

2011-09-07T07:46:00.000-07:00

I saw this sign outside the Puyallup post office where the Lyndon LaRouche supporters set up their table with a poster depicting President Obama as Hitler. It reads THIS IS NOT FREEDOM OF SPEECH! THIS IS DISRESPECT OF AN INDIVIDUAL! WHETHER DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN BE A SOLUTION NOT A FINGER POINTER OR COMPLAINER! STAY OFF OUR PUBLIC SIDEWALK!

FROST PARK: GHOSTOPUS

2011-09-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

Ghostopus of Chalkings Past by Troy's Work Table.

Another Frost Park Chalk Off Challenge, another cephalopod, this one slightly recycled.

Five weeks later, faint hints of "Octopus Rides a Bike" were still visible. Therefore, TWT used the outlines of the mantle and the two outstretched arms for the basis of Ghostopus. Goodbye, bike helmet. Goodbye, bicycle. Goodbye, bike horn and glass of wine. Hello, candle-lit lantern. Hello, stick of blue chalk. Ghostopus wrote his own title behind him.

The chains of his past (chalk) lives weigh him down, even in the deeps of the netherworld sea. Rest in peace, Octopus. Haunt well, Ghostopus.

FROST PARK: J.P. MOTHERSBAUGH

2011-08-26T22:27:00.000-07:00

J.P. Mothersbaugh by Troy's Work Table.

A few days ago, I learned that J.P. Patches was officially retiring from public appearances. He's been off-the-air for thirty years, but still goes out in full clown makeup and regalia, oftentimes with his sidekick Gertrude in tow, to meet fans at various local events.

J.P. is one of the iconic figures of my "early" years, ending his show when I was in junior high and becoming rather acquainted with the music and antics of Devo. Therefore, it seemed natural to meld visual elements of J.P. Patches with another iconic figure from this transitional stage of life, Mark Mothersbaugh, lead singer of Devo.

J.P. Patches in Devo energy dome and a pair of Mark Mothersbaugh's trademark eyeglasses becomes J.P. Mothersbaugh—alternate universe clown, artist, musician, provocateur—for this week's Frost Park Chalk Off Challenge.