Damn You Climate Change

I just read the latest bad news about climate change, and this time it affects something very personal to me. Beer. It turns out that several different factors related to beer production are creating a shortage of barley and hops, thus causing an increase in the cost of beer.

In the southern hemisphere, climate change is affecting the production of malting barley in parts of New Zealand and Australia, according to Jim Salinger, a climate scientist at New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. Changes in weather patterns and severe storms can damage crops throughout the world.

In Europe, farmers have been switching from barley to biofuel crops, as government subsidies make those crops more profitable. This has already resulted in an increase in beer prices in Germany. Additionally, there is still a great deal of uncertainty about the benefit of biofuels (other than weaning us off our dependence on OPEC).

The global shortage of hops and barley is being felt here in the US, although many major brewers have futures contracts with hop farmers. Still, many of the smaller breweries are being affected. It is estimated that the cost of a microbrew may increase by up to $3 per six pack.

Of course, not everyone is as concerned about this as I am.

Kickin Arse

Many of you might remember this post from last year. Our team was never very good, but we always had a great time. Well, this year was a little different. Our kickball team went 7-1 and won the championship last night. Our only loss was by a run, and we were a player short. We had some new players that brought some talent and a good attitude to the team. Now, I can't wait for the first summer season to start.

Flying Spaghetti Monster

Last month, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster won the right to erect a statue of their god, the aforementioned monster, on the lawn of the courthouse in Crossville, Tennessee next to a statue of Jesus. Now, you can interpret this as you like, but I think it is pretty funny.

Green Candidates

The media likes to make a big deal about John McCain being an environmental Republican. He did try to pass the Climate Stewardship Act with Joe Lieberman back in 2003, and I think that it is good that the media at least does give him some credit from being different than Bush on one item (the two are more similar than you would guess). Still, he really isn't a good candidate if you are concerned about environmental issues, including climate change. Here are a couple or articles regarding the Presidential candidates and their environmental records.
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3

Links

ESPN.com's Bill Simmons posted some stuff on his page that I was contemplating posting here, so I will give you a link to his post, which features some of items I was going to post here, plus a couple others, such as this link about the worst movie ever. FIA president allegedly involved in a Nazi sex orgy. Penn State basketball player accused of playing with his own balls. And a bizarre article about the owner of Maxim.

Nuggsuckets

The Denver Nuggets don't deserve to go to the playoffs after their performance this weekend. On Saturday night, they lost at home to the Sacramento Kings, who were without their stars Ron Artest and Brad Miller. They followed that poor performance with a loss to Seattle, who have the second worst record in the NBA. The two losses dropped the Nuggets into a tie with Golden State for the 8th playoff spot. I had to apologize to my wife for yelling obscenities at the TV during the Sonics game. I really don't see how they are going to avoid a one and done series if they do manage to make the postseason. You can't win in the NBA playoffs without defense. I hope they can prove me wrong.

No More Skydiving

I went skydiving with Mile-Hi Skydiving Center in Longmont a couple years ago. I had thought about going again, but after the tragic accident last weekend, I am reconsidering. As I age, I lose a little bit more of my thrill seeking desire.

Friday Roundup

Last week I saw one of the worst movies of 2007 - Good Luck Chuck. It doesn't quite rank up there with my personal least favorite movie of all time, Pearl Harbor, but it is up there with other crapfests such as Miss Congeniality 2 and The Santa Clause. I think I am going to have a bad movie festival one of these weekends where I search for the worst of the worst. Any suggestions?

Speaking of the movie Pearl Harbor, I am sure that many of you have seen the hilarious video "I'm F@cking Ben Affleck" from the Jimmy Kimmel Show. If not, you gotta watch this. (may not be appropriate for work)

If you have some time, here is a link to a video put together by some students in the Bronx about Barack Obama. I remember how few of my friends voted in the Bush-Gore election, and being embarrassed by the apathy and disregard by many people in my generation (and younger) for the political process. I think I was overly critical, but it is good to see the youth getting motivated by a politician.

Also, here is a video justifying Hillary's mistruths about her trip to Bosnia.