Time flies by...

13 Jan 2010

Yes, in 2045 I’ll be thinking that it was such a short time ago when I made a 100 Euro bet that Strong-AI would exist by that year. I will also be thinking about what I did in all those years, from 2010 to 2045, where did time go? Did I spend it well? It will be a sense of confusion, as I will have done so many things, and at the time many of those things must have felt marvellous, but did I really enjoy the ride? What does it feel to enjoy the ride? Does it feel well in the present, does it still feel good in the future? How do you know if you are enjoying your time? Maybe you know it because you wake up every day feeling good, smiling. Maybe you know it because you wake up with a burning desire to do something new, to invent something revolutionary, to discover to a new place…

I don’t want to start travelling the world when I’m 58. I don’t want to start living at that age, discovering the world, discovering myself. I am alive now, and I’ve got to use the time I’ve got on my hands as if it were gold. That’s why everything I’ve chosen to do I’ve done it then and there, that’s why I’ve started my world travels at the start of my 20’s, that’s why I’ve decided to write, blog, do photography, video, painting and everything I can do right now. What’s the point of starting it all when you’re old? Why not take this moment in time to do everything you can, learn something new, start new travels. It is your time, decide what best to do with it, just don’t waste it.

Once upon a time someone told me that it’s good to develop hobby’s throughout life, because when you get old, hobby’s are the only thing you’ll have left to cheer you up. Life as an old person would be boring if throughout your life you could never give a damn about learning how to ride a bike, swim, do some yoga, play golf, paint, play guitar, learn software programming, graphic design, audio production, hiking, knitting, inventing, arts & crafts, growing plants and vegetables, script writing, reading books, etc.

The more, the merrier. So now you know that it’s never too late to plan ahead, it’s never too late to learn/do something new, it’s never too late to life. After all: Time flies by.

Rundown on Popular and International Beers

05 Jan 2010

Disclaimer: I do not foment alcoholism, but who doesn’t love the taste of a great beer? Well, probably quite a few people. However, I’d like to give my opinion on European, American, Mexican, and other international beers I have tasted. By no means do I plan on giving a rundown on all beers, but maybe in the future I will have the opportunity to taste quite a few of them (while giving my opinion, of course).

I am in no way a beer taster, nor do I know the proper way of doing it, however, I release this list with my own personal opinion about different brands I have tasted around the world so that it may serve as a guide for whoever is interested in searching for different flavours.

2023 EDIT: This list is rubbish, absolutely rubbish, when I have time I’ll make an updated list with a more objective take on flavour, smell, head, strength, body and aroma.

Canadian Beers

Carling Cold: I first tasted this one in England. It is a good beer as long as it does not get warm. It tastes specially good when chilled and served with lime juice. (2/5)

Danish Beers

Carlsberg: I first tasted this one in England. Stronger and more flavour (in my opinion) than Carling Cold. It has a bit more density and a mediumly rich flavour. Goes down well on a night out, but sometimes I’ve found it a bit too heavy at night. (2/5)
Carlsberg Special Brew: I first tasted this one in Scotland. A very strong, powerful beer. Great taste, lacks a tiny bit of body, but compensates with the high percentage of alcohol which gives it a slight tinge of a spirit. I’d say it’s pretty regular on it’s levels of Co2, neither too gassy, nor too loose. I was going to give it a higher mark, however upon tasting it a few more times I have realised it is really not that premium. (3/5)

Italian Beers

Birra Moretti: I first tasted this one in Mexico. Great beer, great taste, great density and a perfect amount of Co2. I do recommend this beer. (3.5/5)

Scottish Beers

Deuchars IPA: I first tasted this one in Scotland. I don’t really have much to say about this one, it is a regular beer, good flavour but I think there is not much that distinguishes it as an excellent one. (2/5)
McEwans: I first tasted this one in Scotland. Good beer, average. It has a rather nice taste. Co2 seems to be rather optimum in this drink. I’d say it’s somewhat similar to Fosters in taste, but that only my opinion. (2/5)
Tennents Lager: I first tasted this one in Scotland. Smooth, light beer. I’d consider the flavour to be even a bit lighter than McEwans or Fosters. (2/5)
Innis & Gunn: I first tasted this one in Scotland. This is one hell of a great beer. It has an excellent flavour, and it is the result of a rather interesting process. It is aged in oak barrels which gives it a really special taste. To my likings it was a bit too strong the taste for me, a bit metallic, however I give it a great score for being different. It was presented to me by a friend from Canada who really loves it. I understand why. (3.5/5)
Caledonian 80: I first tasted this one in Scotland. Low on Co2, very refreshing. It is an amber coloured “dark” ale. I’d consider it to have a discrete flavour. Other than that, it is rather average. (3/5)
Special Tartan: I first tasted this one in Scotland. Not bad at all, I’d say it’s above average, it has a good taste, it can be distinguished from other brands and is very refreshing. (3/5)
Isle of Arran: I first tasted this one in Scotland. This is an incredible dark beer. Strong flavour, strong aroma, great density, perfect texture, nice consistency, good amount of Co2. Gosh, I really love this beer. (4.5/5)

Irish Beers

Guiness: I first tasted this one in England. A smooth, rich flavoured dark beer. A bit on the side of a heavy beer. Extremely delicious, with lots of nutrients. It is 4.1% alcohol. The creamy taste of it adds to it’s perfection. (4/5)

Belgian Beers

Stella Artois: I first tasted this one in England. The “cheap” beer, or “hooligan” beer as it has been denominated multiple times. I still think it has quite a catch, not as good as Fosters or McEwans but just about there. Has a nice taste, smooth-ish. (2/5)
Westmalle: I first tasted this one in Mexico (Brought from Belgium by a friend). The best beer on this list. By far. I could go on and on about it’s taste and optimum texture, but it’s not worth it. Taste is worth a thousand words. Just be careful with the last bit of remaining beer in the bottle, it is highly concentrated yeast. It finishes it’s fermentation process in the bottle which is why it has such a different and delicious aroma and flavour. (5/5)
Leffe Blonde: I first tasted this one in Scotland. Wow, this is a strong-flavoured beer. It tastes a bit fruity. It has a bit of a metallic taste to the mouth. It doesn’t have either too much nor too little Co2. I wasn’t expecting this taste from this beer, I can’t give it a 3/5 because it is personally not my favourite taste, nonetheless it is surely worth a taste! (2/5)

Australian Beers

Fosters: I first tasted this one in England. An authentic Australian beer. One of my friends described it as “The beer no Australian would drink, so they export it”. I consider it to be a beer that’s easy on your stomach. Good taste, great volume, but no where near as good as it could be. (2.5/5)

American Beers

Miller Light: I first tasted this one in Mexico. Watery taste. (1/5)
Budweiser: I first tasted this one in Mexico. I love the taste of this beer, by far it is not the best, but I think it has a smooth taste, goes down well, has a distinct flavour and aroma to other beers, and as long as it is served cold it is rather enjoyable. I still prefer many other beers to this one though, but out of the American beers I have tasted, I’d rate this one at the top. (2/5)
Coors Light: I first tasted this one in the USA. Tastes like water, worst American beer in my opinion. Was recently given a lot of advertising in Mexico, most Mexicans I know dislike it, though. In America it seems to be quite popular as I’ve seen stockpiles of it in shops such as “Stripes”. (1/5)

Netherlands Beers

Heineken: I first tasted this one in Mexico. Good strong taste, very different from most other beers I have tried, that’s why I give it a good rating. It has a unique flavour you can easily distinguish from most other beers. It is great when served very cold, otherwise it has a metallic tinge to it. (3.5/5)

Mexican Beers

Corona: I first tasted this one in Mexico. International beer, good quality, quite refreshing however not that powerful. If you are looking for something simple, digestible, with a not-too-strong flavour, this is the one to go with. (1/5)
Indio: I first tasted this one in Mexico. It is found more in the north of the country. It has a good taste, however, it is best served chilled. (2/5)
Tecate: I first tasted this one in Mexico. Best served chilled… Actually, if it’s not served chilled it tastes a bit like piss. It was actually the first beer I tasted in Mexico, and probably in my Life. At first it tasted good as I really couldn’t compare it with anything else… Now I know better. (1/5)
Victoria: I first tasted this one in Mexico. Best served chilled, otherwise don’t try it. (1/5)
Pacifico: I first tasted this one in Mexico. Best served chilled, otherwise don’t try it. (1/5)
Leon: I first tasted this one in Mexico. I loved it the first times I tried it, it has a dark chocolaty flavour to it. It tastes great when chilled, otherwise it’s not too bad as others. I regard it has a smoothish creamy touch, not as much as a Guiness, but more than other dark Mexican beers such as Fraile and XX Oscura. (3/5)
Modelo: I first tasted this one in Mexico. Best served chilled. Ugh, some even count this in as an “international” beer, but in reality the flavour can’t be compared with other premium Mexican beers. (1/5)
Sol Clara: I first tasted this one in Mexico. Best served chilled. Good with lemon and salt, ice-cold, when sitting on the beach. Otherwise it’s not my favourite pick. (1/5)
Sol Brava: I first tasted this one in Mexico. Great tasting dark-ish beer. (2/5)
XX Lager: I first tasted this one in Mexico. This is a great smooth beer when chilled. Good for a night out, goes down easy. (2/5)
Carta Blanca: I first tasted this one in Mexico. Best served chilled. Dubbed as “The Northern Taste” it is primarily found in the northern states of Nuevo León, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Tamaulipas and Sonora. It has a smoothish taste, not the best beer in my opinion. Tastes rather bad when warm. (1.5/5)
Regio: I first tasted this one in Mexico. A bit lacking in some areas, but overall has a good-enough taste for a night out. (3/5)
Bohemia Clara: I first tasted this one in Mexico. Best served chilled. (3/5)
Bohemia Oscura: I first tasted this one in Mexico. A nice dark beer. (3.5/5)
Casta: I first tasted this one in Mexico. Great solid-tasting beer. (3/5)
Fraile: I first tasted this one in Mexico. One of the best beers I’ve tasted in Mexico. As far as I know this one is produced by the Sierra Madre Brewing Company (SMBC) and is found throughout the country in restaurants/breweries of this chain. (4.5/5)

Japanese Beers

Asahi: I first tasted this one in Scotland. Wow! This is a great smooth clear beer. Serve Chilled. It does taste rather gassy, but I do seriously recommend it. (3.5/5)
Sapporo: I first tasted this one in Mexico. Good strong flavour. (3/5)

Review: The Falls by Ian Rankin

05 Jan 2010

I recently finished reading “The Falls” by Ian Rankin. I would consider it to be an interesting crime novel. It includes particularly interesting elements of history into the book, and is very well written.

The plot is concise, and I found no immediately-evident holes. There was an excellent use of Scottish history, and quite an extensive vocabulary, including Scottish phrases and words.

One thing I thought was a bit bothersome was the fact that from 3/4 of the book, till about 30 pages before the end, the pace seemed to slow down a lot. Everything seemed to stagnate, and the characters didn’t seem quite well to know what they were doing, or seemed to be getting nowhere. Considering this is a crime novel, a large book, and written by a respectable author, I find it amusing to see this kind of problem. However, it was just a small one in the whole picture.

I would rate the book 3.5 out of 5

Learning About: The Difference between the UK, Britain and England

27 Dec 2009

I have been in doubt for a long time about the difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain and England.

For some strange reason I thought England was a country, Great Britain was the alliance between Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland, and the United Kingdom was the collection of islands including the Isle of Man.

I have done some research and also developed a small image that exemplifies what I have learned.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe.
A sovereign state, commonly simply referred to as a state, is a political association with effective internal and external sovereignty over a geographic area and population which is not dependent on, or subject to any other power or state.
Great Britain is an island lying to the northwest of Continental Europe.
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom.

I hope this may have been of use to you or somebody else with this question.

The following links were of use to me while doing my research:

Learning about: The Operating System of Money

22 Dec 2009

What is the operating system of money? Why are the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer? When did all of this start?

Douglas Rushkoff answers these questions in a powerfully simple way:

Once upon a time, before the middle ages, we had an abundance-based currency. Everyone lived happily, you were issued vouchers based on how much grain you harvested, and those vouchers could in turn be used to pay for things. It was based on abundance… In contrast to our scarcity-based currency model of today.

> The monetary system we use today was created so that rich people could stay rich by being rich rather than doing anything. > We live in an economy where the sustainance of the economy itself depends on growth at the rate of interest. > Where do you get the extra money? You'll have to borrow that too. > Corporations? They were created to support this economic system as well.

This was the value of our currency right through the industrial age. This is the system still in use today. It is an outdated system, one that must be ruled out.

Why and how did this happen?

The following video by Rushkoff explains this in 15 minutes, why the system is broken and how must we change things to create a better economic system.

Via poortaste

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