The Mark of the Beast

Oklahoma decided that everybody gets new license plates this year instead of stickers. I didn’t give it a whole lot of thought. The new plates are some sort of laminate plastic with a high tech film. They have replaced the Native American shield with a picture of an Indian Man shooting an arrow into the sky. (I think it is based on a sculpture in front of the Gilcrease Museum.)

But, as always, I need to get back on point. One of the best kept secrets in Tulsa is that there is a tag agent downtown. They don’t have lines, they are nice instead of being rude and it is about 200 feet from my office building. So I was busily working, and putting off getting a tag, and a coworker came over and said that he had seen the weirdest thing at the tag office.

I had to ask what was weird and he said that they had a tag with “666” on it sitting on the counter. Nobody would take it. That fascinated me. Why would anybody care? I know that Hollywood portrays us Christians as loonies who beat wives and children, play with snakes, and recoil in horror at the three numbers. We all know that 666 is the mark of the beast, right?

We know all sorts of things. We know that during Barack Obama’s campaign that you texted him at 62262 and his toll free number had 1-866-6 in it. So that shows he’s evil right?

Well it turns out that phobia may be wrong. In fact it probably is wrong. More recent research based on more ancient texts of Revalation than were available before now show that the number of the beast is 616.

Oops. Somehow, 616 just doesn’t have the same evil connotations as 666. I can see why the truth hasn’t caught on. There is a lot of invested work in books, movies, sermons, anti-Obama web sites, and so on concerning 666.

Back to my story. After my friend told me about the tag, I popped up, grabbed my stuff and ran on over. I had to wait in a rare line of 4 people. I got to the front, and asked if they still had the 666 tag, because I didn’t see it. Everybody in the office turned to look at me including those over in the driver’s license line. The clerk asked, does your existing tag have 666 in it? I said no. Anyway to finish an overlong story I got my tag.

So leave me alone. Go find 616BOI and harrass him! He is the devil worshipper not me.

Monsters vs Aliens

The family went to see Monsters vs Aliens 3D version Sunday. The movie is a lot of fun. I would definintely recommend the 3D version as the effects are incredible. The story? Who cares? The jokes and the action is non-stop. This is a kids movie that is fun for the parents also.

With the 3D I give this movie 3 stars out of 4. Without it? – You have to see the 3D.

Blue Herons and Snake Dogs

Looks like happy hour at the local bar and grill. Now I’m wondering. Where is the black box or red phone or whatever it is where he orders the missile launching? Is it under the table or has he lost it? Maybe he let one of the ladies in the picture have it. “Hey, you won’t believe the stuff that happens if you press these two buttons together.” Or does he give it to Joe Biden? Is Joe the designated missile launcher? Why is everybody so happy? Did he just got off the phone with the Ole Ball and Chain? “I’ll be home when I’m home Michelle, jeez!” I wonder if he has any good jokes? Does he ever work? Where are the Secret Service guys? Maybe those are the secret service guys!

I have all these questions today. I need some answers.

I’ve been doing some more research into me and O’s mutual hobby.

First up is Mendocino Brewing Company’s Blue Heron Pale Ale. It is very good and drinkable. I liked it but it still doesnt’ quite have the “bite” I’m looking for in a pale ale. Still I give it 3 stars out of 4. It’s good, but I’m still looking for a great IPA.

Second is Flying Dog’s Snake Dog India Pale Ale. This is a unique tasting brew. It doesn’t quite have the bite but it has a very nice almost fruity taste to it that finishes out a little bitter (good bitter). I found it unique and would try it again. 3 stars out of 4.

Hey, anybody out there have any ideas about beer? Let me know. I’d like to try your recommendations, if I can get them.

Oklahoma has strange liquor laws which precludes the selection that other states have. When we travel out of state I feel like a kid in a candy store. My absolute favorite beer, that I can afford, is New Belgium Brewery’s Fat Tire Amber Ale. Which I can buy all I want at a corner grocery store almost anywhere in the US but nowhere in Oklahoma, legally I mean!

Do you suppose the “Beer Drinker in Chief” would order the suspension of those laws? They inhibit interstate commerce which is illegal right? We could make it part of the stimulus package.

Jackman’s American Pale Ale

I have to tell you, I was so inspired when I saw President Obama sipping on a brew. How long has it been? When did we last have a beer drining president? W? nah, when he was younger. Bill, no don’t think so, W’s Dad?, no don’t think so either, Ron, no he supposedly didn’t drink very much. Jimmy? nope, (his brother did though). To make a long story short, based on my intensive research ( I ran two Google searches), Obama may be the first beer drinking president.

The Presidents who were not teetotalers, drank the hard stuff, bourbon and coke (Lyndon Johnson), Gin and Tonic (Gerald Ford), Scotch and Brandy (Franklin Roosevelt), and so on.

You know, I’m wondering, doesn’t it seem like teetotalers make lousy Presidents? Maybe not, but? Or maybe the drinkers make lousy Presidents?

No beer drinkers amongst them, as far as I could tell, nor effete wine sippers.

My favorite presidential drinking story is about Abraham Lincoln concerning General Ulysses S. Grant who supposedly drank prodigous amounts of whiskey. Somebody ratted him out and wanted to know what Lincoln was going to do about it. Honest Abe said that he wanted to find out what kind of whiskey it was so he could send a barrel of it to each of his other generals.

Sorry, I’m way off topic, I was talking about being inspired by the Commander in Chief. So I took advantage of the “pick 6” program at my local liquor store. You can buy 6 different beers individually and get a discount. This way, you can try unknown beers without buying a whole six pack. So I went and picked six different India Pale Ales (“IPAs”). IPA’s are pretty bitter and have a great aroma. They use lots of hops and they are my favorite kind of beer.

The first one up is Left Hand Brewing Company’s Jackman’s American Pale Ale. It was a definite “OK” beer. It was pretty smooth and I enjoyed drinking it but it just didn’t have that “bite” that left me wanting more.

A good solid 2.5 stars out of 4. Its ok, but there are better beers out there.