Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Library Blogging

Pictured above is the library in the Klosterneuburg Augustine Abbey (or Stift) in Klosterneuburg, Austria. The German name is Stiftsbibliothek Klosterneuburg. It houses approximately 30,000 volumes and manuscripts.
posted by Joe Napalm @ 9:19 AM   1 comments
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Significant Number
For some reason, the number 1134 haunts me. Many times, morning or evening, I check the time and the clock reads 11:34. Sometimes, receipts I get read $11.34. Today, I totaled some numbers and the sum was 1134. Unbeknownst to me, 1134 is a significant number must mean something.

Does anyone have any insight?
posted by Joe Napalm @ 10:08 AM   4 comments
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!


For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.

MayflowerSplendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.

Ascribe to the Lord, O clans of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him!

Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!"

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it!

Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! (1 Chronicles 16:23-34, ESV)
posted by Joe Napalm @ 11:05 AM   1 comments
Sunday, November 19, 2006
How to Brew the Best Cup of Coffee
It's cold outside, the holidays are just around the corner and guests are packing up to come visit. You owe yourself and your guests the best coffee ever. Take the guesswork out and follow these simple rules from the National Coffee Association of U.S.A, Inc.:
  • The equipment. Make sure that your equipment is thoroughly cleaned after each use by rinsing it with clear, hot water and drying it with an absorbant towel. Check that no grounds have been left to collect on any part of the equipment and that there is no build-up of coffee oil. Such residue can impart a bitter, rancid flavor to future cups of coffee.
  • The coffee. Purchase coffee as soon after it has been roasted as possible. Fresh roasted coffee is essential to a superb cup of coffee. And purchase your coffee in small amounts -- only as much as you can use in a given period of time. Ideally you should purchase your coffee fresh every 1-2 weeks.
  • The grind. If you purchase whole bean coffee, always grind your beans as close to the brew time as possible. A burr or mill grinder is preferable because all of the coffee is ground to a consistent size. A blade grinder is less preferable because some coffee will be ground more finely than the rest. If you normally grind your coffee at home with a blade grinder, try having it ground at the store with a burr grinder. You may be surprised at the difference!
  • The water. The water you use is VERY important to the quality of your coffee. Use filtered or bottled water if your tap water is not good or imparts a strong odor or taste, such as chlorine. If you are using tap water let it run a few seconds before filling your coffee pot. Be sure to use cold water. Do not use distilled or softened water.
  • Ratio of coffee to water. Use the proper amount of coffee for every six ounces of water that is actually brewed, remembering that some water is lost to evaporation in certain brewing methods. A general guideline is 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water. This can be adjusted to suit individual taste preferences. Be sure to check the 'cup' lines on your brewer to see how they actually measure.
  • Water temperature during brewing. Your brewer should maintain a water temperature between 195 - 205 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal extraction. Colder water will result in flat, underextracted coffee while water that is too hot will also cause a loss of quality in the taste of the coffee. If you are brewing the coffee manually, let the water come to a full boil, but do not overboil. Turn off the heat source and allow the water to rest a minute before pouring it over the grounds.

The website continues by saying that your coffee should be enjoyed as thoughtfully as it was brewed. Take time to smell the aroma before you swig. And for heaven's sake, no Sanka.

[Link]

posted by Joe Napalm @ 9:01 PM   2 comments
Friday, November 17, 2006
Christmas Wish List
OK, so maybe this seems a little arrogant or haughty, but c'mon folks -- it'd be nice if you guys had a wish list, too, so I would know what to buy. Otherwise, you'll get crappy CDs and nose-hair trimmers -- or maybe even the dreaded golden toothpick!

I'm going to start a list over in the margin with links. Look over there. Go on, look.
posted by Joe Napalm @ 2:54 PM   3 comments
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Library Blogging
Pictured below is the Old Library of the Dutch House of Representatives (or Handelingenkamer Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal). From the Netherlands House of Representative website:

The official reporters of the Parliamentary Reporting Office record the proceedings and debates in parliament verbatim. Volumes of these verbatim reports (Handelingen) are stored in the library of what was the Department of Justice until the late 1970s. When this Department was built at the end of the 19th century, there was no electricity. Combustible substances, such as candles and gas lamps, had to be kept away from the more than 100,000 volumes. To allow as much light in as possible, the roof was therefore constructed as a leaded glass dome. Although the library is four storeys high, daylight can filter down to the floor thanks to the open cast-iron staircases and balustrades.

posted by Joe Napalm @ 10:32 AM   0 comments
Monday, November 06, 2006
A Soul of Constant Sorrow
I am a man of constant sorrow, I've seen trouble all my days.

I've long known that I can't sing -- and it breaks my heart. I love music. Specifically, I love good music. My only real requisite for listen-able music is a talented artist who writes and sings his or her own music -- able to play an instrument is an added bonus.

Isn't it wonderful how music weaves all throughout your life? It can remind you of good times, cherished moments and celebrations. It can be represent sadness. And it can be an expression of shear joy.

Today, I'd like to share some moments in my life when music had an impact. As you read through this short list, think of some of the times in your life where music or song was memorable.
  • My grandfather (Paw) was known for his guitar and banjo playing. In fact, his whole family was musically talented. His well-known brother, Jethro, played on "Hee Haw."
  • In grade school I played a solo on the recorder. I can't remember the song. Maybe it was "Mary Had A Little Lamb," maybe it wasn't. I do remember being a nervous wreck.
  • When I was baptized, I chose "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder" to be played during the service.
  • My wife sang to both of our boys as soon as they were born. At each of their birth, the doctor laid each boy on her stomach as soon as they came out of the womb; and she sang a lullaby. I'll cherish that moment as long as I live.
  • "Taps" was played at my grandfather's funeral. At that moment, I couldn't have been any more proud of him.
  • My mother plays the piano at church. My brother leads the music. My older son is learning to play the violin. My younger son began piano lessons last year.

There are many, many more musical moments in my life. And I'm sure there are many in your life. Take a trip down memory lane and share some of those moments.

But there's one promise that is given, I'll meet you on God's golden shore.

posted by Joe Napalm @ 7:54 PM   2 comments
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