Review: The first week of being 50: Taking the good with the bad . . .

This started as a really whiny post, but I realized, as I was writing it, that every time I whined about something, I could also mention something good as well. That said, it still has a good nose and long legs.


A week ago, I embarked on my the first week of being 50.

Everything was terrific until Sunday morning.

I had gotten some good news on the financial front, and I got to enjoy a wonderful afternoon of beer and German food with my friends.

Sunday, I woke up with the worst "Arkham Living Death Flu" in about five years. It was pretty crappy Sunday and continued to get worse every day right into this morning and afternoon.

I think I have hit bottom, and I do plan to work tomorrow. I missed three days this week, and Friday, I was not in the office much during the day, because of an evening training.

I could give you all the details of "The Sick," but I figure it's tenuous enough to keep you reading here.

Anyway, turns out that the state Department of Health has decided that a great way to save $1 million over each of the next two years, would bero stop its funding of the statewide ACT For Youth program -- yep. the grant that funds my job.

I am not surprised, what with all the budget cuts happening.

I was surprised that the Washington County EOC, which has employed me for for about 16 months, is going to try to find some grants to keep me working for them. My boss was pretty adamant about that.

My boss was upset yesterday, because she had been out, too, and the news was a couple of days old, so she called me on the phone to make sure I knew.

The flu was still bad enough to keep me home today, so tomorrow, I go in, deal with catching up on three days and redefining what I do for the next 90 days (funding ends June 30, 2009), then get a day off, then go to Coronation.

I am looking forward to that.

You know, as I write this, I realize I oughta stop whining and go do something constructive.

(No, Liam, sca_snark is *not* something constructive).

Proof that the Apocalypse is indeed upon us

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE - The makers of Guinness are touting a new stout beer in the United States, a maltier, fizzier version of its older, creamier sibling, the world's best-selling stout.

"This is more about refreshment and zing," said Guinness master brewer Fergal Murray, who created the new carbonated brew.

The limited-edition Guinness 250 Anniversary Stout celebrates Arthur Guinness's signing of a 9,000-year lease in 1759 at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, still the company's main brewery.

When it arrives in US bars and stores April 24, the anniversary brew will be the first new stout Guinness has exported to the United States since it brought over Guinness Draught in the mid-1960s.

The anniversary stout will be available only in the United States, Australia, and Singapore, according to Diageo PLC, owner of Guinness and the world's largest liquor producer. The company's other brands include Johnnie Walker and Baileys.

The beer is expected to be available for about six months, said Patrick Hughes, brand director for Diageo Guinness USA.

Ya know, I should have known we were screwed when the Guinness story had a Milwaukee dateline.