Welcome to the world, Summer!
Originally uploaded by Ray "The Lion King" Bilyk.

This morning, my sister-in-law, Brenda, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Congratulations to the happy family!

Here’s the latest from Fort Street Brewery via Brewmaster Doug Beedy:

Greetings and salutations!

Darkness is upon us!  This Thursday, September 21st at midnight (technically Friday morning) we will release Motor City _Mocha.  This is a robust porter made with white and dark chocolate and it is one heck of a tasty treat.  Much like when record stores open at midnight for the release of a hot new album, I expect a line out the door for a chance to be the first to taste this luscious ale!  Fan Club Members, you can actually get your free sneak peak anytime after 7 p.m. on Thursday.  Prizes will be given out at the midnight tapping.

The midnight release is exciting, but what’s even more exciting is the fact that you can go to sleep dreaming about our beer, and then wake-up and drink some more!  That’s right, we will open at 7 a.m. Friday morning with not only Motor City _Mocha, but with small batches of Vandalay Porter (vanilla porter) and Black Tie Porter (rye porter).  We will serve breakfast until 11 a.m. and then our regular menu will be served.  $2.50 pints of most beers until 6 p.m.  We’ll have prizes for the first ten people in the door Friday morning.

If you’re single, or know someone who is and looking for something to do tonight, Southeast Michigan Singles is having game night at the brewery tonight beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Cost is $5.  On October 10th, they will have speed-dating for 33-45 year olds at the brewery.  Cost is $20 and that includes appetizers.  You must pre-register for that event by e-mailing the group leader at semsingles@aol.com

I don’t know if it’s the economy or what, but we used to have to beat people off with the a stick whenever we announced a Beer Fantasy Camp, but now we can’t give tickets away.  Monday, September 18th is our next, and I feel could be one of the best Fantasy Camps.  The style is porters (we’ll have 6-8 different ones) and the menu consists of Smoked Swiss and Roasted Red Pepper Quesadillas, Buffalo Steak with Three Potato Casserole, and Chocolate Porter Floats.  Cost is just $30.  If we don’t get at least 6 more people signed-up by Thursday, I’ll have to cancel.

See ya soon,

Doug
Fort Street Brewery
www.fortstreetbeer.com
1660 Fort St.
Lincoln Park, MI
(313) 389-9620

Looks like I’m in for a late Thursday night…

Every year, my sister, brother-in-law (who’s like a real brother to me) and their family head to Port Austin, Michigan, to a cottage that is owned by a member of my brother-in-law’s family. Over ten years ago, they started inviting Jennifer and me to come up for the weekend for a bit of rest and relaxation. They didn’t have to ask us, but they did. It has always been one of my favorite times each year. This year was no exception. The weather was not the greatest, but the company more than makes up for it. There was even some pictures taken (which I uploaded on Flickr.)

I just wanted to say THANK YOU! This year was a well needed day away from the world, and Jennifer, Kiara and I needed it. Also, thanks for allowing Kiara to go fishing for the first time. (Oh, and to her Godfather, thanks for letting Kiara catch a larger fish than you… you meant to do that, right?)

We think of you… We miss you… But most of all…

We must not forget…

She knows that I blog, and so she wanted me to ‘tell a story’ about her first day of school-

I met friends. One is named Arielle. One is named Maddy. One’s Colin. My other friend is Alyson. We played in the sandbox. We played kitchen. We gave our [play] babies food. I painted my foot. I put my foot on paper. I did a puppet show. I made bubbles (a bubble solution). I took the bubbles home, and I stirred it up. I wrote my own name on my placemat. I put stickers around it. I drew myself onto a person shape. I was this size. I put two bracelets on the person… one on each arm. The person picture is going to be hung up on the hallway wall. I made ‘a Hug and a Kiss’ [it’s a cookie]. I gave my Mommy a hug and a kiss, and then I can eat it. I like my teacher and I love my teacher. I can’t wait to go to school again. The end.

The pictures from her first day of school are up on Flickr. I think she’s going to do okay with this school thing.

Today is Kiara’s first day of school (pre-school actually). All those “Daddy’s little girl” things come rushing into my head, then I hear a noise that reminds me that I’m stuck here at work instead of taking my daughter to her first day of school with my wife. This bites! I’m hoping that Jennifer will take a couple of pictures at least.

By the way, I hope that everyone had a good Labor Day.

Does this make me a legimate podcaster now?
Originally uploaded by Ray "The Lion King" Bilyk.

I took an online course on podcasting via CNET. It wasn’t too bad, but was very basic. It was fun anyways…

Now I’m official… I’M A PODCASTER! I wonder if Adam Curry (The Podfather) had to take this course… Nahhhh!

Here is the latest from Fort Street Brewery:

Greetings and salutations!
 
This Thursday, August 31st at 7:30 p.m. we will tap “Schwartz Schonheit”.  This is small batch of a black lager style.  I aniticipate it going quickly, so be sure to come in on for the tapping.  Our prize box has been restocked, and we will have prizes for a few lucky guests in attendance.

I tapped a new beer last night for those who came to the Beer Fantasy Camp and it’s now available to everyone.  “A Bitter Pil(s)” is a German-style pilsner beer with plenty of hop flavor and a nice, crisp finish.

Labor Day weekend is upon us, so don’t forget the beer!  Get some growlers, or reserve a keg for your weekend party.

On Monday, September 4th at 8 p.m. we will hold the draft for our first Fantasy Football League.  There is no charge to enter.  Just show up for the draft and be prepared to pick your team.  Teams will be composed of 2 QB’s, 2 RB’s, 4 WR’s, 2 kickers, and 2 defenses with half of those players in your starting line-up each week.  The league will work on a total point system, rather than head to head match ups, and we will redraft for the playoffs and play all the way through the Super Bowl.  We will have some great prizes, including a sweet trophy for the champion.  See me for more details.

See ya soon,

Doug
Fort Street Brewery
www.fortstreetbeer.com
1660 Fort St.
Lincoln Park, MI
(313) 389-9620

I made this podcast early this morning. It’s about 3 days too late. Please feel free to comment, especially if you have any audio feedback or questions. Read more for the shownotes…

I’ve been so deep into this project that I haven’t had a chance to notice that IBM placed a new certification out there… IBM Certified Advanced Security Professional – Notes and Domino 7. (Thanks to Chris Miller (idonotes) and my buddy, Chris Byrne (The Business Controls Caddy) for the heads-up on this. I knew it was coming, but for some reason, it didn’t click that it was now.

To get this certification, you must be an IBM Certified System Administrator – Lotus Notes and Domino 7 and you must pass Exam 755 (IBM Lotus Notes Domino 7 Implementing and Administering Security), which is a new exam. What makes this exam unique is that you have to have an overall passing score of 75 AND a passing score of 75 IN EACH SECTION! This one’s going to be more difficult folks… I LOVE IT!!! You either know security or you don’t… no two ways about it! I can’t wait to give this exam a spin.