My oh my, how time flies...

Another winter is upon us - this year I did very little in the way of blogging, even less in the way of brewing and even less still in the way of random crazy purchases that lead to new hobbies to get into (which is uncommon).

I did, however, do a lot around the house.  No, not our old house - but our new one.  You know, the one that we purchased in the middle of the year and I didn't post about?  Yep, that's the one.

I am glad we bought it - because I can blame my lack of activity on it - and I can actually, sort of, mean it.  I've had to learn a lot of handy craftsman type stuff since we've had it, including (but not limited to):

• Plumbing: I put in a water-powered backup sump pump - so I had to learn how to solder copper, run water lines and cut into existing lines - fun stuff!
• Roofing/HVAC: I put in not one, but two vents through our roof for exhaust fans from the bathrooms.
• Landscaping: I put in a french drain and am in the process of putting in landscaping bricks around the house.
• Organizing: This is actually very important - otherwise you'll never find your tools, and you will run out. 

Unrelated to the handyman side of things I also learned:

• iOS Programming (I developed an app for the place I work at, it saves tons of hours every month!)
• Cooking (I can cook, but I learned a lot more on 'how to cook properly' and also how to make beef jerky!)

Now with that said, I have finally managed to find some peace amidst all the changes - I've got a 2 car garage that fits both of our cars, all of our junk (read as: my junk) and both (yes, both) of my motorcycles.  I also have a whole basement to call my own as well - which has led to something I've long desired.  I have all my guitars hung on the wall (of which there are 5) with my amps nearby, my keyboard nearby and everything close enough to my computer that I have them all hooked up and ready to record.  Yes, I am very pleased to be able to record my creative outlet at a moments notice.  I've started doing that and in doing so - I've reached out to my long-time partner in musical crime, Amanda - who has also been feeling the 'musical itch' as of late and we're preparing to create another round of sound.

For those of you who do not know - Amanda, Robbie Cozad and myself recorded a cd's worth of songs (12 in total if I remember correctly) years ago.  We had a lot of fun doing it - and the songs I still find very good to this day.  If only I knew then what I know now - they would have been recorded a bit better - but we all live and learn.

So, what is on the agenda for the winter months?  Will you be more active?

Overall, there are a number of different things I would like to do, thus increasing my activity - so perhaps if I list them here I can go back and remind myself of my goals:

• Start blogging (so I can document it all!)
• Finish my book (yes, I enjoy writing)
• Setup my basement bar (have I mentioned how much I love having a basement?)
• Build a brewing station in the garage
• Brew a batch of spotted cow clone for my father (who has never requested beer, ever!)
• Build a 'recording booth'
• Record a second cd with Amanda
• Program a game for Android (and iOS potentially)

It's so very cold right now, 10 degrees as I type this in mid November, not including the windchill - brewing will be challenging; but I've got a garage heater so with a little luck I should be able both brew and stay warm for a portion of the winter months.

I need to get back into brewing though - now that I'm settled and all of my stuff is eagerly awaiting use in the basement - it's time to get back to it.

The holidays are crazy - but I'm hoping that with a little organization, a little time management and some mental preparation - I can manage to start cracking down on those goals.

Who is with me?  Anyone care to help with any of those?  The more the merrier!