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cancer

Thing to Do #21: Be a Human Guinea Pig

April 10, 2013 by Jessica 0 Comments

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I originally said that I had completed this one when I donated my eggs. And although I was certainly treated like a human guinea pig through that process with various pokes and prods, it wasn’t a clinical study. I didn’t really have plans to join a clinical study but when this opportunity crossed my path, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

The American Cancer Society is currently enrolling for a long term Cancer study. Hoping to enroll 300,000 people of various racial and ethnic backgrounds from across the US, participants must be between 30 and 65 with no history of cancer (having basal/squamous skin cancer or pre-cancerous cells in the cervix-I’ve had both-doesn’t exclude you). All I had to do was fill out a lengthy questionnaire and in a few weeks go in to get some blood drawn and have my waist measured. As I understand it, I’ll be filling out these questionnaires for the next 30 years or so of my life.

I’ve talked about how much I hate cancer here on this blog. With a strong genetic disposition for it and having 3 small encounters with it thus far in my short 32 years, it is something I’d very much like to avoid myself. After my most recent bout of skin cancer in February, I did finally relinquish my beloved toiletries and cosmetics from Bath and Body and Clinique and replaced everything with products without cancer causing chemicals. (I apologize in advance if you get near me and I smell like B.O. I can’t find a healthy alternative deodorant that actually works yet). I’ve read up on what foods to avoid and I’ve gotten a lot better about not eating overly processed foods but that’s been a bit more difficult to cut out (I’ll gladly eat more vegetables and fruits but I love my meat and cheese!)

The point is, I can make attempts to avoid cancer but I feel like one of the best things I can do is participate in a study that may help eradicate it completely. Take a look at this list to see if they are still enrolling for participants in your area; most of the deadlines have passed but maybe you can still join.

So, how about you? Have you ever participated in a clinical trial?

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Rock Climbing

2013 First Quarter Report

March 31, 2013 by Jessica 0 Comments

Ok, so based on the list of Goals for 2013, I’ve gotten a good bit of work done in the first 3 months of the year. Always room for improvement but not too shabby!

#2 Swim with Whales: Ok, well…this was a fail but it WAS an attempt so I’m counting it as done for this year. Something to try again next year.

#8 Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #28 on the 40/40 list): Nothing yet.

#46 Scuba Diving: Continue practicing my SCUBA skills by going at least once this summer. Gonna use my new GoPro to capture the excitement that is the murky depths of the rock quarry.

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written (#7 on the 40/40 list): Supposed to be working on at least 2 this year. Nada so far.

#65  Shout ‘Drinks Are on Me!’ in a Pub or Bar (#17 on the 40/40 list): Not yet.

#84 Learn to Ski (#32 on the 40/40 list): Went in January and had a blast.

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#1 Be Able to Do a Pull Up: Very much working on it. I can lift 100 pounds so far. About 35 pounds to go.

#11 Learn to Rock Climb: Went rock climbing on Pilot Mountain for “real” rock climbing a week ago. That’s where the photo above comes from. Post to come.

#12 Take a Cooking Class: Nothing yet.

#18 Watch the  Top 250 IMDB List/Watch All of the Oscar Best Picture Winners: Nothing yet.

#25 Drink All the Beers on the GQ List: Nothing yet.

#31  Learn to swim (#87 on the 101 list: Conquer Your Fear): COMPLETED!

#35 Visit all of the NC Breweries: The original goal was to visit 7 this year. I’ve visited Trophy Brewing and Raleigh Brewing thus far.

#36 Learn How to Ballroom Dance: Nada yet.

From the Sports List:

#18 Attend a rugby game (and learn the rules): Nope

#19 Attend a cricket game (and learn the rules): Nope

Things not on an official list but still want to try:

Think that’s enough? What’s on YOUR goals for 2013?

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advanced beginner swimmer

Thing to Do #87: Conquer Your Fear

March 8, 2013 by Jessica 1 Comment

COMPLETED!

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I’ve long said that my fear is water. You would think that someone who is SCUBA certified would have successfully conquered that fear. Alas, even after SCUBA diving in the open Pacific (as well as white water rafting one of the more dangerous rivers in the world), I still had to admit I had a healthy fear of water. You see, I couldn’t swim. How does a person go SCUBA diving without swimming? Well, quite easily actually. To dive, you really only move your legs back and forth. And anytime I’ve ever fallen out of the boat while rafting, the life jacket and some paddling around is usually sufficient.

To say I couldn’t swim meant: I could do some bastardization of freestyle in an incredibly inefficient manner enough to get me from one end of the pool to the other. After a lot of splashing and thrashing about, I would grasp the edge of the pool and gulp air from the enormous effort I had just put in. I had always been rather embarrassed by my lack of skill but until this past summer it had never really concerned me. During a trip to the beach, I managed to get caught in a riptide for the first time in my life. Ignoring advice to swim parallel to the shore, I panicked in the moment and began a desperate attempt to swim back in. After a lot of struggle and a few scary moments of thinking I may not make it, I realized that not being able to swim efficiently when choosing to spend as much time around water as I do was probably a bad choice.

I signed up for beginner swim lessons at my local pool and was delighted to find after a short assessment that I was more of an intermediate swimmer (some of the beginners were visibly hesitant to even get in to the pool, so clearly there are people out there with a bigger fear of water than me). The class met 2 times for 4 weeks. We worked on various strokes, including freestyle, backstroke, side stroke, and the breaststroke. I was amazed to discover that I actually was pretty ok at the backstroke; I had never even tried it before! I was completely shyte with the breaststroke and never got to a point where I didn’t need a noodle to assist me. But freestyle still eluded me and it quickly become apparent what my downfall was entirely with water: I didn’t like having my face in the water.

Sure, I dive and go underwater, but that’s with an oxygen supply. Swimming freestyle with the correct breathing technique was what was holding me back. That was why the backstroke was so easy for me; I kept my face out of the water the entire time. And trying to freestyle with my face out of the water was simply inefficient and getting me nowhere.

When warming up or during “free time” at the end of the first 5 classes, I would practice my backstroke because that’s what I felt comfortable with. However, with a number of people out during the 6th class and given the opportunity to spend the entire class working on what we chose, I realized that if I wanted to get better, I had to force myself out of my comfort zone. I practiced breathing a good bit with the kickboard and then slowly tried to work on breathing while swimming. All along, my instructor was giving me feedback and things to keep working on.

And then something clicked! Just like it did with skiing, all of a sudden I simply began doing it! And it felt…right. Honestly, I got such an electric jolt in that moment, I almost stopped to call out to my instructor “Hey! I’m SWIMMING!”

Immediately upon getting that down, I felt truly comfortable in the water for the first time in my life. And, by feeling comfortable, everything else went much more easily. I discovered that when I wasn’t convinced I was about to drown every moment, swimming could be quite pleasant.

Don’t get me wrong. I still have a long way to go. I can barely finish a lap. But as the pool is rather near my house, I hope to continue to go back regularly and practice. I may even take another class; eventually I would like to swim laps like competitive swimmers and do that dive thingy where they duck under and push off the edge of the pool to start a new lap. I know, I know. Small steps. But you know me! I’m always trying to up the ante!

So, what is YOUR biggest fear? Have you conquered it?

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trapeze

Goals for 2013

January 23, 2013 by Jessica 3 Comments

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In looking at my list, so many things that are left involve travel. Well, I hope to get out and visit at least one new country this year but otherwise I’m going to have to find things a bit closer by to do.

#2 Swim with Whales: Technically I wouldn’t be swimming with whales but I do plan to go on a whale watching trip out of Virginia Beach in February. Hope to see a humpback on its migratory path!

#8 Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #28 on the 40/40 list)

#46 Scuba Diving: Continue practicing my SCUBA skills by going at least once. Gonna use my new GoPro to capture the excitement that is the murky depths of the rock quarry.

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written (#7 on the 40/40 list): I didn’t do ANY of these last year! I mostly have really long ones left so out of the 10 remaining, I’m going to tackle 2 this year. As ONE of these things to read is the ENTIRE works of Shakespeare, I also want to see 2 plays performed live.

#65  Shout ‘Drinks Are on Me!’ in a Pub or Bar (#17 on the 40/40 list): I’m waiting to go my bar on a Tuesday afternoon at 3pm. I can swing buying drinks for 5 people.

#84 Learn to Ski (#32 on the 40/40 list): I went last year but I take “learning” to mean something you do multiple times in an effort to improve. So I’m going again.

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#1 Be Able to Do a Pull Up: I started working seriously on this late 2012. I’m up to lifting about 90 pounds so I only have 50 more to go.

#11 Learn to Rock Climb: Continue with going to the indoor rock climbing wall but I’ve also scheduled a trip to go to Pilot Mountain for “real” rock climbing.

#12 Take a Cooking Class: I want to sign up for a Sushi making class.

#18 Watch the  Top 250 IMDB List/Watch All of the Oscar Best Picture Winners: Watch 25 this year

#25 Drink All the Beers on the GQ List: Drink 10

#31  Learn to swim: I’ve signed up for beginner lessons. No more doggie paddling for me!

#35 Visit all of the NC Breweries: I went to 13 last year but admittedly I’ve now visited all the ones near me. Travel is now required to visit the rest. Visit 7 this year

#36 Learn How to Ballroom Dance: I went for one lesson but I think I’m going to try to attend one of the dance studio’s “dance socials” to practice

From the Sports List:

#18 Attend a rugby game (and learn the rules): There are actually some local teams

#19 Attend a cricket game (and learn the rules): There’s actually a local league!

Things not on an official list but still want to try:

Think that’s enough? What’s on YOUR goals for 2013?

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Over the edge

2012 Fourth Quarter Report

January 18, 2013 by Jessica 0 Comments

Although I felt like I didn’t do that much in 2012, I really have made good progress on my original list. There’s never been a year where I accomplished every single goal I laid out for myself but that’s no bother because inevitably I also manage to do lots of things NOT on the list too!

My Goals for 2012:

#8 Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #28 on the 40/40 list): Dang. Another year where I didn’t do this. Shame on me.

#46 Scuba Diving: COMPLETED! Went to the Rock Quarry in July to keep up with my SCUBA skillz. Was relieved and proud to say that I actually remembered how to do it. As long as I keep going regularly, hopefully I won’t forget.

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written (#7 on the 40/40 list): I’m failing at reading on the list, but I’ve been tearing it up in regard to books I want to read. Which, after years of reading books I’m supposed to read, has been really nice. Total for the year includes: the newest Sookie book, Dexter is Delicious, The Hunger Games, The Help, The Children of Men, Fight Club, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, Wicked, Less Than Zero, and Living with Miss G.

#65  Shout ‘Drinks Are on Me!’ in a Pub or Bar (#17 on the 40/40 list): Moved to next year.

#68 Save Someone’s Life (#8 on the 40/40 list): I was on pace with 3 pints donated so far for the year. (I’ve donated 7 total pints for lifetime). But then I started reading articles about how donating blood builds up scar tissue and makes it difficult for you to potentially get IVs and things you may need later in life. I don’t know. I need to do some more research on this.

#84 Learn to Ski (#32 on the 40/40 list): COMPLETED!

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor: COMPLETED!

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#1 Be Able to Do a Pull Up: Starting in late October I started working out at the gym with the “assisted pull up” machine. So far my max lift is 90 pounds; only need 50 more. Didn’t accomplish this one but I’m working hard on it for 2013.

#11 Learn to Rock Climb: COMPLETED! I’ve been a few times but would like to go more. Definitely want to go “real” rock climbing next year.

#18 Watch the Top 1,001 Films: About halfway through the year I kinda changed my plans and I’m actually kinda working more on the IMDB Top 250. Of these, I’ve watched a total of 191 (although this list is always changing, which can be frustrating).

#25 Drink All the Beers on the GQ List: Drank 10 of 20 (20 was my goal this year)

#35 Visit all of the NC Breweries: COMPLETED! The original task was to visit 10; I visited 13. This year I have been to: Natty Greene’s, Big Boss, Aviator, Bull City Burger and Brewery, Lonerider, Roth, Mystery, White Street Brewing, Carolina Brewing Co., Red Oak, NoDa Brewing, Birdsong, and Foothills.

#36 Learn How to Ballroom Dance: COMPLETED-ish! I did take one private dance lesson. I’m supposed to go back for a group lesson and then a “dance social.” But the one private dance lesson showed me I have a long way to go!

#37 Start Using Coupons: I’m kinda halfheartedly doing this. Baby steps.

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: COMPLETED!

From the Sports List:

#18 Attend a rugby game (and learn the rules): FAIL! I missed the opportunities this year.

#19 Attend a cricket game (and learn the rules): FAIL! I missed the opportunities this year.

#24 Attend the Kentucky Derby: This didn’t happen this year. No worries!

One of my favorite things to do is to take advantage of opportunities as they come up, even if they aren’t on the list! After all, the true spirit of the list is to get you out of your comfort zone. So far this year I have also:

  • I attended two Roller Derby Matches 
  • I visited Natural Bridge
  • I went Indoor Skydiving
  • I went to a concert by myself (twice. I went to see Dave Matthews in December and it was truly wonderful. I’m definitely going to concerts by myself from now on).
  • I did most of the Warrior Dash
  • I went camping for the first time, climbed Grandfather Mountain, and managed to cross off Thing to Do #37: Make a Fire Without Matches (I went camping again at the beach in August and started a fire even more quickly and efficiently so I can actually say the first time wasn’t a fluke!)
  • I went Zorbing
  • I went to Bonnaroo
  • I made beer (three times; the first and third time was pretty great, the second time was a bit of fail but that’s what you get when you drink whilst making beer!)
  • I went to Niagara Falls and went into Canadia for the first time! (Adding to my work on #36: Visit Every Country)
  • I raised $1,000 and rappelled down the side of the building at the “Over the Edge” event.
  • I got colorful at The Color Run
  • You know when you look on a map and see that pointy part of NC that juts out into the ocean? I went to that exact point of Cape Hatteras and watched the waves crash together. Rather cool. Still haven’t been to the top of the lighthouse though.

In my personal life:

There have been so many successes that aren’t even on the list, and in many ways I feel this has been the most successful year of my life. Professionally I continue to be satisfied and challenged by my work; a promotion in July brought a bit more stress and work load but I’ve enjoyed the new challenges.

Personally, I’ve discovered a lot about myself this year. It’s been a great time for self-reflection and looking inward. I’m still trying to work on some things but overall I feel better about having figured some things out.

Also in the personal realm, I’ve continued to keep the weight off from last year. I no longer diet; I rather eat what I want. But I do continue to attend Zumba 3 times a week. Through Zumba I’m still the same weight (anywhere from 139-143), but I’ve actually lost another dress size. At my biggest in April 2011 I weighed 164 and was a size 10; although I’m still 10 pounds more than what I was in college, I’m the smallest size I’ve ever been at size 4 (in college I was a size 8). Next year’s goals will hopefully see me finally do a pull up.

Financially I guess we could always wish for a little more but through contract work and my day job, I’ve managed to continue to maintain the lifestyle I want while being single. I became a landlord this year and that’s actually going well so I’m pleased with that decision and I have little by little been able to rebuild my wardrobe through Goodwill purchases and consignment shops.

Overall I guess I would say 2012 was somewhat quiet and subdued; not quite the like the year I had in 2010! But if we gauge our success not in trips and adventures but in happiness and security, I’d easily say 2012 was by far my most successful year yet.

How was your 2012? What are you looking forward to for 2013?

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Corona Christmas Commercial

Thing to Do #80: Spend Christmas on the Beach

December 25, 2012 by Jessica 1 Comment

So this may end up being one of the things on the list that I’ll never do.  I like my family and its important to me that I be with them at Christmas.  If I went to some resort, I think I would just be sad that I wasn’t with the ones that I love and I know my family wouldn’t travel with me (my parents don’t fly).  I guess we could just go to the North Carolina beach, but I feel like that probably wasn’t the point.  However, I recognize that I may be in the minority in that an awful lot of people seem to not like their families.

Has anyone else spent Christmas on some warm beach?  Makes me think of that Corona commercial…

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Featured Image

Thing to Do: Rappel Down a 32-Story Building

October 9, 2012 by Jessica 8 Comments

COMPLETED!

Although I never “officially” put it on any of my lists, it was in my goals for 2012 to raise $1,000 for the Special Olympics of NC and rappel down the side of a 32 story building. As of this past Saturday, that was finally COMPLETED!

So the number one question I keep getting asked is “Were you scared?” and I honestly have to say no. If I was at all nervous, I think that was supplanted by the waiting around for my turn. They were running behind and by the time my turn came 2 hours after my scheduled time, I was super ready. Even when I looked over the edge before I began, I didn’t really get as nervous as I expected because it just didn’t seem real. Of course, perhaps that was a bit of a coping mechanism in my brain.

I had thought that the first step over the edge would be difficult but the ropes and devices were holding so tight, there wasn’t any concern of falling, although when I did begin my descent, it took my legs a little effort to begin moving…but only at first.

For the first 10 stories or so, I had to work to feed the rope through the device, but it got a bit easier after that. Regardless, my hands were shaking the rest of the day from the exertion and I was pretty wiped out in general after. It took me 11 minutes to get down so the video below is pretty long. But I think it’s great at capturing everything, especially when I look down and you can see me, the equipment, my reflection in the windows of the building, and the ground and horizon behind me.

The second most asked question is “Would you do it again?” and the answer is an emphatic “YES!”…if I didn’t have to raise $1,000. Most people would probably think that the rappel would be the hardest part but hands down, raising the $1,000 was much more difficult. Thank you so much to those who donated, including:

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American Falls

2012 Third Quarter Report

September 30, 2012 by Jessica 1 Comment

Although I feel like I haven’t done that much this year, I really have made good progress on my original list. There’s never been a year where I accomplished every single goal I laid out for myself but that’s no bother because inevitably I also manage to do lots of things NOT on the list too!

My Goals for 2012:

#8 Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #28 on the 40/40 list): Nothing on this one yet. I PROMISE I’m doing this one this year.

#46 Scuba Diving: COMPLETED! Went to the Rock Quarry in July to keep up with my SCUBA skillz. Was relieved and proud to say that I actually remembered how to do it. As long as I keep going regularly, hopefully I won’t forget.

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written (#7 on the 40/40 list): I’m failing at reading on the list, but I’ve been tearing it up in regard to books I want to read. Which, after years of reading books I’m supposed to read, has been really nice. Total for the year includes: the newest Sookie book, Dexter is Delicious, The Hunger Games, The Help, The Children of Men, Fight Club, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, and Wicked.

#65  Shout ‘Drinks Are on Me!’ in a Pub or Bar (#17 on the 40/40 list): Ok. I’ve got my bar picked out and I know the perfect time to do it. And I’ve had news big enough to do it (Hel-lo promotion!) so really no good excuse on this one.

#68 Save Someone’s Life (#8 on the 40/40 list): I was on pace with 3 pints donated so far for the year. (I’ve donated 7 total pints for lifetime). But then I started reading articles about how donating blood builds up scar tissue and makes it difficult for you to potentially get IVs and things you may need later in life. I don’t know. I need to do some more research on this.

#84 Learn to Ski (#32 on the 40/40 list): COMPLETED!

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor: COMPLETED!

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#1 Be Able to Do a Pull Up: My sporadic rock climbing has not helped with this so I think I may need to step it up at the gym or something.

#11 Learn to Rock Climb: COMPLETED! I’ve been going about once a month or so.

#18 Watch the Top 1,001 Films: Have watched 3 of 100. But halfway through the year I kinda changed my plans and I’m actually kinda working more on the IMDB Top 250. Of these, I’ve watched a total of 191 (although this list is always changing, which can be frustrating).

#25 Drink All the Beers on the GQ List: Have drank 8 of 20 (20 was my goal this year)

#35 Visit all of the NC Breweries: Have visited Natty Greene’s , Big Boss, Aviator, Bull City Burger and Brewery, Lonerider, Roth and Mystery. 3 more to go for the year.

#36 Learn How to Ballroom Dance: COMPLETED-ish! I did take one private dance lesson. I’m supposed to go back for a group lesson and then a “dance social.” But the one private dance lesson showed me I have a long way to go!

#37 Start Using Coupons: I’m kinda halfheartedly doing this. Baby steps.

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: COMPLETED!

From the Sports List:

#18 Attend a rugby game (and learn the rules): FAIL! I missed the opportunities this year.

#19 Attend a cricket game (and learn the rules): FAIL! I missed the opportunities this year.

#24 Attend the Kentucky Derby: This didn’t happen this year. No worries!

One of my favorite things to do is to take advantage of opportunities as they come up, even if they aren’t on the list! After all, the true spirit of the list is to get you out of your comfort zone. So far this year I have also:

Coming Up:

  • I’ve never done “hoity-toity” afternoon tea so I hope to do that sometime.
  • I’ve reached my goal for raising $1,000 for the “Over the Edge” event. So I’m doing that next weekend (October 6th); Stay tuned for details of that adventure!
  • I’ve registered for The Color Run in Charlotte, November 17th

In my personal life: from the promotion I got in July, I’ve been working just a little bit more, as well as I continue to copyedit dissertations most nights at home. Thing to do #30 on my 40 before I’m 40 list was to begin bringing in money through contract work. Originally that was meant to be that I was writing grants but just in editing this year I will be close to making $10,000. I think that’s pretty considerable and maybe enough to check that item off the list.

Between my day job and my side job and still making time for family and friends (as well as religiously attending Zumba 3 times a week), my blog has continued to suffer. In addition, I haven’t been visiting YOUR blogs either, which makes me sad. I hope you are all doing well and I hope to catch up with you soon!

Also, I feel like I’ve focused a lot more on things I’ve been putting off that aren’t necessarily on the list. Even simple things like reading books or catching up on television shows have been wonderful luxuries I feel I’ve denied myself for the last few years.

How are you doing with your goals for 2012 thus far?

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photo 10

Thing to Do #107: Make My Own Beer

August 21, 2012 by Jessica 11 Comments

For a girl who only a few short years ago didn’t even like beer, I’ve really come full circle. But that’s what happens with some of these list items; I do things to get out of my comfort zone and try something new, and next thing you know, I’m actually enjoying it!

From drinking 200 beers, I actually discovered that I liked some beers…and maybe wanted to try my hand at making it myself. I was nervous because so many people that I knew had tried and failed pretty epically. I got a book to read about how to make my own beer, poked around on the Interwebs to get more advice, and talked to people I knew that had brewed their own beer.

The equipment for brewing beer can be kinda costly but I lucked up and found someone on Craigslist that was selling theirs, so I got everything I needed, including a couple of boxes of bottles, for 100 bucks. Getting the ingredients from a local hydroponics store was an adventure in of itself and the cost of just the ingredients alone meant a 6 pack of beer would cost me about $6; cheaper than your usual craft beer 6 pack (around $8 or $9 in NC) but with the fixed cost of the equipment, plus the added time and effort, I guess I didn’t really save much.

I used the recipe from the first chapter of the book:

Cincinnati Pale Ale Ingredients for a 5 gallon batch

  • 3-4 lb. Pale malt extract syrup, unhopped
  • 2 lb. Amber dry malt extract
  • 12 AAU of bittering hops (any variety) For example, 1 oz. of 12% AA Nugget, or 1.5 oz. of 8% AA Perle
  • 5 AAU of finishing hops (Cascade or other) For example, 1 oz. of 5% Cascade or 1.25 oz. of 4% Liberty
  • 2 packets of dried ale yeast

Brewing Day

Boiling Wort

The first step was to sterilize everything. The book is really big about that. Then I got to mix everything together in a big stock pot and stand over it stirring for about an hour. I messed up when it came time to cool it down because I put the ice in the sink without a stopper so when it quickly melted, I didn’t have an ice bath left to continue to cool the wort. Oh well. I don’t think it messed things up too much.

I attempted to strain out all of the hops but managed to just make a big mess. I was worried about having a lot of sediment in my beer bottles but it ended up not being an issue because when I siphoned it out later, none of the remaining hops came over. Next time I won’t worry at all with the strainer.

Putting it in the fermenter bucket was fun, watching the air lock bubble for the next week. It’s really important to keep the beer at a constant temperature near 70 degrees, but wouldn’t you know, 4 days later a storm came through and knocked out the power for 12 hours. With no AC, the house easily got into the 80s but again, I don’t think the taste was affected. Usually when it gets too warm, the beer apparently tastes sour and my beer doesn’t have a sour taste at all

Bottling Day

After waiting two weeks, I got to taste my beer for the first time, albeit flat. I thought it tasted pretty good, if a bit slimy (that was corrected during the bottling process). After sanitizing 48 bottles, I got to play with my siphon. The beer was siphoned to my bottling bucket (with added sugar) and from there the little spout on the bucket gently poured beer into each bottle.

Putting the caps on the beer was uber fun; probably my favorite part. But then it was time to put the bottles in their boxes and into a dark closet to wait two more weeks. (This time no power outage affected the temperature of the beer).

The outcome is a smooth, crisp ale. A good bit of hoppiness but not too much; just enough to give it flavor and character. Honestly it’s probably a pretty vague beer, easily enjoyed and quickly forgotten. But you don’t want to try to get to fancy with your first beer anyway. I think I’ll make this one again, just to get the process down, and then I may start looking for more interesting recipes.

What do you think? Would you make your own beer? Have you? Have you made your own wine?

And no, I haven’t named my beer yet but I’m open to suggestions. Someone mentioned “Chapter 1 Beer” since this was the recipe from Chapter 1 in the book. I kinda like it.

101 Things before you die, 40 Before I'm 40, Achievement, Life Management
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2012 Second Quarter Report

July 3, 2012 by Jessica 5 Comments

I’m sorry for not being around more lately but…honestly? I’ve just not been feeling it. After blogging pretty regularly for 3 years, I guess I’m a bit burnt out. Between that and traveling a good bit and getting a promotion at my job (yay!) and working furiously copyediting dissertations, I just haven’t had the energy. And I guess it kinda means I haven’t had the energy to DO stuff on the list either. Not to worry – I’m still doing a bit. Updates below.

My Goals for 2012:

#8 Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #28 on the 40/40 list): Nothing on this one yet. I PROMISE I’m doing this one this year.

#46 Scuba Diving: Gonna head to the Rock Quarry in August.

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written (#7 on the 40/40 list): I’m failing at reading on the list, although I’ve read a good amount of books I want to read including: the newest Sookie book, Dexter is Delicious, The Hunger Games, and The Help. Currently reading The Children of Men.

#65  Shout ‘Drinks Are on Me!’ in a Pub or Bar (#17 on the 40/40 list): Ok. I’ve got my bar picked out and I know the perfect time to do it. And I’ve had news big enough to do it (Hel-lo promotion!) so really no good excuse on this one.

#68 Save Someone’s Life (#8 on the 40/40 list): I’m on pace with 3 pints donated so far for the year. 3 more to go for the year. (I’ve donate 7 total pints for lifetime)

#84 Learn to Ski (#32 on the 40/40 list): COMPLETED!

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor: COMPLETED!

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#1 Be Able to Do a Pull Up: Hopefully rock climbing will help with this.

#11 Learn to Rock Climb: COMPLETED!

#18 Watch the Top 1,001 Films: Have watched 3 of 100. I’m actually kinda working more on the IMDB Top 250. Of these, I’ve watched a total of 182 (although this list is always changing, which can be frustrating)

#25 Drink All the Beers on the GQ List: Have drank 8 of 20 (20 was my goal this year)

#35 Visit all of the NC Breweries: Have visited Natty Greene’s , Big Boss, and Aviator. 7 more to go for the year.

#36 Learn How to Ballroom Dance: I did take one private dance lesson. I’m supposed to go back for a group lesson and then a “dance social.” But the one private dance lesson showed me I have a long way to go!

#37 Start Using Coupons: I’m kinda halfheartedly doing this. Baby steps.

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: COMPLETED!

From the Sports List:

#18 Attend a rugby game (and learn the rules): I think I missed the opportunities this year.

#19 Attend a cricket game (and learn the rules): I think I missed the opportunities this year.

#24 Attend the Kentucky Derby: This isn’t happening this year. No worries!

So far this year I have also:

Coming Up:

  • I’m going to try my hand at brewing my own beer.
  • I’ve never done “hoity-toity” afternoon tea so I hope to do that sometime.
  • Thinking about trying out hang gliding at Kitty Hawk in the fall.
  • I’ve signed up for the “Over the Edge” event for October 6th. (If you haven’t contributed to my goal of raising $1,000 yet, please consider it. Even $10 helps!)
  • I’ve registered for The Color Run in Charlotte, November 17th

In my personal life: I got a promotion with a company I continue to love, went to my 10 year college reunion, moved to the big city of Raleigh and became a landlord. I also continue to keep the weight off I lost last year, actually losing just a bit more, taking me down to 30 pounds lost total.

This year may not be one of the most visibly exciting years of my life, but its been one of the most satisfying and truly I am the happiest I’ve been in a long while.

How are you doing with your goals for 2012 thus far?

101 Things before you die, 40 Before I'm 40, Achievement, bucket list, Entertainment, Excitement, life list, Life Management, Miscellaneous, Nature, Recklessness, Relationships, Sport and Activity, things before you die, Travel
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