Rule of thumb

This evening, while watching Daily Planet, a most excellent science news show, and one of the few broadcasts that grasp my attention, there was a brief segment on beer.

One of the hosts was touring a brewery and explaining how there are only four ingredients in 'pure' beer.  As any good Canadian knows, these are: water, barley, hops and yeast.  The yeast is the last of these added to the magical beer making process and must enter into the mix at the right temperature.  Too hot, and the yeast dies.  Too cold, and the yeast cannot perform its task to its full potential.  In this here modern type age, the temperature is gauged most closely by thermocouples and other sensitive measuring devices.

The host then alleged that before this here modern age, beer temperature was gauged by an experienced brewer dipping his thumb into the mix to sense whether it was 'just right' to add the yeast.  Now, I have no idea if this really is true, but it makes for a moderately interesting story.

A really interesting story would probably involve voluptuous space nymphs rocketing to earth, beaming me aboard their nefarious Vixen Vessel and taking me back to their home planet of Boobula Prime (whereon the entire population consisted solely of females; the males having died off from a freakish Boobulaball World Series final game going into quintuple overtime, causing the men to starve to death).  Upon arrival I would be forced, completely against my will, to enter into procreative slavery wherein my sole purpose would be to repopulate the planet as quickly and as exhaustively as possible.  I would then be returned to earth, only one hour having transpired here while, well, at least a little bit more time had elapsed back on Boobula Prime.  I would be left with nothing but the secret of cold fusion as repayment with which to make my fortune and live out the rest of my days on a private island retreat, hunting the elusive jackalope.

Unfortunately, all I had to tell today was a moderately interesting story.  Besides, if the latter actually occurred, I probably wouldn't tell you about it anyway.

Comments

[Paul]

OK. I think I've figured out the routine. When you leave a comment at my journal, I know you've been 'doing that blog thing' and come here to read your update. Also, wasn't that already a Kurt Vonnegut story? Not perhaps so explicit, but you know he was thinking it.

[Paul]

One more thing: mmmmm, beer!

[Simon]

Figured out the routine? Paul, there will be two large men coming to your door one evening this week. They will be smiling and very friendly. You must go with them. You know too much.

[Christian]

ghorhujg oiaesoh.