Peak

Peak

Kindle + iPhone = Ahhhhh!

My two favorite devices are now in sync! I just downloaded the Kindle for iPhone application.

I don’t think this will replace the Kindle device. It will however give you access to your books wherever you happen to be. I have often found myself with unexpected downtime wishing that I had a book to read. Since I always have my iPhone with me, problem solved!

Now I haven’t tried this yet, but I also think that you can have access to your account on two different iPhones. This gives my wife access to my books as well. This has been an issue with using an electronic book.

You can download books with the iPhone application as well. The book that have already been purchased are all accessible with all of your bookmarks and highlights. However, you are not able to add new highlights.

It also lacks the ability to look up definitions for words.

Like I said, it is not going to replace the Kindle itself, but is a good complement to it!

Gourd

Gourd

The Macallan

The Macallan

The other night, I braved a trip to a liquor store in a semi-rough neighborhood. This was the only place around that carried The Macallan. As I pulled up in my imported car and bought a $50 bottle of scotch I realized that I was one of those latte sipping liberals that Rush Limbaugh whines about.

Anyone who knows me also knows that I am a big fan of Neil Peart, the drummer from Rush (the band, not the blow hard right-wing radio nut-job.) In addition to his music and drumming instruction videos, I have read all of the books that he has written about his biking and motorcycle adventures. In his writing, he shares that most evenings, he winds down with a glass of The Macallan.

Over the years, I have occasionally noticed a bottle of The Macallan on the shelves behind the bars at restaurants. I’d make a passing note that this was what Neil Peart drinks and tell myself that I should try this someday.

Several weeks ago, I went out for dinner with my wife at a nice restaurant in town. Our table wasn’t ready when we arrived, so we sat and chatted in the bar for a few minutes. I ordered a glass of The Macallan. The bartender asked me how I wanted it. Not knowing any better I said with ice. As I sipped for a while at the bar and later at our table, I realized that this stuff is really good. My wife, a veritable teetotaler, tried some and grimaced, “Why would anyone drink that?”

A few weeks later, I ordered The Macallan, again with ice. Again I deemed it to be good.

Hence my trip to the liquor store.

When I got home, I was proud of my purchase. I admired the bottle and found a good place to display it in my kitchen. Like any good latte sipping liberal, I went on the Internet and googled “How to drink whiskey.” This was actually very informative. I quickly learned that it is almost sacrilegious to put ice in a single malt scotch. I immediately wondered what the bartenders at the restaurants thought of my previous orders.

So tonight, having done my research, I’m having my first un-iced single malt scotch. It is very relaxing and enjoyable. The flavors are more pronounced without the ice. The flavors and aroma are very complex. There is also something cool about drinking something that sat in a barrel in Scotland for 12 years.

It is nice to add another of life’s pleasures to my repertoire.