Thanks from the well wishes.
Still sick after a week on high doses of antibiotics. My ear is clearing up, but my lungs aren't. I'm short of breath and I can't get that "full and rattly" quality cleared at all. In addition in the last day of so I seem to have developed some pain beneath my ribs and breastbone when I inhale deeply which concerns me. I suppose I'll go to the doctor again tomorrow as it seems to be getting worse as the day continues on. My energy level is ok, but I'm winded and plagued by annoying night sweats. It'll pass I suppose, but frustrating when I'm supposed to be training for a 5k.
I made an educational decision as of late as well. I started this long program not really sure what interested me more, brewing beer or food engineering. Admittedly a lot of the attraction to the engineering was the money. But a lot of my attitudes towards food have changed in the last year; especially towards the processing aspects that I would be balls deep in to get the big bucks. To say I've lost interest in a future manipulating food to make it "better" or "cheaper" is an understatement.
And as my interest in food science and engineering have waned, my interest in brewing and beer has only increased. And not to toot my own horn, but I think my skill and talent have increased as well. And frankly that was one of the major things holding me back from going full-bore into brewing. Fear of not getting any better at the art of brewing. Science can only take you so far in making beer. Soul has to fill in the blanks, and passion has to bring that about. And as time goes on I'm finding beer is one of only two things I have passion for. The other thing, well, if you know me well I think you'll know the answer to that.
So, long story short a brewer is definitely what I want to be. Coming home smelling of malt and tired instead of getting fatter in a cubicle while I screw with nature all day long. I guess it comes down to what makes me happy in the end, even if it's at the sacrifice of a six figure salary and a comfortable Florida retirement. Having a stranger shake my hand and praise my work is just worth more. Can't take it when you die anyway.
So that being said, my educational needs have changed. As of next fall I plan to finish the last program series I need to, collect my Associate of Science in Food Science with Fermentation Emphasis and get to work winning some medals soon after. For what I want to do further education is simply not worth it. Brewing is about experience as much as anything else. A Bachelor's will do little more than cost me money for education I don't need for what I want. What I will have will be enough; I've talked to enough industry experts and those in the business to feel comfortable in saying that. And it's rare for me to be comfortable in almost anything.
Beyond that I have no plan. I don't think I want one. Perhaps life will be more interesting that way.
Still sick after a week on high doses of antibiotics. My ear is clearing up, but my lungs aren't. I'm short of breath and I can't get that "full and rattly" quality cleared at all. In addition in the last day of so I seem to have developed some pain beneath my ribs and breastbone when I inhale deeply which concerns me. I suppose I'll go to the doctor again tomorrow as it seems to be getting worse as the day continues on. My energy level is ok, but I'm winded and plagued by annoying night sweats. It'll pass I suppose, but frustrating when I'm supposed to be training for a 5k.
I made an educational decision as of late as well. I started this long program not really sure what interested me more, brewing beer or food engineering. Admittedly a lot of the attraction to the engineering was the money. But a lot of my attitudes towards food have changed in the last year; especially towards the processing aspects that I would be balls deep in to get the big bucks. To say I've lost interest in a future manipulating food to make it "better" or "cheaper" is an understatement.
And as my interest in food science and engineering have waned, my interest in brewing and beer has only increased. And not to toot my own horn, but I think my skill and talent have increased as well. And frankly that was one of the major things holding me back from going full-bore into brewing. Fear of not getting any better at the art of brewing. Science can only take you so far in making beer. Soul has to fill in the blanks, and passion has to bring that about. And as time goes on I'm finding beer is one of only two things I have passion for. The other thing, well, if you know me well I think you'll know the answer to that.
So, long story short a brewer is definitely what I want to be. Coming home smelling of malt and tired instead of getting fatter in a cubicle while I screw with nature all day long. I guess it comes down to what makes me happy in the end, even if it's at the sacrifice of a six figure salary and a comfortable Florida retirement. Having a stranger shake my hand and praise my work is just worth more. Can't take it when you die anyway.
So that being said, my educational needs have changed. As of next fall I plan to finish the last program series I need to, collect my Associate of Science in Food Science with Fermentation Emphasis and get to work winning some medals soon after. For what I want to do further education is simply not worth it. Brewing is about experience as much as anything else. A Bachelor's will do little more than cost me money for education I don't need for what I want. What I will have will be enough; I've talked to enough industry experts and those in the business to feel comfortable in saying that. And it's rare for me to be comfortable in almost anything.
Beyond that I have no plan. I don't think I want one. Perhaps life will be more interesting that way.
Last night I went to the Three Floyds Brew Pub. It was my first time there. I thought it was great.