Marc’s Musings

As many of you know, I am opposed casinos coming to Maine. I know many of my friends disagree and I respect that. I think these differences are one of the great things about living in the U.S.

But even casino supporters will probably think twice about Question 2 after reading this news brief in MaineBiz:

Casino sides battle
A group of state legislators held a news conference yesterday in Portland to speak out against Maine’s proposed casino referendum, prompting a reaction from casino supporters.

The lawmakers, including House Speaker Glenn Cummings (D-Portland), voiced concerns over certain elements of the referendum that, if approved by voters on Nov. 4, would allow Las Vegas-based Olympia Gaming to locate a four-season casino resort in Oxford. They criticized provisions in the referendum that would lower the gambling age from 21 to 19, put a 10-year moratorium on other casinos in the state and require casino representatives be given a seat on the board of every state entity that receives revenue from the gambling operations, according to the Portland Press Herald.

Pat LaMarche, spokeswoman for the Vote Yes on 2 for Maine campaign, told the legislators at the event that they were standing in the way of job creation, the paper reported.

Read it for yourself here: An Act to Allow a Casino in Oxford Countyrent a car bulgaria.

• Lowering the gambling age to below the drinking age?
• Blocking any competition for a decade?
• Requiring the casino has voting representation on the board of any entity that receives revenue?

Who do these folks think they are? People who live in this state don’t even get deals like that!

Even if you’re pro-casinos, I’d hope you’d consider voting “No” on Question 2. It just gives too much away.

My latest brew, the bock, is bottled. I can’t wait to taste it…but I’ll have to. It’ll be another four more weeks. *sigh*

In the interest of full disclosure, I did enjoy an early taste. Not all the bock made it in the bottle…

According to Wikipedia:

Bocks have a long history of being brewed and consumed by Roman Catholic monks in Germany. During the Spring religious season of Lent, monks were required to fast. High-gravity Bock beers are higher in food energy and nutrients than lighter lagers, thus providing sustenance during this period. Similar high-gravity Lenten beers of various styles were brewed by Monks in other lands as well. It was rumored that Martin Luther drank this beer during the Diet of Worms.

I had some incredible name ideas on my blog post Help name my Bock. These included:

• John Lawlor
  Bock and Roll :}

• Rob Hatch
  Taking cue from your new book, to name your new “Bock”. I offer this: “Cask Without Fear”.

• Larry Hehn
  In honor of the classic Bill Cosby routine, we could call it “Bock Bock Number One”

  If you make it again you could call it “Re-Bock”

  For the Star Trek fans we could call it “Misters Bock”

  Bock of Ages

• Malia Taylor
  “Bock Off: Straight from the Pit(man) of Hell”

  Would Luther have laughed or been offended? You decide.

• Jenn Phillips
  How about BockFlip? Think of the tie-ins!

• Janice Murray
  How about Bock-Mor

• Scott Maentz
  Holy Water

  Bock of Ages

  I Knead a Bock

  Bock Off!

  Butt Head Bock

  Bock Me Up

  Baby Got Bock

• James Sack
  For a self-deprecating look, how about ‘Maine de Bock el’?

• Rich Gouette
  considering the Germanic geographical reference:

  “The Worminator”

• Cara Armstrong
  Right Bock atcha

  bock,bock, bock bock Bock (as in the Cadbury Bunny Style)

  in the style of a Dire Straits tune from the 80’s “Bock of Life” (walk of life)

  Mock’s Bock

  Bock Bock Goose

I’ve laughed out loud a number of times looking over this. Thanks for the chuckles.

As you can see by the image above, I’ve chosen “Bock of Ages.” I hope St. Martin would approve. (I think he would. And I’d be interested in learning about this Diet of Worms… *grin*)

My 6 year old daughter brought the National Geographic with a Neanderthal to the dinner table. “Why would Mom have a magazine with a picture like this on it?” she asked.

From across the kitchen, my wife quipped, “Reminds me of your dad.”

Yep, I’m feeling the love here at home. Just call me “Nean”!

[Turns out this is "Wilma." But Wilma had a white dress, didn't she?]

Playing with the kids this evening, I spotted a slug in the grass.

I called my son over and pointed it out with my toe.

Then I called my 6 year old daughter over. She looked at it too.

Finally I called my three year old over and pointed out the slug for her to see.

My son called me so I turned to see what he wanted. When I looked back, only a second or two later, I saw my youngest wiping off her foot.

Ew!

I love parenting. It’s the toughest job in the world. But then you get gems like the conversation we had today.

My 9 year-old son: I wasn’t cold today. I think it’s my new ipod. The ear phones were in my ears so they were working harder.

Me (a bit incredulously): Do you mean to say your “ear muscles” were working harder? And that muscle work made your head warmer?

Son: Yeah.

My wife (matter-of-factly): Ah…do you suppose it could have been because of the hood you were wearing?