Red Stag Bourbon

Red Stag Bourbon
Originally uploaded by AlphaHokie

This is a post that took a while.  I was waiting to post until the new Alphageek Headquarters was ready for occupation.  It took several months, but the new facilities are finally coming along nicely.  There is a new network, a new desk and a wonderful view of the woods.  This environment makes for a wonderful place to have a bourbon and contemplate about the HQ.  However, the opening of the HQ was not the only thing that had to happen before this article could be written.

Every bourbon thought is accompanied by some sort of photograph that I took myself.  This combination gives me a way to give myself a reason to take some photographs.  This series of photos has several new techniques involved that I wanted to run through as well.  Hey, its my thoughts, not yours.  Given my rather brief bourbon reviews, I need something to make stopping by here worth the trip.

I decided this was a great chance to use the new basement to take some pictures.  I got everything together in what seemed like a short amount of time.  As I was setting up, I noticed that my black background was damaged.  I decided to break out the silver one that I had for some time, but never used.  I then decided I wanted to use the remote release I got for Christmas, instead of shaking the camera with my fingers.  The release made pictures a lot easier to take.

My final thought was to use the gray card that I got for Christmas as well.  The basic process is to take a picture with the gray card in the picture, and use that picture to calibrate the other pictures to remove the unusual colors that the cheap lights I use can cause.  I am extremely pleased that the picture you see has no hint of the yellow that previously haunted it, and is now a bright silver background, with a properly colored bottle on the picture.  I am somewhat unhappy with the focus, but I was getting tired of trying to figure out what is going on.  I think the silver metallic background may be throwing the camera off.  Unlike the focus, I think the colors are amazingly accurate.

Picture taken, I sat down in the HQ to sample the bourbon.  I am a little uncertain about combining bourbon with cherry flavor, as Red Stag does..  I would like it to be known that I am a purist when it comes to just about everything.  I also believe rules are supposed to be broken if you want to ever really make anything happen.  Which side will win out?  Let's find out.

I open the bottle an notice that the cap is metal.  I wonder when is the last time I had bourbon with a metal cap?  I take in the aroma and one thing is certain, I like the nose of this combination.  I pour myself about two fingers worth.  The aroma now fills the room.  I think it smells even better in the glass. 

I take my first sip, and the sip is not at all what I expected.    The addition of the of the cherry flavoring gives Red Stag an almost liqueur like quality.  I had to check the label again and make certain that the proof was not lower than usual.  I take another sip and decide that this drink, while not the purist's bourbon, is certainly a good drink.  I think Red Stag is in a unique place right now.  It is easy on the palate with a unique, smooth quality and syrupy body that makes it a very enjoyable experience.

I would like to thank Rulinbarb (I don't use real names here, so I picked one for you) and Common Man for the suggestion to try this unusual, but enjoyable drink.

Wildlife Camera

Wildlife Camera
Originally uploaded by AlphaHokie

This is going to be a relatively rare: a quick hitting post. See what you think.

I was recently admiring a friend's wildlife pictures. The Retired Lawman inspired me to go find one of these game cameras and see what I could do. I did what any geek would do: I drove to Gander Mountain and purchased a game camera.

I got it home and thought "Where am I going to set this thing up?" I thought about doing what I always do: look up the answer on google. I decided that I would try to use my own skills this time.

I scouted out what looked like a location with foot traffic. I took a half piece of bread and threw it on the ground, strapped the camera to the tree and left it alone. The next day, I checked, and I had the top of a raccoon's head. I decided I could do better.

I aimed the camera at the ground and used the other half of the piece of bread. You will have to watch the video on this page, as well as click this link to see the entire video collection. Yes, a collection. I won't be hitting you with these anymore, but bear with me this one time and go take a look. I am pretty sure you will find it interesting.

I wish to send a thanks out to the Retired Lawman for his assistance in this project. It would not have happened without his inspiration and advice.

Cool Cordless Phone

I was out shopping the other day with Mrs. Alphageek.  We wandered by some cordless telephones, and I noticed that the phone said something cool on the box: bluetooth.  I thought bluetooth would just let me use a headset with the phone, so I passed.

I was at home enjoying some Wild Turkey Rare Breed and I decided to research the phone and see what the blueetooth was about. It is made by Vtech (great name) and is a model DS6322-3.  It turned out that there were some really interesting aspects.  If you are looking for a through review of the phone, I suggest using looking the thing up on google.  If you want to hear about some cool features that other phones don't have, pour yourself a bourbon, or you favorite drink, and read on.

The bluetooth feature allows the syncing of a cell phone through the base of the cordless phone to all of the cordless phones that come in the kit (three come in the kit) and that you choose to purchase, up to twelve total handsets.  You simply sync your cell phone, via blue tooth, to the base unit.  Now, one phone system will answer up to three phones in your house!   That's right, you can sync two cell phones to the base unit at any time. 

This system offers several advantages, at least that I can think of.  The first one is you can place the base unit and your cell phone where ever you get the best cell coverage, and still use all of the phones everywhere in the house, maximizing the cell phone location and giving you the flexibility to use the cell phone without carrying it around and risking walking into a bad location in the house.

The second is that the base unit will allow you to download your cell phone  contact list into the entire cordless phone system.  That's right, no more re-entering your phone numbers into this new cordless phone system!  While not quite as convenient as my blackberry, it is much improved over older systems.

The last advantage I am going to write about is savings.  You can use this phone and combine it with your cell phone minutes.  We have not had long distance service since we moved, and this new phone system makes long distance needs a thing of the past.  I know we always have minutes left over at the end of the month, so this is a great way to use those minutes, and not pay those stupid long distance fees that verizon charges.


Oh, and it has an answering machine too.  It does not combine your cell voice mail with your home answering machine.

I hope you enjoyed your bourbon.  I would encourage you to leave comments, but history has shown only about six people know how to do that and the rest get confused.