Jameson weighs in on last week’s gay-or-straight buzz about hip-hop artist Asher Roth.

Since hip-hop artist Asher Roth is not, in fact, gay, the rumors circulating last week about his alleged plans to come out during an interview with E! might not seem particularly important as anything other than a lesson about the credibility of information on the Internet. But, being the big queer reader that I am, I feel the situation deserves a fair queer reading.

To begin: I’ll admit that the aforementioned lesson about information on the Internet is a lesson I personally learned from all this, as I totally believed the story when I saw someone post as link on Facebook and was totally excited about it. Obviously, any amount of queer representation in the mainstream hip-hop world is more than we have now, so even a one-hit wonder like Roth would have been a win for Team Gay. But more importantly, I was thrilled by the prospect of a celebrity embodying a queer masculinity different from the stereotype perpetuated by prejudice…and, admittedly, many of the most high-profile gay celebrities who have come out in recent years.

I am all about Lance Bass and Clay Aiken being out and proud, but let’s face it: the revelations that they are gay were about as surprising as the discovery than tanning beds are bad for you (and yes, that is a dig at you, Lance). I believe all expressions of sexuality and performances of gender are equally legitimate, meaning while I think the visibility of more stereotypically “gay” men like Bass and Aiken is important, I think that more traditionally masculine gay men should also be represented. Not because they are easier for mainstream America to…swallow (forgive me), but because without them we forget that diversity includes everyone, not just those closer to the margins. 

I also applaud Roth for his statement on the matter (even if his use of the word ‘persuasion’ is a little ‘90’s):

I hate to disappoint and take away the entertainment of it all but I am straight, not gay. It’s disheartening to know such “news” on someone’s personal life can be portrayed as fact with no viable source. This, to me, is an opportunity to expose our vulnerability to lies and manipulation through unprofessional and irresponsible news outlets, in which people consider TRUTH. Further, someone’s sexual orientation should NEVER be big news, as it delivers a troubling message to children that they can’t be themselves without fear of judgment. Race, creed, and sexual persuasion should not just be tolerated but understood and accepted. It’s extremely disappointing that this topic would be used with the intention of being hurtful. We are near 2010….2010!! Yet race, sex and religion still play a major role in a hate driven society. For the love of the future and humanity….let’s wake up.

Regardless of whom Roth is sleeping with, it’s still more-or-less a win for Team Gay. Plus, if you go to NYU, there is automatically something gay about loving college.

The Philadelphia Weekly blog that broke the story: Asher Roth is not, in fact, gay.

Jameson offers his thoughts on this billboard, which was put up by St. Matthew-in-the-City Church in Auckland, New Zealand.

Though the controversial billboard depicting Mary and Joseph post-coitus was defaced hours after being unveiled, the fact that it was given the green light in the first place definitely makes me want to invite a few New Zealanders to my next party. But in all seriousness, I give a lot of credit to the congregation of St. Matthew-in-the-City Church and their vicar, Archdeacon Glynn Cardy, who said that they wanted “to get people to think more about what Christmas is all about” and challenge the idea of a male God ‘impregnating’ Mary.

I can’t lie, however: I am disappointed that another proposed billboard, featuring sperm showering down to earth with the text ‘Joy to the World,’ was never seen to fruition. Queer or not, I am still dreaming of a white Christmas…

BLoGT contributor Jameson shares his thoughts on Lady Gaga’s speech at the National Equality March.

I should start by saying that I don’t particularly like Lady Gaga. Though my boyfriend, who went to her concert in spring, occasionally convinces me to listen to a handful of her songs, I am always loath to do so. It’s tantamount to gay heresy, I know, but I’ve never thought she seemed entirely worthy of the diva status awarded to her so early in her career (and it’s not as though I dislike pop divas—the first cassette tape I ever bought was Cher’s Believe in 1998). I just don’t think Lady Gaga’s especially talented or inventive and, to be frank, what has she done that Bjork didn’t do better five or ten years ago?

But my personal feelings for her aside, I couldn’t help but be impressed by her speech at the National Equality March on October 11. Not because it I thought it was overly well-written or delivered, but because of who she is, where she was that day, and what she said:

As a woman in pop music, as a woman with the most beautiful gay fans in the whole world, to do my part I refuse to accept any misogynistic or homophobic behavior in music, lyrics or action in the music industry.

It’s certainly not a specific strategy for change, nor is it a unique one. Across the country, thousands of people have committed themselves to fighting these forces—some have committed their entire lives. But what differentiates Lady Gaga from most of the activists in our country is that she is a pop diva, whether or not I approve. She’s sold more than three million copies of her debut album The Fame worldwide, and this gives her an audience for more than just her music. While the LGBT community has, for years, had the celebrity support of figures like Cyndi Lauper (who Lady Gaga considers an important influence), never before has a musician so embraced by the mainstream embraced us. What differentiates Lady Gaga from a whole slew of successful female pop artists is her public and outspoken dedication to progressive and inclusive politics. Granted, it’s doubtful that anyone hearing “Just Dance” for the first time was moved by its pro-gay message of love and acceptance. But Lady Gaga at least thinks about the political implications of her art—who’s listening to her songs and what they take away from them. And to her credit, there’s not a single instance of misogyny or homophobia in her music or her career; The Fame is, more than anything, a positive, empowered celebration of Gaga’s sexuality. She may not be a musical genius or the noblest activist out there, but she has a platform she’s not afraid to stand on, and the fame she needs to make people listen.

Jameson Whisky Distillery in Dublin. I didnt have my tripod with me and it was FREEZING. Its very hard to hold the camera steady when your shivering so badly!!

On Viernes hit up Grumpy’s
the hipster bar, that’s of course kind of dumpy
Pre game at my place, for the first time
Folks saw how Vision is living outside of rhyme
Super shot of Jame-o now I’m out of mind
Throwing darts at a wall is feeling fine

Ended up at Maxwell’s
Not sure how that went
Another shot of Gold Shlag
Another ten dollars spent
Talked with D about what I forgot
Headed back to my place and we all smoked…cigarettes
Now Ben’s messed up and won’t let it rest
Knocking shit off the wall, and shit off my arm rest
Had to kick them folks out, guess that’s how it goes
I’ll see them tomorrow, that’s what we all know

So it’s 12 bars of Christmas, there’s about a hundred of us
Roaming down Lyndale, avoiding the under covers
Dudes doing treasure hunts, me I got a Bad Sweater
In fact, I got on the worst bad sweater ever
Every one comments, it’s a conversation piece
2 4 1 at Leaning Tower, the Hops mixing with the yeast
Got me singing yule tides, others they got on a fleece
We still singing songs as we start to head east
or west I’m not sure, it could even be south
But we get to Red Dragon before we figure it out
French Lemonade on the brain as our energy drains
We still stick it out, not sure if we’re sane

Mortimer’s is par for the course, then we cab it
back to Northeast, not too much traffic
This type of lifestyle becomes a habit
Before you even notice you’ve become an addict

Addicted to the friends, the nights that never end
The wanderers you met in bars
The cities where you can’t see the stars
The bar games, where you won a stuffed Barney
Getting in fights and getting kicked out of Blarney’s

It’s like when it gets cold, I get drinks on my wish list
This weekend was a success, here’s three cheers for Christmas

view this photo large

Christmas is a tough time to be on the road. A traveler can’t help but get a little homesick thinking about family gatherings and traditions; or, if out of the “west,” Christmas music, December weather, decorations, bowl games, holiday feasts, and infuriatingly frantic trips to the mall for gifts. There is something intoxicating about the whole month- everyone is smiling, a “happy holidays” is always around the corner, there is even something wonderful about encountering adverse driving conditions, the massive crowds that are normally annoying suddenly become inspiring, a beacon of hope that people care for each other, and of course the inundation of cute snow bunnies everywhere. So, no one can be blamed for feeling blue in a non-Christian, tropical, holiday-less setting. Of course, there are ways to avoid the trap. This is a fool proof 10 step process to avoiding the Christmas Blues (yes, so good, I can offer in 10 what “they offer in 12″):

1) The first step to a solution is to admit that you are an addict: “I am a holiday fiend.” Doesn’t that make you feel better? Now that you have admitted that you are addicted to the holidays, we can avoid any self-consciousness you may feel with the following steps. After all, for some reason society frowns upon adults getting caught up in the spirit. Forget that, get your “Buddy” on. Women think he’s adorable and he gets to live Christmas up, isn’t that what you want?

2) Now that you have admitted there will be dire consequences if you don’t deal with your addiction, let’s start planning to avoid a terrible December of withdrawal. Always be prepared for the holidays. If you know you may not be home for the holidays, make sure you pack accordingly. A standard “Christmas abroad” set should include:

• a) An iPod updated with all your favorite Christmas CDs: The Home Alone OST, “Christmas with the Rat Pack,” Ray Charles’ “The Spirit of Christmas,” “Ella Fitzgerald Wishes you a Swingin Christmas,” Bing’s classic “White Christmas,” the all time classic “Charlie Brown Christmas” by the Vince Gueraldi Trio, and of course, Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song.” If you are going to do this and do it right, Elvis’s “Christmas Duets,” Diana Krall’s “Christmas Songs,”Andrea Bocelli’s “My Christmas,” “Christmas with Dino,” Sinatra’s “The Christmas Album,” Harry Conick Jr.’s “When My Heart Finds Christmas” and a couple compilations like the 1997 release “Ultimate Christmas” and Time Life’s “Treasury of Christmas” are really good ideas. And, Sting’s “Once on a Christmas Night,” some Transiberian Orchestra or Manheim Steamroller, Aretha Franklin, and Maria Carey are all excellent choices for moods of non-traditional Christmas music.
• b) A couple Yankee Candle Co. candles in your favorite holiday scents. “Pumpkin Spice” is always an excellent choice as is a Cranberry scent based candle for a sweet alternative.
• c) A holiday sweater. Even if you are going to the tropics, bring a sweater. There will be at least one night when you need to carry it to an air conditioned bar in which it will not be inappropriate to wear while drinking fresh draught Guinness pints by the dozen. Or, to a holiday themed movie (no matter how shitty… yes, even Disney’s latest “A Christmas Carol) and you know movie theatres are always freezing.
• d) Holiday literature. Only an amateur would leave home without the coaster sized copy of Sedaris’s “Holidays on Ice,” which takes up less space than that frivolous extra button down you brought “just in case.” Similarly, “A Christmas Carol” is under 100 pages and is often bound as a fantastic looking, travel sized, leather encased, pocket gem. It is THE Christmas story- how could you not have a copy.
• e) Some classic Christmas movies on a laptop or video iPod are a good idea since you are bringing them anyway: “Die Hard,” “National Lampoone’s Christmas Vacation,” “Christmas Story,” Disney’s 1980s animated version of “A Christmas Carol,” “Love Actually,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “The Santa Claus,” “Jingle All the Way,” “Bad Santa,” the 2001 Fiesta Bowl, you know the classics.
• f) A Santa hat.
• g) A bottle of Jameson. You have to have the self-control to save it though.
• h) A photo of those you would enjoy to be with. Now, I don’t want you to become some emotional, blubbering wretch sitting in the corner of a hotel room dreaming about Christmases past and what you’re missing. I am writing this with the expectation that you are a reasonable and fun loving person who can you all these things responsibly and balance the act of celebrating and honoring Christmas with the commitment and enjoyment your holiday trip abroad is due.

3) Find an English/Irish pub, wherever you are, offering a Christmas meal. Wherever you are, there are English speaking ex-patriots near that like Christmas too. Their pub is guaranteed to be serving up something on Christmas day. Most will offer a ridiculous feast and charge a good amount for all the trouble. It is worth it so spend the money as this may be your most effective measure of avoiding Christmas depression. You can google search for a pub in your city, or try and find an English publication which will undoubtedly have some advertisements. If worst comes to worst, hail a cab and mime Christmas as best ye can.

4) Go to a holiday movie. No, odds are it wont be what you really want, but as long as it’s holiday related and it’s an outing its going to help tame your cravings. Last year was “Four Christmases” this year is the terrible Jim Carey voiced version of “A Christmas Carol.” Whatever, you can’t be picky.

5) Grow a holiday mustache. Ok, so I am a proponent of this tradition regardless; but, it is particularly intelligent while abroad. First off, what’s more holiday than a sweater clad man in a mustache? In America there is some public disdain for mustaches and a sense that women don’t find them that attractive. All that is gone abroad! In nearly every other place in the world, facial hair is good! A sign of masculinity to some, proof you’re “white” to others, a respect garnering badge of age and wisdom to most- regardless, a good idea. If nothing else, there is no one here that will care, you’re already the funny looking foreigner. Embrace the stache, focus on it’s growth, it will be a physical symbol for your holiday spirit.

6) Educate your local community about Christmas. There is a really odd satisfaction that comes with trying to explain/show/teach someone about your Christmas enthusiasm. I recommend carols, but it’s pretty hilarious teaching non-English speakers to say “Can you pass the turkey?” “What’s the score?” “Anyone need a drink?” “Merry Christmas!” “What do you want for Christmas this year?”

7) Go mall hopping. You don’t need to go shopping, but even in the tropics, western influenced commercial centers go all out. Trees, Santa Land, ornaments, music, beer gardens, they are holiday central.

8. Can’t/refuse to go to the pub for dinner? Get creative and make Christmas dinner. A pork roast or full chicken with local veggies (corn or green been), some KFC mashed potatoes (there is a KFC everywhere), and a pie/cake (every culture makes desert) with plastic silverware, a local bottle of dark liquor, and can of coke is oddly enjoyable and very exciting. You will marvel at your own craftiness.

9) Download Skype. Again, this list is for those that functional long for Christmas. If you are skyping your days away on the road, you have a whole slew of problems that these steps can’t help. But, for the travelers out there, don’t forget Skype. After not seeing or talking to a family member or friend in the last 10 weeks, a holiday skype call or two will be so fantastically refreshing this Christmas may seem even more magical than your typical, hammered, home based Christmases that you dream of.

10) Go to sleep early on Christmas Eve. Not only will that give Santa more time to give you presents. But, it avoids the potential whiskey bottle of sorrow that will be looking very attractive. Besides, you can ALWAYS be home for Christmas, “if only in your dreams.”

Remember, follow the steps and take the season one day at a time. I do recommend a holiday sponsor to help you through the month.

Joyeux Noel.

(How great are Cengiz’s Christmas photos?! If only he had an ounce of Christmas spirit, they would redefine the season)

Watch The Breathing Dead Show Episode 3

Review of Zombie Strippers the movie and the novel Creed by James Herbert

With Holli (pictured)

Im an overwhelming irritated person allot of the time.i have an opinion about almost everything, i criticize allot and allot of times because i don’t understand ignorance.I know that im not a perfect person and i have allot of problems myself but i have a good head on my shoulders and can stand on my own if i need to..You need friends for you there when shits tough as fuck but if its a bump in the road then don’t bitch.

I can’t stand pathetic people who constantly need advice of others to make theirself feel better because they show they’re weak and can’t stand solid on their own.I understand advice but when its necessary not constant.For instance, a woman or man who gets beat by their partner and constantly take them back, im sorry for who its happened to, i feel for you but honestly you’d be smart and wise to leave them.Is it so hard to be smart? like you’d really choose to one day possibly get killed over some bullshit thing you call “LOVE” that you think you’re in with someone abusive?

i try not to pay attention to ignorance but when its put in your fucking face by friends or whoever it REALLY gets under your skin, or maybe just mine.im an extremely understanding person, but im sorry if theres an obvious decision you need to make don’t bother wasting my time, you feel me?

Quote of the day

“BE INTELLIGENT!”

Its cloudy and rainy in vegas for once, what a day to make a blog on sucha rare occasion for this city.

Anyways, im brian, you can call me difficult, confusing, arrogant, raunchy, blunt, rude, etc. etc. the thing about me is that i enjoy being random or moody because it helps me alleviate any pent up frustration.Heres the thing. Im a very sexual person yet i keep to myself and don’t put out because I have this theory.

if you give someone what they want they won’t shut up about it and brag like they just won the marathon or some shit, if you don’t they beg for it and want it worse.Thats what i do.i don’t give it up easy Im limited to just one person and from there i experience however i want cause i’ll know that trust is there. if they don’t mean anything then they won’t get far.Sex fascinates me but stimulates me in a different way that no one will ever understand so no need to explain, just leave your mind to ponder.

People don’t really understand me or each other in that matter but i enjoy that because it makes me feel like im not fucking transparent (unless you really know me) and im sure we all don’t want that! so i guess you could call me the opposite of what allot of people are.Im motivated and ready for whatever life has to offer or throw at me. i deal with shit in a level headed manner but im a huge over thinker and over reactor so i have my MOMENTS, but never act to irrational on impulse, you’ll regret what you say afterwards.So its better to bite your fucking tounge sometimes then feel like an idiot in the end over something dumb.Anyways my lifes just as random as i am so whatever i post will be something to read.

I am just barely entering into Jameson’s spatial dialectic of capital, however, here is certainly how Latin America and perhaps Africa will shift from the seeming “unemployable” to employed. Altogether horrifying that this eco-friendly capitalism with a human face will coerce those in the slums, these “recyclers”, to press out the last bit of efficiency and value. I am baffled as to whether this is productive labor or not, but I feel it must be, or will be. As a final note for now, I especially enjoy Jameson’s formulation that this (more or less) is capitalism’s stagnant endgame, the “epidemic” of it.

Also, further proof that “activists” only preserve the world as it is. The point is to destroy it.

Get your fright on with Jameson!

The Jameson Cult Film Club was a series of free film screenings at various atmospheric settings, such as the Clapham Grand, and the Union Chapel during Halloween week. Showing such classics like This is Spinal Tap, Halloween and Dracula, the audience were treated to a thrilling show surrounded by all the trappings of a classic horror setting. Experts or directors of the film introduced the screening, with actors on hand dressed up to creepy perfection whilst you sat with a free Jameson cocktail.

Chills in the Chapel – a series of horror film screenings – took this unique film experience to a new level. At The Dracula film screening the participants were offered garlands of garlic to ward off the ‘Vampires’ crawling around the venue.  Van Helsing was also on hand, but the creepy butler who welcomed the guests did little to put everyone at ease. There was terror at the screenings of Colin and Halloween, with zombie brides and horror icon Michael Myers skulking around on the stage. Jameson well and truly brought the horror experience to the consumer’s laps.

Nevertheless, the audience were in safe hands. Jameson whisky has been involved with cinema since 1988 when they started their own short film awards. Since then, they haven’t looked back, now sponsoring 20 film festivals around the world and becoming title sponsor of the prestigious Empire awards . Their quintessential goal has always been to bring the atmosphere and excitement of the cinema to as wide an audience range as possible. Their cult film blog expands on this, creating debate on issues of cult film that allows the audience to get involved with the event and the spirit of unique series of events such as the Jameson Film Club.

These are the kind of brand collaborations Arts & Business believe will increasingly happen in the future – and this is explored in the latest research Beyond Experience: culture, consumer & brand. Launched with flair on Tuesday night at the Cass Business School and co-authored by consumer marketing gurus Joe Pine and Jim Gilmore (authors of the Experience Economy and Authenticity), this looks at how culture can be placed at the heart of emerging commercial practice, exploring the changing nature of consumers, and their increasing need for authentic experiences and meaningful transformations.

Tell us what you think and join the discussion!

If you’re a resident of San Francisco you’ve probably heard the term “hipster” before. As most people seem to believe that this is the city that spawned them. Yelp.com in particular is flooded with angry Yelpers complaining and whining about their favorite places being “ruined and taken over” by hipsters.

If you’re not familiar with the term here are 10 signs to help you identify urban hipsters in their natural habitat.

1. “The Fingerstache” tattoo. While being one of the most common of “novelty tattoos”, every person who has one seems to act like he/she is the most original person in the world for having it. Funny/joke tattoos are great and all but this one in particular is like a shibboleth in the tribe of “the hipster”.

2. Bad facial hair. Besides marking one’s body with corny unoriginal tattoos, the urban hipster is also a huge fan of bad facial hair. This way everyone is happy. Hairy people can feel cool and jealous baby faced folk can tattoo a “sweet stache” on their finger.

3. Denying they’re a “hipster” even though they’re secretly smiling inside for the recognition.

4. Bad glasses. Shutter shades, thick “nerdy” glasses, Buddy Holly glasses or Cazals are the most popular. They’re non prescription of course. Extra points if they don’t have lenses in them.

5. Cheap booze. (Goes hand in hand with Dive Bars) They don’t buy Pabst Blue Ribbon, Hamm’s, Old English, Mickey’s, or cheap whiskey because they have a palette for it.

6. Gentrification. Most hipsters moved to “the city” from somewhere else to reinvent themselves. That’s fine. But they have a nasty habit of taking areas deemed as “up and coming” such as The Mission or the Tenderloin and moving in, driving up rent prices, and complaining about how the neighborhood is “losing it’s originality”.

7. Hating “yuppies”, also known as “bros” or “Marina Douchebags”. Anyone donning a blazer, polo shirt, bedazzled Ed Hardy jeans, or any sort of UFC/MMA shirt (Tap Out, Affliction..etc.) will be met with scathing glares and muffled shit talking.

8. American Apparel deep V neck shirts two sizes too small. On men. Apparently chest hair (or lack there of) usually paired with pointy collar bones and a bony chest plate is hot? Usually accented with a long necklace or chain of sorts.

9. Singing “Don’t Stop Believing” really loudly when drunk. Bros are also guilty of this. Journey is rad but seriously, shut the fuck up already.

10. Dolores Park. The perfect place to sip a PBR while nonchalantly smoking American Spirits talking about the next novelty tattoo you’ll get.

Shoutouts to:

-American Spirit.

-Parliament Lights.

-American Apparel.

-Pabst Blue Ribbon.

-Apple.

-Ray Ban.

-Jameson.

-Jim Beam.

-Urban Outfitters.

-Toms Shoes.

-Veganism.

-Casio Watches.

Now we can all hang out in the mission drinking PBR, comparing fingerstaches and bad facial hair, compete to see who has the boniest chest, and try on eachother’s shutter shades. Hopefully Journey doesn’t come on or else we’ll start talking shit to “Marina douche bags” for calling us hipsters and for “ruining the neighborhood”.

Pretty much a no-brainer here, folks.  My friend Will obviously loves awesome shit, but someone near and dear to him “ain’t havin’ it.” This thing sadly didn’t make it onto the wall, but it did get it’s foot in the door and lives behind the couch.

man's best friend

Funny thing is, I know the old lady and she likes booze and square things. Please expalin yourself Christine.  Seems to match that green ottoman too (If I wrote an R&B song to this post three beautiful black girls would echo/sing “it matches” at the end of this sentence).  Personally speaking, if I’m not in a bar I like to look up on the wall and pretend like I’m in a bar.  Did I mention that this thing is illuminated? This is the real fucking deal here. It’s framed.  I say don’t stop there.  Make the whole goddamn living room like a bar in Tuskegee, Alabama.  A neon Marlboro sign, some Coors Light shit. Maybe one of those over-head billiard table lamps to go over that coffee table.  Make that place look bad-ass is all I’m sayin’.

Will, you’ve got that thing into the house which is a huge feat in and of itself, but let’s get that piece of awesome shit glowing like a beacon of freedom from one of them walls. Let freedom ring, indeed.

I love them. I can’t explain it, just always have. I suppose this affinity would be less if I were a Portuguese mariner circa 1639 who had seen countless compatriots pulled from the deck of his seafaring vessel by the merciless tentacles of a Kraken, but alas, I am a creature of circumstance, and having never encountered a seamonster at all, much less under adverse circumstances, I have only positive feelings towards both seamonsters themselves and anything related to the subject matter. Consider, if you will, the following commercial, which I fell in love with upon first viewing.

Jameson Octopus Commercial

I hope you feel the same. If not, get the f*** off my blog.

Delilah is hot, with her lilting l sounds and the chart-topping Plain White Tees single.  But what of the legendary strongman she brought down?

Thanks to Laura for suggesting Samson as Name of the Day.

The Biblical Samson had the strength of Hercules.  In one story, he tears apart a lion with his bare hands; in another, he fells one thousand attackers with a weapon fashioned from a small bone.

Samson is usually pitted against the Philistines.  They’re the ones who bribe the fair Delilah to learn the secret of his strength.  When she learned that Samson’s never-been-trimmed hair fueled his strength, Delilah called for the shears.

He gets the last laugh, though.  The Phillistines fail to keep up the manscaping while he’s in prison.  His locks grow back.  When Samson is summoned to their temple, he’s strong enough to bring down the house, killing his captors – and himself.

Besides the Old Testament tale, Samson appears in the Tanakh and the Talmud.  Basque mythology includes tales of the giant Sanson, who did things like kick up mountain ranges.

Sanson was apparently based on Samson, and Samson probably came from the Hebrew word for sun – shemesh.

You’ll find him in use in Medieval England, but the source is a Welsh-born saint.  The future Saint Samson established monasteries and evangelized much of Brittany.  He died sometime in the 5th century.  There’s a second Saint Samson from around the same time – Saint Samson the Hospitable, of Constantinople.

But it is the first Samson commemorated on the map throughout France.  He’s also the reason the name was in use amongst the Normans who came to England.  You’ll spot him in the historical record, most notably in the eleventh century as the given name of an influential Bishop of Worcester.

Samson fell out of favor over the years, possibly as artists embraced the Biblical tale.  John Milton published Samson Agonistes in 1671; Rembrandt was just one of many to depict Delilah’s legendary betrayal.

Even as parents discover more and more obscure Old Testament choices for their sons – Hezekiah and Zevidiah, anyone? – odds are that the Bible isn’t inspiring parents to pick Samson.

Instead, Samson started to appear in the US Top 1000 in the 1970s – the same time several now-popular picks surfaced.  Also spelled Sampson, he could strike many parents as a legitimate surname choice, similar to:

• Jackson has artistic style and offers parents a fresh take on the evergreen John.  He ranked #32 in 2008;
• Farther behind are I’m-just-wild-’bout Beatlesque Harrison, at #219;
• Newcaster Anderson, at #326;
• Surname/whiskey Jameson, at #382;
• Other ends-in-son surnames in favor include Carson, Mason and Tyson.

Samson’s best showing was #829 in 1988.  As of 2008, he stood at #948.  Odds are that many parents dismiss Samson in favor of one of his style-siblings when they think of the Biblical tale.

But Top 25 favorite Samuel has been bestowed on more than 125,000 newborn boys since 2000 alone.  Another 5,000 boys were named Sam – and that’s without considering Samantha and company.

If you’re comfortable disregarding the Biblical tale – and inevitable first-haircut jokes, Samson fits nicely with current trends and manages to be quite unusual without being too different.

I hope you enjoyed my post about the Guinness Storehouse! And now, I’ll walk through the original Jameson Distillery!

The Distillery was acquired by John Jameson in 1780 and was in operation until 1975 when it moved to Midleton. The old distillery then was converted to a museum, which gives great tours to this day.

Outside the Old Distillery

The first part of the tour is a short film about the history of the famous Irish Whiskey and its founder, John Jameson. At the end, a tour guide came out and asked for 8 volunteers – 4 ladies and 4 gents. When not a single other woman raised her hand, I put mine into the air, and a few seconds later, another lady who happened to be the wife of one of the male volunteers put her hand up as well. We were handed green tubes to carry around and distinguish us from the others, and then the tour commenced!

We walked through the various steps of whiskey making, which shared a few aspects with the brewing of Guinness. However, whiskey is a whole diferent shebang. The barley is malthed and then roasted (like Guinness), only the barley of Irish whiskey is roasted using a smokeless fuel – antrocite, a very pure form of coal. The lack of smoke gives Jameson its smooth and sweet taste. This barley – now called wort – is then mashed and drained.

The Mashing Machine

Yeast is then added in a huge vats called, and it ferments, releasing alcohol into the mixutre. The liquid (the alcohol) is then triple distilled – the element of Irish whiskey that differentiates it from the other types of whiskey (Scotch and American Whiskey). It is at this point that the whiskey is added into a matured casks mature for up to 18 years! Jameson’s honey-vanilla taste comes from the casks used – port, sherry, and bourbon casks from around the world add their distinctive tannins (and thus colour as well) to the whiskey. As time progresses, more and more tannins are added to the whiskey, causing it to turn a deeper brown over time.

From bottom to top, left to right: 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, 8 years, 12 years

After the casks mature (anywhere from 5 to 18 years, depending on the blend), they are blended together so the whiskeys from the 3 types of casks can mingle – this gives every bottle of Jameson’s the same distinctive taste. After that, its ready to bottle – and drink!

It was at this point that I discovered what I had volunteered for – a whiskey comparison and tasting! The  8 of us took our seats at a special tasting table, and we compared 3 different whiskeys:

• Jack Daniels – the American whiskey
• Johnnie Walker Black Label  – the Scotch
• Jameson – the classic Irish Whiskey

Right to left - Jack Daniels, Jameson, Johnnie Walker

We began with a sip of the Jameson, instructed to note the subtle honey and vanilla tastes of the whiskey. I’ve had whiskeys before, but never savored them – I’ll have to start doing that. I really enjoyed it! Jameson is smooth, and although it has the little bit of fire that warms your throat and stomach, it goes down easily.

Next, we tried the Scotch. Scotch is produced by roasting the barley with either peat or turf, which adds a very smoky flavor to the mix, and it is only double distilled, which makes it slightly harder than the Jameson’s. I have to admit, I was not a huge fan of it – it had a much harsher taste, and it was a little harder to swallow than its Irish cousin.

Finally, we sampled the American whiskey. Instead of pure barley, many American distilleries use corn as well, which adds much more sugar to the mix. It is only distilled a single time, and then matured in fresh oak casks, adding floral and woody flavors to the whiskey. The tour guide joked that it had more a kick than the other two, just like the Americans do, which made me laugh. I did like the Jack Daniels – it was a close second to the Jameson.

I obviously didn't care for the Scotch

After it was all done, I got one more glass of Jameson, which I enjoyed while talking to some of my fellow tasters from Sweden, South Africa, and England. I then received a certificate! I’m now an official Irish Whiskey Taster!

Success! Guinness AND Jameson

I’ve heard about whiskeys since I was little, but I had never really bothered to learn about them or distinguish between the different types. I loved learning all about them!

In my final post, I’ll review two vegetarian restaurants in Dublin.

Thanks for reading!

]]> http://ppmax.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/lyubimyj-razmer/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:21:08 +0000 ppmax http://ppmax.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/lyubimyj-razmer/ http://visionthekid.com/2009/11/26/thanksgiving-eve-in-the-mil/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:38:30 +0000 visionthekid http://visionthekid.com/2009/11/26/thanksgiving-eve-in-the-mil/

Enter,
Milwaukee in late November
Late in the night, better late then never
Head straight to the East Side
Shots of Jame-0 and high fives
Start at the High Hat stumble to Nomad
But it’s so packed, no room to stand
They got
5 bucks for a shot, PBR and a cig
You can still smoke in the bars I forgot about this

A Berg and Lubus, we moving to Club Brady
We knew no one would be there, cept us and some Ladies
Kendra Julia and Brianna
4 dollar pitchers, i was a big fan of
Downed em then we bounced
out there to the couch

that sit in the middle of a garage rearranged
Where things were out of place but nothing looked strange
Books on the wall next to guitars that hanged
out by the bar and stained glass window panes

Made new friends as we burned incense
Woke up the girl on the couch it got tense
for a sec, but then-a-then again
We Burned something that wasn’t Egyptian Jasmine
A little something that left us all laughing

It turns out A-bar was par for the course
Another night in The Mil that made my voice hoarse
Drove past K House and hid like Freshman
Reminiscing a little bit while letting our heads spin

Walk in my house 3 oclock pass out
But mom and dad had the Spaghetti all ready
Jasper’s the cat of the house already
Is it weird to say it feels weird to come back here?
To stroll into town late and crack a beer?
Been a month, Feels like I’ve been gone half a year

Strange how the ordinary can seem so strange
Thoughts of Thanksgiving in my dreams as I turn off my brain

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