Author: Brian Allen

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Got my iPhone

I have had it for little over a week. Overall, I have enjoyed it, but it does have issues. The readability of the screen is super. The size and weight are great. The battery lasts longer than expected.

The bluetooth is a big bummer. You can't use it for anything beyond headsets. You can't even send a contact to another phone. (I haven't found any way to send a contact to another phone.) The headset functionality is very limited with no voice dialing.

The WiFi has issues with connecting to some networks. I switched one network from a 40bit to 128bit key and then the iPhone could connect. On some WiFi networks that it connects to, it can not get a DHCP assigned address.

The GSM signal reception is very weak compared to the T68i and W300i by SonyEricsson.

I just hope updates come soon for the phone.

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Planning Anniversary Trip

Karen and I have started planning our 11th anniversary trip.  This year will be different now that we have our little girl, Katherine Elizabeth, to join our trip.

We may only go on a simple trip to somewhere nearby.

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Progress at The Nook

My dad’s bar has come a long way. He has over 70 beers available and 10 beers on draft. He has multiple coolers setup to keep the beer at their preferred temperature, too.
The building is slowly coming a long, too.
The NookThe sign at the street is

being redone, which is badhy needed. The original sign was painted with what looks like a roller. It is hard to paint letters with just a roller. Both sides of the sign don’t even look the same. But, this will all be fixed with the new sign.

With the sign fix on the way, the inside of the building is the process of being painted to tone down the Irish green that is everywhere. The bar had been Patty’s Pub at one time so everything is covered with bright green and the colors of the Irish flag.

They are going the start some radio advertising, too. My dad has not decided the details, but it is in the works.

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Progess on Our House

Dining RoomWe are starting to make progress on our house. The dining room remodeling is starting to show signs of the end.

We have had so many problems with the walls. The original wall paper was not hung correctly. The wall paper pulled a lot of the sheet rook off, which makes the repairs very hard. After many muddings and remuddings, we finally finished prepping the walls for paint.

Today, we started the painting just have some the wall to pull off onto the paint roller. But, we will have to just wait until tomorrow to see how bad the damage it going to be.

Hopefully, it will only require a little repair so we can wrap up the dining room and move onto the next project.

– Brian Allen

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Memorial Day

Well, it is time to kick back and fire up the grill all while remembering those who gave us this freedom.

I could drink a Freedom Ale from Tun Tavern, which would seem appropriate. Or, I could drink something from Yuengling, which is the oldest American brewery.

Hamburgers are the correct food for day.

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Larry Woellhart at The Nook

Larry Woellhart played at The Nook last night and the place was packed. With Larry performing, we put out the word in order to introduce a lot of people to The Nook. We had invited coworkers, friends, and the Huntsville Free The Hops group.

Everyone enjoyed Larry's music. My dad indicated that Larry was the exact type of performer that he was looking for his bar. My dad is wanting to have a bar with entertainment start directly after works. He doesn't like the idea of a band starting up around 9 o'clock at night.

The Free The Hops guys and gals enjoyed the great beer select. To quote Dan of Free The Hops,

“Well, a few of us checked out the Nook last night, and I was pretty impressed. They are off to a great start with this place. The beer list was impressive for Huntsville, and the place is clean and non-smoking.”

Karen, my pregnany wife, got to show off her growing belly. Most of our friends know she pregnant, but they haven't seen her.

I know that I had fun. It was great get together.

The staff at The Nook was overwhelmed a little, but Betty and Beverly keep up with the pace.

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Heading to The Nook with the Buds

After work, I am heading to The Nook with friends from work. I think it is good to get out. Because, I know that I will be doing less of this in the future.

I want to introduce some of my coworkers to The Nook especially now that the beer selection is improving. I just hope the beer selection continues to improve.

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The Nook is Coming A Long

As I have indicated before, my dad purchased a bar. He has been in the process of making the changes he wants to the bar over past few weeks.
Direct Draw 5 Keg Draft Cooler
This week is big for changes at the bar. On Tuesday, his direct draw cooler arrived. Direct draw cooler is beverage industry speak for draft beer cooler with taps on top. This addition will give the bar up to eight beers on draft and room for storage, which will be great. I hate going to a bar or restaurant to learn that they are out of beer.

Glass Door MerchandisersToday, the Glass Door Merchandisers arrived. Glass Door Merchandisers is industry speak for refrigerators with glass doors. He wanted the selection of beers to be highly visible to the staff and customers. They are replacing Deep Well Bottle Coolers, which are the coolers normally behind a bar with siding top doors.

He has a moving company down there today helping setup the equipment. Because, the equipment has to be lifted over the bar and it weights over 400 pounds.

He is hoping to have the coolers all stocked by tomorrow.