justin-shepard.net

Sorry to keep on rolling with the less than happy posts, but I felt the need to mention this one: Michael Jackson has died. Not the reclusive pop star, of course, but the Michael Jackson who wrote on a subject much more near and dear to my heart: beer. He wrote and contributed to a large number of books on the subject, and a book I purchased was my first introduction to the man. I haven’t read much of what he wrote, but I recognize that he made a significant contribution to the world of beer and for that, the next time I have a beer it will be in his honor.

Or so it seems at the moment. I’m in Tulsa as I write this, where my Grandparents live, where my Mom and Dad grew up and where the extended family is now gathering together. The why is that my Grandmother passed away last Thursday at the age of 82. If it were only that, this might not qualify as “Saddest Weekend on Record”, but other things have been happening as well (though I won’t say what specifically, as it is not my place to do so) that increase the sadness index. Enough for top honors? Seem likely. But certainly putting it in the Top Five at the least.

At any rate I still own you, my fine readership, a scan of the Dragon magazine picture (I’d link to the post, but really, just scroll down the page a bit) as well as an after-action report for GenCon (which was last weekend). These things will wait until Tuesday (at the earliest), however, as I won’t be back in Cleveland until then.