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The Lobby => Introductions => Topic started by: Halkenburg on January 25, 2019, 02:20:42 AM

Title: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Halkenburg on January 25, 2019, 02:20:42 AM
Hello there!

The name's Halkenburg, I'm from the oddball state Bavaria in Germany. It's nice to meet you all. I was on TTA for about five years before it was shut down towards the end of last year so I have a long history of posting on atheist forums. I deconverted from Baptist Christianity to atheism when I was around 15 years old. My dad took it relatively well, all things considered. We're still on good terms and he hasn't disowned me, so that's a good thing. My mom and my brothers are all atheists like me. I'm a total geek/nerd, very into computers and everything to do with them. Let me know if you want to know anything else about me.

Looking forward to getting to know you guys. :D
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: pr126 on January 25, 2019, 03:41:27 AM
Welcome.

Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: PopeyesPappy on January 25, 2019, 07:09:47 AM
Welcome aboard.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Mr.Obvious on January 25, 2019, 07:15:37 AM
Gutentag, i'm your neighbour to the west, from belgium.
Welcome to the forum.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: SoldierofFortune on January 25, 2019, 08:24:22 AM
ı like the nerdy aspirations bur have never realised in my inner intellectual world.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: aitm on January 25, 2019, 09:19:18 AM
I am able to type and press the thingy that says post.......




oh...and welcome.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: propali.student on January 25, 2019, 10:15:29 AM
Welcome and hello from Croatia!

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Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Draconic Aiur on January 25, 2019, 10:52:40 AM
Welcome.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Mike Cl on January 25, 2019, 11:21:13 AM
Halkenberg, I've been lucky enough to have been in Bavaria and the Black Forest a couple of times.  Loved it.  Love Crazy Ludwig and his three castles; his death has always been a bit of a historical puzzle.  Camped for a week the first time and learned to love the place.  Lederhosen, cuckoo clocks, salt mines, Eagles Nest, beautiful little towns and villages, hot potato salad and red cabbage salad all interesting and enjoyed.  It was a great time.

Welcome, hope you stick around for awhile.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Unbeliever on January 25, 2019, 01:13:15 PM
Quote from: Mike Cl on January 25, 2019, 11:21:13 AM
Halkenberg, I've been lucky enough to have been in Bavaria and the Black Forest a couple of times.  Loved it.  Love Crazy Ludwig and his three castles; his death has always been a bit of a historical puzzle.  Camped for a week the first time and learned to love the place.  Lederhosen, cuckoo clocks, salt mines, Eagles Nest, beautiful little towns and villages, hot potato salad and red cabbage salad all interesting and enjoyed.  It was a great time.
You didn't mention beer. Hadn't they any beer!?


;-)
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: trdsf on January 25, 2019, 01:25:18 PM
Wilkommen!

And that exhausts a measurable percentage of the German I learned in high school.  :D
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Mike Cl on January 25, 2019, 01:40:03 PM
Quote from: Unbeliever on January 25, 2019, 01:13:15 PM
You didn't mention beer. Hadn't they any beer!?


;-)
beer and elephant piss are identical.  I don't drink either. :))
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Unbeliever on January 25, 2019, 01:56:34 PM
Hey, if elephant piss has a kick to it, I'd give it a try!


LOL
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Mr.Obvious on January 25, 2019, 02:31:34 PM
Quote from: Unbeliever on January 25, 2019, 01:56:34 PM
Hey, if elephant piss has a kick to it, I'd give it a try!


LOL

(https://asterx.be/sites/default/files/assortiment/delirium-tremens-olifantenglas.jpg)
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: PopeyesPappy on January 25, 2019, 02:33:36 PM
Quote from: Mike Cl on January 25, 2019, 01:40:03 PM
beer and elephant piss are identical.  I don't drink either. :))

I probably shouldn't ask how you know what elephant piss tastes like then...
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Unbeliever on January 25, 2019, 04:06:07 PM
If you drink elephant piss you'll never forget it!


Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Mike Cl on January 25, 2019, 07:24:19 PM
Quote from: PopeyesPappy on January 25, 2019, 02:33:36 PM
I probably shouldn't ask how you know what elephant piss tastes like then...
I had a friend who loved beer--he even fancied himself as a beer 'taster'.  So I decided to challenge him to a test.  Out of his sight I poured two glasses with different beers; into the third one I poured elephant piss (don't ask where I get it, either!).  He sipped from all three and picked the elephant piss.  When I showed him the results he was a bit miffed for some reason.  I haven't seen him after that--don't know why.  Anyway, I know that beer apparently tastes like elephant piss.  I won't drink either.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Unbeliever on January 25, 2019, 07:31:19 PM
I bet he never forgot it!
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Baruch on January 25, 2019, 07:43:00 PM
Quote from: SoldierofFortune on January 25, 2019, 08:24:22 AM
ı like the nerdy aspirations bur have never realised in my inner intellectual world.

You can do anything if you put your mind to it, and your back into it.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Baruch on January 25, 2019, 07:44:53 PM
Welcome also, Grüß Gott!

I have worked in a beer brewery ... didn't see any elephants working there.

I have also worked in a candy factory ... and saw the Tooth Fairy working there ... oh the scandal that caused!
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Halkenburg on January 25, 2019, 10:40:55 PM
Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. :-)
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Halkenburg on January 25, 2019, 10:43:46 PM
Quote from: Mike Cl on January 25, 2019, 11:21:13 AM
Halkenberg, I've been lucky enough to have been in Bavaria and the Black Forest a couple of times.  Loved it.  Love Crazy Ludwig and his three castles; his death has always been a bit of a historical puzzle.  Camped for a week the first time and learned to love the place.  Lederhosen, cuckoo clocks, salt mines, Eagles Nest, beautiful little towns and villages, hot potato salad and red cabbage salad all interesting and enjoyed.  It was a great time.

Welcome, hope you stick around for awhile.

Tell me about it. There are few things I enjoy more than spending time in the Black Forest to "recharge." I like visiting the old castles, too. I've always been kind of an outdoorsy person, I enjoy being in nature, as hard as that might be to believe about a geek. LOL! I find that you need to find a balance between sitting in front of your computer and being outside to remain sane.

Did you get a chance to go to the Oktoberfest? Most tourists go to Bavaria just to get wasted there.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Halkenburg on January 25, 2019, 10:45:31 PM
Quote from: Mike Cl on January 25, 2019, 07:24:19 PM
I had a friend who loved beer--he even fancied himself as a beer 'taster'.  So I decided to challenge him to a test.  Out of his sight I poured two glasses with different beers; into the third one I poured elephant piss (don't ask where I get it, either!).  He sipped from all three and picked the elephant piss.  When I showed him the results he was a bit miffed for some reason.  I haven't seen him after that--don't know why.  Anyway, I know that beer apparently tastes like elephant piss.  I won't drink either.

LOL!
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: trdsf on January 27, 2019, 01:27:11 AM
My tastes in brews run to a couple local micros, Guinness, and the Polish piwos: Å»ywiec, Tyskie, Okocim.  The occasional Russian Imperial when I want a beer to tell me to sit down and shut up.  Otherwise I'm more of a gin and bourbon man.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Halkenburg on January 27, 2019, 04:46:01 AM
Quote from: trdsf on January 27, 2019, 01:27:11 AM
My tastes in brews run to a couple local micros, Guinness, and the Polish piwos: Å»ywiec, Tyskie, Okocim.  The occasional Russian Imperial when I want a beer to tell me to sit down and shut up.  Otherwise I'm more of a gin and bourbon man.

Sounds to me like you have good taste in beer. ;-)
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: trdsf on January 28, 2019, 07:00:29 AM
Quote from: Halkenburg on January 27, 2019, 04:46:01 AM
Sounds to me like you have good taste in beer. ;-)
I'm not much of a beer fan so when I have one, I want to have a good one.  :D
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: propali.student on January 28, 2019, 08:10:57 AM
I, to be honest, more prefer wine than beer. Especially red wines.

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Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Mike Cl on January 28, 2019, 09:16:43 AM
Quote from: trdsf on January 28, 2019, 07:00:29 AM
I'm not much of a beer fan so when I have one, I want to have a good one.  :D
That's just it--there isn't a good one.  The best I can say is that after 2 Rolling Rock, I could finally swallow the 3rd one fairly easily--after that it did not matter what I drank.

I'd rather have a Squirt----or a Margarita
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: trdsf on January 28, 2019, 02:26:19 PM
Quote from: Mike Cl on January 28, 2019, 09:16:43 AM
That's just it--there isn't a good one.  The best I can say is that after 2 Rolling Rock, I could finally swallow the 3rd one fairly easily--after that it did not matter what I drank.

I'd rather have a Squirt----or a Margarita
There are a couple good ones, but they're hard to find since the current fad is IPAs and uberhoppiness, both of which I find undrinkable.  The beer cooler at most places is long on trendy and short on taste.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Mr.Obvious on January 28, 2019, 03:17:16 PM
Quote from: trdsf on January 28, 2019, 07:00:29 AM
I'm not much of a beer fan so when I have one, I want to have a good one.  :D

Duvel
Chimay
Westvleteren
Brugse zot (personal favorite)
La chouffe / McChouffe
Westmalle
Hoegaarden
Maredsous
Moeder overste

For normal beers i'd suggest Jupiler, Stella artois or maybe a desperados with a slice of lime.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: aitm on January 28, 2019, 04:32:36 PM
I only drink to make other people more interesting AND tolerable. So I have to pick a beer that is both cheapish and has enough potency to keep me mild without fuckin me up. So just reggie yellow fizzy stuff like bud. That fancy shit will get me bent up in a couple hours and then I tend to be the one just a little too much interesting....
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Baruch on January 28, 2019, 07:27:28 PM
Quote from: propali.student on January 28, 2019, 08:10:57 AM
I, to be honest, more prefer wine than beer. Especially red wines.

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I prefer wines too.  White Zinfandel is very popular in the US.  But I hear that there are many good spirits from Croatia etc.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: propali.student on January 29, 2019, 12:20:27 AM
Quote from: Baruch on January 28, 2019, 07:27:28 PM
I prefer wines too.  White Zinfandel is very popular in the US.  But I hear that there are many good spirits from Croatia etc.
Yes. Most popular continental white wine is Graševina and istrian Malvazija.

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Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Baruch on January 29, 2019, 02:44:50 AM
Quote from: propali.student on January 29, 2019, 12:20:27 AM
Yes. Most popular continental white wine is Graševina and istrian Malvazija.

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I guess you can thank Greek colonists for popularizing that among Illyrians and Danubian Celts ;-)
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: propali.student on January 30, 2019, 10:27:43 AM
Quote from: Baruch on January 29, 2019, 02:44:50 AM
I guess you can thank Greek colonists for popularizing that among Illyrians and Danubian Celts ;-)
Of course. I really like Greece and their ancient culture. Hope I will visit her on day.

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Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Baruch on January 30, 2019, 12:58:06 PM
Quote from: propali.student on January 30, 2019, 10:27:43 AM
Of course. I really like Greece and their ancient culture. Hope I will visit her on day.

Poslano sa mog PRA-LX1 koristeći Tapatalk

I was lucky to have done so.  Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, Corinth, Knossos, Rhodes, Ephesus, Mykonos, Patmos and lesser places.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Cavebear on January 30, 2019, 01:01:23 PM
Quote from: Halkenburg on January 25, 2019, 02:20:42 AM
Hello there!

The name's Halkenburg, I'm from the oddball state Bavaria in Germany. It's nice to meet you all. I was on TTA for about five years before it was shut down towards the end of last year so I have a long history of posting on atheist forums. I deconverted from Baptist Christianity to atheism when I was around 15 years old. My dad took it relatively well, all things considered. We're still on good terms and he hasn't disowned me, so that's a good thing. My mom and my brothers are all atheists like me. I'm a total geek/nerd, very into computers and everything to do with them. Let me know if you want to know anything else about me.

Looking forward to getting to know you guys. :D

Welcome...
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: propali.student on January 30, 2019, 01:42:24 PM
Quote from: Baruch on January 30, 2019, 12:58:06 PM
I was lucky to have done so.  Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, Corinth, Knossos, Rhodes, Ephesus, Mykonos, Patmos and lesser places.
Santorini is on 1st place on my travel list! Too bad I'm too poor for that :D

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Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Baruch on January 30, 2019, 07:54:04 PM
Quote from: propali.student on January 30, 2019, 01:42:24 PM
Santorini is on 1st place on my travel list! Too bad I'm too poor for that :D

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Far too dramatic, I don't think I could take the donkey trek up the caldera from the Aegean to the town on the rim.  You can see more at Knossos, without the acrophobia.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: trdsf on January 30, 2019, 09:33:54 PM
Quote from: propali.student on January 28, 2019, 08:10:57 AM
I, to be honest, more prefer wine than beer. Especially red wines.
I would like to understand wine, but my palate is vine-blind.  I'm perfectly happy with Ohio Catawbas, white zinfandels, and the odd oporto and ice wine.  The closest I get to oenophilia is that I obsess over coffee the way wine enthusiasts obsess over wine.  :)
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Baruch on January 31, 2019, 02:19:55 AM
Oporto rose is very nice.  Very mild.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Cavebear on February 03, 2019, 01:38:52 AM
Quote from: trdsf on January 30, 2019, 09:33:54 PM
I would like to understand wine, but my palate is vine-blind.  I'm perfectly happy with Ohio Catawbas, white zinfandels, and the odd oporto and ice wine.  The closest I get to oenophilia is that I obsess over coffee the way wine enthusiasts obsess over wine.  :)

I buy Twisted Zin in 1.5L bottles by the case @ $10 per bottle.  I drink 2 glasses of it with dinner no matter what I cook.  It goes with everything.  I've tried more expensive stuff and don't like it as much.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Baruch on February 03, 2019, 03:20:40 AM
Quote from: Cavebear on February 03, 2019, 01:38:52 AM
I buy Twisted Zin in 1.5L bottles by the case @ $10 per bottle.  I drink 2 glasses of it with dinner no matter what I cook.  It goes with everything.  I've tried more expensive stuff and don't like it as much.

As long as it isn't Ripple, Mr Sanford ;-)
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Cavebear on February 03, 2019, 04:24:01 AM
Quote from: Baruch on February 03, 2019, 03:20:40 AM
As long as it isn't Ripple, Mr Sanford ;-)

1.  Who is Mr Sanford?  I see that there is a Sanford coffee maker.  I don't see a connection.  Besides, I despise coffee.
2.  I remember Ripple from college days where idiots drank that junk.  I drank Heineken beer.  There WAS an episode involving Cold Duck in a bong.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Baruch on February 03, 2019, 09:43:47 AM
Ever watch "Sanford and Son" (1970s)?  Redd Foxx often spoke of "Ripple" as a preferred brand.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Mike Cl on February 03, 2019, 09:47:38 AM
Quote from: Cavebear on February 03, 2019, 01:38:52 AM
I buy Twisted Zin in 1.5L bottles by the case @ $10 per bottle.  I drink 2 glasses of it with dinner no matter what I cook.  It goes with everything.  I've tried more expensive stuff and don't like it as much.
We buy 7 Deadly Zins at our Costco--it does go with everything.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Mike Cl on February 03, 2019, 09:49:17 AM
Quote from: Baruch on February 03, 2019, 09:43:47 AM
Ever watch "Sanford and Son" (1970s)?  Redd Foxx often spoke of "Ripple" as a preferred brand.
Ripple memories--oh, yeah.  Also Brown Derby and Thunderbird we cheap cheap drunks.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: trdsf on February 03, 2019, 12:00:44 PM
Quote from: Cavebear on February 03, 2019, 01:38:52 AM
I buy Twisted Zin in 1.5L bottles by the case @ $10 per bottle.  I drink 2 glasses of it with dinner no matter what I cook.  It goes with everything.  I've tried more expensive stuff and don't like it as much.
I bought a bottle of proper French champagne for our new years celebration a couple years ago... and it was just awful.  Too dry to have a flavor.  It was like drinking stale air.  Back to the cheap but tasty moscato ever since.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Baruch on February 03, 2019, 03:26:20 PM
Blush new sparkling wine from Bologna ... best wine ever.  That one bottle, 28 years ago.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Cavebear on February 22, 2019, 12:16:04 PM
Quote from: Mike Cl on February 03, 2019, 09:47:38 AM
We buy 7 Deadly Zins at our Costco--it does go with everything.

I'll have to look into that!  But what is the cost per 1.75L?
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Cavebear on February 22, 2019, 12:19:18 PM
Quote from: trdsf on February 03, 2019, 12:00:44 PM
I bought a bottle of proper French champagne for our new years celebration a couple years ago... and it was just awful.  Too dry to have a flavor.  It was like drinking stale air.  Back to the cheap but tasty moscato ever since.

When I was in my 20s, champagne seemed exciting.  But as you pointed out, its all marketing and bubbles.  I would rather drink Andre's Cold Duck.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Mike Cl on February 22, 2019, 12:34:39 PM
Quote from: Cavebear on February 22, 2019, 12:16:04 PM
I'll have to look into that!  But what is the cost per 1.75L?
You are asking an old guy to remember--around 12.50 I think.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Cavebear on February 22, 2019, 12:55:21 PM
Quote from: Mike Cl on February 22, 2019, 12:34:39 PM
You are asking an old guy to remember--around 12.50 I think.

Well, I get Twisted Zin for $9.99 per 1.75L bottle.  So I think I get 12.50/9.99 more drinking please per dollar.  ;)

Besides, it wins awards.  The case it comes in says so, LOL!  They wouldn't lie, would they?
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Mike Cl on February 22, 2019, 07:32:10 PM
Quote from: Cavebear on February 22, 2019, 12:55:21 PM
Well, I get Twisted Zin for $9.99 per 1.75L bottle.  So I think I get 12.50/9.99 more drinking please per dollar.  ;)

Besides, it wins awards.  The case it comes in says so, LOL!  They wouldn't lie, would they?
Seven Deadly Zins comes from Ca--so, it is superior!  (Napa Valley, I think).  And every time I drink it, it wins another award!
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Cavebear on February 22, 2019, 07:57:33 PM
Quote from: Mike Cl on February 22, 2019, 07:32:10 PM
Seven Deadly Zins comes from Ca--so, it is superior!  (Napa Valley, I think).  And every time I drink it, it wins another award!

We are both drinking branded wine from old zin grapevines.  I bet they come from the same vats.  I saw them once BTW...  Huge things in rows.  The vinemaster told us they bottled a dozen brands and that was what he drank routinely.  And he said to pay no attention to vine costs until you get over $50/bottle because "there is a difference at the top end"

Now, that WAS 20 years ago.  Artisanal wines are better at a lower cost.  And Argentian abd Spanish wines deserve attention at the lower costs (climate change)".  But I'n sticking to $10 a bottle for dinner reds.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: trdsf on February 23, 2019, 12:24:17 AM
I always did like a nice white zinf.  Forms the basis of my citrus salad recipe, and a slug of it in my pizza sauce doesn't go amiss.

I also like the Ohio catawbas, which puts me in a serious minority among oenophiles -- not that I count myself as a wine lover in the first place.  I like it, but I couldn't tell you a cabernet sauvignon from a pinot noir from a liebfraumilch on a bet, and the wines that I do like have all the subtlety of a cinder block: white zinfandel, pink or white catawba, moscato, tawny port, icewine.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Baruch on February 23, 2019, 02:14:03 AM
Plenty of Dionysius worshippers come out of the symposium here.
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Mike Cl on February 23, 2019, 09:39:56 AM
Quote from: Cavebear on February 22, 2019, 07:57:33 PM
We are both drinking branded wine from old zin grapevines.  I bet they come from the same vats.  I saw them once BTW...  Huge things in rows.  The vinemaster told us they bottled a dozen brands and that was what he drank routinely.  And he said to pay no attention to vine costs until you get over $50/bottle because "there is a difference at the top end"

Now, that WAS 20 years ago.  Artisanal wines are better at a lower cost.  And Argentian abd Spanish wines deserve attention at the lower costs (climate change)".  But I'n sticking to $10 a bottle for dinner reds.
You know much more about this than I.  I one test I always use.  Open bottle, drink.  If I like it, then I drink the rest.  That's the only test I use.  Two Buck Chuck works for me. :))  Usually. 
Title: Re: Grüß Gott!
Post by: Cavebear on February 26, 2019, 08:59:43 AM
Quote from: trdsf on February 23, 2019, 12:24:17 AM
I always did like a nice white zinf.  Forms the basis of my citrus salad recipe, and a slug of it in my pizza sauce doesn't go amiss.

I also like the Ohio catawbas, which puts me in a serious minority among oenophiles -- not that I count myself as a wine lover in the first place.  I like it, but I couldn't tell you a cabernet sauvignon from a pinot noir from a liebfraumilch on a bet, and the wines that I do like have all the subtlety of a cinder block: white zinfandel, pink or white catawba, moscato, tawny port, icewine.

Most wine experts can't either.  https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/jun/23/wine-tasting-junk-science-analysis

That's one reason I drink what I like.