Minnesota Update Go!

I stole the title idea from Brien. Thank you Brien.

Alright so right now I am sitting in a Malthouse in Moorhead Minnesota. Not a farm thank you very much genious boyfriend. :) We are here to do sampling of the malt as it dries in the kilns and then using that data we are going to produce new moisture drying curves for them to use to run their system off of. They think that the curves they have right now are not accurate. When I say we are here doing this I really mean Paul is here doing this with a vendor and I am pretty much just supporting the work. Basically, I am sitting around keeping myself somewhat busy. Every hour when they get a new sample I have to log some data. I could actually go pull the samples and I may have to later. But as of right now they haven't asked me if I wanted to, and I haven't volunteered. When you go take a sample you have to walk out on top of the grain to the middle of the grain bed. The whole time grain dust and sulfur dioxide is blowing everywhere and it is about 170 degrees out there. So if you were wondering why I haven't volunteered, hopefully now you understand.
Anyway, it is interesting to be somewhere different. This place is totally different then the breweries. On top of that I am getting to see the work that is done before the brewing process ever even begins. So, basically I know have a complete picture of what is required to make beer. I guess the only step missing is the actual growing of the barley. If I were to see that done then I would definitely have to visit a farm. I don't believe that is on my coop agenda though so there are probably no Canadian barley farms in my future. I am ok with that. I have seen farms. My grandpa is a farmer. I doubt barley farms are much different then corn and soybean farms.

On a non work related note ... today is Chi's birthday. Everyone tell him happy birthday! He is now an old man. The big 23. That is old if you ask me. I love birthdays. I wish I could be in Rolla to help him celebrate, but at least I will get to go down this weekend. We are having a barbecue on Saturday from 11-4 at Lion's park so everyone better be there!
Nothing else is too new. I guess one important thing is I found out my placement for RA next year. I will be the super awesome RA of the first floor of the RC. My floor is named "the resort" and I plan to use that theme to the fullest. I may even use Kelly's tiki head if I can get permission. So yay, that will be fun. I can't wait until August.
I am now over halfway done with my coop. Let me just say that it will not end soon enough.

Ok good bye.