Apparently, this Associated Press photo of the World Cup trophy is actually a replica model made out of 11 kilograms of cocaine. It was confiscated over the weekend at a Columbian airport. All it really makes me want to do is watch that 30 for 30 episode “The Two Escobars” again.

As you can see from the videos, this episode gets gangster…

More details @ ESPN

Though the bottle art (newly redesigned featuring images of fish, gators and a rising sun) adds a little intrigue to the eyes, there is really nothing notable that separates this offering from the other styles of lager floating around. The label reads “born and raised in the sunshine state…somewhere between the water and the sun” and contains unmarked freshness dates on the bottles of the six pack I came across at Total Wine & More.

Native Lager is brewed and bottled at Indian River Beverage in Melbourne, FL exclusively for the Native Brewing Company in Fort Lauderdale.

Poured from a 12-ounce bottle into a pint glass, a fluffy white head dissipates into a cloudy golden hue. The lager is nearly aroma-less except for the scent of wheat or yeast, which matches its taste. It’s heavy and bland on the pallet, followed by a rustic aftertaste that leaves taste buds yearning for something more.

– More about Native Lager –

- Reviews at Rate Beer

- Reviews at Beer Advocate

- Review at Mike Loves Beer

– The last drop –

The following appears on the six-pack carton… “the native lager was first conceived under the shadows of palm trees in a backyard in south florida. while developing this recipe, we dreamed of making a beer that was light and crisp yet flavorful and full bodied. the result of these trials was a smooth golden lager with no aftertaste. a beer that finishes so clean you have to have another sip just to believe it! Flavorful yet refreshing, native lager is the perfect beer for the warm tropical florida climate.”

Take it for what it’s worth.

Saturday’s Graffiti Bus Jam at Orlando Brewing wasn’t quite the rousing success it should have been – if judging merely by attendance figures. But it was a great time nonetheless for those of us that did make it out. Disappointing though that the local hip-hop community didn’t show up to take part in the festivities and show some hospitality to the out-of-town crew that rocked the mic for what, all eight of us, it seemed.

As expected, there were plenty of signature organic brews to choose from, and the artistry from six local graffiti artists who added some visual life to Orlando Brewing‘s 40-foot Big Red Bus. Unexpectedly, a few building jumpers came through to do their thing while Savannah, Georgia’s Dope Sandwich (and the Chief Rockaz BBoy crew) provided enough beats and rhymes to keep the true heads on tap for the duration.

Start off with an Irish beer or two. Or maybe you prefer Irish whiskey instead. Just be sure to match it up with some tasty Irish food for good measure.

While you’re feasting, have a seat and enjoy a movie…

Then head out to the pub for more booze and song…

And no matter what you find yourself getting into on such a joyous day, be sure to be cheerful, be kind towards your fellow people, and pay some mind to getting your ass home in one piece for there is work to be done once the daylight returns!

Should I decide to further expand on these thoughts of mine maybe I’ll do so here. Then again maybe not. But here goes in the meantime… (photo by Joel Martinez)

Thought…Am I wrong for complaining about the temperature dropping below the 30-degree mark here in Florida while family and friends suffer far worse conditions elsewhere in the United States? Reason…Of course not, what the hell do you think I moved here for? It certainly wasn’t for the free set of Mickey Mouse ears they hand out at the Florida-Georgia border.

Thought…Not saying I condone the type of vigilante justice portrayed in movies such as Boondock Saints, but two recent armed robberies down here at the start of the year resulted in the attackers getting guns turned on them instead. On second thought…I do condone vigilante justice. Watch your backs car-jacking hoodlums.

Thought…Now about funny white folks (which I myself am, just not one of those funny white folks), what is it about common sense that eludes them? Maybe that was too generalized. I’m thinking primarily of the silly Confederate Flag wavers in the NASCAR circuit who think it makes sense to start the season in Daytona then haul their cars to California for the second race of the season before backtracking to Atlanta after a stop in Vegas. Conclusion…Maybe I just can’t help myself from giving rednecks a hard time every now and then. They better hope those gas prices don’t sneak back up on ‘em though.

Thought…What’s the difference between President Obama’s tax cut/refund/check in the mail idea from the two that that criminal George Bush sent out to us while he was in office? It’s like all the rich white guys decided to take a cigarette break from this Monopoly game called Life and don’t want to come back inside to finish playing. The bottom line is…Cut me my damn check already.

Thought…If I ever do get that check I’ll likely head on down to the local brewery here in town. Long gone are the days of smashing 40-ouncers of malt liquor and gathering enough change together for one of those efficient 30-packs of suds. I enjoy sipping on a good brew at this age. You just might too. Find a local brewery in your area and you might be a bit surprised. That is…Unless you grew up preferring Bud Light with your Marlboro Light at the preppy bar you once frequented. Then chances are you probably still have your head stuck too far up your own ass to even care, but whatever.

Thought…Why have I wasted so much time lately watching old NBA All-Star Game reruns on NBATV? I’ve got to get some sleep. Oh damn!!!…The front of the rim just blocked a breakaway Dominique Wilkins’ dunk back in 1991, laying him out horizontal on the hardwood as he promptly landed on his ass. Maybe it’s moments such as this that keeps me tuned in to the circus we’ve come to know as a glorified streetball game. Gotta love it though.

Those parts need places to go. And as time strolls along and the memory bank survives on interest alone, this will be the place where contrasting opinions, thoughts and ideas join together. Mainly for the sake of my own amusement. And of yours too, of course. Many will come from me, some from others. There will be images and ramblings on such minuscule subjects as music, sports, art and booze, all in an effort to create a storage bin for the many possessions of mine. Namely those residing beneath the lid on my head…

It only took Joel the Webmaster two times to show JCCarnz how to turn on the computer and eat a soy bean, all at the same time, at the informal launch of "Joint Contrast" last month.