Deep Thoughts Only Partially Influenced by Wine

Meet My Dog, Cat!

2007-09-07T14:16:00.000-07:00

I don't know why but this amused me today. I will probably do shorter thoughts so I think more often....

Today's Amusement!

Life, Part Deux

2007-02-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes, I know.... It has been about a year and a half since I bothered posting. I see the dust and spiderwebs have made quite a home here. I of course wonder if the TV still works in here.

Anyhow, this thing called life has definitely changed in that year and a half. Though I suppose it was never really in question, I have started down the slippery slope into the world of wine careerwise. It is slow going at the moment though that is to be expected I suppose given I simply have no real idea where I am going with it, only that I am going to have fun doing whatever it is that I have not decided what I am going to do other than drink wine.... See, fun! :)

I have done a lot to empty out my life of clutter over the past year and a half as well, and although some clutter exists, for the most part the clean up has been done. I will admit the emptying out process has left me feeling empty at times, but I think I prefer that to being full of crap. Besides, it really has not taken me long to fill it with my passions and curiosity about life.

Many of my posts in the previous life of my blog followed the misadventures of my online dating experiences and for the most part I think I learned at that time that I am simply looking for something very different than I can find in that world and thus, with the exception of another brief attempt with eharmony, have decided romance works best when you can see what they are over time rather than in 200 words or less.

The pathway to finally choosing to follow my passions came about through a very active online social group. As much as the online dating thing has failed me, the online friending thing has been very successful and I have met quite a few amazing friends through it. Though, I am very active in it (big suprise, I handle most of the wine events), for the most part (as many in the group do) I have tried keep much of my life not directly tied to the group, out of the group given the large numbers of miscreants and characters in the group. This includes the dating side of the world. Though many in the group seem to try and some seem to succeed (I know of two marriages and two additional engagements in the past year, year and a half), many others seem destined for disaster and for some reason I have ended up as psychotherapist over a glass of wine in many of the trainwrecks. I will admit that part of the dating hesitation is that I do not want to be referred to as cheap, boring or bad in bed. Nevertheless, I enjoy the camradire.

I have downsized on the house thing and now live in more city center instead of the middle of nowhere. The house is still under my ownership five months after moving in mostly because I am still getting rid of stuff. Arrrrrghhh!!! Nevertheless, the new place is nicely situated among many winebars in the area and this keeps me happy.

I am still traveling as much as I can though much of my traveling in the next few years will be wine education or just wine related. I am taking about 21 people up to Northern California in a few weeks (up from seven last year) for a wine tasting festival. Mid-march, early May, and the first half of June will find me in Denver and Dallas for wine coursework/certification exams. Lets see.... previous Scuba Certification, Wine Certification.... I wonder if I will try to start the world's first underwater wine bar?

This should suffice for now.... More later.

Cheers Y'all!
Whoever is still around anyhow.

Blake needs...

2005-10-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

I know I have not posted in a long while and it is likely this will never be seen by anyone but spammers but I am in a blah mood at work so.... OK, I have googlized myself a bit by copying friends looking up “Blake Needs”. It is wonderful to have a first name as a last name as it makes for interesting googlism considering that my first name is the last name of a well-known actor/murderer, professional football player, professional hockey player, a poet, and evidently a zany British politician (I think that is where some of these came from anyhow). My thoughts on the matter are in ( )

Blake needs a new lawyer (Yes well… the first one kept insisting I plead innocent… Where is the fun in that?)
Blake needs help (Well, Duh!)
Blake needs to raise thousands of dollars (So I can get that new lawyer…)
Blake needs a lung transplant (Wahoo! )
Blake needs to breathe (This is why I need the lung transplant I suppose. )
Blake needs to “man up” (Ummm… This one kinda scares me…)
Blake needs a buddy (Won’t you be, could you be my buddy, I mean neighbor. )
Blake needs to work on his ball handling (Ummmm…)
Blake needs Gus to find the killer (So there will be no need for a new lawyer? )
Blake needs to shoot more (I suppose I need to take action when I find the killer)
Blake needs a vacation (Double Duh! )
Blake needs to relax (Plan on that during vacation)
Blake needs a drink or two (Just two? )
Blake needs alchohol (Yes… It helps me spelle welle)
Blake needs a kegger for next week (Party! Party! )
Blake needs to isolate himself from drugs (Nooooo!! )
Blake needs some tweaking (I thought I needed to stay away from drugs? )
Blake needs a home (Will you adopt me? )
Blake needs directions (Tell me where I live again? )
Blake needs you now! (Yes, help me find my home. )
Blake needs to feel wanted (Don’t leave me! )
Blake needs a man in her life (Funny, I don’t remember having a sex change)
Blake needs to put on some clothes (This is how I get that man in my life? )
Blake needs a hat (My definition of clothes? )
Blake needs Matthew back (Is Matt my man? )
Blake needs a date (Good thing I am wearing that hat)
Blake needs to be slapped (I guess I am not very proper at my date getting techniques)
Blake needs a Stepford Wife (Ummmm…. Did I reverse the sex change now? )
Blake needs more action (Yep, a Stepford Wife is not enough for this man who was a woman and now is a man again. )
Blake needs to keep speaking his mind (I dunno, I may end up getting even less action. )
Blake needs to keep his mouth shut (Huh? Which is it? )
Blake needs to use his brain (To speak my mind and keep my mouth shut at the same time evidently)
Blake needs a job (Nah, limits the time I have for action)
Blake needs money (Probably would help me get more action)
Blake needs to make bail (This is why I need money? )
Blake needs one too (Ummmm…. One what? )
Blake needs to be replaced (Yup, this model is too needy)
Blake needs to receive a full psychological evaluation (I can tell you how this would turn out and it is not good! )
Blake needs a character witness (For more proof of insanity? )
Blake needs their help to combat the Federation (Yup, I need to save the world from department stores… oops that is Federated. )
Blake needs to be an offensive threat (So I can be more combative? )
Blake needs to pay for his crimes (The crime of being offensive, I assume)

I Question, Therefore I Am!

2005-08-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

An odd twist on Decartes perhaps, but I am beginning to appreciate the twist again! Growing up I would sometimes manage to find the right answer to the questions posed by the teacher. Given that I thought math was hard but fascinating, I would be very excited to get a right answer in this realm and be beaming with pride only to hear the teacher exclaim "You did it wrong!" I would slink back to my seat ashamed and sometimes, not yet being the manly stud I am now, start crying. I could not really understand how I got a right answer wrong. I still can't.

I am not sure if my somewhat shy demeanor with respect to many of my ideas was a result but I cannot help but wonder if it has led me to hide away my inquisitive nature. I seemed to have long since really taken the time to be curious about much of anything anymore save the questions 'Why don't I have that?' or 'Why am I the one single?' As such, I feel as if I am leaping into something mindless in an effort to keep up and have everything. For whatever reason, it is seeming obvious to me that no matter what I gain, it will never be enough and I am seemingly getting more unhappy with life despite more and more accumulation.

It seems time to gain something else I seem to have lost so long ago because I 'did it wrong!' It is time to be curious again and as such discover what the longings of my heart and soul truly are.
With this I start 'In Vino Veritas', A Socrate's Cafe of sorts in a blog. I ran across a few books by Christopher Phillips on the idea of 'philosophy for the masses' gathering and thought it would be intriguing to apply it to a blog. A question will be posed in the blog topic. Please comment on the question posed with the following things in mind: Really read what others have to say and respect where the thoughts may be coming from (i.e. disagreement is expected but put-downs and browbeating are trash canned.), try and support your answers with specific examples from your experience, and understand that consensus on ideas is not the point here.... rather an understanding of the possibilities becomes important. It should be noted that from Phillips' experience many of these real world discussions he has facilitated have led to yet more questions.

I will admit that I feel a bit odd about this new blog but look forward to it with cautious and curious excitement with respect to what it may bring.

Question on!

Remember: In Vino Veritas! :)

Note: This will be repeated as the first topic on the new blog.

He Who Dies With the Most Toys Wins!

2005-08-14T15:46:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm... I wonder what it is they win. A cupie doll perhaps?
Win or not, they are still dead and though this is always considered a joke, it always seems as if this is how life is anyhow. I have been quiet for quite some time simply thinking, mostly about this concept of winning and how it applies to me. Realistically, I should be happy, if not ecstatic about my life. I am paid very very well, have the opportunity to enjoy most anything I could ever imagine, and enjoy it with wonderful people, but still I feel less than satisfied with pretty much everything. After watching the crowds in Las Vegas over July 4th, some pretending to be far more than they were, some on the brink of disaster but hiding it as best they can, and others just lost in false hope, I came back with the question on my mind 'What is winning and what am I trying to win anyhow?'. I have been to Vegas many many times and always see this (as I am sure most do) but for some reason it affected me much more this time.

So where am I now? Everywhere and nowhere it seems. There does not really seem to be a clear answer to what this winning thing is, only that I really do not want to do it anymore at least in the way I see it considered in the world outside little ole' me. I consider myself quite successful in most respects so winning is not the issue anymore. For the longest time I have been talking myself in and out of a nice convertible toy sports car that I have a hard time admitting would only be for appearance anyhow. I have been up for promotion for years only to have a company buyout, company reorganization, or basic corporate politics delay it. In the mean time, I have enjoyed nice vacations, wonderful wines, good friends to share it with and moments like this to reflect on life, the universe and everything. I still do not know what winning is, but I think I have gotten more than just a cupie doll out of life anyhow.

I saw "The Island" last night and though it was typical Hollywood in its limited creativity and overzealous product placement, I did find the correlations to my current state of thoughts. Winning the lottery, as evident by the trailers, is something that you do NOT want to do, even though it is seen by the participants as paradise. Questioning this allowed for a sense of escape for those trapped by this illusion. Though just general Hollywood mumbo jumbo, I wonder how much of this mirrors reality. I have gotten myself lost in questions and philosophy, not necessarily to find any particular answers, but to discover what really are the goals, desires, wants and needs of my spirit and very soul, rather than what it is in myself that may make the world happy. This is seemingly nearly impossible for me but needs to be done from my view is required for sanity and a life that truly has a sense of meaning.

The jury is still out on my fortitude regarding this but perhaps I will at least post more now that my thoughts are flowing in some direction again. At the very least, it will give you something to read so you can stop pestering me as far as how quiet I have been. Thanks for the pestering, BTW, as it is nice to know I am loved!

So now step right up and try your luck..... A winner every time, folks!

Cheers!

Dating is complicated, Match is just plain silly!

2005-06-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

Match.com has gotten interesting again. I am getting more responses to my responses already, but they are generally of the type.

“Thanks for the email, your email and profile were very creative. You are a very eloquent writer and appear to be a very interesting person. However, we are just not a match.”

Ummm… thanks, I think. I appreciate that they have taken the time to respond back of course, but I am always tempted to respond back in the following manner (keeping in mind of course that it is in amused jest… not bitterness, cuz me is never bitter! Heh heh):

“Thank you for responding back. So you are more interested in morons instead of a creative, eloquent, and intelligent dude, eh? Personally I am more interested in those less-on types, but that is just the gentleman I am! Heh heh

Cheers!”

I have looked at far too many ads to take much seriously on Match anymore so I have decided to change my personal yet again to play on much of what I tend to be seeing. I will keep the disclaimer of course.

Matches are good, lighters are better!

There must be chemistry, but there must also be physics, biology, geology, math, and applied statistics. After all they are sciences too! Granted meteorology just doesn’t count as meteorologists are just too much of an odd lot anyhow. Be warned, I am a guy who likes to play games. My favorites include various board games, hop scotch, golf, and Doctor.

I might be Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now. The only thing I am sure of is I am here now. Besides, I know a lot of lefties who you would leave out if you were only searching for Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now (And no, I am not a lucky lefty). So tell me where are you, here, there or everywhere?

My idols include, but are not limited to, Taz, Beaker, and Wile E. Coyote. I have been known to be adventurous from time to time and just finished my scuba certification. As I need something next to tackle, I decided to try this dating thing I hear so much about. I like sweets, have charms to keep the boogie monster away, and might be sensitive if kicked hard enough. I have been told I am funny looking, I mean look like I might be funny, I mean funny. Connection is very important to me as I really don’t think I could handle being around people who just fall apart anyhow. I love the art of spoiling which is probably why I always seem to forget my lunch on the kitchen counter every morning.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Disclaimer: As I know us human being types always have at least a little baggage some is acceptable. However, please limit your baggage to your carry-on, making sure it will fit securely in the overhead bins or underneath the seat in front of you. I appreciate your cooperation in this matter. I know you have a choice in who you date and I appreciate you choosing to date me this evening. I look forward to dating you in the future.

Granted the above is just a first draft. I will change/add to it a bit for awhile.

You say it’s my birthday, well it’s my birthday too yeah!

2005-06-29T09:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, I can get a bit scyzophrenic on my birthday, and I do as well. So I have gotten older and I will have to let you guess how old I have gotten now. I am noticing all the little balloon "punching bags" in my cube now. It seems there is a tradition of decorating cubicals for birthdays.

H reminded me that I can now officially run for president. I am working on getting my name on the ballot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for the next presidential election so I need your assistance when the petition passes by for my candidacy for the Wineaux Party nomination. Please sign it. I promise a bottle of wine on every table and a case in every garage. And remember, Ich bin ein Wein-o!

A Teal Green Weekend

2005-06-26T16:36:00.000-07:00

Just a few random thoughts as I am stuck at work on a Sunday after being stuck at work on a Saturday. In some ways I would really prefer to work on Saturday and Sunday and say have Thursday and Friday off. Why, because I think I would really get more stuff done. It is so peaceful here that I almost don't hate the client who is the reason I am here this weekend. I said ALMOST!!! No phones, no speakerphone meetings in the cubical next door where I could swear that at least one participant has an office on the freeway, no one gossiping about the latest affair, no one describing to someone else the fun of pregnancy and dilation, and NOTHING!

So while I am waiting for a few things to process, I am back to responding to match ads. I suppose I just love punishment. This time however, I am making my responses short and sweet. They are still thoughtful, silly, and more than three words, but I don't feel the need to be wordy anymore. I am really wanting to get back into where I think I could meet quality women anymore anyhow. Not that there are not plenty of those somewhere on match, but I think I come across better in person after saying a few things that I am truly excited about. So back to the volunteer type groups, the wine bars, the wine tasting clubs, and the like for me. I will take a warm-hearted gal with a glass of red wine in her hand any day!

Speaking of wine.... I want one now! Me wishes me stuff would be done now!

Bring on the straight jacket, I am officially certifiable!

2005-06-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

I am officially NAUI certified to go chase fish around! For the most part the trip was fantastic and as soon as I get back from the Fourth of July Vegas trip, I will put my hat in the ring for the SingleCruise’s after Thanksgiving cruise and look for reputable dive operators in Cozumel, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and the Keys. Wahoo and yay me!

The first dive was actually just a snorkel near the hotel. I have never worn a wet suit before and so the dive skills were interesting at first. I am a lot more buoyant with a wetsuit so well… let’s just say… Hi! Glad to meet ya! I’m Bob! Still with that finally taken into account it was fun to start with a bit of skin diving.

The second and third dives were out on the boat that afternoon. We went to a cove dubbed the ‘Aquarium’ to start. We were about 30 feet or so and went through the various mask clear and regulator recovery skills. It is a bit difficult to do these skills when you are underweight but all in all it went smoothly there until we just swam around and I began to rise a bit. I spent much of that dive fighting to keep down and even had people rising when they tried to help pull me down. Back on the surface, four more pounds were added and no problemo, dude! Visibility was stated at 30 feet but I and others really guessed it to be less than 20 feet so seeing a large amount of purty things just did not happen on this or the third dive.

A third dive started with a few navigation skills and then just a bit of swimming around chasing rays, angel fish, parrot fish and harassing a few seargent majors. I never did have respect for military authority I guess. J Given that there was more diving the next day there was not even a glass of wine in my hand that evening. I felt naked! :)

The fourth and fifth dives were out on the boat the next morning and we took an hour jaunt out to the dive sight on San Pedro Island. On the way over there were several dolphins playing race the boat and acting as our “guides”. Seals awaited us on these dives with the first one being our deep dive skill set.

Into the water and down the anchor line to 60 feet we went. It really did not feel exceptionally deep and this was when I was really very much at peace with the whole thing. Octopus, puffer fish, and seal fish were added to the chase list this time around, but as with the first two actual scuba dives, the multitude of rock fish were carefully avoided.

The last dive started with a simulation of a rescue of an unconscious diver from the bottom. My dive buddy was a reasonably big guy so getting him up from the bottom was a bit of a struggle. I did not seem to have to worry about ascending too fast anyhow. After that fun, we swam around and found a few more little creatures and had seals dart around us like F-16s. The emergency swimming ascent was somewhat anti-climatic because after that… Viola! Dives and classes were done!

And now I am back at work, today. Gee, yippee!

Santa Claus is a Big Fat Wino

2005-06-16T15:49:00.000-07:00

At least according to the ummm.... mathematical statistician (this amuses me for some reason) at the end if this article.

Boston, Boulder tops in pot smoking

Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On!

2005-06-14T21:36:00.000-07:00

Interesting to me anyhow!
There have been several major earthquakes up and down the confluence of the Pacific and Americas plates. OK, technically confluence is not quite what is happening but I like the word tonight so I will use it anyhow. Does this mean the world is about to end? I have opened my finest almond sparkling wine just in case. Suddenly I have this strange urge to rent Earthquake and not visit California! :)

Just remember that if the ground is a rockin', well.... ummmm... Good luck!

Life, OK, Talk to me about life… UPDATED

2005-06-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

I would like to say I have not posted in awhile because I have been insanely busy, but although the insane part may or may not be correct, I have just been my usual lazy self.

S finally decided that she was really not interested in anything other than platonic dating as she just has too many “issues” that include the ex though I find the possible concept highly amusing it makes about as much sense as she seems to. I was actually relieved to hear her say this as she was really not what I was looking for anyhow and now I am free to chase wine babes again! ;)

Disclaimer for future perspectives: As I know us human being types always have at least a little baggage some is acceptable. However, please limit your baggage to your carry-on, making sure it will fit securely in the overhead bins or underneath the seat in front of you. I appreciate your cooperation in this matter. I know you have a choice in who you date and I appreciate you choosing to date me this evening. I look forward to dating you in the future.

I am preparing for the scuba “final” this weekend. Technically it will be a vacation and as I have already done everything in the pool anyhow, I am not too concerned but I do tend to hate taking tests on vacation. Still, it should be fun.

The end of this month I turn 35 and although I suppose it is still not old I am not as excited I used to be about the birthday thing. It was fun to turn 7, but 7 times 5 does not seem to have the same ‘Wahoo’ ring to it!

I am looking forward to the Independence Day weekend escape to Las Vegas as there will be no tests, no meet the parents, and no worries. Instead this will be replaced by a few friends and a lot of trouble… ;) I mean a few friends and a nice ummm…. tea party.

_______________________________

OK, since I have been asked, the official celebration is June 29th though you are welcome to celebrate anytime you feel like celebrating. I do accept cash and give certificates, but wine is ALWAYS acceptable! :)

Philosophical Thought of the Day - Here lies Lester Moore. Four shots from a .44. No Les-no more.

2005-06-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

There seemed to be several troublemaking Lester Moore’s in the Old West as this appears on several tombstones in ghost towns throughout the West. I have only seen it in person at the tourist trap otherwise known as Boot Hill in ever-exciting Tombstone, AZ.

So why is this philosophical? Well it may not be too much so but the only time I was actually relaxed on the San Diego trip was walking around a small historical cemetery by myself (I think the last person buried there was buried in 1895). It was really more of a reflective relaxation based on the fact that I was surrounded by those who have already lived their lives, relaxed or not. Strange thing about cemeteries to me is there always seems to be stories of how others lived their lives, there struggles, their worries, their joys, there celebrations and so on…

While there lives have been lived, my life is being lived and I am still concerned about how I live it. I worry about most everything lately and I am even worrying about worrying. This is ridiculous to me of course and much of what I have been worrying about lately has steadily been resolving itself anyhow so I am actually finding something good in the silliness: self bemusement! Even the tooth issue that I mentioned that I worried about and mentioned in my previous was a result of silly worrying. I have been clenching my teeth in and out of my sleep a lot lately and shifted a filling a bit. A few days back to using the night-guard and all is fixed again with the dentist finding nothing.

The only thing really keeping me in worry mode is how things really are going with S. Not that things are going bad at all, just feel like I am spinning my wheels on this one lately.

I assume that I have a great life, no less, no more, but somehow I need to tell the part of me that worries about things this fact. I wonder if brut force works? :)

Hide, Seek, Sledge Hammer!

2005-06-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

OK, I found something amusing today as well. I think I average between 5 and 6 hours of sleep a night. This is hardly enough and I really need to work on changing this fact. Clocky is amusing, but what I think I need is a ‘Stop dilly-dallying and get to bed already!’

Of course, Clocky evidently has multiple personalities so my alarm clock and I can be psychzophrenic together and so can I.....

Idea for getting the inlaws to go home?

2005-05-31T09:57:00.000-07:00

Although I ran across this amusing article today, I am generally unamused this morning probably because I am back at work after a brief escape of a vacation that was not quite as relaxing as I would like. I did enjoy the wine as always (I am not sure when I would not though), but the food poisoning incident and toothache that will probably lead to another fun experience at the dentist did not really make this trip the pinnacle of relaxation.

Meeting the parents was really not too bad though I did not score too many points initially by not calling her back after the winery trip until late, mostly because I was enjoying the food poisoning incident at that time. Her parents were pleasant but very quiet and her dad actually seemed very nervous at times for whatever reason. This I found odd because I felt the nervous part should be my job unless there was something to hide. :)

Anyhow, I think I survived it and actually feel better now that I have complained. Funny how complaining to the world makes it all better somehow. :)

And now to the article that amused me...

Man sets fire in own home to get rid of guests

Associated Press
May. 31, 2005 08:05 AM

GENEVA, Ill. - Some people will do just about anything to get unwanted house guests to leave. But police say Dean Craig went too far.

Craig, 46, was charged with felony arson after allegedly splashing rubbing alcohol on the floor of his home and igniting it with a lighter early Sunday, the Kane County Sheriff's office said.

Nobody was injured. Police say Craig had asked two unwanted visitors to leave, but they refused. Then he allegedly carried out a threat to light the house on fire.

Craig was being held on $25,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 9.

Wineaux Dude tries to be vain... and fails! - UPDATED

2005-05-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

This article reminded me of something I wanted to do and talked about with H a few months back. I debated it, decided it would not be too wise, and planned to go ahead with the idea when I got the next car anyhow.

So today, I try and get my car license plate changed to WINEAX, thinking this would not be too offensive or misleading or the like. Its only real vice in my mind is I would likely automatically be given the standard drunk test anytime I was pulled over. Alas, it is not acceptable and I will not be able to have it so it appears.

On the other hand, there could be just something odd with the system as it says it is available on a search, but not available when I actually try to order it. Me is boggled, but I am now considering changing my plate to C2H5OH

Hmmm.... Nevermind, the Motor Vehicle Division seems to be having a wine tasting of their own and the system just seems messed up.

Wine Quote of the Week

2005-05-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

"In water one sees one's own face; But in wine, one beholds the heart of another."
An Old French proverb

Conversations with S involving the simple question, "Why wine?" are sometimes hard to answer given that it seems to be simply a part of me, my past, my present, and my future. However, the quote above does seem to say something to me in an answer to "Why wine?". Like all things, there can be too much of a good thing, but a glass or two of wine seems to put me in the proper mood to really take a look at others and converse in such a manner to see through the walls. Granted it helps if they have partaken as well of course. Of course it could be that people are not interesting without a bit of wine, but oh well.

Too much, on the other hand, and I simply end up the happy drunk who just likes to make friends and not really care who I am making friends with. This is often not a good thing!

Meet the Parents: San Diego

2005-05-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

Nearly two months ago I decided I need to get away for Memorial Day and end up in San Diego. I figured it would be a good opportunity to sit and people watch in the Gaslamp District while sipping a glass or two or... of wine. It would also be an opportunity to see what the Temecula wineries have to offer lately and visit some friends in Irvine without actually having to set foot in Lost Angels, I mean Los Angeles.

Enter an interesting occurrence. Match.com actually has a few good ones from time to time and it appears I have been lucky enough to find one of them goodens.
As ummmm... luck would have it she is originally from San Diego so naturally she has decided to visit her family Memorial Day weekend and meet up with me on Memorial Day to show me around and head back to the airport that day. As such, it was suggested yesterday evening that I will probably end up meeting her parents during my visit. S was also curious how I would react to this likelihood.

I am honestly not overly concerned about it though it just seems and odd thing to do at this point for two reasons: First, I have been dating her about a month and things have only really turned serious the past week/week and a half or so and my instinct-o-meter tells me that is just a bit premature. Second, I am in desperate need of even just a mini-vacation and for some reason I am not sure I will find that relaxing because she indicated her parents are very quiet, more so that she is and as a result I will most certainly be the noisiest/most talkative person in the room. Those who know me understand that in general I am very quiet in new situations unless there is wine around and given that they do not drink (i.e. I am not really comfortable doing so initially either) this could be one of those 'Is that a cricket in the background conversations'.

There are some good things though. The parents of S are very laid back and accepting. I am not sure I could call myself every parent's nightmare anyhow and so long as they are not concerned that I am not Chinese all is well. I could try an impress with what little Chinese I can still recall from a class a few years back, but given that my pronunciation is terrible, I do not want to greet them with 'May a tiger eat your genitals'.

I am impressed that S seems to be steadily enjoying wine tastings as she has gone from none, to ones I have put together at a wine bar with her, to her first official one last night. Tonight is Star Wars. Not exactly the most romantic of movies I would imagine, but perhaps she will need protecting. ;)

Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Freedom for the Grapes!

2005-05-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

The ruling came a month earlier than expected. I will soon be able to order that bottle of 1947 Latour if I so desired and nothing can stop me…. Ummm…. except the price anyhow. But I can also get the small stuff I find on my trips without having to play games. I don’t have any plans to have wine shipped to me while it sits in a truck in the wonderful Arizona summer heat, anyhow. It will take awhile for this to work itself out given oddity that is the Arizona State Legislature anyhow. Nevertheless, I plan on doing a victory toast somewhere tonight anyhow!

I will of course toast the beverage wholesale distributors as well. No longer can you tell me what to drink! Nah nah nah nah! You lose, I win! OK, I suppose it is dangerous to gloat too much but I am so incredibly happy now it is almost silly! No, it is silly but I don’t care either!

Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance!

The Grapes are Free! They are free!

Wine Recommendation of the Week

2005-05-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

Winery: McKenzie-Mueller

Varietal: Cabernet Franc

Region: Napa Valley

Tasting Notes:

Cabernet Francs can range from fruity and acidic, like the Garnacha mentioned in a previous post, to a richer earthy sensual experience exploding with chocolate, cherry, and apricot; continuing with a tannic interlude that warms the very soul; and culminating in a myriad of exotic spices and a very happy me!

If you are more budget-minded the Buttonwood version will do nicely, but the Cabernet Franc mentioned above is my favorite example of the above explosion, interlude, and culmination. It is pretty strong on the chocolate and cherry and is a much better option than mere chocolate-covered cherries of course. This has a very powerful nose of cherry and spice, though you might detect chocolate and tobacco if you have a really good nose for subtler aromas. The interlude is not as tannic as a standard Cabernet Franc, making it a softer drinking wine. Instead you get an earthy/tannin combination that is very soothing. Then the spices! I have never quite been able to pull the spices all apart, but there is definitely vanilla and pepper though licorice seems to be there sometimes as well.

This might be a very good wine with a dark (not milk!) chocolate so keep some around if you want to play chocolate and wine. I am told this sometimes can lead to playing doctor, but I digress. :) Pasta dishes should go fairly well with this wine I am told, so I shall have to experiment on that one. You could do a number of cheeses with this, but I have tried it with blues/gorgonzolas/Maytag Blue and loved it!

It retails for about $28.

Wine Quote of the Week

2005-05-11T14:35:00.000-07:00

Yet another in my shameless attempts to bring wine into the conversation. Please welcome the first of the 'Wine Quotes of the Week'!

"A bottle of wine begs to be shared; I have never met a miserly wine lover." --- Clifton Fadiman

San Carlos or Splashdown!

2005-05-11T09:37:00.000-07:00

The classroom and pool sessions are now officially over and I can now look forward to getting in the ocean for real-like. Pretty much everything has been done in the pool at least two to three times with the exception of the unconscious diver rescue techniques (done once) so I am pretty comfortable with what I shall face in the open water. I have enjoyed the experience so far though I am not always really excited about being constantly in a testing environment. It will be nice to do some actual diving and exploring without it being an exam. I am still planning on Labor Day weekend in the Florida Keys with a few more experienced divers though I need to actually put that into a plan in the next few days or so from what I am told.

As much as I enjoyed it so far, I have found I don’t like being committed to something in the evenings after work and the pool can get quite dull after awhile. I am not sure anyone can be in awe of the underwater view of white plaster too much anyhow.

I suppose the only other surprise was the fact that the class started with seven people and ended with three. Not that it was the easiest thing I have ever attempted but it was hardly the most difficult either (He says this without having tried the open water part yet, of course). I enjoyed just hanging out at the bottom the most and liked the emergency swimming ascent the least. I suppose there is something about slowly letting my breath out in the fact that I am not good at it yet. I tend to let it escape way too quickly and this makes the emergency swimming ascent kinda ummmm…. uncomfortable about halfway through. The good news on this is that the emergency swimming ascent test in the open water is half as deep (15 feet up versus 30 feet across the bottom of the pool).

Anyhow, hopefully you will all be able to do a toast with me on the evening of June 19th. I will either be a happy certified scuba dude or a frustrated annoyed dude in need of a drink. Either way, I need some drinking support!

San Carlos here I come!

Match.Com Final Analysis - So Long And Thanks For All The Fish!

2005-05-09T16:01:00.000-07:00

Yes, I still do exist. I could say I have been very busy with things but as far as the blog goes anyhow, I have just been lazy actually.

So the Match.com experiment has officially ended. What were the results? Well, I do admit I never really did try exceptionally hard as I think in total I sent out about 60 to 70 emails and although the initial response rate was not too bad in my opinion (somewhere around 15%), I only did ever date three women, two past a second date, and one seriously. In general, I found it very hard to have something to say back as there was little said in the actual profile. There were plenty of pretty pictures to look at of course, but not much else.

There were three basic plans of attack so to speak in my responses. The first was a general playful and silly response that somewhat followed my profile and though I try to focus on them, it became hard after awhile and I somewhat felt I was creating a form letter response. I would say this was the most successful in terms of responses but I did this a lot initially when I had the energy to do so and as a result I can only speculate that this really was the most “successful”. This led to two of the actual dating situations.

The second was to establish some connection based on some mutual interest and add a bit of playfulness to this connection. This had no success and would lead me to believe that there is no desire to find your “other half” in the match.com community based on interests. Of course, I am not that pessimistic. :) I probably did not try this approach enough. Besides, at least among women, my primary stated interest of guzzling wine, does not really appear to be very unique.

The third approach was to establish what amounted to a bit of an esoteric philosophical/intellectual/emotional connection through a response. I would say this would be impossible on Match.com, but managed to actually do it once and only once as her profile actually said enough for me to respond in such a manner. On a response to success (not sure how to define that) basis, I suppose this would be the most successful and have been actually very surprised to run across this opportunity.

This above situation is still developing and has gotten to a point where I am happy to say to Match.com, buh bye! On the other hand, it has been something very slow developing until the past weekend. I always seem to find the quiet, shy, reserved challenges anyhow! Oh well. I suppose there will be more to come on this situation though I find it odd to have no problem talking about the world around me with a supposedly quiet, reserved person on dates that have been as long as ten hours (trip out of town to a Vivaldi concert in the middle of nowhere).

Easily Amused Wineaux - Achoo!

2005-04-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

I was in an organic foods type grocery store when I picked up a bottle of natural remedy allergy medicine. On the back it had this warning:

In rare cases, nettle may cause allergic reaction to those individuals who may have allergies.

Ummmm…. Now that is some good medicine! An allergy medicine that promotes or enhances allergic reactions has got to be good! Granted the reaction rate is about 0.2% but it still amused me anyhow.

In other news, I am way behind on my blogging with updates on Scuba and my dating misadventures. I will do my best to blog that so my adoring fans can live vicariously through me as requested.

Lions and Tigers and Wine, Oh My! Huh?

2005-04-15T14:19:00.000-07:00

In the latest attempt to try and bring tourists to Misery, I mean Missouri, you can now feed tigers as part of a wine tasting tour. I am not clear on whether you feed the tigers first and then taste wine or the other way around, but given the choice I am guessing it wiser to feed the tigers first lest they might end up with an extra “feeding”. Of course my personal choice would be to just double up the wine tasting and skip the tigers all together, but this is just me and my silly desire to avoid being eaten.

I wonder what wine goes best with “hands and arms stuck in tiger cage”?

Cry me an Elmo!

2005-04-14T12:21:00.000-07:00

I know I am hardly alone in the fact that I grew up on Sesame Street, but the latest incarnation of Sesame Street in Japan focuses on emotions and emotional conflict. I am wondering what memories will result from this change. While I will occasionally have “Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?” and “a loaf of bread, a stick of butter, a gallon of milk” pop into my head I can only speculate to what these memories might be. Maybe “Anger management, how do you permit contentment?” or “a bottle of antidepressants, a stick of chocolate, a gallon of coffee”

I also wonder what the other characters are going to be like? Are Bert and Ernie finally allowed to admit they’re gay? Does Cookie Monster become the Pokey Monster (or better yet, the Man Pokey Monster)? Does Oscar find his inner self and become Oscar the Gratified? Does Kermit the Frog focus only on news about the warmth a smile brings or commentary on the mind of a person who has just been betrayed?

It has begun…. Countdown to Swimming with the Fishies!

2005-04-13T11:13:00.000-07:00

Last night was the inaugural Scuba class at Oasis. Recent news regarding a good friend and a Scuba accident concerned me initially about my choice to jump into this but mostly because the timing, combined with a few other bad things happening to others around me led me to believe someone was trying to tell me something. It is not like I am superstitious or anything! J Nevertheless, seeing pictures of the little fishies got me excited again about putting a positive spin on the concept of “swimming with the fishes” although I am not up for swimming with the sharks just yet and besides I see enough of those around at the local bars anyhow. So what did Norm the Wineaux think of the first Scuba class?

Well, I got to sign my name on a lot of little pieces of paper to start so it did not initially hold too much excitement, but the videos were entertaining and the individuals (seven of us total) taking the class with me seemed to be a generally normal lot. Other than the videos and being shown the equipment it was somewhat dull but pool instruction is on Thursdays so I am looking forward to this Thursday. Oh, there was a quiz that I aced! I am so proud of myself! heh heh Nothing like a multiple choice answer quiz where the answers are already there anyhow.

Multiple choice tests seem to amuse me anymore. When I lived in Georgia I had to take the driver’s test to switch my AZ to a GA one. At the time, and I am sure they still do, they had these fancy-dandy computers that tested you. Evidently they unceremoniously shut off if you miss more than the allowed five questions. The lady next to me went up to the counter to complain that her computer was broken when they informed her of her test failure. However, she was convinced the computer was broken as she was only on question seven if memory serves me correctly. She was told she would have to wait a week to take the test, at which time she stormed out and drove away. I was done with the test during her argumentative state and had to wait for her to get done so I could finish the process. Needless to say, I was in no hurry to get on the road with her.

Norm, the wineaux goes for a swim!

2005-04-06T13:23:00.000-07:00

I am steadily getting more and more active and generally do not break much of a sweat with cardio workouts lately. Yesterday was exactly one week before I start the Scuba training so I decided to jump into a pool at a local park and start swimming. I only lasted about 20 minutes or so in the water before getting very tired and hungry. I think I have a lot of work to do there, but plenty of time to work on it anyhow.

To console myself for my poor water performance, I stopped by one of the wine bars near work. I might as well be Norm here with the exception that I pay my bill. The bartender generally has my wine poured before I make it to the bar. Last night there were evidently cancellations to the wine dinner they were having and the owner invited me to jump into one of the open spaces as his guest. I suppose there are advantages to spending way too much money at wine bars…. Or maybe I am just such a great guy. :) I did enjoy it tremendously though I will admit it probably did not do my attempt at reducing caloric intake much good.

Bachelorette Number Two, What kitchen appliance would you be and why?

2005-04-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

I have not put too much effort into the match.com thing as it really bored me very quick actually. Lots of pretty pics but empty people.
I do occasionally respond to one here and there, but given the multitude of emails that I am sure most women get, I am sure I get lost in the shuffle for most. I have never been much for ‘playing the numbers’ anyhow unless painting by the numbers is considered playing. Nevertheless, there have been two very lucky contestants that have moved to the next stage of the dating game, i.e. I am doing that phone talky thingy. Ladies and gentlemen meet Bachelorette Number One and Bachelorette Number Two.
Both are wise enough to have some value to wine and are fellow cat parents so several bonus points there.

Bachelorette Number One (B1) hails from/is originally from the Midwest and is an Accountant working on a graduate degree. She is an accomplished pianoist (shut up Beavis!) and appreciates good jazz, good wine, and the occasional ski weekend. She finds solitude in sitting under a willow tree while observing koi glide gracefully in the pond below. She would most describe herself as a bookshelf, an eclectic mix of books that fit the various facets of her personality and her adventures. Her most adventurous moment was jumping out of a perfectly good airplane for fun. She likes hanging out in jazz clubs with mysterious people.

Bachelorette Number Two(B2) hails from/is originally from Southern California and is an Environmental Engineer with one of those advanced degree things. She is an accomplished violinist and plays in a local symphony in her spare time. A balanced individual with very artistic and analytical interests, her creative spirit comes from looking at the world through many lenses. She most describes herself like a dinner table. Strong and sturdy in personality, she has various moods that change as appropriate to match the company as a tablecloth would match the occasion. Growing up with one parent who spoke Mandarin and one who spoke Cantonese, she is fluent in both Chinese dialects. Add Spanish, and of course English to the mix, and she can speak to a significant majority of the world surrounding her.

I will admit that B2 intrigues me more but B1 seems easier to chat with so who knows. I will probably try and see if I can grab a cup of coffee or wine with each next week, but for now I am just happy to chat with them on the phone at this point. Both are in the upper part of mid-twenties so they are younger than I would prefer and that may or may not show sometime, but for whatever reason they seem to fit those that I have ended up dating the last few years: Generally very edumacated with strong views on the world in front of them, some significant portion of them is very artistic (musically or literary), and they seem to be several years younger than I (though I would actually prefer older than myself).

Any questions from the audience for B1 or B2? :)

This just in…. Consuming Liquid Medication Pays for itself in One Brief Hour

2005-03-31T13:36:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to keep myself on the healthy straight and narrow again, but when I run into information like this, my mind wanders off to provide an excuse for my bad habits. I wonder if drinking wine for an hour could be considered taking medication for an hour? If so, all I need to do is drink wine all day and I will pretty much break even. Add in my exhaustive trips to the bathroom, and I might lose weight! Amazing what I can convince myself of, I mean learn, if I really put my mind to it. Of course, if I accidently eat one of these or a cup of this, all bets are off!

The Spice of Life! Cook on!

2005-03-30T14:47:00.000-07:00

There is a new very very welcome neighbor! Welcome to the neighborhood, Penzey's!
If you like your spices, well... spicy, this is the place to be. I am so excited now, I could just cook! Anyone hungry? Now if I can just get these guys to open up a shop nearby life would be just very peachy keen!

Taking the Plunge aka Time to Become Certifiable!

2005-03-25T16:05:00.000-07:00

The thought of Scuba diving has crossed my mind from time to time. Lately has been one of those times and a friend who did some Scuba diving in Australia offered to join me on my certification dives if I ever did decide to do it. So beginning the middle of next month, I will be on my way to being certifiable. Further posts may document this little adventure. For now, the class and the actual dive in San Carlos, Mexico are just something to look forward to for the future. Diving by day and Mexican wine by night! Wahoo!

I am not sure what to expect but something tells me I will learn that in the classroom. I even have to drop by a week ahead of the class to pick up my homework. It is a strange feeling when I am actually looking forward to homework! :)

Wine Recommendation for the Weekend

2005-03-17T09:59:00.000-07:00

Wine: Conundrum

Region: Napa, California

Varietal: Proprietary blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Muscat and Semillon

Tasting Notes:
The winemaker for this wine is actually a fellow University of Arizona Alum and yes good wine can be put together under the direction of desert folk. I will save the story for the link, but this is pretty much my favorite white. It is a proprietary blend rather than a single varietal so it usually comes out very balanced.

The nose is very strong on the citrus and apricot aromas. On the palate, honeysuckle, apricot, peach, pear, and citrus dominate and vanilla comes across at the finish when I have had it. It has a very thick, syrupy feel to it in the mouth but does not give the feeling of a sugar bomb and instead imparts a creamy, buttery sensation. It is easily the richest, fullest white wine I have ever had and would make a great wine to drink for the popcorn and movie night.

Drink this only slightly chilled and it is likely to go best with foods containing rich, creamy sauces, most any seafood, pork, and chicken (actually I think this would be great with a big bucket of fried chicken). I wonder if KFC would ever consider getting a wine/beer license? It would go well with any cheese that does not have a huge bite to it, so unless you have blue/gorgonzola, sharp cheddar or pepper jack you are probably fine.

Note that with a little green food coloring, this would be a much much much better alternative to green Budweiser!

Let the Madness Begin

2005-03-17T09:09:00.000-07:00

With both 'Zona and Georgia Tech in the Tournament, I am not going to get much done at work for awhile. This is also the time of year I get polite suggestions to take that Prozac I have been meaning to start on as more than a few 'Yippee' or 'Oh Shucks!' (Yeah... shucks, that's it!) are heard from my general teal cube direction.

Now where did the Ooooo... Ahhh.... Man go? For those of you who have not been blessed with some sort of Arizona game in Tucson, the Oooo Ahhh Man is some crazed fan who jumped onto the court sometime in the 80s wearing a red shirt with 'oooo' on the front and 'Ahhhh' on the back. He then seems to be able to get the entire crowd screaming Oooo of Ahhh digressing into Oooo... Ahhhh.... Anyone know if he is still down there?

Cheers! Go 'Zona! Go Wreck!

Peace!

Happy Happy Pi Day!

2005-03-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

It is the 5th annual Pi Day at work. I work with a smattering of statistian/math people who happen to like to eat as well. So to be nice I suffer through this day and eat pie with them. If I have to explain the reasoning for the day, you are just not geeky enough to be in my presence!
Anyhow, happy Pi Day, y'all.

I cannot think of a good number that would correlate to a meteorologist's point of view, but I think a Cotton Candy Day is needed to celebrate the glory of clouds and a Snow Cone Day is needed to celebrate the glory of snow and hail!

Relax! It is now Okay to fly!

2005-03-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

The first flight by a private airline in China during the Communist era has been completed. Okay Airlines flew from Tianjin to Kunming today. Now that it is OK to fly in China, I wonder if Snafu Airways is next?

Feed Me! Now! bang

2005-03-10T10:24:00.001-07:00

Generally my cats are very demanding when they are hungry. I would say this sometimes backfires on them as it annoys me if I am not in a good mood and I wait a bit longer. On the otherhand, I am glad I do not own a gun or else they might backfire me. See this.

Have we rolled our dice today?

2005-03-09T09:33:00.000-07:00

OK,
I found this on DC's blog who found it on Jesster's blog so I am a copy-cat, but anything that describes me as evil is strangely fun for me...

Take the quiz at dicepool.com

Muhahahaa!!

Wine is Heaven AND Hell

2005-03-09T09:23:00.000-07:00

I am running way behind in my blogging lately….

Nonetheless, the weekend was a good escape and I can say that I am up to at least 60% or so now, a big improvement actually. I seem to have a knack for finding wine festivals without even thinking about it or knowing about it (at least not in the self-aware sense). This is not too good a skill when I really just want to get away and bike on roads but it did add to the fun in reality. I only did a 20 mile jaunt as I discovered I am both out of shape and unwilling to dodge cars too much. From what I understand though, only nearly getting hit every 10 miles or so is not too bad. I got to hear a few ‘curse the tourists in cars’ stories by some local cyclers while I was breaking for lunch.

So what do I decide to do next? Become a cursed tourist in a car of course. As I said, I had happened upon one of the largest festivals up there, the annual barrel tasting. I was told that there were over 100 wineries participating but unless I could find a cheap taxi, I was not willing to try all 100. I stopped to relax and have oysters and sparkling wine and visited a very few wineries before deciding it was a bit crowded. Dinner in Healdsburg was actually some very good Thai though I wish I could really get them to spice things up. No one ever takes me seriously that I like things hot. There was some nightlife, but for the most part I just sat and people watched.

The next day I started out a bit early on the recommendation of several wineries and avoided crowds. This was much more the way to do it and I never seem to have a problem drinking wine at 10am so off I went. The wine, as expected, was a bit on the pricey side but very good nonetheless. Barrel tasting in general is a unique experience. The wine is still in its childhood and one never knows if it will get that Ivy League scholarship and become the next great world leader or just drop out and surf the California coast all day but it is enjoyable to be able to know all stages of the wine.

Some of the wineries do a few things to stand out. Yes, it is just marketing, but making wine tasting a playful, fun experience as opposed to a snobby, holier than thou experience is something I respect and find endearing. One winery tried a Mardi Gras theme with beads, gumbo, silly hats, and label stickers (cheap advertisement I guess) and my favorite idea was the heaven/hell theme at Armida. The Chardonnay barrel tasting was in one room designed as Heaven while the Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel barrels were in Hell. They obviously had a lot more fun with the Hell concept complete with a chain and skull entrance, heavy industrial music, ‘Night of the Living Dead’ playing on a television, the standard fake blood/gore, and disco lights (disco was hell, right?). The general tasting room did not have the standard elevator music but instead played a good mix of 80s punk. Granted, looking at the pictures of the owners, it is obvious they did not do the marketing. Nevertheless, it is worth checking out during a festival as I was told they only have this set up during the various festivals. Next time I will have to stop and play bocce though.

There is something else I discovered on the trip as well. Wine Math! As I am limited to a case of wine checked in, I figured I would only be able to carry about 18 bottles total (one checked case, three bottles in checked luggage, three bottles in carryon (note that I would be limited to six here if I could fit them)) and counted as I went along. When I got home I managed 20 bottles. Lucky me!

The oddest thing about the trip was the feeling that I felt like I was home in a way. I am not sure that I ever want to admit that I would be at home in Northern California, but it certainly encouraged the developing thought of finally up and leaving Phoenix for new adventures. I will just have to see what opportunities open up ahead or at the very least what opportunities I can open up in my searching.

Anyone interested in the event next year? Take a look at the Russian River Wine Road.

Wine Recommendation for the Weekend

2005-03-04T13:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry, all....
Forgot to do this one as I am too eager to get out of here for the weekend. How about I recommend a little Mad Dog or T-bird this weekend? :)

I’m Off to Bike the Wineries, the Wonderful Wineries of Sonoma!

2005-03-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

At the moment, the coffee still has not kicked in and I still feel like I haven’t got a brain. Yes, I know it is already 9:30am but this is why I feel as such. Of course I am looking very forward to the weekend escape where I get to follow the Dry Creek Road on a bike.

Granted, I will not likely do more than one winery, if that, on the bike ride because I am thinking riding a bike on a road where there are cars containing wine tasters is mindless enough. I will try and hit two wineries after the bike trip and two wineries the next day. All of these wineries were chosen on the basis of their quirkiness and the unusual wine list so it ought to be fun to chat with these folks as well.

After that, I think I will just take a drive down River Road to the coast and have some oysters and then sit at Point Reyes and watch the waves. This trip may not be adventure at its wildest, but I need the unwind style of weekends sometimes too. Still, I look forward to celebrating a bit of anything.

Cheers and Salutations!

Musings from the Wine Bar of the Mind - Ya get what ya pay for! Oh really?

2005-03-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

I have often wondered what evil thought is behind the thinking that this should be a fact. Bargains in the physical and esoteric sense are not necessarily the lowest quality and that which is expensive either continues to be a drain or may be of less quality than something a bit less on the expensive side. It often seems that, at least with respect to wine, those who insist on buying only “the expensive stuff”, perhaps as an ego thing, close their minds to a great many other taste adventures. Oh well, a fool and his money are soon parted I suppose.

I only got to thinking about this little thought while sitting at a wine bar one night drinking my lowly cava. As I mentioned in a blog a short while back, I am not generally a fan of sparkling wines, but this style really appeals to me and is very inexpensive. A gal I was chatting with insisted that she could only drink true French Champagnes. Mind you there are some very good ones there but not until you get very pricey and then I am not sure the money spent works up to the “getting what you pay for” concept. It was her choice, of course, but the lack of a sense of “wine adventure” and closed thought somewhat bored me. I will drink my cava and spend the additional on finding something else great thank you.

Of course, this leads to wondering about other things that are bargains. True friends, at least the ones I have, cost me nothing really and I don’t think I can come up with anything more valuable at the moment. Granted, with everyone running around trying to be expensive anymore, it is hard to find those of true value. Other things that cost me nothing are the spectacular display of a thunderstorm, the brilliance of a desert sunset, the hungry paw batting at me at 4am (ok, this one I really don’t want but…), etc.

So what is expensive? From conversations I have had with others and conversations I have overheard at bars, divorces seem to be incredibly expensive. I have not had the pleasure, but from what I have seen the expense is both financial and emotional and very high sometimes. I don’t think I have really been told they are something good, either. So does one get what they are paying for here?

Of course, these are just observations and I know I myself have fallen into the trap of desiring the expensive toys without understanding if I am really getting what I am paying for. I still find myself wanting the expensive toy car, but the recent decision to work towards a move in both career and location has reminded me that the expensive toy car is an expense that I cannot afford right now. It would trap me where I am now and though I am not entirely sure where I really want to be, I know it is not where I am now. So my trusty (knocks on wood) 40+mpg Civic will be perfectly fine for the moment and probably work out good a bit into the future as well.

Interesting how thoughts blend together lately. In many ways I am glad I had that little chat with the gal at the wine bar. I still find I learn a lot from others even if I disagree with them entirely. Oddly confusing that even those who I see closed in their attitudes and thoughts can teach me a bit.

Cheers to ya all!

This doesn’t help!

2005-03-02T08:54:00.000-07:00

I will admit I am somewhat neurotic about flying sometimes. It is less a fear of flying and more of a fact that my body does not do turbulence too well. As such, I am generally fine with commercial jets, but really do not like turboprops. I get the joy of flying one once a year to get to the annual family reunion in Oregon. The trip from Portland to Bend crosses over the Cascades and can have more than a few bumps. I find the concept of looking out the window and seeing Mount Hood at eyelevel is both beautiful and disconcerting.

Why am I mentioning this? I am reconsidering my trip to Translyvania and might take something in more flexible so I can go during Labor Day weekend and not use up too many precious and dwindling vacation days. There might be enough left for the Thanksgiving cruise I was looking at after all if I change things around as well. So I can still claim to do Europe I thought about the Scottish Highlands.

The Scottish Highlands will give me that solitary side vacation I need every so often anyhow. Who knows, I may even stay in a haunted castle or lighthouse. I will do a few Scotch distilleries though. Oh, and yes, I will say hi to Nessie for you all.

So back to the plane thing… There were a few reasonable deals that did Phoenix to London on the standard 747 jet and then London to Inverness on a plane type I was not familiar with. I wanted to make sure it was not a turboprop! Googling a list of images I find this! OOPS! I suppose if you are going to do something stupid you might as well do it right. Still, it is probably best not to do it where you can get it on tape. Of course one of the pictures gives me great relief to know it is not a turboprop, but I am not really interested in flying this exact plane.

Just to add, I found this amusing in a way.

Zhuangzi influenced deep wine thoughts

2005-03-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

Ran across this on a Kory O's blog and thought I would try and find the phrase that I could use to get lucky. Turns out next time I am at a wine bar I should offer to buy a gal a drink and say 'Zhuangzi influenced deep wine thoughts' and according to google, I will get lucky.

Wish me luck!

Hold my breath!

2005-03-01T11:14:00.000-07:00

Hmmmmm....
AirNow is focused on Phoenix visibility today. Looks lovely!

Wineaux the Magic Dragon

2005-03-01T10:14:00.000-07:00

I had wine and cheese for dinner last night with a coworker and her dogs. These were the same dogs that I had over the weekend while a few coworkers went skiing this weekend. As dogs go, they are actually very mild mannered and my cats seemed to tolerate them being around. On the other hand, I could see the cats were relieved to have the dogs not in the house anymore. Still, I wish I had the time for a dog as they appear to be good women magnets. :)

They appear to work better than the pet iguana idea that someone told me about a few weeks ago. Somehow the concept of “ooooo… what a cute lizard, I hope his dad will take me home tonight” does not quite make sense to me. Although, maybe the guy wanted someone less attractive around to make him look better? Dunno, as the friend of mine never said anything about that. This individual even appeared to be the subject of the “That Guy” skit that a local radio station does. It basically pokes fun at the most lame of the male side of the coin.

Speaking of lizards, in other news Kory O emailed me about an upcoming special on Dragons. I really don’t know why anyone would think I would have an interest in dragons, of course. :) I suppose I have plenty of time to get cable or, more likely, find a friend with cable and offer some wine for the viewing/taping. I am not really much of a TV watcher though I try not to miss the ever sophisticated “Le Simpsons”.

Just other random thoughts of the morning involve what are evidently called mondegreens or misheard lyrics. A coworker of mine had the lyrics to Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” in her head because of the misheard lyric “Hold me close, Tony Danza” in place of “Hold me close, Tiny Dancer”. As such I could not resist but to find a place somewhere with a list of them. Here is a place where I found a slew of mondegreens.

Weekend, Weekend, where did thoust go?

2005-02-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

There are good things to the rains I suppose. Wildflowers are here! I will be unable to appreciate them for a few weeks as next weekend I am off to bike and wine, but the following week I should get the hiking boots back on. I actually miss doing it but I am not into mud and or just getting stuck taking a shower a few miles into a hike. Yeah, I know… WIMP!!! I have my limits I suppose. I am really really looking forward to this little trip this weekend though and will post the plans sometime today so that I can actually have a post lately.

It was nice this weekend finally as I had a chance to hit the RenFest again and watch the fools. It is better than watching the weeds in my yard anyhow and I am looking at a lot of exercise in the coming weeks! Wahoo! I need it as I keep eating and drinking while at the RenFest and not much else. I cannot seem to find any Dragon art or the like I would want around lately so maybe I need to find this Modern stuff again, perhaps something in Post-Industrial Hubcap?

I thought about taking a jaunt into the town to take a look at a protégé of Monet, Theodore Robinson but will try that out sometime in the coming weeks. I have always found impressionism a bit soothing so it is actually art I can appreciate. Note that I do not analyze or understand art, I simply appreciate it. Whatever the artist meant is of less importance to me than the emotions and feelings I get by seeing it so there! If there are any Phoenix-areaites interested in joining me for the jaunt, let me know.

Coming soon to a theater surrounded by geeks, I mean those-too-smart-to-be-understood, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy!!! I know that Rawdog is already planning a midnight grouping so if any of my fellow not-understood-Phoenix-areaites are interested, just let me know as well.

Wine Recommendation for the Weekend

2005-02-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

Note: I have only had this once (last Saturday at Cowboy Ciao’s at $6 a glass) but it really did impress me. I have intended to drop in again and actually taste it for tasting note purposes but it has been a strangely busy week after work so far. I will try and do so tonight and update you all. Granted, if I knew my date was not going to show up on Monday, I would have been able to re-taste the nice little Spanish sparkler. Women! Arrrghh!! :D

Wine:
Suite de Gramona

Origin:
Penedes, Spain

This is a wonderful side trip from Barcelona and the train system is excellent. The trip is less than an hour by train and there are wonderful rolling hills covered by vines along the way. Taxis (often with English speaking drivers) are readily available in Villafranca de Penedes and will take you to any of the wineries in the area. Most cava actually comes from the nearby town of Sant Sadurni d’Anoia and the train stops there as well. It is a much smaller town but I am guessing the taxi situation is similar there. There are lots of Bodegas (wine shops) in both towns but as I was there only a for a brief time before a cruise, I did not get a chance to try them out. Tell me what they are like if you visit.

Varietal:
Cava (Spanish Sparkling Wine)

This is a true cava made from an equal blend of three native Spanish grapes: Xarello, Macabeo and Parellada.

Tasting Notes:

Random tasting note I liked.
In a blind tasting, held by our distributor, this Spanish sparkling wine totally blew away NV Veuve Clicquot and Chandon’s White Star. There is some earth and toast on the nose. It has a fetching satin mouthfeel. The flavors are long, not bone dry and utterly agreeable.

DragonStormInAZ
This is about an $18 bottle of cava compared to the neighborhood of $45 to $50 for the other two true Champagnes listed above. Can one really prefer one bottle over three good ones?

This nice little sparkler has a very pleasant nutty (maybe walnut/pecan) and green apple nose. This is surprising given that the carbonation usually hides much of the nose in a sparkling wine, but it hints at what is to come.

This cava is fuller and sweeter than any other cava I have ever run across and is the best sparkler I have had, though this is the opinion of someone who does not really drink sparkling wine much. Understand that it is still dry as most cavas are but it has enough sugar for the flavors to linger very nicely. The flavor makes me think of breakfast though this is not something I could use to make mimosas with as it is very good on its own. A bit toasty and nutty at first and fruit, mostly green apple with a bit of citrus comes through soon afterwards and lingers through a long finish. There is absolutely no metallic aftertaste in this one.

I am thinking I need to try this again tonight and I will be putting in an order for a few cases when I find a wine shop that can get it.

It’s Raining Pineapples!

2005-02-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

Strange but even this former meteorologist is really tired of seeing rain! A bit of a break for most of yesterday and some of today and the rain is back this evening. On average most places around Phoenix end up with somewhere between 8 and 10 inches of rain a year with the suburbs getting closer to 10 inches for various reasons (terrain, less of the urban heat island, etc). Around me personal weather stations are registering nearly 7 inches for the year already. I would have an exact idea on my location if my weather station was up but laziness has put it out of order for quite awhile.

The unofficial term for these storm systems is the Pineapple Express given that they are warm wet Pacific systems that stretch from Hawaii to British Columbia and meteorologists have to give things colorful names to make up for the not so colorful stuff (Navier-Stokes Equation, Quasi-Geostrophic Winds, Pseudo-Adiabatic Diagrams, etc.). Sometimes they will help keep Southern California and Arizona wet as well. Unfortunately because they are warm systems, the snowpack does not build up and the rain goes to closing bridges and creating lots of green stuff around, including weeds.

I think I am going to be busy for several weekends in March/April as it is, but I need my exercise anyhow, right? At this point I am honestly not sure if I live in Arizona or in the Midwest as everything looks grassland like and the only reminder is the mountains and the rather out of place looking cacti. Just thought I would ramble on about the rain today since there appears to be a bit of a break in it finally.

There are a few systems still out in the Pacific that do not appear to follow the Pineapple Express path but are still going to help out my weed garden anyhow. Oh well. Now, I am off to plant my pineapple tree!

Sneaky kid

2005-02-21T00:08:00.000-07:00

For whatever reason I feel the need to post something. Granted I have a lot of thoughts bouncing around but I just have been too lazy lately I suppose. I have tried to spruce up the blog with a few other blogs and links of interest, but in general I hope to get back to true blogging soon with ever so interesting topics that include my planned wine/cycling excursion, interesting discussions overheard over wine and whatever else just happens about. Until then you get to see the woman in my life. When she is not trying to wake me up at 4am or ambush the other "kid", she likes to hide under things. In this case it was the packaging to my order of Pensey's spices.
Cheers!

Weekend Wine Recommendation

2005-02-17T12:48:00.000-07:00

Wine:
Las Rocas de San Alejandro 2002 Garnacha

Origin:
Spain

Varietal:
Garnacha (Grenache)

Tasting Notes:
Robert Parker:
"The 2002 Garnacha is fashioned from 75-year old Grenache vines planted on pure slate. Sixty percent was aged in tank, and 40% in neutral wood foudres. There are 20,000 cases of this offering, which may be the greatest wine value I have ever tasted. Deep ruby/purple-colored, with a gorgeous nose of kirsch liqueur intermixed with melted licorice and white flowers, this deep, medium to full-bodied, fruit-driven, sumptuously-textured 2002 is loaded. It should drink well for 3-4 years, possibly longer."

DragonStormInAZ:
OK, I get the licorice and this one is very fruit driven with powerful overtones of strawberry, cherry and plum at the finish. However, I have no idea what kirsch liqueur is so don’t ask me what Robert Parker is talking about. Generally I disagree with him anyhow so this wine is an odd exception.

I like to think of tastes and flavors from my childhood when describing a wine so as not to get too serious about it. The first time I tried this wine, I thought ‘Flintstone’s Vitamins!’ I loved those things and remember my parents having to hide the bottle from me because I kept eating them! Anyhow, both the initial hit and the finish on this wine are very Flintstone Vitamin-like without the chalkiness. Note that I am not quite as elegant as others when describing wines so beware!

I did not get too much pepper or vanilla when compared to what I often get in grenaches, but because this had limited contact with any oak (see note above), I would not quite expect it either. As much as I like these overtones in wine, I did not really miss them with the San Alejandro.

This wine is actually fairly low on the acid/tannin side which makes it easy to drink, but I do not expect that it would age well because of this so I have no idea what Robert Parker’s thought is on ‘possibly longer’ but I suppose because, like many Garnachas/Grenaches, it is fairly thick. Oh well, what dost me know…
Drink On!

Food Pairings:
Bacon, barbecue beef/poultry/pork, Chinese cuisine with beef, moo shoo pork, meat couscous, creole steak/gumbo, Indian cuisine (excuding fish dishes), Italian cuisine, lasagna, Mexican cuisine, pizza, potato salad, cheese soufflé, cajun cuisine, calzone, cannelloni with meat, lamb, pork, veal, eggplant, pasta, and red snapper.

Cheese Pairings:
Cheddar, Gouda, Romano, Asaigo, Manchego

Have Hummer, Will Swim!

2005-02-17T08:46:00.000-07:00

OK, In Arizona most people don’t know what to do around water. Those who move here seem to quickly forget about the substance when it is in its wild state (i.e. not in the pool in the backyard). As such, I got used to growing up seeing reports of motorists trying to cross not so dry washes because they had a four-wheel drive vehicle and therefore were all powerful, despite the road closed signs. They inevitably got stuck and had to be rescued from their boating trip on my dime. A few years back, the state legislature decided to enact the Stupid Motorist Law. However, it was never enforced, until today! Wahoo! I am a happy camper in a twisted sort of way and even more amused that it was a Hummer that got stuck.

Target Practice on the Dance Floor

2005-02-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

Ummmm..... This just kinda scared me this morning...
Granted, I am used to seeing this a lot as I did grow up in Arizona but....
So I got to thinking about oxymorons. Quite an interesting list. MicroSoft Works and Work Party are my favorite on the list so far.

More Valentine’s Day Musings: The Day After

2005-02-15T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hey! These walls look a familiar teal. Oh, I am back at work again. Wahoo! OK, I imagine I did not have as interesting evening as most, but I still had a bit of fun with it. If Valentine’s Day is all about love, I figured I would try and do a few things I love or plan to do a few things I love. So I went to the store and got my stick of butter and cheap wine for cooking and made a nice butter wine sauce for my shark. I did consider throwing garlic into the mix but decided that since it was fish, it might not quite work. I should have done this as I remember why I have not had shark in a long time. There really was no flavor to it.

One thing of note when I was at the grocery store that I found exceptionally amusing, though I am not sure why. There were several guys in line behind me. They all had roses and some sweet concoction. This was around 7pm. Way to be last minute guys! Though I am sure it may not be a big deal to most, there is not really very much that seems romantic to me about a gift from the grocery store. Just my humbly amused opinion.

Although wine is another love, wine-based escapes are even more to my liking. As I found yesterday’s work day a bit of an annoying one, I felt I deserved one anyhow because I’m smart, I’m funny and doggone it, people love me! So anyone want to meet me in Sonoma? It is much different than Napa, at least it was the last time, in that it is friendlier, more rugged, and has actual ocean views. The drive that follows the Russian River to the coast is one of my favorite drives. Sonoma has more to do than wineries and quite honestly, even I can only manage no more than five wineries in a day and that is with a break.

Contrary to popular opinion, I am not necessarily all about the wine. Every so often I really need solitude and I was not able to get that on the cruise I just took because the (expletive) ship was lit up like a Christmas tree. Watching a meteor shower in the middle of the sea is most definitely a treat in my opinion and very much allows me that solitude. Hiking the beaches, cliffs, hills and forests in Sonoma very much helped me find the solitude I needed the last time I did it so hopefully it is still there somewhere.

The odd thing about this trip is I just told friends I would not be able to go on a ski trip to Utah with them because of money and time. Reality is, I just wanted to get away by myself as I need a true recharge and I am not sure being on a potentially crowded mountain would have done it for me. Still, they are great friends and I am sure they will have a cool time in the snow.

Now I just have to figure out how I am going to go learn me how to scuba dive, continue my Spiderman imitation, put together/participate in a whitewater rafting trip that some cruise buds are interested in, visit friends in Orlando and collect beads on Bourbon Street, all in the next few months.

Reflections on Valentine’s Day: Romance spelled backwards is ecnamor!

2005-02-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

For whatever ironic reason this seems to be the only holiday I have not been in the dating scene for in one manner or another, so it is an odd day for me. I used to absolutely hate it, but as commercialism has seemingly always had its hand in the holiday it is nice in a way to look in my wallet and think (only on a relative basis compared to the money that leaves other guy’s wallets) ‘I’m rich! I’m rich!’ :) It is actually more of a fun holiday to me anymore. Most people seem to be very happy with the holiday, but sometimes it seems as if the stress and pressure of an ‘ideal’ that is forced upon them really makes this a miserable holiday for some. It is an interesting observation to take a look at what trying to live up to views outside oneself does to the quality of life for that person. Generally it is not good. Seeing how other people react to the world around them and why they react that way often teaches me an unexpected lesson about my own life though I still rarely seem to act upon it until learning it over and over. Developing and nurturing one’s own ideals does not seem to be a natural thing to do, but seems to have greater rewards. At least that is what my psychotherapist says. :D
BTW, I really see that word as odd…. How helpful can a PsychoTheRapist really be?

To all my good coupled up friends out there, have a very good Valentine’s Day and enjoy the ecnamor. As for me, I am going home and have shark tonight!

Me Spiderman!

2005-02-13T23:58:00.000-07:00

OK, maybe just Spiderman’s Apprentice who has yet to be fired but… This was the second time up the walls and there was an ever so slight adrenaline rush. I can see this as addicting though I will admit there still is this voice screaming ‘WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!!!’ in my head but I as I am getting better at ignoring the voices in my head, I did like being able to tap the bar at the top. With the exception of one slip up I think I am getting the hang of it. Of course I must remember not to curse in a kid's ear as I slip off the wall. If I were Buddhist I would say I lost a bit of karma on that move, but as I am not, I do not think I am too worried. I am told I need to try the chimney now though! Hmmmm…..
I reflected on the achievement. Yes, I know it seems all very silly to consider it an achievement but I have done very little to challenge the status quo about my attitudes towards anything until recently (being the last year or so). My concern over heights has always been excessive and probably has prevented me from enjoying the ever so slight rush this morning brought. Even a small rush is one I do not think I should miss. Of course the nagging discomfort is still there as I did not exactly turn around and wave at my friends below and hearing something about something being stuck when I was at the top was a little disconcerting. Not sure what it was, but it was fixed quickly and I was on my way back down to freedom or something like that. Still, that screaming voice kept getting quieter so I will continue this exercise for as far as it can go and as long as still enjoy the Spiderman imitation.
I am not sure what other "status quo attitudes" to challenge or if I need to really go searching for them anyhow. While I will certainly say the Match.com exercise is pretty much an just an exercise, there is a method to my madness here as well. I tend to care very much how people feel about that which is around them and that would, of course, include me. I suppose I could simply turn off and play the "cocky but funny" game and though I really do not wish to insult anyone, this is just too simple and as such, I consider it below me.
I looked back on my last go through with Match.com and reflected on something interesting. The ad and most especially my responses were focused on my desires to basically "make others happy". This really is something I consider very much a character flaw because I simply cannot do that. It is their choice to be happy with their life, not mine. I am honestly not sure if the large majority of women on Match.com are unhappy and/or tend to dislike men, but these are the women I tended to end up dating the last time and they hid this well or I just did not want to see it. I wonder where my ‘Well, Duh!’ hammer was then but oh well.
This time around I do not really expect any more or any fewer responses, but I have tried very much to construct the profile as more of a this is who I am, like it or not type. Responses to ads are getting progressively more playful and silly as I go along in this experiment and I am really having a lot more fun with it. I actually do not care about getting a response back… Only that I discover how to let the playful and silly at the heart of me actually out when I initially talk to someone, even if it is in an email. Granted, I still cannot quite escape the "make people happy" as it may be more a part of my nature than I really want to admit, but it is fun trying something else for a bit.
Ugh, getting tired and I am worrying that I am just not going to make sense any further on this subject. I would like to find some way of making the above silly but hey, even I have to be reflective at times.

I’m Musing in the Rain, Just Musing in the Rain!

2005-02-11T13:24:00.000-07:00

OK, today started out with me looking over my email (and thus spam) this morning.
‘Don’t miss the Wiggles’ was one tagline. Ummmm… ‘k. However, the mood struck me and I had to do a little twist and shout dance. I guess I am just far too spam compliant in the morning before I have my coffee. Perhaps reading email first thing in the morning is best not done by me. Anyhow, I went about my morning ritual and walked out the door to greet the rain. Granted, I knew the rain was coming, after all I am a non-practicing meteorologist. However, I am also essentially an Arizona native (a few holes for school and such but…)
who is just not programmed to think about rain and its consequences so out in jeans and a t-shirt (no jacket) I went. Understand I had to do that as Friday is jeans and t-shirt day and I am the good little corporate zombie.
And now here I am after lunch in my own little space. I miss the Wiggles already!

Still haven't found what I'm looking for.... Online Dating Initial Impressions

2005-02-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

This online dating thing can be interesting though I will admit that the most interesting thing about it is the comments I received on my previous post about jumping into this online dating thing.
There was a pleasant surprise to start. Some strange woman found my blog and offered some interesting advice. I wonder if this is sort of like those strangers offering me candy when I was a kid? Still, I could not help but take a look at her ummm… blog… yeah, that was what I was going to say… yes, that’s the ticket… Anyhow I am doing that digressing thing again. It was a nice treat to see a very attractive, intelligent, playful adventurous gal with interests ranging from the quirky and fun to the wild and adventurous. Note to self: Need to ask for one of those for my birthday! I would put in an application for her Valentine’s celebration, but I am on the wrong side of this country so maybe just a toast from afar! ;) Her blog seems a soap opera at the moment. As soon as I figure it out, I may start commenting.
Methinks this is why the Match.com profiles seem ordinary of course but… Thanks a lot!

OK, I have only been back on Match.com for a little more than a day and already I am remembering all about why I went back to the real world or at least my version of the real world. Although, there are a lot of nice profiles out there, I am not really sure I have found too many that fit what I really indicated I was looking for in that partner in crime. However, I am fully aware that 2000 characters does not allow a lot of room to indicate the variety that a person may have. As such, I am responding to those that have something I can actually respond to. I intended to respond to a lot more, but as I very much like to personalize the responses at least a bit, I have only gotten a few out (12) so far. Maybe I will be able to get more out over the weekend. Being a guy on an online site, I was actually surprised to get one back so soon if at all. It was disappointing that all the response said was basically ‘Hi There!’ and they did not tell me a story as requested. Women just don’t follow orders very well! Ummm, yeah I know, and GUYS do? LMAO It was very tempting just to email back just ‘Hi There!’ but I think I did try and say a little more so as to try and coax some story out of her…. At least ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’ though that one might not work as I always cry when the porridge gets too cold. I cannot have a woman see me cry, ya know!

I am thinking of putting together a template now though as I may have to respond to a lot of personals to get in ahead of the 400 other guys responding. I am thinking of the below:

Greetings (Insert Screen Name Here), you are so purrrrrrty!
My name is (Insert My Name Here) and I like to (Insert Common Interest Here).
Wow! What a coinkydink! You like to (Insert Common Interest Here) as well! ;)
How about meeting me this weekend at (Choose One of the Following: Star Trek Convention, Geeks with Chicks Rally (tell them that they would be your chick here!), Lemmings Are Swimmers Too ‘feel good’ Conference, Cattle Have Direction Too 'motivation' Conference, Big Hooters Bar, My Parent’s Basement)? We can have dinner at (Choose one of the following: McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Chuck E. Cheese’s) and it will be my treat!
Respond today and I will throw in a trip on my tricked out pink and green tricycle!
Ciao (that’s French for some Italian word) Honeybear!
Looking forward to showing you my cockroach collection!
(Insert My Name Here)

So you think that template will be good enough? :D
Thanks for all your advice all, BTW Glad to know the “code” now, but what does “Self Employed” mean? I assume it means “I stay at home all day and only get out of the house to see if the aliens have come to take me to my true home, far far away!”
It is good to know that most blondes are not blonde and that you all have also had “interesting” experiences with the online dating thing. No, Arizona does not really have an excessive amount of 20/30s women but plenty of 70/80s women if I want. Retirement meccas have their benefits I suppose. I am not sure I want to have to lie about my height as I heard those elevator shoe things are not back in style yet so no worries about me on that and I have even accepted and become one with my 5’7”ness. Hmmmm…. Mysterious brunettes and haystacks… could work!
Cheers all!

Thanks to Rawdog for this! I thought it appropriate to add it to this post.
Its just not going to work!

Weekend Wine Recommendation

2005-02-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

Brand: Hécula

Producer: Bodegas Castaño

Denominación de Origen: Yecla

Class/Type: Tinto (Red table wine)

Varietal Content: Monastrell (75%); Garnacha (20%); Cabernet Sauvignon (5%); Estate grown

Winemaking Notes: Six months in American Oak. 15,000 cases produced.

Tasting Notes: A soft and spicy red wine. Red fruits, wood and black pepper greet the nose. The flavor of spicy fruit is balanced by a delicate oak structure.

Food Match: The perfect wine for pizza, pasta, ratatouille. These soft, fruity flavors cool spicy heat in cuisines such as Cajun, Southwestern, Asian, and East Indian. A complement to Mediterranean Cuisine - Paella, Bouillabaisse, Chicken Oregano.

Interesting: 85 Points, Wine Enthusiast, April 1998. "Hécula" is the archaic Roman for "Yecla" - a city with an ancient Roman heritage. Bodegas Castaño is a thoroughly modern, well-positioned winery with a fast-growing international presence and reputation. Quality and consistency are the primary winemaking objectives.

Sadly, I am searching for this one again. It flew off the shelves of a wine shop here at eight and change! They decided not to carry it anymore. Too low a profit margin I suppose? I really need to learn to get cases more often of good cheap stuff! :)

Online Dating Revisited – Searching for the Haystack Among the Needles

2005-02-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, note that I am finding blogging addictive!

I have decided to follow a few other bloggers into the online dating world again. It has been about 8 months or so since I last tried a date from the online world. I think I took things to seriously last time and found the experience not really WYSIWYG. Details are available and quite amusing actually, but that is probably all I need to say!
Well, let us see what happens when I do not take it too seriously then! :D

A few notes on the oddities of Match.Com. They appear slow to change things sometimes. The previous ad was just ummmm…. ordinary so I am waiting for them to actually change the text before I jump into this adventure. I will put the text of the new ad at the end of this blog if I remember. Second, the match engine likes to match me with women 5’10” or higher. Height is not a big thing to me either way, but at 5’7”, I am not sure I am likely to score a hit there… possible but… :D

OK, on to a few observations after an evening of investigating the ads of you lovely ladies. Understand that I am not at all bitter about anything, just very amused, though I am guessing it may sound otherwise.
There seem to be a few women out there wanting to get marred someday. Are you sure you found the right site? Match.com may offer plenty of guys for you, of course, so this is just an observation. Good luck on the search to be marred!
As I said the height thing is not a big deal to me. I expect that it is only fair that if guys expect you to wear those high heel torture devices, a few inches taller is necessary. I am perplexed though by the 4’10” types looking for someone 6’2” or taller. Do you have one of those collapsible step ladders in your purse for the goodnight kiss? As I could use something that compact around my house, please let me know where you got it. Really, I could use one!
When telling us guys what you are looking for, please really actually tell us! If all you say is you are looking for is a nice guy or looking for chemistry, there is not much I can really say back to you other than I am a really nice chemist! In reality I am not a full fledged chemist as I received my Masters degree in Atmospheric Chemistry so you could consider me a chemist with my head in the clouds or just a meteorologist who kept walking into the wrong classes and learned a bit of chemistry as well. Still, perhaps we can exchange electrons and talk? I might even show you my d-shell sometime, baby! (Ugh! I am reverting to bad chemist jokes now!) Seriously though, remember your ad is being read by GUYS. Granted, we may be able to read the sports section of the newspaper and some of us can read that ever challenging book ‘See Dick Run’, though more than two words can be difficult for us. Think beer me, need food, watch football, sit couch! However, we simply cannot read minds. Not that all guys want to know too much anyhow, but I actually do, so tell me something!
See, I told you I was not bitter! LOL

I find it interesting to note that the majority of women in the group I will be responding to are blonde and a few blogs ago, I indicated I am not necessarily inclined to date blondes. Perhaps I am turning a corner and becoming more open-minded? Or am I just realizing that blondes really do have more fun? ;) I am honestly afraid to say I am not inclined to date women with spiked rainbow hair now though! I may keep you all posted on my progress but here is the ad text for the intro to me/what am I looking for section. Your turn to be amused! Let the adventure begin!

Searching for the Haystack Among the Needles!

Who am I?
I am an eclectic mix of contrasts all bundled up into one nice neat package. Musical interests range from AC/DC, to Diana Krall, to Vivaldi with a bit of Reggae mixed in for good measure. I am outdoorsy and love to whitewater raft, ski, hike, and dance in the rain, but I am also the sophisticated urbanite who loves wine tastings, the symphony, art museums and deep meaningful discussions about the next great reality show (ok, this is only if I have had way too much wine). I have been known to be quiet and reflective and think about such things as the contrasts of Eastern and Western philosophy and the all important questions of why am I here, what is the meaning of the universe, should I switch to decaf and did I leave the iron on? On the other hand, I can also be the playful romantic. Anyone interested in joining me in my next set of travels let me know. ;) These include sunrise on a gondola in Venice, followed by lunch on the Eze river in Florence and a sunset beach dinner on the island of Alba. A balloon adventure over Tuscany and a riverboat cruise out of the city lights of Paris and into the glorious night sky may follow the other trip someday. Of course I can just be playful too. I am still working on my job skills as Court Jester and love Halloween because it is a chance for this adult to be a kid for a bit.
In addition to the eclectic mix of contrasts, I am also someone who simply likes to see what is out there and discover a bit. As such, though I am willing to talk about myself when needed, I generally like hearing what else is out there and what others have to say. I consider myself to be a great individual of course, a rare breed and only slightly ticklish…. However, I already know all about myself and nothing about you so…..

The title explains exactly what I am looking for though in somewhat of an esoteric manner. I am looking for someone with a wide degree of interests, experiences, ambitions, goals, and dreams. A needle is narrow in focus, small, and hurts when you sit on it. Ouch! A haystack, on the other hand, is broad, wide and contains much to discover that is not seen on the surface. The person I am looking for needs to be open to a wide variety of views and experiences as I expect someone to share in my experiences and allow me to share in their experiences. There are no sidelines to sit on here! This other person must truly wish to share who they are with me. I love listening to stories so do you have any for me? Grab a glass of wine, smile, and tell me a story about the spirit within you! And no ghost or horror stories! LOL

Merry Fat Tuesday to the Big Easy!

2005-02-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

When I lived in Atlanta I was a grad student at that party school mecca, Georgia Tech. Considering that most of my friends have always been female, attending a school that was 80% male seems odd to me in retrospect. However, there were the escapes! Take a bunch of Georgia Tech grad students, add a weekend, and sprinkle in a trip to New Orleans and you have ummmm…. exciting adventures! OK, I take that back, these were Georgia Tech grad students after all. Still, New Orleans quickly became my favorite city to visit and it really still is though I have not been back for a few years. Keep in mind, I said favorite city to VISIT! If I actually lived there, I do not think I would fit in my cubicle now. There was of course the party atmosphere, but that combined with the music, food, and really good people watching was what has made New Orleans so fun to me. I cannot really put it completely into words, but if you ever go there are things you really need to do:
Grab a beer and walk down Bourbon Street before it gets too rowdy. Take in the music coming out of the bars during your walk. Even if you don’t like Jazz, these guys really put their hearts into it and the energy gets one in the mood to really have a good time! Let the crowds roll in while you are having gator at one of the small restaurants on Toulouse Street. There are some good ones just off of Bourbon Street towards the river. Have a Hurricane at Pat Obrien’s while the crowds roll in. Wander through the crowds and through the large number of Voodoo shops. They have quite the collection of stuff. If the crowds get too much, drop down a block in the river direction and find the Court of Two Sisters for a quiet reflective glass of wine. One could always go back to the crowds on Bourbon Street, but the option to just grab a map and take in the ghost story and cemetery lore of New Orleans is a unique experience that must be done at least once!
A requirement for the next morning is Café Du Monde. Chicory and beignets mixed in with the standard Bloody Mary from time to time is an ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT! Get there early however!

Jumbalaya, Gumbo, and Po' Boys and anything with butter, Cajun, Creole or fried is also required eating!

Xin Nian Yu Kuai and Happy Rooster Year!

2005-02-08T09:43:00.000-07:00

A good new year is wished upon all friends, Chinese or otherwise!
May your new year be filled with good cheer and wonderful blessings!
May it be a prosperous year filled with opportunities to read my off the wall thoughts here! Have a moon pie for me now!
Bao Zhong!

Philosophical Thought of the Day #2: Thinking like a kid again!

2005-02-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

My last post got me thinking about the fact that I don't think too much about my childhood and really don't think like a kid too much though I seem to try to still be the 'Toy's R Us' type if I can anyhow. OK, that made limited sense but making sense is overrated anyhow.....
Nevertheless, I thought I would try and think like a kid again for just a bit and focus on a bit on a question that is sorta philosophical, but mostly just physics. As a non-practicing meteorologist, I thought I would make it difficult by finding a question that is almost irresistible to answer in a scientifically sound manner.... Why is the sky blue?
If you want a somewhat odd-ball, but correct answer try this discussion on Rayleigh scattering that does not actually mention the word Rayleigh. Of course I tend to have more fun with Mie scattering as it is all about Mie anyhow! (Sorry bad meteorologist joke!). Anyhow, I digress...

I came up with a few thoughts and that was it! Thinking like a kid is actually hard when one, ummmm... really thinks about it! But that seems to be where imagination and creativity, and thus real solutions to real problems, start...

1. God's favorite color is blue so he painted his house that color!

2. The ocean leaked!

3. Birds must actually live in the ocean and come up during the day to scatter the ocean all over the sky!

4. Clouds are blue on the other side and paint the sky blue as they go to work each day!

5. The sun is mad at us and throws blue paint at the earth all day!

6. The sky likes the moon and stars better and gets depressed when they are not there during the day!

7. There is another ocean up there!

8. It's cold up there and blue things are cold, right?

9. I like blue and the sky likes me!

10. 'Cuz mom and dad told the sky that it looked pretty blue!

OK, all of these are very silly if not just strange, but hey, you chose to read this blog and for those of you who know me, you know what you are getting into anyhow! Granted with the above answers comes 'Why is the ocean blue?' but I just had sushi for lunch and don't want to think about such things now! And then of course there is 'The meaning of life'!

I honestly don't really feel I can think like a kid anymore after this silly exercise though I may just need practice. Fun to try in an odd way though. Any other thoughts on why the sky is blue?

Heart of Darkness, Soul of Reflection

2005-02-06T19:01:00.000-07:00

Today there was a world after my rock climbing adventure. After attending a memorial service for my aunt's mom, I wandered back across town. The service was short and as I live on the far far far far East side and the service was on the far West side of the Phoenix area, I made my way back rather slowly. I grew up on the near West side (if there is such a term/place) and drove by my old high school, old house, and old hangouts. Of course I expected not to recognize anything, but I was suprised how small my neighborhood appeared and how closed in everything appeared. I have not been back through that area in years and years so it was interesting to do so. I will admit that I expected to have a few memories pop up or really think "Wow, things are different!" In reality, nothing came to mind.... Just, OK, time to go find some wine now that I am headed through downtown. Weird to me that I did not seem to care about my childhood or growing up anymore. Anyone else end up feeling that way anymore?

The trip for wine downtown yielded good things! I am not quite a fan of Joseph Conrad or the book Heart of Darkness or the movie Apocalypse Now, but the wine is a different story. It is a good basic Cab Franc blend and I would recommend it for anyone looking for an intro to Cab Francs.... Relatively inexpensive and balanced. So now I know where to get it!

Cheers!

Up Up and Away!

2005-02-06T18:36:00.000-07:00

Today I attempted something new and found I did enjoy it though I need more practice. INDOOR ROCK WALL CLIMBING!!! I will be honest, I hate heights, period! Combined with my wonderful imagination (not really a blessing here!), I tend to avoid the height thing unless the reward is great. However, there are so many wonderful hiking trails in Arizona that have points that are a bit... ummm.... hey nice view straight down combined with is that really still the trail! LOL Because I refuse to not enjoy the beauty of the world around me, I need to really challenge the dislike of heights. Although it was great to go out and do something with a good group of friends, the above concern was the real reason for this venture. Silly as it sounds to me anyhow, I get a great satisfaction in dashing to pieces anything that limits me. That said, skydiving is not exactly next!

Although, I will admit I never quite made it to the top before thinking too much about things, that really disappeared quite quickly. I am told I almost did a few times though perspective was a bit different actually going up the wall. I simply had friends who kept challenging me to do the more difficult ones with them. As such I ended up in midair more often than on the cliff. One thing of note though, I actually found hanging there or the trip down soothing. Of course next time I hope there is not a child's birthday party going on so I can make it to the top of the easy part and give my ego and developing coordination skills a boost!

Thanks Rawdog and gang for the adventure!

Jesters, Basketballs, and Firepits Oh My!

2005-02-06T01:20:00.000-07:00

Another day has passed with the following results:
At the RenFest:
A) I found my mead and turkey leg but not any more of my jester costume.
B) Although I love to watch Irish Gigs, there needs to be energy in the dancers for it to really be fun to watch.
C) Guys just do not have the muscles and body form to belly dance and it is very very scary to watch.
D) I can evidently effectively give ever so loveable friends advice via cell phone while a parade of fools, knights, and rednecks with turkey legs walk by.
E) Traffic in Phoenix is bad on a Saturday only when very unwanted.
At the basketball game:
A) Will call is very polite even when you are late and impatient.
B) The gal behind my dad and I is still very annoying and needs to be shot with a water gun repeatedly until she develops at least one brain cell!
C) Arizona State basketball seems to find a way to lose whenever possible
At the party:
A) Firepits are very entertaining.
B) Kids like sparklers.
C) I like wine!
D) Smores are still good
E) They hid the lampshades from me!

OK, actually, it was a very good day. I did enjoy watching a lot of folk dance to start the day. I chatted with a cruise friend a bit and may just have to take her up on that offer of being allowed to visit on Memorial Day weekend as I will need an escape by then. It is always nice to see a basketball game even if it is watching my rivals (I am Univ. of Arizona Alum and my dad takes me to Arizona State games from time to time). My friends are getting older and so the parties seem to end earlier and earlier. I was the last to leave this one at 10pm. Still it is good to see a few of them. I just wish I had been given the chance to try on at least one lampshade!
Tomorrow is my first attempt at rock climbing. I am strangely nervous as heights have not been one of my favorite things though I am always needing to try new things so here goes it!

Ready for the weekend

2005-02-04T16:17:00.000-07:00

As the Friday work day comes to a close, I have to think of something to do this weekend. Granted, today was nearly a three coffee day, so I am estimating that I will not get to sleep too early tonight. This means I will have plenty of time to think about it over wine tonight. I think I will probably end up at RenFest and find the next piece of my jester costume. A turkey leg and mead will make a decent lunch. After that it is off friend's wild party that evening. Hide the lampshades from me!
Tonight, I have been ordered to drink a bottle of wine for a friend, and given that I take orders well, I will pick out a nice rich Aussie red tonight.
Now I am thirsty!

Women and Wine

2005-02-04T09:02:00.000-07:00

Greetings yet again all,
Today's subject is an interesting mix but probably my favorite combination: Women and wine... heh heh
Last night I actually had the chance to combine the two for at least a wine tasting. Wine tastings lately have been getting more to my liking lately so I may start going to them on a much more regular basis again. Generally they are full of people ready to retire or full of very early twentysomethings just learning to be yuppies. As I am somewhere in between and both groups use pretentiousness to destroy the fun of enjoying my precious grape juice, I have slowed from my original pace (meaning if there was a wine tasting, I was there). Yesterday was a pleasant exception to the rule. I was originally going to try to crash a Scottsdale Jaycees meeting as I am looking for another group of those volunteer types to hang with, but did not time getting out of work that well. Alas, I had to go to a wine tasting at my latest local hangout, Tapino. Given that I was late, there was really only one more place to sit and that happened to be next to this very cute blonde. Generally, I will admit, I am less inclined towards focusing on blondes but exceptions to the rule are always a nice thing for me anyhow. She was actually very pleasant to talk to and actually became mesmerizing quite quickly. I am always fascinated by someone who worked in Europe (Air Force) out of high school and spent time and the limited money on actually seeing what was around them in place of just drinking the opportunity away. She had quite a few interesting stories and was one of those rare ones that seems to get more lovely the more that is said. I did grab a glass of wine after the wine tasting and chatted with her a bit more. Granted I kept forgetting to actually drink the wine (over two hours later I still had half a glass), but that is beside the point. ;)
OK, so I expect the question: So when ya going to see her again?
Well, here is why women confuse me…. And of course, why I confuse myself…
During the conversation, I did get blessed with a few touches on the shoulder and a lot of eye contact, but I can be relatively sure she was not quite mesmerized by me at least at this point (perhaps she needs convincing… heh heh). There was interest, but fairly guarded interest and she seemed to keep herself quite busy on purpose. Long story short, though she will be at the wine tasting at the same place two weeks from now, she politely indicated that with her being out of town next week and busy with school she would not have the chance to see ‘Sideways’ with me. I am guessing I will end up seeing that with just me anyhow. Admittedly, because I am a bit slow on the getting to know people side of things and knew it was possible I would run into her on future wine tastings, I did not try too hard anyhow. Aggressiveness is something I am still learning. LOL
It was nice chatting with her nonetheless and she actually really seemed to like the chance to just be listened to for a change. So all in all, it was a good night and while there are still possibilities in my mind, women can be too confusing sometimes to hold my breath. Who’s next? LOL

I'm baaaack! Miss me? :)

2005-02-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

Well,
A few days of Vegas and I am back surrounded by fuzzy teal fabric and an interesting patterned tan floor. Did not run into Ms. Bank of America this time, but managed to chat with a few people about their ummmm.... security issues and solutions.... Gee, I feel safe now! LOL I am soooo glad I don't have ANY issues myself, just eccentricities.
Still it looks like there might be a few interesting things in the next version of MicroStrategy and it is inferred that the latest version will just jump out of the package, turn your computer on, install itself perfectly and make you a latte on the spot! Marketers are intriguing people to me! Perhaps I will make them the subject of next 'Philosophical Thought of the Day'.
Got home at 3am last night and think I got to bed by 3:30am so I am glad my boss let me make it in just a bit later today.
I did get to see a fellow cruiser up in Vegas who was a first time cruiser and appears to be well on her way to a many time cruiser.

MicroStrategy World here I come....

2005-01-31T10:45:00.000-07:00

OK,
There is this one opportunity to get away from work while still technically being at work. I am hardly intending to complain of course, but I am admittedly not much for being put in the same place as 5000+ other geeks who tend to brag about the networks they have put together, how well they can administrate, or what other "amazing" thing they have been able to do with this tool called 'MicroStrategy'. MicroStrategy is basically your standard tool for making data pretty though it does so in a very illogical way. I am not inclined to brag about how illogical I am or how well I work with illogical things or illogical people so... I go, I learn a new technique or two and talk to anyone willing to NOT, I repeat, NOT talk about MicroStrategy. It pays my bills, but that is about it. Last year, I spent some time over drinks talking to a gal from Northern California (worked for Bank of America) about growing up watching the thrills of minor league baseball. For those of you who have only seen a major league baseball game, find a small city on the map sometime, go there, and take in the experience of a minor league game sometime. They are better if you are a kid, but some of us do not have that option anymore. I, on the otherhand, subscribe to the 'Toys 'R Us' concept! I will describe the minor league experience to you all in detail sometime later. Anyhow, hopefully she will be around or there will be anyone else around of similar mentality. I do plan on meeting up with some people I cruised with a few weeks ago, but they work most of the time I am there it would seem anyhow.

Philosophical Thought for the Day

2005-01-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

From time to time I wonder what it would be like if well known philosophical statements were changed around a bit to more identify with what I do.... Take 'I Think, Therefore, I Am'....
Often, I simply ponder.... 'I Ponder, Therefore, I Might Be' seems to work better for me...
but then again, I often snicker.... Does this mean I am a candy bar?

Finally a bit of freedom

2005-01-30T01:26:00.000-07:00

Well, after recovering from the flu and catching up with things at work, at home, and getting my dad set up with his new computer, I am a bit free this afternoon. It was not all work though as Thursday evening I got the honor of being a "prop" while watching the Fountain Hills Community Theater production of "Caberet". I got to be part of the onstage audience. I guess it helps to know people.
Today it is clean the house and maybe wander around the mall to buy nothing. Wahoo!
I promise this blog thing will get interesting soon enough. I am still new to it.

First Post

2005-01-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

I have not had any wine today yet so I cannot have any deep thoughts influenced in any manner by wine so I will post later.

Deep Thoughts Only Partially Influenced by Wine

Meet My Dog, Cat!

Life, Part Deux

Blake needs...

I Question, Therefore I Am!

He Who Dies With the Most Toys Wins!

Dating is complicated, Match is just plain silly!

You say it’s my birthday, well it’s my birthday too yeah!

A Teal Green Weekend

Bring on the straight jacket, I am officially certifiable!

Santa Claus is a Big Fat Wino

Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On!

Life, OK, Talk to me about life… UPDATED

Philosophical Thought of the Day - Here lies Lester Moore. Four shots from a .44. No Les-no more.

Hide, Seek, Sledge Hammer!

Idea for getting the inlaws to go home?

Wineaux Dude tries to be vain... and fails! - UPDATED

Wine Quote of the Week

Meet the Parents: San Diego

Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Freedom for the Grapes!

Wine Recommendation of the Week

Wine Quote of the Week

San Carlos or Splashdown!

Match.Com Final Analysis - So Long And Thanks For All The Fish!

Easily Amused Wineaux - Achoo!

Lions and Tigers and Wine, Oh My! Huh?

Cry me an Elmo!

It has begun…. Countdown to Swimming with the Fishies!

Norm, the wineaux goes for a swim!

Bachelorette Number Two, What kitchen appliance would you be and why?

This just in…. Consuming Liquid Medication Pays for itself in One Brief Hour

The Spice of Life! Cook on!

Taking the Plunge aka Time to Become Certifiable!

Wine Recommendation for the Weekend

Let the Madness Begin

Happy Happy Pi Day!

Relax! It is now Okay to fly!

Feed Me! Now! *bang*

Have we rolled our dice today?

Wine is Heaven AND Hell

Wine Recommendation for the Weekend

I’m Off to Bike the Wineries, the Wonderful Wineries of Sonoma!

Musings from the Wine Bar of the Mind - Ya get what ya pay for! Oh really?

This doesn’t help!

Zhuangzi influenced deep wine thoughts

Hold my breath!

Wineaux the Magic Dragon

Weekend, Weekend, where did thoust go?

Wine Recommendation for the Weekend

It’s Raining Pineapples!

Sneaky kid

Weekend Wine Recommendation

Have Hummer, Will Swim!

Target Practice on the Dance Floor

More Valentine’s Day Musings: The Day After

Reflections on Valentine’s Day: Romance spelled backwards is ecnamor!

Me Spiderman!

I’m Musing in the Rain, Just Musing in the Rain!

Still haven't found what I'm looking for.... Online Dating Initial Impressions

Weekend Wine Recommendation

Online Dating Revisited – Searching for the Haystack Among the Needles

Merry Fat Tuesday to the Big Easy!

Xin Nian Yu Kuai and Happy Rooster Year!

Philosophical Thought of the Day #2: Thinking like a kid again!

Heart of Darkness, Soul of Reflection

Up Up and Away!

Jesters, Basketballs, and Firepits Oh My!

Ready for the weekend

Women and Wine

I'm baaaack! Miss me? :)

MicroStrategy World here I come....

Philosophical Thought for the Day

Finally a bit of freedom

First Post

Feed Me! Now! bang