Why is New Year"s Eve one of those nights that has significance- I mean it's just a night- why is it built up into a big deal?
I guess on these so called "significant" days, like our birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years eve, Saturdays (kidding on this one), we are supposed to step back and ponder the significance of our lives-what we have been doing and what we hope to accomplish in the coming year. Or, I'm not sure we are supposed to, but I do. I also tend to reminisce about previous birthdays, Thanksgivings, Christmases or New Years eves- I think because it is a natural thing to do (right?) and also I guess also to see if things have improved.
So this morning when I was doing my power walk/run (running- not so much on account of bum knee, iron poor blood, snow flurries and ridiculously icy wind) I was reminded of a New Year's eve I had when I was about 17.
I remember it was icy cold,(it were the icy cold that jogged my memory this morning), and my brother, Howard, who is 18 months my junior and his two best friends at the time, Lorne and Jeff and I were in Sainte- Agathe -des- Monts, a small town in the Laurentians in northern Quebec. I'm not sure how we got into town. Lorne and Jeff, or rather their parents, had winterized cottages about 20 minutes away by car, so I don't know if we drove in or were dropped off or what. But the real question is not how, but WHY? Why indeed! Like I said, it was freezing cold- (the wind she blow blow blow) and it was dark, on account of it being eve in the winter. I was 17 so the boys must have been 16 and none of us could legally get a drink in a bar, even in Quebec. We had a mickey of something- southern comfort or some such rot, which we were passing between us. We also were too poor and cheap to go and eat in a restaurant, so we were just walking around aimlessly. I don't know why I was with them- I guess I had nothing to do so they said come along. I knew Lorne and Jeff sort of like brothers- we had grown up and spent the last 10 summers at the lake together. At one point or another during the last few years we, (and by that I mean the individuals in our small group of friends- about 4 or 5 girls and 4 or 5 guys) were sort of "romantically" and I use that word loosely, involved with each other in various couples, (and at that time all heterosexually, though today I'm sure we would have experimented with "bi" because that is what the cool kids do),because we are all coming of age, geographically isolated in the summer, and learning about sexuality, alcohol and marijuana, so it was a natural thing, right? So I had fooled around with both of them in a pretty innocent, "making out", sort of way (but not together- that would be kinky).
But really it was the guys who were good friends and they were undeniably and incorrigibly juvenile and immature (ya both dammit). They were laughing, playing with each other- skidding around on the icy streets, making farting noises, and getting drunk. But not drunk enough to take an interest in me. In fact I remember feeling blue, not just cause of the lack of circulation, but because I felt like such a loser. It was so cold and black and miserable and there was nowhere to go and nothing to do. I wanted to have a fun and interesting New Years Eve- cause NYE was a big deal and if your NYE went ok it meant things were ok and you were ok and normal and all, so-I wanted somebody -not my brother- do you mind! but one of the guys- Lorne or Jeff to hold hands with me, or walk with his arm around me and act like my boyfriend. I wanted a kiss on NYE as a minimum.
But it didn't happen. And I remember thinking- I could spin it as fun and cool to the outside world but I would know the truth. That I had nothing to do on NYE- and I had to hang out with my younger brother and his buddies, neither of whom was my boyfriend or even date, in the cold and dark and I didn't even get a kiss. I was a New Year's Eve Lonely Heart.
And even though tonight, Mr. Lovely and I will soon be going out for a New Years eve dinner with a group of very close friends and we will be inside (and hence warm) drink champagne, laugh and joke and ring in the New Year together and I believe I will get a kiss (I think Mr. Lovely will oblige), I look back on that NYE with a sadness and a longing- for my youth, for my innocence and naivete, for the edge, for the heartache and my resilience, and know that even though things are better in many ways that there was something bittersweet and important about that experience. It was sort of a big deal.
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Tuesday, 24 December 2013
A Chicago Christmas Tale
A couple of years ago Meg and Phil couldn't come home for Christmas. They were just starting their clinical rotations in Chicago and had to work on Christmas day but had a few days off before that so we, ( Mr. L, Al , Ed & I) decided make the 7&1/2 hour trek to the windy city so we could all be together. If Mohammed won't go to the mountain, the mountain must come to Mohammed and all that. They lived in a dodgy part of town in an apartment complex that looked like it would make the perfect set for a murder thriller. I'm not even kidding. The elevator mostly didn't work and so you had to take the stairs which were dimly lit, (when lit) and had some wire fencing around the walls- don't ask me why. I ran the whole time I was in the stairwell, thinking this could be my last run ever. We met the owner of the apartment outside the building and he asked who we were and what we were doing there. Do you mind? Who wants to know? But he actually wanted to help us cause he told us that we were ok ( meaning we would probably live) if we went out of the building and turned right. "Left is Afghanistan, man". No, we did not want to go left- that's for darn sure. One day we decided to go for an outside run by the lake- right once out of the building. Here we are pre- run:
Tempted as I was, I have held back on making this photo our family Christmas card. (Plus Phil was taking the shot and he would need to be in it.) Since we were all staying in the apartment and were saving a bunch on accommodation (and rest on account of the creepiness of the place), for a treat, I used Hotwire and got us 3 rooms in a downtown Chicago hotel for the night of Dec 23. We also went out for a vegan meal at Karyn's on Green which served crazy "fude" like fake "crab" cake sliders and "chicken" legs made out of seitan or almond butter. It was really freaky but delicious. Phil and his buddy, Eugene, who joined us for dinner had enzymes- shots of digestive dietary supplements (ya vegan med students- kooky).
On Christmas eve morning, Al was still on the hunt for his secret Santa present. We do a secret Santa as our Christmas present giving one each, our then 9 year old friend E, (she is now 11 and still doing this for us, thanks E)- picked names out of a hat and emailed them to each of us -$25.00 max. The idea was to "get" the other person in approximately that amount of money. All of us almost always had to spend a bit more but the aim was to keep it small.
So off we went- out on the streets of Chicago first thing on Dec 24. It was a sunny, crisp morning and I was feeling euphoric, having had a good night's sleep cause I wasn't ascared of getting murdered and as as we cut across Millennium Park to get to the shopping area, the air had a truly magical quality. We were passing the Bean - awesome and it wasn't tourist town. Wow- what a place to have Christmas. I had wanted to get the family some famous Garrett's gourmet popcorn, (they now ship to Canada, btw- so happy days!) but wasn't quite sure where the store was- so Al and I were sort of rambling. It was pretty cool to be out somewhere new, urban, seeing different people, getting a new perspective on life at a time when we are normally so quiet, traditional and comfortable. There were Santas on many corners, ringing bells, lots of people out an about, big department stores with fanastical displays. A couple of neat things happened- by chance we found Garrett's- it was empty when we went in-not a soul in the place and by the time I had ordered and was paying for the multiple bags of popcorn- it was full- jammed up with people in line behind me and out the door. Where did these people come from?And so fast and quiet. Al said it was like being on the Trueman show with the extras coming late. Also Al and I went to Macy's- a beautiful 6 storey building with awnings and all the trimmings- it was so pretty and full of Christmas hoopla- music, lights, decorations, that I was delighted and wanted to experience it more fully. A full crowd was waiting for the elevator and Al was the last to get in and everybody except him had turned around to face the door and he said " Now that I have your attention" as though he had summoned them there. Everybody cracked up and there was this easy goodwill between strangers sharing a joke on the morning before Christmas. Great stuff.
That Christmas eve we had a vegetarian meal round a bridge table and my secret Santa present was Mabel (of the Mabeldoyoumind). My secret Santa got me for sure. Knew just what I wanted and needed.
So you you see where I'm going. Tradition is excellent and comforting but so is spicing it up and trying something different. You only live once and who knows- a change in perspective could be refreshing even on Christmas.
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| We're just trying to fit in, man, just trying to blend |
On Christmas eve morning, Al was still on the hunt for his secret Santa present. We do a secret Santa as our Christmas present giving one each, our then 9 year old friend E, (she is now 11 and still doing this for us, thanks E)- picked names out of a hat and emailed them to each of us -$25.00 max. The idea was to "get" the other person in approximately that amount of money. All of us almost always had to spend a bit more but the aim was to keep it small.
So off we went- out on the streets of Chicago first thing on Dec 24. It was a sunny, crisp morning and I was feeling euphoric, having had a good night's sleep cause I wasn't ascared of getting murdered and as as we cut across Millennium Park to get to the shopping area, the air had a truly magical quality. We were passing the Bean - awesome and it wasn't tourist town. Wow- what a place to have Christmas. I had wanted to get the family some famous Garrett's gourmet popcorn, (they now ship to Canada, btw- so happy days!) but wasn't quite sure where the store was- so Al and I were sort of rambling. It was pretty cool to be out somewhere new, urban, seeing different people, getting a new perspective on life at a time when we are normally so quiet, traditional and comfortable. There were Santas on many corners, ringing bells, lots of people out an about, big department stores with fanastical displays. A couple of neat things happened- by chance we found Garrett's- it was empty when we went in-not a soul in the place and by the time I had ordered and was paying for the multiple bags of popcorn- it was full- jammed up with people in line behind me and out the door. Where did these people come from?And so fast and quiet. Al said it was like being on the Trueman show with the extras coming late. Also Al and I went to Macy's- a beautiful 6 storey building with awnings and all the trimmings- it was so pretty and full of Christmas hoopla- music, lights, decorations, that I was delighted and wanted to experience it more fully. A full crowd was waiting for the elevator and Al was the last to get in and everybody except him had turned around to face the door and he said " Now that I have your attention" as though he had summoned them there. Everybody cracked up and there was this easy goodwill between strangers sharing a joke on the morning before Christmas. Great stuff.
That Christmas eve we had a vegetarian meal round a bridge table and my secret Santa present was Mabel (of the Mabeldoyoumind). My secret Santa got me for sure. Knew just what I wanted and needed.
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| Sally and Mabel |
Monday, 9 December 2013
The McQueen/Fassbender Combination of Despair.
I love Michael Fassbender:
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| Michael in leather. |
and I love Steve McQueeen, the writer/director- that is- this guy:
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| Steve in a bow-tie |
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| Cool & handsome, yeah, but also quite dead |
ok- back on track- do you mind!
and I love Steve and Michael together:
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| Steve and Michael laughing- I'm thinking not during one of their films |
Why you ask?
McQueen has written or co written and directed 3 films, Hunger (2008) Shame (2011) and 12 Years a Slave (2013) which are all are excellent, brutal to watch and all star Michael Fassbender. Coincidence? I think not. Not that Fassbender is brutal to watch- quite the contrary, but the subject matters are hard core -definitely not for the faint of heart. And Fassbender can deliver.
Hunger is a dramatisation of the true story of Bobby Sands, an IRA volunteer and elected MP, who participated in the no wash protest (it didn't go well) and led the IRA hunger strike (which eventually led to his death so also didn't go so well for him) in the Maze Prison in 1981. The Republican prisoners were trying to regain their political status when it was revoked by the British government. Lots of guard sadism and ruthlessness -so that's tough and watching a man die of starvation (Fassbender lost 40 pounds on a diet of nuts, berries and sardines (yuck) to do the film because he said otherwise it wouldn't be realistic - and oh it was, trust you me) was downright heart wrenching.
Shame is the fictional story of a sex addict, Brandon who is a handsome ad executive living an alienated and unconnected life in New York city and whose life is gets even more twisted and bizarre when his younger sister, Sissy, a messed up needy woman, played by Carrey Mulligan comes to visit. They are both struggling and in pain and because of the stellar acting, so are we. The cinematography is fantastic- and the story gruelling- we watch the unravelling of Brandon and it aint pretty. On the up side - there is the full frontal nudity of Fassbender (I say why not-it's just a human body- a lovely one at that- so no, I don't mind at all) but then the most lugubrious and mournful rendition of "New York New York" there ever has been, sung by Sissy in a New York nightclub- it is a version that makes you want to gnaw your arm off.
12 Years a Slave is also based on a true story about Solomon Northup who was a free man living in New York when he gets lured to Washington and then kidnapped and sold into slavery. Again superb acting, brilliant nature shots which juxtapose the gorgeous scenery with the human cruelty and injustice, and what seems like accurate data, unflinching retold, make you want to weep.
Why am I telling you about these 3 film when they are obviously so emotionally fraught? It is because of that very thing. My life is too antiseptic, comfortable and banal and I like being jolted off my couch and complacency by seeing the true grit of existence. It makes me sad, yes. But it also makes me think and maybe I need to get sad and I definitely need to think about the human condition- so for me this type of viewing is essential. You might want to give it a go.
Monday, 25 November 2013
Tallahasse Chow Down!
My sister and her husband Harry, live in Tallahassee which is the capital of Florida and is inland. I still find it hard to get my head around living inland in Florida but that's where the capital is and my sister (let's call her Joanne cause her name is Joanne) is Staff Director for the Florida House of Representatives Appropriations Committee. Sounds high falutin and it is- she is very talented and very hard working. She worked for Jeb Bush when he was the governor but that is a whole other story. Her hours are insane when the House is in session which is from January to May, every year. So it is often difficult to get together with her since our busy work times are reversed. Or to put it another way "she" is off-kilter. She misses us (can you blame her?) and has been encouraging me & Mr. L to visit her relatively-new house (though it may be 2 years old) by telling me I will have my own deluxe room (ok, I thought that was a given) and an ensuite bathroom (YES that is the ticket- I love an ensuite not having one at home). As my Mom (who also lives in Florida, in North Palm Beach which is 7 driving hours away) was going to visit my sister for Thanksgiving, Mr. L and I decided to fly down so we could see everybody in one fell swoop. My sister is, (as are Harry and my Mom) a ton of fun so good times (and food as you will see below) are ahead! Joanne is heavy into food preparation mode. She has been texting to our cell phone - and since it does belong to Mr. L, they had an exchange come ca:
DAY 1
John, I am going to make you fantastic waffles from scratch one morning! Was going to call this weekend but was really sick. Better now. What else should I cook for you guys ? Brisket? Apple pie, quiche, bread pudding, pan seared salmon?
Mr. L:
My emotions are all over the place. Sorry to hear you were sick, but so happy about the waffles. Brisket would be yummy, and I can easily join in Harry’s joy about bread pudding. Easily.
Joanne :
Joanne :
Done deal! I will also get some quality sausage to go with those waffles. And the brisket will be served in a bed of mashed potatoes, whipped with heavy cream of course.
Mr. L:
You know how to live!
Joanne:
And some candied carrots ( to make it all healthy).
DAY2
Joanne:
Splurged on some good wine for us!
Me:
B here (so she would know it was me) Yay! What did you get?
Joanne :
Wine.
Me:
What wine?
I knew it was wine- you said that!
Joanne:
I know, just being silly. Chalk hill 2010 estate red, 92 point rating.
Me:
Yum! I just bought a flask for drinking while walking!
Joanne :
Time for some self examination?
Me:
Nah. You?
Joanne:
No, I don't drink and walk.
Me:
I don't either..... Yet.
It's cold up here- a shot of booze helps keep ya going.
McCabe and Mrs Miller!
Joanne:
??? Who??
Me:
Robert Altman movie- Warren Beatty dies in the snow. I don't want that to happen to me!
Joanne:
No, for sure not. I am also making fab meat sauce for lasagna for when you are here. Lots of red pepper, mushroom. Lasagna will feature smoked provolone and whole milk ricotta.
It's bubbling now-- The meat sauce that is.
Me:
Whoa sounds hot hot hot! Do you use hot pepper?
Joanne :
No the red pepper is sweet, not hot. But there is hot Italian sausage in there (and ground beef a course).
Me:
Sounds fab. Cook on McDuff!
Joanne:
Bought apples for Apple pie too and other good stuff.
Me:
Yeesh, I'm going to have to start dieting now.
DAY 3:
Joanne :
Gianormous 40 lbs 5 cheese lasagna prepped and in freezer for next weekend.... Check.
Me:
Yikes- 40 pounds!!! DO YOU MIND!! Are you insane? I"ll answer that - yes. There are only 5 of us.
Joanne :
Ok, well I didn't weigh it...but it's big, meaty and cheesy!
Me:
Ya like I said I'm commencing to diet immediately.
Joanne:
Good idea. And no whining while you are down here. And I will feed my brother-in- law as I see fit....meaning a lot. You starve the poor boy.
And so it goes. The last part is so not true. Mr. L eats what he wants but, man, is he going to be over the moon to have my sister feed him.
P.S. Mom just called me to see if I wanted her to buy me coffee at Costco.(I drink Starbucks French Roast which they sell at Costco for $25 for 2/12 lbs- such a deal)! Me: Mom we have a Costco here. Mom: Really? Do you want anything? They have beautiful cashmere. Me: They have cashmere at Costco?? Mom: No at Steinmart.
I love my family!
P.S. Mom just called me to see if I wanted her to buy me coffee at Costco.(I drink Starbucks French Roast which they sell at Costco for $25 for 2/12 lbs- such a deal)! Me: Mom we have a Costco here. Mom: Really? Do you want anything? They have beautiful cashmere. Me: They have cashmere at Costco?? Mom: No at Steinmart.
I love my family!
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
Sons of Anarchy
Being a serial series consumer, I have now moved on to Sons of Anarchy, which is a series about motorcycle gang club (they absolutely insist on being referred to as a club) in the fictional town of Charming, (ya I know) in southern California. If you are watching the show you will hear reference to "Samcrow" over and over and you know they are referring to the club by the context, but if you are like me you won't know why- so here's the dope (no not me- I mean the lowdown). It is an acronym for Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original or SAMCRO. Best to know this right out of the gate.
These outlaws have protective feelings for Charming and although they do run guns, have a porno operation, noise pollute by pack riding their Harleys up and down the street- (a very cool yet scary sight), severely beat up and even kill people- they also clamp down on drug dealing and prostitution, have Sunday dinners and run community events like annual fundraisers at the local school - kinda like the Haddasa bazaar. The president is Clay Morrow and the vp is his step son Jax Teller whose father was previously married to Clay's wife, Gemma before he died. Yes, intriguing. In fact there is some suggestion of a Hamlet theme in case you are trying to justify watching this violent soap opera. I don't bother.
Of course there is the whole host of MC guys (as distinguished from the McGuys (no space) those who work at McDonalds) with adorable nicknames like Piney (pronounced PINE-ee - one of the original founders), Tig (black curly hair and blue eyes, soul patch, little beard and not bothered by doing it with corpses- do you mind!), Chibs (he's an Irish lad with a serious scar), Juice ( he's got a Mowhawk and lovely smile -well they all do really), Opie, (always brooding, long beard and watch cap), and Half Sack- (so named because he only has one testicle.)
I'm now at the penultimate episode of Season 2, and am good and truly hooked and have deep affection for all of the club members.
They certainly have enough affection for each other- there must be 4 or 5 hugging moments in every episode. Do you mind! What is with all the hugging? While there is traditional type hugging between a chick and a guy, the most hugging going on is guy on guy- it is bro hugging and they are wearing their kuttes (their leather jackets with the sleeves cut off- a really good look and sound because they do the hug and pat, pat, on the leather - sounds manly).
There are also many times in each show where one character will ask another "You Ok?" which person will respond either "Yeah" (even though they typically have criminal angst) or "No man, I'm not Ok." (which shows they are opening up a bit about their criminal angst).
Of course in the mix is the bad cop, good cop gig, the Feds- The ATFs, the rival gangs- the Mayans (Mexican), the One-Niners, (an African American street gang) a meth dealing white supremacist named Darby, the IRA and the Chinese mafia Lin Triad- and that is just so far!
Part of the running theme is Jax's reading of his dead father's manifesto which poses whether the club has to go down this way or maybe there could be another way which causes Jax to question the club and even himself. Also Jax's old lady is a "docta"- a surgeon actually (lucky too cause she and her trusty first aid kit are often on call)- pretty establishment- when it starts but.. I'll say no more.
We are constantly reminded that the club is a family and sometimes a member is requested to "take one for the club"-and it ends up being mostly weird sexual favours. I guess that is part of being in a family.
Also the background songs (and there are many per show) are outstanding and Episode Titles as in BB are worth noting. Highly recommended if only for gawking at the pretty boy.
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here is their cute logo |
Of course there is the whole host of MC guys (as distinguished from the McGuys (no space) those who work at McDonalds) with adorable nicknames like Piney (pronounced PINE-ee - one of the original founders), Tig (black curly hair and blue eyes, soul patch, little beard and not bothered by doing it with corpses- do you mind!), Chibs (he's an Irish lad with a serious scar), Juice ( he's got a Mowhawk and lovely smile -well they all do really), Opie, (always brooding, long beard and watch cap), and Half Sack- (so named because he only has one testicle.)
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| Tig, Bobby, Piney, Jax, ,Juice, Otto (he's inside), Opie and Chibs- quite the crew |
The bestest and most handsomest is Jax, the lead, played by British actor Charlie Hunnam and watching him is worth the price of admission.
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| Jackson Teller- heir apparent |
In fact I have to admit after 3 episodes I called my sister, who lives in the US of A and complained about her S of A recommendation saying that I couldn't connect with any of the characters-- didn't like them even-- and she was aghast "No- what about Jax- you gotta love Jax- even if he is a viscous criminal- when I see him beating up on someone I say- why can't he be beating up on me!" I sort of get that.
I'm now at the penultimate episode of Season 2, and am good and truly hooked and have deep affection for all of the club members.
They certainly have enough affection for each other- there must be 4 or 5 hugging moments in every episode. Do you mind! What is with all the hugging? While there is traditional type hugging between a chick and a guy, the most hugging going on is guy on guy- it is bro hugging and they are wearing their kuttes (their leather jackets with the sleeves cut off- a really good look and sound because they do the hug and pat, pat, on the leather - sounds manly).
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| why can't Jax be bro-hugging me? |
Of course in the mix is the bad cop, good cop gig, the Feds- The ATFs, the rival gangs- the Mayans (Mexican), the One-Niners, (an African American street gang) a meth dealing white supremacist named Darby, the IRA and the Chinese mafia Lin Triad- and that is just so far!
Part of the running theme is Jax's reading of his dead father's manifesto which poses whether the club has to go down this way or maybe there could be another way which causes Jax to question the club and even himself. Also Jax's old lady is a "docta"- a surgeon actually (lucky too cause she and her trusty first aid kit are often on call)- pretty establishment- when it starts but.. I'll say no more.
We are constantly reminded that the club is a family and sometimes a member is requested to "take one for the club"-and it ends up being mostly weird sexual favours. I guess that is part of being in a family.
Also the background songs (and there are many per show) are outstanding and Episode Titles as in BB are worth noting. Highly recommended if only for gawking at the pretty boy.
Sunday, 17 November 2013
Dessert Wine Disaster
So I had volunteered to buy the dessert wines for our next wine club meeting even though I was vaguely aware that the dessert wines cost 9 million dollars for a piddling amount of wine. True story. Kate said she already had a Sauterne so all I needed to get was an ice wine, a Vin Santo and a Hungarian Tokaji. Good thing too cause this bottle of ice wine was $24.99 for 200 mls.,
this santo was on sale for the $29.99
and this tokaji had to be hunted down by our wonderful wine consultant Lidia, and imported into our town's LCBO, (pronounced "lick bow" according to E), and set me back a whopping $45.99.
Not for the faint of heart or wallet.
So a few weekends a go while visiting Meg and Phil in Buffalo, we made a trip to the premium wine store there. It was high on our agenda of must dos. And for good reason. It is a warehouse - a veritable warehouse full of delicious wine
- imagine choir of angels. I was like a kid in a candy store and then I spied them- boxed Hungarian Tokaja for $30.00- OMG! what a deal! what a discount! what a glorious day! -yes choir of angels again! At .5 litres I could buy 3 and import them back to Canada- maybe give them as Christmas gifts or drink one on our 35th anniversary or something big. Just to make sure, I had Phil double check the import regs for booze on his cell so we knew we wouldn't run a foul of the law. Which is very bad to do don'tcha know. Mr. Lovely was excited about a bottle of Amaroni that he bought at a substantial discount too. I also bought some Hendricks gin which I planned to leave with the kids for them to bring over at a later date and one for Phil so he could drink it for his BDAY. What could be wrong? I love this place.
So at the border crossing, there was a bit of wait and it was getting a bit trying. But not as much as having to answer all the questions by the customs official - like exactly how much wine did we have ( which we painstaking explained - I had three .5 litre bottles , Mr. Lovely also had 1.5 litres, so we were within our personal limit) and when we have left the country etc. But it was about to get a lot more trying, cause guess what? We had not been out of the country long enough- we had to be out 48 hours and we were short of that. That meant we had to stop at the cashier hut and ante up for duty and taxes a grand total of $85.00. We didn't know that amount before we went in or we might have tried another strategy. &^%$#&* Do you mind! That wiped out our discount entirely and cost us more than it would have in Canada. What a Bummer with a capital B. I was trying hard to b lovely but really I was b sad.
When I told Meg this saga she said "Mom this story broke my heart. You should have come back and left them at our house." Shoulda for sure. Live and learn- check all the regs! Yeesh.
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| unusual because it is a cabernet franc and red grapes |
and this tokaji had to be hunted down by our wonderful wine consultant Lidia, and imported into our town's LCBO, (pronounced "lick bow" according to E), and set me back a whopping $45.99.
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| this one comes in its own little box but still |
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| aint they pretty |
Not for the faint of heart or wallet.
So a few weekends a go while visiting Meg and Phil in Buffalo, we made a trip to the premium wine store there. It was high on our agenda of must dos. And for good reason. It is a warehouse - a veritable warehouse full of delicious wine
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| hallelujah! |
So at the border crossing, there was a bit of wait and it was getting a bit trying. But not as much as having to answer all the questions by the customs official - like exactly how much wine did we have ( which we painstaking explained - I had three .5 litre bottles , Mr. Lovely also had 1.5 litres, so we were within our personal limit) and when we have left the country etc. But it was about to get a lot more trying, cause guess what? We had not been out of the country long enough- we had to be out 48 hours and we were short of that. That meant we had to stop at the cashier hut and ante up for duty and taxes a grand total of $85.00. We didn't know that amount before we went in or we might have tried another strategy. &^%$#&* Do you mind! That wiped out our discount entirely and cost us more than it would have in Canada. What a Bummer with a capital B. I was trying hard to b lovely but really I was b sad.
When I told Meg this saga she said "Mom this story broke my heart. You should have come back and left them at our house." Shoulda for sure. Live and learn- check all the regs! Yeesh.
Saturday, 9 November 2013
Wine Appreciation
So I'm a member of a wine club which meets on the first Tuesday of every month. And no, this is not a club where we just get together and booze it up, (though I am not agin that either), but a serious, sophisticated, genteel club hosted by my good friend Kate, (who is sometimes serious but always sophisticated and genteel), and who sets out an elegant table come ca (meaning "lika dis" in French cept I can't find the little accent thingy to go on the bottom of the c. I'm using French because the French wines are so prevalent and because French is classy):
In this lovely environment we can watch and follow along one of the 24 lectures in this course by the Teaching Company- The Great Courses, (you betcha), The Everyday Guide to Wine, presented by Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan who is a master of wine (of whom there are only 26 in America so it's pretty darn impressive). Because it is interactive we get to smell and taste the wines she is lecturing about as we go. I, for one, would not be in a wine club that didn't have this essential feature. A different person volunteers to bring the wines for each meeting.
The promo to the course includes this build up:
"Many wine drinkers say they are overwhelmed by the varieties of wine available (no kidding) or they know the wines they like to drink (for me cheap is key) but yearn ( "yearn"- really that's a bit much, but flowery language is part of it) for the opportunity to learn more about them."
In the first lecture we discovered the 5 S's of fully tasting wine: seeing, swirling, sniffing, sipping and savouring. Who knew? I was used to just seeing and downing. I have now learned that this is bad and doesn't allow me to fully appreciate the wine.
In the lecture on Chardonnays, we experienced the "buttery, creamy" taste of oaked chardonnays vs the citrus flavours of the "naked" ones, learned about the oaking process (oak barrels -yup that's the ticket) and also that Chablis, from the Burgundy region of France is also a chardonnay (which is a grape variety by the way).
Kate had splurged on the Tawes which was rated a 93 and here's why:
If you can't read all that, suffice it to say it is very laudatory- (and a bit racy if the truth be told) and teaches us some excellent phrases to use when drinking a fantastic wine or even a mediocre wine that you want to pump up by the use of language. I'm sure you can use the words " on the palate, oh my! " this tour de force is a shining beacon for", "an opulent, vivacious wine", "it's lavish and weighty", "...flavours that are persistent yet beautifully elegant and build in intensity in the mouth"(do you mind!) over and over but be careful with the descriptions of flavours cause they are grape specific.
The women in the club are great-intelligent, fun and lively. The evening is educational, (I am the only one who doesn't take notes cause I think I can remember the relevant stuff but not so much- I can't even remember simple things like what "crisp" means and what a "long finish" is) and always a good time. Of course it is- do you see the three wine glasses set out per person? How can it not be?
I recommend the video version and like a good wine - it is best enjoyed this way- with friends.
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| Bread (one gluten free) and cheese are always on offer too |
The promo to the course includes this build up:
"Many wine drinkers say they are overwhelmed by the varieties of wine available (no kidding) or they know the wines they like to drink (for me cheap is key) but yearn ( "yearn"- really that's a bit much, but flowery language is part of it) for the opportunity to learn more about them."
In the first lecture we discovered the 5 S's of fully tasting wine: seeing, swirling, sniffing, sipping and savouring. Who knew? I was used to just seeing and downing. I have now learned that this is bad and doesn't allow me to fully appreciate the wine.
In the lecture on Chardonnays, we experienced the "buttery, creamy" taste of oaked chardonnays vs the citrus flavours of the "naked" ones, learned about the oaking process (oak barrels -yup that's the ticket) and also that Chablis, from the Burgundy region of France is also a chardonnay (which is a grape variety by the way).
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| A Chablis, a Jacobs Creek and our favourite, a Tawse 2010 |
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| Tawse 2010 Robyn's Block Chardonnay |
The women in the club are great-intelligent, fun and lively. The evening is educational, (I am the only one who doesn't take notes cause I think I can remember the relevant stuff but not so much- I can't even remember simple things like what "crisp" means and what a "long finish" is) and always a good time. Of course it is- do you see the three wine glasses set out per person? How can it not be?
I recommend the video version and like a good wine - it is best enjoyed this way- with friends.
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