Wine Tasting for Beginners

As you may know, a group of friends and I are having a wine tasting next month. As previously mentioned, I know very little about the art of a proper wine tasting. I am doing my research and will know whatever it is you're supposed to know as a beginning wine taster. I do know that wine is supposed to 'breathe' for a time before it is tasted, in order to receive the fullness of the aroma and flavor. I saw this wine aerator on the Today Show, and may give it a try. The one shown above is by Vinturi.

Have you tried a wine aerator? If you have, what do you think? If you haven't, would you try it?

Saturday

Today, DirecTV, who can still slide into the depths of hell, is coming here to fix the satellite signal. I'll believe it when I see it. Robert is installing some shelves and my air conditioner. After that's done, I plan on leaving the house and doing something relaxing.

What are you doing this weekend? How is the weather?

Quote for the day

"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon-instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today."

- Dale Carnegie, American lecturer, author,1888-1955

It's the weekend! With all you have to do, are you doing something you enjoy?

Ever Have One of These?

At one point or another, we've all had one, either at work, in your neighborhood, or in your family. You know, that nosy, pesky catty person who's all in your business and everybody else's. How do you handle the Mrs. Kravitzes in your life? And why do you suppose they're this way?

Wine Tasting for Beginners

The Importance of Breathing

Wines, specifically red wines, develop certain characteristics during the aging process: Bouquet, which is the smell; and taste. The older the wine, the lesser the need for breathing, or oxidation (adding oxygen in exchange for electrons). Wine actually goes through a very slow oxidation process in the bottle. So, the younger the wine, the more breathing it requires. A very young wine needs to breathe for several hours before consumption, while an older wine needs perhaps one hour. In fact, if a very old wine breathes too long it can lose some of its important characteristics. In some instances, breathing alone will not be enough, and the wine has to be decanted, or poured into a different recepticle. The act of decanting wine (usually only necessary in very young wines) aerates the wine and releases aromas and flavors.

Paul Rudd - Morning Eye Candy

Okay, he's funny, gorgeous, and he doesn't take himself too seriously, something I find very attractive in a person. What's not to like? What do you think?

Quote for the Day

Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than
circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance,
giftedness, or skill.

W. C. Fields, American Comic and Actor, born on this day (1880 - 1946)

Ruby and the Romantics - Our Day Will Come

Today is my parents' anniversary. Had they lived, they would have been married 42 years.

I believe they are together now, two overjoyed spirits not beleaguered by the cares of this earth.

My dad loved his music, and it seemed he played a little of everything. There are a few special songs that remind me of both my parents for different reasons. They played this song very often when I was a little girl. As I got older, it became part of that category of songs for me where the lyrics are simple, but intense. Like much of the music of days gone by, there's an innocence you no longer hear in today's music:

Our day will come, and we'll have everything

We'll share the joy falling in love can bring...

... Our dreams have magic because we'll always stay in love this way

Our Day Will come...

So, here's to you, Mama & Daddy. I know you didn't drink, but I will be toasting you tonight, and I'll do it up right. I imagine now you're looking at each other, shaking your heads and laughing.

I'm cool with that.

Quote of the Day

“All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.”

T.E. Lawrence, Intelligence officer best known as Lawrence of Arabia (later changed his name to T.E. Shaw), 1888-1935.

Random Stuff

I'm participating, for the first time, in WOTC with Monnie 'nem right now. Interesting. I'll probably be visiting again. I like smart people with something to say.

I went to the dentist today. I have to replace a crown and get my wisdom teeth pulled.

It is warm and muggy right now, and my air conditioner is not connected because, well, it is January, and I just didn't think I'd need air conditioning.

I'm supposed to have my satellite repaired Saturday. So far, DirecTV has offered me $100, free HD service for 6 months and reimbursement for being without use of the equipment. This is in response to my informing them I would be looking for service elsewhere, and telling them why. We'll see what happens. I still say DirecTV is shit, and I can back up everything I say.

I have a lot of posts coming up, but who the hell is going to see them? I'll continue doing what I do, but don't be surprised if I repeat posts in the future, 'kay?

I feel sleepy. Think it's because I've had 3 glasses of wine?

Talk to you tomorrow!

Daddy's Little Girls - Tyler Perry

I watched this move twice yesterday (making it about the 8th time I've seen it). I really enjoyed it, and I'm not that easy to please. Those girls - precious. That mama? Want to whip her a$$. Gabrielle Union? Adorable. Idris deserves a post all his own, so...

To be continued, but you understand, right? Thought so.

Monday, Monday

Good Morning Folks!

I spent the first night in my house since August 27, 2005. Yes, I am glad to be back in, but it 's one of those things that has to grow. The sounds and spatial factor may take some getting used to, as it was difficult to fall asleep. I am operating on three hours of sleep, and have on more makeup than a drag queen, but not as pretty. Cinzia and Sasha are acting a little weird, too. We'll all be fine.

Couple of notes:

Even though it's not complete, I LOVE my room. I like my area rug, love my floors, and,

I love, love, love my chaise!

Let me see if I can find a picture of one like mine. There it is. Obviously, I like the look of it, but Honey, sitting on it is like BUTTAH! The leather is soft, and the tufts are nice and deeply padded.

I wonder if I'll love the rest of my bedroom furniture as much.

What's going on with you today?

Wow

I scheduled this morning's quote several days ago. How did I know I would need it today?

I would say DirecTV's customer service sucks...

But they would have to improve for me to say that with a clear conscience. Thing is, they have the nerve to be polite while they insult your intelligence (they asked me if the box was plugged in), and very courteous while they transfer you over and over to what I have determined is the same effin department with a different name. Why else would every motherfcukin idiot I speak to ask me to do the same motherfcukin thing, even after I tell them I have done this twentyleven times? Someone was supposed to come to my house today at 5:30. I just got a call at work, at 2:30, from a technician who said he was at my house, outside. I called customer service and, surprise - they dont' even have a record of a service call, perhaps that's with another department. .

I am trying not to act a donkey with these people 'cause I want service on the tv in my bedroom tonight. It's really a challenge not to start yelling, but I'm supposed to be better than that. I'm supposed to be better than that. I am supposed to be better than that.

Let me not have service tonight.

Assholes!

Quote for Today

“Life is short and we never have enough time for gladdening the hearts of those
who travel the way with us. Oh, be swift to love! Make haste to be kind.”

- Henri Frederic Amiel, 1821 - 1881, Swiss writer known for his masterpiece Journal Intime

Take the time to make someone happy today. Be pleasant. This is advice I may need you to repeat to me later.