tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962587081457271542024-03-13T07:21:12.450-04:00Fallen IcarusEveryone hits bottom sometime. I'm climbing back up, and it's not as hard as I thought.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-67136965869242016342008-07-26T16:43:00.000-04:002008-07-26T16:44:59.801-04:00Viral PropagationJust doing my part for science.<br /><br /><div id="flashviz" style="text-align: center;"><br /><object width="400" height="400" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://srv2.happyflu.com/viz/51ef186e1803874976151fe9.swf"><br /><param name="flashVars" value="id=51ef186e1803874976151fe9&q=874"><br /><param name="movie" value="http://srv2.happyflu.com/viz/51ef186e1803874976151fe9.swf" flashvars="id=51ef186e1803874976151fe9&q=874"><br /></object><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />(function(){var callback=function(e){e=e?e:window.event;if(e.stopPropagation)e.stopPropagation();if(e.preventDefault)e.preventDefault();e.cancelBubble=true;e.cancel=true;e.returnValue=false;return false;};var e=document.getElementById('flashviz');if(e.addEventListener)e.addEventListener('DOMMouseScroll',callback,false);else if(e.attachEvent)e.attachEvent('onmousewheel',callback);})();<br /></script><br /></div>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-29131378418937581902008-07-02T01:21:00.003-04:002008-07-02T01:27:24.208-04:00Pilandro LuganaGrape: Trebbiano<br /><br />This is a wonderful perfumed white, with a smooth texture, clean finish, and wonderful fruitiness on both the nose and the mid-palate. The nose reminds me almost of a Riesling, though the palate is unique, and a beautiful accompaniment to any rich seafood dish (I'm thinking a bisque or chowder), or possibly even a carefully prepared veal.<br /><br />At Olivino, retails for $14.99.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-84454088803576929582008-05-26T20:40:00.002-04:002008-05-26T20:42:28.874-04:00Open letter to the Future of the world.Learn how to write in English. Please. Chatspeak and l337 sp34k may be amusing amongst private conversations within your group of friends, but in the wider world it is merely aggravating.<br /><br />Thank you,<br /><br />Your Future Employer.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-79028175304742933992008-05-26T13:33:00.002-04:002008-05-26T13:36:25.322-04:00Memorial DayI wish a calm, reflective Memorial Day for you all. I'm spending it honouring my friends who are currently in the service (and cannot read this blog due to firewall restrictions), as well as those who have been lost in service to this country.<br /><br />I hold great respect for you and wish you all the best. Thank you for protecting our country and our freedoms.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-44843320081024616142008-05-23T15:00:00.003-04:002008-05-23T15:18:21.868-04:00Wine for a HolidayThis coming Monday is Memorial Day. I'll be spending the weekend in Philadelphia, with family, as there are a couple birthdays around this time. Saturday night, we'll be going out to dinner, and I'm providing the wine - wait, what do you mean that's not a surprise?<br /><br />Ok, yeah. It's a given that I provide the wine these days. I have access to a lot of wonderful wines from all over the world, and I pay a great price for them.<br /><br />This weekend, we'll be drinking Chateau la Pastorale, Buzet, France, 2000. One of my favourite wines, the blend is 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a mature wine, with a colour tending towards orange brick, and flavours running the gamut from damp soil to a typically Merlot pluminess. At $13,99 it's a great price for a wonderful wine.<br /><br />I'm a bit surprised I haven't written on this wine before, considering it's one of my favourites. The two bottles I'm bringing to Philly mean I've bought more than a half case of it.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-54647280473588515832008-05-20T14:32:00.004-04:002008-05-20T14:44:16.363-04:00Time flies...I'm honestly not sure where the last few weeks have gone. Things have been busy, but not so much so that I can offer an excuse as to why I'm neglecting this blog.<br /><br />Part of it might be that I'm struggling with how much of my personal life to share. I don't plan on sharing much of what goes on in the store, mainly because that would intrude on the privacy of my co-workers, customers, and bosses. I also intend to avoid sharing much about my family and friends, but because this is still a personal site, something of a personal nature has to be posted.<br /><br />There is a fine line between paranoia and caution, and I'm having trouble walking it.<br /><br />I'm also trying to avoid serious politics here - there are bloggers with much more political acumen than I, and the analysis is better left to them. However, wine is as much a political issue as it is a social and business one. Some politics are inevitable, and for me to avoid the topic entirely would be unthinkable. Just the American drinking age alone is enough material for its own blog, so is the current fight in France over the anti-drink lobby.<br /><br />I could go on for paragraphs, explaining my decisions to post or not post certain articles, but I'll leave it there for the moment, and offer up a forum for discussion. How much is too much? At what point does a blog lose focus and become a loose amalgamate of opinion best suited to armchair philosophy? My previous blog became defunct because of a loss of interest in the subject, and because although it was a blog about the ability we have as people to change, I rarely wrote on that topic, instead preferring to bounce from one subject to another.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-81524545807021502342008-04-29T14:15:00.002-04:002008-04-29T14:33:16.117-04:00The fight against the anti-alcohol lobby continuesToday's story comes from <a href="http://www.decanter.com/news/254914.html">Decanter</a>, where finally someone is stepping up and saying that the Lobby is doing something foolish for the French (and world) economy.<br /><br />The person working against the Lobby is Marie-Christine Tarby, president of the alcohol lobby group Vin & Société who says the following:<br /><br /><blockquote>'We are in an absurd situation where we have to defend the place of wine in French society.'</blockquote><br /><br />She also called for the drunk driving laws to remain at their current level so as to not put an undue influence on bottle service in restaurants.<br /><br />All I have to say about this is that it's about time. I've been waiting for something like this to happen, given that France has appeared to be going the way of the 1910's USA. One would think they would learn from our mistakes, and realize that demonising alcohol, or any mind-altering substance, has the opposite result from the one desired. It makes the substance more enticing to those whom it is prohibited to. A great example is to compare American youth with European youth, especially those raised to believe alcohol is a complement to environment, food, and situation. The European youth tend to have a better viewpoint of the dangers of alcohol, tending to avoid the levels of alcoholism and binge drinking that American youth are experiencing in record numbers.<br /><br />As European countries tighten their laws about alcohol, they are seeing an increase in drunk driving, alcohol-related deaths, and alcoholism. Rather than realizing there's a correlation between the two things, they respond by tightening things more. America is doing the same, though I believe we've just about reached the end of the tightening, as evidenced by recent bills to allow military to purchase and consume alcohol, as long as they're over 18. NH just had one killed in committee, though the presentation of such a bill is a step in the right direction.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-41310855967312554132008-04-26T12:31:00.003-04:002008-04-26T12:56:47.509-04:00The business of WineSo I'm sitting here at work (yes, I know, blogging at work is a big no-no, but I have nothing to do until the people in front clear out and I can sweep the sidewalk), thinking about several conversations I've had recently with customers and co-workers.<br /><br />Wine is a business.<br /><br />There have been several posts on this topic from some very good bloggers, and I'd like to add my $0.02 in.<br /><br />First and foremost, the store I work at is intended to make money. Location #2, having been open only a short while, is already posting a profit, which is a wonderful sign. Location #1 is still a wonderful place to explore and find wines you've never heard of. As I continue to work here, I'm learning the ins and outs of running one's own store, and it is not easy. Seeing as how I plan on opening my own one day, here are a few things I've decided are essential.<br /><br />1. Hire a manager for day-to-day business, general bookkeeping, and other paperwork. Said manager should NOT be responsible for ordering.<br /><br />2. One person should be responsible for ordering. Whether it's the owner, or a buyer, that person should have no other responsibilities.<br /><br />3. Communication is key. If the manager is responsible for all hiring, firing, raises, and other personnel issues, then they should keep the owner/s updated on all discussions relating to those issues.<br /><br />4. Keep staff to a minimum, and do whatever you can to keep them full-time.<br /><br />5. There must be schedules in place, and everyone must know them. This goes not only for shift schedules, but cleaning, general maintenance, and delivery.<br /><br />6. Every week should see a new wine. If there isn't room on the shelves because of single bottles left, find a way to get rid of those single bottles. Put them in a bin for people to hunt through.<br /><br />7. A bottle of something that isn't selling (and is stocked heavily) should be tasted every night.<br /><br />8. Hold classes. More informed customers means more sales, and higher-priced wine.<br /><br />9. Taste the staff on what is in-house. Encourage them to go to trade events, and make sure schedules are shifted to accommodate tastings. The staff must be educated. If that means having a rep in to taste everyone on what they have in-house, then so be it.<br /><br />10. Have books and publications about wine available for sale, and for staff use. See #'s 7, 8, and 9 for reasons.<br /><br />Those are my 10 points on running a wine store. Obviously some of them are general, and I may add to this later as I think of more, but for now this is good.<br /><br />Now, to convince my landlord to allow me a kitten so I can rename this blog what I wish to have my future store named: Athena, Nico & Petite Sarai (Aglianico & Petite Sirah - two unusual grape varietals).Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-15788623068129117522008-04-22T15:04:00.003-04:002008-04-22T15:06:19.843-04:00Spring has sprung...And boy is it causing me problems.<br /><br />Allergies have me down for the count. I'm really not drinking much wine right now (and after spending two days tasting a couple weeks ago, I'm not up to much anyway), and there are many good discussions going on in the wine blogosphere that I don't feel qualified to enter into at the moment, so I'm in a holding pattern until my sinuses decide to stop encroaching on my ears.<br /><br />Ow.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-36146347913430874222008-04-15T15:42:00.002-04:002008-04-15T16:02:08.606-04:00Wine Blogging Wednesday, take two.So the last WbW I considered participating in was supposed to be French Cabernet Franc. I wasn't able to get my hands on a good Chinon, although I did end up having a wonderful one the weekend after, thanks to my aunt and uncle's fantastic wine cellar, and their willingness to put up with the whole chaos-loving family for the Easter holiday.<br /><br />This week, however, I am able to get my hands on the theme: Old World Riesling.<br /><br />The website doesn't actually have the theme up yet, although <a href="http://www.vinography.com/archives/2008/04/wine_blogging_wednesday_45_ann.html">Alder</a> over at Vinography mentions it. So I'll probably head into Manhattan and pick up an interesting one from either <a href="http://www.chambersstwines.com/">Chamber Street Wines</a> or <a href="http://www.crushwineco.com/">Crush</a>, two of my favourite stores. I've basically exhausted the stock of Rieslings here, mainly because I absolutely love the ones we carry.<br /><br />Riesling is a fascinating wine. Low in alcohol, usually, it still carries a wonderful body and very smooth mouth feel. Some Rieslings will have a bit of tingle, just enough to make you question your senses. This is normal, as the QbA classification calls for a small dosage to be added as the wine is bottled.<br /><br />A dosage is added to wines that come from underripe grapes. Champagne and other sparkling wines made in the traditional method will have a dosage, usually a combination of a sugar concoction and yeast to trigger a second fermentation in the bottle, and other times just a bit of unfermented juice from a previous year with yeast (Brut Natural). QbA and QmP Rieslings are underripe grapes, though QbA has a dosage, whereas QmP doesn't. Another wine that has a dosage added is White Zinfandel. Made from underripe Zinfandel grapes (which are *always* red), White Zin is a sharp, acidic wine with little to recommend it. The wineries add a high-sugar dosage to impart some sweetness, which leaves the final product being a clash of flavours and textures, unsuitable for drinking. In the future, instead of grabbing that bottle of Sutter Home, head over to the Italian and Spanish Rosé section. Much better, and for about the same price.<br /><br />Now that I've gone off-topic, I'm going to go research this. I have a few weeks, and I want to make sure I choose a good, preferably aged, wine.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-27814825645920914012008-04-08T14:29:00.003-04:002008-04-08T18:39:04.316-04:00Italians 'spoofing' wineThis doesn't seem to be a new story, though it is interesting that it comes on the heels of most importers raising prices. There are two stories here; One is about companies like Banfi and Antinori blending their Montalcinos (which should be 100% Sangiovese), the other about cheaper wines having chemicals added.<br /><br />The latter story isn't anything new at all. To save money, cheap wineries boost certain flavours of wine with chemicals. A decade ago, we were hearing about oak chips being used to 'adulterate' wines. Everyone was up in arms over the concept that California wineries (and Australian, to a lesser degree) were putting oak chips in their must, rather than fermenting in a new oak barrel. As it has been discovered, it makes for pretty terrible wine.<br /><br />What I'd like to know (and probably won't for a while) is which vineyards are accused of doing so. My guess is that it's the more commercial cheapies, which means none of my wines are affected. I should probably make some calls, though, and find out directly from my distributors whether my two cheap wines are at issue.<br /><br />In regards to the former story...<br /><br />Duh. There is more demand for wine these days, especially from the big guys like Banfi. Their vineyards are not getting any bigger, and their vines are getting older, and producing fewer grapes. Which means less must, which means less wine. With the current obsession by collectors of buying futures, less wine is available for public purchase. So they turn to blending to have enough wine for everyone who wants it.<br /><br />Capitalism strikes again. And they got caught. Oh, big surprise. The Italians aren't very good about things like quality control (their DOC and DOCG classifications don't really mean a whole lot when it comes to quality), but they're great about policing after the fact.<br /><br />I'm going to go pick up a bottle of tasty Dolcetto. They can keep doing what they want. As long as it tastes good, people will buy it.<br /><br />ON EDIT: It should be Brunello, not Montalcino.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-24301532045980117562008-03-31T19:06:00.002-04:002008-03-31T19:09:12.069-04:00California wine countryI'm in the middle of planning a summer vacation to California. Although I'll be there for about a week, only a couple days are being spent *in* wine country.<br /><br />I believe we're staying in Healdsburg, so if anyone has recommendations for where to visit nearby, please leave comments. I really would like to know which wineries are interesting to visit, and preferably not too expensive to taste, although I'm sure I can get some trade tastings set up.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-85240791556070816742008-03-27T15:28:00.003-04:002008-03-27T15:33:58.971-04:00Quiet daysHuh. I just noticed how long it's been since I've really posted. Between illness, the holiday, and taking on more responsibilities at work, I've had little time, though much inclination, for blogging.<br /><br />At the same time, much of my life beyond necessity has fallen by the wayside in recent weeks. I've found myself with an almost lackadaisical attitude towards anything other than work and taking care of the basics. I haven't wanted to go anywhere, see anyone, or do anything. Even my video games are being ignored.<br /><br />Hopefully this is just a brief respite, and I'll be back full force soon.<br /><br />In the meantime, however, check the blogs on my sidebar. They're great people, and have had quite a bit to say recently. I'll also be posting my list of webcomics to pay attention to, as there have been good ones I've discovered lately.<br /><br />I also need to get my camera up and working, because signs of spring have been showing up, and there are some great shots out there.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-16040244896140756762008-03-27T15:26:00.001-04:002008-03-27T15:28:50.367-04:00Major Distributor, Mini RantI'm becoming very upset with one of our major distributors. I won't use the name, but suffice it to say, they're one of the biggest national distributors, and one of the three biggies in NYC. Two weeks in a row, they messed up my order, and while it isn't the first time, it is becoming more frequent.<br /><br />This week, I asked them to pick up their most recent mistake (they delivered a 2000 Rioja Riserva instead of the 2003 regular, and the cost difference is astronomical), and said it was because they delivered the wrong wine.<br /><br />The return invoice says "ordered wrong," which means they made it MY FAULT THAT THEY SCREWED UP!<br /><br />I'm really sick of dealing with these people, and I really wish we didn't have to order so much wine from them. Either the orderboard workers are morons, the shippers are morons, or the warehouse workers are morons, on a regular basis.<br /><br />Another example: A while back, when I received the order, one of the boxes was damp. I checked the bottles briefly, but I didn't see any obvious evidence of breakage. As I was putting out the wine, however, I had the side of one finger split open by a broken bottle FROM A DIFFERENT BOX. They had deliberately hidden where the broken bottle was so they wouldn't have to pay for it. So not only are we out the money for the bottle (luckily it was one of our most inexpensive, only costs us $3.00/bottle), but I ended up with a nice gash in one finger.<br /><br />They can get away with all this crap because they're so huge, and because they carry most of the wines that people demand. If one of the smaller distributors carried on the way they do, they'd be out of business before the first complaint started coming in. If I could get away with not ordering from them, I'd probably recommend that we stop carrying their wines.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-50436501254989850052008-03-23T16:08:00.001-04:002008-03-23T16:10:13.857-04:00Spring HolidaysHappy...<br /><br />Purim<br /><br />Passover<br /><br />Easter<br /><br />Oestra<br /><br />SpringKathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-35040965645712205872008-03-20T14:24:00.002-04:002008-12-10T02:31:26.539-05:00Wine Blogging Wednesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELto9PgooQRoMHOsnYQDq6isF3YT4qtVHCuIHcQESV4M_kihfWOkv8YObEkFvlvupoQ4ojNecKty4SxKupNOKyyNKXz-ePFlMhgXVJxhbboXue1RmmG0yctMlGVW3kdjLNnDTASpurHI/s1600-h/wbw_icon.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELto9PgooQRoMHOsnYQDq6isF3YT4qtVHCuIHcQESV4M_kihfWOkv8YObEkFvlvupoQ4ojNecKty4SxKupNOKyyNKXz-ePFlMhgXVJxhbboXue1RmmG0yctMlGVW3kdjLNnDTASpurHI/s320/wbw_icon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179891730766813138" /></a> So I'd love to participate in this week's <a href="http://www.winebloggingwednesday.org/">Wine Blogging Wednesday</a>, but I don't have any Loire wines hanging about, and I just discovered I have no Loire Reds in the store.<br /><br />Ouch. Rectifying that ASAP.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm back, somewhat. I have a ton of energy, but I also have a ton of things that fell by the wayside over the last week, not the least of which is figuring out what gets ordered for the store next week.<br /><br />I can do this. Really I can, I'll just not sleep until Easter.<br /><br />*whimper*<br /><br />Easter? I have to deal with that too?<br /><br />Argh.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-11012239318462025122008-03-15T20:53:00.002-04:002008-12-10T02:31:26.741-05:00In honour of EATAPETA<a href="http://sluggy.com/daily.php?date=970906"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbWJiQTAjwbddfl2kWbzFBqqZFiIsoE2Xk4-AkbKHim43TpFEEnJMt998Def16Xcsw_sSkdaw5lN9HkR6QrVsb3e2NXisfTG_DcnABBROs3DBhGattI3qIriZbvm_BOsRR7Nt0Lw5v_A/s1600-h/970906a.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbWJiQTAjwbddfl2kWbzFBqqZFiIsoE2Xk4-AkbKHim43TpFEEnJMt998Def16Xcsw_sSkdaw5lN9HkR6QrVsb3e2NXisfTG_DcnABBROs3DBhGattI3qIriZbvm_BOsRR7Nt0Lw5v_A/s320/970906a.gif" border="0" alt=""id="Sluggy Freelance" /></a></a><br /><br />That's all I have, as I'm fairly sick at the moment, having been laid flat by a fever.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-18203646900110643592008-03-12T23:02:00.003-04:002008-03-12T23:03:50.623-04:00Spitzer.I didn't vote for him.<br /><br />That's really the extent of my opinion on the issue.<br /><br />Want more? Go read <a href="http://elisson1.blogspot.com/2008/03/career-in-pubic-service.html">Elisson</a>, who has much to say, and says it well.<br /><br />I aspire to his wordplay.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-84535164990432539892008-03-10T19:43:00.003-04:002008-03-10T19:56:33.830-04:00ResignationEliot Spitzer may resign.<br /><br />Should I be surprised by this?<br /><br />I'm resigned to believing that NYS cannot elect a decent governor to save its life.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-38353720247235501302008-03-07T13:51:00.002-05:002008-03-07T13:57:14.705-05:00Nanny-Statism strikes againI found this <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,335896,00.html">article</a> on Fox News, though I imagine it's discussed elsewhere, about London attempting to protect people from themselves again.<br /><br />Go ahead and read the article. I'll wait.<br /><br />Done?<br /><br />HOW STUPID DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO WALK INTO A LAMPPOST WHILE TYPING A TEXT MESSAGE?!<br /><br />I text more than I should, mainly because I need a new phone, as my battery is shot. But I have never walked into a lamppost because of typing out a message or dialing a phone number. I've walked into scaffolding posts because I was caught up in a conversation with a friend walking next to me, but I've never been so distracted by my phone that I would do something so patently stupid.<br /><br />How about, instead of protecting people from themselves, you let them walk into the posts so they learn some common sense?<br /><br />Ach. I give up. People will always be stupid, and politicians will always try to protect them from their own stupidity.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-35950649226483934842008-03-07T13:30:00.004-05:002008-03-07T13:38:31.441-05:00New York Wine Expo, March 7th-9th, 2008I'll be attending the trade day at the Wine Expo, although I have my reservations after reading <a href="http://www.vinography.com/archives/2008/02/new_york_wine_expo_tasting_mar.html#comments">these comments</a> on Vinography. Given the overall negativity regarding other events from the same people, I'm going in with my eyes open. I certainly expect it to be a fairly corporate event, but that's what exists on the east coast these days, unless you're going to shell out money for one of the food & wine festivals that can be found all summer and fall. The two I'm most interested in are the South Beach Food & Wine Festival and the EPCOT Food & Wine festival. I went to the latter last year and had a fantastic time. Hopefully, this year will be the same, though I don't think I'll be able to make it the one in South Beach.<br /><br />Why is it that the events I'm intrigued by are all in places that are too warm for my comfort? I'm a cold-weather girl.<br /><br />I'm trying to talk some friends of mine into going for all-you-can-eat sushi on the Upper East Side after the Expo, but one of them wants to go to <a href="http://www.foodmayhem.com/2008/02/sushi-yasuda.php">Sushi</a> <a href="http://www.foodmayhem.com/2008/03/sushi-yasuda-2nd-visit.php">Yasuda</a>, which, while I'd love to try it, would require more money than I currently have on hand in order to eat the way we tend to. Which is to say, we gorge ourselves on sushi. Mmmm.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-83666666000880744962008-03-06T12:46:00.003-05:002008-03-06T12:59:01.581-05:00More alarmist news from the autism frontAutism is a terrible disorder, one that causes many families each year quite a bit of trouble (to understate the facts). <br /><br />However, the <a href="http://www.healthsentinel.com/news.php?id=2186&title=+Ga.+girl+helps+link+autism+to+childhood+vaccines&event=news_print_list_item">following story</a> buries the true news below the fold.<br /><br />The lede brings us to the conclusion that a girl definitively developed autism from childhood vaccines.<br /><br /><blockquote>In a move autism family advocates call unprecedented, federal health officials have concluded that childhood vaccines contributed to symptoms of the disorder in a 9-year-old Georgia girl.</blockquote><br /><br />Further down, buried as an off-hand reference, is this line:<br /><br /><blockquote>The language in the document does not establish a clear-cut vaccine-autism link. But it does say the government concluded that vaccines aggravated a rare underlying metabolic condition that resulted in a brain disorder "with features of autism spectrum disorder."</blockquote><br /><br />So here we have a case where the girl had an underlying mitochondrial condition, unnamed, perhaps one that should have been tested for, and one that could have perhaps eventually lead to autism on its own. The issue here is that her condition may have been avoidable, and, due to what might be incompetence on the parts of her doctors, caused a secondary condition that appears to be autism.<br /><br />Even further down, past where most people would read, this is said:<br /><br /><blockquote>Hannah, who has two older brothers, continues to have mild to moderate symptoms of autism.</blockquote><br /><br />Her symptoms are mild to moderate, but she needs one-on-one care? That doesn't seem right. I've known a couple of autistic kids, and beyond the basic "keep an eye on them so they don't hurt themselves or others" situation, I haven't seen an excessive need to watch them. Certainly not one-on-one.<br /><br />Perhaps <a href="http://nhmind.blogspot.com/2008/02/boston-marathon-and-autism.html">NH State of Mind</a> could respond with his opinions. I'm curious about how much care an autistic child needs, and getting an expert's point of view on an article like this is always helpful (yes, he's an expert. When you have a child with a disorder, you become an expert on it by virtue of dealing with it every day of your life).Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-39267547718657426472008-03-06T12:31:00.003-05:002008-03-06T12:35:11.832-05:00Foot, meet MouthI have this talent for saying things that will get me yelled at or shunned. By sheer virtue of opening my mouth, I am likely to either offend or confuse someone. I'm not as self-aware of this as I was in my teen years, but I still can't seem to look as good as Simon Cowell when I shove my toes so far back into my throat I can feel my sinuses.<br /><br />Anyway, now that wonderful picture is in all your minds, so I'm going to head off and try to remove my toenails from my tongue. They aren't very tasty.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-26928720369665035802008-03-06T11:52:00.002-05:002008-03-06T12:02:03.898-05:00Amazon to partner with SatanOk, not really The Adversary, at least not in a religious sense. Wine.com has, in the past year or so, the company known for it's innovation in interstate wine mailing has been <a href="http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS254&q=wine.com+sting+operation&btnG=Google+Search">running a sting operation</a>, targeting small retailers, intending to shut down their above-and-beyond concept of customer service by asking them to mail wine to states where it's illegal to receive out-of-state wine shipments unless you are a wholesale distributor/importer, then reporting them to the state authority. Not only have they pushed the envelope when it comes to what a private company (even a massive corporation) can legally do, they are doing so, not out of respect for out-of-date laws, but to eliminate their competition. It is, in brief, an anti-trust issue.<br /><br />However, this is about the story that popped up as soon as I opened Decanter's news section this morning. <a href="http://www.decanter.com/news/196238.html">Amazon moves into wine with wine.com</a>.<br /><br />I like Amazon. I use them often, and not just for books. Hell, I have several different wishlists, and they grow on a monthly basis. So this story causes a problem for me. I feel the need to join with a number of other bloggers who refuse to buy from Wine.com as a result of their sketchy business practices. But, with Amazon now partnering with them, I feel like Amazon has become the enemy.<br /><br />Huh, that reminds me of the South Park episode where we first see Satan and Saddam in bed together.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm just not sure what to make of all this. There's far too much imbalance of power in the wine industry, most of which comes from these outdated and nanny-statish laws in effect in many states.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1996258708145727154.post-48768365420316812012008-03-05T16:44:00.002-05:002008-03-05T17:08:47.564-05:00Another post about "how we eat" and "those damned French"<a href="http://blog.ruhlman.com/ruhlmancom/2008/02/food-rant-ameri.html">Michael Ruhlman writes about the paradox of the French diet, and how our low-fat, low-salt, high-sugar diets are killing us.</a><br /><br />I've been attempting to increase my intake of fresh foods, eliminating the processed, boxed, and tagged crud from my shelves and my fridge. To this end, I've kept only a few items in boxes and bags in my cabinets.<br /><br />1. Wheat Thins (preferably reduced fat, I actually enjoy the taste better), to be paired with Wispride Port Wine cheese spread. I've been addicted to this combination since I was a kid, and it doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon.<br /><br />2. Thomas' Hearty Grains English Muffins. Put peanut butter, cream cheese, jam, or regular old hard, aged cheddar (Cabot) on these and I'm in heaven.<br /><br />3. Kellogg's Raisin Bran. Love that stuff. I know it's loaded with sugar, but good lord I love that stuff.<br /><br />4. Amy's frozen dinners. Namely, the Vegetarian Lasagna (it's just so time-consuming to make, and then most of it gets frozen and forgotten. There are only two of us in the house), and a couple of the other dishes. If it's been a long day, it's easy to just throw this in the oven and wait the hour for it to be done.<br /><br />5. Ben & Jerry's. 'Nough said.<br /><br />6. The odd container of a Pillsbury product, like Grands' biscuits or cinnamon buns. Again, time-consuming and more than I'm really capable of handling in my little New York kitchen.<br /><br />7. Fluff. Again, 'nough said.<br /><br />8. Fried tortilla chips. Tostitos, usually. Paired with Muir Glen medium Salsa, great snack.<br /><br />Beyond those, and the occasional chocolate bar (I love you, Dove), I think we do alright.<br /><br />1. Fish. Lots and lots of fish. Mostly salmon, since we're trying to keep my heavy metal-intake down (and no, I don't mean Pantera and Slayer), tuna on occasion, shrimp, and whatever strikes our fancy at the market this week.<br /><br />2. Spinach. I loves me some of that. Baby spinach, tossed with broccoli, cherry/grape tomatoes, a bit of balsamic vinegar, and a touch of feta cheese is wonderful. Add in some bell peppers and shrimp and I have a meal.<br /><br />3. Asparagus. Make it and I'll eat it.<br /><br />4. Whatever fruit/melon looks good. We eat a ton of berries, apples when in season, and only when we're in NH, since I'm spoiled, and some citrus in the winter, supplemented by a lot of melon. <br /><br />5. Cheese. Have I mentioned how much I love cheese? I eat more of this than anything else.<br /><br />6. Chocolate. Wait...does that fall under processed?<br /><br />7. Occasional meat. I'm mostly vegetarian (as I mentioned in the EATAPETA post), but I also have some iron issues, so I'm not above eating a bit of meat every now and again. Mostly lamb and beef, but occasionally some bacon will find its way into a stew. If I hadn't lost the enzymes necessary to digest meat, as can happen with long-term vegetarians, I would eat it a lot more often. There aren't many ways you can substitute vegetables in a meat stew and still have the heartiness.<br /><br />8. Milk. Lots of milk. Skim.<br /><br />9. Whatever <a href="http://kende.dreamtostayawake.com">Jason</a> feeds me. The man is a genius in the kitchen. Out of the kitchen too, but especially when it comes to food. In many ways, he's the one who taught me how to cook creatively.<br /><br />So there you have it. A basic look at the pros and cons in my cabinets and fridge. I left out the spices, but be assured, they're in there.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467671117098289274noreply@blogger.com0