peek and boo discuss power

Somewhere in this land. Rising light. Faint whistle of awakening birds. Two enter.

Peek: The widow will be just beginning to stoke the fire, let's wait until she has something cooking.

Boo: My stomach is growling.

Peek: Think of this instead, who is the most powerful in the kingdom?

Boo: Must I?

Peek: Yes.

Boo: Well, the king can do what he wants, have what he wants, be what he wants.

Peek: But he has duties, responsibilities and can be overthrown.

Boo: Then maybe it is the queen, she has less responsibility than the king and yet she is the power behind the king.

Peek: But she too has duties and responsibilities and her slender neck is prone to been cut by an axe!

Boo: Ouch! Maybe it is the princess, whose beauty is admired by all and who has not a care in the world.

Peek: No cares, except that she dreads been married off to a warty old man who does not speak her language but whom the king wants her to marry for political reasons.

Boo: OK, this is more difficult than I thought, perhaps the prince.

Peek: He who idly strums on his mandolin growing old waiting for his father to die?

Boo: How about the knight then? Strong in battle admired by all because of his prowess, above the politics of the court.

Peek: The knight whose reputation is judged by his last performance with the lance or his last sword fight. Behind the helmet and shield he knows, at best, he lives to ultimately die in battle.

Boo: Who is the most powerful in the kingdom? (Pause) Perhaps the bishop who has God on his side, who is above the intrigues of court politics or the sacrifices of the battle field.

Peek: Think, Boo, Think! There is none more treacherous or deceptive than the religious man, his cleverness lies in been on the side of God, whom none will challenge. But sooner or later he is found out as men grow old and wise to his personal foibles. At worst the bishop is defrocked, at best he kneels mumbling in the corner "Ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in nomine patres et filii et spiritus sancti".

Boo: Who then Peek? Who is the most powerful in the kingdom?

Peek: Perhaps it is the jester, whose only responsibility is to make the court laugh. He can hold up a mirror to reflect the idiocy and vanity of others. He can laugh at the bishop's finery and fallibility, he can pose like the knight with his oversized cod piece. He can prance like the prince and pose like the princess. He can imitate the queen farting whilst chewing on a chicken leg and he is the only one who can make fun of the king. His duty to make us laugh is easily carried out because he has ample material with which to work. Perhaps it is the jester who is most powerful in the kingdom.

Boo: You may be right, Peek, you may be right. I smell the widow cooking something perhaps she'll give us some. Can we go and eat now?

Peek: Yes, let's go.

Rising light. A chorus of birds now fully awake. Two exit.

late spring, early summer picks

Here are my top picks for late spring, early summer starting with the best.

1. Hillside Estate Riesling 2002 - Naramata Bench, B.C., Canada (17/20)
" a nice sweet white with complex flavours of apple and citrus"

2. Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc 2003 - Burrowing Owl Vineyard, B.C., Canada (17/20)
"fruity, not herbaceous or vegetative, lime and kiwi notes"

3. Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc 2004 - Marlborough, New Zealand (16/20)
"pungent, flavourful, herby, crisp"

4. Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc 2004 - Marlborough, New Zealand (16/20)
"fruity, not herbaceous or vegetative, good tropical fruit notes"

5. Sumac Ridge Pipe 1999 - Blacksage Vineyard, B.C., Canada (16/20)
" essentially a port based on cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, sweet, fruity, good"

Late spring and early summer saw us drink 14 bottles, 6 red and 8 white. 4 from Canada, 3 from Australia, 2 from both Argentina and New Zealand and one each from France, Chile and Spain.

I am surprised that Canada occupies 3 of the top 5 spots and that the remaining two go to New Zealand. It is also noteworthy to see that the only red to make it is a fortified wine. Another surprise is the lack of Australian wine in the top 5 although the 2003 Heartland Stickleback (cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, grenache blend) came close with a 15/20 score. We probably need to ease off on the Canadian and New Zealand whites and try some more Australian, French and Spanish wines. Cheers.

For more information ...
http://www.hillsideestate.com/
http://www.sandhillwines.ca/
http://www.stoneleigh.co.nz/
http://www.villamaria.co.nz/home.php
http://www.sumacridge.com/

crossing the threshold

Words are alive, they have histories, give birth and die. Let me explain.

If we look up the word "threshold" in the dictionary we will see it defined as
: the plank, stone, or piece of timber that lies under a door
: the place or point of entering or beginning
: the point at which a physiological/psychological effect begins

Let's dip into history and examine the origins of this word. A stone placed in a doorway needed to be strong and resilient to withstand high levels of traffic. This stone was hard enough for a farmer to thresh his wheat hence "threshold". So the word has a history.

Threshing separates the wheat from the chaff. The chaff was thrown outside into the mud, the wheat was brought inside. This meaning evolved from the tangible into the intangible concept of separating the good from the bad, the sacred from the profane and thus a new meaning of "threshold" was born.

Today, the word "threshold" is very much alive but no one uses it do indicate a stone upon which wheat is threshed and that usage has died.

Words are alive, they have histories, give birth and die.

For more information ...
http://www.m-w.com/

tasting tips

Here are some quick tips to help develop your taste buds when drinking wine.

> Sweetness is tasted by the tip of the tongue, if you can't get it straight away it probably means the wine is dry.

> The presence of tannins usually has a drying affect on the mouth, similar to the effect that you get when drinking tea or eating bananas.

> Acidity counterbalance sweetness and alcohol. So a dry, low alcohol wine will seem more acidic than a sweet, high alcohol wine. Basically "sweetness big, acidity small" - "sweetness small, acidity big".

> Finish refers to how long an aftertaste of the wine lingers. One to three seconds would be a short finish, more than 10 seconds would be a long finish.

So the next time someone describes a wine as dry, high acidity with a long finish you can know if they are talking rubbish or not!

life in seven acts

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

As you like it, Act II Scene VII - William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Notes:
pard - leopard
capon - castrated male chicken
saws - sayings
pantaloon - loose-fitting usually shorter than ankle-length trousers


For more information ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_You_Like_It

painted ladies fly north

On Sunday, after three weeks of rain the sun finally shone on Calgary. Returning home westward we were witness to hundreds of butterflies crossing our path and flying north. For the rest of the afternoon these insects made their way towards the meadows of northern Alberta. I would imagine the population measured in tens if not hundreds of thousands.

So who were these visitors and where did they come from?

I thought maybe that the increased temperature occasioned all the butterflys to break free of their chrysalis. So I checked the temperature (20 degrees Celsius/68 Fahrenheit) which was nothing unseasonable. The butterflies were dominantly orange/brown in colour with black and white patches and a little fleck of blue toward the tip of their hindwing. I am no lepidopterist but they seemed reminiscent of the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) I saw when I was young in Ireland. A quick look on the net reveals their name, Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), a close cousin of the Red Admiral.

They migrate from the deserts of Northern Mexico and Arizona up through the US, into Canada and rest just below the arctic circle, feeding on thistles and other flowers.

That these little creatures have been able to fly over 4000kms (2500 miles) truly impressed me.

For more information ...
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/az/225.htm

being european

The recent rejection of the European Union constitution by France and the Netherlands brings to the fore once again the question "what does it mean to be European?"

The question has often been asked but perhaps the lack of a compelling answer has been at the heart of the disquiet between member nations and the European Union. On the other hand if we ask the question "what does it mean to be Irish, English or Spanish?" we would arrive at some broadly agreed and strongly held consensus. Although my own sense of nationhood has diminished since leaving Ireland I would say that I still have more certainty regarding it than I do regarding being European. If Europe wants to move forward together then we need to arrive at some definition our identity as Europeans. One way we could do this would be to contrast Europe with the US or the Middle East.

In contrast to the US, as Europeans we will continue to be a mosaic rather than a melting pot. Our identities as Irish, English or Spanish will not be lost or subsumed by a European identity. We may have a European identity but it will be in addition to our national identities. Immigrants to America are driven through social and cultural mores to lose their national identity and assume the American way so as to achieve the American Dream. I don't see people losing their national identities to pursue a European dream anytime soon.

In contrast to the Middle East, a hallmark of modern Europe has been the secular and humanistic influences on government and society. In the Middle East religion is an integral part of the social and cultural fabric. There are some potential battle lines that we can see developing in this regard within Europe (e.g. the wearing of the veil in French schools or the use of sharia law) but overall I believe Europe will remain secular and humanist.

So to be European may mean to be nationally distinct but loosely integrated by common values such as secularism and humanism. It is likely that any definition of what it means to be European will be loose and politicians advocating greater integration through the mechanism of the E.U. need to be aware of that. It would seem to me that an E.U. constitution would be a good place to enshrine some of the commonly held values but the constitution as it reads now perhaps goes a little too far when it wants to codify foreign and defence policy amongst other things.

So if you are European, what does it mean to you? And if you are not European, does it mean anything to you?

For more information ...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2950276.stm

running away

Each of us at sometime want to run away or to escape. As a child it may be to run away from the constraints that adults place on our life. As adults it may be to escape the constraints that western society places on us.

Western society has a well defined pattern of education, marriage, mortgage, kids and retirement. This pattern provides us with much of what we want but also robs us of much of what we are capable. Working 40 hours a week, 48 weeks a year does not provide much time to spend with loved ones or to explore a life with more meaning. Obviously the bills need to be paid and I haven't yet figured out how to survive without food but it seems a little depressing that those concerns dictate so largely the pattern of our lives.

Children who run away from home invariably return to those who can provide for them but as adults do we not think that if we "ran away from western society" we could provide for ourselves? As a child I would be fearful of making my own way outside of my comfort zone but as an adult shouldn't I be able to handle that? Is the life we create for ourselves in western society simply a comfort zone? Is there not a more full experience to be had?

The child runs away to be with the circus, where should we as adults run to?

burgundy

Burgundy (Bourgogne in French) in the east forms one of the three great wine growing regions of France along with Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. When people talk about Burgundy wine they are usually referring to the red wines of the Cote d'Or even though there are both reds and whites produced in this region. The Cote d'Or is further divided in two, the Cote de Nuits and the Cote de Beaune. Burgundy is made from the Pinot Noir grape which those of you who have seen Sideways know is a finnicky grape to grow but one that can lead to complex taste.

So why don't the French just label there bottle by the varietal(grape) name? Traditionally winemakers in the old world have striven to create wines that reflect a concept known as terroir. Terroir refers to the combination of soil, underlying rock, weather and local geography that a vineyard has. Thus the labels tend to reflect the region rather than the grape. Old world winemakers strive to make the perfect Burgundy rather than the perfect Pinot Noir. Winemakers in the new world have concentrated on producing good wines that reflect just the varietal(grape). This has caused a problem for the winemakers in the old world as most of us buy wine based on the colour (will we get a red or white?), a lot buy based on country (Australian White or Chilean Red?) some of us may buy based on varietal (will we buy a zinfandel or cabernet sauvignon?) but very few of us would buy based on terroir (will we buy a Bordeaux or Burgundy?)

This along with other factors has led to the success of the new world wines even though now these countries are beginning to produced wines that reflect their terroir. The French are a little reticent to make there labels readable by people like us who know little about wine so to understand what you are buying can still be difficult.

If you are looking for a good Burgundy, 2002 is a good vintage due optimal summer and harvest conditions. In particular 2002 Burgundys from the village of Gevrey Chambertin in the Cote de Nuits are worth trying.

the greek for love

On rare occasions you discover a book that gets under your skin and close to your heart. Louise passed onto me her recent discovery "The Greek for Love" by James Chatto. Part travelogue, part biography and part love story. At first glance it seems to be in the well trodden tradition of travelogues like Peter Mayle's "A Year in Provence" but it soon moves off that path into biography and ultimately leads to a love story.

Perhaps for Louise and I it makes a deep connection because it resonates with vague aspirations we have. As new parents the main players are identifiable and this makes the people, place and time seem most vivid.

This is an excellent read that you will want to linger over and sip like a small glass of Ouzo.

For more information ...
http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/author.pperl?authorid=4738

water, water everywhere

Rain continues to fall in southern Alberta, many areas have been subject to a flood warning and the rivers are at a very high level.

One of my work colleagues has just left the office to go home and start putting up some sandbags. Two main rivers run through Calgary, the Bow and the Elbow. The Elbow in particualrly has caused trouble for homeowners who live close to it. Many people have experienced flooded basements. So far we have been ok, I did a little caulking of our chimney during the summer so we should be good.

We are all getting a little tired of the rain but although it has eased off I think we will have showers for a few more days, then I fully expect a much deserved summer.

wasting time

I have been off work for 4 weeks and so it has been a culture shock to be back at work in the last couple of days. Aliens from another planet would be bemused to see groups of seemingly intelligent adults sit around tables rambling on and on in this uniquely earthling activity called meetings. They seem to go on and on forever, very little is done, nothing achieved and most agree they are a momentous waste of time. And yet great conversations are the very lifeblood on which many of us thrive.

What can be done about meetings?

Make them short, to the point, energetic, agressively moderated, fun, use pictures and drawings, just minute actions not the whole discussion. Maybe then the aliens will return and think a little more highly off us. Mork to Olsen, signing off.

this week I am drinking

This week I am drinking a Carmen Reserve 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon. It comes from the Maipo valley which lies to the south of Santiago and dominates Chile's wine industry.

Upon first tasting to me it seems fullbodied but perhaps the tannins dominate the fruit a little too much. Louise gets the blackcurrant and cassis (the classic cab taste). I have decanted it which is good for softening the tannins (so I am told) perhaps in a day or so it will grow on me.

Just had a quick look at the profile on their website and they have included 10% syrah (spicy) and 5% merlot (plummy/chocolatey). I don't like it when the label does not state exactly what is in the bottle. It is difficult enough trying to figure out the complex tastes of wine without incomplete labelling to confuse us innocents.

Will try tomorrow and let you know what I think then.

For more information ...
http://www.carmen.com/VentaNet/asp/pagDefault.asp

last day off

So, today, is my last day off before returning to work tommorrow. I have been away from work for four weeks. It has been great to spent time with Louise and Tomas. It has been a particularly eventful time for Tomas, he has begun to walk and interact more than ever.

I hope that when I return to work I can continue to have a healthy balance between work and play. It is a challenge to fit everything in and I probably shouldn't even try.

It would be great to take four weeks off every year, it does cost money but was well woth it.

rain and cold

Calgary's winter is long, it's spring is short, it's summer is better than Englands and it's autumn is short. There is a quick synoposis of the weather of Western Canada.

At the moment we are having a lot of rain, springs 'last hurrah' before we get our good summer. A good summer is predicted (base on El Nino or is it El Nina or both?) and it usually provides more days of sunshine than the summer in Ireland or England.

I have yet to plant anything in our garden. My clematis are beginning to come up but the real experiment this year is wheat. I really should have it planted already but I will try to plant it in the next week or so. Calgary's summer is relatively short but intense, so growth is rapid.

You may wonder why I want to plant wheat? Well wheat is the crop of the prairies so it is my effort to become horticulturally Canadian. Grain elevators are one of the architectural sites of the Western Canada, these are simple structures that are used to store grain. Somehow I think mine will be stored in a bucket.

For more information ...
http://www.kconnolly.ca/Elevators/Alberta/index.html

around the house

Around the house I have been baby proofing. This has primarliy involved putting up baby gates. We got a cheap pressure mounted/hinged gate which was fine for one danger zone. The Supergate III was easy to install and was resonably priced.

We have another area where the gap is greater than 45" so we had to get another gate. The ElongateG60 was too pricey and was a pain to fit, I had to buy a hacksaw and longer bolts to get it to work!

It is very hard from the pictures on the box to determine if the gate will be suitable. Retailers often don't allow you to open the box to get a closer look. My advice is to go to the manufacturers website and download the user guide this will give you an idea about how easy or hard it might be to install.

For more information ...
http://www.northstatesind.com/juvenile/juv_main_frame.htm
http://www.kidcoinc.com/gate_dis.cfm?Gate_ID=g60

this week I am drinking

This week I am drinking a 2002 riesling from Hillside Estate, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada. The Hillside Estate vineyard is situated on the Naramata Bench, just north of Penticton on the east side of Okanagan Lake.

The wines that do best in B.C. are those from the reisling or gerwurtztraminer grapes. So if you don't like sweetness or fruit try elswhere. I expect as people move away from the tedium of fully oaked chardonnays and as the industry in Canada matures the wines of B.C. will grow more popular.

This riesling is "yummy" with definite flavours of apple and citrus. Unfortunately due to the small volume produced I would expect it is difficult to get elsewhere.

For more information ...
http://www.hillsideestate.com/