I am far from been an ascetic monk and quietness is not one of my virtues. However, I do often feel drawn to the quite life and the clarity that a silent space would provide.
Buddhists refer to the concept of 'monkey mind' when describing the tendency for our minds to leap from one thought to another. Silence does not stop the 'monkey mind' and the first step is just an awareness of the frenetic pace of our thoughts. A good exercise is to stop thinking for ten seconds and to observe how difficult an exercise this is.
Maybe we need to just stop, to stop moving, stop talking and then stop thinking. Only then we can dwell in a silence we create and from there, who knows?
For more information ...
thinking too much
a different view
art of sandra rose
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
nothing
Nothing to say at the moment.
Tired.
Uninspired.
Uninspiring.
Tiresome.
Tiring.
Trying and yet not trying.
Vacant but without the flashing sign.
Less busy than a vagrant.
Avoiding toil.
Shuffling off the mortal coil.
Not industrious enough to achieve such monuments.
Pause.
Slow.
Stop.
Inventiveness diminished by lack of imagination.
Foolish to attempt such writing now.
Driven by ego, a seeking of approval.
No identity can be derived from such nonsense.
Pause.
Stop.
Slow.
Thinking, now, of something important to say.
Pause.
Pause.
Pause.
Checking spelling.
In the absence of content.
This activity, the only one with meaning.
Pause.
Stop.
Pause.
Waiting for some meaning to come.
Like shit hitting a fan.
or even something less impressive.
Pause.
Absence.
Waiting.
Waiting.
No shit.
No meaning.
Waiting.
Pause.
There is no shit thrower in the universe.
Even thought there is a fan.
Even though there is shit.
No, that was not the important thing.
Begin now to focus,
like when you're drunk
and someone asks you a question, you really want to answer in a clever way.
Foolish thoughts.
But like Dylan, Thomas not Bob, a lucid moment that might in daylight be worth keeping.
Towards the end, a good place.
Here goes.
A blank line or two to set the tone.
Who among you are honest enough to be foolish?
And through your foolishness grow into a wisdom.
Didn't really hit the mark, did it?
------
Over the years I have played around with the stream of consciousness idea and have a kind of 'love hate thing' with it. There is an immediacy and movement to it that I like but the confessional and self absorbing nature of it can at times appear a little 'teenage' which is fine when you are a teenager but loses its appeal as you begin to push forty.
Nonetheless I thought I would share this as it addresses my recent dearth of postings but also a more general angst I have regarding if I have anything of importance to offer. The answer it would seem is nothing.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
mulberry bush
'Here we go round the mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush,
Here we go round the mulberry bush,
On a cold and frosty morning.'
This children's rhyme most likely began as a chant prisoners sung as they exercised around a mulberry tree in Wakefield prison. The tree (picture above) still stands in the grounds of the prison in the north of England.
Friday, October 06, 2006
maria callas
Listening to Maria Callas recently, I continue to be challenged by the operatic form which seems contrived at times. However, it is hard not to admire the accomplished nature of the performances. In particular I have been struck by Callas' version of Ebben! Ne andrò lontana. It has a slight manic quality at the end which you just don't seem to get in much popular music.
I think above all the classic and operatic has a broader range of both musicality and emotion which is hard to find in the 3 minute pop song. Don't get me wrong, The Beatles prove pop can be great but even they needed to stretch into other forms to get what they wanted to say said as Sgt. Pepper's testifies. Pop is at its best when it breaks its own form, think Nirvana, think Pink Floyd, think Radiohead.
Ebben! Ne andrò lontana (Ah well then! I shall go far away)
Come va l'eco pia campana, (Like the echo of the pious church-bell goes away,)
Là fra la neve bianca; (There somewhere in the white snow;)
Là fra le nubi d'ôr; (There amongst the clouds of gold,)
Laddóve la speranza, la speranza (There where hope, hope)
È rimpianto, è rimpianto, è dolor! (Is regret, is regret, is sorrow!)
O della madre mia casa gioconda(O from my mother's cheerful house)
La Wally ne andrà da te, da te! (La Wally is about to go away from you, from you!)
Lontana assai, e forse a te, (Quite far away, and perhaps to you,)
E forse a te, non farà mai più ritorno, (And perhaps to you, will never more return,)
Nè più la rivedrai! (Nor ever more see you again!)
Mai più, mai più! (Never again, never again!)
Ne andrò sola e lontana, (I will go away alone and far,)
Là, fra la neve bianca, n'andrò, (There, somewhere in the white snow, I shall go,)
N'andrò sola e lontana (I will go away alone and far)
E fra le nubi d'ôr! (And amongst the clouds of gold!)
Ebben! Ne andrò lontana (Ah well then! I shall go far away)
Come va l'eco pia campana, (Just like the echo of the pious church-bell goes away,)
Là fra la neve bianca; (There somewhere in the white snow;)
Là fra le nubi d'ôr; (There amongst the clouds of gold,)
Laddóve la speranza, la speranza (There where hope, hope)
È rimpianto, è rimpianto, è dolor! ( Is regret, is regret, is sorrow!)
O della madre mia casa gioconda (O from my mother's cheerful house)
La Wally ne andrà da te, da te! (La Wally is about to go away from you, from you!)
Lontana assai, e forse a te, (Quite far away, and perhaps to you,)
E forse a te, non farà mai più ritorno, (And perhaps to you, will never more return,)
Nè più la rivedrai! (Nor ever more see you again!)
Mai più, mai più! (Never again, never again!)
Ne andrò sola e lontana, (I shall go away alone and far,)
Come l'eco della pia campana, (Like the echo of the pious church-bell goes away,)
Là, fra la neve bianca, n'andrò, (There, somewhere in the white snow, I shall go,)
N'andrò sola e lontana (I'll go away alone and far)
E fra le nubi d'ôr! (And amongst the clouds of gold!)
Listening to this record, I wonder why the old fool Onassis ever left Callas for Jacqueline Kennedy. Such a force, what a woman, what a voice.
For more information ...
maria callas
I think above all the classic and operatic has a broader range of both musicality and emotion which is hard to find in the 3 minute pop song. Don't get me wrong, The Beatles prove pop can be great but even they needed to stretch into other forms to get what they wanted to say said as Sgt. Pepper's testifies. Pop is at its best when it breaks its own form, think Nirvana, think Pink Floyd, think Radiohead.
Ebben! Ne andrò lontana (Ah well then! I shall go far away)Come va l'eco pia campana, (Like the echo of the pious church-bell goes away,)
Là fra la neve bianca; (There somewhere in the white snow;)
Là fra le nubi d'ôr; (There amongst the clouds of gold,)
Laddóve la speranza, la speranza (There where hope, hope)
È rimpianto, è rimpianto, è dolor! (Is regret, is regret, is sorrow!)
O della madre mia casa gioconda(O from my mother's cheerful house)
La Wally ne andrà da te, da te! (La Wally is about to go away from you, from you!)
Lontana assai, e forse a te, (Quite far away, and perhaps to you,)
E forse a te, non farà mai più ritorno, (And perhaps to you, will never more return,)
Nè più la rivedrai! (Nor ever more see you again!)
Mai più, mai più! (Never again, never again!)
Ne andrò sola e lontana, (I will go away alone and far,)
Là, fra la neve bianca, n'andrò, (There, somewhere in the white snow, I shall go,)
N'andrò sola e lontana (I will go away alone and far)
E fra le nubi d'ôr! (And amongst the clouds of gold!)
Ebben! Ne andrò lontana (Ah well then! I shall go far away)
Come va l'eco pia campana, (Just like the echo of the pious church-bell goes away,)
Là fra la neve bianca; (There somewhere in the white snow;)
Là fra le nubi d'ôr; (There amongst the clouds of gold,)
Laddóve la speranza, la speranza (There where hope, hope)
È rimpianto, è rimpianto, è dolor! ( Is regret, is regret, is sorrow!)
O della madre mia casa gioconda (O from my mother's cheerful house)
La Wally ne andrà da te, da te! (La Wally is about to go away from you, from you!)
Lontana assai, e forse a te, (Quite far away, and perhaps to you,)
E forse a te, non farà mai più ritorno, (And perhaps to you, will never more return,)
Nè più la rivedrai! (Nor ever more see you again!)
Mai più, mai più! (Never again, never again!)
Ne andrò sola e lontana, (I shall go away alone and far,)
Come l'eco della pia campana, (Like the echo of the pious church-bell goes away,)
Là, fra la neve bianca, n'andrò, (There, somewhere in the white snow, I shall go,)
N'andrò sola e lontana (I'll go away alone and far)
E fra le nubi d'ôr! (And amongst the clouds of gold!)
Listening to this record, I wonder why the old fool Onassis ever left Callas for Jacqueline Kennedy. Such a force, what a woman, what a voice.
For more information ...
maria callas
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
in memoriam 2
We all share a compulsion for life, a sense of not wanting to let go and yet when we live, we often do so in a habitual, unaware state. When confronted by death I often turn to the words of Dylan Thomas, 'rage, rage against the dying light' but then when I begin, again, to think of life the words that often come to mind are ...
'Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.'
Within that tension, between the childish rhyme and the poets considered words lies the trick to life, an awareness of one's own mortality but not a dwelling upon it, an awareness of one's own life but not a dwelling upon it. Requiescat in pace.
For more information ...
do not go gentle into that good night
row, row, row your boat
'Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.'
Within that tension, between the childish rhyme and the poets considered words lies the trick to life, an awareness of one's own mortality but not a dwelling upon it, an awareness of one's own life but not a dwelling upon it. Requiescat in pace.
For more information ...
do not go gentle into that good night
row, row, row your boat
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
summers lease
Sonnet XVIIIShall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate.
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date.
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
- William Shakespeare (1564- 1616)
Thursday, September 14, 2006
in memoriam
Whilst waiting for a burger in A&W I noticed these two 'obits' appearing in the local rag beside each other. One, a death resulting from a gang shooting, the other a more peaceful passing.
Read the details, I found them interesting. Requiescat in pace.
Mary Alice (Nancy) Melting Tallow of the Siksika Nation passed away peacefully at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital on Sunday, September 3, 2006 at the age of 91 years.
Mary is survived by her children; Gerald, Francis (Ruth), Dorothy (Fraser), Allison (Earl), Irwin (Teresa), Hayden, Georgina, Marie (Dexter), special grandchildren, Barry and Carla and nieces Annie Sharp of Seattle, and Lorraine Stevens and nephew Jim Monroe. She is also survived by 44 grandchildren, 96 great grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews and other relatives. If we have missed anyone, the family greatly apologizes.
Mary was married on July 6, 1934 to her husband Matthew Melting Tallow who predeceased her. Later, she was predeceased by her common-law husband, George Wolf Collar. She is also predeceased by her son, Casey; infant twin son, Terry; infant daughter, Theresa; sister, Mary; brother, Paul Running Bird; adopted brother, Jack Big Eye and sister, Annie Sharp (nee Royal).
Nancy was born at the Blackfoot Indian Hospital one frosty Sunday morning on April 18, 1915 and lived all her life on the Siksika Nation. She traveled extensively across Western Canada and the south-western United States in her golden years. Nancy was sadly missed when she passed away on Sunday, September 3, 2006 under a clear blue sky and the hot autumn sun.
Nancy was very kind and warm-hearted and greeted you with a great smile. She was a quiet, spiritual mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother and had many relatives, adopted children and many friends. Nancy had her humble beginnings at the old Cold Mines Village on Siksika. There she was a housewife, homemaker and raised all her young children in a log cabin.
Although Nancy was a residential school survivor, she was a devote catholic and was especially dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and respected and prayed with everyone regardless of their faith and church affiliation or religion. Nancy was very fluent in Blackfoot and equally proficient in the English language, together with her knowledge of the Blackfoot Culture was able to give some assistance to Indian Land Claim issues and other historical matters of the Siksika Nation.
Tyrone Walker, beloved son of Patricia Minott and Bancroft Walker, passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at the age of 27 years.
Tyrone was born on January 12, 1979 in Kingston, Jamaica and migrated to Calgary at a very young age. He attended Father Lacombe High School in his senior years. He loved to play Ping Pong, and liked modelled and remote control cars.
Besides his parents, Tyrone will be lovingly remembered by his children Anushka & mother Wendy of Jamaica, LaShiya & mother Sarah, Trevayne & mother Inez, and Keona & mother Corrin; brothers Noel of Florida, and Christoper & Curtis, of Calgary; sisters Michelle of Jamaica, and Sophia of Calgary; aunts Hermine of Calgary, Gloria, Rose & Maruca of Connecticut, and Beverley of Toronto; uncles Compton 'Coco' of Calgary, Claudy of Connecticut, Abyn, Itell of England, and Donavon in the United States; and his grandparents Jessie & Percy of Calgary. Tyrone will also be sadly missed by his extended family and many friends, and all those who knew and loved him.
For more information ...
a&w
calgary sun
Read the details, I found them interesting. Requiescat in pace.
Mary Alice (Nancy) Melting Tallow of the Siksika Nation passed away peacefully at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital on Sunday, September 3, 2006 at the age of 91 years.Mary is survived by her children; Gerald, Francis (Ruth), Dorothy (Fraser), Allison (Earl), Irwin (Teresa), Hayden, Georgina, Marie (Dexter), special grandchildren, Barry and Carla and nieces Annie Sharp of Seattle, and Lorraine Stevens and nephew Jim Monroe. She is also survived by 44 grandchildren, 96 great grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews and other relatives. If we have missed anyone, the family greatly apologizes.
Mary was married on July 6, 1934 to her husband Matthew Melting Tallow who predeceased her. Later, she was predeceased by her common-law husband, George Wolf Collar. She is also predeceased by her son, Casey; infant twin son, Terry; infant daughter, Theresa; sister, Mary; brother, Paul Running Bird; adopted brother, Jack Big Eye and sister, Annie Sharp (nee Royal).
Nancy was born at the Blackfoot Indian Hospital one frosty Sunday morning on April 18, 1915 and lived all her life on the Siksika Nation. She traveled extensively across Western Canada and the south-western United States in her golden years. Nancy was sadly missed when she passed away on Sunday, September 3, 2006 under a clear blue sky and the hot autumn sun.
Nancy was very kind and warm-hearted and greeted you with a great smile. She was a quiet, spiritual mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother and had many relatives, adopted children and many friends. Nancy had her humble beginnings at the old Cold Mines Village on Siksika. There she was a housewife, homemaker and raised all her young children in a log cabin.
Although Nancy was a residential school survivor, she was a devote catholic and was especially dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and respected and prayed with everyone regardless of their faith and church affiliation or religion. Nancy was very fluent in Blackfoot and equally proficient in the English language, together with her knowledge of the Blackfoot Culture was able to give some assistance to Indian Land Claim issues and other historical matters of the Siksika Nation.
Tyrone Walker, beloved son of Patricia Minott and Bancroft Walker, passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at the age of 27 years.Tyrone was born on January 12, 1979 in Kingston, Jamaica and migrated to Calgary at a very young age. He attended Father Lacombe High School in his senior years. He loved to play Ping Pong, and liked modelled and remote control cars.
Besides his parents, Tyrone will be lovingly remembered by his children Anushka & mother Wendy of Jamaica, LaShiya & mother Sarah, Trevayne & mother Inez, and Keona & mother Corrin; brothers Noel of Florida, and Christoper & Curtis, of Calgary; sisters Michelle of Jamaica, and Sophia of Calgary; aunts Hermine of Calgary, Gloria, Rose & Maruca of Connecticut, and Beverley of Toronto; uncles Compton 'Coco' of Calgary, Claudy of Connecticut, Abyn, Itell of England, and Donavon in the United States; and his grandparents Jessie & Percy of Calgary. Tyrone will also be sadly missed by his extended family and many friends, and all those who knew and loved him.
For more information ...
a&w
calgary sun
Sunday, September 10, 2006
wine table
I have been keeping my wine journal for over a year now and listed below are the wines that have made it into my seasonal picks. OK, this may be nerdish but here goes.
If we add up the points earned by each country (table 1) we see France leads the way and I was surprised to see Canada come second. Of course I drink a lot of French wine so if we weigh the rankings by amount consumed (table 2) we see France go right down the table and Canada go to the top.
Table 1: Most points earned - unweighted
France 22
Canada 14
Spain 10
New Zealand 8
USA 5
Italy 4
Chile 3
Australia 2
Table 2: Most points earned - weighted according to amount consumed
Canada 14/15 = .93333
Spain 10/11 = .90909
New Zealand 8/9 = .88888
USA 5/7 = .74128
Italy 4/7 = .57142
Chile 3/6 = .50000
France 22/48 = .45833
Australia 2 /14 = .14285
What does this all mean?
Complete list of seasonal picks ...
18/20 wines
Veuve Cliquote Ponsardin, Demi-sec (non-vintage) - Riems, Champagne, France
Abrazo, Garnacha & Carinena, 2003 - Spain
Chateau de Lancyre, Coteau de Languedoc - Languedoc, France
17/20 wines
Hillside Estate Riesling 2002 - Naramata Bench, B.C., Canada
Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc 2003 - Burrowing Owl Vineyard, B.C., Canada
Calona Vineyards, Artist Series, Pinot Gris, 2004 - Okanagan Valley, B.C., Canada
Montes Alpha, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002 - Colchagua Valley, Apalta Vineyard, Chile
Pierre Boniface, Apremont, 2004 - St. Andre, Les Marches, Savoie, France
Twenty Bench, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003 - Napa Valley, California, USA
Meursault, Paul Garaudet, Vieille Vigne 2002 - Burgundy, France
16/20 wines
Rubens, Tempranillo, 2004 - Villamanrique, Ciudad Real, Spain
Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 - New Zealand
Kim Crawford, Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 - New Zealand
Abrazo Gran Reserva, Carinena, Garnacha, Tempranillo, 1996 - Spain
Hillside Estate, Reserve Series, Muscat Ottonel, 2004 - Okanagan, Canada
Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc 2004 - Marlborough, New Zealand
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc 2004 - Marlborough, New Zealand
Sumac Ridge Pipe 1999 - Blacksage Vineyard, B.C., Canada
La Vieille Ferme, White Grenache, 2004 - Luberon, Rhone Valley, France
Nino Franco Prosecco, - Valdobbiadene, Italy
Tres Picos, Garnacha, 2003 - Campode Borja, Borsao, Borja, Spain
Chateau Thieuly, Sauvignon Blanc & Semillion, 2004 - Bordeaux, France
Bogle, Merlot 2003 - California, US
Mount Langhi Ghiran, Riesling 2004, - Australia
Collalto, Prosecco DuConegliana e Valdobbialene, - Suseganna, Italy
Pfaffenheim, Gerwurtztraminer, 2004, Vin D'Alsace, - Alsace, France
15/20 wines
Beaurevoir Tavel, Rose - Chapoutier, Rhone Valley, France
Les Charmes, Touraine, Sauvignon Blanc, 2004 - Touraine, Loire, France
Cedar Creek, Pinot Noir, 2001 - Cedar Creek & Greta Ranch Vineyards, Okanagan, B.C., Canada
For more information ...
2006 summer picks
2006 spring picks
2005-2006 winter picks
2005 fall picks
2005 summer picks
2005 late spring/early summer picks
If we add up the points earned by each country (table 1) we see France leads the way and I was surprised to see Canada come second. Of course I drink a lot of French wine so if we weigh the rankings by amount consumed (table 2) we see France go right down the table and Canada go to the top.
Table 1: Most points earned - unweighted
France 22
Canada 14
Spain 10
New Zealand 8
USA 5
Italy 4
Chile 3
Australia 2
Table 2: Most points earned - weighted according to amount consumed
Canada 14/15 = .93333
Spain 10/11 = .90909
New Zealand 8/9 = .88888
USA 5/7 = .74128
Italy 4/7 = .57142
Chile 3/6 = .50000
France 22/48 = .45833
Australia 2 /14 = .14285
What does this all mean?
- We drink a lot of French wine, much good but also much that does not make my seasonal picks.
- The Canadian wine we've had has mostly been good perhaps because it was tasted and bought at the vineyard.
- We have not really sampled much from the USA, Italy or Chile. More sampling of those countries is in order.
- We've had a lot of average Australian wine, I must get some recommendations from my family down-under.
- Spain and New Zealand have been very reliable.
- We must try some better German and Portuguese wines as none made it to my list of picks.
- I agree with Einstein, 'Not everything that counts can be measured. Not everything that can be measured counts.'
Complete list of seasonal picks ...
18/20 wines
Veuve Cliquote Ponsardin, Demi-sec (non-vintage) - Riems, Champagne, France
Abrazo, Garnacha & Carinena, 2003 - Spain
Chateau de Lancyre, Coteau de Languedoc - Languedoc, France
17/20 wines
Hillside Estate Riesling 2002 - Naramata Bench, B.C., Canada
Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc 2003 - Burrowing Owl Vineyard, B.C., Canada
Calona Vineyards, Artist Series, Pinot Gris, 2004 - Okanagan Valley, B.C., Canada
Montes Alpha, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002 - Colchagua Valley, Apalta Vineyard, Chile
Pierre Boniface, Apremont, 2004 - St. Andre, Les Marches, Savoie, France
Twenty Bench, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003 - Napa Valley, California, USA
Meursault, Paul Garaudet, Vieille Vigne 2002 - Burgundy, France
16/20 wines
Rubens, Tempranillo, 2004 - Villamanrique, Ciudad Real, Spain
Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 - New Zealand
Kim Crawford, Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 - New Zealand
Abrazo Gran Reserva, Carinena, Garnacha, Tempranillo, 1996 - Spain
Hillside Estate, Reserve Series, Muscat Ottonel, 2004 - Okanagan, Canada
Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc 2004 - Marlborough, New Zealand
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc 2004 - Marlborough, New Zealand
Sumac Ridge Pipe 1999 - Blacksage Vineyard, B.C., Canada
La Vieille Ferme, White Grenache, 2004 - Luberon, Rhone Valley, France
Nino Franco Prosecco, - Valdobbiadene, Italy
Tres Picos, Garnacha, 2003 - Campode Borja, Borsao, Borja, Spain
Chateau Thieuly, Sauvignon Blanc & Semillion, 2004 - Bordeaux, France
Bogle, Merlot 2003 - California, US
Mount Langhi Ghiran, Riesling 2004, - Australia
Collalto, Prosecco DuConegliana e Valdobbialene, - Suseganna, Italy
Pfaffenheim, Gerwurtztraminer, 2004, Vin D'Alsace, - Alsace, France
15/20 wines
Beaurevoir Tavel, Rose - Chapoutier, Rhone Valley, France
Les Charmes, Touraine, Sauvignon Blanc, 2004 - Touraine, Loire, France
Cedar Creek, Pinot Noir, 2001 - Cedar Creek & Greta Ranch Vineyards, Okanagan, B.C., Canada
For more information ...
2006 summer picks
2006 spring picks
2005-2006 winter picks
2005 fall picks
2005 summer picks
2005 late spring/early summer picks
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
2006 summer picks
Summer has been nice but wet here in Western Canada. Not just wet because of the weather but also because we have managed to sample 18 whites and 3 reds. France once again dominates our sampling with 9, then Australia with 4, 2 for the US, New Zealand and Chile followed by a single bottle from both Germany and Italy.
"Somewhere near the cool shadows of the laundry room. Past the litter box and between the plastic yard toys. This is your time. Time to enjoy a moment to yourself. A moment without the madness. The dishes can wait. Dinner be damned. Mad Housewife Wine."
In Spring I promised to search out some good Aussie wines and I am glad to say one has made my list. Here are the top 5 for summer.
1. La Rouviere, Chateau de Lancyre, Coteau de Languedoc, 2004 - Languedoc, France (18/20)$20
"dry, beautiful, aromatic, understated, lemon tones"
2. Bogle, Merlot 2003 - California, US (16/20) $25
"plum, blackcurrant, soft and flavoursome"
3. Mount Langhi Ghiran, Riesling 2004 - Australia (16/20) $19
"nice dry, citrus on the nose, clear white colour, lemon and lime, strong minerality" (for a full review read here)
4. Collalto, Prosecco Di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene - Suseganna, Italy (16/20) $25
"just the way I like my sparking wine, not too dry"
5. Pfaffenheim, Gewurtztraminer, Vin D'Alsace, 2004 - Alsace, France (16/20)$15
"sweet but not sticky, a great sweet wine"
I expect the fall will see us return to trying more reds and I intend to continue looking for good wines from outside Europe. Keep an eye out for a post on how I rate the wines from different countries.
For more information ...
La Rouviere
Bogle Merlot
Mount Langhi Ghiran(poor site)
Collato
Pfaffenheim (good site and in French)
mad housewife
"Somewhere near the cool shadows of the laundry room. Past the litter box and between the plastic yard toys. This is your time. Time to enjoy a moment to yourself. A moment without the madness. The dishes can wait. Dinner be damned. Mad Housewife Wine."In Spring I promised to search out some good Aussie wines and I am glad to say one has made my list. Here are the top 5 for summer.
1. La Rouviere, Chateau de Lancyre, Coteau de Languedoc, 2004 - Languedoc, France (18/20)$20
"dry, beautiful, aromatic, understated, lemon tones"
2. Bogle, Merlot 2003 - California, US (16/20) $25
"plum, blackcurrant, soft and flavoursome"
3. Mount Langhi Ghiran, Riesling 2004 - Australia (16/20) $19
"nice dry, citrus on the nose, clear white colour, lemon and lime, strong minerality" (for a full review read here)
4. Collalto, Prosecco Di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene - Suseganna, Italy (16/20) $25
"just the way I like my sparking wine, not too dry"
5. Pfaffenheim, Gewurtztraminer, Vin D'Alsace, 2004 - Alsace, France (16/20)$15
"sweet but not sticky, a great sweet wine"
I expect the fall will see us return to trying more reds and I intend to continue looking for good wines from outside Europe. Keep an eye out for a post on how I rate the wines from different countries.
For more information ...
La Rouviere
Bogle Merlot
Mount Langhi Ghiran(poor site)
Collato
Pfaffenheim (good site and in French)
mad housewife
Thursday, August 17, 2006
not so constant gardener
I find gardening both relaxing and challenging. Relaxing because it gets my mind off work and other nonsense, challenging because of its unpredictable nature.
One can design a bathroom and due to its static nature you can define what you want and then work to get it. You can design a garden too but dynamic and unpredictable variables like weather and plants make it more difficult to get what you want but in many ways more rewarding.
Our garden is pretty simple and not too impressive, occasionally however we have a dramatic success. Two years ago it was our delicious tomatoes, last year it was the potatoes, this year it is the Asiatic lilies. Any fool could grow these, they take little care and just need to be planted in full or semi-shaded area.
So, overall I would not describe myself as a constant gardener. My neighbours on the other hand, that is another matter for another post.
For more information ...
lilies
the constant gardener
One can design a bathroom and due to its static nature you can define what you want and then work to get it. You can design a garden too but dynamic and unpredictable variables like weather and plants make it more difficult to get what you want but in many ways more rewarding.
Our garden is pretty simple and not too impressive, occasionally however we have a dramatic success. Two years ago it was our delicious tomatoes, last year it was the potatoes, this year it is the Asiatic lilies. Any fool could grow these, they take little care and just need to be planted in full or semi-shaded area.
So, overall I would not describe myself as a constant gardener. My neighbours on the other hand, that is another matter for another post.
For more information ...
lilies
the constant gardener
Sunday, August 13, 2006
a day in the life
Last week I decided to capture the mundane and banal from a typical work day.
I have never developed a strong liking for coffee, but, ahh! a nice cup of tea, is how I start my day ...
... I have been getting up early and writing for one hour before beginning my 40 minute commute ...
... first the bus ...
... at this spot the c-train door will open and I will get on, mine are not the pink toenails ...
... here is PetroCanada Tower, Calgary's #1 terrorist target, I work on the 38th & 39th floors ...
... spot the ubiquitous Starbucks in the foyer, been a tea drinker I never stop there ...
... I just take the elevator and look at the TV to get 'in depth' 20 word headlines...
... stop! you cannot come in unless you say the magic word ...
... go and work hard young man ...
... I walk down the hall to my office ...
... I'm thankful that I have an office even if it is next door to the notorious B.I.G. who adorned my name plate with this cartoon ...
.. of course to IT, I am just a number 'jtb86118' not a name ...
... I try to keep my desk tidy but it gets messy with word docs, excel spreadsheets and visio charts, may be the cartoon is closer the mark than I would care to admit ...
... my phone is invariably flashing messages when I come in, such is life when you work with people around the planet ...
... but I usually take a moment to enjoy the view, the buildings are not pleasant but in the distance I can usually see the snow capped Rockies ...
... why not cut out the 'middle man' and dump the paper straight in the recycling bin ...
... my office is on the 39th floor but I am typically up and down to the 38th floor 5-10 times a day ...
... looking down 39 floors can make me feel dizzy ...
... as can these diagrams, spot the Greek reference? ....
... so now it's time for lunch, today, sushi, tuna, salmon, prawn and California outside roll, all for $6! (4Euros, UKP3, $AUS7) ...
... if I'm stressed I will go and walk a labyrinth in a nearby church, this is a great way to relax, I try to do it slowly, typically it takes me 30 minutes to get to the inside ...
... at then home at the end of the day.
For more information ...
labyrinth
I have never developed a strong liking for coffee, but, ahh! a nice cup of tea, is how I start my day ...
... I have been getting up early and writing for one hour before beginning my 40 minute commute ...
... first the bus ...
... at this spot the c-train door will open and I will get on, mine are not the pink toenails ...
... here is PetroCanada Tower, Calgary's #1 terrorist target, I work on the 38th & 39th floors ...
... spot the ubiquitous Starbucks in the foyer, been a tea drinker I never stop there ...
... I just take the elevator and look at the TV to get 'in depth' 20 word headlines...
... stop! you cannot come in unless you say the magic word ...
... go and work hard young man ...
... I walk down the hall to my office ...
... I'm thankful that I have an office even if it is next door to the notorious B.I.G. who adorned my name plate with this cartoon ...
.. of course to IT, I am just a number 'jtb86118' not a name ...
... I try to keep my desk tidy but it gets messy with word docs, excel spreadsheets and visio charts, may be the cartoon is closer the mark than I would care to admit ...
... my phone is invariably flashing messages when I come in, such is life when you work with people around the planet ...
... but I usually take a moment to enjoy the view, the buildings are not pleasant but in the distance I can usually see the snow capped Rockies ...
... why not cut out the 'middle man' and dump the paper straight in the recycling bin ...
... my office is on the 39th floor but I am typically up and down to the 38th floor 5-10 times a day ...
... looking down 39 floors can make me feel dizzy ...
... as can these diagrams, spot the Greek reference? ....
... so now it's time for lunch, today, sushi, tuna, salmon, prawn and California outside roll, all for $6! (4Euros, UKP3, $AUS7) ...
... if I'm stressed I will go and walk a labyrinth in a nearby church, this is a great way to relax, I try to do it slowly, typically it takes me 30 minutes to get to the inside ...
... at then home at the end of the day.
For more information ...
labyrinth
Saturday, August 05, 2006
listening
A wise old owl sat in an oak,
The more he heard the less he spoke;
The less he spoke the more he heard.
Why aren't we all like that wise old bird?
- Edward Hersey Richards
Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we could hear twice as much as we speak.
- Epictetus
Good listening involves being in the moment and tuning into someone else. I think too much about the future and too much about myself therefore I struggle with listening.
Although flawed, I am reasonably self-aware and have worked at listening. At work during meetings, I play this game where I try to be the last person to speak. In this way I can sit silently and listen. It kills me and yet shows me the idleness of chatter! I also ask myself if what I am about to say will make a difference, most times it will not, so I don't bother saying anything. More and more, I find this to be true.
I would not want to leave you with the impression that I am quiet. I am not and would say I am one of the more vocal in most work groups. I am working at listening and choosing a few key words that express something of import. I find my writing style is far more minimal than my verbal style and conveys better what I mean.
Do you hear me?
The more he heard the less he spoke;
The less he spoke the more he heard.
Why aren't we all like that wise old bird?
- Edward Hersey Richards
Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we could hear twice as much as we speak.
- Epictetus
Good listening involves being in the moment and tuning into someone else. I think too much about the future and too much about myself therefore I struggle with listening.
Although flawed, I am reasonably self-aware and have worked at listening. At work during meetings, I play this game where I try to be the last person to speak. In this way I can sit silently and listen. It kills me and yet shows me the idleness of chatter! I also ask myself if what I am about to say will make a difference, most times it will not, so I don't bother saying anything. More and more, I find this to be true.
I would not want to leave you with the impression that I am quiet. I am not and would say I am one of the more vocal in most work groups. I am working at listening and choosing a few key words that express something of import. I find my writing style is far more minimal than my verbal style and conveys better what I mean.
Do you hear me?
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
half way
So how long will I live? The following is certainly not scientific but it is amusing.
The life expectancy in Ireland is 77.73 years and I lived there for my first 21 years. In the UK it is 78.54 and I spent 8 years in that country. I am glad I spent 7 years in Canada as the life expectancy there is 80.22 years. Finally the life expectancy in the US is 77.85 and I spent 2 years stateside.
Calculating my life expectancy from the average life expectancy for each country and weighting it by the time spent in each country, I come up with the following.
((77.73*21)+(78.54*8)+(80.22*7)+(77.85*2))/38 = 78.36 years
So I will live to 78, which means that I will meet the grim reaper sometime in 2046. If I go all 'Cardinal Ussher' and calculate exactly how many days .36 of 78.36 translates to, the grim reaper will sharpen his scythe on Friday May 11th at 9.36 in the morning, just after my final breakfast.
By then my son will be 42 and if he had a child at the same age I did, that child would be 6. So I will see my son mature to the age of 42 and my grandson to the age of 6, if I and they are lucky. This is certainly not scientific and it is quickly losing its humor. When put like this, 78 does not seem long enough.
Today I am 38, almost halfway there.
For more information ...
life expectancy
rank order life expectancy
first world war sketches
cardinal ussher
The life expectancy in Ireland is 77.73 years and I lived there for my first 21 years. In the UK it is 78.54 and I spent 8 years in that country. I am glad I spent 7 years in Canada as the life expectancy there is 80.22 years. Finally the life expectancy in the US is 77.85 and I spent 2 years stateside.
Calculating my life expectancy from the average life expectancy for each country and weighting it by the time spent in each country, I come up with the following.
((77.73*21)+(78.54*8)+(80.22*7)+(77.85*2))/38 = 78.36 years
So I will live to 78, which means that I will meet the grim reaper sometime in 2046. If I go all 'Cardinal Ussher' and calculate exactly how many days .36 of 78.36 translates to, the grim reaper will sharpen his scythe on Friday May 11th at 9.36 in the morning, just after my final breakfast.
By then my son will be 42 and if he had a child at the same age I did, that child would be 6. So I will see my son mature to the age of 42 and my grandson to the age of 6, if I and they are lucky. This is certainly not scientific and it is quickly losing its humor. When put like this, 78 does not seem long enough.
Today I am 38, almost halfway there.
For more information ...
life expectancy
rank order life expectancy
first world war sketches
cardinal ussher
Friday, July 21, 2006
this week I am drinking
Recently I have been on two wine quests. First, to find a nice dry riesling as distinct from sweet rieslings. Secondly, to find an Australian wine that would make my summer picks.
I was pleasantly suprised to satisfy both quests when I came across Mount Langi Ghiran 2004 riesling ($Can19, 13Euros, $AUS22, 9UKP). This wine from the Grampians in Victoria, Australia perhaps lacks some of the layered complexity of the Alsace or Mosel-Saar-Ruwer rieslings but it is very drinkable and it is dry. The unusual name is aboriginal for 'home of the yellow-tailed black cockatoo'.
The label describes strong lemon and lime flavours and although I usually suspect the marketing spin on labels this one has got it right. This citrus quality lends it the dry acidic character I was looking for but there is also a hint of sweetness, perhaps peach. Additionally it has a mineral quality, a slight stony flavour but certainly not the flinty character of chablis.
This is so nice I bought a second bottle which I will polish off tonight! It should be available in Australia so I would be interested to hear what the antipodeans have to say about it. Enjoy!
For more information ...
mount langi ghiran (a good wine, a poor site)
yellow tailed black cockatoo
I was pleasantly suprised to satisfy both quests when I came across Mount Langi Ghiran 2004 riesling ($Can19, 13Euros, $AUS22, 9UKP). This wine from the Grampians in Victoria, Australia perhaps lacks some of the layered complexity of the Alsace or Mosel-Saar-Ruwer rieslings but it is very drinkable and it is dry. The unusual name is aboriginal for 'home of the yellow-tailed black cockatoo'.
The label describes strong lemon and lime flavours and although I usually suspect the marketing spin on labels this one has got it right. This citrus quality lends it the dry acidic character I was looking for but there is also a hint of sweetness, perhaps peach. Additionally it has a mineral quality, a slight stony flavour but certainly not the flinty character of chablis.
This is so nice I bought a second bottle which I will polish off tonight! It should be available in Australia so I would be interested to hear what the antipodeans have to say about it. Enjoy!
For more information ...
mount langi ghiran (a good wine, a poor site)
yellow tailed black cockatoo
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
no one shouted stop
We were hungry and happy in the fields
But fled for factories where we were fed and frustrated
And no one shouted stop.
Our children played by the river
But we put them into schools to be bullied
And no one shouted stop.
We had large families that had little
But then had little families who had everything
And no one shouted stop.
We were lazy and idle and had time for our kids
But became busy and scheduled and made no time for our kids
And no one shouted stop.
We had nothing but lovingly gave our kids what we had,
We got everything, gave it all to our kids except love
And no one shouted stop.
We worked long and hard and still made time
We worked long and hard and had no time
And no one shouted stop.
Our houses were small but felt like home
Our houses were large and felt like hotels
And no one shouted stop.
We hit our children but did not hate them
We do not hit them but act like we hate them
And no one shouted stop.
We had shorter lives fully lived
but now have longer lives largely unlived
And no one shouted stop.
This is quite rantish and has not been subject to my normal intense editing. It doesn't quite reflect what I believe, I am not so nostalgic or pessimistic. In spite of this I decided to 'put it out there' just to see what people think. Apologies to John Healy but I am sure he would appreciate the fighting tone of the piece.
For more information ...
john healy
preshaa
Thursday, July 06, 2006
2006 spring picks
Anyone fancy some wine in a can?
Spring has been good for trying antipodean wines and I am glad to see some Kiwi wines make it to my list of recommendations. Our Australian friends are, once again, noticeable by their absence. During the summer months I will endeavour to search out some good Aussie wines which must exist. In Spring we drank mostly French followed closely by Australian then New Zealand and Canadian with a few Spanish and Chilean rounding out our sampling
1. Meursault, Paul Garaudet, Vieille Vigne 2002 - Burgundy, France (17/20)
"expensive but beautiful, delicate, citrus, oaky, soft"
2. Rubens, Tempranillo, 2004 - Villamanrique, Ciudad Real, Spain (16/20)
"fruity, earthy, nice, a little tannic"
3. Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 - New Zealand (16/20)
"pungent, strong citrus and melon notes"
4. Kim Crawford, Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 - New Zealand (16/20)
"a more subtle Kiwi, citrus, melon, tangerine, very nice, worth $CAN25 (Euro17.62, UKP12.03, AUS30.20)"
This season I have also tried to find the best of the cheapest wines available here in western Canada. Below is my choice, not the greatest of wines but very drinkable and look at the price!
Cuvee Saint Pierre, Blanc de Blancs, Chardonnay - France
"nice drinkable not complex, wet!" $CAN8.90 (Euro6.27, UKP4.28, AUS10.75)
For more information ...
No website for Paul Garaudet, another example of how poorly French wines are marketed.
reubens
oyster bay
kim crawford
iron wine
Spring has been good for trying antipodean wines and I am glad to see some Kiwi wines make it to my list of recommendations. Our Australian friends are, once again, noticeable by their absence. During the summer months I will endeavour to search out some good Aussie wines which must exist. In Spring we drank mostly French followed closely by Australian then New Zealand and Canadian with a few Spanish and Chilean rounding out our sampling
1. Meursault, Paul Garaudet, Vieille Vigne 2002 - Burgundy, France (17/20)
"expensive but beautiful, delicate, citrus, oaky, soft"
2. Rubens, Tempranillo, 2004 - Villamanrique, Ciudad Real, Spain (16/20)
"fruity, earthy, nice, a little tannic"
3. Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 - New Zealand (16/20)
"pungent, strong citrus and melon notes"
4. Kim Crawford, Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 - New Zealand (16/20)
"a more subtle Kiwi, citrus, melon, tangerine, very nice, worth $CAN25 (Euro17.62, UKP12.03, AUS30.20)"
This season I have also tried to find the best of the cheapest wines available here in western Canada. Below is my choice, not the greatest of wines but very drinkable and look at the price!
Cuvee Saint Pierre, Blanc de Blancs, Chardonnay - France
"nice drinkable not complex, wet!" $CAN8.90 (Euro6.27, UKP4.28, AUS10.75)
For more information ...
No website for Paul Garaudet, another example of how poorly French wines are marketed.
reubens
oyster bay
kim crawford
iron wine
Thursday, June 29, 2006
the wisdom of zorba
Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis explores the tension between a life of action and a life of thought. Whilst the books narrator might suggest that the unexamined life is not worth living, Zorba would counter that the unlived life is not worth examining.
Here is some wisdom of Zorba.
"I tell you, boss, everything that happens in this world is unjust, unjust, unjust. I won't be party to it! I, Zorba, the worm, the slug! Why must the young die and the old wrecks go on living? Why do little children die? I had a boy once - Dimitri he was called - and I lost him when he was three years old. Well ... I shall never, never forgive God for that, do you hear? I tell you, the day I die, if He has the cheek to appear in front of me, and if He is really and truly a God, He'll be ashamed! Yes, yes, He'll be ashamed to show himself to Zorba, the slug!"
... and more ...
"The unfailing rhythms of the seasons, the ever-turning wheel of life, the four facets of the earth which are lit in turn by the sun, the passing of life - all of these filled me once more with a feeling of oppression. Once more there sounded within me, together with the cranes' cry, the terrible warning that there is only one life for all men, that there is no other and that all that can be enjoyed must be enjoyed here. In eternity no other chance will be given us.
A mind hearing this pitiless warning - a warning which, at the same time, is so compassionate - would decide to conquer it weakness and meanness, its laziness and vain hopes and cling with all its power to every second which flies away for ever."
It is not the easiest book to read and tends to meander in places but perhaps Kazantzakis was trying to echo the pace of Greek life. However, for those of you with reflective souls I would encourage you to read this classic.
For more information ...
Zorba - wikipedia
Zorba - the movie
Here is some wisdom of Zorba.
"I tell you, boss, everything that happens in this world is unjust, unjust, unjust. I won't be party to it! I, Zorba, the worm, the slug! Why must the young die and the old wrecks go on living? Why do little children die? I had a boy once - Dimitri he was called - and I lost him when he was three years old. Well ... I shall never, never forgive God for that, do you hear? I tell you, the day I die, if He has the cheek to appear in front of me, and if He is really and truly a God, He'll be ashamed! Yes, yes, He'll be ashamed to show himself to Zorba, the slug!"
... and more ...
"The unfailing rhythms of the seasons, the ever-turning wheel of life, the four facets of the earth which are lit in turn by the sun, the passing of life - all of these filled me once more with a feeling of oppression. Once more there sounded within me, together with the cranes' cry, the terrible warning that there is only one life for all men, that there is no other and that all that can be enjoyed must be enjoyed here. In eternity no other chance will be given us.
A mind hearing this pitiless warning - a warning which, at the same time, is so compassionate - would decide to conquer it weakness and meanness, its laziness and vain hopes and cling with all its power to every second which flies away for ever."
It is not the easiest book to read and tends to meander in places but perhaps Kazantzakis was trying to echo the pace of Greek life. However, for those of you with reflective souls I would encourage you to read this classic.
For more information ...
Zorba - wikipedia
Zorba - the movie
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
mommy in pieces
(portrait of the artist's mother - juan gris, 1912)1 My mommy lost her belly button boating in Bruges one year,
2 The Belgians found it for her in the old cathedral there.
3 After that in Amsterdam she misplaced her elbow,
4 A Dutch milkmaid discovered it, down where tulips grow.
5 Pushing onto Paris she couldn't find her chin
6 But under the Eiffel Tower she found it there again.
7 Meandering in Munich her hips they went astray,
8 A polite German policeman retrieved them the next day.
9 She wandered all through Europe for that summer long,
10 Losing bodyparts and wondering what was wrong.
11 Then one night in London town she met a fellow traveller,
12 He had lost most of himself and yet was filled with laughter.
13 She asked why do you laugh so much when most of you is gone?
14 He said, with each lost piece of me I find where I belong.
15 From that moment, mommy wandered with bright knowing eyes,
16 Losing little bits of her but growing young and wise.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to suggest improvements and point out what you think is wrong with the above 'work in progress'.
Help!
For more information ...
juan gris
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
endgame - samuel beckett
CLOV (fixed gaze, tonelessly):
Finished, it's finished, nearly finished, it must be nearly finished.
(Pause.)
Grain upon grain, one by one, and one day, suddenly, there's a heap, a little heap, the impossible heap.
(Pause.)
I can't be punished any more.
(Pause.)
I'll go now to my kitchen, ten feet by ten feet by ten feet, and wait for him to whistle me.
(Pause.)
Nice dimensions, nice proportions, I'll lean on the table, and look at the wall, and wait for him to whistle me.
(He remains a moment motionless, then goes out. He comes back immediately, goes to window right, takes up the ladder and carries it out. Pause. Hamm stirs. He yawns under the handkerchief. He removes the handkerchief from his face. Very red face. Glasses with black lenses.)
HAMM:
Me -
(he yawns)
- to play.
(He takes off his glasses, wipes his eyes, his face, the glasses, puts them on again, folds the handkerchief and puts it back neatly in the breast pocket of his dressing gown. He clears his throat, joins the tips of his fingers.)
Can there be misery -
(he yawns)
- loftier than mine? No doubt. Formerly. But now?
(Pause.)
My father?
(Pause.)
My mother?
(Pause.)
My... dog?
(Pause.)
Oh I am willing to believe they suffer as much as such creatures can suffer. But does that mean their sufferings equal mine? No doubt.
(Pause.)
No, all is a-
(he yawns)
-bsolute,
(proudly)
the bigger a man is the fuller he is.
(Pause. Gloomily.)
And the emptier.
(He sniffs.)
Clov!
(Pause.)
No, alone.
(Pause.)
What dreams! Those forests!
(Pause.)
Enough, it's time it ended, in the shelter, too.
(Pause.)
And yet I hesitate, I hesitate to... to end. Yes, there it is, it's time it ended and yet I hesitate to-—
(He yawns.)
-to end.
(Yawns.)
God, I'm tired, I'd be better off in bed.
(He whistles. Enter Clov immediately. He halts beside the chair.)
You pollute the air!
(Pause.)
Get me ready, I'm going to bed.
.....
I have always found Beckett humorous. The bleak and minimal nature of the work only serves to heighten the ludicrous nature of the linguistic see-sawing in which his characters engage. It is this verbal rumination that ultimately leads to an understanding of the ritualistic nature of our small talk.
I prefer Endgame over the more famous, Waiting for Godot, and find in it more meaning and humour. The opening exchange, above, between Clov and Hamm is a taste of what the full play contains and I encourage people to read/see Beckett's plays. He is accessible and universal, there are no obtruse literary allusions. All the reader/theatre goer needs to do is listen. Listen real carefully and then you will begin to hear the rhythms emerge.
Next year this play will be 50 years old and yet I know of no other play that is so thouroughly modern.
For more information ...
samuel beckett
endgame
Friday, June 02, 2006
varietal variety
Curious to understand how many varietals I sampled in the last year, I reviewed my wine diary and came up with the incomplete list below.
Certainly it reflects exploration beyond the grapes that typically make it into our glasses but vitis vinifera* holds more room for exploration as is evidenced by wikipedia's also incomplete but more exhaustive list.
white
ugni blanc
colombard
viognier
marsanne
parellada,
macabeo
xarel-lo
chardonnay
monastrell
prosecco
riesling
sauvignon blanc
semillion
grechetto
jaquerre
chenin blanc
gewurtztraminer/traminer
pinot gris
gros mansey?
red
carinena
garnacha/garnaga/grenache
trebbianno
tempranillo
shiraz/syrah
mouverde
cinsault
nebbiolo
pinot noir
pinot meunier
malbec
gamay
cabernet sauvignon
cabernet franc
merlot
aragones
casletao
triacadeira
For more information ...
*vitis vinifera - the main grape species used in wine making
grape varieties
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
first blirthday
I have been blogging for one year, here are some numbers.
82 posts
22 on thinking
18 on wine
11 on poems
8 on peek and boo
8 on nature
8 on words/literature
3 on domestic
4 unaccounted for
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Thursday, May 11, 2006
fool
(credit: neat whiteface, glen "frosty" little by jim howle)Whether it is Ivan Ilyich realizing in his final few moments that his whole life and its conventionality has 'been wrong'. Or Dorian Gray realizing that his vanity was not worth the price of his sins and then dying as a result of his final attempt at reform. Or Charles Foster Kane who in spite of his success and acquisitiveness dies without love and with only the word 'rosebud' on his lips, a final remembrance of his childhood.
Why do we realize what is important near the end? Why are we distracted? Do women suffer the same neglect of life itself?
Is it because man is still a conqueror who wants to go out into the world and leave his mark and does so at the expense of what is close to home? Is it because he needs to focus on been a provider and provides the wealth of the world but not time or the love? Or is it because he simply does not stop and think about what is important?
Why do we wait until the end, to begin? Why are we such fools?
For more information ...
the death of ivan ilyich
the picture of dorian gray
citizen kane
Friday, May 05, 2006
on our watch
(source: bbc news)Africa makes it onto our news and nature programs but there is a shocking lack of TV fiction about Africans. Through the news, we get the facts, through the nature programs we build pictures of the continent but we do not have a sense of Africans.
Good fiction connects us with people as people. The only TV show to address Africa and some of its concerns is ER and for that it is to be commended. It does not present a through analysis of the Darfur situation but it does show us African's as 'real people'.
Only when we connect with people from far off lands as 'real people' will we begin to work on making sure there are no additions to the genocide list that currently ends; Bosnia, Rwanda, Darfur.
For more information ...
darfur crisis
oxfam darfur press release
Saturday, April 29, 2006
first flower
Yesterday evening I could see a bud straining to break forth and this morning there it was, more full than I would have anticipated. The first flower of the season, the first tulip of spring.
Perhaps it is timely that a tulip, the national flower of Iran, peacefully came forth just as tensions seem to be rising in that part of the world. Whatever happens regarding Iran and its nuclear aspirations at least I can depend on this tulip appearing regularly each year.
Oh! how the world is wasted on man.
For more information ...
go out and smell a flower
Perhaps it is timely that a tulip, the national flower of Iran, peacefully came forth just as tensions seem to be rising in that part of the world. Whatever happens regarding Iran and its nuclear aspirations at least I can depend on this tulip appearing regularly each year.
Oh! how the world is wasted on man.
For more information ...
go out and smell a flower
Friday, April 28, 2006
varietals - merlot
Think of merlot as cabernet sauvignon's younger brother. It shares some of the fruit characteristics and additionally has plummy and even chocolate notes but without the robustness of cabs. Unfortunately whilst cabernet may be the tough elder brother, merlot sometimes comes off as a weakling. This stereotype was regrettably reinforced by the movie 'sideways', I say regrettably because good merlot has a distinct character worth exploration.
As with cabernet sauvignon, Bordeaux is the classic region producing quality merlots but also look for good merlots from the US (both California and Washington State). Chile also has good merlots to offer although some tend to be mislabelled and in truth are carmenere (source: the wine bible). Australia too has some good merlot and often blend it with cabernet sauvignon, as do other regions.
I refreshed my memory of merlots by opening a bottle of 2003 Ravenswoods from Sonoma County, California. This 100% merlot is produced by Joel Peterson, a winemaker who prides himself on creating merlots with character. Although Ravenswood is owned by the mega-corp Constellation, don't let that put you off trying this wine.
Strong black fruit , I could not detect chocolate or mocha. Perhaps a little plum. Certainly it was quite robust , medium to full bodied. The tannins perhaps lend some character but their bitterness resulted in the loss of a soft, velvety quality I had been looking for. There was some spice, not quite pepper perhaps clove. I hesitate to criticize this wine, it has tried to be something more than a weak and meek merlot, but in the end I just did not enjoy it. It may be worth the $CAN20 (Euro14, $AUS24, UKP10) for some but I think I will not buy it again.
I feel like the mystery of a good merlot had not been revealed to me, so I expect to explore more soon. A Pomerol or that Bogle merlot that has been hanging around waiting for an occassion.
For more information ...
sideways
the wine bible
ravenswood merlot
constellation brands
As with cabernet sauvignon, Bordeaux is the classic region producing quality merlots but also look for good merlots from the US (both California and Washington State). Chile also has good merlots to offer although some tend to be mislabelled and in truth are carmenere (source: the wine bible). Australia too has some good merlot and often blend it with cabernet sauvignon, as do other regions.
I refreshed my memory of merlots by opening a bottle of 2003 Ravenswoods from Sonoma County, California. This 100% merlot is produced by Joel Peterson, a winemaker who prides himself on creating merlots with character. Although Ravenswood is owned by the mega-corp Constellation, don't let that put you off trying this wine.
Strong black fruit , I could not detect chocolate or mocha. Perhaps a little plum. Certainly it was quite robust , medium to full bodied. The tannins perhaps lend some character but their bitterness resulted in the loss of a soft, velvety quality I had been looking for. There was some spice, not quite pepper perhaps clove. I hesitate to criticize this wine, it has tried to be something more than a weak and meek merlot, but in the end I just did not enjoy it. It may be worth the $CAN20 (Euro14, $AUS24, UKP10) for some but I think I will not buy it again.
I feel like the mystery of a good merlot had not been revealed to me, so I expect to explore more soon. A Pomerol or that Bogle merlot that has been hanging around waiting for an occassion.
For more information ...
sideways
the wine bible
ravenswood merlot
constellation brands
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)