|
| I was tremendously sad to hear about Tim Russert passing -- he has long been someone I've admired, and I can relate to his passion for elections and his fascination with the political process. Meet The Press has long been one of my favorite shows, and I am curious who will try to take over as host. In his passing, I have learned more about the man he was -- now everyone is remembered fondly, but this was something exceptional. He has been remembered for a few things universally -- being "tough, but fair", his sports references, his love for his father "Big Russ", and his Catholic faith. I must admit, I was solely impressed by his work and his cheerful style prior to hearing the anecdotes of his life over the last few days. Now I am more impressed by the man than the career. Watching Tom Brokaw get choked up was so moving and unsettling at the same time. Someone who has had to report on all kinds of tragedy, and yet was so affected by the passing of his friend. "The best exercise for the human heart is to bend down and pick someone else up" - Tim Russert. 
| | |
| It's been a while since I posted -- I've been on quite a ride of ups, downs, overs, unders -- just hanging on for dear life. It's interesting -- the music I listen to has even changed a I feel I need a driving beat behind it to keep me pushing forward at a pretty rigorous pace. My travel went haywire for a little while, as the congruence of business and pleasure travel took its toll. I was very happy to have a "vacation" in Philly this past weekend to unwind a bit, do laundry, and catch up with a few people I hadn't seen in a while. I actually have nearly 3 weeks where I'll be around, which is nice. I will post some of my favorite pictures from the remainder of my travels... I promise... Even though my business travel isn't as extreme as many, this little uptick has me thinking about longer term, what do I want my travel load to be -- I pushed back on some extensive travel recently because I wasn't willing to do it. I never thought that would happen, at least certainly not until I had a family. Looking back, I've had nearly 20,000 miles over the last 45 days, and another 15,000 miles coming up in the next month (though that is almost all in one trip over to India). Work has been interesting -- I'm caught in a position of wanting to do lots of different things, but also wanting to be careful not to take a step forward in my career that I won't be happy with in the long term, even if there are short term benefits that create a strong lure. Lots of external opportunities have also presented themselves that have me pondering -- I know I'm not going to make a leap in the short term, but it's good for me to reflect on what lures me and why. Personal life has been stretching me in good ways lately -- challenging what is important in friendships, determining where to invest my time, and helping (well, trying to help) support some people close to me going through struggles with broken friendships, relationships, marriages, etc... At the same time, I'm also trying to work on three different personal projects on things I am interested in - I'll share more if I follow through on any of them to a deep extent -- so far, they are just on the side of life. I survived Mothers Day -- it's always tough, but for some reason it seemed easier this year... I feel kinda guilty about that, even though Mothers Day was never something important in my family... Next time, pictures of Romania, Grand Canyon, and Miami (I didn't take pictures of Central Massachusetts or Atlanta...)... | | |
| Whew! I'm in the middle of a whirlwhind of travel... Just got back from a trip to the Grand Canyon and Orlando last night, and tomorrow, I'm off to North Carolina for my God-daughter's baptism. Up in the next few weeks are two trips to NYC, a trip to Miami, and probably a trip to Atlanta. I am definitely 'on the go' right now. It's too much, and I am hoping to be a bit more settled in May. I spoke at a conference on Tuesday, and it was a real success -- I finally figured out how to do both serious material, and also make it fun for people. I'm good at serious, but had been scared to bring my odd sense of humor into the mix in a business setting. Thank God for bringing me through it -- I didn't work on my content until 36 hours before, but it came together -- I had no idea if I had 30 minutes or 90 minutes of content, but it was just right. | | |
| Tired of You - Foo Fighters
I can be your liar
I can be your bearer of bad news
Sick and uninspired by the diamonds in your fire
Burning like a flame inside of you
Is this just desire or the truth?
So shame on me for the ruse
Shame on me for the blues
Another one returned that I'll never use
I won't go getting tired of you,
I won't go getting tired of you,
I'm not getting tired
I won't go getting tired of you,
I won't go getting tired of you,
I'm not getting tired
Hanging on this wire
Waiting for the day I'll have to choose
Cursed by love so dire
One more boy for hire
One more boy to lend a hand to you
Is this just desire or the truth?
So shame on me for the ruse
Shame on me for the blues
Another one returned that I'll never use
Chorus
I can be your liar
I can be your bearer of bad news
Sick and uninspired by the diamonds in your fire
Burning like a flame inside of you
Is this just desire or the truth?
So shame on me for the rues
Shame on me for the blues
Another one returned that I'll never use
Chorus | | |
| Well, I have my exam tomorrow, and have every confidence that I will pass -- it is much less academically rigorous than my previous courses, even as it goes into far more detail about wine regions that are not of significant importance.
I've tasted a ton of wines over the last 2 days, here are the best, in my opinion... we rushed through them, so this is more gut feel, no doubt I am wrong on many of these -- I am also not a bug sherry fan, but we were tasting some outstanding ones. And yes, even though I haven't had a raisin in 25 years, I still know what one tastes like, and can enjoy that... in WINE....
93 - 2002 Valdubon Ribera del Duero Reserva ($19) - tobacco, cedar, plum, really nice finish -- 10-15+ seconds, then begins a pleasant fade with the fruit carrying it
93 - Apostoles 30 yr old Palo Cortado VORS ($70) - caramel, nuts, raisins, with some hints of citrus or citrus peel
93 - Neo Pedro Ximenez 30 yr old VORS ($70) - subtle raisin flavors with notes of coffee and chocolate. Insanely sweet and wonderful poured over freshly made vanilla ice cream.
91 - 2003 Senorio del CID Ribera del Duero Crianza ($21) - cherry and plum flavors, 5-10 second finish
91 - 2005 Magana Calchetes ($55) - plum, tobacco, dark chocolate, dark fruit. medium tannin, 10 s finish
91 - Dies Baco Oxford 1.970 Pedro Ximenez ($30) - raisin flavors, ridiculously viscous -- sticks to the glass like caramel
91 - Solera 1847 Oloroso Dulce Sherry ($20) - Nuts, lots of caramel, burnt sugar, creme brulee, 10-15 second finish
90 - El Duque Amontillado 30 yr old VORS ($70) - light caramel color, fading to gold rim, muted nose, palate has pleasant notes of salt and caramel, medium - long finish
89 - 2006 Vionta Albarino ($14) - high acid, minerality, pineapple, lemon, 10-15 second finish
89 - 2003 Casa de la Ermita Crianza ($21) - dried fruit, plum, cherry, 10-15 s pleasant finish
88 - Osborne Manzanilla Fina Sherry ($10) -- sea salt and seaweed -- really pleasant and refreshing!
88 - NV Aria Estate Brut Cava ($14) - toast and green apple, velvety mouthfeel
88 - NV Heredad Brut Reserva Cava ($20) - biscuit, green grass, lemon, and almond on finish, 10 s finish. I wouldn't be able to pick this as Cava, tastes like Champagne.
88 - 2002 Mas d'Aranyo Tempranillo Reserva ($13) - plum, black currant, tobacco, black cherry, a little diluted on palate and began to develop a skunky nose in glass. finish fades quickly.
88 - 2001 Montecillo Rioja Gran Reserva ($20) - tobacco, cedar, black fruit, oak, plum develops on palate. short finish for a gran reserva, 5-10 s, but pleasant.
| | |
|
Premium
