Yeaay!  I'm so excited!  Jill and I finally booked our vacation!  We're going to Cabo, Mexico for 7 days and 6 nights!  We'll be in the lap of luxury- I'm looking forward to exploring the Baja Peninsula, shopping & bartering in the local markets, enjoying authentic Mexican cuisine, and having lots of adventures with my best friend!!

http://www.riu.com/palacecabosanlucas/index.htm

Inexpensive quality wines...

Steenberg South Africa Sauvignon Blanc 2004 **½
Crisp, fresh, zesty and balanced, with unexpected depth. (Importer: Monsieur Touton Selections, New York)

Veramonte Casablanca Valley, Chile Sauvignon Blanc 2004 **
Bone-dry and refreshing, with tart herb and mineral flavors. (Franciscan Estate Selections, Rutherford, Calif.)

Domaine Duffour Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne 2003 **
Bright, intense fruit flavors, like sauvignon blanc except it's colombard. (Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, N.Y.)

Bodegas Salentein Mendoza, Argentina Sauvignon Blanc Finca el Portillo 2004 **
Mild and refreshing, with citrus flavors. (San Francisco Wine Exchange)

Bolla Venezie I.G.T Pinot Grigio 2002 **
Persistent melon, tropical fruit and honey flavors. (Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide, Louisville, Ky.)

REDS

J. Vidal-Fleury Côtes-du-Rhône 2001 ***
Earthy and balanced, with lingering fruit flavors and a great sense of place. (W. J. Deutsch & Sons, White Plains, N.Y.)

Domaine Lafond Lirac Roc-Épine 2002 **
Balanced fruit and tannins, with a pleasing bitter flavor. (Wines of France, Mountainside, N.J.)

Bonny Doon California Ca'del Solo Big House Red 2003 **
Not complex, but full of spicy fruit flavors.

Sumarroca Penedès Tempranillo Barrel-Aged 2002 *½
Herbal flavors, decent tannins. (Frontier Wine Imports, Dover, N.J.)

Bogle California Old Vine Zinfandel 2003 *½
Juicy and fruity, but a little too sweet.

I've been telling people all day...

I have an an aldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (aka "asian flush").  After the ingestion of ethanol (the kind of alcohol most beverages contain), the body metabolizes it by first converting it to a substance called acetaldehyde in the liver by an enzyme called "alcohol dehydrogenase". The acetaldehyde is then broken down to acetate by a second enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase. This second enzyme has important clinical manifestations, particularly for people of Asian ancestry. 50% of Asians have a mutation in the gene for aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) which causes the enzyme to have decreased activity, either from lower levels to start with or because the enzyme deteriorates in the body faster.  This results in a rapid build up of the acetaldehyde which causes flushing (redness), increased pulse and decreased blood pressure.

On the bright side, there exists a decreased rate of alcoholism among those with the mutant gene.   

Another vodka tonic please...

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm.

 Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

 Coplmtely amzanig !!!