Mouse droppings ...

Tasting: Owen Roe 2007 Red Wine

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:30:42 GMT

I was afraid to taste this wine because it was a gift from a Live Journal friend.

Nevertheless:

Pop-and-pour, Thursday afternoon, 17-Dec-2009

Appearance: Deep garnet red, edges are translucent but I cannot see through the 1/3 full glass. When swirled, the wine clings to the glass, then runs down in extended beads.

Nose: Oak barrels in a winery cellar is what comes to my mind. Rich red fruit, vanilla, sweet, a hint of dill pickle. Nice.

Taste: Reserved, classic Bordeaux taste profile. Ready to drink now. The label says 14.2% alcohol - I wouldn't have guessed.

Overall: A solid bottle of wine. If I saw this on a wine list, I would not hesitate to order to accompany fine food.

Score: 89

A day trip during our visit to Glasgow to attend our daughter's Masters Degree ceremony

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:39:44 GMT

Stirling Castle Gate, Battlements and Crenelations This is a real castle with a very long and rich history. Check out Wikipedia for full details. More photos in my Scrapbook.

Tasting notes: 2007 Jade Mountain Syrah $7.99

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:23:57 GMT

Appearance: One of the darkest wines I've ever seen. High glycerin content evidenced by prominent "legs".Clear, very deep purple color.

Nose: high alcohol, prominent wood, some spices. Very similar nose to Turley wines. So this should be interesting viz. a viz. the relative price points.

Taste: Can't tell the difference from Turley! From recent experience with the latter, I think (thanks to transcribe) these should be cellared several years prior to opening. I'm going to decant this ink and taste it over a span of a couple of days. This is about the lowest price I've ever paid for a "fruit bomb". As such, if you like them, this is a steal. My preference in wines has changed recently and I am tired of this style. However, I am rating this as a representative of that style.

Overall, I doubt I could distinguish this from many $50/bottle wines from Biale, Carlisle and Turley.

I paid $7.99 for this bottle at World Market, less 10% from that if I bought 6 or more bottles, which I did after this tasting. Amazing value!

My score: 91 points. Bravo!

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:47:30 GMT

Praying Mantis comes calling

I found her on the window of my storm door. So I grabbed my camera to use this opportunity to see her much closer than I could get if I were outside with her.

Here's another picture of her.

I am sick of these fwd: emails from (mostly) relatives passing along Big Money propaganda

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:34:35 GMT

I received a link to this Youtubed nonsense from an old high school friend. The following is my response to him.

-----

This latest attempt to pass a healthcare bill that would be a reasonable attempt to provide every American citizen with a minimum level of routine healthcare and insurance against catastrophic expenses is very important to me.

Yes, you might call this socialism. I see nothing wrong with Social Security and Medicare and I don't see such federal programs as inefficient and wasteful. I see huge inefficiencies in our present system such as filling out ten pages of information every time I go to a new doctor. The same information that could be on file with some government office and available to the doctor with my one-time approval. I would also like the elimination of referral requirements, which in my opinion are corporate attempts to discourage claims. My niece was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has had to see many doctors. Her insurance company requires her to get a referral from their system doctor every single time she goes to her oncologist or any other doctor. Worse than that, now that she is receiving chemotherapy, her insurance program requires a $30 co-payment every time she goes in for another treatment! I find that outrageous. Co-payment should be reserved for situations where the client could abuse the system, such as a hypochondriac going for exams every week. But who goes for chemo unless it's life-or-death? It's that kind of cold-blooded capitalism that must be regulated. Just as we found out that FDR's banking laws served the world well - until Reagan came along and sold us on deregulation and now look at the mess we're in.

Welfare is supremely Christian, according to my reading of "Love thy neighbor as thyself." Regulation is necessary for the good of the people to control corporate salaries in certain industries such as banking, pharmaceuticals, and even auto companies when they receive tax-payer monies. This correlates with "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth..." and "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, ...and come and follow me...." If this is a Christian nation (which it really is not - according to my reading of the Constitution) as is claimed by many, then those very citizens should insist on a government that follows the teachings of Jesus which are basically socialist.

I do believe that we need conservatives around as opposition at election time. BUT, when the progressives are elected, let them do their thing . That is what should happen in a functioning democracy. When the old guy in the Youtube video says "you people" he speaks with hate in his tone. But "you people" is America. That part of his presentation is un-American to me.

The PEOPLE, through congress, created Medicare, which is an overwhelmingly popular program among senior citizens, in spite of the old guy's opinion (which I suspect he got from Rush Limbaugh.) Now congress is talking about making Medicare available to everyone. Through Medicare, my father-in-law is now receiving in-home hospice care as opposed to living in a nursing home. Recently, the Medicare funded hospice doctor diagnosed him with fluid in his lung that needed to be removed at the hospital. However, Medicare also paid for my father-in-law to see his own physician, who disagreed and said a change in his medication would solve the problem (which it did.) So, the GOVERNMENT didn't dictate my father-in-law's treatment, contrary to what the old guy in the video says will happen under the proposed healthcare plan.

That whole rant about "death counseling" was pure ignorance of what is proposed in the legislation. It's not a case of either death counseling or cancer treatment. That's absurd. What is meant by death counseling is what is already being done. When a person is found to have a terminal condition he is presented by his doctor with options. A person should have the right to die as he chooses, with certain restrictions, of course. Death by chocolate should not be paid for by the "you people".

Honest debate should be going on right now, not smear campaigning with lies/misinformation such as this video contains. That's what Bill Moyers says in this Youtube video.

Where can I buy Owen Roe wine in Chicago?

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:49:38 GMT

My LJ friend transcribe works at Owen Roe Winery now. I wonder what she does there? Hope she gets to use her writing skills.

Webcam of an haute cuisine kitchen

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:25:00 GMT

This is a favorite webcam of mine.

A live feed from the kitchen of Gabriel's Restaurant in Highwood, IL

I think it takes balls to post a live picture of your kitchen.

I wonder what the employee's think?

Tasting: Turley

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:41:15 GMT

Going, going ...

12:06: final 4 oz.

Appearance - no change

Nose - more normal alcohol levels, still lots of pretty volatiles and and some cherries. Spice is less prominent than yesterday.

Overall, the nose is MUCH improved over the first day's. So, transcribe was right (of course,) this bottle was opened much too soon. And perhaps whenever it is opened, it should be decanted so that some of that alcohol and volatiles can dissipate. I'll certainly try that on the next Turley I pop.

Taste - same as yesterday but much more balanced. This would pair with a heavy course such as Sauce Espanol or a mole.

Gone.

Tasting: Turley from yesterday

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:04:08 GMT

Up and at it again...

I'll be sure to save some for tomorrow too, per advice from transcribe .

12:33 pm:

Nose - tons of volatile esters and alcohol, although the latter does not dominate as much as yesterday. The esters are cherry-like, but not what I would call fruity. Nutmeg and cinnamon. This is like a boozy fruitcake. The nose is baked rather than fresh fruit.

Again, a heavy overall impression to the nose.

Taste - improved balance, although the alcohol still burns from start to finish. However, now there is a finish.

I'm at a lose to describe the flavors. As in the nose, this is not bright fresh fruit, rather, it is cooked and changed in character.

That flavor, though I can'r seem to describe it, does linger for a long time.

Still kind of thin textured, as opposed to being viscous, which is what I would expect from a "fruit bomb".

Overall: if I am looking for a a fruit bomb, I'd favor Carlisle and Biale over Turley, based on recent experience.

Tasting: Turley, Old Vines Zinfandel, California, 2007

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:24:14 GMT

Haven't done one of these for a long time. I've had wine in the meantime, just haven't taken notes.

Opened at 4:15 pm.

At 4:20:

Color - deep dark reddish-purple. Eggplant colored.

Nose - Whew, the alcohol! - to the point that it is hard to smell anything else. But pressing on... cherries, heavy dark cherries. Candy. Not complex. Just an overall heavy impression.

4:40:

Nose - the alcohol has blown off a bit and I'm getting some spice. Heavy spices like nutmeg and allspice. Hints of dark chocolate.

Taste - Ooh, the alcohol burns. The backsides of my lips burned for two minutes. This is a very awkward wine. Perhaps it is my mood, but I am not enjoying this. A pity.

5:00:

Nose - alcohol continues to ebb, but still dominates. And I am sorry to say that I now detect a hint of what smells like aldehyde to my chemist's nose. That's not good.

Dark cherries still there, however. And dill pickle.

Taste - a weird wine. Not fruity. Surprisingly thin. Terribly unbalanced.

BTW: 15.9% alc., according to the label. Much more to my nose and oral epithelium.

----------------

I'm going to quit now and try it again tomorrow.

Laugh at my expense

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:33:21 GMT

I Googled "geriatric sex" and came upon this.

Back to my coffee...

Healthcare Bill Debate

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:35:04 GMT

I am in agony.

I can't watch the news these days because, except for PBS, no stations are reporting the debate fairly, in my opinion. Not that I watch that much TV news. But my wife turns on ABC and NBC and I just don't see a balanced presentation. It seems to me that the conservatives are always reported and once in a while there is a rebuttal. I would prefer just the opposite, given that OBAMA WON THE ELECTION.

Obscenity

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:20:33 GMT

This is one of the most obscene ads I have ever seen. And I'll bet there's big money behind it.

Amusing

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:27:52 GMT

I found amusing this alternate version of Genesis.

One of my favorite blogs

Sat, 16 May 2009 20:52:09 GMT

Doctor Biobrain is one of my favorites. His current post I find hilarious.

Another must-read is Digby. I agree that CIA officials, Pelosi, and others should be tortured to find out the truth.

Bee Brains

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:54:03 GMT

What Herb Are You?

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 10:21:02 GMT

You Are Cinnamon

You are intelligent and complex. You are both mild mannered and intense.
You are passionate to the point of being overpowering. People can't ignore your presence.

You are always questioning and learning in your life. You're on a bit of a spiritual journey.
You are drawn toward power and success. You are never quite satisfied with your achievements.

(Pardon me while I wallow in the flattery)

What Herb Are You?

Back to the future

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:33:07 GMT

Uber cool!

Note to LJfriend transcribe

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:13:35 GMT

Check out this oped piece.

PS: be sure to check out the comments.

Another drunken? quote

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 19:45:28 GMT

"I don't think you could write a novel so scary as the Bush administration really was."

Too much wine?

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 19:11:36 GMT

"The curse of intelligence is doubt" - a.o. Mouse, 2009

LOL

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:45:19 GMT

A sample from the lolcat Bible Translation Project:

Da burth of Baby Jeebus

18 Now, teh burth of teh Christ was liek dis: After Marry and Joseph waz all "We's gonna get marrieded, kthnx", but before dey could had hankiez pankiez Mary was all preggarz from Teh Ceiling Cat.19 Joseph was liek "I has virjn - NOOOO dey be stealin my virjn! Must hied hur".20 But when he was tihnkin, zomg, a BirdCat frm Ceiling Cat was liek, "Oh hai! Iz in ur dreemz, givin u messij. Don be scairdy cat. Taek Mary as ur wife - is virjn. But teh Forse is strong in tihs wun, lol! HovrCat is on hur, givn hur babby, srsly." So Joseph was liek " Oh yey. Iz gonna luv him and squeez him and call him George."21 But BirdCat was liek "No, you gonna call him bahbeh Jeebus, cso George bad name, srsly. cuz he save kittehs frum bein bad kittehs. Kthxbai."22 So all dis was all did cuz Ceiling Cat had sed it wud be. Him proffit was all liek:23 "Hay guise, luk! teh virjn is all preggers, and dey gonna call him A-manual", dat be joospeek for "Ceiling Cat wit us"24 Then Joseph walked up, dun wat teh BirdCat frm Ceiling Cat tolded him too, and was all liek "U wit me now lol" at Mary.25 And dey didnt has Hankiez Pankiez til affer dey gets a son and calleded him Jeebus. Kthnx.

Funny stuff.

Album meme got from spaceoperadiva

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:09:25 GMT

1 - Go to "wikipedia." Hit "random"
or click <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Ra<wbr>ndom</a>
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to "Random quotations"
or click <a href="http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3">http://www.quotationspage.com/random.ph<wbr>p3</a>
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to flickr and click on "explore the last seven days"
or click <a href="http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days">http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesti<wbr>ng/7days</a>
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use photoshop or similar to put it all together.

Here's what I came up with:

Feeling creative

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:13:57 GMT

phoenix

Wish I were as creative as this guy.

For scanner__darkly

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:55:31 GMT

Here's a link for my LJ-friend

</a></b></a>scanner_darkly

and anyone else interested in Goth art.