September to remember? LC/NC Thread
09-06-2013
, 01:31 AM
09-06-2013
, 03:27 AM
09-06-2013
, 09:14 AM
09-06-2013
, 01:03 PM
09-06-2013
, 01:07 PM
09-06-2013
, 04:01 PM
09-06-2013
, 04:22 PM
09-06-2013
, 04:43 PM
Quote:
They didn't come back to hang with us. They came back to get the stepson to go out for the evening, something that they'd planned earlier. Pretty sure he forgot to call and tell them he was toast so that they wouldn't show up.
As to the wife telling them to leave... well, we are Southerners and a certain decorum is expected with company.
As to the wife telling them to leave... well, we are Southerners and a certain decorum is expected with company.
09-07-2013
, 11:42 AM
Most of you know that I am pretty serious about my wines and I've had the pleasure of entertaining more than a few fellow 2p2ers over a bottle or three of decent vino. I hope to continue this tradition on the first Saturday of November- with Hank and his wife's help, of course.
In dinners past, the wine pairings have been quite varied, both in terms of grape varietals, vintage years and producers. For this upcoming event, Id like to do something a lil different.
About sixish months ago, I had my first Mollydooker, a 2006 Merlot (that I wrongly reported to be a 2007) and I was thoroughly impressed, especially considering its modest $30 price. Since then, I've had multiple bottles from multiple vintages and have not been disappointed. As a matter-of-fact, I can't think of a single vintner that has made such consistently good wines in my 30+ years of wine tasting and study. So to Sarah and Sparky, I tip my virtual hat to the both of you.
Accordingly, I am shipping a case (at least) of their early release wines ('06-'08) to Hank for safekeeping until November. From the article linked above:
I am pleased to report that at least one bottle of the bolded wines will be featured at dinner, along with four or five other Mollydookers. (And I'm still looking for The Velvet Glove.)
There is a side story to my acquisition of their early release wines. Back in April, I visited a pretty large wine store about 1/2 hour out of Nashville and stumbled across the '06 Merlot that was tagged with Parker's recommendation so I bought it, drank it, loved it, then went back for more. Found other vintages and varieties and bought those, too. A couple of weeks ago, I bought their remaining stock (just under a case) of the older vintages. Yesterday, the wife and I had to pick up her new phone at the Sprint store that's only a couple of blocks from that wine store, so I stopped in and inquired as to whether they might be replenishing their supply of the older stuff.
"No, I am sorry, sir. The older vintages are no longer available," said the Indian gentleman that owned the store. "Would you like me to call my brother who owns a store [about ten miles away] to inquire as to his remaining stocks?"
"By all means", I said.
It turns out that his brother's store is located in a little satellite city of Nashville whose wine tastes haven't yet gravitated to the Australian reds. He had nearly four cases of the early stuff and was quite pleased when I relieved him of them since they'd been taking shelf space since their release. So relieved, in fact, that he gave me a 15% discount. (Sometimes I just run really good.
)
For those of you that enjoy wine, click the Mollydooker link and read what I consider to be a fascinating and inspiring story. Their web site is very well done, too.
In dinners past, the wine pairings have been quite varied, both in terms of grape varietals, vintage years and producers. For this upcoming event, Id like to do something a lil different.
About sixish months ago, I had my first Mollydooker, a 2006 Merlot (that I wrongly reported to be a 2007) and I was thoroughly impressed, especially considering its modest $30 price. Since then, I've had multiple bottles from multiple vintages and have not been disappointed. As a matter-of-fact, I can't think of a single vintner that has made such consistently good wines in my 30+ years of wine tasting and study. So to Sarah and Sparky, I tip my virtual hat to the both of you.
Accordingly, I am shipping a case (at least) of their early release wines ('06-'08) to Hank for safekeeping until November. From the article linked above:
Quote:
Sarah and Sparky now have more wines of 94 Parker points and above than any other winemakers in the world, The Velvet Glove is the fifth wine of theirs to be awarded 99 points, the Carnival of Love has twice been in the Wine Spectator’s Top Ten wines in the World, the Blue Eyed Boy is featured in the Qantas President’s Lounge and in Morton’s Steak Houses, and the demand for The Boxer is so huge, that this year (2011) it will have its own special release day...
Sarah has been able to indulge her artistic flair. She designed the quirky Lefty labels, the Party labels featuring their kids Luke and Holly, the romantic Carnival of Love and Enchanted Path, and the elegant Velvet Glove (for which she received the Australian Packaging Award).
They are both passionate about their motto ‘We make wines that make people go WOW, through attention to detail and commitment to excellence!’ and never take shortcuts or compromise on quality. They barrel ferment, using new or one year old barrels, and their used barrels fetch the highest prices in the industry.
They guarantee the quality of their wine by rating it on its Marquis Fruit Weight™ (the measure of how far back on your tongue the velvety sensation of fruit goes, before the prickly sensation of tannin is exposed). If they don’t have parcels which qualify at the required Fruit Weight, they don’t make those wines (in the 2008 vintage they only bottled Lefty wines).
Sarah has been able to indulge her artistic flair. She designed the quirky Lefty labels, the Party labels featuring their kids Luke and Holly, the romantic Carnival of Love and Enchanted Path, and the elegant Velvet Glove (for which she received the Australian Packaging Award).
They are both passionate about their motto ‘We make wines that make people go WOW, through attention to detail and commitment to excellence!’ and never take shortcuts or compromise on quality. They barrel ferment, using new or one year old barrels, and their used barrels fetch the highest prices in the industry.
They guarantee the quality of their wine by rating it on its Marquis Fruit Weight™ (the measure of how far back on your tongue the velvety sensation of fruit goes, before the prickly sensation of tannin is exposed). If they don’t have parcels which qualify at the required Fruit Weight, they don’t make those wines (in the 2008 vintage they only bottled Lefty wines).
There is a side story to my acquisition of their early release wines. Back in April, I visited a pretty large wine store about 1/2 hour out of Nashville and stumbled across the '06 Merlot that was tagged with Parker's recommendation so I bought it, drank it, loved it, then went back for more. Found other vintages and varieties and bought those, too. A couple of weeks ago, I bought their remaining stock (just under a case) of the older vintages. Yesterday, the wife and I had to pick up her new phone at the Sprint store that's only a couple of blocks from that wine store, so I stopped in and inquired as to whether they might be replenishing their supply of the older stuff.
"No, I am sorry, sir. The older vintages are no longer available," said the Indian gentleman that owned the store. "Would you like me to call my brother who owns a store [about ten miles away] to inquire as to his remaining stocks?"
"By all means", I said.
It turns out that his brother's store is located in a little satellite city of Nashville whose wine tastes haven't yet gravitated to the Australian reds. He had nearly four cases of the early stuff and was quite pleased when I relieved him of them since they'd been taking shelf space since their release. So relieved, in fact, that he gave me a 15% discount. (Sometimes I just run really good.
)For those of you that enjoy wine, click the Mollydooker link and read what I consider to be a fascinating and inspiring story. Their web site is very well done, too.
09-07-2013
, 05:39 PM
09-07-2013
, 08:19 PM
Being Nice To The Fish: A Short Story
I am playing at my local cardroom today and I decide it's breaktime. I head outside to get something from my car. As I'm walking I see this guy who is, as they say, a truly special friend. No matter what time he sits down to play, he starts drinking. And he keeps drinking. And he doesn't like to fold.
But today he's not playing at my table; I just see him in the parking lot. He looks very distressed. I keep an eye on him as I get to my car. I notice he is carrying a bucket, the kind you get at Home Depot or something. He gets to a car and stops at the driver's door. He lays the bucket down on its side and is tugging on the metal handle rod. Immediately I know what's going on, so I walk over to him. "Did you lock your keys in your car sir?" "Yeah," he replies sheepishly. "Do you want a hand? Do you need to borrow my phone to call someone?" He says "yes" and I think he wants my phone, but he hands me the metal rod from the bucket instead. I see the keys on the driver's seat, and think "Hey, it's been a while since I jimmied a car door open, this could be fun." I ask how I know it's his car, and he shrugs (his english is not that great). I tell him that if i get the door open, I'll need to see his ID and match it to the registration to make sure I'm not an accomplice to auto theft. He doesn't seem to understand me.
I should clarify that I used to have a professional toolkit for getting into cars. I bought it legitimately and it wasn't for anything criminal, it was part of my previous job and it came in handy a few times. But those tools are long gone, so its me and the metal rod this time.
Luckily this guys drives an older car and his window is slightly open. I look up and see the security guy coming towards us. I assume it's low probability this guy is lying, so I pull on the window, shimmy the rod to the lock on the door, and like a boss I pop it open and swing open the door. The guy starts smiling and clapping, and pats me on the shoulder. He open the glove box and, to my pleasure, shows me his registration and his license and yes, they match (Zeke would not last long in prison). So I accept his thanks and head back inside.
On my way back in, I pass the security guard who looks at me and seems a bit dumbfounded. I smail and say "No problem man, it's all set. Give me a call if anyone else has car trouble."
Sure beats the usual day at the tables
.
I am playing at my local cardroom today and I decide it's breaktime. I head outside to get something from my car. As I'm walking I see this guy who is, as they say, a truly special friend. No matter what time he sits down to play, he starts drinking. And he keeps drinking. And he doesn't like to fold.
But today he's not playing at my table; I just see him in the parking lot. He looks very distressed. I keep an eye on him as I get to my car. I notice he is carrying a bucket, the kind you get at Home Depot or something. He gets to a car and stops at the driver's door. He lays the bucket down on its side and is tugging on the metal handle rod. Immediately I know what's going on, so I walk over to him. "Did you lock your keys in your car sir?" "Yeah," he replies sheepishly. "Do you want a hand? Do you need to borrow my phone to call someone?" He says "yes" and I think he wants my phone, but he hands me the metal rod from the bucket instead. I see the keys on the driver's seat, and think "Hey, it's been a while since I jimmied a car door open, this could be fun." I ask how I know it's his car, and he shrugs (his english is not that great). I tell him that if i get the door open, I'll need to see his ID and match it to the registration to make sure I'm not an accomplice to auto theft. He doesn't seem to understand me.
I should clarify that I used to have a professional toolkit for getting into cars. I bought it legitimately and it wasn't for anything criminal, it was part of my previous job and it came in handy a few times. But those tools are long gone, so its me and the metal rod this time.
Luckily this guys drives an older car and his window is slightly open. I look up and see the security guy coming towards us. I assume it's low probability this guy is lying, so I pull on the window, shimmy the rod to the lock on the door, and like a boss I pop it open and swing open the door. The guy starts smiling and clapping, and pats me on the shoulder. He open the glove box and, to my pleasure, shows me his registration and his license and yes, they match (Zeke would not last long in prison). So I accept his thanks and head back inside.
On my way back in, I pass the security guard who looks at me and seems a bit dumbfounded. I smail and say "No problem man, it's all set. Give me a call if anyone else has car trouble."
Sure beats the usual day at the tables
.
09-07-2013
, 09:41 PM
09-08-2013
, 02:33 PM
Quote:
Being Nice To The Fish: A Short Story
I am playing at my local cardroom today and I decide it's breaktime. I head outside to get something from my car. As I'm walking I see this guy who is, as they say, a truly special friend. No matter what time he sits down to play, he starts drinking. And he keeps drinking. And he doesn't like to fold.
But today he's not playing at my table; I just see him in the parking lot. He looks very distressed. I keep an eye on him as I get to my car. I notice he is carrying a bucket, the kind you get at Home Depot or something. He gets to a car and stops at the driver's door. He lays the bucket down on its side and is tugging on the metal handle rod. Immediately I know what's going on, so I walk over to him. "Did you lock your keys in your car sir?" "Yeah," he replies sheepishly. "Do you want a hand? Do you need to borrow my phone to call someone?" He says "yes" and I think he wants my phone, but he hands me the metal rod from the bucket instead. I see the keys on the driver's seat, and think "Hey, it's been a while since I jimmied a car door open, this could be fun." I ask how I know it's his car, and he shrugs (his english is not that great). I tell him that if i get the door open, I'll need to see his ID and match it to the registration to make sure I'm not an accomplice to auto theft. He doesn't seem to understand me.
I should clarify that I used to have a professional toolkit for getting into cars. I bought it legitimately and it wasn't for anything criminal, it was part of my previous job and it came in handy a few times. But those tools are long gone, so its me and the metal rod this time.
Luckily this guys drives an older car and his window is slightly open. I look up and see the security guy coming towards us. I assume it's low probability this guy is lying, so I pull on the window, shimmy the rod to the lock on the door, and like a boss I pop it open and swing open the door. The guy starts smiling and clapping, and pats me on the shoulder. He open the glove box and, to my pleasure, shows me his registration and his license and yes, they match (Zeke would not last long in prison). So I accept his thanks and head back inside.
On my way back in, I pass the security guard who looks at me and seems a bit dumbfounded. I smail and say "No problem man, it's all set. Give me a call if anyone else has car trouble."
Sure beats the usual day at the tables.
I am playing at my local cardroom today and I decide it's breaktime. I head outside to get something from my car. As I'm walking I see this guy who is, as they say, a truly special friend. No matter what time he sits down to play, he starts drinking. And he keeps drinking. And he doesn't like to fold.
But today he's not playing at my table; I just see him in the parking lot. He looks very distressed. I keep an eye on him as I get to my car. I notice he is carrying a bucket, the kind you get at Home Depot or something. He gets to a car and stops at the driver's door. He lays the bucket down on its side and is tugging on the metal handle rod. Immediately I know what's going on, so I walk over to him. "Did you lock your keys in your car sir?" "Yeah," he replies sheepishly. "Do you want a hand? Do you need to borrow my phone to call someone?" He says "yes" and I think he wants my phone, but he hands me the metal rod from the bucket instead. I see the keys on the driver's seat, and think "Hey, it's been a while since I jimmied a car door open, this could be fun." I ask how I know it's his car, and he shrugs (his english is not that great). I tell him that if i get the door open, I'll need to see his ID and match it to the registration to make sure I'm not an accomplice to auto theft. He doesn't seem to understand me.
I should clarify that I used to have a professional toolkit for getting into cars. I bought it legitimately and it wasn't for anything criminal, it was part of my previous job and it came in handy a few times. But those tools are long gone, so its me and the metal rod this time.
Luckily this guys drives an older car and his window is slightly open. I look up and see the security guy coming towards us. I assume it's low probability this guy is lying, so I pull on the window, shimmy the rod to the lock on the door, and like a boss I pop it open and swing open the door. The guy starts smiling and clapping, and pats me on the shoulder. He open the glove box and, to my pleasure, shows me his registration and his license and yes, they match (Zeke would not last long in prison). So I accept his thanks and head back inside.
On my way back in, I pass the security guard who looks at me and seems a bit dumbfounded. I smail and say "No problem man, it's all set. Give me a call if anyone else has car trouble."
Sure beats the usual day at the tables
.
09-08-2013
, 02:38 PM
09-08-2013
, 02:59 PM
09-08-2013
, 04:28 PM