Thursday, April 23, 2009

An Invitiation, A Kayak, and Oh Timbaland

Tuesday night I went kayaking for the first time in the bay. A friend initiated the activity, loaded up his car, and spent the first few minutes giving me a lesson. It's been awhile since I've received an invitation like this and it felt really nice. He was on a paddleboard and I was stroking along in the boat. We stopped and rested to watch the sunset behind the marina. Fresh air, sun, water, fitness, and friendship in balance. That's my style, and so is the song I was introduced to on the car ride home..."Oh Timbaland".

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

What Is Content?

It's a homonym. This caught me off guard when I started this post because my intention was to consider the potential audience of this blog and what content I can feature that's inviting, current, and valuable.

Then I read the question the other way and that was thought provoking as well.

The content I strive for with this blog is simple. Short, well-written, thoughtful pieces on wine, lifestyle, respect, and self-improvement.

The last goal syncs with my answer to this question in the other context. "For me", (shout out to Randy Jackson!) there is an element of settling I associate with content. It's comfortable, like routines. And the self-improvement I strive for cannot be found here. But it's a nice place to hang out and catch your breath in.

I hope my content challenges our long term content.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Bricco Cogni


My date with the sunset last night was accompanied by a new friend and a new barolo. The friend...a fellow sommelier in Newport Beach. The barolo...an elegant expression of the Bricco Cogni vineyard in Piedmont by Michele Reverdito. The 2001 vintage is drinking well right now and it's tart cherry and berry flavors are sweetly present. The tannin softened up quickly and some of the heat blew off, but 14.5% is still a bit high for my palate. A lively bottle, conversation, and sunset.