As time has passed I've come to understand that there's two shitty truths in life, death and the silver medal. As depressing as the first may sound we all at some point have come to accept that our path will one day end and that we'll eventually pass on to another chapter up above. However, as sad a fate one may take death, I feel very much the same pain and sorrow when it comes to thinking of the silver medal. The sheer thought of it's existence startles my psyche so pervasively it often causes me fits. This anger has pushed me to realize how similar these two calamities truly are. Inherently they both represent the end, one of life and the other of a dream. Both so different yet very much the same. This similarity has caused me to wonder how an athlete such as Kobe Bryant handles the idea that no matter how hard he tries or how much he achieves he'll always be viewed as a silver medal, second best to Michael Jordan. My argument here isn't to prove which of these two is better as that debate has been tackled (unfairly and very poorly) before. No today all I want to talk about is how does one accept a silver medal, hence how does Kobe Bryant accept being number two?
The very notion of the silver medal fascinates me so much I'm often dumbfounded how others haven't lamented its sheer idiocy. Think about it, you're an athlete, a competitor, someone who wants to challenge him or herself against another. This battle comes with it a price, a victor and a loser. Simple no. Yet as this outcome has been set about beforehand, we the public have deemed it unfair or cruel to just award the winner, hence the inventions of the second place silver and third place bronze medals . Why? I'm not sure. Part of me thinks it's creation is due in part to a band of mom's. All of whom came together in an uproar as they tried to defend their sons shitty second place finish, only to realize that they could fix their sons problem by giving him a medal. As silly as that idea sounds so does giving someone a prize for coming in second.
In reference to Kobe I feel as if his career has been under a caleidoscope of "you'll always be second to MJ" rhetoric. Jordan captured a nation and a global conscious with his brand of dominance and competitive zeal. He helped usher basketball onto a world desperate for someone who embodied perfection. We followed his every move as we fell in love with his game and persona. With this, the Jordan brand took flight during a time of growth and expansion for the NBA. As time passed, Michael's aura of invincibility began to harden within our respective consciousness. Hell I'm not gonna lie, as a fresh faced 11 year old I fell in love with the Bulls and their leader as they stormed through the league for 6 championships. Michael for me could do no wrong, even if he did (his gambling allegations and debts aside, something Sam Smith touched on in his book the Jordan Rules, some of which has been brought more to daylight as many in the media believe Michael's Dad's death in late 93' was caused by his owing of 1.2 million in un paid gambling debts. The truth may never be brought to light but with all the testimonials from that time period claiming Michaels problem, one has to wonder if some if not all is true regarding his fathers' passing and his sub sequent retiring).
Yet for all of MJ's best qualities, I've always tried to understand that in sports you can never lay claim to one athlete being better or the best forever. At one time yes but the whole point of sport is to get better, to get faster, stronger, etc... Case in point Usain Bolt in Track and Field. His recent dominance lays claim to the idea that as time passes so do past achievemnts. Someone will always come around and be better, that's what makes sport so fascinating. As I mentioned before my argument isn't to try to point out how Kobe is better than MJ because for all intensive purposes he isn't. Ugh that was hard to write. But truly if you were to compare their achievements MJ eclipses Kobe. This begs me to ask once more, how does Kobe, someone who's openly admitted to want to be known as THE best basketball player ever accept his silver medal?
Honestly, we'll probably never know how he handles this truth, he might not even acknowledge it. However, as was the case with his winning his 5th title last season, Kobe'ss prone never to forget, thus prompting me to think that he does understand his place in history. That night in late june 2010, you saw it in his eyes the moment he came to the podium with his shiny new Larry O'Brien. After answering a few questions he quickly lamented the following to the world, something he wanted us all to know. "I've got one more than Shaq, and you can take that shit to the bank!". Game, Set, Match!!
With all his history with the games biggest personality, you could see how passing Shaq for most titles gave Kobe immense pleasure. As it should, seeing as with sport ones job is to conquer, to be better than another. He wanted to best Shaq, to show him and the world that he could win on his own. LA was his town now, the Lakers were his and he knew he could do it. His winning vindicated any demons he'd had upon saying that quote. Shaq knew it then and he'll know it forever (especially with his recent retirement), Kobe Bryant was better than he. However, the key argument here isn't Shaq vs Kobe. Shaq was never Kobe's challenge, MJ is and always will be. Michael was his idol and his goal. But time's running out, does Kobe have enough time to pass Michael for the gold? With all but 3 seasons left on his contract, I highly doubt it.
I may be wrong in predicting such a statement, Kobe may win a title or two over these next few years (whenever the league resumes that is) and therefore give more just cause to the argument of whose better between he and MJ. Yet once more, will that be enough? Barry Bonds recently passed Hank Aaron for most home runs ever, yet he's still regarded as the lesser of the two players. Brett Favre arguably had a better, longer and much more rewarding career than that of Dan Marino's yet even to this day Marino is still considered the better of the two.
Does likability factor in somewhere? I often try to think that as a fan I'm as unbiased and objective as can be. Over the years I've tried my best to see sport clearly. As an avid Laker and Kobe fan I'll be the first to concede when he's had a bad game and such. But hey that's just me. Am I alone in doing so? Will Kobe forever be handicapped by his rape trial in 2003?
All these questions aside, my thought process here today is this; As a fan of sport I find it fascinating that no matter what he does Kobe Bryant will always be regarded as a second place silver medal. Part of me wonders if he should even try anymore.
Again there's a dichotomy in my saying that because it's sport, he has to try.
And try he will.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
i taste blood
something in the heart of me is telling me its time to meet my destiny
there are days and nights when I find myself dreaming of you
I pinch my soul and smile
I see your eyes
your beautiful pretty eyes
they pierce my mind
and gather my heart
then I dream of your kiss
your naughty hard kiss
the taste of blood is all I can say
you make me wonder many things
how you can exist
how you pass the day
how you live your life
I want to understand
I want to be there
I want to know you
I'm nervous and excited
all this majesty is stealing me away
its turning me to clay
yet...
I hear your voice
I hear your heart
I hear real love
let's make it real
something in the heart of me is telling me it's time.
there are days and nights when I find myself dreaming of you
I pinch my soul and smile
I see your eyes
your beautiful pretty eyes
they pierce my mind
and gather my heart
then I dream of your kiss
your naughty hard kiss
the taste of blood is all I can say
you make me wonder many things
how you can exist
how you pass the day
how you live your life
I want to understand
I want to be there
I want to know you
I'm nervous and excited
all this majesty is stealing me away
its turning me to clay
yet...
I hear your voice
I hear your heart
I hear real love
let's make it real
something in the heart of me is telling me it's time.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
a skewed version of two friends and one memorable night
Jack: Hey have you talked to that girl tonight, maybe you should call her and see if she’s there yet?
Michael: No I haven’t talked to her yet, and I don’t want too.
Jack: Why not! Come on bro don’t worry about what she’ll think, give her a call, let her know that you’re interested.
Michael: You think? I don’t know, she knows I’m going to be there, and I just don’t want her to think I’m dying to see her, girls don’t like it when you come on too strong.
Jack: You’re right with that one to a point, but they also like it when you seem interested as well, there’s nothing wrong with letting her know that you like her, hey she may like it, y’know, letting her know just exactly how much you’re looking forward to seeing her.
Michael: So you think she’s expecting me to call?
Jack: Expecting yes, but dying for more likely, so come on here, take my phone and call her now and see if she’s left yet, it’s what now, 7:50pm, the show doors open soon, so what I figure she’s probably getting ready to leave with hopefully her really hot friends, therefore I say call her and ask her to meet us out front of the Odeon ASAP that way we can get some quality chatting up time before the show gets going. The way I see it, Black Rebel most likely won’t be going on until 10:30, so therefore we should have a couple hours to get the ball rolling between you two.
Michael: Uhh! Fuck you irritate me sometimes, but in some way I get your point, here give me that phone and watch me work my charm.
Jack: There we go, alright call her now, I’m going inside to get the tickets, and don’t forget to mention me to her friends; oh and that Tammie friend of hers is fucking hot, ask if she’s coming too?
Michael: Alright, alright I got it, now go, the phone’s ringing.
(Michael calls Jessica, Jack goes inside)
Jessica: Hello
Michael: Hey uh, hi Jessica, this is Michael, Michael Wood
Jessica: Oh hey Michael, what’s up?
Michael: Oh not much, just on my way to the show with Jack and I thought I would uh, um I mean call you to say howdy.
(Michael is beat red)
Jessica: Oh that was sweet of you, are you and Jack excited to see the band?, I’ve heard that they put on quite a show.
Michael: Oh Yeah it should be fun, you’re still coming tonight right?
Jessica: Oh well about that, you see my dad and I had a huge fight tonight about my missing class the past few days, and well you see I’ve been grounded, so no I guess I’m not going to be coming, I was gonna call you, but I didn’t have your number, so I guess it’s great that you called.
Michael: Oh, I see, uh well that sucks I was really hoping to see you, are you sure that you can’t come?.
Jessica: Yeah, I’m pretty sure, my dad’s kinda nuts and if he caught me going out tonight, well hell I’m not sure what he’d do, but hey I can go out with you tomorrow if you’re still interested, he only grounded me for tonight.
Michael: Interested, oh yeah I’m still interested, you have no idea...uh I mean yeah sure I can meet you out tomorrow sometime.
Jessica: Well then, how about you call me tomorrow and we’ll settle it up.
Michael: Yeah phone you tomorrow, sure, I can do that, no problemo here on my end on that one, phone you for sure, yes yes I will call you, yes.
Jessica: Uhh...okay Michael I’ve got to go, I’ll talk to you later.
Michael: Oh, uhh sure by Jessica, you be good now so I can call you tomorrow you see.
Jessica: Bye now.
Michael: Bye bye bye Jessica.
(Jack hangs up the phone disgustingly, he feels like a fool, so he flops his head on the steering wheel, almost crying at his pathetic performance on the phone, Jack re-enters the car, alive and full of energy)
Jack: Hey I’ve got the tickets! We’re all set, hey did you call her? Michael what are you doing? What’s up? Why do you have your head in the steering wheel?
(Michael looks up at Jack not saying anything, his face says it all)
Jack: I take it that you called her and that it went great, ah fuck Michael what did you say?
Michael: Dude you have no idea of how much of a retard I sounded, I told you I shouldn’t have called her.
Jack: Why, what did you say? I mean please I know you can be mister foot in the mouth sometimes with the lady folk but seriously how bad could it have been?
Michael: Okay it wasn’t that bad, the conversation went pretty well at the beginning, we only talked for about 3 minutes, she seemed happy and chipper, I asked her how she was doing, and then I asked if she was still coming to the show tonight, and then she said that she couldn’t because her dad had grounded her, but that she could hang tomorrow night if I was still interested.
Jack: Well fuck man what’s the problem, that sounds pretty good to me, and shit dude it even sounds like she might actually like you.
Michael: Yeah but that’s it, after that I basically mumbled my way into saying that I was desperately hoping to see her, I think I came across as some stalker type, because all of a sudden she just froze and said that she had to go.
Jack: Bro I’m sure it’s fine, from what I gather this girl seems into you and so what if you came across as a stalker retard, at least you called her, and hey you’ll go and see her tomorrow and this will all work out for the best, you’ll see, shit it has to, one of us has to get some ass soon. Did you ask about any of her friends?
Michael: You ungrateful fuck; all you care about is yourself and the next piece of ass that you can rub yourself up next to.
Jack: Yeah! So! I’m young, handsome and 24, so what, you’re no different, we both want the same thing, and at least I can rub up against a girl without getting a stiffy unlike you who has absolutely no control, I mean come on bro what are you 12, you really need to fix that.
Michael: Fuck You! I hate when you bring that up, it’s not my fault and anyways, let’s just go, I don’t want to think about this anymore.
Jack: Good. Finally. Let’s bogie, and find us some booty, and don’t worry about it, you’ll be fine.
Michael: Yeah you’re right, she seemed into me, this is good, I’m just overreacting; she probably just had to go.
Jack: There we go, positive, at a boy, now let’s focus on tonight and the concert and all the girlies we’ll be meeting.
Michael: I swear we must be the biggest losers in the world sometimes.
Jack: Maybe, but who cares, at least we’re pretty.
(Michael and Jack drive to the show and park just off 2nd ave, by the Galaxy theatres, they get out and walk to the Odeon, they notice a huge crowd outside and get excited at what the night could become, by now it's 8:15pm. Jack and Michael enter the crowd, but realize that they do not know anyone quite well enough to merit them stopping and chatting, they recognize a few faces, but ultimately decide to go on in and see the opening band. After their ticket exchange and coat checking, they move on towards the bar, where they are surprisingly met with one of Jack’s few ex girls who is working the bar)
Michael: Hey bro doesn’t that look like Irina?
Jack: What? Where?
Michael: There at the bar, isn’t that her? I’m pretty positive it is; I thought she moved to Montreal?
Jack: Oh fuck me, that is her! Shit she looks good, and yeah last I heard she moved away to Montreal to go to fashion school at McGill.
Michael: Dude she’s pretty hot, it’s funny how I never really noticed that before, it’s weird how I never check out any of your girls, to me they’re nothing, I don’t even look at them.
Jack: Yes, yes I’ve heard this a million times, and I appreciate it, I guess, but you have to be blind not to see how hot she is, she has to be the hottest girl in the city, or at least one of them.
Michael: Really you think? I don’t know, she’s hot but I don’t know I never really took to blondes, brunettes to me are way hotter.
Jack: Hey I never said that I liked blondes more, I love brunettes, I was just merely stating that Irina is fucking hot.
Michael: Whatever then, are you going to go over and say something to her, who knows she might still like you, if I remember correctly she did leave you kind of abruptly.
Jack: Yeah she did, but I don’t know, I just don’t want to come across as some ex boy she hooked up with a long time ago still obsessing, I mean she might not even remember me.
Michael: Well here`s the cool thing, she`s the bartender and we need a drink, so let`s go kill two birds with one stone.
Jack: Alright, you’re probably right, and hey like you said she might still like me, but what do I say?
Michael: Bro, just be yourself, remember why she liked you in the first place way back when at Earls, it was because you were you, you didn’t try and feed her a ton of bs and pick up line garbage that most guys would do
Jack: You remember that first night when she made that move towards me?, that was pretty hot
Michael: Do I remember? Shit bro, I was the one who drove you there to meet her; you’re the asshole who made me wait in the car while you were upstairs with her.
Jack: Hey I never meant to do that, I was just pre-occupied.
Michael: Whatever, let’s go, I need to get a drink, it will help me relax, I don’t want to be high strung.
(Jack and Michael walk over to the bar and order drinks, Michael approaches Irina first, with Jack right beside him, Jack’s looking away from Irina onto the stage)
Michael: Uh hey can I get a double vodka sprite and a vodka red bull please?
(Irina starts making the drinks, Jack finally looks over as she’s looking down, they finally meet eyes, Irina notices him immediately, Jack tries to stay calm)
Jack: Oh hey Irina how are you?
Irina: Hey Jack, I didn’t notice you there, how are things? You look great.
Jack: Oh things are good, when did you get back into town?
Irina: Oh I’m not back in town, I’m just back for a couple weeks visiting my family, I’m just working here tonight as a favour for friend. I’m leaving back to Montreal on Sunday.
Jack: Uh that’s cool; it’s nice to see you, you look great and is it me or does it seem like forever since we last saw one another.
Irina: You’re right about that, in fact what are you both doing tonight after the show, there’s gonna be a huge party at my friends place, you two should come.
Jack: Yeah sure that’d be fun; Michael and I are always looking to party, you remember Michael right, he worked at Earls too.
Irina: Oh hey Michael hi, I remember you, you look really great, I like your hair that long, it looks good on you. You were good friends with Amy weren’t you?
Michael: Yeah, she and I go way back, nice to see you again.
Irina: Great, well I’ve got to get back to work here, why don’t you two come back later and we’ll talk more.
Jack: Cool, we’ll drop by later.
(Michael and Jack leave the bar, Irina continues on working, she’s starting to get busy)
Michael: Hey bro, nice! That was awesome, she’s seems into you.
Jack: You think? I tried not sounding like an idiot, I just want redemption, a little fun and that’s it, no getting attached like last time.
Michael: Good so don’t, now let’s worry about me and what I should do about tonight.
Jack: How so, you already talked to Jessica and she’s not coming out tonight, so what is it that we need to worry about?
Michael: I don’t know, I guess it just sounded appropriate, well whatever though I might as well enjoy the show, seeing as the only reason I wanted to come here tonight isn’t even coming.
Jack: There we go boy, me you and a ton of girlies, who knows the night could be fun and hey I know that you like Jessica and all, but remember what you always say to me, don’t put all your eggs in one basket too soon, mingle a little, keep your options open, see a few girls, and then if one stands out that you find yourself liking more than drop the others like a dime, however not before you hit em’ first, I don’t want you wasting your time now.
Michael: Okay, okay I get your point, now shut up and let me relax and have a good time. Let’s go to the upstairs part and see what’s going on, this opening band sucks
Jack: Word.
Michael: Word? Nice one Vanilla ice!
Jack: Shut up!
(Jack and Michael start parading around the Odeon looking for people they know or recognize. Jack eventually goes to the bathroom, ultimately leaving Michael alone. He’s standing by the upstairs bar when he’s approached by someone from behind who taps him on the shoulder)
Ashley: Hey Michael is that you?
(Michael startled)
Michael: Oh hey, what’s up? (Doesn’t recognize her)
Ashley: How are you? You look great; I haven’t seen you in so long, what have you been up to?
Michael: Oh not much, just chillin’, working at the Freehouse.
Ashley: You don’t remember me do you? I’m Ashley, your Aunt Hilary’s husband’s daughter; I’m your sort of cousin. I know it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other, but I thought you would have remembered me.
(Michael realizes that he does remember her, barely from some family thing 10 or so years ago)
Michael: Oh hey I’m sorry, I did and do, you just caught me off guard that’s all, I remember now, sheesh it’s got to be what 10 years or so since I last saw you. Didn’t your family move to Vancouver or something?
Ashley: Oh we did, we’re still there, I’m just back for the weekend visiting some friends and family.
Michael: Cool, well that sounds great, who are you here with?
(Jack returns, he sees Michael talking to Ashley, he notices that she’s really hot and somewhat happy to be talking to Michael. Jack smiles slyly, he takes his time walking over to them)
Ashley: Oh I’m here with my friends Megan, Jen and Katie, they’re around here somewhere. They dragged me out tonight, they’re all huge Black Rebel fans, me I could care less, plus we were up late last night having a big girls night, so in a way I feel like shit. I’m still trying to decide if I even want to drink at all tonight.
Michael: It’s funny that you say that, because my best friend Jack did the very same thing to me tonight, he’s around here as well...
(Jack jumps in when he hears his name being said, the two of them startled by his sudden arrival)
Jack: Michael what are you saying about me to this pretty girl, it had better be nice or I’ll have to embarrass you by saying that you used to cry after watching The Little Mermaid.
Michael: What? No wait a second, I was what 11 at the time and hey that’s nothing to be laughing about, that’s a good movie, at least I don’t watch the Notebook and cry like a little sissy.
Ashley: Well I can certainly tell that this must be your friend Michael, hi I’m Ashley, and you must be...
Jack: Jack, Jack Bones.
Ashley: Is that really your name.
Jack: Sure is darlin’, ain’t it majestic.
Michael: You’re such a fag.
Jack: What? Moi, never, I just have a certain panache that unfolds from time to time, something the ladies like to call charm.
Michael: Whatever you call it, cool it, you’re going to scare Ashley off, you know she’s kind of my cousin, well second cousin that is, through marriage.
Jack: Oh so your part of the family are you Ashley? Excellent! I can always use another girl on my side of the fence to help me flirt with the next cutie on my list.
(Michael is now looking at Jack very annoyingly)
Michael: Uh sorry Ashley, he hasn’t had his medicine tonight.
Jack: Oh whatever, your life would be so boring if I wasn’t this unique.
Michael: Really? You think so? Then if that’s the case why are you still single? Because surely a man of your considerable talents can coax any young girl into your arms; or maybe, just maybe is it that you may be a little high on yourself for well...no good reason.
Ashley: Ohh I love this, you two fight like a married couple.
Michael: We do not!
Ashley: Hey don’t worry, I like it, it’s cute.
Jack: You see Michael, she said I was cute, told you so.
Michael: She didn’t say you fuck head, she meant us.
Jack: Oh, Oops, silly me.
Michael: Anyways, Ashley do you want to hang with us for a bit?
Ashley: Sure, you two seem awesome, I love hanging with fun people.
Michael: Awesome, well then let’s get some shooters, I need to get going.
Jack: Hey bro no jagermeister, I’m sick of that shit, get some jamesons instead.
Michael: What? Come with us you bitch, we’re not your maids.
Jack: But I think I might stick around here and watch the opening band finish.
Michael: Fuck that, get over here you baby, we’re just doing some shots, you can watch them from at the bar.
Jack: No, just bring them over here, why do you need me to come with you guys, plus you two are family you need time getting re-acquainted.
Michael: Just come on.
Ashley: Yeah Jack come with us, it’ll be fun, I’ll even buy the shots.
Jack: You’ll buy, well then why didn’t you say so, let’s bogie on then.
Michael: Oh now you’ll come, fuck you drive me nuts sometimes.
Jack: I must be the only pair you have, ah how sad.
Ashley: You two really are married, I love it.
Michael: If that’s true then I’m about ready to divorce this bitch.
Jack: I ain’t the bitch, you are, I’m the giver, you’re the taker ala Jake Gyllenhal in Brokeback Mountain, mmm you are one fine piece of ass.
Michael: Gross, quit it.
(Michael, Jack and Ashley arrive at the bar and wait in line, they wait 2 minutes and then order shots and drinks, Ashley pays for them all, not without Michael trying to pay for some, Jack stands by and collects his free beverage. They do a round of shots together)
Jack: Ah now I feel better, good choice on the shots Ashley, what were they?
Michael: Uh fuck head they were Sicilian kisses and she didn’t pick them, I did.
Ashley: Yeah Jack, sorry to disappoint you but Michael picked them, but I’m happy to pick the next round if you’d like.
Jack: Word on that, because it sounds like a certain someone has his panties in bunch.
Michael: Uhh whatever, let’s go, I think we’re in the way.
Jack: Finally! Let’s go down below and try and get close to the stage, I want to watch them as close as I can.
Michael: You’re not going to lose it and do that jumping up and down dancing bs you always do are you?
Jack: What ever do you mean?
Michael: I mean that kangaroo up and down thing you do when you’re listening to music.
Ashley: Ah that sounds cute.
Jack: See Michael, Ashley thinks it’s cute, so layoff, at least I’m willing to have fun.
Michael: Hey I like to have fun, I’m just trying to prevent you from looking like an idiot, at least I can dance, what you do, that ain’t dancing.
Jack: Oh really, well first off when was the last time you went to a show? What 10 years ago, and I’ve been to how many? At least a hundred, so let’s just keep those yap comments to yourself, I know what I’m doing and I love having fun, you should try it sometime.
Ashley: Boys, boys no need to get angry at one another, let’s just go down there and have a good time, actually I think I see my girl friends down there, so come on
Michael: We’re not fighting
Jack: No, were good, were just talking, this is how we always talk.
Ashley: Well it sounded like fighting to me.
Michael: Oh sorry Ashley, no that’s just Jack and I ripping on another, it’s how we talk, I guess, basically we just bitch at one another until someone changes the subject.
Ashley: Oh, okay; are you sure you two aren’t married?
Jack: Eww, me marry this monkey armed bitch hip punk, gross, he wishes I’d get down and suck his cock.
Michael: Okay Jack whatever, no need to gross out Ashley now
Jack: Why not, it’s fun.
Ashley: Oh I think I’m going to love you Jack.
Jack: They all do sweetie, they all do.
Michael: No I haven’t talked to her yet, and I don’t want too.
Jack: Why not! Come on bro don’t worry about what she’ll think, give her a call, let her know that you’re interested.
Michael: You think? I don’t know, she knows I’m going to be there, and I just don’t want her to think I’m dying to see her, girls don’t like it when you come on too strong.
Jack: You’re right with that one to a point, but they also like it when you seem interested as well, there’s nothing wrong with letting her know that you like her, hey she may like it, y’know, letting her know just exactly how much you’re looking forward to seeing her.
Michael: So you think she’s expecting me to call?
Jack: Expecting yes, but dying for more likely, so come on here, take my phone and call her now and see if she’s left yet, it’s what now, 7:50pm, the show doors open soon, so what I figure she’s probably getting ready to leave with hopefully her really hot friends, therefore I say call her and ask her to meet us out front of the Odeon ASAP that way we can get some quality chatting up time before the show gets going. The way I see it, Black Rebel most likely won’t be going on until 10:30, so therefore we should have a couple hours to get the ball rolling between you two.
Michael: Uhh! Fuck you irritate me sometimes, but in some way I get your point, here give me that phone and watch me work my charm.
Jack: There we go, alright call her now, I’m going inside to get the tickets, and don’t forget to mention me to her friends; oh and that Tammie friend of hers is fucking hot, ask if she’s coming too?
Michael: Alright, alright I got it, now go, the phone’s ringing.
(Michael calls Jessica, Jack goes inside)
Jessica: Hello
Michael: Hey uh, hi Jessica, this is Michael, Michael Wood
Jessica: Oh hey Michael, what’s up?
Michael: Oh not much, just on my way to the show with Jack and I thought I would uh, um I mean call you to say howdy.
(Michael is beat red)
Jessica: Oh that was sweet of you, are you and Jack excited to see the band?, I’ve heard that they put on quite a show.
Michael: Oh Yeah it should be fun, you’re still coming tonight right?
Jessica: Oh well about that, you see my dad and I had a huge fight tonight about my missing class the past few days, and well you see I’ve been grounded, so no I guess I’m not going to be coming, I was gonna call you, but I didn’t have your number, so I guess it’s great that you called.
Michael: Oh, I see, uh well that sucks I was really hoping to see you, are you sure that you can’t come?.
Jessica: Yeah, I’m pretty sure, my dad’s kinda nuts and if he caught me going out tonight, well hell I’m not sure what he’d do, but hey I can go out with you tomorrow if you’re still interested, he only grounded me for tonight.
Michael: Interested, oh yeah I’m still interested, you have no idea...uh I mean yeah sure I can meet you out tomorrow sometime.
Jessica: Well then, how about you call me tomorrow and we’ll settle it up.
Michael: Yeah phone you tomorrow, sure, I can do that, no problemo here on my end on that one, phone you for sure, yes yes I will call you, yes.
Jessica: Uhh...okay Michael I’ve got to go, I’ll talk to you later.
Michael: Oh, uhh sure by Jessica, you be good now so I can call you tomorrow you see.
Jessica: Bye now.
Michael: Bye bye bye Jessica.
(Jack hangs up the phone disgustingly, he feels like a fool, so he flops his head on the steering wheel, almost crying at his pathetic performance on the phone, Jack re-enters the car, alive and full of energy)
Jack: Hey I’ve got the tickets! We’re all set, hey did you call her? Michael what are you doing? What’s up? Why do you have your head in the steering wheel?
(Michael looks up at Jack not saying anything, his face says it all)
Jack: I take it that you called her and that it went great, ah fuck Michael what did you say?
Michael: Dude you have no idea of how much of a retard I sounded, I told you I shouldn’t have called her.
Jack: Why, what did you say? I mean please I know you can be mister foot in the mouth sometimes with the lady folk but seriously how bad could it have been?
Michael: Okay it wasn’t that bad, the conversation went pretty well at the beginning, we only talked for about 3 minutes, she seemed happy and chipper, I asked her how she was doing, and then I asked if she was still coming to the show tonight, and then she said that she couldn’t because her dad had grounded her, but that she could hang tomorrow night if I was still interested.
Jack: Well fuck man what’s the problem, that sounds pretty good to me, and shit dude it even sounds like she might actually like you.
Michael: Yeah but that’s it, after that I basically mumbled my way into saying that I was desperately hoping to see her, I think I came across as some stalker type, because all of a sudden she just froze and said that she had to go.
Jack: Bro I’m sure it’s fine, from what I gather this girl seems into you and so what if you came across as a stalker retard, at least you called her, and hey you’ll go and see her tomorrow and this will all work out for the best, you’ll see, shit it has to, one of us has to get some ass soon. Did you ask about any of her friends?
Michael: You ungrateful fuck; all you care about is yourself and the next piece of ass that you can rub yourself up next to.
Jack: Yeah! So! I’m young, handsome and 24, so what, you’re no different, we both want the same thing, and at least I can rub up against a girl without getting a stiffy unlike you who has absolutely no control, I mean come on bro what are you 12, you really need to fix that.
Michael: Fuck You! I hate when you bring that up, it’s not my fault and anyways, let’s just go, I don’t want to think about this anymore.
Jack: Good. Finally. Let’s bogie, and find us some booty, and don’t worry about it, you’ll be fine.
Michael: Yeah you’re right, she seemed into me, this is good, I’m just overreacting; she probably just had to go.
Jack: There we go, positive, at a boy, now let’s focus on tonight and the concert and all the girlies we’ll be meeting.
Michael: I swear we must be the biggest losers in the world sometimes.
Jack: Maybe, but who cares, at least we’re pretty.
(Michael and Jack drive to the show and park just off 2nd ave, by the Galaxy theatres, they get out and walk to the Odeon, they notice a huge crowd outside and get excited at what the night could become, by now it's 8:15pm. Jack and Michael enter the crowd, but realize that they do not know anyone quite well enough to merit them stopping and chatting, they recognize a few faces, but ultimately decide to go on in and see the opening band. After their ticket exchange and coat checking, they move on towards the bar, where they are surprisingly met with one of Jack’s few ex girls who is working the bar)
Michael: Hey bro doesn’t that look like Irina?
Jack: What? Where?
Michael: There at the bar, isn’t that her? I’m pretty positive it is; I thought she moved to Montreal?
Jack: Oh fuck me, that is her! Shit she looks good, and yeah last I heard she moved away to Montreal to go to fashion school at McGill.
Michael: Dude she’s pretty hot, it’s funny how I never really noticed that before, it’s weird how I never check out any of your girls, to me they’re nothing, I don’t even look at them.
Jack: Yes, yes I’ve heard this a million times, and I appreciate it, I guess, but you have to be blind not to see how hot she is, she has to be the hottest girl in the city, or at least one of them.
Michael: Really you think? I don’t know, she’s hot but I don’t know I never really took to blondes, brunettes to me are way hotter.
Jack: Hey I never said that I liked blondes more, I love brunettes, I was just merely stating that Irina is fucking hot.
Michael: Whatever then, are you going to go over and say something to her, who knows she might still like you, if I remember correctly she did leave you kind of abruptly.
Jack: Yeah she did, but I don’t know, I just don’t want to come across as some ex boy she hooked up with a long time ago still obsessing, I mean she might not even remember me.
Michael: Well here`s the cool thing, she`s the bartender and we need a drink, so let`s go kill two birds with one stone.
Jack: Alright, you’re probably right, and hey like you said she might still like me, but what do I say?
Michael: Bro, just be yourself, remember why she liked you in the first place way back when at Earls, it was because you were you, you didn’t try and feed her a ton of bs and pick up line garbage that most guys would do
Jack: You remember that first night when she made that move towards me?, that was pretty hot
Michael: Do I remember? Shit bro, I was the one who drove you there to meet her; you’re the asshole who made me wait in the car while you were upstairs with her.
Jack: Hey I never meant to do that, I was just pre-occupied.
Michael: Whatever, let’s go, I need to get a drink, it will help me relax, I don’t want to be high strung.
(Jack and Michael walk over to the bar and order drinks, Michael approaches Irina first, with Jack right beside him, Jack’s looking away from Irina onto the stage)
Michael: Uh hey can I get a double vodka sprite and a vodka red bull please?
(Irina starts making the drinks, Jack finally looks over as she’s looking down, they finally meet eyes, Irina notices him immediately, Jack tries to stay calm)
Jack: Oh hey Irina how are you?
Irina: Hey Jack, I didn’t notice you there, how are things? You look great.
Jack: Oh things are good, when did you get back into town?
Irina: Oh I’m not back in town, I’m just back for a couple weeks visiting my family, I’m just working here tonight as a favour for friend. I’m leaving back to Montreal on Sunday.
Jack: Uh that’s cool; it’s nice to see you, you look great and is it me or does it seem like forever since we last saw one another.
Irina: You’re right about that, in fact what are you both doing tonight after the show, there’s gonna be a huge party at my friends place, you two should come.
Jack: Yeah sure that’d be fun; Michael and I are always looking to party, you remember Michael right, he worked at Earls too.
Irina: Oh hey Michael hi, I remember you, you look really great, I like your hair that long, it looks good on you. You were good friends with Amy weren’t you?
Michael: Yeah, she and I go way back, nice to see you again.
Irina: Great, well I’ve got to get back to work here, why don’t you two come back later and we’ll talk more.
Jack: Cool, we’ll drop by later.
(Michael and Jack leave the bar, Irina continues on working, she’s starting to get busy)
Michael: Hey bro, nice! That was awesome, she’s seems into you.
Jack: You think? I tried not sounding like an idiot, I just want redemption, a little fun and that’s it, no getting attached like last time.
Michael: Good so don’t, now let’s worry about me and what I should do about tonight.
Jack: How so, you already talked to Jessica and she’s not coming out tonight, so what is it that we need to worry about?
Michael: I don’t know, I guess it just sounded appropriate, well whatever though I might as well enjoy the show, seeing as the only reason I wanted to come here tonight isn’t even coming.
Jack: There we go boy, me you and a ton of girlies, who knows the night could be fun and hey I know that you like Jessica and all, but remember what you always say to me, don’t put all your eggs in one basket too soon, mingle a little, keep your options open, see a few girls, and then if one stands out that you find yourself liking more than drop the others like a dime, however not before you hit em’ first, I don’t want you wasting your time now.
Michael: Okay, okay I get your point, now shut up and let me relax and have a good time. Let’s go to the upstairs part and see what’s going on, this opening band sucks
Jack: Word.
Michael: Word? Nice one Vanilla ice!
Jack: Shut up!
(Jack and Michael start parading around the Odeon looking for people they know or recognize. Jack eventually goes to the bathroom, ultimately leaving Michael alone. He’s standing by the upstairs bar when he’s approached by someone from behind who taps him on the shoulder)
Ashley: Hey Michael is that you?
(Michael startled)
Michael: Oh hey, what’s up? (Doesn’t recognize her)
Ashley: How are you? You look great; I haven’t seen you in so long, what have you been up to?
Michael: Oh not much, just chillin’, working at the Freehouse.
Ashley: You don’t remember me do you? I’m Ashley, your Aunt Hilary’s husband’s daughter; I’m your sort of cousin. I know it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other, but I thought you would have remembered me.
(Michael realizes that he does remember her, barely from some family thing 10 or so years ago)
Michael: Oh hey I’m sorry, I did and do, you just caught me off guard that’s all, I remember now, sheesh it’s got to be what 10 years or so since I last saw you. Didn’t your family move to Vancouver or something?
Ashley: Oh we did, we’re still there, I’m just back for the weekend visiting some friends and family.
Michael: Cool, well that sounds great, who are you here with?
(Jack returns, he sees Michael talking to Ashley, he notices that she’s really hot and somewhat happy to be talking to Michael. Jack smiles slyly, he takes his time walking over to them)
Ashley: Oh I’m here with my friends Megan, Jen and Katie, they’re around here somewhere. They dragged me out tonight, they’re all huge Black Rebel fans, me I could care less, plus we were up late last night having a big girls night, so in a way I feel like shit. I’m still trying to decide if I even want to drink at all tonight.
Michael: It’s funny that you say that, because my best friend Jack did the very same thing to me tonight, he’s around here as well...
(Jack jumps in when he hears his name being said, the two of them startled by his sudden arrival)
Jack: Michael what are you saying about me to this pretty girl, it had better be nice or I’ll have to embarrass you by saying that you used to cry after watching The Little Mermaid.
Michael: What? No wait a second, I was what 11 at the time and hey that’s nothing to be laughing about, that’s a good movie, at least I don’t watch the Notebook and cry like a little sissy.
Ashley: Well I can certainly tell that this must be your friend Michael, hi I’m Ashley, and you must be...
Jack: Jack, Jack Bones.
Ashley: Is that really your name.
Jack: Sure is darlin’, ain’t it majestic.
Michael: You’re such a fag.
Jack: What? Moi, never, I just have a certain panache that unfolds from time to time, something the ladies like to call charm.
Michael: Whatever you call it, cool it, you’re going to scare Ashley off, you know she’s kind of my cousin, well second cousin that is, through marriage.
Jack: Oh so your part of the family are you Ashley? Excellent! I can always use another girl on my side of the fence to help me flirt with the next cutie on my list.
(Michael is now looking at Jack very annoyingly)
Michael: Uh sorry Ashley, he hasn’t had his medicine tonight.
Jack: Oh whatever, your life would be so boring if I wasn’t this unique.
Michael: Really? You think so? Then if that’s the case why are you still single? Because surely a man of your considerable talents can coax any young girl into your arms; or maybe, just maybe is it that you may be a little high on yourself for well...no good reason.
Ashley: Ohh I love this, you two fight like a married couple.
Michael: We do not!
Ashley: Hey don’t worry, I like it, it’s cute.
Jack: You see Michael, she said I was cute, told you so.
Michael: She didn’t say you fuck head, she meant us.
Jack: Oh, Oops, silly me.
Michael: Anyways, Ashley do you want to hang with us for a bit?
Ashley: Sure, you two seem awesome, I love hanging with fun people.
Michael: Awesome, well then let’s get some shooters, I need to get going.
Jack: Hey bro no jagermeister, I’m sick of that shit, get some jamesons instead.
Michael: What? Come with us you bitch, we’re not your maids.
Jack: But I think I might stick around here and watch the opening band finish.
Michael: Fuck that, get over here you baby, we’re just doing some shots, you can watch them from at the bar.
Jack: No, just bring them over here, why do you need me to come with you guys, plus you two are family you need time getting re-acquainted.
Michael: Just come on.
Ashley: Yeah Jack come with us, it’ll be fun, I’ll even buy the shots.
Jack: You’ll buy, well then why didn’t you say so, let’s bogie on then.
Michael: Oh now you’ll come, fuck you drive me nuts sometimes.
Jack: I must be the only pair you have, ah how sad.
Ashley: You two really are married, I love it.
Michael: If that’s true then I’m about ready to divorce this bitch.
Jack: I ain’t the bitch, you are, I’m the giver, you’re the taker ala Jake Gyllenhal in Brokeback Mountain, mmm you are one fine piece of ass.
Michael: Gross, quit it.
(Michael, Jack and Ashley arrive at the bar and wait in line, they wait 2 minutes and then order shots and drinks, Ashley pays for them all, not without Michael trying to pay for some, Jack stands by and collects his free beverage. They do a round of shots together)
Jack: Ah now I feel better, good choice on the shots Ashley, what were they?
Michael: Uh fuck head they were Sicilian kisses and she didn’t pick them, I did.
Ashley: Yeah Jack, sorry to disappoint you but Michael picked them, but I’m happy to pick the next round if you’d like.
Jack: Word on that, because it sounds like a certain someone has his panties in bunch.
Michael: Uhh whatever, let’s go, I think we’re in the way.
Jack: Finally! Let’s go down below and try and get close to the stage, I want to watch them as close as I can.
Michael: You’re not going to lose it and do that jumping up and down dancing bs you always do are you?
Jack: What ever do you mean?
Michael: I mean that kangaroo up and down thing you do when you’re listening to music.
Ashley: Ah that sounds cute.
Jack: See Michael, Ashley thinks it’s cute, so layoff, at least I’m willing to have fun.
Michael: Hey I like to have fun, I’m just trying to prevent you from looking like an idiot, at least I can dance, what you do, that ain’t dancing.
Jack: Oh really, well first off when was the last time you went to a show? What 10 years ago, and I’ve been to how many? At least a hundred, so let’s just keep those yap comments to yourself, I know what I’m doing and I love having fun, you should try it sometime.
Ashley: Boys, boys no need to get angry at one another, let’s just go down there and have a good time, actually I think I see my girl friends down there, so come on
Michael: We’re not fighting
Jack: No, were good, were just talking, this is how we always talk.
Ashley: Well it sounded like fighting to me.
Michael: Oh sorry Ashley, no that’s just Jack and I ripping on another, it’s how we talk, I guess, basically we just bitch at one another until someone changes the subject.
Ashley: Oh, okay; are you sure you two aren’t married?
Jack: Eww, me marry this monkey armed bitch hip punk, gross, he wishes I’d get down and suck his cock.
Michael: Okay Jack whatever, no need to gross out Ashley now
Jack: Why not, it’s fun.
Ashley: Oh I think I’m going to love you Jack.
Jack: They all do sweetie, they all do.
Monday, May 9, 2011
personal growth within a new process
So I'm sitting here late at night straining to find the words to express to you all how I feel. For you see over the past month and a half I've become overwhelmed with satisfaction at how much fun and exccitement I've had planning our new wine list. As you may or may not know, recently I'd been promoted to wine/bar director at my work here in Vancouver. When first given this title by my boss I initially thought it was stupid and pretentious as I find titles limiting and unnecessary. Yet for the purpose of this article I'm going with it as said title gives weight to the current process. This promotion brought me into the fold of the business end of hospitality and all that it brings with it. I'd previously experienced this world before in various managerial capacities yet even with this prior knowledge I've come to recently learn that the process of building even a simple wine list has it challenges and lessons. Many have been learned and today I'd like to share my thoughts.
After the news of my promotion, I with the aid of Chill Winston's Owner Sonia Bozzi, it's General Manager Dan Mitchell and my fellow barman Dan Meyers began the labourous process of developing a new wine menu. As the summer patio season approached we became knee deep in meetings with wine reps from various companies as they all clamoured to impress us. Why? It's simple, our 200 seat patio overlooks sunny gastown in the heart of vancouver. We have location, sun and booze, nuff said.
Setting up these tastings with various wine reps hadn't been the challenge, yet choosing from the myriad levels of differing wines had as it's showed to me how interesting wine can be from a business perspective. How tasting a bottle of cheap Pentage Rose can differ from a bottle of Le Vieux Pin Rose, not just in taste but in marketability. How arguing (and there'd been much of that) over which Riesling to pick when one side (Dan and Sonia) wanted a crisp and floral riesling to GM Dan and I wanting a more sweet and acidic version.
I understand that you may be thinking, okay so what, you argued about wine, big deal. True. But here me out, for you see the process is what I want to express. It's this love and admiration for tasting, smelling, learning, talking and reveling in all there is wine that's brought me here for you now. It's how you find yourself sitting there listening to a random rep spew crap about a particular wine that's $12.99 as you try to decipher if he's "selling" you or really being honest about his product. You find yourself asking "hmm, what's more important?", a wine that tastes great for $24.00 or a wine that tastes meh good for $15.00. Do I want a list of all impecable wines that nobody will buy because each glass will be $12.00 or do I want a list of some decent and some great that everyone will enjoy. In essence what's more important, ego or sales?
This stuff came about so often and even though I would voice my opinions and concerns, the reality of the situation was at the end of the day Sonia would do what Sonia wants and that would be that as it is her business. Yet it's this process of selecting, deciding, refining then finding out if you can actually get allocation that gets me. The process of building a great wine list made me think about so much business end stuff of which I'd rarely found myself pondering before that I now fully understand how one can become exhausted.
Yet throughout it all as I was tasting and meeting so many great like minded people, it dawned on me how much I love this business. How I can wake up, go to work and taste great wines, then sell them to others with passion has shown me how lucky I am to love what I do.
In the end, "the process" I was referring for you all today was about me and my growth within the business and how I've come to understand the relationships, the decision making and the overall savy one needs to thrive in the restaurant industry. No longer can one just buy a building, throw a kitchen in, add a bar, some tables and chairs and hope for things to work out. To succeed and rise above the rest one needs to see that work, effort and tireless passion must be involved. Even when it comes to things such a picking a simple wine list. It's the process, a never ending circle I'll definitely be making again and again and again.
After the news of my promotion, I with the aid of Chill Winston's Owner Sonia Bozzi, it's General Manager Dan Mitchell and my fellow barman Dan Meyers began the labourous process of developing a new wine menu. As the summer patio season approached we became knee deep in meetings with wine reps from various companies as they all clamoured to impress us. Why? It's simple, our 200 seat patio overlooks sunny gastown in the heart of vancouver. We have location, sun and booze, nuff said.
Setting up these tastings with various wine reps hadn't been the challenge, yet choosing from the myriad levels of differing wines had as it's showed to me how interesting wine can be from a business perspective. How tasting a bottle of cheap Pentage Rose can differ from a bottle of Le Vieux Pin Rose, not just in taste but in marketability. How arguing (and there'd been much of that) over which Riesling to pick when one side (Dan and Sonia) wanted a crisp and floral riesling to GM Dan and I wanting a more sweet and acidic version.
I understand that you may be thinking, okay so what, you argued about wine, big deal. True. But here me out, for you see the process is what I want to express. It's this love and admiration for tasting, smelling, learning, talking and reveling in all there is wine that's brought me here for you now. It's how you find yourself sitting there listening to a random rep spew crap about a particular wine that's $12.99 as you try to decipher if he's "selling" you or really being honest about his product. You find yourself asking "hmm, what's more important?", a wine that tastes great for $24.00 or a wine that tastes meh good for $15.00. Do I want a list of all impecable wines that nobody will buy because each glass will be $12.00 or do I want a list of some decent and some great that everyone will enjoy. In essence what's more important, ego or sales?
This stuff came about so often and even though I would voice my opinions and concerns, the reality of the situation was at the end of the day Sonia would do what Sonia wants and that would be that as it is her business. Yet it's this process of selecting, deciding, refining then finding out if you can actually get allocation that gets me. The process of building a great wine list made me think about so much business end stuff of which I'd rarely found myself pondering before that I now fully understand how one can become exhausted.
Yet throughout it all as I was tasting and meeting so many great like minded people, it dawned on me how much I love this business. How I can wake up, go to work and taste great wines, then sell them to others with passion has shown me how lucky I am to love what I do.
In the end, "the process" I was referring for you all today was about me and my growth within the business and how I've come to understand the relationships, the decision making and the overall savy one needs to thrive in the restaurant industry. No longer can one just buy a building, throw a kitchen in, add a bar, some tables and chairs and hope for things to work out. To succeed and rise above the rest one needs to see that work, effort and tireless passion must be involved. Even when it comes to things such a picking a simple wine list. It's the process, a never ending circle I'll definitely be making again and again and again.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
NBA thoughts...
As the season winds down to a finish tonight I thought I'd recap some of my feelings towards this years top performers, seeding, playoff matchups and who I think will win it all. ** wink wink it's not a shocker.
- This season has seen many young guns emerge as top flight performers in what was becoming an ever increasing veterans league. With guys like Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo and Kevin Durant leading the way I see great things for the league in the years to come.
- Derrick Rose should not be the MVP. There I said it. He's a great player and one deserving of mention but unfortunately this year there wasn't a true MVP caliber performance. In my opinion the award has been lost recently amongst reporters and the like as they have decided to give the award to the player on the top feel good team of the year. Chicago is that team this year. They came from nowhere and have surprised and exceded all expectations. I'm not saying this logic is dumbfounded as generally if you have a great team you tend to have one of the leagues best players. But I am saying that this logic in its totality is flawed. A few years back Kobe was by far the MVP of the league when Steve Nash was taking home the hardware. Kobe was penalized for being surrounded by inferior talent. When panelists say they reward players that win then you might as well give the award to the GM's than the players as they're the ones who make up these winning teams. As good as Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant are, they still need good players around them to win as they can only do so much.
- Shaq should retire after this season. When you can't even play 25% of your teams games I believe that should be an idication that you're finished. Retire with some dignity Mr. O'Neal.
- Jermaine O'Neal should do the same.
- Steve Nash needs to ask for a trade to Orlando next year, he and Grant Hill both. Phoenix is going nowhere and both deserve something better than this crap team and ownership.
- I'm going to tell Orlando the secret to winning a championship. "You'll never do it if Dwight is your No 1" He lacks that killer instinct and sheer determination you need to get over the hump. Think of him as David Robinson 2.0, freak of nature big man but can't win with him. Robinson didn't win it all until the killer Duncan arrived. Until they find his true sidekick they're going nowhere.
- Gilbert Arenas should retire and give all that money back.
And now for my awards.
Rookie: Duh! Blake Griffin
Sixth: Lamar Odom (can't be blamed for starting)
Improved: LaMarcus Aldridge (took a giant leap forward and deserves this)
Executive: RC Buford from San Antonio for taking a ship sailing south to the no 1 seed.
Coach: George Karl for riding the Carmelo saga and improving his team afterwords
Defensive: Dwight Howard for doing it all in Orlando
MVP: Kobe and LeBron for being the best in the league, they share this award since neither outdid the other.
all nba 1st: LeBron, Wade, Kobe, Durant, Howard
all nba 2nd: Nash, Rose, Love, Dirk, Gasol
all nba 3rd: Paul, Williams, Ginobili, Aldridge, Stoudemire,
all defense 1st: Howard, Ibaka, Bynum, Kobe, Iguodala
and now predictions:
East:
Round 1. Boston, Chicago, Miami, Orlando
Round 2. Chicago, Miami
Round 3. Miami
West:
Round 1. San Antonio, LA Lakers, Dallas, OKC
Round 2. San Antonio, LA Lakers
Round 3. LA Lakers
Finals: LA Lakers over Miami in 7
later.
- This season has seen many young guns emerge as top flight performers in what was becoming an ever increasing veterans league. With guys like Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo and Kevin Durant leading the way I see great things for the league in the years to come.
- Derrick Rose should not be the MVP. There I said it. He's a great player and one deserving of mention but unfortunately this year there wasn't a true MVP caliber performance. In my opinion the award has been lost recently amongst reporters and the like as they have decided to give the award to the player on the top feel good team of the year. Chicago is that team this year. They came from nowhere and have surprised and exceded all expectations. I'm not saying this logic is dumbfounded as generally if you have a great team you tend to have one of the leagues best players. But I am saying that this logic in its totality is flawed. A few years back Kobe was by far the MVP of the league when Steve Nash was taking home the hardware. Kobe was penalized for being surrounded by inferior talent. When panelists say they reward players that win then you might as well give the award to the GM's than the players as they're the ones who make up these winning teams. As good as Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant are, they still need good players around them to win as they can only do so much.
- Shaq should retire after this season. When you can't even play 25% of your teams games I believe that should be an idication that you're finished. Retire with some dignity Mr. O'Neal.
- Jermaine O'Neal should do the same.
- Steve Nash needs to ask for a trade to Orlando next year, he and Grant Hill both. Phoenix is going nowhere and both deserve something better than this crap team and ownership.
- I'm going to tell Orlando the secret to winning a championship. "You'll never do it if Dwight is your No 1" He lacks that killer instinct and sheer determination you need to get over the hump. Think of him as David Robinson 2.0, freak of nature big man but can't win with him. Robinson didn't win it all until the killer Duncan arrived. Until they find his true sidekick they're going nowhere.
- Gilbert Arenas should retire and give all that money back.
And now for my awards.
Rookie: Duh! Blake Griffin
Sixth: Lamar Odom (can't be blamed for starting)
Improved: LaMarcus Aldridge (took a giant leap forward and deserves this)
Executive: RC Buford from San Antonio for taking a ship sailing south to the no 1 seed.
Coach: George Karl for riding the Carmelo saga and improving his team afterwords
Defensive: Dwight Howard for doing it all in Orlando
MVP: Kobe and LeBron for being the best in the league, they share this award since neither outdid the other.
all nba 1st: LeBron, Wade, Kobe, Durant, Howard
all nba 2nd: Nash, Rose, Love, Dirk, Gasol
all nba 3rd: Paul, Williams, Ginobili, Aldridge, Stoudemire,
all defense 1st: Howard, Ibaka, Bynum, Kobe, Iguodala
and now predictions:
East:
Round 1. Boston, Chicago, Miami, Orlando
Round 2. Chicago, Miami
Round 3. Miami
West:
Round 1. San Antonio, LA Lakers, Dallas, OKC
Round 2. San Antonio, LA Lakers
Round 3. LA Lakers
Finals: LA Lakers over Miami in 7
later.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
apprehension stems the tide
the information I feel at times exhausts me as it causes me to think. why do I try again? I've told myself to become wary and apprehensive before yet as time passes I find that I fall back in. These lessons are ones I want to learn, I need to make better choices and I need to become more vigilant of my feelings. My cautiousness when all is said and done is all I have, I cannot fall for if I do I'm not sure I'll be able to get up. It's easier to run than risk.
she scares me.
she scares me.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Untitled
Milla: hey there, are you okay?
Dan lying on the ground with blood smeared on his forehead
Dan: uhh what?
Milla: Are you okay? I saw you fall from that window. Your cut looks deep.
Dan: I don't remember falling, (touching his head). What happened?
Milla: You fell from there (pointing to the window above) about 10 minutes ago. I was walking from there when I saw you land. Were you pushed?
Dan: (now sitting up) I...uh don't remember. ugh, what's your name?
Milla: I'm Milla, Milla Slova. I live over there (now pointing down the street) What's your name? Do you want me to look at that?, it looks very painful.
Dan: No I'm okay, I think. Have you got a smoke? (touching his head again, bleeding has stopped)
Milla: No I don't smoke. Here let me help you up. (she bends down and grabs his arm, as she does she notices his tattoo on his right forearm, it's a picture of a ship) what's that?
Dan: (still slow to move he looks her in the eye then looks to his arm) I'm not sure, a ship I guess.
Milla: It's nice. Do you need to see a doctor or something? I can take you.
Dan: (still looking at his arm in a daze) Umm no I should be alright. thanks though.
Milla: what are you gonna do now?
Dan: I'm not sure, you said I fell from that window (pointing upwards to the second floor)
Milla: yeah you fell from there, luckily for you it's not that far, you could be dead.
Dan: I guess I'll go back up there and see what I was doing.
Milla: you mean you don't remember anything? what's your name?
Dan: I..uhh I can't remember
Milla: you better go see a doctor, I'm coming with you.
At the doctors office
Doctor: Sir it looks like you have a mild case of amnesia.
Dan: what?
Doctor: Have you been in an accident recently?
Milla: well he hit his head today, but you already knew that.
Doctor: Yes, but have you hit it before. Your x-rays show multiple head traumas.
Dan looking puzzled, Milla becoming worried
Dan: I don't think so. I can't remember.
Doctor: Well you should be fine now, your wound should heal nicely. Be careful and take this prescription.
Milla: What about his amnesia? Will it go away?
Doctor: Only time will tell. Go to the front desk and book another appointment for a month from now. take care.
Doctor leaves
Milla: We were told to book another appointment by the doctor
Receptionist: I'll need to see your ID sir.
Dan: reaches for his wallet but only pulls out a folded piece of paper, it's a picture of a ship, one he's drawn
He immediately looks to Milla, she looks to him puzzled. He's remembered a moment. He runs out of the office. Milla follows
Dan lying on the ground with blood smeared on his forehead
Dan: uhh what?
Milla: Are you okay? I saw you fall from that window. Your cut looks deep.
Dan: I don't remember falling, (touching his head). What happened?
Milla: You fell from there (pointing to the window above) about 10 minutes ago. I was walking from there when I saw you land. Were you pushed?
Dan: (now sitting up) I...uh don't remember. ugh, what's your name?
Milla: I'm Milla, Milla Slova. I live over there (now pointing down the street) What's your name? Do you want me to look at that?, it looks very painful.
Dan: No I'm okay, I think. Have you got a smoke? (touching his head again, bleeding has stopped)
Milla: No I don't smoke. Here let me help you up. (she bends down and grabs his arm, as she does she notices his tattoo on his right forearm, it's a picture of a ship) what's that?
Dan: (still slow to move he looks her in the eye then looks to his arm) I'm not sure, a ship I guess.
Milla: It's nice. Do you need to see a doctor or something? I can take you.
Dan: (still looking at his arm in a daze) Umm no I should be alright. thanks though.
Milla: what are you gonna do now?
Dan: I'm not sure, you said I fell from that window (pointing upwards to the second floor)
Milla: yeah you fell from there, luckily for you it's not that far, you could be dead.
Dan: I guess I'll go back up there and see what I was doing.
Milla: you mean you don't remember anything? what's your name?
Dan: I..uhh I can't remember
Milla: you better go see a doctor, I'm coming with you.
At the doctors office
Doctor: Sir it looks like you have a mild case of amnesia.
Dan: what?
Doctor: Have you been in an accident recently?
Milla: well he hit his head today, but you already knew that.
Doctor: Yes, but have you hit it before. Your x-rays show multiple head traumas.
Dan looking puzzled, Milla becoming worried
Dan: I don't think so. I can't remember.
Doctor: Well you should be fine now, your wound should heal nicely. Be careful and take this prescription.
Milla: What about his amnesia? Will it go away?
Doctor: Only time will tell. Go to the front desk and book another appointment for a month from now. take care.
Doctor leaves
Milla: We were told to book another appointment by the doctor
Receptionist: I'll need to see your ID sir.
Dan: reaches for his wallet but only pulls out a folded piece of paper, it's a picture of a ship, one he's drawn
He immediately looks to Milla, she looks to him puzzled. He's remembered a moment. He runs out of the office. Milla follows
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
good samaritan
there was a moment today when I was walking home
I saw a man as I was crossing the street
his face was sullen and weathered
he looked sad
his eyes permeated me with a brutal intensity
I felt bad for him
he'd made me feel something
so I reached for my wallet
I handed him a twenty and said "take this"
he looked at me and said
"is that it?"
I called him a cunt and walked away.
the end
I saw a man as I was crossing the street
his face was sullen and weathered
he looked sad
his eyes permeated me with a brutal intensity
I felt bad for him
he'd made me feel something
so I reached for my wallet
I handed him a twenty and said "take this"
he looked at me and said
"is that it?"
I called him a cunt and walked away.
the end
Thursday, March 10, 2011
the pirate diaries: malted scotch production
Welcome to round 3 of the pirate diaries.
This week I’m going to focus on how Malted Scotch is prepared for distillation.
Okay then here we go.
Malted Scotch Production goes as follows:
1. First you need Barley
2. To help change Barley’s starch into fermentable sugars a confidence trick is played on the grain where by you fool it into thinking it’s time to start germinating.
3. This is done by immersing the grain in water (an average of 3 times) over a period of 48 hrs.
4. Cool air is then blown over the grain where in after 5 days the starches have now changed to a term called “green malt“. Shoots and roots are now being made available at this time as well.
5. This growth however, now needs to be stopped by drying the grain in a kiln, this is usually in some cases where “peat” is used.
6. Peat is semi-carbonized vegetation, which in turn when burned gives off a perfumed smoke rich in flavour compounds known as phenolics. Not all malted Scotch is dried with Peat as some use charcoal during this stage.
7. After being dried, the Barley is then ground into a rough flour called “Grist”
8. This Grist is then blown into a large vessel called a “mash tun” where it is mixed with hot water. The temperature of the water is vital at this stage to help trigger the enzymes present into converting the starches into fermentable sugars.
9. A mash tun operates like a large tea bag. The hot water filters through the grist dissolving the sugars. This sweet sugary liquid, known as “wort” (really they couldn’t have picked a better name here…gross!) is then drawn off the bottom of the mash tun, cooled and then pumped into a fermenter or “washback“.
10. Now in the “washback” another amount of water (even hotter) is added to rid out any remaining sugar.
11. After this last stage of filtering, the wort is now cooled completely where in yeast is now added for fermentation. The sugars are eaten by the yeast and converted into alcohol, while CO2 and heat are given off. All the alcohol is converted in a span of about 48 hrs giving a liquid wash of about 7-10% abv (alcohol by volume).
12. A quick fermentation is needed and is vital in the creation of flavours. If left too long the yeasts will begin to eat anything, even themselves. This quick fermentation helps build a complex combination of flavour compounds known as “congeners“. If these congeners have not been created in the washback they cannot be concentrated and captured in the next part of the process: Distillation.
I’d go on further but distillation is one messy process and well I don’t want to clutter all them pretty minds of yours at once.
But before I leave here’s a short video to help you understand what the heck I just wrote.
This week I’m going to focus on how Malted Scotch is prepared for distillation.
Okay then here we go.
Malted Scotch Production goes as follows:
1. First you need Barley
2. To help change Barley’s starch into fermentable sugars a confidence trick is played on the grain where by you fool it into thinking it’s time to start germinating.
3. This is done by immersing the grain in water (an average of 3 times) over a period of 48 hrs.
4. Cool air is then blown over the grain where in after 5 days the starches have now changed to a term called “green malt“. Shoots and roots are now being made available at this time as well.
5. This growth however, now needs to be stopped by drying the grain in a kiln, this is usually in some cases where “peat” is used.
6. Peat is semi-carbonized vegetation, which in turn when burned gives off a perfumed smoke rich in flavour compounds known as phenolics. Not all malted Scotch is dried with Peat as some use charcoal during this stage.
7. After being dried, the Barley is then ground into a rough flour called “Grist”
8. This Grist is then blown into a large vessel called a “mash tun” where it is mixed with hot water. The temperature of the water is vital at this stage to help trigger the enzymes present into converting the starches into fermentable sugars.
9. A mash tun operates like a large tea bag. The hot water filters through the grist dissolving the sugars. This sweet sugary liquid, known as “wort” (really they couldn’t have picked a better name here…gross!) is then drawn off the bottom of the mash tun, cooled and then pumped into a fermenter or “washback“.
10. Now in the “washback” another amount of water (even hotter) is added to rid out any remaining sugar.
11. After this last stage of filtering, the wort is now cooled completely where in yeast is now added for fermentation. The sugars are eaten by the yeast and converted into alcohol, while CO2 and heat are given off. All the alcohol is converted in a span of about 48 hrs giving a liquid wash of about 7-10% abv (alcohol by volume).
12. A quick fermentation is needed and is vital in the creation of flavours. If left too long the yeasts will begin to eat anything, even themselves. This quick fermentation helps build a complex combination of flavour compounds known as “congeners“. If these congeners have not been created in the washback they cannot be concentrated and captured in the next part of the process: Distillation.
I’d go on further but distillation is one messy process and well I don’t want to clutter all them pretty minds of yours at once.
But before I leave here’s a short video to help you understand what the heck I just wrote.
Monday, February 28, 2011
the pirate diaries: what is scotch
Hello again and welcome to the 2nd instalment of the pirate diaries.
Today I'm going to talk about a new spirit passion of mine and that is Scotch Whiskey. It's taken me awhile to jump on the Scotch Whiskey bandwagon but hey better late than never. There's a reason it's so popular and today I hope to educate you all as to why that is.
Firstly I’ll start with the basics.
What is Scotch?
- It’s a type of Whiskey made in Scotland.
- It’s made from either Barley (Malted), Wheat, Oats or Corn (Blended).
- It must be aged a minimum of 3 years.
- It’s aged in either old oak barrels (usually ex bourbon) or ex Sherry barrels
You still with me? Pretty straight forward stuff.
Now a little history.
Scotch was first being produced somewhere around 1494, where Friars and monks were distilling grains for the use of medicines. It wasn’t until the late 16th century that Scotch would become a “Social Lubricant”…hehe lubricant! (couldn’t help myself).
By the 18th Century however, regional Scotch production was starting to take shape, by which Lowland and Highland styles were beginning to emerge.
Lowland Scotch production at this time was done in more of a need versus quality scale as most that was being distilled was of low quality. Large distilleries were created to supply a growing demand in England. It was also in this region where a large amount of distilled spirit was being exported to England to be rectified into gin.
Highland Scotch on the other hand was of higher quality as it was still being made in smaller pot stills and double distilled. However, due to new legislation in which taxes and policing were being implemented on pot distillation, most Highland Scotch would be banned by the early 19th century. (Where were lobby groups at this time…sheesh!)
However, this rule as bad as it was did influence the current Scotch production we see today as it forced farmers in regions such as Islay and Speyside to go underground per se with their production as it was there only means of paying rent. This is why you’ll notice that most Scotch producing regions are located in the corners of Scotland where it was harder to police them. (And the common man wins for a change…yeah!)
By 1823 a new Excise Act would be passed where the use of small stills would be allowed again. With it came the start of the modern Scotch whiskey industry. (Pheff we made it!)
The leap to world domination came with the invention of the continuous (Coffee) still in 1827 and (as I previously wrote last week) with Phylloxera.
Now some interesting facts:
Scotch can be made into either:
– Single Malt – only comes from one distillery
– Blended Malt – multiple distilleries
– Grain Whiskey - made from 90% wheat or corn and 10% malted barley for enzymes
Malted Scotch is made from just 3 ingredients: Barley, Water and Yeast
Malting is a process of changing starches into fermentable sugars by tricking the grain to start growing.
- All the colour in Scotch comes from ageing
- Age distinctions on bottles reflects the youngest spirit put in the bottle
- There are 4 major producing regions: Highlands, Speyside, Islay and Lowlands/Campbeltown
Okay that should be enough for today, next week I’ll focus on how Scotch is made and what exactly is distillation.
Okay I go now but before I do I’ll leave you with my Cocktail of the week and a little trivia. See you next week.
Maverick
1.5 oz El Dorado 15 year Rum
0.5 oz Port (any will do but I use Taylor 10 year)
0.5 oz Giffard Creme de Peche (I love this stuff)
5 dashes Angostura Bitters
Orange Twist
In a mixing glass combine all ingredients, stir well for 20 seconds, serve in chilled cocktail glass. garnish with orange twist. The rich Demerara Rum proves a great base for the port and peche. This is a rich full flavoured cocktail.
Trivia: Did you know that a little Highland Park 18 year is found in the Famous Grouse Blend…WTF??? Cool huh!
Today I'm going to talk about a new spirit passion of mine and that is Scotch Whiskey. It's taken me awhile to jump on the Scotch Whiskey bandwagon but hey better late than never. There's a reason it's so popular and today I hope to educate you all as to why that is.
Firstly I’ll start with the basics.
What is Scotch?
- It’s a type of Whiskey made in Scotland.
- It’s made from either Barley (Malted), Wheat, Oats or Corn (Blended).
- It must be aged a minimum of 3 years.
- It’s aged in either old oak barrels (usually ex bourbon) or ex Sherry barrels
You still with me? Pretty straight forward stuff.
Now a little history.
Scotch was first being produced somewhere around 1494, where Friars and monks were distilling grains for the use of medicines. It wasn’t until the late 16th century that Scotch would become a “Social Lubricant”…hehe lubricant! (couldn’t help myself).
By the 18th Century however, regional Scotch production was starting to take shape, by which Lowland and Highland styles were beginning to emerge.
Lowland Scotch production at this time was done in more of a need versus quality scale as most that was being distilled was of low quality. Large distilleries were created to supply a growing demand in England. It was also in this region where a large amount of distilled spirit was being exported to England to be rectified into gin.
Highland Scotch on the other hand was of higher quality as it was still being made in smaller pot stills and double distilled. However, due to new legislation in which taxes and policing were being implemented on pot distillation, most Highland Scotch would be banned by the early 19th century. (Where were lobby groups at this time…sheesh!)
However, this rule as bad as it was did influence the current Scotch production we see today as it forced farmers in regions such as Islay and Speyside to go underground per se with their production as it was there only means of paying rent. This is why you’ll notice that most Scotch producing regions are located in the corners of Scotland where it was harder to police them. (And the common man wins for a change…yeah!)
By 1823 a new Excise Act would be passed where the use of small stills would be allowed again. With it came the start of the modern Scotch whiskey industry. (Pheff we made it!)
The leap to world domination came with the invention of the continuous (Coffee) still in 1827 and (as I previously wrote last week) with Phylloxera.
Now some interesting facts:
Scotch can be made into either:
– Single Malt – only comes from one distillery
– Blended Malt – multiple distilleries
– Grain Whiskey - made from 90% wheat or corn and 10% malted barley for enzymes
Malted Scotch is made from just 3 ingredients: Barley, Water and Yeast
Malting is a process of changing starches into fermentable sugars by tricking the grain to start growing.
- All the colour in Scotch comes from ageing
- Age distinctions on bottles reflects the youngest spirit put in the bottle
- There are 4 major producing regions: Highlands, Speyside, Islay and Lowlands/Campbeltown
Okay that should be enough for today, next week I’ll focus on how Scotch is made and what exactly is distillation.
Okay I go now but before I do I’ll leave you with my Cocktail of the week and a little trivia. See you next week.
Maverick
1.5 oz El Dorado 15 year Rum
0.5 oz Port (any will do but I use Taylor 10 year)
0.5 oz Giffard Creme de Peche (I love this stuff)
5 dashes Angostura Bitters
Orange Twist
In a mixing glass combine all ingredients, stir well for 20 seconds, serve in chilled cocktail glass. garnish with orange twist. The rich Demerara Rum proves a great base for the port and peche. This is a rich full flavoured cocktail.
Trivia: Did you know that a little Highland Park 18 year is found in the Famous Grouse Blend…WTF??? Cool huh!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
the pirate diaries
Welcome to the Pirate Diaries, a new weekly series I'm starting where I will deliver for you all the goods, the bads and the boozy as it pertains to anything cocktail related. Savy.
First up a little information that you might not know.
- did you know that the growth and increase in popularity of Scotch Whiskey globally was caused by a single aphid? It's true. Way back in the mid 1860's it was Cognac NOT Scotch that dominated the spirit world.
Cognac's rich flavour (made from distilled wine that had been aged) was so popular amongst Europeans that Cognac distillers were having trouble keeping up with demand.
However, as un just luck would have you, it would be a small American aphid that would hitch it's ride across the Atlantic that would send Cognac's brandy as well as most of French wine into a tailspin. Oops!
This aphid would bury itself in the root stocks of vines and eat its way through till the vine died. This epidemic would become known as Phylloxera.
Because of this tragedy, the Scottish Whiskey trade found itself the lucky beneficiaries of a thirsty lot looking for a something new to drink.
Crazy huh? "One man's loss is another man's gain" Cognac would never regain it's footing for another 60 years where by then Scotch Whiskey had all but eradicated it's stronghold.
- did you know that the difference between premium vodka and so called low grade vodka is a mere 2%? Yup it's true.
Vodka incase you didn't already know is what is called a "neutral" spirit.
By neutral what I mean is it's been distilled to such a purity that it inherently has no discernible characteristics. Yes I said it, "Vodka should have no distinctive character, aroma, taste or colour". Hmm...makes sense now that I think about it.
So then why do vodkas such as Grey Goose and Belvedere fetch a higher dollar than lower brands like Smirnoff? One reason. MARKETING!!!.
Yup, in our day in age, he who barks the loudest wins, which invariably leads to higher sales. Vodkas stance in the Spirit market has been growing remarkably strong decade by decade ever since the end of World War II.
Vodkas pureness captured a new generation looking for crispness and light flavour or no flavour to be exact. Unlike Scotch or Bourbon and especially Rye, Vodka can be paired with anything, thusly making it the
best base spirit for any additive.
As the 1950's rolled around new drinks such as the Cosmopolitan and Bloody Mary brought with them a new found use for Vodka's disguisable quality. Then as the decades rolled on, Vodka company's saw that Vodka could or should we say be marketed as a "Premium" spirit much the same as Scotch.
With that, newer Vodkas with names like Grey Goose and Belvedere began to appear. But then here's the question, are they better? Not really. They're good, not better but different. Grey Goose for example is made from Wheat grown in the Cognac region of France. This wheat base is said to give Grey Goose a more "smooth" flavour.
But does it really? Or is that what THEY want you to think.
In most blind taste tests, Grey Goose generally falls near the bottom of most peoples favourites. In the end what separates one from the other is a touch more Glycerol (a sugar additive) and solid marketing.
Where the vodka comes from has nothing to do with its flavour or taste. The difference between one and another is so slight most can hardly tell one apart. Ahhh the lies we've all be told to believe.
- did you know that Bourbon CAN be made anywhere in the USA.
Yup, all you need to have to make Bourbon by law is for it to contain:
- a minimum of 51% corn as its base grain
- it must be distilled to no higher than 80% alcohol by volume
- and aged in new American Charred Oak Barrels.
That's it, however, only Kentucky can have it's name on the bottle...haha there's always a catch. So let me get this straight, you can make Bourbon in Phoenix for instance but you can't put Arizona on the bottle...boo not fair :(
- did you know the term London Dry Gin refers to the newer style of making "unsweetened" gin.
When Gin was first being made it was generally sweetened and usually termed "Old Tom".
London Dry gin has to be distilled and not macerated and it CAN be made outside of London.
Ah and here's my favourite.
- Canadian Club is NOT rye!!
Actually no Canadian Whiskey is as they are all blends made mostly of Corn, Wheat, Barley, bits of Rye and get this Sherry!!!.
Yup Canadian Whiskey can contain up to 9.09% Sherry/wine or other fruit spirit additives...huh?
Most don't anymore but the cheap ones do. Only Alberta Premium can be called a rye as it contains more than 51% rye as its base grain. Who knew!
Hopefully that entertained you some. Interesting stuff huh?
And lastly my
cocktail of the week.
Delilah
1.5 oz Woodford Reserve (sub Makers Mark if you wish)
0.5 oz Giffard Creme de Peche (most any peach liqueur will do)
0.5 oz Pineau des Charentes (a fortified Cognac + Grape Apertifs)
0.5 oz Absinthe
4 dashes of Old Fashioned Bitters (Angostura will do as well)
In a mixing glass stir all ingredients for 20 seconds. Pour into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with sour cherry or lemon peel. Yum!
Lastly I'll leave you with this
"bring me the horizon and the rum that comes with it"
see you next week. savy.
First up a little information that you might not know.
- did you know that the growth and increase in popularity of Scotch Whiskey globally was caused by a single aphid? It's true. Way back in the mid 1860's it was Cognac NOT Scotch that dominated the spirit world.
Cognac's rich flavour (made from distilled wine that had been aged) was so popular amongst Europeans that Cognac distillers were having trouble keeping up with demand.
However, as un just luck would have you, it would be a small American aphid that would hitch it's ride across the Atlantic that would send Cognac's brandy as well as most of French wine into a tailspin. Oops!
This aphid would bury itself in the root stocks of vines and eat its way through till the vine died. This epidemic would become known as Phylloxera.
Because of this tragedy, the Scottish Whiskey trade found itself the lucky beneficiaries of a thirsty lot looking for a something new to drink.
Crazy huh? "One man's loss is another man's gain" Cognac would never regain it's footing for another 60 years where by then Scotch Whiskey had all but eradicated it's stronghold.
- did you know that the difference between premium vodka and so called low grade vodka is a mere 2%? Yup it's true.
Vodka incase you didn't already know is what is called a "neutral" spirit.
By neutral what I mean is it's been distilled to such a purity that it inherently has no discernible characteristics. Yes I said it, "Vodka should have no distinctive character, aroma, taste or colour". Hmm...makes sense now that I think about it.
So then why do vodkas such as Grey Goose and Belvedere fetch a higher dollar than lower brands like Smirnoff? One reason. MARKETING!!!.
Yup, in our day in age, he who barks the loudest wins, which invariably leads to higher sales. Vodkas stance in the Spirit market has been growing remarkably strong decade by decade ever since the end of World War II.
Vodkas pureness captured a new generation looking for crispness and light flavour or no flavour to be exact. Unlike Scotch or Bourbon and especially Rye, Vodka can be paired with anything, thusly making it the
best base spirit for any additive.
As the 1950's rolled around new drinks such as the Cosmopolitan and Bloody Mary brought with them a new found use for Vodka's disguisable quality. Then as the decades rolled on, Vodka company's saw that Vodka could or should we say be marketed as a "Premium" spirit much the same as Scotch.
With that, newer Vodkas with names like Grey Goose and Belvedere began to appear. But then here's the question, are they better? Not really. They're good, not better but different. Grey Goose for example is made from Wheat grown in the Cognac region of France. This wheat base is said to give Grey Goose a more "smooth" flavour.
But does it really? Or is that what THEY want you to think.
In most blind taste tests, Grey Goose generally falls near the bottom of most peoples favourites. In the end what separates one from the other is a touch more Glycerol (a sugar additive) and solid marketing.
Where the vodka comes from has nothing to do with its flavour or taste. The difference between one and another is so slight most can hardly tell one apart. Ahhh the lies we've all be told to believe.
- did you know that Bourbon CAN be made anywhere in the USA.
Yup, all you need to have to make Bourbon by law is for it to contain:
- a minimum of 51% corn as its base grain
- it must be distilled to no higher than 80% alcohol by volume
- and aged in new American Charred Oak Barrels.
That's it, however, only Kentucky can have it's name on the bottle...haha there's always a catch. So let me get this straight, you can make Bourbon in Phoenix for instance but you can't put Arizona on the bottle...boo not fair :(
- did you know the term London Dry Gin refers to the newer style of making "unsweetened" gin.
When Gin was first being made it was generally sweetened and usually termed "Old Tom".
London Dry gin has to be distilled and not macerated and it CAN be made outside of London.
Ah and here's my favourite.
- Canadian Club is NOT rye!!
Actually no Canadian Whiskey is as they are all blends made mostly of Corn, Wheat, Barley, bits of Rye and get this Sherry!!!.
Yup Canadian Whiskey can contain up to 9.09% Sherry/wine or other fruit spirit additives...huh?
Most don't anymore but the cheap ones do. Only Alberta Premium can be called a rye as it contains more than 51% rye as its base grain. Who knew!
Hopefully that entertained you some. Interesting stuff huh?
And lastly my
cocktail of the week.
Delilah
1.5 oz Woodford Reserve (sub Makers Mark if you wish)
0.5 oz Giffard Creme de Peche (most any peach liqueur will do)
0.5 oz Pineau des Charentes (a fortified Cognac + Grape Apertifs)
0.5 oz Absinthe
4 dashes of Old Fashioned Bitters (Angostura will do as well)
In a mixing glass stir all ingredients for 20 seconds. Pour into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with sour cherry or lemon peel. Yum!
Lastly I'll leave you with this
"bring me the horizon and the rum that comes with it"
see you next week. savy.
Monday, February 14, 2011
wasted hours
I'm currently sitting here in my bed, it's warm and cozy and everything I'd dreamt it to be over the last 16 hours. Yet as I lay here all I can do is listen to the couple having sex in the apartment next to me. I'm trying to sleep but as with most things in life I shouldn't do,
Friday, January 28, 2011
my pics
so the nba all star starters were announced yesterday in case you didn't already know. No real surprises to mention aside from Carmelo leapfrogging Dirk at the last minute. All in all I'm fine with the selections.
With that, here are my selections for the reserves (plus Yao's replacement).
East:
Garnett
Bosh
Allen
Pierce
Rondo
Boozer - doesn't deserve it but I have to pick someone
Horford - only makes it because Noah's out
West:
Ginobili
Nowitski
Griffin
Love
Westbrook
Williams
Gasol
Monte Ellis is my pick to replace Yao. I'd start Gasol or Griffin since the game's in LA and put Ellis on the bench. He's had a terrific season and he deserves it over players like Duncan and Aldridge.
With that, here are my selections for the reserves (plus Yao's replacement).
East:
Garnett
Bosh
Allen
Pierce
Rondo
Boozer - doesn't deserve it but I have to pick someone
Horford - only makes it because Noah's out
West:
Ginobili
Nowitski
Griffin
Love
Westbrook
Williams
Gasol
Monte Ellis is my pick to replace Yao. I'd start Gasol or Griffin since the game's in LA and put Ellis on the bench. He's had a terrific season and he deserves it over players like Duncan and Aldridge.
Monday, January 24, 2011
blind
generally there are days when nobody else is here
no one to point their fingers
nobody made me do it
I looked
sat down and said fuck it!
I may be blind at times but
I feel everything will be alright
it's been awhile since I last dealt
there are times when the blonde brings me hope
the low, the love, the high
where do I go?
no one to point their fingers
nobody made me do it
I looked
sat down and said fuck it!
I may be blind at times but
I feel everything will be alright
it's been awhile since I last dealt
there are times when the blonde brings me hope
the low, the love, the high
where do I go?
Sunday, January 23, 2011
goodbye
there are days when I look out and see nothing I want to believe
all I understand is things tend to unfold when they spring upon us
the fire of this world brings with it a certain darkness I sit beside
as I lay there I wonder if I should ever come back home
even as I lie I stare
lock me alone at the top of this dream
tell me anything you want
call me back to you
lie to me if you will
statements are made this day
forever I say softly
through the forest I stand by your grave
I dont know you anymore
anything true can be done
staggering I see my death
one day I will lie by your side
lay me down
lay me down
softly
sweetly
sadly
I lie
goodbye.
all I understand is things tend to unfold when they spring upon us
the fire of this world brings with it a certain darkness I sit beside
as I lay there I wonder if I should ever come back home
even as I lie I stare
lock me alone at the top of this dream
tell me anything you want
call me back to you
lie to me if you will
statements are made this day
forever I say softly
through the forest I stand by your grave
I dont know you anymore
anything true can be done
staggering I see my death
one day I will lie by your side
lay me down
lay me down
softly
sweetly
sadly
I lie
goodbye.
Friday, January 7, 2011
therapy
The amount of regret I feel in the pit of my stomach each and every time I think back to my days as a track and field athlete makes me wanna be sick. It's so hard for me at times I'm almost brought to fits. That time for me was so excruciatingly painful I sometimes wonder why I continued on with it. When I left that part of me by the wayside I thought it would be forever. In hindsight, that was very foolish of me, as with anything those memories will always be there, even if I wish they weren't.
What pains me the most is not the lack of winning or camaraderie most desire when they pursue a goal, it's the lack of intelligence I exuded. Thinking back on how I was then I'm dumfounded as to what I was thinking at times. Nothing it seems.
I realize these actions take place more often than not in most peoples lives, where we inevitably look back on a time and wish we'd done something different. My understanding of this isn't what pains me, it's the fact that I feel as if my time spent trying at this sport to this day has added very little to my life in terms of learning or experience. What I'm trying to get at is I feel like I could have just as easily spent those years doing something else more productive. Right now I feel cheated out of life. My years 16- 23 make me sick. What a fucking waste.
When people ask me why I oftentimes act younger than I am, I usually tell them some bullshit line with little thought, when deep down inside what I want to tell them is "hey I'm an idiot, I blew 7 great years on a shitty sport when most develop some sense of themselves doing something productive that will actually help them down the road".
What was it all for?
Those years brought me nothing but a mountain of debt, a broken heart, too many tears and one lonely fucking existence.
No wonder I'm cold, bitter and jaded. Who the fuck wouldn't be.
What pains me the most is not the lack of winning or camaraderie most desire when they pursue a goal, it's the lack of intelligence I exuded. Thinking back on how I was then I'm dumfounded as to what I was thinking at times. Nothing it seems.
I realize these actions take place more often than not in most peoples lives, where we inevitably look back on a time and wish we'd done something different. My understanding of this isn't what pains me, it's the fact that I feel as if my time spent trying at this sport to this day has added very little to my life in terms of learning or experience. What I'm trying to get at is I feel like I could have just as easily spent those years doing something else more productive. Right now I feel cheated out of life. My years 16- 23 make me sick. What a fucking waste.
When people ask me why I oftentimes act younger than I am, I usually tell them some bullshit line with little thought, when deep down inside what I want to tell them is "hey I'm an idiot, I blew 7 great years on a shitty sport when most develop some sense of themselves doing something productive that will actually help them down the road".
What was it all for?
Those years brought me nothing but a mountain of debt, a broken heart, too many tears and one lonely fucking existence.
No wonder I'm cold, bitter and jaded. Who the fuck wouldn't be.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
best of 2010 : best day
I must first profess that choosing one day amongst 365 isn't as easy as one would think. Trying to decipher what was "the best" has its challenges. I could count my best night out to which there was many, my best trip somewhere, my best date (hehe...there were a few of these), etc... Choosing from any of these would be fine and dandy but I think I'm going to go with my gut on this one, y'know pick that singular day where everything seemed to go right, a day where if I think back on it now it still brings a smile to my face. Yeah that's it, a nice smile is all I need.
best day: kai
I'm going to cheat on this one and write that any day spent with this little thing was my best day.
this is my little niece Kai. she's cute.
next up: best experience
best day: kai
I'm going to cheat on this one and write that any day spent with this little thing was my best day.
this is my little niece Kai. she's cute.
next up: best experience
Monday, January 3, 2011
best of 2010: best moment
As is typical with my view of most things, I'm not going to talk about crap you can easily find anywhere if you so chose to. Best movie, best song, blah blah blah. Boooooring. So then, here's what I'm thinking. How about a best of me 2010. Yeah I wrote it, a best of me, all about me. Yippie! Enjoy!
best me moment: catching my first wave.
It's mid august, I'm with my brother in law Kelly. He's at my side and we're in Tofino. Right in front of us he and I are about to attempt our first ever sojourn into the realm of "totally radical dude!" that being surfing. It was one mofo'ing hot day, sunny as heck and the perfect way to enter. We weren't nervous one bit, as we'd already decided against surf lessons. We felt the addaged quote courtesy of Gary Busey from the movie Point Break completely on our side "I mean, how hard can it be?".
Was he right?.....nooooooooooooo!!!!
It looks simple but surfing is hard shit. Firstly getting up isn't easy, the movement and pressure of the water pushes you in so many directions that getting a good footing on the board takes time and practice. Something we didn't have as this would be our only day on the water. Secondly, knowing when to pop up is key and well something you learn over time, yet again something we didn't have. But perserverance stems the tide, well at least we hoped. We would try our best over the course of the day with some luck here and there, however, a few falls came and went with much salt water ingested (yuk!). But as fate would have it we would eventually get the hang of things. I credit this partially on practice and some on having watched this 12 year old kid surf circles around us all afternoon. This irked us both and me especially. Why?, who knows. I mean he'd most likely been doing this for years so thinking we'd all of sudden be better or just as good as he was had to be of sheer idiocy. But I will say that what most likely set me off was watching that kids last run pass right by my soggy crushed face, I'd had enough. I wanted to crush him!!!!! Literally. Therefore, over the next 20 or so minutes I focused steadfast on doing at least one good run. I wanted to show his little ass that I could belong, even if it was for just one lucky ride.
So then I set off with the words paddle, jump, pop circling in my head over and over as I waded my way out looking for one good set. Sitting there on my board in the hot penetrating sun as others passed me by, my initial reaction was that I was way in over my head. Thinking I could surf one good run on my first day of surfing without lessons had to be one of my most arrogant challenges yet. I could have turned in, said I tried my best and lived with it, surfing was new to me and something I might never do again. No one would care and if they asked I could even lie. Who would know? But just as these doubtful thoughts raced around my psyche my eyes quickly caught my reflection in the water below. There I was, a wet 30 year old kid looking into the abyss of my life. Was I quitter? Fuck no! Inner reflections now aside, in the end mostly I said fuck it. Go and do it, what do ya gotta lose.
The next few rides went better, I almost got up on one, slipped on another and I ate it on the next. But on my 4th ride after hours of trying I finally hit a set that looked promising. As I paddled away trying to hit the wave at the right moment, I suddenly started to feel as if I belonged amongst the hippie haired kiddies all around me (I have long hair too, so i guess that reference insult doesn't much do it huh?...whatever you get my point). Then the waves hit me and I suddenly jumped on my board. My feet had planted firmly for once...yeah!!!! Now on board I slowly brought myself to a standing position as said wave carried me onward. Now standing, with my arms flailing away in desperate attempts to stay on the board a thought quickly crossed my mind "Oh My God I'm surfing!!!" As was the case during my first sexual encounter, the next 11 seconds passed me by in a blur with me looking shocked and scared. But who cares....I DID IT!!! I DID IT!!!! I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I SURFED! YEAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Tired? I sure am, that was fun and even more fun to remember.
In the end as my ride came to a stop I landed on the sandy shores with the sun on my smiling face, sand up my ass and sea weed in my hair and all I could do was think "fuck you kid, I can surf too!".
Best 2010 moment for sure. I tried something I never thought I would, I overcame inner obstacles and I achieved a modicum of success. Isn't that what life's all about.
Next up: best day
best me moment: catching my first wave.
It's mid august, I'm with my brother in law Kelly. He's at my side and we're in Tofino. Right in front of us he and I are about to attempt our first ever sojourn into the realm of "totally radical dude!" that being surfing. It was one mofo'ing hot day, sunny as heck and the perfect way to enter. We weren't nervous one bit, as we'd already decided against surf lessons. We felt the addaged quote courtesy of Gary Busey from the movie Point Break completely on our side "I mean, how hard can it be?".
Was he right?.....nooooooooooooo!!!!
It looks simple but surfing is hard shit. Firstly getting up isn't easy, the movement and pressure of the water pushes you in so many directions that getting a good footing on the board takes time and practice. Something we didn't have as this would be our only day on the water. Secondly, knowing when to pop up is key and well something you learn over time, yet again something we didn't have. But perserverance stems the tide, well at least we hoped. We would try our best over the course of the day with some luck here and there, however, a few falls came and went with much salt water ingested (yuk!). But as fate would have it we would eventually get the hang of things. I credit this partially on practice and some on having watched this 12 year old kid surf circles around us all afternoon. This irked us both and me especially. Why?, who knows. I mean he'd most likely been doing this for years so thinking we'd all of sudden be better or just as good as he was had to be of sheer idiocy. But I will say that what most likely set me off was watching that kids last run pass right by my soggy crushed face, I'd had enough. I wanted to crush him!!!!! Literally. Therefore, over the next 20 or so minutes I focused steadfast on doing at least one good run. I wanted to show his little ass that I could belong, even if it was for just one lucky ride.
So then I set off with the words paddle, jump, pop circling in my head over and over as I waded my way out looking for one good set. Sitting there on my board in the hot penetrating sun as others passed me by, my initial reaction was that I was way in over my head. Thinking I could surf one good run on my first day of surfing without lessons had to be one of my most arrogant challenges yet. I could have turned in, said I tried my best and lived with it, surfing was new to me and something I might never do again. No one would care and if they asked I could even lie. Who would know? But just as these doubtful thoughts raced around my psyche my eyes quickly caught my reflection in the water below. There I was, a wet 30 year old kid looking into the abyss of my life. Was I quitter? Fuck no! Inner reflections now aside, in the end mostly I said fuck it. Go and do it, what do ya gotta lose.
The next few rides went better, I almost got up on one, slipped on another and I ate it on the next. But on my 4th ride after hours of trying I finally hit a set that looked promising. As I paddled away trying to hit the wave at the right moment, I suddenly started to feel as if I belonged amongst the hippie haired kiddies all around me (I have long hair too, so i guess that reference insult doesn't much do it huh?...whatever you get my point). Then the waves hit me and I suddenly jumped on my board. My feet had planted firmly for once...yeah!!!! Now on board I slowly brought myself to a standing position as said wave carried me onward. Now standing, with my arms flailing away in desperate attempts to stay on the board a thought quickly crossed my mind "Oh My God I'm surfing!!!" As was the case during my first sexual encounter, the next 11 seconds passed me by in a blur with me looking shocked and scared. But who cares....I DID IT!!! I DID IT!!!! I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I SURFED! YEAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Tired? I sure am, that was fun and even more fun to remember.
In the end as my ride came to a stop I landed on the sandy shores with the sun on my smiling face, sand up my ass and sea weed in my hair and all I could do was think "fuck you kid, I can surf too!".
Best 2010 moment for sure. I tried something I never thought I would, I overcame inner obstacles and I achieved a modicum of success. Isn't that what life's all about.
Next up: best day
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