Accepting the truth: the silver medal and Kobe

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.

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.

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.

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.

he's funny

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.

I love love love this song!!!