On Holiday

Starting tomorrow, I will be on an official holiday. A. and I are flying to Amsterdam tomorrow night, and on Thursday we go to Scotland. We will return to New York on Monday Nov 26th. A. is doing some research in Amsterdam, and I'm going along for the ride. We have friends currently living in Scotland so we will pop over and see them in Edinburgh, and another friend from Minnesota (who now lives in London) is coming up from England to see us while we are there. Whew! Should be a whirlwind trip, but just what the doctor ordered.

jb

Taser Parties

First there was pepper spray, now there are tasers, dammit! Saw a report on TV this morning that taser parties are the new women's tupperware parties, and these social events are spreading throughout the country. All over women are gathering at each other's homes learning how to use tasers to immobolize potential attackers.

Funny enough, one of the news anchors reporting the story (a male) seemed aghast by these social gatherings. He kept emphasizing the small number of deaths associated with tasers, and seemed positively horrified that some women would want to use them for protection. Another news item I read called it a "dubious trend."

I'm all for it. I am so sick of hearing about the violent deaths of women. Everyday there is a story in the news of a woman or girl being brutalized by men. It's a virtual holocaust, I'm convinced. Anyway, as long as this is the world in which we live, we should have the right to defend ourselves by any means necessary. And tasers seem much more effective than pepper spray!

jb

Watery Dreams

Twice in the past week I have had a similar dream. In my dream, Anne and I live in an old, rickety house that I am uncomfortable in, and disapppointed that we own, like we made a mistake in buying it. This house has water leaks in the ceiling. Last night I dreamed I woke up to find standing water in 2-3 rooms of the old house. I was, of course, upset, wondering how we were going to fix the problem and prevent future leaks. The water in my dreams is clear, and leaking slowly, and not rapidly or overwhelming.

What the hell does this mean? I've read that water in dreams is quite common and can mean a number of things. Typically water represents emotion, and sometimes rebirth, renewal and creativity. But I don't know what it means when it's leaking slowly from the ceiling in a decrepit old house.

Big Bold Songs 2

Simon and Garfunkel's "Hazy Shade of Winter," (as performed here by The Bangles ) permeates P.J.'s "Big Exit. Check it out in the previous post, people.

Big Bold Songs 1

Note the similarites between P.J. 's "Big Exit" and the Simon and Garfunkel penned, "Hazy Shade of Winter, by the Bangles in the next recent post, Big Bold Songs 2

jb

Wine Club

Last Sunday we met a C's house for our monthly wine club meeting to taste some good Zinfandels. Zinfandels are only made in the U.S., and are created or patterned after Italian Primotivos. Here's a list of what we enjoyed:

1. Summers Zinfandel (2003) Napa Valley, California
2. Ridge (2003) Cupertino, Sonoma Valley, California. Pagani Ranch
3. Ridge (1994) Sonoma County, California. Monte Rosso
4. Ridge (1985) Howell MT, California.
5. Ridge (1984) Geyersville, California.

My favorite was the Ridge 1985. Good stuff.

Next month: Pinot Noir.

Sunday in November

Most of the leaves have fallen, the chill is in the air, and the heat is on inside mi casa.

November is off to a good start. Celebrated Anne's 36th last Thursday with some friends. Yesterday drove to a nearby independent movie theatre to see Into the Wild with a friend. Today, I'm doing laundry, going to see a Korean film called Oldboy on campus later, and then I'm back to my couch to watch the Patriots/Colts game.

Novemver will be a busy month. Tuesday I leave for WV for 6-7 days. And in two weeks I will be flying to Amsterdam. Anne is doing some research there, and I'm going along for the ride, and all the fun that Amsterdam has to offer. On Thanksgiving we fly from Amsterdam to Scotland to see a few friends. It will be a fast and furious week, but should be a great adventure.

jb