Inexcusable...

It's inexcusable really. The amount of time that I've let go in between blog posts. In that spirit I'm not going to make any excuses. What's done is done. The past is in the past. All I can do now is go forward. To make it up to you and to kick off my comeback I'm going to post a new wine recommendation. I bought this particular red at World Market, during their huge red wine sale. (Coincidentally, and serendipitously their large wine sale coincided directly with my first few days of unemployment. Sometimes things just work out.) It's called Tilia, it is a red wine, and it has a pretty picture of a tree on the bottle. Pick up a bottle today. You'll be glad you did.

The FIRST Wine Wednesday of 2011

I am not above a bargain. Furthermore I am not above a bargain wine, hell- I used to drink wine out of a box.... the bottom line is I am a wine lover- but not a wine snob. I recently had a small get together at my condo and wanted to get a few bottles of bargain wine, not wanting to drain my personal stock. (Sorry I'm not sorry...) I went to Costco and found this gem; Frontera Wines Concha y Toro, it is a Cabernet-Merlot blend. Costco was selling the 1.5 L bottles of this for 6.98 I think? I was a little skeptical, because of the size of the bottle and the small price tag-- but hey, I'll try any wine once. The description claimed it was the #1 Chilean wine sold. This claim only highlighted how little I know about the Chilean wine market....was being #1 impressive? 1 out of 3? What are we talking? But I took a chance and I'm glad I did because it really was quite good. My guests seemed to enjoy it as well, plus I think it gave us all an edge in playing Just Dance 2 on Wii.....the more we drank the better we danced! Fact! Now get out there and try this great Chilean find. Ole!

Unemployment and why Oprah is the answer....

As some of you may already know I am currently unemployed. Being unemployed really makes you think about what it is you want to do; and I want to be Oprah. Hear me out; Oprah gets to make people happy, talk to all sorts of interesting people, write a magazine, make her own TV shows AND make a lot of money doing it. Since this 25th season of the Oprah show is her last, I am thinking she will need a replacement........

Now stay with me for a second because I have to switch gears....I got a GPS for Christmas (Thanks Dustin!) and for the life of me I can't figure it out. I read the book, followed the instructions and all seems to be working except for one catch; my GPS thinks I'm in Chicago, Illinois. Now, you can read into this however you want; I choose to think that my GPS is guiding me; it is as if my GPS is whispering..."Go, be with Oprah, in the windy city.....gooooo......Oprahhhhhh." I mean my GPS may not be telling me where I am, but perhaps it is telling me where I need to go.

I have a fortune telling, prophet like, GPS.

This is the only conclusion I can draw.

Chicago or Bust.... (Oprah I'll text you when I get there! xo)

Wine Wednesday Resumes!!!

I can't believe I've missed so many Wine Wednesdays, they are so dear to my heart. It won't happen again. Please forgive me. This Wednesday I want to talk about Super Tuscans. The term "Super Tuscan" describes any Tuscan red wine that does not adhere to traditional blending laws for the region. For example, Chianti Classico wines are made from a blend of grapes with Sangiovese as the dominant varietal in the blend. Super Tuscans often use other grapes, especially cabernet sauvignon, making them ineligible for DOC(G) classification under the traditional rules. (Blah blah- get to the wine...) OK so I had this particular wine at Ozzie's Corner Italian, and it was delish. It's called Monte Antico, and after paying 7.00 a glass, I ventured to my local Total Wine to see what a bottle would run me. 9.99. Seriously? The lesson, drink at home-- and try a Super Tuscan today! Preferably this one. Cheers! xo

Christmas Shoes

For all of my Christmas joy I'm feeling a lot of rants this holiday season. After holding this particular one inside for years, I am ready to let it out. The topic: Christmas Shoes by Newsong. Call me heartless but I think this song is beyond dumb. Let me set the stage for you in case you're unfamiliar; It's Christmas Eve, and a gentleman is standing in line to buy something when he notices a dirty, homeless looking little boy, he eavesdrops on him and hears him say that he would like to buy some shoes for his mother who is dying, and the shoes are just her size. How perfect. The catch? He has no money, remember he is dirty and destitute. The little boy turns around and pleads with the stranger in line about how great his mom always made Christmas and that some years she went without any gifts; always putting herself last. The stranger obliged (he just wanted to get home to his own family, and this was the fastest option) and paid for the little boy's shoes for his dying mother.

There are so many things wrong with this song I don't even know where to begin. Let's break it down using actual lyrics to really illustrate the point..... (that the song is dumb. try to keep up.)

Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile

Listen kid, I am sympathetic to the fact that your mother is about to meet her maker; however it sounds like things are rough at home financially, so perhaps purchasing shoes should be low on your agenda. You're about to be left with one parent and I'm sure he would appreciate you holding onto that money for, oh I don't know, food. Living beyond your means is irresponsible, but purchasing shoes for someone who probably won't need them for long is even worse. Plus, your mom is facing her mortality-- shoes make people feel better about a lot of things, dying isn't one of them. Give her a hug, tell her what you told the nice, naive man at the store.

So I laid the money down, I just had to help him out
I'll never forget the look on his face when he said
Mama's gonna look so great

This man just got taken. I saw this kid at the general store one town over 20 minutes ago working this routine for a coat. He knows the system, and he works it. If there actually is a dying parent, well, then see my first point. She doesn't need shoes. This sounds to me like a scam.

And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

I don't know Jesus, but from what I've heard about him-- he doesn't care what shoes you're wearing. And if he does care about your shoes then I think we have a lot of things wrong. He's got to be wearing, what, like maybe a strappy leathery sandal type thing? Fashion is not a top concern for Jesus. Jesus loves everyone, it's like his thing.

I knew I'd caught a glimpse of heaven's love
As he thanked me and ran out
I knew that God had sent that little boy
To remind me just what Christmas is all about

Begging? Irrational Purchases? Winning the approval of Jesus through footwear?

I rest my case.

Tis the Season..........

I LOVE THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. I want to preface this with that, because you have to believe me when I say that this is my FAVORITE time of the year; however recently I have noticed an alarming trend in people being complete a-holes (excuse my French...) whilst shopping for loved ones. I am all for staking out bargains, and utilizing what I like to call Defensive Retail Tactics (DRT); however I maintain that one can do this without being the aforementioned a-hole. Seriously. Here are some of my observations........Don't be this person.....

1. The Stop and Stare: Today I was perusing some gift bags in Hallmark when a woman came up to me and just stood there. I'm looking at her like, yes? She stares back. I'm sorry lady am I supposed to read your mind.... She continues to stand there so I say, oh do you need to get by? Again, stares. I'm sorry is that bitch for yes?? I move aside and she continues on--- literally without ever speaking a word. I understand that I live in a diverse environment and a language barrier is possible, but smiles are universal and homegirl could have at least smiled and shrugged, I'd take it......bottom line: two words...... EXCUSE ME. Live them. Use them. Love them.

2. The I Realize You're Looking at that Sweater But I Want To Now As Well, So Move: You all should know that I can spot this person a mile away. They are dead behind the eyes, usually well dressed, and robotic in their movement. One moment you're looking at a sweater (dress, blouse, bag, belt, etc.) and suddenly; without warning, you're not. What are you looking at you might wonder? The back of their heads. This drives me bananas. Oh I'm sorry, did you not see me standing here? Oh you did? Oh...well ok...that's fine...maybe we could look together? No? This is NOT ok. It's called waiting your turn, it takes only a moment; and chances are that turtleneck will still be 40% off in 3 minutes. Cool your jets.

3. The I Know Your Time Is Valuable, Just Not As Valuable As Mine....: Everyone has been behind this person. They have 36 returns from 1997, and they want to use 18 coupons on 3 different credit cards. I will get in this line every. single. time. Without fail. I understand wanting to use your coupons, but if they expired, that's it, game over, move on. You should have bought 2 candles for 20.00 3 weeks ago when you could have. It's no one's fault but your own. Play by the rules, they're there for a reason.

In short, I think if we all just become a little more cognoscente of our surroundings, our shopping excursions can be harmonious for all parties involved and I won't be tempted to hit you in the head with bags filled with the day's acquisitions. This is the most wonderful time of the year. Don't ruin it for everyone.

A little update, and an apology.........

Hello Friends! This picture represents how I have felt lately. Cut up into pieces, shoved into rice and wrapped in seaweed. (OK, maybe just the first part-- though the second part sounds like a nice spa treatment.....) But really, I've felt pulled in a lot of directions, unable to give 100% of myself to anything... Bottom line: I have been slacking in several areas of my life because I am in the last 5 weeks of GRAD SCHOOL!!! This is a terribly exciting time, but it is also a terribly busy time, and a terribly stressful time. Which is why I missed a Wine Wednesday...(I sincerely hope you all celebrated it without me....) In short, I want you all to know that I will resume writing as soon as I finish writing these 3098098 papers for the end of the semester!! Bear with me. Until then, you can find me at Starbucks....I'll be the one with the Venti Coffee and Venti bags under my eyes.....yikes. xo