Old Fashioned Kinda Guy

For the first time in my life someone proposed to me. And it wasn't a throw away "Hey, how about we get hitched?" line either. I'm talking about a guy getting down on one knee, taking your hand, telling you right from the heart how he feels about you, producing a ring box from nowhere, pulling out a ring, slipping it onto your finger and asking "Will you marry me?"

That happened.

I said "Yes".

Christmas Eve, 2007

The Family You Would Choose

There is an old saying that friends are the family you would choose. This year that point was really driven home for me. It was about 52 weeks ago (that's one year for those of you who went to school in California) that Aleks and I separated. As recently as this summer I was not looking forward to the Christmas season and the specters it would raise, but something happened along the way. This Christmas season found me surrounded by friends all weekend and upto and including Christmas Day. On Sunday I had friends both old and new in attendance as well as someone who is insane enough to say he loves me filling my home with warmth (those of you who could not make it I hope know that even with a full house you were missed). The next day I was given a wonderful gift from the insane one (will blog on that later), then on Christmas Day Mr. Beau and I went to Disney to enjoy the hospitality of the "House of Mouse" with our friend Sarah, ruling queen of "Astro Blaster". So while my biological family (whom I love with all my heart) is 2000 miles away they need not worry about me, because I did spend Christmas with "my family".

My '80s Toy Personality

What childhood toy from the 80s are you?

You're a Speak & Spell!! You nerd, you. Just because you were disguised as a toy doesn't mean you weren't educational, you sneaky bastard. Take this quiz! Quizilla | Join | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

Company Christmas Party

No Gifts, Please

Well, it's that time of year when the following conversation occurs in millions of households:

"What do you want for Christmas?"

"I dunno, what do you want for Christmas?"

"No, I asked you first. What do you want for Christmas?"

Mr. Beau and I had this conversation over the weekend. We both admitted that we really have too much stuff as it is, that we often buy what we want for ourselves, and we both enjoy to give more than to get. Then Mr. Beau made a great suggestion. He does work with charities in town, many dealing with homeless children and orphans. Instead of giving each other more "stuff", why don't we take the money and go shopping for as many of the kids as we could. My heart melted and I quickly agreed. So now I open it up for anyone wanting to give me something this year... please, no gifts. I would rather you come to my house and spend time with me (or invite me to spend time with you) than to have more things around the house. My parents and my sister had already sent me my present, so I am taking the money and putting it into the mix for the children (thanks Mom, Dad, and Missy). If you really want to give me something I would rather you take the money and donate it to a charity. If you really, really want to give me something, you can pop the receipt in a Christmas card and send it to me. That would make for the perfect gift.

My Nerd Type

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Science/Math Nerd   (Absolute Insane Laughter as you pour toxic chemicals into a foaming tub of death!) Well, maybe you aren't this extreme, but you're in league with the crazy scientists/mathmeticians of today. Very few people have the talent of math and science is something takes a lot of brains as well. Thank whosever God you worship, or don't worship, so thank no deity whatsoever in your case, for you people! Most of us would have died off without your help.
Literature Nerd
Social Nerd
Drama Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Artistic Nerd
Anime Nerd
Musician
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quizzes for MySpace

Not Even Tempting

You know, I thought the days of the crude phishing scheme were over. Boy was I wrong. Today I got the following email:
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Salam alaikum,

I am pleased to introduce a business opportunity to transfer to your overseas account the sum of($8.4USD) United States Dollars from one of the Prime Banks here in Dakar Senegal.

I am Mr Ousman Diop(Bsc,Msc)the Auditor General of one of the prime banks here in Dakar Senegal,during the course of our auditing,I discovered a dormant account opened in our bank since 1999 and till date no body has operated on the account and after going through old files in the records,I discovered that the owner of the account died long ago in a plane crash along with his family without leaving a[His/WILL],hence the account remain dormant and if fund is not transfered urgently, it will be confisticated and return to the bank's or government treasury.

Therefore,with a personal conviction of trust and confidence,I wish to contact you as a foreigner,to stand as a relative because you share the same surname with the decease's,thus I can work out the release of the funds.No other person in the office knows about the account, please be assured of the risk free,I'm the one that will work it out,all I need is your cooperation because the account content can not be approved to an indigen here as his next of kin.

At the conclusion of this project, I propose a joint investment of an equal partnership to you or we may share it in a ratio of 45% for you and 55% for myself.One more thing please, don't consider this against moral justification,there are many other aspects of life we may contribute with this funds to help the less privileged and the needy in a society than having it shared as an unclaimed bill among Government PLEASE.

I look forward to your earliest response.

Yours Truly,

Mr Ousman Diop.

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Now you know, the biggest problem I have with this is that this Mr Ousman Diop didn't even read his phishing letter. I mean, if he offered say, $10,000,000 USD it would provide SOME incentive, but does he really think that $8.4USD would tempt me to do something immoral as to claim money that wasn't mine?! And given the cut it would mean I would be selling out for $3.78! The nerve! :-)

Writer's Block

Sorry, been quiet for a while. Lots of things have been happening but I can't quite yet see the pattern. Hopefully a little down time tomorrow will unblock the stream of consciousness that tends to fuel my muse.

Putting My Life Back Together

Saturday was a big event for me. Not in terms of an earthshaking activity but something of great importance. It was the first time since the separation that I have had people to the house without Aleks by my side. It wasn't huge or elaborate, but it was something I did all my own. On Saturday I had guests over for a home cooked meal. Mr. Beau, Elbert and his partner Cory came to my house and we spent several hours eating, talking, drinking and just socializing. It felt good to finally get back into the kitchen. The menu, as prepared with my own little hands, was:

Beef tenderloin steaks with a balsamic Vinaigrette reduction

Roasted potatoes with bleu cheese and chives

Green beans lightly salted and sauteed with gralic

Sauteed mushrooms

French bread (the only thing I didn't make)

Pumpkin cheese cake on a gingersnap crust

The main wine was Penfold's Bin 389 followed by Curtis Heritage Cuvée. The cheese cake was served with a nice Guwerztraminer. We also opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate good news from both Mr. Beau and Elbert.

It was fun, from staying up until almost 1am the night before making the cheese cake after a software release to even doing the dishes on Sunday. Do I still miss Aleks? Absolutely. The difference between six months ago and now is that I can see my life continuing.

It Obviously Runs In The Family

My youngest nephew is smart, polite, a great young man, and devilishly handsome just like his old Uncle Mike. Now he shares the same honor I did of winning the spot of Prince at the school's yearbook coronation:

Renfaire

Last Saturday Mr. Beau and I went to what is affectionately known as Fall Escondido. For some of you who read this blog these pictures may be too nerdy, but for the rest of you just relax and enjoy the show.

The faire had been moved back a week due to the fires. When Mr. Beau and I arrived there are a good crowd who had gathered to see men in tights and ladies in dresses running around acting as if they had come from another era (me, I go for the food and the shopping and a few of the shows). After a quick surveillance of the merchant stalls (and my purchase of a leather wrist band) Mr. Beau and I hit the beer tent, then back out again to look around. Soon we were greeted by a "walking billboard" for an act called "The Bawdy Juggler":



As the stage was near the beer tent we decided we would go back and await the arrival of my friend Sarah (you can find a link to her Livejournal site on the right of the main page):



The juggler was pretty good and his schtick was fun. Not terribly bawdy but just enough without being gross:



Next up was a great musical act, The Merry Wives of Windsor. Very talented young ladies, if you get the chance and you like folk and Celtic music you should give them a listening to:



Of course, the big show is court. When I was "doing faire" I was a member... first as household and then as Dr. Dee, the Queen's advisor. Court at Escondido is done by St. Elizabeth's Guild. Here's a quick shot of court during the Queen's prayer for the people of Escondido after the fires



After court it was more wandering and shopping. What else did I buy? Well, with some prompting from Sarah and Mr. Beau here is what I wound up looking like:

I didn't select a hat but the coat did come home with me.

Hard to believe that THIS was a date. He didn't run off screaming... that's definitely a good sign.

Three New Additions To The Family

Just arrived today...

Taking Stock

Well, it seems that the SoCal conflagration has taken a turn. Between a pretty still night and a cooling trend along with moisture many are thinking the worst part is over. I was fortunate... well, blessed actually. Other than dry eyes and a cough I was physically and economically untouched (emotionally is another story). It is times like these that make people do deep soul searching, asking themselves/God/the universe "Why?". There are theological responses to the question but most are not emotionally satisfying (not to say they are illogical but to those who have not been through the mental gymnastics of a good philosophy of religion or apologetics course they can seem rather harsh). The one that comes to mind today is what is often called the "Soul Making Theodicy". I think of this one because of what I have seen in San Diego as the response to this terrible tragedy, that because of this evil great good comes forth. An enormous outpouring of compassion to those in need. All week I have found this a personal challenge that I gladly take up. Long, long ago my parents taught me the Biblical principle of stewardship, that the things in this life I am given I am to use to further "The Kingdom" (or if you prefer, to do good with, not to hoard). Luke 12:48 sits constantly in my mind ("For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more" to which my parents taught me that "much" is relative. We were poor, but there were always people who had less and it was those we helped). Every day I was in my local Vons "my" checker Dolores asked "How much do you want to give to the fire victims today?" and I would give her an amount. After discussing things with Romeo we cleared out the checking account for the Red Cross (Romeo said it was ok if he had to eat dry kibble for while... unlike some poor kitties he has something to eat). At lunch yesterday Mr Beau said something extremely profound... that everyone can do a little something, and no one knows how great a good that little something can do. So please, do a little something.

Late October in Southern California

This was taken around 12:30pm today...

I'm Pathetic

I am so sad this morning. Perhaps part of it is because I have pager duty and was called several times last night so my "psychic defenses" are down. I saw Aleks today. He had called me with some news regarding his rental car and I took his mail over to him. We had coffee, chatted... it really started to feel like old times when we would just sit around and talk. The day is sunny and it made me feel like it was the time of year when we would just enjoy being around each other, maybe sitting outside or walking along the beach, just talking. But it had to come to an end. I came upstairs to logon to get some addresses, forgot the on-call pager and bounded back downstairs and for some reason I expected to see him there.

He wasn't.

I started crying. The house suddenly felt empty. He had told me something that happened to him that was upsetting and I just wanted to throw my arms around him and hold him close but I couldn't. That's not my place any more. I know that, but it doesn't make the pain any less real.

The Vine Anniversary

I'll pick up the wine tab if anyone wants to go with me...

Trek To Temecula

A couple of weeks ago my friend Elbert and I make the long ol' trek to Temecula. OK, not that long... Temecula is about 60 miles north of San Diego along the I-15 but to someone who has become somewhat acclimated to the "city" of San Diego Temecula might as well be in another country. I had been wine tasting in Temecula once before and was not terribly impressed so this was the region's second chance. I have to say that while the overall impression is still far below that of the other California viticultural areas some places are showing real promise, enough that I wound up buy about a case of wine from various places.

Our first stop was Falkner Winery and it was a pretty good place to start. High on a hilltop with a nice view of the area I was impressed. The tasting room as nice and the staff knowledgeable and willing to discuss not only their own offerings but those of other wineries (we took their advice on another place that I will talk about later). One of their more interesting taste offerings was a 2003 Merlot and a 2004 Merlot. The 2004 was, to general consensus, a little young (give it another 6 months or so to smooth out a bit) but their 2003 was very nice, traditional flavors of black cherry and a hint of vanilla with good structure and nice smooth tannins. Their 2003 Syrah was also quite nice... again somewhat traditional but well made. I liked it well enough to grab a one along with their 2003 Merlot. Their most popular red, "Luscious Lips", didn't do anything for me... a bit too sweet but both Elbert and I could see why a lot of people would like it. Here's Elbert at the tasting room (I don't think he really thought I would post this pic... HA!):



Our second stop was just up the road from Falkner, a little boutique winery named Alex's Red Barn Winery. They're open for tasting only on weekends but I think they would be worth the trip. I think they had the best overall offering... one of the few places that makes whites I really enjoy drinking! Both their Johannisberg Riesling and Viognier were delicious... very simple but textbook in how they should look and taste. Crisp, clean, not overly sweet, all I could think of was how I wished I was doing Thanksgiving dinner because they would DEFINITELY be on the list. One of their most interesting offerings was a Solera-type triple-cream Sherry made in the traditional manner. Unlike most ports and Sherries in California this does not come from the Zinfandel but from the Palomino grape. Absolutely delicious. I brought home a bottle of their Viognier and their old-vine Cab and plan to go back for more. As you can see, they believe in truth in advertising because the tasting room really is a red barn:



Lunch was taken at Baily's winery:



We didn't do a tasting there (this time) but their lunch offerings were quite nice and the outdoor seating was right next to the grapes. Elbert took FOREVER deciding (it's my blog Elbert, I can write what I want * grin *):



The most disappointing place was the one that I had come to Temecula with the highest hopes... Palumbo. I had heard a lot about this place but I have to say, everything on the list disagreed with me. To be fair, they admit that they taste their wines early, so perhaps given time I would enjoy them but everything I tried seemed out-of-balance, either too much tannin or too tart. Elbert used the word "sour" and afterwards he tummy bothered him. On my next trip I may pick up a bottle and lay it down for a year to see what happens.

We went to Wilson Creek. Almond "champagne"... next.

The award for the most impressive tasting room went to Ponte Winery. Absolutely stunning for area. Ponte is also doing things with traditional Italian offerings such as a Barbera, Sangiovese (both not bad but could use a little work), and a "Super Tuscan" (Sangiovese and Cab). I enjoyed their Petite Syrah enough to pick up a bottle. I wanted to try their Nebbiolo but it wasn't on the tasting list :-( Hopefully next time.

Our last stop was suggested to us by the people at Falkner. Frangipani Estate Winery. You have to know where it is to find it, but it is definitely worth the stop. I have actually been there before but in the intervening years they have "grown up" and are producing some very nice wines. Their whites were pretty crisp and clean. The Sauvignon Blanc was quite tasty, full of tropical fruits but not sugary. I also enjoyed their reds, especially their nice, soft Grenache and Cab Franc (nice little hints of herbs there). Somehow these wines found their way into my car!

So overall I was happy. Not only did I get to spend time with a good friend but discovered that the neighborhood DOES produce some good wines. Granted you have to search for them but the adventure is well worth it.

Crib Building

Well, I finally made like a good daddy and got my "children" a new crib... that is, I bought a bar. As it is officially fall and the beginning of hibernation season I spent most of the weekend indoors. I had bought a large amount of fresh vegetables and spent a couple of hours preparing home-made stew (love the smell of it as it permeates the whole house). Then after dinner last night I poured a glass of Iron Horse Merlot (nothing exciting... middle of the road Merlot) and went to work building the crib. You know, it's funny, but it was one of the most enjoyable things I have done in quite a while. I actually built something. Granted, it wasn't complicated, but it was something I did on my own from beginning to end. And you know what, it doesn't look bad at all.



That frame you see laying on the top in the center is my first certificate towards being a sommelier! I passed the class with a perfect score. Next class is more difficult though, have to analyze 10 different pairings of wines. Oh, such difficult labors! * grin *

Anyway, the crib is a hit with the family. Here are some of my "kiddies" all nestled in their new beds (the other 50 will have to wait where they are for now):

Final Exam

Well, I just finished the final exam for my first wine tasting course. Such gruelling work... how ever will I continue with these studies? :-)

Sunday

A typical Ocean Beach Sunday morning. It's sunny and warm. From my balcony I can see the deep blue of the ocean. I hear birds chirping in the trees. Kinda the way my weekend has been thus far. Friday night I went out with Mr. Beau and had a blast. We went to Dave and Busters and played games! I beat him at the shoot 'em up games (he'd probably complain the sights were off *grin*) but he kicked my sorry white-boy butt in basketball. Unfortunately the pool tables were not available so we couldn't go for the tie breaker. We thought about eating there but when they announced a 90 minute wait we bolted for The Vine which was terribly crowded but they were able to seat us immediately. We then came back to my place where I popped open the champagne he had sent me at work and spent a nice couple of hours together (but I did NOT share the chocolate... It's MINE! hehehehe).

Yesterday my friend Elbert and I went wine tasting in Temecula. I'll do the analysis for you in another post, but for now I can say that there are a few that are showing potential (a quick note... the overall winner in my opinion was Alex's Red Barn Wine. One of the few places outside of Brander that had me liking white wines).

So today is back to "real life"... or at least the maintenance mode of real life. Gotta mow the yard, iron, do some light dusting and then relax.