The Punishment of Knowledge Seekers

Short man, big book

This bio I'm reading on Napoleon is about 1/2 the size of a cinder block and nearly as heavy. I'll be happy when I'm done with it, and don't have to haul it around with me, especially as I commute to and fro on the train each day.

Last night my neighbor calls me out of the blue at 8 pm and tells me come right over and "Bring a wine glass." He's a guy who can be a bit of a wine snob, the same way I used to be a bit of a music snob, but he's mellowed just in the few years I've known him. I have some basic wine knowledge, and I've been to Napa three times in the past few years, plusFrance and Italy, but I don't spend on wine - I just don't have that kind of disposable income. For the past year or so, the only red I've bought is a gallon jug of Carlos Rossi Paisano, every month. I did find a cool Porteguese white at Trader Joe's that I like during the summer, and whenever I go camping I bring along a huge bottle of "Rhine" that mixes well with my cheap beer. So it was a treat last night to enjoy the super smooth, rich flavor of a good wine, maybe the best I've ever had. It was a Markham 96 Cab. When he bought it in 98 or 99, it probably cost him $20, but man has it aged well. I knew cabs were good in 98 and 99, and I've downed my share of those, but for my money, this was better.

So much for not drinking when I'm sick.