Good Wine Good Food Good Weather Good Living

This past Sunday provided this ex-pat an awesome opportunity to trek down into the city to stroll through Hyde Park and partake in The Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Living Cellar Door Wine Festival. The Good Living Cellar Door Festival was the corner stone and kick off event of this year’s New South Wales wine week. Seeing how I have dedicated my 2008 to exploring and learning about more wine, it was not an option of missing out on this event.
Pretty unexpectedly I was flying solo for this opening round of wine exploration. I know a couple of you back home would have had my back, but alas I’m here and you are there. So the weather: sunny and about 80 degrees. The atmosphere: vibrant, family oriented, and full of people with gigantic smiles on their faces. My outfit: bright colored shorts, tropical print Reyn Spooner shirt, and a wicked pair of TOMS (I was going for the relaxed but subtly sophisticated summery look … needless to say I pulled off perfectly). My objective: to taste 10 wines all grown, produced, bottled, and sold right here in the wonderful state of New South Wales.
So I won’t keep you waiting, let’s pop the cork (or more likely in an eco-conscientious Australia let’s unscrew the cap) and talk about that beloved grape drink.

As mentioned above the sun was out in full effect and the walk from the station to the festival was not too long, but was not too brief either. The walk was actual just perfect to work up a quick thirst for some refreshing white varieties.
So with the thirst on my mind I as so excited when I came upon the festival and saw wine stall after wine stall stocked with bottle upon bottle of locally produced wines. Glass and tasting tickets were purchased in record time as I set off on my NSW wine odyssey.

• 1st wine was a 2005 Riesling from Blickling Estate located in the New England region of the state. Oh was it delicious! A very light and mellow rather than crisp fruity blend of cold climate grapes that are grown in a very high climate and have an extended ripening process as a result of the altitude. Any thoughts that this might not be an awesome afternoon were tossed out the window as I continued on sauntering down the grassy aisle of the Cellar Door sipping my wine while searching for what I would drink next.

• The 2nd wine of the day was a 2006 sparkling wine (‘bubbles’ as Aussies lovingly refer to their own take on champagne) from what seemed like a young and innovative wine maker name Peter Logan hailing from Orange which is over the Blue Mountains and about 4 hours west of Sydney. Mmmmmm. Its was served rather chilly which made this mild smelling sparkling rather crisp to the palate which helped bring the light peachy fruit taste out in the wine. The bottles of this Logan ‘champagne’ were going for 28 bucks which seemed like a steal. I see myself popping some Logan in the future!

• So I started working up an appetite with all this walking, traveling into town and drinking, so I decided to check out one of the local food stalls in the area that highlighted the Mudgee region of the state. What more could a guy ask for than a venison steak sandwich with poached pear, spinach, and caramelized red onion from Mandagery Creek Venison Farm?!?! With sandwich in hand I went to the booth next door for my 3rd tasting glass of the day, a Cab Sav from Huntington Estate hailing from the Mudgee area as well. Parked myself on the curb in the shade right off the main thoroughfare only to be serenaded by a 5 piece band playing some Gershwin on this amazing Sunday afternoon. As far as lunch went the sandwich was the main highlight by far, followed closely by the Gershwin, and then trailing heavily behind was the overly peaty Huntington Estate red. Well 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.

• With red wine on the brain and my sandwich destroyed in a matter of seconds it seemed I made the decision to head from the western regions of the states to the nation’s capital Canberra. It was while in the capital region that I had my 4th wine a 2007 Shiraz from Mount Majura Vineyards. I was told it was a spicy yet earthy Shiraz and that lady was spot on in her description. This wine was very peppery and full of either blueberries or blackberries and highlighted with a metallic earthy flavor. A different Shiraz for sure but very tastie!

• My 5th wine that marked my half way point was a surprising wine to say the least. What I had was advertised heavily as ‘one of the rarest wines in the world’ hailing from the Southern Highlands region of New South Wales. My midpoint wine was a 2006 Arneis that was very flowery not fruity with hints of honey to accent a light but sweet wine. I enjoyed it very much and was told that the ‘secret’ was in the partial barrel fermentation process – whatever that meant.

• With my last 5 tasting tickets I decided to head to the largest wine producing region of New South Wales, the Hunter Valley. The Hunter area was massive and had huge wine producers like Tempus Two and Scarbourough Wines there, but I decided that I would pass the big boys and try some wines from places I had not heard of which lead me to the Hope Estate tent for my 6th wine, a glass of their 2006 Merlot. I didn’t like it, and I always thought I was someone who liked Merlot in spite of Paul Giamotti’s now famous whiney comment about Merlot from Sideways. I simply feel that Merlot should come from a wetter climate like South Australia or California, not the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.

• Moving through the Hunter I came across what would be my 7th wine and my favorite of the day, a 2006 Pinot Noir from Hungerford Hill. My generous pour of this wine was pleasing to smell hinting at a complex nature and was even more pleasing to my taste. It was mild and almost buttery in its smoothness leaving a pleasant coating on my tongue that made me think of velvet. Like most Pinots it was mild and didn’t pack a huge punch, but was subtly earthy, a touch fruity, and fatty in a very good way. Hungerford Hill will be getting a visit from me sometime this year for sure!

• After my 7th tasting I knew I was not going to be getting much better, plus I was getting a little um lets say ‘happy’. My notes started getting a little sloppy and I had a birthday party to get to which meant I was short on time and had to walk back to the train station to catch my ride home. So what ensued was what I would like to call the big Red blitz of the Hunter. 8th wine was a Cab Sav that had grapes hailing from Orange and was produced in the Hunter by Pepper Tree. 9th wine was a Cab Sav from Allen Dale Winery. And the last wine, the 10th of the day was a 100% Hunter Shiraz from Brokenwood that I remember being quite fond of – then again who isn’t fond of their 10th wine of the afternoon.

Needless to say I had an awesome time at The Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Living Cellar Door wine festival, and am happy to report that 2008, the year of more wine culture for this guy is shaping up to be a wonderful year.

WILCO ...

the timing of this couldn't be better.

the good folks at npr have hooked the music lover up once again and recorded the february 27th Wilco show at the 9:30 club. like i stated above the timing is perfect for this tasty live recording with the band set to preform on saturday night live this week (3/1/08), and with the boys prepping for their trans pacific journey to australia for a mini tour around the country culminating with a headlining spot at the famed east coast bluesfest over easter weekend.

so for all of you fans, skeptics, and people who love music ... here you go

Wilco live at the 9:30 Club - Washington DC - February 27, 2008

A Couple Cups of Coffee

Just had an awesome opportunity to reconnect with a friend named Harry. Harry is a tad bit older than me, but we share a fair bit in common. We have had serious ups and some serious downs, we have had some difficult times with our families, but we have had wonderful times with our loved ones as well.

Our friendship was formed last year when a mutual friend put us together. Harry was feeling low and in a bit of a depression. I was itching to get out in the world and start loving people up, so naturally we would fit perfectly. And we did. He is someone who has shared very deeply with me, encouraged me, cared for me, supported me, and counseled me as well. But the interesting thing is that all of that is reciprocated by me as well. Our relationship is a total 2 way street.

Harry is feeling good. He is no longer in a depression. We are going to meet regularly again, and I am excited about that - I know he is excited as well. He's going to see me struggle with school, get into it with the guys I am living with, and see me further develop into the man I am becoming.

I am going to see him turn 80 in June. Yeah thats right 55 years separate me and Harry, but a couple of cups of coffee and some intimate sharing transcends that gap in our age and brings us together as equals and as good mates. I love it!

Cheers Harry

1st Semester Update

So I know all of you have been anxiously and patiently (since you read my last post) awaiting my timetable for classes this first semester and I wanted to reward your patients with all of the details.

In case someone who isn't Lace, Matt, Sarah, or Joe is reading this let me fill you in on some details. I am doing a 1 year Masters of International Studies (for non Australians this means Government and International Relations) program at the University of Sydney and these are my 1st semester courses.

Issues in Power and Democracy

International Security

Globalization & Governance

Politics of the Global Economy



main quad on campus ... i am a lucky boy!

A Wave of Patience

After 7 strong hours of sleep I woke up feeling refreshed but still not all there mentally. Another day in paradise. The sun was shining and I was determined to get into the Pacific Ocean.

I went to my favorite spot of last year looking for massive waves and a relaxing time on the soft sand of the normally not too populated Curl Curl Beach. What I got instead was a beach that was packed to the gills with a tiny tikes surf life saving competition. In other words there was a 100 or so kids dressed in funny hats and outfits going in the water, out of the water, around flags, and doing up downs on the beach. If that was not enough, when I waded through the crowds of Aussie parents and finally made it to an area that looked like you could swim, I found that there was a surf club long boarding competition going on. Guess Sunday is no longer the day of rest, but the day of competition?!?!?!


So Curl Curl was a huge miss. The beach that I was so fond of last year and that I had desired to return to so that I could return to all of those memories was packed and wouldn’t even allow me into the water. What to do? Down the road was Freshwater beach. Went there once before last year and it was crowded and easy to tell why it was called a ‘kiddie’ beach with it being set back from the heads much further back than Queenscliff beach to the south or Curl Curl to the north causing the breakers to die off pretty well by the time they could reach Freshwater.

It didn’t matter I had a date of destiny with the Pacific Ocean, so off to Freshie it was. When I made the decent down the rocks and around the surf pool (a pool that is entirely filled with water from waves during the high tide and then is used to swim laps when the tide goes back out) I saw that the beach was not as crowded as it should have been. Put the towel down and noticed a pretty decent swell, but it was pretty far out. Read my Douglas Copeland book - thanks to SG - lying in the sun effortlessly working on my tan and warming my body getting ready to plunge into the clear baby blue of the Pacific.

Well after 20 minutes or so the time had come to get back into the Ocean that I love and have only known so briefly ever since that trip to Costa Rica when I was 22. I was pumped and got in like a shorter whiter version of David Hasselhoff circa 1992. The swell was kicking but it was a way out. I knew I had to get through 2 sets of breakers if I wanted to ride some of those gorgeous rolling blue waves. Took me a while to get the 150-200 yards out there and to motor through, or rather under the surf that was along the way, but my effort and persistence would pay off.

It didn’t pay off immediately. That doesn’t happen in the real world. You can’t go through a series of trials, tough times, or adversity and come out of it all and land right into what you were looking for. That only happens in rom coms. Anyway after patiently treading water for over 15 minutes (note: great way to keep your heart rate sky high) waiting for a great wave soaking in the surreal scenery I was rewarded with the calm natural fluid formation of a towering wave that screamed “hey, Steve here I come!”

I mean this wave was beautiful. You could see through it. It towered over you and made you feel pathetic. But this wave was also gentle. So without hesitation I turned and started paddling, not ferociously but with ease feeling the wave lift me and doing most of the work for me. Once on the top of the wave I had a perfect view of the whole shoreline and it was populated with nothing but blue sky, bright speckles of flashy boardshorts, umbrellas, bikinis, and beach towels. I was airborne. It was a calm ride that took me all the way in. Well nearly. Far enough to be totally satisfied.

The ride made me realize once again how I can not force things in life. I had one image in my head that I thought was correct. It wasn’t. Then by being patient, waiting, and trusting I was given what I desired. It makes sense. So often I try to force things or have an idea that I hold to be totally true and its not. Or I think there is only one way in a certain situation only to find out that there are many more ways, and sometimes even better ways.

I am thankful for that wave. Not only for the thrill and for the ride, but for making me realize the massive importance of my faith, my trust, and my patients.

It’s Saturday and I Am More Important Than You

It is official – Saturdays in Baltimore County, MD are not fun at all. Won’t bother you with details, but let us suffice to say that the sunny weather did not match my disposition after spending several hours cruising the main county autobahn that is York Rd. Had some serious ideas pop into my head while I was getting cut off in traffic, ignored at the sushi counter, not greeted with a smile, and strong armed out of a parking spot, but the biggest idea that I couldn’t shake was the thought that people think that they are very important. More important than others, especially the guy waiting at that stop sign, or the dude trying to order some yellow fin tuna, or the customer at the dry cleaners, and definitely the guy with his turn signal on indicating his intention to pull into the parking spot at the post office.
Made me think – this has to be cultural. We, Baltimore Countians suffer from a ridiculous case of uber-narcissism and Saturday’s are when this illness plagues us the worst! It’s our time and it’s our errands so everyone get out of MY way. I’m sick of it. People seriously need a reality check – your selfish actions have a direct impact on people everywhere you go. It’s like a narcissistic tornado follows you ripping to shreds anyone and anything within a 15 foot radius. Not being one for self loving natural disasters I think people should examine their attitudes, their behavior, and their actions when they step out of the house on Saturday mornings to enter into the real world. We need to be people who care about others, to think about others, and to do things for others.

Some easy examples:

open/hold open the door for someone
say “good day”, “hello”, “how are you” …. to someone
smile
if your listening to good music, turn it up, roll down the windows, and let other people hear the dank tunes
shake a hand

you can be creative, and it can be easy and free flowing after you start changing your perspective from you to others.

The one good thing about seeing the dark underside of people on a sunny Saturday is that the bright life giving side of others shines extra bright! So serious kudos to you the Penn State students who traveled down to stand on York Rd. and collect change for cancer research and took the time to talk to me at the red light, and thank you to the grieving parents who decided to come to a lacrosse game today your courage and strength lifted me to where I need to be!

We'll Invest In You, but What Are You Going to Do For It?

Tonight in Madison, Wisconsin during another stellar hope fueled victory speech* the good Senator from Illinois again lifted up and encouraged Americans of every standing. There were the standard stump issues that Washington DC needs a serious make over. Agreed. Obama also spoke about how health care needs to be more affordable. Agreed. The war in Iraq is costing waaaaaay too much and needs to stop. Agreed.

I could go on and on, but the one point that I want to drive home for anyone out there that might be reading this. Steve Lacy and Matt Clare I am talking to you. Tonight Barack came out swinging and he looked like a national candidate. He came after McCain, GW, “his cousin Dick Chenney”, and Hillary (although she was not mentioned by name) and he was firm and he delivered. The point that got me up off the couch and got me to go over and start typing tonight was when Obama presented a college student heavy Madison with his idea for a $4,000 tuition credit for every student for every year, but he was quick to calm the applause and proceeded to tell the American people that those students would have to volunteer in homeless shelters, with veterans, join the peace corps, or learn a foreign language to receive the tuition credit. He then went on to instill that hopefulness by leading from the front and telling the young people of this wonderful nation that “[Sen. Obama as President] will invest in you, but you need to invest in your country”

Get out there and do for others


*NOTE: I am starting to get used to these speeches and look forward to them like all those fans of Lost look forward to that CBS drama about a plane that crashed on an island and the island was haunted but there was really other people on the island and wait why are they showing something about someone on the island but they aren’t on the island – total digression, and a long winded way of saying I really really like watching these speeches*