Relocating was interesting. I woke up at 4 to pack my car. The night before turned into a wash and instead of getting that task out of the way, I drank wine with my friend, Lisa. I adore Lisa and she has been a great friend. My decision to move to Santa Fe displeased her as I knew it would. I delayed telling her until I had to since I knew it would not be a welcome reaction. The majority of my friends/family saw this as a positive decision. They knew that I have always been this way. When I make up my mind, I go after it and make it happen, whatever it is. I wear people down in terms of travel, food, etc. It is how I am and always been.
Lisa was unhappy that I wouldn't be able to hang out with her as often. Ironically, she works the market in New Mexico and will be here frequently.
Regardless, we drank wine and I returned home to make a makeshift bed on the floor. I had already taken my bed apart and didn't want to mess with it. I set up my fans, sleeping bag and made due.
Initially, I thought I would be staying at Jan's house. She and her friend, Rodney, agreed to help me with the move. I could pack my things, stay with them, and wake up, refreshed in the morning. Plus, she has coffee and I had already gotten rid of my coffee maker. That was the only thing I was concerned with on Friday night. Since I would not be staying with them, I would wake up and have no access to coffee.
I dreamed that that was not the case. I even, convinced myself, when I woke up, that I would be able to make coffee. I do have an addiction problem it seems.
At any rate, I pack my car, find a coffee shop and wait for their arrival. They were doing me a huge favor and so I couldn't crack the whip too much. We did leave Phoenix by 7 am and so that was something. Rodney took great care to tarp down my table, bed, bikes. We knew it might rain and it did. For the first hour and a half we dealt with that lovely weather. Thankfully, my bed was not soaked. We stopped a few times to adjust the ties and tarp. I am a let's get there type of person. I would have been fine chowing on protein bars and sustaining until arriving in Santa Fe. However, since I was with friends that were doing me a solid favor, I had little say in determining the rate in which we would arrive.
We stopped in Grants, NM, for a potty break (for me). We stop at a hardware store to purchase more ties to strap down the tarp. The wind had picked up and it was annoying to watch the tarp flap like an exploding mushroom the majority of the trip.
After the hardware store (think 25 minutes) we must have food. We find a mexican restaurant that appeared decent--clean, friendly, and well occupied. I calm down a little and recognize that we will get there when we get there. Rodney ordered a bowl of red chile. The menu described it as pork, red chile and with or without pinto beans. They raved of homemade tortillas.
I ordered a bean burrito and Jan wanted enchiladas. In all fairness, our plates were okay. Not great but decent. Rodney's was a bowl of red chile. It looked like a bowl of tomato soup. There were a few small pieces of pork that he found. The tortillas were store bought and it was a waste of a meal.
I pay and we stop to get fuel. The stop in Grants wasted a good hour and twenty minutes. Plus, the loss of hour with daylight savings and the departure time made for a long day.
We arrived and I unpacked some of my belongings. Surprisingly, I did not break one wine glass. I suppose working at the gift shop while in high school taught me how to properly pack breakables. I did, find, that my sunblock exploded all over a box of my clothes. That was an annoying find.
So far, that was the only mishap with the move. I worked last night and see a ton of potential in the place and adjustment for me. The computer system is old, I don't make change for customers (the managers do) and I have to run back and forth to the kitchen after every food order. It will keep me in shape and on my toes.
I will update more later. I need to meet Jan and Rodney before they head back to Phoenix....
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Distractions
I have been distracted the last week. Somewhat distracted that is. A week ago when I was breaking up with my yoga studio, I forgot my sports bra. $40 to them to practice as I couldn't leave with that lame excuse as they have sports bras for sale.
On Thursday, I had my car checked over. My mechanics are great. Very thorough and kind. I met a friend for coffee and had my whole day arranged. I picked my car up and headed to yoga. I had my change of clothes, towels, shoes, but no work out clothes. Awesome. I rushed home to grab some yoga attire and returned to the studio. Little things that sideline me because I am rushing around. If only, I had taken a few additional minutes to check my bag.
Yesterday, I woke up early to go to a new studio. I had a few free passes that I could utilize. I ensured that I had my yoga towel, a change of clothes and a few pairs of shoes. A few blocks from my house, I remember that my yoga mat is hanging on my clothes line. Crap!
I take the class from an instructor that I respect. I must leave to ensure that I have enough time to shower, grab a coffee and make it to work. The class was a nice balance of physical and spiritual. I leave a few minutes early to shower. The studio was inviting, warm and comfortable. Most studios offer amenities--shampoo, conditioner, soap. This studio did not. I was bummed about that as I did not come prepared with those things. However, I could make it work except for the temperature factor. The water never heated up. That sucked and sort of soured the experience. Thankfully, it was not a heated studio and so I wasn't as sweaty as normal. I would have returned home to shower and decreased my time to enjoy a coffee.
Anyways, I have been distracted the last few days. I know that I have expectations of what I would like to achieve before I head to Santa Fe. I want to spend time with friends and check out eateries that I prefer. I hope to see some friends this week and drink some of their cellared wine. I know that will be a treat and they offered to have me over.
I will attend a wine tasting on Tuesday and skip an opportunity to work. I want to enjoy some of the perks associated with my wine job before heading out and starting over. I will leave Saturday for the new adventure and begin work on Monday. I have a bowtie, black slacks and a blue button down shirt. Welcome to my new life of uniforms. I must purchase an iron and board to at least arrive presentable. I know that is a requirement of this job. Clean, pressed, presentable. Reminds me of my days at Fifi's in college. It will be interesting and a welcome change, for sure.
For the time being, I will attend yoga at a mix of studios and hike Camelback one last time, tomorrow, with my friend, Cody. I am excited!
Have a lovely Easter experience~
On Thursday, I had my car checked over. My mechanics are great. Very thorough and kind. I met a friend for coffee and had my whole day arranged. I picked my car up and headed to yoga. I had my change of clothes, towels, shoes, but no work out clothes. Awesome. I rushed home to grab some yoga attire and returned to the studio. Little things that sideline me because I am rushing around. If only, I had taken a few additional minutes to check my bag.
Yesterday, I woke up early to go to a new studio. I had a few free passes that I could utilize. I ensured that I had my yoga towel, a change of clothes and a few pairs of shoes. A few blocks from my house, I remember that my yoga mat is hanging on my clothes line. Crap!
I take the class from an instructor that I respect. I must leave to ensure that I have enough time to shower, grab a coffee and make it to work. The class was a nice balance of physical and spiritual. I leave a few minutes early to shower. The studio was inviting, warm and comfortable. Most studios offer amenities--shampoo, conditioner, soap. This studio did not. I was bummed about that as I did not come prepared with those things. However, I could make it work except for the temperature factor. The water never heated up. That sucked and sort of soured the experience. Thankfully, it was not a heated studio and so I wasn't as sweaty as normal. I would have returned home to shower and decreased my time to enjoy a coffee.
Anyways, I have been distracted the last few days. I know that I have expectations of what I would like to achieve before I head to Santa Fe. I want to spend time with friends and check out eateries that I prefer. I hope to see some friends this week and drink some of their cellared wine. I know that will be a treat and they offered to have me over.
I will attend a wine tasting on Tuesday and skip an opportunity to work. I want to enjoy some of the perks associated with my wine job before heading out and starting over. I will leave Saturday for the new adventure and begin work on Monday. I have a bowtie, black slacks and a blue button down shirt. Welcome to my new life of uniforms. I must purchase an iron and board to at least arrive presentable. I know that is a requirement of this job. Clean, pressed, presentable. Reminds me of my days at Fifi's in college. It will be interesting and a welcome change, for sure.
For the time being, I will attend yoga at a mix of studios and hike Camelback one last time, tomorrow, with my friend, Cody. I am excited!
Have a lovely Easter experience~
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
The Departure dance begins
I have started my departure tour from Phoenix. It's official. I am relocating to Santa Fe in a few weeks. I have been trying to tie up any loose ends--massage memberships, yoga classes, basically--anything that needs to be completed in Phoenix. I gifted a massage to my hiking friend, Cody. I know she enjoyed that immensely. I told her I would give her my massage if she used my preferred therapist. She agreed. She knows how amazing Brandon is from her visit to the massage studio. Brandon specializes in sports massage/injury. I see him when I am in need of some serious adjustment. He is always fantastic.
In terms of yoga...I have one class left at a studio and 8 at the other. I wish it were flip flopped as the one studio has several classes/instructors that I wish to see and the other, well, it is a challenge to find a class that I truly enjoy. Still, I knew that I could make it work with some maneuvering. I asked the owner to transfer some of my remaining classes to their north location so that I could take the vinyasa flow class that I prefer. They offer the flow class, daily, at noon, at my normal location and at 9:30/noon at the north scottsdale location. I was explaining why I wanted the transfer. I am moving to Santa Fe and wish to utilize the flow class option in the next two weeks. The owner responds with--I am sad. I mean, you are like furniture here.
Yea, that is obviously what I was going for...furniture.
Let's just say, my yoga experience, that day was subpar as I reflected on that remark. In addition, my boss recently joined the yoga studio to improve his health. He has seen me the last two years come into work after yoga and knew that that was where I practiced. He chose their studio from my experience there.
Somehow the owners of the studio haven't quite caught that connection. That or the amount of people that I have sent to them in the last two years. Instead, they are so impressed by how great Jon is. How nice, gracious, generous. They make sure to remind me of how great he is whenever I enter the studio. Remember, I am just furniture.
Regardless, I will make the most of it and supplement the remainder of days with free classes that I have been offered in the last year. I have an aestitician friend that teaches at another studio in central Phoenix. I can check out her class before bidding adieu to Phoenix.
I am hoping to find a fantastic studio in Santa Fe and embrace a new community. I have taken a couple classes in the last few months that lead me to believe that it will be a challenge. I have been spoiled in Phoenix by the yoga available. Upbeat music, challenging changing flow and some spiritualistic qualities as well.
I have been able to hike Camelback weekly which I will also miss. Yesterday my hamstring pulled at me on the way up. My massage therapist tore apart both of my legs the day prior. I felt all of the work on the hike. Today, I head north for yoga and might stop by the new location of work that will be opening in May. I am excited to see the progress being made. I am confident that the location will do extremely well.
I have a few other things to finish before packing up and heading north. Just in time to embrace the weather in Santa Fe and avoid the intense summer of Phoenix. I will miss many things about Phoenix. I will not miss the summers, at all. They are brutal.
Well, I must get my namaste on. Make it a great day!
In terms of yoga...I have one class left at a studio and 8 at the other. I wish it were flip flopped as the one studio has several classes/instructors that I wish to see and the other, well, it is a challenge to find a class that I truly enjoy. Still, I knew that I could make it work with some maneuvering. I asked the owner to transfer some of my remaining classes to their north location so that I could take the vinyasa flow class that I prefer. They offer the flow class, daily, at noon, at my normal location and at 9:30/noon at the north scottsdale location. I was explaining why I wanted the transfer. I am moving to Santa Fe and wish to utilize the flow class option in the next two weeks. The owner responds with--I am sad. I mean, you are like furniture here.
Yea, that is obviously what I was going for...furniture.
Let's just say, my yoga experience, that day was subpar as I reflected on that remark. In addition, my boss recently joined the yoga studio to improve his health. He has seen me the last two years come into work after yoga and knew that that was where I practiced. He chose their studio from my experience there.
Somehow the owners of the studio haven't quite caught that connection. That or the amount of people that I have sent to them in the last two years. Instead, they are so impressed by how great Jon is. How nice, gracious, generous. They make sure to remind me of how great he is whenever I enter the studio. Remember, I am just furniture.
Regardless, I will make the most of it and supplement the remainder of days with free classes that I have been offered in the last year. I have an aestitician friend that teaches at another studio in central Phoenix. I can check out her class before bidding adieu to Phoenix.
I am hoping to find a fantastic studio in Santa Fe and embrace a new community. I have taken a couple classes in the last few months that lead me to believe that it will be a challenge. I have been spoiled in Phoenix by the yoga available. Upbeat music, challenging changing flow and some spiritualistic qualities as well.
I have been able to hike Camelback weekly which I will also miss. Yesterday my hamstring pulled at me on the way up. My massage therapist tore apart both of my legs the day prior. I felt all of the work on the hike. Today, I head north for yoga and might stop by the new location of work that will be opening in May. I am excited to see the progress being made. I am confident that the location will do extremely well.
I have a few other things to finish before packing up and heading north. Just in time to embrace the weather in Santa Fe and avoid the intense summer of Phoenix. I will miss many things about Phoenix. I will not miss the summers, at all. They are brutal.
Well, I must get my namaste on. Make it a great day!
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Last weekend delights
Last weekend, I met Sara Jo in Santa Fe. We had visited the city a few times in the past. I was convinced that we had only been there once in the past. At another point, maybe 2003 or 2004, we had made plans to get a reset trip. I had been having some difficulty with Brian and wanted to take a break from my reality.
At any rate, we were supposed to head down to Santa Fe and Sara canceled at the last minute. I was determined to go and so I filled my jeep up and headed south. I stayed at a cute b & b type of establishment and arranged a massage. Melody was my therapist at this point and we have been friends ever since.
Months later, Sara and I returned and stayed at a hotel about a mile from the Plaza. It was reasonably priced and Sara wasn't high maintenance about hotel needs. I have friends that want all of the perks and are willing to pay for it. I prefer to offset some of the hotel costs and funnel those funds into the food factor. We ate a a popular breakfast spot and hiked. We received some bodywork from Melody (my new massage therapist friend) and returned to Denver.
Our next adventure we visited during Fiesta. I had gotten more savvy with the search engine sites and arranged a hotel closer to the plaza. It was great. We could walk everywhere that we wanted to be. Our hotel was cute, offered a heated pool and had a lovely continental breakfast. Typically, I skip that part of the amenity package as it is normally bagels, jams, cereal, oatmeal. I prefer choosing where to go and on my own time-line.
Anyways, I had forgotten about the first adventure to Santa Fe. As we walked around town, it all came back to me. Sara and I have went on several trips together. I had forgotten that we spend time in Santa Fe a few times prior to last weekend. We connected with Melody and spent a few hours at Ojo to soak. Our hotel was lovely, centrally located and reasonably priced. That was due to networking and I have been fortunate to have met some incredible people on my journey.
Sara and I met on Friday and enjoyed margaritas at a patio bar. Most of the places were not offering outdoor service yet. We made due. Afterwards we stopped by a local spot and sat barside. I know the chef and want to support his location. He's kind, engaging and gracious. Initially, we were overinundated with people trying to help us--the host, the bartender, the GM. We waived them off and wanted to be leisurely. That seems to have been our mistake as it took forever to order and then to receive the check. It seemed ridiculous as we were seated at a bar table and they were not busy.
We concluded our first night at one of my favorite spots. We found two bar stools and perused the menu. This place never disappoints. I absolutely love it and it is nice that we were about a block from the hotel. We watched basketball on Saturday and tooled around the city. There was a restaurant that Shari and I found but did not dine at. I forced Sara to walk over and check out the space. It was a piano bar and a lively atmosphere. There were no bar seats and so a server helped us to the bar rail. She brought us water and we waited. The bartender ignored us and so we chose to leave. I don't know that I will ever return it was that disappointing.
Sunday we soaked at Ojo and spent the majority of the day with Melody. Drank some bubbly, tempranillo and then retired to the hotel. Our adventure was concluding. There will be others. An upcoming trip to Napa in July to run a half marathon. I am excited to do that race and must, must, must actually start running again. I am thankful that yoga has been a constant in my life.
Last weekend was lovely. I had hoped to spend some time with other friends of mine, too. Unfortunately the timing was off.
I returned to 95 degrees. I am not ready for this weather, at all. Thankfully mornings are still cool. I have much to do and little time to achieve it. First, there is yoga....
At any rate, we were supposed to head down to Santa Fe and Sara canceled at the last minute. I was determined to go and so I filled my jeep up and headed south. I stayed at a cute b & b type of establishment and arranged a massage. Melody was my therapist at this point and we have been friends ever since.
Months later, Sara and I returned and stayed at a hotel about a mile from the Plaza. It was reasonably priced and Sara wasn't high maintenance about hotel needs. I have friends that want all of the perks and are willing to pay for it. I prefer to offset some of the hotel costs and funnel those funds into the food factor. We ate a a popular breakfast spot and hiked. We received some bodywork from Melody (my new massage therapist friend) and returned to Denver.
Our next adventure we visited during Fiesta. I had gotten more savvy with the search engine sites and arranged a hotel closer to the plaza. It was great. We could walk everywhere that we wanted to be. Our hotel was cute, offered a heated pool and had a lovely continental breakfast. Typically, I skip that part of the amenity package as it is normally bagels, jams, cereal, oatmeal. I prefer choosing where to go and on my own time-line.
Anyways, I had forgotten about the first adventure to Santa Fe. As we walked around town, it all came back to me. Sara and I have went on several trips together. I had forgotten that we spend time in Santa Fe a few times prior to last weekend. We connected with Melody and spent a few hours at Ojo to soak. Our hotel was lovely, centrally located and reasonably priced. That was due to networking and I have been fortunate to have met some incredible people on my journey.
Sara and I met on Friday and enjoyed margaritas at a patio bar. Most of the places were not offering outdoor service yet. We made due. Afterwards we stopped by a local spot and sat barside. I know the chef and want to support his location. He's kind, engaging and gracious. Initially, we were overinundated with people trying to help us--the host, the bartender, the GM. We waived them off and wanted to be leisurely. That seems to have been our mistake as it took forever to order and then to receive the check. It seemed ridiculous as we were seated at a bar table and they were not busy.
We concluded our first night at one of my favorite spots. We found two bar stools and perused the menu. This place never disappoints. I absolutely love it and it is nice that we were about a block from the hotel. We watched basketball on Saturday and tooled around the city. There was a restaurant that Shari and I found but did not dine at. I forced Sara to walk over and check out the space. It was a piano bar and a lively atmosphere. There were no bar seats and so a server helped us to the bar rail. She brought us water and we waited. The bartender ignored us and so we chose to leave. I don't know that I will ever return it was that disappointing.
Sunday we soaked at Ojo and spent the majority of the day with Melody. Drank some bubbly, tempranillo and then retired to the hotel. Our adventure was concluding. There will be others. An upcoming trip to Napa in July to run a half marathon. I am excited to do that race and must, must, must actually start running again. I am thankful that yoga has been a constant in my life.
Last weekend was lovely. I had hoped to spend some time with other friends of mine, too. Unfortunately the timing was off.
I returned to 95 degrees. I am not ready for this weather, at all. Thankfully mornings are still cool. I have much to do and little time to achieve it. First, there is yoga....
Saturday, March 29, 2014
The last few days
Santa Fe was delightful. I chose to drive up and spend a few days since I could. Being too available is not really working for me. I limited my availability and it helped me feel liberated and free. And a trip to Santa Fe is always welcoming. I spent a few days reflecting on life and checking out the town. I visit frequently and have dined at many of the restaurants. I do the tourist thing, embrace the mystical vibe and leave wanting more.
This time, I went to a yoga class hoping that it would be excellent. I am spoiled in Phoenix by the yoga community. I attend two studios regularly and enjoy them, immensely. One is more welcoming in the vibe of the studio. The other one lacks in that part but offers more classes that I prefer. I like a heated vinyasa flow with music. The class in Santa Fe was mediocre. I had a difficult time finishing the class due to the music selection and flow. I was bored and then I get annoyed, angry, etc...very counterproductive to the practice of yoga. I know. It's just how I react. I go for the physical practice and enjoy the spirituality, too, of course. I like a challenging class is all I am saying.
I met my friend, Melody, for dinner at a new local spot. She had suggested a few spots on her side of town and I wanted to accommodate her. In the past, she has met me numerous times downtown. And, I was interested in something new. My only request was that a tv would be available. I wanted to catch some of the basketball games. Thankfully, the spot she chose had tv's and great food. Nice selection of beers, wine and was lively. The only negative was that it was too bright. They should dim the lights and make it more inviting.
Prior to meeting up with Melody, I sat in the lounge and watched basketball. I spoke to the bartender about her thoughts on yoga in Santa Fe. I knew, from a previous visit, that she was an instructor. I wanted to get her honest take on where she would practice yoga. She told me that I should check out this gospel class next time I am in town. Next weekend, I will try to attend the class. This woman next to me was looking at her laptop, scoping out Sedona. Eventually we started talking about travel, Santa Fe, yoga, mental illness. She was attending a conference about mental health in this country. It was an interesting conversation and I enjoyed it. I wish I had been able to talk more with this lady. She had had an intriguing life. I had plans, though, and rushed to meet up with Melody.
I returned to the hotel and slept. The previous night had been fitful. I couldn't sleep. My mind raced and I knew that I would be getting up, early, to drive to Santa Fe. Let's just say that it was a challenging drive. When I arrived, all I wanted to do was take out my contacts and sleep. My friend, Lisa, was in town working the market and I had made plans to meet up with her. Sleep would have to wait.
We went to a few spots and had dinner at a popular tapas restaurant. My first time to sample food there. It was good and fun. Again, I was exhausted and so our night was cut short. I returned to my hotel and crashed out. As noted, I attended a yoga class to detox, reset, reflect. Although I didn't exactly love the class, it did help me be grateful for my community in Phoenix.
All, in all, it was precisely what I needed to reset. I am ready to have a great day of work, wine and basketball. Life is grand. Sometimes I need to be reminded of it by traveling to other spots.
This time, I went to a yoga class hoping that it would be excellent. I am spoiled in Phoenix by the yoga community. I attend two studios regularly and enjoy them, immensely. One is more welcoming in the vibe of the studio. The other one lacks in that part but offers more classes that I prefer. I like a heated vinyasa flow with music. The class in Santa Fe was mediocre. I had a difficult time finishing the class due to the music selection and flow. I was bored and then I get annoyed, angry, etc...very counterproductive to the practice of yoga. I know. It's just how I react. I go for the physical practice and enjoy the spirituality, too, of course. I like a challenging class is all I am saying.
I met my friend, Melody, for dinner at a new local spot. She had suggested a few spots on her side of town and I wanted to accommodate her. In the past, she has met me numerous times downtown. And, I was interested in something new. My only request was that a tv would be available. I wanted to catch some of the basketball games. Thankfully, the spot she chose had tv's and great food. Nice selection of beers, wine and was lively. The only negative was that it was too bright. They should dim the lights and make it more inviting.
Prior to meeting up with Melody, I sat in the lounge and watched basketball. I spoke to the bartender about her thoughts on yoga in Santa Fe. I knew, from a previous visit, that she was an instructor. I wanted to get her honest take on where she would practice yoga. She told me that I should check out this gospel class next time I am in town. Next weekend, I will try to attend the class. This woman next to me was looking at her laptop, scoping out Sedona. Eventually we started talking about travel, Santa Fe, yoga, mental illness. She was attending a conference about mental health in this country. It was an interesting conversation and I enjoyed it. I wish I had been able to talk more with this lady. She had had an intriguing life. I had plans, though, and rushed to meet up with Melody.
I returned to the hotel and slept. The previous night had been fitful. I couldn't sleep. My mind raced and I knew that I would be getting up, early, to drive to Santa Fe. Let's just say that it was a challenging drive. When I arrived, all I wanted to do was take out my contacts and sleep. My friend, Lisa, was in town working the market and I had made plans to meet up with her. Sleep would have to wait.
We went to a few spots and had dinner at a popular tapas restaurant. My first time to sample food there. It was good and fun. Again, I was exhausted and so our night was cut short. I returned to my hotel and crashed out. As noted, I attended a yoga class to detox, reset, reflect. Although I didn't exactly love the class, it did help me be grateful for my community in Phoenix.
All, in all, it was precisely what I needed to reset. I am ready to have a great day of work, wine and basketball. Life is grand. Sometimes I need to be reminded of it by traveling to other spots.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Memories
Long day of basketball, heartbreak and then sadness. Of course, I was scheduled to work when my team was playing. Never a good thing. I don't enjoy watching basketball while working. I cannot fully watch it or enjoy the experience. Mostly, I get upset when they make a bad play or lose. Yesterday was a perfect example of why I do not relish watching my team while working.
The heartbreak is also associated with basketball. I did not do a bracket this year. Had I, I would have put KU as the champion. I want them to win each year. It is heart wrenching to watch the loss. I know that I am not alone in this as a fan.
I finished work and considered a friend for dinner. It was a thought but neither of us could decide on a place to meet. I wanted mexican food and had a place in mind. She was up north with her dogs and I did not want to drive to north Scottsdale to meet up for dinner. We opted to take a rain check. I made it home, in time, to catch the latest episode of the good wife. I have watched that series from the beginning. It's excellent. The writing, acting, creativity. I was waiting for my delivery to arrive when the episode ended in such a forceful way. One of the main characters was killed off and it was shocking. Seeing how the other characters responded to the death reminded me of what I went through with my own loss. I remember meeting a friend for happy hour at this cute wine bar above a bookstore in Denver. I would meet this girl, Nicole, randomly, for happy hour. She provided entertainment with her stories of men, work and friends. I met her at the wine bar and she had this book with Bitch in the title. We started talking and meeting for drinks after that encounter.
Anyways, we had met on a Tuesday for drinks and I was telling her of my recent fight with Brian and how we were now in a better place after fighting. We wanted to have a future together--kids, a house, a future. We finished and I went back to my apartment and waited for Brian to get home. Instead, I got a call that there had been an accident.
Just like that, my world changed. One moment everything was normal, with happiness and a future. When I saw the episode last night, that's what I remembered. In the series, they were making headway with a storyline where the two main characters were working towards a better place. There had been a break and a lot of anger between them. It resonated into hostility and was displayed, very well, by the writing and acting. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season develops.
I suppose it is nice to remember when things were beautiful and reflect on where I am now and where I am heading. For me, all it is is different and constantly evolving. Life is grand and I will always have the beautiful memories of my time with Brian.
The heartbreak is also associated with basketball. I did not do a bracket this year. Had I, I would have put KU as the champion. I want them to win each year. It is heart wrenching to watch the loss. I know that I am not alone in this as a fan.
I finished work and considered a friend for dinner. It was a thought but neither of us could decide on a place to meet. I wanted mexican food and had a place in mind. She was up north with her dogs and I did not want to drive to north Scottsdale to meet up for dinner. We opted to take a rain check. I made it home, in time, to catch the latest episode of the good wife. I have watched that series from the beginning. It's excellent. The writing, acting, creativity. I was waiting for my delivery to arrive when the episode ended in such a forceful way. One of the main characters was killed off and it was shocking. Seeing how the other characters responded to the death reminded me of what I went through with my own loss. I remember meeting a friend for happy hour at this cute wine bar above a bookstore in Denver. I would meet this girl, Nicole, randomly, for happy hour. She provided entertainment with her stories of men, work and friends. I met her at the wine bar and she had this book with Bitch in the title. We started talking and meeting for drinks after that encounter.
Anyways, we had met on a Tuesday for drinks and I was telling her of my recent fight with Brian and how we were now in a better place after fighting. We wanted to have a future together--kids, a house, a future. We finished and I went back to my apartment and waited for Brian to get home. Instead, I got a call that there had been an accident.
Just like that, my world changed. One moment everything was normal, with happiness and a future. When I saw the episode last night, that's what I remembered. In the series, they were making headway with a storyline where the two main characters were working towards a better place. There had been a break and a lot of anger between them. It resonated into hostility and was displayed, very well, by the writing and acting. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season develops.
I suppose it is nice to remember when things were beautiful and reflect on where I am now and where I am heading. For me, all it is is different and constantly evolving. Life is grand and I will always have the beautiful memories of my time with Brian.
Friday, March 14, 2014
My favorite wine
Recently I was asked what my favorite wine is....I don't know that I can accurately answer that question. There is so much wine out there that I appreciate, enjoy and relish. How could I narrow it down to just the one? I suppose with more thought that a knee jerk reaction I could say my favorite wine. For now, I want to showcase a few wines that are tattooed in my mind due to the memory associated with the wine.
The first wine would be Kunde Cabernet 1995. My employer at that time felt it imperative that I have some way to relate to wine while talking to her customers. She told me and my friend, Heather, to drink wine. So, we chose a wine off of our by the glass selection to try. We bought a few sugar cookies from this local bakery to try with the red wine. They cookies were delicious. The wine, well, it was tannic, tart, awful. Heather and I both walked away with the notion that red wine was not the way to appreciate wine. Instead we would start over with a more user friendly varietal at our next venture into the wine world. Welcome chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, riesling and yes, white zinfandel. We had a brief flirtation with that wine that has staying power still.
Although I didn't embrace cabernet at my first tasting, I did walk away with the knowledge that wine would be in my world. I enjoyed sampling the different varietals and sharing my finds with friends. From Fifi's with Heather, to drinking Spanish wines with Sarah, college was full of wine inspired evenings. My friend, Jean, Sarah and I would get together once a month and make an ethnic extravaganza. We tried chinese food with plum wine and sake, Italian food with sangiovese and nebbiolo, and tapas (Jean's favorite) with tempranillo. After college, I relocated to Tempe and worked in a beer bar. I think that period of my life was cocktail driven. Wine lingered but I enjoyed more vodka at that point. I ran into an old roommate of mine at my retail gig and she said--oh, you would be perfect for this position....remember how much wine we drank as roommates?
Denver was home, for me, for ten years. I bonded over wine with Sara Jo, Pocketsize, Brian, the Goddess, Maghan, Love Jones and a whole cast of characters in my life. The glue that held most of that together was the appreciation of wine. Once or twice a week I would meet friends and drink wine. There was a point where Rapture, Michael David's wine, was a constant in my life. Big, bold, delicious and found at one of my favorite eateries in Denver.
I will always have a soft spot for Tabali. It was the last bottle of wine I drank with Brian. We watched 24, he made chicken lasagna and we drank this incredible value wine from Chile. It was our last evening together and I will always love that wine.
Currently, I appreciate pinot noirs. It took awhile to see fully embrace this varietal. I think I wanted to not like it since it was oversaturating the market. Silly movie that captivated the nation and created a trend. I do enjoy that movie however. What a great flick!
Anyways, I have been gravitating toward pinots lately, nebbiolos and spanish wines. There is fantastic value in Spanish wines and I have been enjoying them immensely lately. Tempranillos, monastrells, Riojas, Priorat, albarino, verdejo, vino verdes....Amazing.
I know I should explain why I love these wines more fully. I'm distracted. I have yoga, some errands and I wanted to make time to think about my love of wine. I can expound on this more later.
Til then, cheers!
The first wine would be Kunde Cabernet 1995. My employer at that time felt it imperative that I have some way to relate to wine while talking to her customers. She told me and my friend, Heather, to drink wine. So, we chose a wine off of our by the glass selection to try. We bought a few sugar cookies from this local bakery to try with the red wine. They cookies were delicious. The wine, well, it was tannic, tart, awful. Heather and I both walked away with the notion that red wine was not the way to appreciate wine. Instead we would start over with a more user friendly varietal at our next venture into the wine world. Welcome chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, riesling and yes, white zinfandel. We had a brief flirtation with that wine that has staying power still.
Although I didn't embrace cabernet at my first tasting, I did walk away with the knowledge that wine would be in my world. I enjoyed sampling the different varietals and sharing my finds with friends. From Fifi's with Heather, to drinking Spanish wines with Sarah, college was full of wine inspired evenings. My friend, Jean, Sarah and I would get together once a month and make an ethnic extravaganza. We tried chinese food with plum wine and sake, Italian food with sangiovese and nebbiolo, and tapas (Jean's favorite) with tempranillo. After college, I relocated to Tempe and worked in a beer bar. I think that period of my life was cocktail driven. Wine lingered but I enjoyed more vodka at that point. I ran into an old roommate of mine at my retail gig and she said--oh, you would be perfect for this position....remember how much wine we drank as roommates?
Denver was home, for me, for ten years. I bonded over wine with Sara Jo, Pocketsize, Brian, the Goddess, Maghan, Love Jones and a whole cast of characters in my life. The glue that held most of that together was the appreciation of wine. Once or twice a week I would meet friends and drink wine. There was a point where Rapture, Michael David's wine, was a constant in my life. Big, bold, delicious and found at one of my favorite eateries in Denver.
I will always have a soft spot for Tabali. It was the last bottle of wine I drank with Brian. We watched 24, he made chicken lasagna and we drank this incredible value wine from Chile. It was our last evening together and I will always love that wine.
Currently, I appreciate pinot noirs. It took awhile to see fully embrace this varietal. I think I wanted to not like it since it was oversaturating the market. Silly movie that captivated the nation and created a trend. I do enjoy that movie however. What a great flick!
Anyways, I have been gravitating toward pinots lately, nebbiolos and spanish wines. There is fantastic value in Spanish wines and I have been enjoying them immensely lately. Tempranillos, monastrells, Riojas, Priorat, albarino, verdejo, vino verdes....Amazing.
I know I should explain why I love these wines more fully. I'm distracted. I have yoga, some errands and I wanted to make time to think about my love of wine. I can expound on this more later.
Til then, cheers!
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