Archive for the ‘Personal’ Category
It’s the quadrennial political convention time and my thoughts run to the political. The first presidential election that engrossed me from start to finish was 1984 (my guy got slaughtered). I couldn’t get enough of the debate, speeches, political strategy, platform development, etc. I’m watching it all now, again, and as always it is great theater. But what I’m wondering is this: What if the nation elected a Wine President every four years. What if this president represented the American…
Yesterday was an Official Holiday in the Wark home. Yesterday was "Fruits Of The Land Day"; our family’s annual and formal recognition of just how lucky and blessed we are to live in a place that delivers such an amazing array of really good eating and drinking. Though we haven’t petitioned the state or federal government to officially recognize this holiday, it’s not out of the question. But for now, we celebrate this important day by taking our annual tour…
Yesterday I made one of my favorite summertime meals, one I’ve not executed in a very long time: Vichyssoise and Crostini with roasted garlic, goat cheese and parsley. I set down the meal on the table, called the family to supper, sat down, watched my son dig into the Vichyssoise and then heard him declare: "What is this?" "Vichyssoise!," I responded. His retort: "Isn’t it just cold soup?" And there I realized that I had inadvertently raised a boy who…
I head out Wednesday for a few days in my favorite American city: New Orleans. The National Conference of State Legislatures is having its annual Legislative Summit and Direct Shipment of Wine is on the agenda. While the majority of my time will be spent at the Ernest Morial Convention Center and in meetings with colleagues, I will have some time to re-explore a city I’ve never been able to get enough of. In the numerous times I’ve been to…
One of Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s many great roles was his brilliant and intimate portrayal of the uncool Cream Magazine Editor and writer Lester Bangs in the Cameron Crowe film "Almost Famous". Hoffman portrays the perennially uncool Bangs who, in 1973, believes Rock n Roll is in its death throws due to the "swill merchants" that have taken over the business of rock n roll and only care about business. There is a wonderful line in the film where Bangs is…
