In a Wine Store...It's Not All Rose

My mother drinks cheap champagne. There I've said it. And technically it's not champagne, it's sparkling wine. Cheap sparkling wine. She takes a glass of champagne, adds a few drops of Framboise, a raspberry liqueur, and enjoys a nightcap before going to bed. When she runs low on supplies, it's time for me to go to the liquor store to bring in the reinforcements. Today was one of those days.

Now the store with a great selection and great prices is about seven miles away and a pain to get to. The store is large with too narrow aisles and extra displays and clutter in them. So you have all these people with extra large shopping carts trying to get past each other like cars on a narrow street. People actually cede their right of way.

First up, some beer. When I didn't see a case of what I was looking for, I asked the stock girl who was in that aisle if they had it. No. Okay. I then look in the cooler that is maybe ten feet away and what do I see...just what I was looking for. Strike one.

If you are buying a case of wine or champagne, they need to bring it out to you. So I corner a salesman/snob, tell him what I want and he looked at me in pure disgust. Really, you want that? It's dreadful. Yes, he said a product his store was selling was dreadful. And he was British, so it really sounded...dreadful. Now I admit I was off my game because normally I would have let him have it. But I just said, yes, it is dreadful but my mother likes it and would you please get it for me. Strike two.

As I wait at customer service for the case, another salesman comes over and asks if I need anything. No, I'm waiting for a case. What are you waiting for? I tell him and he gives me the look. Well, how about trying... Now I'm getting pissed but just want to get out so I say no thanks. And I wait. Apparently all the stock clerks in the cellar are on lunch. And I wait.

Finally, I get the case and go to the register where I tell the woman I will pay for my order and my mother's order separately. Fine, she says. Then proceeds to scan it all together. Not ten seconds later. Strike three.

Needless to say, I was very happy that I came home with alcohol.

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A Beer, A Laptop And A Waste Of Time

Just cracked open a beer, grabbed the laptop and went up to the bedroom to start doing some research for an interview I need to get together. Or, I might just take a nap. Those were my two options when I walked up the stairs; apparently there was another I hadn't counted on...writing a blog post.

I didn't sleep well last night, so that could account for why a nap seems so appealing right now. Or, it could be the hour and a half of weeding in the humid morning air. Followed by laundry, vacuuming, wiping down the interior and cleaning the windows of the car.

A thunderstorm stopped me from actually washing the car... which was fine by me. At least the wind and rain has cooled everything down for the time being. If the sun decides to reappear, it will get real ugly, real fast.

I have been procrastinating on the research. The timing which will work the best for the artist is closer to when her new CD drops in September. This is always a problem for me as I always work best under pressure. Too much time, means I will take most of it, then do what I always did in school...cram. Unfortunately, sometimes it also means I have too many irons in the fire at the same time and bam...worlds collide. Then it's time to juggle.

Since I've been writing this, a nap seems less likely. Which means it's time to start my research.  Did I mention, I hate doing research. Writing off the top of your head is so much easier and so much more fun.  But every once in a while that thing called discipline needs to kick in. Looks like today is the day for me.

Unless it dries out a little outside, then a walk around the lake is a possibility. Then, maybe a nap. What I need is an intern to do the research, then I could swoop in like Superwoman, take all the info and write the greatest interview of all time.

Then take a nap

Opening Day in Da Bronx

Ah yes. Opening Day at Yankee Stadium.

Well, I'm not actually in the stands. Right now I'm about 90 or so miles away, comfortably watching it from the sunroom of the weekend house. Nice.

Got up here last night, so waking up on the mountain was a great way to start the day. It started out colder than the middle of January, but soon enough the sun brought out the warmth of the day.

I was able to get a walk in before the start of the game. There's a different feeling in doing something fun on a weekday, that makes it even more enjoyable than on the weekend. As I reached the top of the first hill around the lake, the music shuffle played "Girl Can't Help It" by Journey.  The kiss of the sun on my face while listening to the voice of Steve Perry was delicious, to say the least.

Back in time to see just retired Yankee catcher Jorge Posada throw out the first pitch, I grabbed some pistachios and an early afternoon beer (hey it's a baseball game). Fourth inning now, we are up 4-0.

Just a lazy day..but so far, so good.
And it's technically not even the weekend yet.

Can it get any better?
Well there is a Mega Millions drawing tonight...

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And So It Began...The Trip To Danville

The Road Trip.

After picking me up at the weekend house, the Drum-Mamma and I began going over the supplies each of us had packed. Beer, wine, champagne on my end (hey, ya just don't know what you might be in the mood for) and snacks and a few surprises at her end. Oh, by the way she said. I brought some vodka shooters along with this new cranberry with sparkling water drink.  Without missing a beat, I asked "did you bring a lime?"  Now most people might think that was a bit over the top. After all, this is an overnighter where we will be spending quite a lot of time out of the room. And anyway...do you really need the lime?


Well, yeah. The fact that the Drum-Mamma tends bar made me fairly certain my questions would be answered with a twinkle in her eye. Indeed it was. And as I sat on my butt and watched her mix a perfect afternoon cocktail, it reminded me of so many other moments over the years, where one of us so perfectly complemented the other.

The ride to Danville was pretty easy and the two hours were filled with reminiscing of times past. It's always so interesting to hear the different memories people have of a specific event.  Not that you remember what occurred differently, but what was memorable to you. Sometimes walking in a door at a different time creates an impression in your mind, that another person might totally miss.

And then there are the things that you both remember. And you laugh. This night was to be filled with many new memories, new friends and much fun.

But I knew that we were destined to have a great time as soon as she said there would be a wedge of lime in my cocktail.

And that's called jersey prepared.
Cheers.

To read the music reviews of the night check out:
The Music in Danville: First Up, Hybrid Ice and
The Music in Danville: Jimi Jamison Rocks Hard

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