Its been a while since I posted, I know. And I'm sorry. Truly! I've been busy painting and doing some consulting work for a coffeeshop opening in the East Side Marketplace where Hog Heaven used to be. Stop by! You might see me. I'm responsible for training the baristas.

As you might have noticed, I've been visited by the Inestimable and Wandering Douglas Stambler, who has authoritively stated I am not a Christian. While I occasionaly wonder about such issues myself, I've found my struggles with sin, confidence in my forgiveness and weekly participation in the Eucharist assure me that my faith is not in vain. I'm curious, please Mr. Stambler, as to why you would make such a statement? Is it my consumption of alchohol? Deuteronomy 15 addresses that issue by not only allowing it, but encouraging us in our consumption on the Sabbath. But of course, you don't recognize the Old Testament. This gets curious when we see Paul quoting it frequently, particularly in sections on church discipline (I Corinthians 5). Alas. As for Jesus, whom I love and worship, I seek Him daily. As for you, Mr. Stambler, please repent for you are wicked. But Christ has died that sins might be forgiven and wicked ones such as yourself have been forgiven. Oh! I have a question for you. Are you baptized, Mr. Stambler?

On to bigger and better things. Sean Larson, my good friend has returned to the State where Nothing is Allowed (aka Minnesota). Once again he will enjoy fresh Caribou coffee imported from Kenya, ground in his personal grinder, and french pressed in a nice Bodum. Go, my friend. Enjoy the life God has for you. And should you run into Mr. Stambler, give him my best. And maybe a nice cold beer.

What have I drunk recently? Hmmm. This last weekend, up at Otto's, I brought a 2001 Chardonnay by the Rombauer company of Napa, CA. The aforementioned Sean, who accompanied us on our trip, brought another Napa Chardonnay. His from Robert Mondavi, a 1999. Both were excellent. The Mondavi was the proto-typical peaches and cream chardonnay. The Rombauer was a little more substantive, being minerally and full of fruit, both high in the mouth and on the tongue. It possessed peaches and cream, also, but throw in a little grapefruit and cedar (Sean said Pine). All in all, it was a fun experience. I believe the large differences between the two were rooted in the additional time his had spent in oak. Both were purchased this year, both were approximately $30.00. But his was older and, I think, more flexible when it comes to serving it with food. Mine would have been great with fruit or cheese, but I don't know that I would have wanted it with dinner. It was great as a stand alone.

Not much else to say.
The Wino
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// posted by The Wino @ 1:10 PM