Saturday, December 4, 2010

Questions For My Dad

My dad died October 1, 2006.

I often think about him, but recently, I've wanted to talk to him, ask him a few questions, and listen to his comments.

A few weeks ago I finished Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged", and it occurred to me as a read that her philosophy, objectivism, encompasses the ideas and beliefs my dad passed along to me. I know my father read many books, but I'm curious if he ever read "Atlas Shrugged." I do know that he didn't have a copy on his bookshelves when he died, but I'm thinking he must have read the book.

It makes me feel closer to my dad having read the book. So much so, that I now have started "The Fountainhead," which is another of Rand's novels.

A Wine Club - Caduceus Cellars

During my recent trips to Italy, I watched the documentary "Blood Into Wine" on the plane, and I tasted 30 or 40 Tuscan wines. My favorite wine during the trip was Torciano Bartolomeo, which is a sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon blend.

After returning from my first trip to Tuscany, I joined the Velvet Slippers Club at Caduceus Cellars, which is home to a relatively new winemaker, Maynard James Keenan. Maynard's also known as a singer/songwriter/co-founder of tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer.

Since joining the club, I've received the fall and winter wine shipments, and for my first Caduceus wine to taste, I selected the Nagual de la NAGA - 2008, which is a California sangiovese and cabernet blend. Admittedly, I'm only an ignorant consumer, and my knowledge of wine comes from the film "Sideways" and the documentary "Blood Into Wine", but I thought the NAGA was very good. The Torciano Bartolomeo remains my favorite, but I also received a bottle of Caduceus Nagual de la NAGA - 2007 that I can't wait to taste.