Life this week has been off on an incredibly fast pace.
In addition to recovering from a four-day weekend it seems that as this is the last week before the school year begins, everything everywhere must be done.
I have been confronted with a lot of "the lasts" as I call them.
The last week of freedom for teachers.
The last week of vacation--and it seems that everyone is beginning to return from where ever they have been hiding out all summer.
The last weekend of freedom is upon us.
The last month of summer.
And the list goes on.
It is a bit sad that there are so many lasts and so few firsts.
There are a few, but they are more traumatic than memorable.
The first day of school for the school year comes to mind.
We need more memorable firsts--but then, we have had a whole summer already to accomplish the firsts.
And then there is the pace--more requirements, shorter turn around times all complicated by malfunctioning or ineptly deployed IT equipment.
Ugh!
I never really used to look at Wednesday as hump day--except this week, it truly is the day to get over the hump and start the downward slide into the weekend.
I guess I should stop comparing last week to this week, because last week Wednesday was the equivalent of my Friday as I went off on my FIRST trip to Newport, RI.
Hey--there was a positive first near the end of summer.
Maybe I can find other firsts hidden in the agenda of today and then I can change the day from Wild Wednesday to Wonderful Wednesday.
Why don't you help me look?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Rhode Island Wines - Newport Vineyards
It was bound to happen. I love visiting wineries. Rhode Island has vineyards and a winery in Newport.
Therefore, while we were in Rhode Island last weekend, we had to visit the winery--Newport Vineyards which was less than a mile from our hotel.
The tasting room and winery are in a small strip mall with a very nice deli (which served us well for lunch).
For some strange reason, I continue to look for nice red wines in northeastern wineries. It usually doesn't happen. And Newport Vineyard was much the same. The reds were uniformly thin, lacking both body and complexity. I sampled five different reds and afterwards I felt they should have refunded my tasting fee. At one point the pourer asked what I was looking for in a red, and after I explained my perfect red wine he remarked that I should try Napa Valley wines exclusively.
So I was left with the question in my mind--if the winemakers knows the reds are inferior, why grow the grapes and produce red wine?
But hold the presses--because the white wines, and there must be at least twelve of them, were really special. The whites had body, complexity, and varied across much of the white spectrum from light easy drinking Pinot Grigio to the darker and more complex Gewürztraminer with a couple of nicely done Rieslings added in for fun.
So, I heartily recommend stopping at the winery for a tasting, should you happen through Newport. But avoid the reds--drink the whites. And oh yes, we did buy a few wines to bring home with us, too. Don't miss the Hard Apple Cider, either.
Happy drinking!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Therefore, while we were in Rhode Island last weekend, we had to visit the winery--Newport Vineyards which was less than a mile from our hotel.
The tasting room and winery are in a small strip mall with a very nice deli (which served us well for lunch).
For some strange reason, I continue to look for nice red wines in northeastern wineries. It usually doesn't happen. And Newport Vineyard was much the same. The reds were uniformly thin, lacking both body and complexity. I sampled five different reds and afterwards I felt they should have refunded my tasting fee. At one point the pourer asked what I was looking for in a red, and after I explained my perfect red wine he remarked that I should try Napa Valley wines exclusively.
So I was left with the question in my mind--if the winemakers knows the reds are inferior, why grow the grapes and produce red wine?
But hold the presses--because the white wines, and there must be at least twelve of them, were really special. The whites had body, complexity, and varied across much of the white spectrum from light easy drinking Pinot Grigio to the darker and more complex Gewürztraminer with a couple of nicely done Rieslings added in for fun.
So, I heartily recommend stopping at the winery for a tasting, should you happen through Newport. But avoid the reds--drink the whites. And oh yes, we did buy a few wines to bring home with us, too. Don't miss the Hard Apple Cider, either.
Happy drinking!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, August 15, 2011
Monday Musings - August 15, 2011
1. Traveling the highways anymore is an adventure in probability. Probably, there will be an extensive traffic jam. Yesterday a trip that too 7 hours and 15 minutes to complete on Thursday took over 9 hours. My travel advice--avoid the New Jersey Turnpike at all costs!!
2. Rain, rain, and more rain makes driving really hard.
3. Apparently someone shot the starter's pistol for the 2012 Presidential race. And they are off and running looking for a challenger. I'm not sure they have a potential winner anywhere in the field yet.
4. The tragic collapse of the stage in Indiana begs the question about whether there are sufficient inspections of the elaborate sets and equipment being used by today's bands.
5. Weddings are a grand example of two people beginning a new life together. They also provide for a great weekend of fun and celebration.
6. I had the opportunity to consider other drivers on the highway this weekend--some drivers are too impatient and I wonder how they arrive alive at their destination, and even then, I wonder about ulcers.
7. It is always good to see my dog again after a weekend away.
8. And of course after a four day weekend, it is off to the grind again!
2. Rain, rain, and more rain makes driving really hard.
3. Apparently someone shot the starter's pistol for the 2012 Presidential race. And they are off and running looking for a challenger. I'm not sure they have a potential winner anywhere in the field yet.
4. The tragic collapse of the stage in Indiana begs the question about whether there are sufficient inspections of the elaborate sets and equipment being used by today's bands.
5. Weddings are a grand example of two people beginning a new life together. They also provide for a great weekend of fun and celebration.
6. I had the opportunity to consider other drivers on the highway this weekend--some drivers are too impatient and I wonder how they arrive alive at their destination, and even then, I wonder about ulcers.
7. It is always good to see my dog again after a weekend away.
8. And of course after a four day weekend, it is off to the grind again!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Sunset over Rhode Island
Another day, another evening, and another fabulous sunset after a great day.
The wedding day was perfect. The reception a grand party. The evening sail was relaxing and enjoyable. But it was all capped by another fabulous sunset.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Refund
Is there a way to get a refund from the New Jersey Turnpike for a really long traffic congested trip?
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Sailing Newport
More in Newport
Yesterday we took some time to do the sights in Newport. I admit, I had not really thought of this as a mini vacation, but I should have. This is an incredibly beautify place and it was totally lost on me that the uber-rich of the 19th century had their summer palaces here.
I used the word palace intentionally, these places are huge. We visited The Breakers, the summer home of the Vanderbilts. The tour was fabulous and opulent and very well done. I highly recommend it as it is on of the best self-paced tours that I have ever taken. The tour allowed for additional levels of depth and stories about the house and the family.
Following that, we walked part of the cliff walk behind the mansions along the bay. The scenery was beautiful, although the path is a bit narrow and yesterday there were lot of people on the walk.
Following this, we checked out a local winery--yes, they make wine in Rhode Island. Like most northeastern wineries, the reds were thin, but the whites were surprisingly good. Yeah, we bought a few.
I see now why so many people flock to this area for vacation. And it is even better if you happen to sail--the region is truly a sailing mecca.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:E Main Rd,Middletown,United States
Friday, August 12, 2011
Newport at the Wedding Site
Newport, RI
Well, it seems that as another weekend approaches that Chris and I are off on another adventure. This weekend finds us in Newport, RI for a wedding. We drove to Newport yesterday because we need to be here for a wedding.
It was a long drive, but traffic was moving and we made it across the George Washington bridge fairly easily even when there was a reported 40 minute back-up. Our friends George and Sue drove with us, actually, George drove and I navigated.
I had never been to Newport before and it is a beautiful, quaint oceanside city much like many of the places we have been visiting lately. Sail boats and sunsets.
The hotel leaves a lot to be desired--we made the reservations form Hotels.com and it just is not the shiniest penny in the bag, so to speak. I'll let the trip finish before I write my review on the place and publish it. The hotel recently became a Ramada--I'm not sure how, but perhaps Ramada is going to give them a year to get up to standards.
But--all of that aside--the sunset we beautiful, the company grand, and the time away exploring another new place is appreciated.
We are going to have fun.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
It was a long drive, but traffic was moving and we made it across the George Washington bridge fairly easily even when there was a reported 40 minute back-up. Our friends George and Sue drove with us, actually, George drove and I navigated.
I had never been to Newport before and it is a beautiful, quaint oceanside city much like many of the places we have been visiting lately. Sail boats and sunsets.
The hotel leaves a lot to be desired--we made the reservations form Hotels.com and it just is not the shiniest penny in the bag, so to speak. I'll let the trip finish before I write my review on the place and publish it. The hotel recently became a Ramada--I'm not sure how, but perhaps Ramada is going to give them a year to get up to standards.
But--all of that aside--the sunset we beautiful, the company grand, and the time away exploring another new place is appreciated.
We are going to have fun.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:E Main Rd,Middletown,United States
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Stock Market Down but Orioles Up
The world economies need a lift--the trend for the past couple of days is down--which is not surprising given the state of the financial management we are witnessing by some countries, ours included.
France apparently has had the bubble burst. China is next, I believe. At least as I read the overseas news this morning it appears that the panic has subsided a bit and the markets are rebounding. We are being held hostage to investors--think about it, investors and businesses and not leaders and politicians.
They are looking for someone to hit a home run and lead them out of the darkness.
Last evening I experienced such a feat. After blowing a 4-0 lead to the Chicago White Sox, the Orioles managed to get the game into the bottom of the 10th inning. The Orioles have been losing twice as many games as they have been winning lately, so the mood in the stands was pretty negative.
A hero was needed.
And for one moment at least, a hero was found. That hero, in the form of Nolan Reimhold #14 who had been hitless in four previous trips to the plate, crushed a ball over the left centerfield fence for a game winning walk-off two run shot that for a moment soothed the savage fan in all of us. As we left the stadium to the sounds of my favorite baseball song Oriole Magic, spirits were soaring.
I wonder who the hero of the world economies will be? But, with all of the bad news, one is truly needed. Even one who has been hitless before can do some good and calm things down.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
France apparently has had the bubble burst. China is next, I believe. At least as I read the overseas news this morning it appears that the panic has subsided a bit and the markets are rebounding. We are being held hostage to investors--think about it, investors and businesses and not leaders and politicians.
They are looking for someone to hit a home run and lead them out of the darkness.
Last evening I experienced such a feat. After blowing a 4-0 lead to the Chicago White Sox, the Orioles managed to get the game into the bottom of the 10th inning. The Orioles have been losing twice as many games as they have been winning lately, so the mood in the stands was pretty negative.
A hero was needed.
And for one moment at least, a hero was found. That hero, in the form of Nolan Reimhold #14 who had been hitless in four previous trips to the plate, crushed a ball over the left centerfield fence for a game winning walk-off two run shot that for a moment soothed the savage fan in all of us. As we left the stadium to the sounds of my favorite baseball song Oriole Magic, spirits were soaring.
I wonder who the hero of the world economies will be? But, with all of the bad news, one is truly needed. Even one who has been hitless before can do some good and calm things down.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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