Can You Keep a Secret?

I loved wine touring in the Shenandoah Valley. It was so relaxed, and talking to the owners and vintners was really interesting. Plus they actually provide decent pours. Before we left Sacramento, we bought some gourmet goodies for a hillside picnic at Amador with a bottle of their Rosato. We had so much, by the time we hit Noceto, my palate was so burnt.

I hope the masses don't find these places. My fear is that they will become as snotty and overrun as Napa and Sonoma...

Time to go home. No upgrade :(

California Dreamin'

Headed out to Frisco for a conference, hope to catch up with some friends as well.

Mental note: If you have liquids and need to check your bag, arrive at least 45-50 minutes before your flight. I learned that the hard way, especially since Airtrain stopped and did not move for 10 minutes. Had to take the flight after it and miss a (mediocre) free dinner. ARGH!

I'm Against It

I'm still in the middle of reading Against the Day by Thomas Pynchon. SHould have listened to J when he wished me luck (he gave up after a few pages of Gravity's Rainbow)This tome is over 1000 pages long, and it could kill someone if I threw it at their head. It's a real pain in the neck to read while standing on the subway, not to mention the space it takes up in my attache.

Michiko Kakutani really hit the nail on the head with her review, that it "reads like the sort of imitation of a Thomas Pynchon novel that a dogged but ungainly fan of this author’s might have written on quaaludes. It is a humongous, bloated jigsaw puzzle of a story, pretentious without being provocative, elliptical without being illuminating, complicated without being rewardingly complex." However, it still puzzles me how this book made the Top 100 Notable Books of 2006.


As much as I hate putting down books in the middle, I'm very tempted. This book is too convoluted, has too many characters, and just seems too outrageous and fictional to be even remotely possible. Its historical-science fiction bent reminds me of Neal Stephenson, without the adherence to a central theme and the quality of writing that I'm used to with Stephenson.

Will I make it to the end???

The Fun Continues

Today my company closed on the deal to acquire Giuliani Capital Advisors. This is public knowledge so I'm allowed to post it. The next 60 days are going to be delightful, as that's how long we have to integrate them into our business.

I'm still full from Easter dinner at my cousin's house...

Nazdrovye!

For lunch I decided to treat myself to the Russian Tea Room. Having never been, I figured I should get there before it closes again. The chicken Kiev was very decadent, the foie gras in the center making it especially decadent. Service was impeccable. No snootiness, thank God. The only smudge on an otherwise pleasant treat was the French family with three small children who came in toward the tail end of my dessert and tea service. Would definitely go back, especially if someone else is paying :)

Pre-Seder Sighting

Saw Ed Koch chowing down at Tang Pavilion today. Guess he was getting the carbs in before the chometz has to go away for a week! Tonight we go to Jason's parents' house for dinner. I managed to find kosher prosecco from northern Italy.

Chag Sameach Pesach to all my Jewish friends.