Yeah, folks, it's one of those Andy Rooney posts. No overarching theme or coherent argument, just flotsam and jetsam from my troubled mind. (You may well ask how is this different from my usual post.)
Warm and sunny in New York today
Yep. 60+ degrees -- 16C. A breath of spring after the deep freeze of a week ago. Puts everyone in a chipper mood.
The economy sucks
Or not. Things are looking and feeling precarious right now. The hyperrich masters of the universe are still enjoying their lo-tax-burden Age d'Or, but for everyone else it's going to be a bumpy ride.
The cure for your blues, ladies and germs: Drink more wine!
Aristide is here
At last Nadali has made it to these shores, this time in the company of Laura (psycho-cat ornament lady) and their friends Alessandro and Giorgia. It's a treat to see them. They'll be at the Crunk Coronation in a mere 2 nites! Giampiero has offered to tape the event and post it on the Web. What a guy.
Tell me, where are we going for dinner tonight? (Marco, are you getting this?)
Heeeeeeeeeyyyyyy, Barbone is my hang-out, my Cheers. Where at least Alberto knows my name. A lot of chefs and wine folks hang out there on their nights off, so I'm not the only one.
I'm worried about David J
Dude, you sound like you're off your meds. Know the problem well. Be careful. I don't want another Motorcycle Diaries to deal with. Anyway, the only person you could go to work for today would be Chavez. Don't be like Matilda and run way VenzuelAH.
I look forward to seeing Cevola
Alfonso himself will grace our fair city for a day or so next week. Tasting time! He's a much nicer guy in person than in his snippy blog comments in the guise of one of his female avatars. (What's that all about?) I think he gets that way when he has to stay in Dallas for too long. He'd rather be On the Italian Wine Trail. Well, who wouldn't.
Mondovino the second time
Neal, you're still my hero. Honest to Higher Power.
Still, there were way too many damn dogs in the thing, and the jumpy camera pissed me off. Seemed coy. Rolland seemed both assholish and sad (given what's been happening in his world). Parker -- Bob, do you believe yourself? Christ.
The most deplorable and creepiest people in the whole movie were the Mondavis. They seemed like aliens or -- my thought first time around -- like late-imperial Romans. The old man's face. Michael's face. Ugh.
No, wait. Robert reminded me of the scariest character in "It's a Wonderful Life." The unspeaking servant of Old Man Potter. Ever watchful. Somewhat insane even. Would sell anybody out to survive. And has.
I still wonder why Mondovino met with such hatred, such a nationalistic rancor, when it was in theatres in America. As if a jaundiced view of the effects of big money on the wine biz, no less in Italy and France than here by the way, were equivalent to a terrorist attack on George Bush. Well, it was one against the capitalist system and its excesses. But the system, as we know, transcends all national borders and renders them pretty meaningless.
The Coronation of Lisa Qiu is imminent!
Wednesday at 7 PM, January 9 at Otto (1 Fifth Ave.)
Dahling, simply everyone will be there, you must come, oh do.
You pay for your own drinks, though. "This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no foolin' around."
Life during class-war time. Just ask John Edwards and Mike Huckabee, "campaign shoutin' like a Southern diplomat."
Terry,
I wish I could be there in money-makin' Manhattan for your groupie fete that takes Carnival just a bit higher. Laissez les bon temps rouler! I might be in NYC Moonday for the Vias tasting then again...
I'm a groupie too you know.
Posted by: Marco | January 07, 2008 at 09:09 PM
Awww, Marco, je t'aime.
BTW, we -- me and the Eyetaians -- had a lovely time at BARBONE tonight. We came away full and tipsy. What's better than that??
Posted by: Terry Hughes | January 07, 2008 at 11:35 PM
so glad you havent forgotten Talking Heads.
Posted by: Fredric Koeppel | January 08, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Terrrrry! I can't wait!
I went to central park all day today with a halter top, the weather is unsettlingly gorgeous!
Posted by: Lisa Qiu | January 08, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Hey, my musician friend and client has recorded with David Byrne. Terry, remind me and I'll play it for you.
Posted by: Richard | January 08, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Terry,
touched & concerned by yr concern-- don't Stop Making Sense by any means, but I haven't seen Motorcycle Diaries & this reads like a coded Ms. I don't have the key to.
If I haven't made my own feelings clear by now: Meds are just officially sanctioned drugs, & Che Guevara, for all his undeniable sexy charisma, was just another arrogant Leninist, full of his Avant-Garde Party swagger.
Working on a smart-ass post to reply at greater length, I'll get my NooYawk on & let it rip. OK?
Be careful yasself, don't turn into wannabe Eurotrash at your age! luv ya, D--
Posted by: David J | January 08, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Thanks, DJR, but it's too late. I am would-be Eurotrash, indeed I qualify sorta with my British passport and all the hanging out with Italians etc.
The good news is: I missed the Prague phase!
Posted by: Terry Hughes | January 08, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Full disclosure-- of course, actually, I'm just envious of the company you keep!
I *do* hope I can turn up for my Silver grad celebration at end of May with some good news from all these travails...light a skeptical but hopeful candle for me willya? That's a good boyo...!
Posted by: David J | January 09, 2008 at 10:33 AM