Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Vivant, where are you?
"Flu"? Really? Better "flew," or even (chimney) "flue." Methinks this "flu" has aught to do with a certain recent Saturday eve fuelled by many bottles of carefully chosen and not-so carefully consumed vino roja.
Missed you tonight, V. Does opening night of the fall ball hockey season "have drink"? Yes, yes, and yes.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Yogi for men
Bears in Yosemite National Park prefer Hondas and Toyotas for late-night snacks. According to 186 bear-incident reports, they broke into 26 Hondas and 21 Toyotas, but they broke into only 2 Buicks and 1 Lexus. Because bears rip into cars that contain food, Yosemite Park rangers warn visitors to keep food only in special "bear safes." Many visitors who ignored the warnings found that their cars had been opened like tin cans by the powerful bears.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Yoga For Men:
Puff. Inhale. Hold. Hold. Hold...
Blowwwwwww......
Ahhhh....
Godddddd....
Monte Cristo Habana Robusto
Toronto, Canada
Complemented by day-old Niagara Pinot Noir
"But I don't need the cigar or the wine," he said, "all I need is the cooling evening air and my woman to ease me to sleep later...when the sun goes down."
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The Bottle Is Sweating
Here
Outdoors
After the rain
Has cleared the air
And the evening sun
Has taken with it
It's light
And heat
Sunday, June 14, 2009
i dont know how this happened.jpg
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Beyond the pail/pale
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Drinking revelation
Then Periquita. Cheap, but with complex earthy tones. Something I'd not likely get bored of. The 'Leffe' of wines perhaps.
In this age of cutting back, I'm adopting this wine as my new house wine. I'll cut wine expenses 50 per cent and enjoy a better bottle in the process.
The key is Europe. When it comes to drinking, I think it still has to be our first stop.
Pinot
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Bolano's Liver
I am reading this morning about the life of a writer you have referred to several times recently - the Chilean novelist Roberto Bolaño.
Apparently Bolano died of an unspecified liver ailment in 2003, at the age of 50.
Could the death of Bolano somehow be connected to your focus on the organ of drink?
People say that Bolano's drink of choice was heroin and that he died of it but...
"numerous Latin American and European critics and bloggers have taken the side of his widow, accusing American critics and publishers of deliberately distorting the writer’s past to fit him into the familiar mold of the tortured artist."
What do you think? Was he tortured? And did he have drink? I haven't read him yet. Though now that I recall the size of the book - I am not sure that I am up to another dismembering.
BTW - I am now intrigued by Bolano after reading the NYT piece and finding out he was a literary game player "who played with reality, who cultivated ambiguities and false identities".
One of my favourite writers in this regard is Nabokov - who by the way wrote a beautiful little autobiography called Speak Memory. I'm afraid now that I may have to tackle Bolano at some point, including his as yet unwritten biography. Damn. More f*ucking torturous reading. Why can't a book just be injected into one's head? It would be a lot easier that way and maybe offer a different type of pleasure - perhaps like taking heroin.
> Info Source
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
All You Need is Aspirin
Just after reading Mr. Ashdale's liver post, my son asked me to check the weather on the local newspaper site and the article at the top of the page announced a new breakthrough drug for...the liver.
The drug?
Aspirin:
"Aspirin's anti-inflammatory properties appear to be especially potent on the liver and may well help protect the blood-cleansing organ from the damaging effects of everything from drug overdoses to binge drinking."
Check it out.
Think I'll stop at the drug store after work today.
Monday, January 26, 2009
The hooking technique
Then followed by a liver exam. Specifically, the hooking technique:
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Kinship with great writers who are famous for their drinking
Like you I have found that the comments in the NYT drink blog are almost as interesting as the posts themselves.
Here's a comment (#29) that interests me:
"I have a feeling all good teachers have something to help them unwind, and it seems that for many it happens to be drinking. As an English teacher, I feel kinship with all those great writers who are famous for their drinking."
> Info Source
Teaching and Drinking
Yes - Pinot - a very interesting piece on teachers struggling to find a comfortable way to enjoy a drink - like the rest of the world.
I liked this idea:
"Unlike most other professions, this one drains you completely, refilling you with its own insular, infinite concerns. The intensity may ebb and flow, but it never disappears."
> Info Source
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Meeting
I am Drink Club
The Dora Keough
Wed Jan 21, 2009
730-930pm
Purpose: drinking and talking
Greetings Boys.
Thought I'd give this a try.
Early drinks, just a few, during a short time frame (thereby demonstrating our self-discipline) - whenever the mood strikes us. Any of the contributers can call a meeting, any time, perferably at the last minute - and no one is required to show. Totally optional, low pressure situation which in most cases will amount to me announcing when and where I'll be drinking and wondering if you might join in.
One of the benefits of these meetings could be improved content for the site.
Thoughts?
Anyways I'll be at the Dora at 730 tonight.
Love,
JV
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Do Backyard Rinks have Drink?
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Vibrating kitty
A strong buy next time you pop by a vintages LCBO.
Pinot
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Boys weekend drink
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
NY Bar Stays Open Due to Next Depression
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/nyregion/06emerald.html?_r=1&hp
This is also further proof that when times get tough, people make room for drink in their lives.
And what is drink? What is our belief?
That drink is not an escape; not an avoidance.
But that drink is inspiration; inspiration that is already within.
And it's nice to have age-old places to go to tap into that.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Father's Little Helper
Tot and I were known to visit in local establishments during the holidays to enjoy, say, a pulled pork sandwich, a pint and a bottle of formula. And hey, it's only a stroller walk home.
Parenting at home, around 3 in the aft, those holiday leftovers in the fridge can sure look tempting. Hello there, icewine.
While we're talking about authors, ask your local library for the heartbreaking Journals of John Cheever. Nice guy. Bad drunk.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Sons guitar lesson
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Over-Shot the Liquor Store - Again
Monday, December 29, 2008
Misery loves company
I'm beginning to think that between the surreal and germ-infused 2008 Vancouver winter landscape, the crippling wood panelling of the burbs, and my own psycho Christmas, Abbot, Vivant and Pinot have crossed into some sort of twilight zone.
In such circumstances, The Plague is probably a great choice in reading. I find this to be a very mentally dark time of year to begin with, so, rather than fight it, perhaps it's best to wallow in it. Well wallowed Abbot. I'd rather face the darkness (or listen to the chorus of coughs) than drown it out with faux-happy thoughts.
I think I'll dust off my copy of Faulkner's As I Lay Dying. Short and accessible, unlike some of his other works. At this time of year, I can really only trust alcoholics to write the brilliant depressing novels I need.
Pinot
A pox on a plague house
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Hallelujah
Here is one live version of the song:
Can you imagine how much p*ussy this man has had? He's a true artist, brimming with drink.
Hallelujah to the taking care of mothers. Hallelujah to the daily paper. Hallelujah to old poets...
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Local beer local pannelling
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
The Abbots Gift
Christmas Beer
Snow-covered bird house
Lilac Wine - Jeff Buckley Vintage
I lost myself on a cool damp night
Gave myself in that misty light
Was hypnotized by a strange delight
Under a lilac tree
I made wine from the lilac tree
Put my heart in its recipe
It makes me see what I want to see...
And be what I want to be
When I think more than I want to think
Do things I never should do
I drink much more that I ought to drink
Because It brings me back you...
Lilac wine is sweet and heady, like my love
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, like my love
Listen to me... I cannot see clearly
Isnt that she coming to me nearly here?
Lilac wine is sweet and heady wheres my love?
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, wheres my love?
Listen to me, why is everything so hazy?
Isnt that she, or am I just going crazy, dear?
Lilac wine, I feel unready for my love...
My Vocabulary Did This to Me
On his hospital death bed he blamed his imminent demise on his vocabulary.
Imagine that. What a tribute to the terrible power of words.
Here is the New York Times review of:
MY VOCABULARY DID THIS TO ME: The Collected Poetry of Jack Spicer
The review says that Spicer would often avoid conventional forms of poetry and expression and deliver his art without words.
So was it really the words, his vocabulary, that killed him in the end? Or was it something deeper, like the drink within?
And if so, when "drink" finds drink - is that really a deadly combo?
Now, another question comes up - who cares?
Life is short any way and the guy made his own choices - and he apparently made great art using words, vocabulary.
Would we be talking about this guy today if "drink" hadn't met drink?
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Picking up the Sushi
Wanted
A conceptual group of musicians, writers, drinkers, acrobats, and ship-jumpers who will get together whenever to do whatever circumstances require.
Please reply in comments section. Include any links that may illuminate the nature of your group - particularly any links to photos of tidy, pseudo-intellectual women who also enjoy dri*nking and f*cking.
Lilac Wine - Bottled by Elkie Brooks
So - what can I reach for? What can I turn to?
How about another dose of Lilac Wine - by a different producer?
Thanks for the recommend, Pinot:
I lost myself on a cool damp night
Gave myself in that misty light
Was hypnotized by a strange delight
Under a lilac tree
I made wine from the lilac tree
Put my heart in its recipe
It makes me see what I want to see...
And be what I want to be
When I think more than I want to think
Do things I never should do
I drink much more that I ought to drink
Because I brings me back you...
Lilac wine is sweet and heady, like my love
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, like my love
Listen to me... I cannot see clearly
Isnt that she coming to me nearly here?
Lilac wine is sweet and heady wheres my love?
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, wheres my love?
Listen to me, why is everything so hazy?
Isnt that she, or am I just going crazy, dear?
Lilac wine, I feel unready for my love...
Monday, December 22, 2008
Overshot the liquor store
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Default
So, yeah, not genius but... default for the suburbs when drunk head is against speaker...
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
My pint, my friend
Drinking Alone
Don't cry for me
Of course, the answer came to me in a flash: drink. And while Mike is a beer guy, I know he appreciates any form of drowning sorrows. So I've pulled out an old favourite- Clos Jordan - from earlier tasting times.
I'll miss the music tonight. But the drink will get me through. Here's to a great Christmas guys.
Pinot
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Little Bottles
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Abraham: did he have "drink"?
The question before the assembled gathering is this: did a guy who was willing to sacrifice his son to the Lord of Hosts, a guy who'd waited till he and his aged wife were three-quarters dust to have this only-begotten son, a guy who'd had the sack to bargain with the friggin' peevish Lord over how many righteous souls it might take to save Sodom from instant heavenly annihilation--anyway, did this guy, Abraham, have drink when he opted to bind Issac and raise a sacrificial altar unto the Lord, lifting his heavy blade on high, poised to strike--or was he just another misguided wanker held in thrall to an ethically bereft charismatic, like so many others before and since?
Remember, he didn't have to do this. He'd already been a religious enough fellow, sufficiently devout to go down as a major player in not one, two, but three key faiths. So what drove him? A devil-may-care insouciance, or simple, sad, lack of perspective?
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
I've Got a Crush on You
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
To love somebody
Blonde Woman evil.
Hard to accept. But... If a gun were to my head and I had two choices out of three, I'd choose music and drink. Both are the stuff of dreams. And a man - more than anything - needs to dream...
(Ironically, this beautiful anthem was on my digital music screen - pictured - as I waited in vain to get f*cked, s*cked. Brilliant. What does it mean - "to love somebody"? Does it mean to let them sleep when sleep is needed? Or does it mean - conversely - to fight off sleep and go rescue your husband from drink and music and reward him with f*cking and s*cking?)
There's a light A certain kind of lightThat never shines on meI want my life to beHere with youI wanna be with youThere's a way I hear everybody sayJust to do everything that I canBut what good will it doIf I can't have youIf I can't have youBaby, you don't know what it's likeNo you don't know what it's likeYou don't know what it's likeNo you don't know what it's likeTo love somebodyTo love somebodyThe way I love you*Guitar solo*I'm a manCan't you see that's what I amEvery breath that I take I take from youBut what good will breathing doIf I can't have youIf I can't have youBaby, you don't know what it's likeNo you don't know what it's likeYou don't know what it's likeNo you don't know what it's like*Musical break*No you don't know what it's likeNo you don't know what it's likeYou don't know what it's likeNo you don't know what it's likeTo love somebodyTo love somebodyThe way I love youThe way I love you*Musical break*No you don't know what it's likeNo you don't know what it's likeNo you don't know what it's likeYa just don't know what it's likeTo love somebodyTo love somebodyThe way I love youThe way I love you