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24/06: Summer 2.0

So, in the spring semester I got 3 A’s and a B, but one of the A’s was an A- and the B was a B+… averaged out to a 3.7 – not bad.

First summer class (Map and Compass) was great. Harder than I thought, which is normal for this instructor. Pulled out a solid A. Second summer class (Personal Nutrition) was a beast, it was 600 pages of a $120 biology book and 16 full weeks of class ALL squished into 1 week (M-F 8-5) …by some miracle I pulled out a 97% - how I don’t know. This third class (History of TV) is turning out to be a huge pain in my ass. The instructor doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing, and I’m in class Friday nights from 5:00p to 9:30p followed by Saturday from 9:00a to 4:00p…and it goes on for 3 weekends. If the instructor were better, perhaps it’d be more bearable. But that means I’ve had a 1 day weekend for the past 2 weeks and I have another coming up this weekend. I’d rather take the time off work and do another M-F week long / all day course, at least then I get happy finish!

Been doing a fair amount of hiking, but not as much as I’d like. It’s hard, after all, when you only have 1 weekend day to do all your stuff.

CSA (community supported agriculture) totally rocks; we pick up more great food tonight. We’ve been cooking so much at home lately…it’s awesome!

20/05: Summer!!!

Took my final final of the spring ’08 semester last night, and I can’t tell you how glad I am that this semester is over. That being said, this was one of if not the best semester I’ve had at UCCS. The classes were fantastic, the subject matter was fantastic, and…well, the amount of homework was pretty …fantastic too. I have written over 200 pages of journals, papers, and other assignments. It’s been…challenging. I’m hoping for all A’s, but I think a realistic goal would be 3 A’s and 1 B.

I have a week off before heading back for some summer classes. Doing so should allow me to graduate a full semester sooner. The classes I’m taking go from around 8AM to 5PM Monday through Friday, but they only last about a week. The first course is “Intro to Map and Compass” – it’s a geography course taught by the same instructor I had for my “World of Wines and Vines” class. It counts as natural science WITH a lab, 4 credits. After that I have “Personal Nutrition” which is a natural science biology course. That just about knocks out my entire natural science requirement to graduate, then it’s just wrapping up the final requirements for the BA in Applied Comm. The first step will be a weekend class taking all 3 of the last weekends in June, History of TV, a communications course. It’s structured quite a bit better than normal weekend classes though, Friday nights it goes from 5:30PM to 9:00PM, and on Saturday it goes from 8AM to 5PM. This means I’ll still have Sunday free for hiking with the pups!

Speaking of hiking with the pups, Riss and I went last weekend and did some of “Section 16” – a trail just to the west of lower Gold Camp road. The trail was pretty rocky, and there were lots of cacti, so I’m not sure we’ll do it again. If the cacti weren’t enough, however, the fact that Qanuk got an enormous blister on his right front paw certainly is. He’ll be resting until his paw is better. Then it’ll be back to Castlewood Canyon, Fox Run, and the trails above Helen Hunt Falls.

Anyway, that’s all I’ve got time for this morning. See y’all later!

16/05: One more test...

Study this weekend, go in Monday night, take the test, then ... nothing.

THAT'S RIGHT. NOTHING...

Until the 27th when I start 2 solid weeks to wipe out 7 credits, and another 3 will get wiped out in the last three weeks of June. Then I'll only need 2 semesters to graduate.

Yikes.

23/04: Wines and Vines Tonight

I had a test last week in Wines and Vines, I'm hoping I did alright, but unfortunately I'm worried...mainly because the instructor who is grading the tests is the one I haven't established as much of a rapport with. Still, hopefully I did okay, I'll find out tonight. As for class last night (Katrina, Nation at a Crossroads) I had a good time as usual. It’s a great class.

This weekend will be packed with homework. I have about 12 pages of “intelligent responses” – like..whatever that means!! Then I have a 10 page research paper on a topic that has so little research available it could easily double as a doctoral dissertation.

Oh, and I have a test next week in Comm…(bleh)

22/04: Short Entries...

Going to try to do short entries as I come close to the semester ending. So far everything is shaping up alright. Not doing as well as I'd like in my COMM class (theory) but I am doing well in all my others, so it's all good!

Pups are good, can't wait to start hiking with them.

Riss is fantastic, as usual, but having some issues at work. I hope it's just a bit of troubled water that will ultimately help contrast smooth sailing.

Can't get enough Nickel Creek lately. Reminds me of how much I love my life, my wife, and my friends.

Speaking of, hope you all still check my blog... Talk to ya soon!

07/01: So Much to Update, So Little Time!

So my life consists of three main areas; Work, School, and Home. Work is going well. Busy, but I’m diggin’ it. School is going very well, mostly because that last semester was HELL and it’s OVER. I thought I’d be lucky to pull out 2 A’s a B, and a C. Instead, I got three A’s and a B! Home has been the most fantastic lately because I have been able to spend so much time there! It’s still tough for me to get used to having half days (by half days I mean I get out of work at 3:30 and don’t have school after) and it’s strange, I almost DON’T want to get used to it. Getting used to having all that time just means more adjustment for me when it goes away.
Other stuff… Skiing has been rough this year. Riss has had a hard time getting her ski legs back after her fall last season, and the last time we went, we chose Breck. It very well may have been my LAST time at Breck. They screwed up. Sell WAY too many lift tickets, then close peaks 10, 9, and 7. Then, when everyone gets to peak 7, close the Gondola so that everyone has to wait for one of the three busses shuttling people to their PAID PARKING at the bottom of the gondola. I wanted to punch babies.

New Year resolutions, for me, include eating healthier (more fresh, new recipes, etc.) and incorporating good wine pairings with dinner. Also, taking more pictures…this is something I’ve severely neglected. And finally, just being more positive in general; It’s been far too easy lately to let small shit bother me, not that this is any different than usual, but it’s something I’d rather change before it gets worse. Damn my pessimistic genes.

27/11: Not just about wine...

I know it’s been a while, but I’ve had other stuff on my plate. What that other stuff is you’ll find below:

I am going through finals at school. I’m going to be spending the next several days reading and writing non-stop. I’ve got a lot done, but I have a lot more to go. Wish me luck.

Riss and I went skiing on Sunday. It was a good day, all-in-all, but I’ve got to get caught back up to my normal ability. The good news is (knock on wood) it isn’t wrecking my back nearly as bad as it did late last season.

We’ve got most of our cars for sale right now, and none of them are selling. It’s strange that Grant can sell a friggin’ Fiero in no time flat, but I can’t sell a Honda to save my life. We’ll probably end up trading in the STI and the Jeep on a Prius. Package #6 includes everything; Leather, NAV, Upgraded Stereo, Bluetooth, HID’s, etc. I’m currently negotiating with the dealership. As usual they’re trying to screw me on trade-in values. I can be patient.

Thanksgiving has come and gone, now we’re gearing up for x-mas. We plan to do most of our shopping online this year, I only hope we’ll be able to do so.

Well, I’ve got to get back to the grind of reading and writing. I’m sure I’ll update again, maybe before x-mas! HA!

26/10: Names and Prices? That's it?

So, of the wines listed below, I've purchased at least one bottle of each. It has occurred to me, however, that I haven’t done a good job at describing what these wines are like! Off we go!

First is the Cline Zin. I got this bottle home to find that I actually had another one in my wine fridge, so I opened it up right away. This stuff is so full of flavor that not only is it good with food, but it can stand on its own, unlike Chianti and some of the other Italian varietals. (Sorry if you’re a Chianti fan, all I have to say is try it…you’ll understand.) This Zin is huge. It needs a good 40-240 minutes to open up (yes, 4 hours) but once it does it will party like it’s a 1999. Zin is a very dark grape, and it shows in this bottle. Expect cherry, spice, and everything nice, but with a long vanilla finish. You can taste the oak this wine is aged in. Webwine shows this as having “supple tannins” whatever that means. Zins are great with BBQ and other red meats.

Next up is the Pets Sirah. It is a petite, so it’s good for when you’re in the mood for a lighter bodied wine. It needs a good 20-40 minutes to open up, and it can stand on its own, but it’s especially good with food. You’ll end up with purple teeth after a glass of this one, but it’s worth it for what Webwine refers to as “Damson plum, Pomegranate, Blueberry, dried wild herbs, and smoky bacon.” I get the Pomegranate more than anything, and I don’t understand the smoky bacon at all. Still, it’s amazingly complex for a petite and works well with Italian.

The people over at Duck Pond Cellars have made an amazing wine in that it transforms with air more than any wine I’ve ever had. The first pour from a fresh bottle can taste more like a Cab than a Merlot, but given about an hour to open up will manifest the Merlot-esque flavors that were nearly undetectable from the first glass. Big flavor, even for a Merlot; “soft tannins” but lots of cherry and chocolate; pairs well with veal/lamb/duck/salmon, etc. Basically Merlot is a good heavy fish / light red meat wine. Drink while eating some stinky cheese, please.

I cried when I tried the Jacuzzi Sangiovese. Not only is this wine absolutely astonishing in its complexity, but makes a damn good final taste during a trip to wine country. Jacuzzi is a “sister-winery” to Cline Cellars, and their tasting rooms are located across the street from each other. Cline was our first stop in wine country, Jacuzzi was our last. Sangiovese is harvested most widely in Italy. Like its Chianti cousin, Sangiovese is a lighter red wine, requires only 20-40 minutes to open, and works well with Italian and lighter-red meat dishes. Unlike Chianti, however, is the epic flavor in this wine. “Moderate tannins” make it less dry than some along the same varietal, but the complexity and spice in Jaccuzi’s derivative are phenomenal. Aging these grapes in stainless steel would make this wine far too crisp, but the French oak barrels Jacuzzi uses cuts the crisp completely allowing for a spicy-smooth finish to the perky berry flavor linger in a fantastic finale. This is one of my favs, can you tell? BETTER YET, I special ordered 2 bottles and only paid $18 each!

I’ve been asked to host a wine tasting party, not only because I have at least SOME affinity for wine (ya think?!), and not only because I don’t really have too many opportunities to drink wine with friends (usually takes me 2-3 days to go through a bottle, that last glass can be…eeugh), but also because I keep giving people recommendations and, well, someone asked. Good idea! So hit me up on email, I’ll put down my BlackBerry email, but make it spider-proof (I hope), just email me if you’re interested!

(…read more to view email address)



Read More!

23/10: Not Going to Wine…

The top of my wine list lately has been (anyone who knows me shouldn't be surprised) quite RED;


Jacuzzi 2005 Sangiovese $25


Duck Pond Cellars 2003 Merlot $10


Vinium Cellars Pets 2005 Petit Shiraz $13


Cline Cellars 2005 Zinfandel $10

Also worth mentioning are the Guenoc 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon and the Chalone Vineyard Estate 2004 Pinot Noir. I’ve only had their 2004, and like the Guenoc both are hard to find, however Chalone has made a 2005 vintage that should also measure up. Finally, for the white wine lovers out there, we have the Ventana Vineyards 2004 Gewurztraminer. I haven't had this one, but it's one I want to try.

I got a shipment from Cline Cellars for this quarter's wine club... It was supposed to be 3 bottles, a Viognier, a Zin, and a "Small Berry" Mourvedre. The shipment came in 2 boxes. I happened to get 2 boxes of the 2 more expensive bottles, but I missed out on the third. $80 worth of wine for $40. Disco.

03/10: Bitch, Moan, and Wine...

...so...busy...
...can't...update...

I want these:

Zeal PPX Aspect Polarized & Photochromatic Goggle


Here are some wines I recommend:

Cline Cellars Pinot Grigio Chardonnay 2006

Cline Cellars Late Harvest Mourvedre 2004

Cline Cellars California Zinfandel 2005



Here are some wines I'd like to try:

Poet's Leap Riesling 2005

Chateau Reynella Old Cave Tawny Port

Arrowood Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Kent Rasmussen Winery Late Harvest Gewürztraminer 2003

d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2005