THE REINVENTION OF JAMES - What I Like

I like stuff.

I like to write when inspired.

I like to discover new things.

I like to share my discoveries with others.

I like the joy I see in someone’s face when they have experienced the delight I have come to know.

I like wine, beer, food and the challenge of pairing them.

I like travel and variety, exploring.  Napa, Tahiti, Vegas, Portland, Spain, (insert new destination here).

I like spending time with Nina, she is the best.

I like collecting and organizing (that’s the geek in me).

I like the media, radio, TV, film (that’s what my Dad left me).

I like the Opie & Anthony Radio program

I like to talk, I like to listen, but I prefer the talking part.

I like to counsel, I like to advise, I like to share my experiences, my mistakes in hopes that others will not repeat them.   

I like to take care of people (This is from Mom)

I like to play a part. I like to play a role. I like to take the lead at times.

I like comedy when it’s funny and I fancy myself a funny person.

I like my personality, my sense of humor, my charm and I hope others are not just playing along when they seem to like it too.

I like games but I don’t like the time they take away from me; does this mean I don’t like games?

I like the people around me and I like the fact that there are times that when I am in a group of people that may not be good for me that I have the wisdom to recognize it and change course.

I like the idea of living in a small town but need a big city from time to time.

I like to matter.  I like to make a difference.  I like to get credit for my successes.

I like to brew beer.  I like when someone likes what I have brewed.

I like to review.  I like to share my opinion and I believe my opinion is valuable and others consider it.

I like to demystify things.  I like to make plain those topics that due to their complexity scare people.

I like it when I provide a wine recommendation and it results in someone reaching beyond their comfort zone and opens their eyes to possibilities.

I like the day I discovered Bootleggers Knuckle Sandwich DIPA.

I like the day I introduced my brother to Bootleggers Knuckle Sandwich DIPA.

I like the three months I spent in Napa studying wine at the CIA, dreaming about the future making good friends, living what became WINE LIFE.

I like Oregon. I like my family in Oregon. I like spending time in Oregon, but I like California too.

I like Oregon beer.  I like the idea of distributing Oregon beer down to Southern California and I hope one day to know the steps to take to make this happen.

I like money, not in terms of hoarding but in terms of what it can get me.

I like gambling but not to the point it gets boring, and it does.

I like road trips (like Huell Howser did) but I don’t like commuting.             

I like the idea of reading this list of likes in an Andy Rooney voice.

I like the NFL and the Raiders and even though I may complain about those who judge me for being a member of the RaiderNation I love the controversy. 

I like staying up late when I am busy doing things but I like getting enough sleep.

I like the fact that this list is only a partial list of my likes and I could go on forever...

Doin All Right, Sup with You?

Wine News:
Ordered my first bottle of French wine the other night without the help of the Sommelier. It was actually quite easy as I recognized a region in Burgundy that I had studied in wine class and said "I will take this one". The class has certainly empowered me but also left me humbled when I thought for sure I knew the origin of a particular wine we were blind tasting and got it horribly wrong.

BevMo is having a 5 cent sale and two of the featured wines are among my favorites. Michael Pozzan Cabernet Sauvignon (Special Reserve) and Bridlewood Viognier. Get them while they last!


TV News:
Is 24 the most solid program on TV? They don't unnecessarily stretch story lines out instead choosing to wrap them up in a blaze of glory. Jack Bauer Rules!

Radio:
Monday was the last day of Opie & Anthony on CBS radio. The economy has taken it's toll on radio companies as they trim their expenses and remove all the talent from the air. First KLSX removed their entire talk line up in LA and now O&A in NYC. Top 40 jukeboxes for everyone?

Still O&A will live on in the world of Satellite Radio. I just re-upped my XM sub to avoid the pending price increases and with today's announcement that Sirius XM will be available on iPhone's in the spring the stock is now trading near 20 cents/share. So sign up people! We need the subs!

I attended a Tax Revolt last Saturday in Fullerton and found it quite ironic that the same bunch of people who rallied to put the Governator into office are now trying to get him sacked. It's clear that if your political representatives are not doing what you think is right the only recourse is to recall them. My cynical view on politics sees this as an act of futility as he would just be replaced by another puppet of the California State Legislature.

Politics:
Mr. Obama, where is the change you promised? Is it in the stimulus to spend more money on education & social programs (now that is an original idea from the left) or is it from funding of pet projects that could provide jobs in 2012? The blatant disregard by all the politicos out there to raise taxes in a time when the price of consumer goods are 8.6% higher than last year is alarming and disturbing.

If you were a jelly bean what color would you be?