Roger's View of the World, Love and Seafood Gumbo!
Seize the Day! Put no trust in the morrow! — Horace
Well, most of our books arrived except our copy from England via ‘always late’ DHL. We are still waiting!
In truth, counting our ‘late’ English version, we will be the proud owners of 6 books! Here is Laura reading one of her deluxe editions on DAY 1!
Here’s a link to a complete review!!!!
Enjoy!
Roger Freberg
Psychologists and anyone who studies human nature knows that anonymity can bring out the worst in people. This is why ‘terrorists’ love masks. Yes, there are those wonderful anonymous good Samaritans in life and on the net… but they are rare. Many folks put on the hood of evil to let their own personal demons out on the world and it amazes me who these people are in reality. Unfortunately, many of these are just average folks… with issues.
I know one athletic board that is frequented by young athletes and their coaches that has since descended into meaninglessness due to anonymous bullying. Controlling bad behavior and eliminating anonymity keeps a board useful, informative and productive. Posters & coaches who have not earned their laurels on the field try to claim them on boards… unfortunately, bullying isn’t always limited to the bad coaches and less accomplished athletes. Athletics — I fear — has its share of psychopaths.
Cyber bullies and cyber gangs can dominate chat rooms and various posting boards if left uncontrolled. Their acrimonious methods and unethical and abusive tactics are much the same. However, regardless of their behavior they are all masked in anonymity. The better boards control for this by demanding verifiable emails and personal data from posters. There are some boards where nastiness occurs even when you KNOW who they are… but they’d no doubt be worse were they anonymous.
It takes effort to keep boards focused… but it benefits everyone.
Roger Freberg
Marilyn Merlot and the Naked Grape by Peter F. May is a wonderful little book simply about interesting wines from around the world with… unusual names. Marilyn Merlot by Napa Wine Company is a “…leggy red offer(ing) blackberry, chocolate, and smokey toast flavors.” ‘Negociant’ David Wright’s “The Naked Grape” is a ‘collection’ of hand picked wines from various vintners. Peter’s Book is packed with interesting stories, illustrations and reviews… a great read.
The “Goats do Roam” story is an amusing one as is their ever present label here in America. However, I can see why the folks producing “Cotes du Rhone” tried to get the label banned in France. In California, we have our own local favorite, a blended star, entitled “Cotes du Robles” (38% Mourvedre, 35% Syrah & 27% Grenache) by Eberle Winery ( one snobbish reviewer said it would be ‘great with a pizza’… but then, I say, so is Margaux).
The Goats du Roam family of various wines does house a ‘red’ with a familiar blend of Shiraz (90%), Pinotage (6.5%) and Mourvedre (3.5%).
Peter’s book contains quite a few wines that I would love to serve for the shock value alone. Not much is left to the imagination with names like: Truck Stop Girl, Under the Table, Dancing Monkey, French Kiss, Big Ass Red …. and lastly d’Vine! ( stop! I have been PUN-ished enough!)
Buy the book … it’s great with Margaux and Pizza!
Roger Freberg
PS. Peter’s Book is pictured above next to my Concord Grapes — which the ‘experts’ say can’t grow in this part of the world.
If you are a Harry Potter Fan, then the release of Book 7 has been anticipated for a long time. Supposedly the conclusion was developed back in 1999 and from the ‘leaks’ the ending should thrill the fans… and probably draw Snapish snarls from the critics. However, as with some forces of nature, critics might want to step aside or risk losing it all.
We have five books coming to our home — 2 deluxe editions, 2 standard from Scholastic ( the US Publisher) and one copy from the UK (Bloomsberry)… unfortunately… alas… none of them signed. However, I can see no one doing anything this weekend but reading “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”
I won’t pass along the leaks… but they are out there along with a bunch of hints. The New York Times came out with a tantalizing review if you want some hints without the truth. But if you can’t stand it… the info is out there… plus a lot of false leads.
We’ll see if it comes true on Saturday!
Roger Freberg
PS… my wife Laura was right — if true — about Ron & Hermione… that’s all I am going to say!
People visit your web site from all parts of the world and it is interesting to see just where these folks are coming! Thanks to “ClustrMaps”, your visitors are logged on a nice little map showing you where they hail. The map above represents visitors to Pinotageclub.blogspot.com.
This is not a secret for those of us familiar with ‘hit logs’… but to see a graphic representation is always fascinating! The size of each dot represents the number of hits emanating from that particular part of the world!
Karen, Laura and I… along with our family site have put up these maps and it is just getting started. It is interesting to see that Laura’s Psychology Blog is so appreciated far and wide…. and I expect that Karen’s Public Relations Blog will be too.
Now, I know that ClustrMaps isn’t doing all of this for the good of all mankind… because they have a little directed Google Advertising on the enlarged map… but I think this is a small price to pay… plus I like their suggested links.
So, put a ClustrMap on your site… and see where your traffic is coming from!
Roger Freberg