Labor day...

Symphony and fireworks and beer, oh my! Last night was Napa's labor day celebration, and we walked in to town to watch the fireworks. So in my first 3 days in the US I've been to the gay centre of the universe, eaten burgers for breakfast, gone wine tasting, seen giant US-style fireworks and bands, had beer in the park from a plastic cup, and then today...

...had breakfast in a rather nice restaurant atop the hill. The Wine Spectator Greystone, at the CIA. no, the *other* CIA- the culinary institute of america. Champagne cocktails and smoked salmon- yum!

Had a wee chat with Erich later today as well- its so frustrating to be on the same continent, a whole 10,000 miles closer, but still so far away!! I want it to be Thursday already...

We're off to the Eagle or Lonestar beer bust tonight, that should be fun... :-)

monday funday!

the water drains the wrong way down the toilet. Its subtly disturbing.
Robbie and Fish are the most wonderful people a guy could hope to meet. I wish I was staying longer! Robbie's fun and witty, with a wicked sense of humour, and is endearingly vague at times. Fish thinks and feels deeply, he empathises, and his take on the world can be deliciously twisted. They complement and support each other marvelously. And of course they're both huge cuddlemonsters, snuggly and furry and cuddly as can be. It seems everyone knows them- or wants to- and they return their friends attention with equal enthusiasm. I'm so glad I came to stay with them and get to know them properly, I want to grow up to be just like them...

We walked into the Eagle- cue tumbleweed, mournful music. The place was deserted. And the few people who were there weren't too easy on the eyes either. Robbie and I practically skulled our beer and we fled to the Lonestar, which was similarly bereft. We ordered another beer and before we knew it the crowd from the Eagle started arriving- it was all a bit much, so once more we fled and kept driving all the way back to Napa. The night was salvaged through the liberal application of food and wine and rowdy conversation, all with the fabulous company of Eric and Rob. Steak with Bearnaise sauce, chicken, char-grilled prosciutto-wrapped figs, salads and fried mushrooms all disappeared rapidly. Never let it be said that Robbie is deficient in the kitchen department! (though I made the bearnaise, a process which was observed attentively by all- partly because they were all interesed in how I was making it, but mostly because the act of whisking the eggs made my ass jiggle...)
And so, full and fat, we enjoyed cigars and music and more wine, chatting in the lounge until midnight...
As the boys say: this is wine country living at its best.