Wine

So in the summer of 2007, I had to go to Sacramento, CA for training for the National Guard. While I was there, I was able make a day trip to Napa Valley. Now, I never really liked wine before that trip. There were a couple of sweet wines that I liked, but otherwise, I was really down on wine. However, I wanted to go on the trip to learn more. I mean, they have been drinking wine for thousands of years, so there must be something to it. Granted, wine back in ancient times was better for you than water, since most water was not filtered and was full of waste from humans and animals.

So I took the trip to Napa and was able to visit a few wineries. OK, I visited six wineries and wound up buying a bottle from each winery. But it was the visit to Freemark Abbey that really helped educate me about wine. The tannins within wines and how with older wines the tannins dissipate and the wine gets smoother. It was basic knowledge, but it was more than I had. So I left Napa with a little bit of knowledge, and my six bottles of wine.

I got home and after a few months, I decided to research more. Trying different wines to see what I liked and what I didn't. I wasn't scoring, or taking notes, although someone recommended that I should. I found some I liked, and some that I really didn't like. I didn't have many people to really share my experiences with, but that was OK. I was just wandering through wine shops and checking out different things.

Now I wasn't just trying anything. I was sort of focused on Cabernet Savignon, Merlot, and some blends. Red wines that are pretty complex in structure. I tried some Chardonnay and found one that I really liked. I was unable to really learn my palette though because I was deployed to Iraq, just as my knowledge base was expanding. A little disappointing, but I am eager to learn more about what I like in wine. I am also going to start taking notes and really 'experiencing' my wine. This is due to being inspired after seeing a video podcast and going to the website for it.

The video podcast is from winelibrarytv.com. The host is Gary Vaynerchuck, and I like how he talks about wine. He takes his 'sniffy sniff' and has a very broad range of descriptions for his tastings. Even in the nerdy shows, I don't feel like I am being talked down to. As he likes to say 'You, with a little bit of me, we are changing the wine world.' I can believe that, because after seeing him taste wines and hearing the descriptions, it makes me eager to try more wines. I also want to start recording my notes, because while I have tried some wines, I couldn't tell you now what they tasted like exactly.

So, I am going to start drinking more wines for taste. I am going to take the notes and try to get better at describing what it is I am tasting. I want to broaden my horizons with different wines. Looking more at whites and blush wines. Trying to see what types of reds I begin to enjoy. I think another thing I will like is as I start to take notes, I will be able to see how my palette changes as I become more educated and older.

I will be checking out one wine region for tastings while in Australia. At least I hope to do the one trip to a wine region. Wine is a global product, and different tastes come from different parts of the world. This will be a good way to continue my learning process.

Thanks for reading, and comments are welcome.

History

So, I like to read history. I don't really specialize in anything. If I had to pick a favorite subject, it would probably be World War II. I have read a lot of stuff though, and have a pretty good knowledge. I don't really read much concerning after WWII, because it just doesn't capture me. I can't really say why I like history so much. Maybe it is the quirks that arise, or the interesting stories.

Like how when Peter the Great of Russia was at war with Sweden in the early 1700's. He got his ass handed to him in 1704 (I think) and the king of Sweden felt that the Russians were pushovers. So he focused on Poland and was trying to have his own king put on the throne there. (As a sidebar, the history of Poland is very unique as well. One of the few countries of that period that had an elected king, and not necessarily hereditary. But I digress.) So while the swedes are busy in Poland, Peter is rebuilding his armies and training them. Finally, in 1709, they fight again, but this time the Russians returned the favor and kicked the swedes ass. The war continued for another 12 years, but basically the Russians were winning. In 1719, Peter is at the mouth of the Neva river in what is still technically Swedish territory. He takes his sword, cuts a swath in the ground and says 'We are building a city here.' Thus, St Petersburg was founded. The background on why he moved the capital is fascinating too, but that is what I like about history.

So because I tend to have off the wall knowledge of history, I have been given crap by my team here in Iraq. The running joke is that I am about 4000 years old, and that I have been involved in every major event within history. 'Swenny, tell me about the civil war.' 'Hey Swenny, what was it like in the Roman Legions.' I just shake my head and laugh. I may be old compared to most on my team, but I am not that old.

So, probably expect some history stuff here on the blog now and then. I enjoy many history podcasts. I also am reading a couple history books. Right now I am reading 'Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the US Navy' and I am also reading 'The Tsar's Last Armada' which is the story of the Russian fleet that sailed from the Baltic Sea half way around the world to the Tsushima Straits, to be annihilated by the Japanese navy in the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-05. Both books are fascinating in their own way.
Other topics in the future will be other interests that I have. Wine has become a current favorite. I can't really enjoy it now, being over here, but I was learning about it before I left, and hope to expand my palette when I get back. Maybe next post will be about wine.

Until then......

Deployment

So, as I stated in my first blog, I am currently deployed to Iraq. I have been in the military for almost 18 years now, and am working towards my 20. This is my second time having been deployed, the first time was in 2003/4 when things were still early on in action here. Things are really different this time, but in some ways, they are the same.

I will start with the similarities. I am doing my job, which is communications. Doesn't sound like a big deal until you realize that a lot of people get drafted into other things than they are trained to do for their 'job'. Deployments before this one that people were on had them doing convoys and road clearings instead of their communications job. So I have been lucky twice now in that I have been able to do my job. Another simularity is the heat. It is damn hot here still. And being further south this time than last, I think a little more humid, as I am closer to the gulf. Still walking around with my weapon, which gets old after a while. Trust me on that one. Another similarity is that things are still getting built up here. Sounds funny since we have been here in this country for five years plus, but we took this area over from the Brits, and there wasn't a lot of build up. So the PX is getting built, and the small PX is only somewhat stocked. Building projects going on all over, and it is just interesting to watch things changing every day around here.

So now for some differences. Last time, I lived in a tent most of the time, but then in a building sharing a room with more than one person. Now, I am staying in a CHU, which is basically a long container split into three two man rooms. I have air conditioning in my room, and I also have the internet in my room. Can't complain there. Another thing is all the officers. Last time, I was on a team that was away from most everyone and supporting a battalion level element. This time, I am with my company supporting the division. Lots of brass around, and believe it or not, they insist on saluting in the area. This can be annoying when we are getting off shift and walking back to our rooms, and all we see are officers heading into work. Another difference is my team. Last time, I was with a bunch of 'strangers' on my team from Iowa. There were some difficulties, and I felt like an outsider almost. Almost. Anyway, now I am deployed with my unit from Minnesota, and enjoying being with people I know. Really making the deployment better overall.

So that is about it for now on the deployment. Time to start getting ready for shift now. IT is going well, and time seems to be going quickly, which is nice. As stated earlier, it is getting closer to my leave to Australia, which I am really looking forward too. Maybe next post I will talk about that, or else I will talk about some other things about me. Who knows.

Until next time.......

The beginning....

So, this is the start of the new blog. I have done some other blogging, but that was for myself, and this is for the general public. I plan on keeping track of my adventures through life and just thoughts and musings.

A little bit about myself. I am about to turn 37, a guy, in the national guard, currently deployed in Iraq for another few months, happily married, and pretty content with life. I try to keep a positive outlook on life, and take things day by day. I have been married before, and have a child from my previous marriage. I love my daughter, and miss her, but don't get to see her too often. That will probably come in another blog posting.

So what I expect from this blog? Nothing really. I figure only people I know will read it. The public can look too, but really, this is for my enjoyment. I like to read, watch sports, watch movies, chat online, and learn things. I like to get into things for a while, and then move on to other stuff. So, I have a pretty broad base of knowledge, but nothing that is at that 'expert' level.

That is about it for now. Figure on a couple posts between now and mid August. That is when I travel to Australia for my two weeks of leave. Then I will try and post daily to keep track of my adventures. I did this before with my trip to Europe with my wife, but that got deleted when yahoo quit their 360 program.

To everyone reading, be well, and feel free to comment. Who knows, I might even respond.