For some reason or another, I've always been interested in the culture and food of Spain. I would love to go to Barcelona someday. I want to learn more especially about the food since I've been cooking more lately. At any rate, I'm not going to pretend this entry is more about culture than booze, so I'll skip the fluff and get right to it.

Sherry is something I've wanted to try even before my interest in Spain developed, when Josh and I used to watch Frasier and Niles sip it out of little glasses. Yes, it seems like something snobby and elitist to try, so why not embrace it? Who knows why I haven't tried it until this week...maybe it's the name of my mother, or maybe it is just something weird and new.

Neglecting to do my homework on the subject due to sheer excitement of trying another type of wine, I zipped over to the booze shop and found 3 options available - "Fino", "Amontillado", and "Cream". I bought the "Amontillado" thinking it might be somewhere between the other two. I was correct, although I still think I want to try the dry sherry next time.

So - what is Sherry like? I drank it warm, which I later learned was a mistake, but I'll do my best. It is STRONG for a wine, about the same stopping power as Port, and every bit as sweet. You get some of the sweet grape-y flavor and then you get a very distinct, powerful nuttiness at the end which lingers for a bit. I actually rather like the aftertaste. It is very foreign to me for a wine, and although I can't say I absolutely loved it (Amontillado should be served *slightly* chilled), I didn't hate it and am going to give it another chance.

So - he's going from one party that demands ideological orthodoxy to another party that demands ideological orthodoxy. The Right Wingers were going to try to whack him in the next primary. Will the Libs do the same thing, a la Lieberman? I wouldn't bet against it. They want true believers as well.

I think I'm going to make the Boeuf again. I haven't been to Wegmans to buy meat in a while though - what's the story since (e:Paul) has been there?

Yes, you've read this correctly. I saw an anti-obesity activist on FNC last night talking about how the obese are ruining the environment and costing people money. I've got to say to you all I was wrong about people not going after the obese. This lady was talking about what people "need" in order to live. Who decides what people need? The watermelons, of course. Honestly, I'm more swayed by the argument of public health care cost, but I don't want the obese to be made into villains or taxed into oblivion. These goddamned politicians only know one way to handle a situation.

By the way, how do you become an "anti-obesity activist" and get on FNC? Is this another one of these trust fund watermelons who never had to work an honest job? Get a life!!!

You know what? I don't think it is particularly flattering to admit you would deny someone a job due to their religious beliefs. I don't believe in discrimination, whether it be against the religious, ethnic minorities, gay folks, and so on. You don't fight discrimination with discrimination. In the end, nobody will gain anything from it.