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Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Good News For Business. And For Wine Enthusiasts! Did you hear the news today. I love Supreme Court rulings that I agree with. Doesn't everyone? Today a narrow margin of 5-4 the Supreme Court overturned state liquor laws in New York and Michigan that gave preferential treatment to in-state wineries. Both states permit in-state wineries to ship directly to consumers, bypassing both retailers and wholesalers." But the law goes way beyond what's happening in New York and Michigan. Because an additional 15 states currently prohibit all direct-to-consumer wine shipments. They are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee and Utah. If you've ever visited Napa Valley and didn't want to risk your wines getting cooked in the blazing hit of the California sun and faced the rude awakening that you couldn't have those wines shipped to your home in these and other states, you'll appreciate the changes that will not only allow you to choose for yourself. Plus those small wineries that depend on direct sales will finally not have governmental interference preventing them from running a successful business. Bravo. 1:04:54 AM  permalink  |    |  trackback () When Television Won't Cure So I sit here and a TV spot tells me to "feel the goddess, it's you." Good god, a woman's shaver called Vibrance. And you know what? It needs batteries. A vibrating razor. So why am I watching television on a Monday evening? I'm wondering that myself. But my life has been rather hectic the last several months. I'm preparing to embark on an amazing expedition. But the planning, the emotional implications and the preparations have kept me not only from a bloggin glut from a "normal" social life. So tonight after spending hours in tedium in getting things ready for a gala dinner that will be held this Sunday, I needed a bit of numbing. I won't go into all the reasons but I poured myself a great glass of wine and grabbed the silly remote and turned on the television. The channel defaulted to ABC. WhY? I just hope sometime in the next couple months I actually get to see my bro on television. Perhaps tomorrow on nightline? So The Bachelor is on. I've never seen this show. And I've never had an interest. But tonight it turns out is the final decision for some dude to choose a wife. At least that's what it appears to me. Have you ever watched this program? I can't believe how bad this is. Not only is the show shallow and superficial it is, but even the commercials (vibrating shaver) and the network promos (Lost, Alias, Desperate Housewives, Oprah, the news) are bad. They all seem trite and meaningless and prey on the fears and insecurities of ... well, of... hmmm. who? Makes me want to turn the thing off. But you know what. It's addicting. So I watched. Patiently endured the endless barrage of bad spots until Charlie made his decision. But like any addiction, after I was seemingly satisfied I felt low. That is, questioning myself why did I do that to myself? But I did. So slammed the TV shut and moved on. Once again reinforcing why I prefer to avoid the addiction of television and find entertainment in the world around me. So the world it shall be. And I hope you'll join me on the ride. 12:47:23 AM  permalink  |    |  trackback ()

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