Wine of the Moment

Pier delle Vigne - 1993 Puglia, Italy - Aglianico, Montepulciano

Since my postings are so sporadic, "moment" seems much more appropriate that "week". When I was first introduced to the Southern Italian grape, it was referred to as the poor man's barolo. It kind of tastes like an Amarone or a ripasso. It certainly doesn't taste like it's $6.99! Anyways, here's to my first wine of note for 2004.

Fear of Leaving the Comforts of Urban Life

I have a bunch of auditions coming up. There's a good chance that I'll be moving away from Baltimore. Two of the choices scare me: Urbana, IL and Muncie, IN. I have never been more than 1/2 hour away from a big city. I was born in one of the largest cities in the world - Seoul, Korea. I then moved to Paramus, NJ and to Lincoln Park, NJ - both within strinking distance of New York City. I spent most of my life in Norwood, MA - right outside of Boston. I spent my college years even closer to Boston. And for the past 4 1/2 years, I went back to my roots, I guess, and lived in a big city.

Even Baltimore isn't much to write home about but it's still a major metropolitan area. I still find more than enough ways to keep me occupied even though the other cities mentioned above offer many more choices. Besides, if I get bored, there's always Philly and DC. The prospect of living in Midwest-Bumfuck made me realize that although Baltimore sucks, it has a lot more to offer than a couple of college towns in the middle of cornfields.

I am truly frightened by this. I want museums, concert halls, theatres, cool restaurants and bars at my disposal. I want to be tapped into the vibrant energy any large metropolitan area gives off. With the diversity inherent in a city, I never felt out of place. I can't even fathom or conceptualize what life will be like for me in the Midwest. Here's hoping that Boston will come through.....

The Gillette Mach 3 Razor

Ever since my Panasonic electric shaver was stolen during my move back in August, curiosity and economic necessity copelled me to try disposable razors for the first time. I thought back to when the Mach 3 first came out and they had this extremely provocative commercial that made shaving with this razor to be better than sex. Some of my friends confirmed it. Now when buying a razor, I decided to support the Gillette corporation in this endeavor due to my Boston ties and loyalties(Go Patriots!). I also remembered the rave reviews my friends gave it.

I must report to you that although I've never gotten a better shave, it's not as the commercial suggested. Now let's see what a traditional shave is like.....

Funniest movies:

Being John Malkovitch
Stardust Memories
Mighty Aphrodite
Deconstructing Harry
Kentucky Fried Movie
Ghost Dog
White Men Can't Jump
Southpart
Flirting with Disaster
Sullivan's Travels
Good Morning
Top Secret
Sleeper
Big Lewbowski
Duck Soup
There's Something about Mary
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeosis
Dr Strangelove

Favorite Movies

Absolute Favorites:
8 1/2
Raging Bull
Eight Easy Pieces

The Rest:
2001
Wild Strawberries
Being John Malkovitch
Amadeus
Un Chien Andalou
What's Up Tiget Lily
Ikiru
Decalogue
Magnificent Ambersons
Lola Montes
Hannah and her Sisters
Manhattan
Annie Hall
Viridiana
Stardust Memories
Mighty Aphrodite
Deconstructing Harry
Seven Samurai
Ran
Madadayo
Ugetsu
Dead Man Walking
Much Ado about Nothing
Once upon a Time in America
He Got Game
Malcom X
25th Hour
Two English Girls
Jules et Jim
The Doinel movies: 400 Blows, Antoine et Collete, Stolen Kisses, Bed and Board, Love on the Run
Lone Star
Nashville
Last Picture Show
Goodfellas
Todo Sobre mi Madre
Three Colors:Red, White, Blue
Sullivan's Travels
Good Morning
Chinatown
Do the Right Thing
North by Northwest
Casablanca
Citizen Kane
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Touch of Evil
Third Man
Hidden Fortress
Searching for Bobby Fischer
Nights of Cabiria
La Strada
Passion of Joan of Arc
Modern Times
City Lights