So, today I dropped by the Nicholson Ranch to taste wine.
I live in Sonoma County and love that fact that many great wines are right in the neighborhood. So, I often stop by at a local winery to taste their wares when traveling from one point to another. I've been admiring the property where this winery is located years. It's on the corner of highway 12/121 and Napa Rd. just outside of Sonoma. It's really a beautiful place up on a hill.
I've been driving by it for a long time now, always wanting to stop in, but we've always been going by too early in the morning or without the time to drop by. Finally, this afternoon I had my chance.
I walked it to a bit of a crowd but not a deal breaker, for sure. I mosey up to the bar and see that they're giving me the 'chance' to taste 6 of their wines for $10. Now, anyone can run their business however they want. Many wineries charge for tasting. But, I'm not going to pay someone just so I can buy some more!
My point: do I really want to support a local winery that charges me to sample their wines? Uh, no. I am a local wine fan (not a snob). I want to support this region. I've met so many nice wine makers who are so impassioned about their wine they are willing to share it with me. Am a free loader? No way. Let me finish. If one of these fine people is nice enough to talk about their wines and share them with me, I feel more than obligated to buy some of their wine. That is part of the mystique. It's also darn good marketing. There are several wineries here that I'm very loyal, too. Why? They share they wine and passion for it. To me, it's kind of a psychological terrior - the friendly, sharing attitude of these folks is part of what I taste when experiencing their wine.
Nicholson Ranch - not!
Try these folks instead: Paradise Ridge, Siduri & Novy Family Wines, Hanna, Thumbprint, Bella, & A. Rafanelli. You won't be disappointed...as I was today...
Wow. I was scanning through my Flickr rss feed and came upon this great shot. Everything about this is great: the clouds, the angles, the balance, and, of course, the penguins. You should check out the rest of this photographer's photo sets. More amazing shots especially of the king pengos!
I'm having gastric bypass surgery.
I'm 46 years old and am an expert at losing weight. In fact, I'm even better at gaining weight. So, you see my problem. Or maybe you don't.
I've heard it a million times (mostly from my brain). 'why don't you just exercise and eat less?'. I told you 'I'm an expert at losing weight'. It's the keeping-it-off part that I'm miserable at.
I've been failing at this for close to all of my adult life. So, I'm prepared to take the risk and permanently change my innards so that I can enjoy life again. I have other responsibilities that need my attention, like my life. So, I can't have this heavy burden (sorry for the pun but it is literally that) distracting me from being a husband, dad, and employee.
Some thinner friends say 'you just have to do it'. Well, believe me, I've tried harder than they ever have and I've failed. Again and again. I do realize that I'll have to change other things in my lifestyle. I won't be able to eat high fat and/or high carb foods. I'll only be able to eat small portions. I may experience a 'honeymoon' period in which I may lose at lot of weight for about 18 months. I may even die from the surgery.
But, at 361 lbs. in January 2007, and with severe obstructive sleep apnea and on the road to other co-morbidities, I could become disabled or, yes, die. I'll take the chance at life rather than roll the dice on when I could have a stroke or heart attack.
I've joined the gym and am online at traineo where you can see my progress as I move toward my surgery weight of 'in the 320's' (says my surgeon). I have my pre-op testing on April 18 and surgery is scheduled for April 30th.
Here goes!
