“The difference between passion and addiction is that between a divine spark and a flame that incinerates.”
Gabor Maté
Thursday
A busy week and a colleague has left.
People come and go, in life and work, but this person worked closely with Shell. They were a strong team and relied on each other for professional and emotional support.
For me, he was one of the best leaders I have worked for. Empathetic and a great sense of humour.
Change is inevitable, he will be missed.
“Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joys, and dividing our grief”
Marcus Tullius Cicero
I forgot to post the wine we drank last weekend.
2024 Quinta da Aveleda Alvarinho (Vinho Verde, Portugal)
You can’t beat these Vinho Verde wines. Easy drinking and good fun. 100% Alvarinho so there is some complexity compared to the other Vinho Verde we have tried.
2021 Marchesi Di Barolo Babera d’Alba REIS (Barolo, Italy)
Take a look at the previous notes. These Barbera’s can be great. A Barbera from a decent producer is far superior to a Barolo or Barbaresco from a low quality maker.
“People are strange: They are constantly angered by trivial things, but on a major matter like totally wasting their lives, they hardly seem to notice.”
Charles Bukowski
Friday
Gym while Shell interviews.
We have a dinner tonight. A departure from the usual Italian theme, it is French cooking.
Our host is doing cheese and a starter, I am doing a main and Shell is in charge of dessert.
We head to Ras Al-Khaimah to pick up some hard to get aged Chablis.
I am making Saucisses paysannes au vin rouge et lentilles du puy. A fancy casserole with fancy sausages.
Shell decides on a chocolate mousse with chantilly cream. At the last minute, she delegates preparing dessert to me.
We only drink two bottles. Moderation.
The Chablis is outstanding, the Gevrey Chambertin a disappointment, as are the sausages.
“If you expect nothing from somebody you are never disappointed.”
Sylvia Plath
Saturday
I wake up feeling like I have been on a bender.
There is no justice in a hangover of this level without a solid inebriation the night before.
I hit the gym and feel better after.
Home and discussion turns to which job offer to accept.
I don’t have it in me to read either Twain or Harari. There are new editions of Philosophy Now and New Philosopher released.
Short articles that require little thinking are what is needed today.
I am tired and irritable most of the day.
Shell has a sleep. I should have one.
“For years now, I’ve wanted to fall asleep. The sort of slipping off, the giving up, the falling part of sleep. Now sleeping is the last thing I want to do.”
Chuck Palahniuk
Dinner is left overs.
We watch a movie, Wolfs. It should be decent, Clooney and Pitt.
It is average.
Bed early.
Sunday
“the tired sunsets and the tired
people –
it takes a lifetime to die and
no time at
all.”Charles Bukowski
How can you sleep for ten hours and wake up tired.
Breakfast and meal prep.
Work tomorrow.
The cycle repeats.
I chat with Tim, my oldest friend. Good advice and clarity for decisions.
This weekend’s wine –
2010 Domaine Du Vieux Chateau Daniel – Etienne Defaix Chablis Vallion Premier Cru (Burgundy, France)
We have had quite Daniel-Etienne Chablis and they have always been stunning. The Vaillon vineyard is probably my favourite premier cru in Chablis so this was always going to be special. Incredibly youthful for a wine that is almost 15 years old. Lemons and minerality backed by developing honey and marmalade. An exceptional wine.
2018 Domaine Henri Rebourseau Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Corvées Villages (Burgundy, France)
Henri Rebourseau has access to many vineyards in Gevrey, five Grand Cru. This Villages should have been exceptional, from fifty year old vines and a consistently good Domaine, but not up to standard. Rough, lacking balance and fruit. I would have liked to try a second bottle as I suspect this was a faulty bottle from a world class Burgundy maker and an exceptional vineyard. Shame.