Friday, February 13, 2009
I'm Your Valentine
For the month of February, I'll review and polish your resume for free. It's my Valentine to you all! (If I get swamped, preference will be given to those with upcoming interviews, according to their scheduled date!)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Dark Angel ~ The White Knight and The Coolest Hand
Goldie Hawn Doesn't Need My Hug...
...Yet, when someone that I have always adored, like Goldie Hawn is just as moved as I am for the same reasons…I want to hug her. Even now, thinking of the pain she was feeling at the moment when she had to announce that Heath Ledger had won the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor, at that moment, her pain…not my own, makes me want to go and give Goldie Hawn a hug....
During the BAFTA's, the other night, I couldn't help but cry in such sorrow that Heath Ledger had to win his Best Supporting Actor award, for the Dark Knight, posthumously. What really got me, was the way Goldie Hawn's voice cracked when she said his name. She still has that, sweet, freshly washed voice she's had since before the days of, " Private Benjamin" or even, "Laugh In." As she said his last name, "Ledger" came out as a painfully, happy whisper that forced its way over swallowed tears. Then, when she introduced the man who would be accepting the award, Producer Charles Roven…she almost couldn't say his name either. I don't know if she had ever met Heath, or worked with him but she obviously feels the way I do…they way so many of us do. He was so talented and there was so much that he had not yet unwrapped to let us see…the bleeding wound of our communal heart was reopened. He was always my favorite actor when I was watching one of his movies. It was then, that I would believe I could never feel the loyalty toward any other actor that I did for him at that moment. That's his power. He makes you watch him, lost in the life of the person he has become. From a priest who becomes a sin-eating, Angel of Death, to an ersatz Knight who finds the royal inner strength and will to make those around him better than they are. And that's what makes, Heath so unique…he really does bring out the best in those around him. Without pointing fingers, look at some of the partners with whom he has acted…up until the time they stood across from Heath, had they ever given so magnificent of a performance in their careers? Some never did again, or have yet to reach that height and are still working to find it. Like a high chased by a junkie…to have felt it once, is to crave it again forever. When the BAFTA's returned from commercial, directly after Heath's award, they gave a salute to those whom had passed away this last year. What a year of remarkable people…gone! And this wasn't even the year that Heath died. The last actor of the clips was the greatest. The hottest cat, the coolest hand...Paul Newman. The only other person who makes me agonize that the world has lost him. I was devastated when he died. Especially because I don't think his death received the immediate respect and attention that Paul Newman deserved. Our two candidates had just held a debate, and that was the top priority of talk and news. I understand that. I get it. But when one of the greatest humanitarians of all time, certainly of OUR time passes away AND he happens to be one of the most talented actors to ever grace the screen, AND he happens to have never once had a whisper of scandal around his loving fifty year marriage to his sweetheart…that deserves the trumpets of angels. Knowing that the bluest eyes…the eyes of an angel, will never look into the camera again, and smile that wickedly, innocent, handsome, grin…or the smile that breaks into his laughter…it's painful. His whole face, so beautiful and perfect…flashing white, lipid blue, the tannest skin; the man was a vocabulary of color on screen. I can't even get through a full sentence now, without stopping to weep. Still, this loss – so great it is, affects me this deeply. That's what these people do…these actors. We let them into our hearts so much so, that we feel as though we have a right to be a part of their lives. Isn't that part of the whole "stalker" psychology? Stalkers can't differentiate between the characters, the tabloids, the interviews and the real person's private life. We don't have a right to their private lives, but because they are "so popular," we end up with a glimpse inside anyway. It's when they're gone that we realize we really didn't know them at all. There was so much that we'll never learn, see, or understand about them because they weren't our friend. Yet, when someone that I have always adored, like Goldie Hawn is just as moved as I am for the same reasons…I want to hug her. Even now, thinking of the pain she was feeling at the moment when she had to announce that Heath Ledger had won the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor, at that moment, her pain…not my own, makes me want to go and give Goldie Hawn a hug. But she doesn't need my hug. She has Kurt, Kate, Oliver, Wyatt, Ryder and many other loved ones and many other pairs of arms open to her. But I imagine, out of all the loved ones and arms that could embrace her at that moment, the one she wanted more than anything, to hug – was Heath Ledger.
Friday, February 6, 2009
If I Could Write an Episode of Torchwood...
A peek at my "special" Torchwood episode after the Dr. Who episode where the Dialeks have come back "Turn Left." ~
The entire headquarters of Torchwood is in shambles…it looks like nothing will ever be able to get it back to order. Gwen and Inanto look dead, about six Dialeks are scavenging the equipment, doing what they do…Jack, the re-generated Doctor, Donna and Rose are sneaking in through what looks like a computer desk. It's actually an escape hatch, and secret room with weaponry, rations, etc. Rose and Jack each have a big gun like the one that Rose used when she blew the head off a Dialek in "Turn Left." Donna is gathering items into a backpack and the Doctor is about to "make an entrance," when the "EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!" is screamed but just then…the floor begins to vigorously rumble. During what feels like a violent earth quake, Gwen and Ianto wake up, in pain but not dead. Jack sees them, starts over toward them just, as a sound like a deep voice uttering a steady hum and a bright FLASH of light appears.
THE FACE OF BOE is floating above the Dialeks, OUTSIDE of its protective liquid and jar. The tentacles (dreadlocks, Russell?) stretch out to the Dialeks and the pods at the end of them latch on to them like suction cups. A little bit of powder, then liquid comes out and the Dialek melts away into nothingness. As if it never existed. (Here the Doctor would say, "Oh! That's what those are for!) This Face of Boe is healthier and younger looking than the one that is in New New York later. The Face of Boe is able to settle to the ground, close its eyes and suddenly, everyone injured is healed. The deep voiced hum continues and the Doctor approaches the Face, they are obviously communicating telepathically. After some time, The Doctor nods at the Face, stands up, looks around and says, "Jack has gone, he won't be back for a while."
The entire headquarters of Torchwood is in shambles…it looks like nothing will ever be able to get it back to order. Gwen and Inanto look dead, about six Dialeks are scavenging the equipment, doing what they do…Jack, the re-generated Doctor, Donna and Rose are sneaking in through what looks like a computer desk. It's actually an escape hatch, and secret room with weaponry, rations, etc. Rose and Jack each have a big gun like the one that Rose used when she blew the head off a Dialek in "Turn Left." Donna is gathering items into a backpack and the Doctor is about to "make an entrance," when the "EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!" is screamed but just then…the floor begins to vigorously rumble. During what feels like a violent earth quake, Gwen and Ianto wake up, in pain but not dead. Jack sees them, starts over toward them just, as a sound like a deep voice uttering a steady hum and a bright FLASH of light appears.
THE FACE OF BOE is floating above the Dialeks, OUTSIDE of its protective liquid and jar. The tentacles (dreadlocks, Russell?) stretch out to the Dialeks and the pods at the end of them latch on to them like suction cups. A little bit of powder, then liquid comes out and the Dialek melts away into nothingness. As if it never existed. (Here the Doctor would say, "Oh! That's what those are for!) This Face of Boe is healthier and younger looking than the one that is in New New York later. The Face of Boe is able to settle to the ground, close its eyes and suddenly, everyone injured is healed. The deep voiced hum continues and the Doctor approaches the Face, they are obviously communicating telepathically. After some time, The Doctor nods at the Face, stands up, looks around and says, "Jack has gone, he won't be back for a while."
I Support Christian Bale MORE After Hearing This....
Once again, sound bites put into the context of the editor and producers are all that we hear…which, is the only thing that instant judgment is based on in the court of public opinion. Listen to this whole thing, apparently, it's not the first time Christian Bale has had to tolerate this type of behavior from the DP. This was NOT the first scene that camera man had ruined for Bale, by walking around on the set!
I agree, with Bale...the DP obviously doesn't understand!
I agree, with Bale...the DP obviously doesn't understand!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Say he's sorry? Christian Bale was in the right!
Good acting isn't "playing make believe." There is a process that stellar performers must go through in order to truly become the role of whomever they are playing. For some, staying in that mode takes heavy concentration, before and through the moment the scene is shot…when they are able to finally release the pent up energy of the character…this other person inhabiting their body. Some actors are more easy going and can snap into character as soon as the scene starts. They have a mechanism that enables their "other person" to inhabit their body with only a thought in their own mind.
Christian Bale is known as an actor who needs to be able to concentrate on being the character up until and into the scene being filmed. When someone breaks the "third wall" and invades the reality of the character, the result can be quite jarring. Keep in mind, the moment the "infraction" occurs, – the actor is NOT themselves. They are the character…and something has interrupted and disturbed THE CHARACTER. The reaction can be very emotional, anything from anger to fear, laughter to tears. The character Bale is playing in the movie would never see a DP taking light readings in the reality he inhabits. A "Terminator" perhaps, but not a camera man…seeing this guy broke the world that Christian Bale had created for this other person, who inhabits his body…the angry soldier fighting Terminators.
Writers are often intense and if one small distraction happens, and entire thread of a storyline we were "seeing" can suddenly disappear before we've had the chance to get it on paper. This is frustrating because sometimes, the exact feeling of, "AH-HA! I've got it!" is never quite the same, even if an alternative and fantastic storyline is created.
No, Christian Bale should NOT have to apologize for his outburst. The crew of the movie set (and all sets) needs to respect and understand that if they break an actor's concentration before a scene is filmed, it's just as bad as if they walked into a scene that is actually being filmed. The character inhabiting the body of the actor doesn't realize it's all a movie. If someone out of the ordinary shows up, or an action occurs that jars the actor's concentration… the character can freak out! Because in that moment, the actor is inhabiting the character… it's the other way around, you see? Perhaps, (not always) a character is the first to react…before the actor has the time to take over the body again.
I'm not saying it was the soldier character that yelled at the guy and not Christian Bale. He has a temper. He worked hard to create an alternative reality in his mind and someone had no respect for it.
.
(If you don't scroll down far enough, you'll miss blogs with tips for Better Business Writing, news on Manchester United and some of the dining/food allergy experiences I've had!)
Christian Bale is known as an actor who needs to be able to concentrate on being the character up until and into the scene being filmed. When someone breaks the "third wall" and invades the reality of the character, the result can be quite jarring. Keep in mind, the moment the "infraction" occurs, – the actor is NOT themselves. They are the character…and something has interrupted and disturbed THE CHARACTER. The reaction can be very emotional, anything from anger to fear, laughter to tears. The character Bale is playing in the movie would never see a DP taking light readings in the reality he inhabits. A "Terminator" perhaps, but not a camera man…seeing this guy broke the world that Christian Bale had created for this other person, who inhabits his body…the angry soldier fighting Terminators.
Writers are often intense and if one small distraction happens, and entire thread of a storyline we were "seeing" can suddenly disappear before we've had the chance to get it on paper. This is frustrating because sometimes, the exact feeling of, "AH-HA! I've got it!" is never quite the same, even if an alternative and fantastic storyline is created.
No, Christian Bale should NOT have to apologize for his outburst. The crew of the movie set (and all sets) needs to respect and understand that if they break an actor's concentration before a scene is filmed, it's just as bad as if they walked into a scene that is actually being filmed. The character inhabiting the body of the actor doesn't realize it's all a movie. If someone out of the ordinary shows up, or an action occurs that jars the actor's concentration… the character can freak out! Because in that moment, the actor is inhabiting the character… it's the other way around, you see? Perhaps, (not always) a character is the first to react…before the actor has the time to take over the body again.
I'm not saying it was the soldier character that yelled at the guy and not Christian Bale. He has a temper. He worked hard to create an alternative reality in his mind and someone had no respect for it.
.
(If you don't scroll down far enough, you'll miss blogs with tips for Better Business Writing, news on Manchester United and some of the dining/food allergy experiences I've had!)
Monday, February 2, 2009
I tawt I taw a Tweety Tat? Twitter Devours Another Twitt-tee
I finally started following people on Twitter. I signed up quite a while ago but haven't done anything until tonight. Things that make you go hmmmm.....
"Power begins with mastering the means of communication. Whomever owns the words conveying the message, is in control."
Hmmm, does it sound insightful, or merely give the appearance of trying to sound profound? Do the quotation marks give it any more credibility than if they were not there? Do they make you wonder who said it? Usually, a phrase in quotation marks implies an erudite, philosophical person from history, or one making history, said something worth repeating.
The two sentences in quotations above refer to power, communication and control. Those of us who write and live in the realm of Public Relations, know that when order has been broken, a breach of an image has occurred, or a disaster needs a leader… conveying the message in the right way can keep the situation under control.
I have no desire to give a history lesson, or to regurgitate recent news. However, I will cite two examples: the 1982 Tylenol® scare and the recent airplane landing in the Hudson River. Within less than a year after the poisonings, Americans were chewing Tylenol like candy because we trusted Johnson & Johnson again. Within moments after the landing, Twitter made Captain Sully a hero.
Anyway, I'm a wordsmith and I've been surfing around Twitter for the first time. This led me to a number of different sites about copywriting, freelancing, getting published, etc. I am disheartened by the experience, because I see so many other businesses similar to mine…and they have REAL websites! (I blame finances and the fact that my boyfriend has his own marketing business. One of his services is to CREATE websites for clients! The shoemaker's children go barefoot, syndrome…get it?)
Fortunately, I have education and experience on my side. Some sites I visited were created by delusional saps who can't write their way out of an avalanche with a hot pen. (Mine, don't steal it.) Apparently, they'd fallen for some "get rich by writing from home" scheme. As soon as the technology is available, I plan to reach through their monitors and shake them by the shoulders. YOU CAN NOT GET RICH THIS WAY! Especially if you have no skill as a writer! Many of us have years of training, education…hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loan debt…all to become great writers and it will happen for us before it will happen for you!
I often hear, "JK Rowling had never written before…." Yes, but she has talent! She has an extraordinary imagination and ability to weave descriptions that transport the reader to another place, where we believe in witches and wizards. The real secret behind Rowling is that she IS Lord Voldemort and we're all under a spell to buy, buy, buy!
I am a huge fan of the series and the novel I am writing now is actually part of a series as well. But that's for another blog entry, on another night. Ciao!
New Blog: Twitter Star Date ~ Sometime in the now
"Power begins with mastering the means of communication. Whomever owns the words conveying the message, is in control."
Hmmm, does it sound insightful, or merely give the appearance of trying to sound profound? Do the quotation marks give it any more credibility than if they were not there? Do they make you wonder who said it? Usually, a phrase in quotation marks implies an erudite, philosophical person from history, or one making history, said something worth repeating.
The two sentences in quotations above refer to power, communication and control. Those of us who write and live in the realm of Public Relations, know that when order has been broken, a breach of an image has occurred, or a disaster needs a leader… conveying the message in the right way can keep the situation under control.
I have no desire to give a history lesson, or to regurgitate recent news. However, I will cite two examples: the 1982 Tylenol® scare and the recent airplane landing in the Hudson River. Within less than a year after the poisonings, Americans were chewing Tylenol like candy because we trusted Johnson & Johnson again. Within moments after the landing, Twitter made Captain Sully a hero.
Anyway, I'm a wordsmith and I've been surfing around Twitter for the first time. This led me to a number of different sites about copywriting, freelancing, getting published, etc. I am disheartened by the experience, because I see so many other businesses similar to mine…and they have REAL websites! (I blame finances and the fact that my boyfriend has his own marketing business. One of his services is to CREATE websites for clients! The shoemaker's children go barefoot, syndrome…get it?)
Fortunately, I have education and experience on my side. Some sites I visited were created by delusional saps who can't write their way out of an avalanche with a hot pen. (Mine, don't steal it.) Apparently, they'd fallen for some "get rich by writing from home" scheme. As soon as the technology is available, I plan to reach through their monitors and shake them by the shoulders. YOU CAN NOT GET RICH THIS WAY! Especially if you have no skill as a writer! Many of us have years of training, education…hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loan debt…all to become great writers and it will happen for us before it will happen for you!
I often hear, "JK Rowling had never written before…." Yes, but she has talent! She has an extraordinary imagination and ability to weave descriptions that transport the reader to another place, where we believe in witches and wizards. The real secret behind Rowling is that she IS Lord Voldemort and we're all under a spell to buy, buy, buy!
I am a huge fan of the series and the novel I am writing now is actually part of a series as well. But that's for another blog entry, on another night. Ciao!
Serious Fun for the Super Bowl!
I'm not endorsing the product or anything, just showing an example of my work. Red Ventures is a marketing company and one of their biggest clients is Direct TV. They hire me to write for them and the content I provide ends up in various places throughout the web! (I've placed the actual text here and the link to where it's published.)
Serious Fun!
On Saturday, January 31, at 1:30 pm ET, the white sands of St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, is where DIRECTV has a day of fun planned for subscribers to see on the 101® Network. Check out the most popular Pre-Super Bowl XLIII gathering in Tampa Bay, Ybor City, Clearwater, or any other town near Raymond James Stadium! The day before the Big Game, the place to be is the Third Annual Celebrity Beach Bowl hosted by Spike HD. It's two, 20-minute halves of a rough and tumble Flag Football Match up, as Hollywood and the NFL come together in the name of fun for a great cause.
Just like any great and super "Bowl" sports game should, the Direct TV Celebrity Beach Bowl will have live pre-game commentary ahead of the 2:30 ET kick-off. During the action, the voice of Andrew Siciliano from Direct TV's NFL Sunday Ticket Red Zone Channel will be calling the plays along with an all-star team of sports analysts who will serve as officials and sideline correspondents. For experts on the field, Maurice Jones-Drew, from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Matt Forte, from the Chicago Bears will officiate the game. Hey, Direct TV isn't messing around…this fun is serious business!
Naturally, the serious fun comes in for the REAL game, and that takes place Sunday, February 1, 2009. The anticipated clash of the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Arizona Cardinals, in Super Bowl XLIII.
Before all of the football fun begins, Direct TV's HD picture will bring you the best entertainment from some of America's greatest musical talents. The night kicks off with Oscar winner, Jennifer Hudson when she sings the National Anthem. For the first time in many months, America will hear this brave songbird sing joyfully at a place of celebration.
Multi-Grammy Award-winner, Faith Hill will sing "America the Beautiful" for pre-game festivities, and the Halftime show promises to be bigger, more dazzling, and better than ever when Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform.
Serious Fun!
On Saturday, January 31, at 1:30 pm ET, the white sands of St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, is where DIRECTV has a day of fun planned for subscribers to see on the 101® Network. Check out the most popular Pre-Super Bowl XLIII gathering in Tampa Bay, Ybor City, Clearwater, or any other town near Raymond James Stadium! The day before the Big Game, the place to be is the Third Annual Celebrity Beach Bowl hosted by Spike HD. It's two, 20-minute halves of a rough and tumble Flag Football Match up, as Hollywood and the NFL come together in the name of fun for a great cause.
Just like any great and super "Bowl" sports game should, the Direct TV Celebrity Beach Bowl will have live pre-game commentary ahead of the 2:30 ET kick-off. During the action, the voice of Andrew Siciliano from Direct TV's NFL Sunday Ticket Red Zone Channel will be calling the plays along with an all-star team of sports analysts who will serve as officials and sideline correspondents. For experts on the field, Maurice Jones-Drew, from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Matt Forte, from the Chicago Bears will officiate the game. Hey, Direct TV isn't messing around…this fun is serious business!
Naturally, the serious fun comes in for the REAL game, and that takes place Sunday, February 1, 2009. The anticipated clash of the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Arizona Cardinals, in Super Bowl XLIII.
Before all of the football fun begins, Direct TV's HD picture will bring you the best entertainment from some of America's greatest musical talents. The night kicks off with Oscar winner, Jennifer Hudson when she sings the National Anthem. For the first time in many months, America will hear this brave songbird sing joyfully at a place of celebration.
Multi-Grammy Award-winner, Faith Hill will sing "America the Beautiful" for pre-game festivities, and the Halftime show promises to be bigger, more dazzling, and better than ever when Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform.
Cristiano Ronaldo World Player of the Year 2008
Cristiano Ronaldo has become THE FIRST Premier League player to be announced the FIFA World Player of the Year!This has GOT to shut up some of the bashers of his talent but of course, it won't. There are too many critics that are willing to tear down an individual based on the fact that they are good looking, young and the focus of a great deal of attention. This is a well-deserved and hard-earned honor for our #7 Winger. Yesterday's match against Chelsea proves that he, Evra, Berbatov and Rooney, can work amazing magic together! Two set-ups from Ronaldo made two of yesterday's goals possible. In the first half, he completed a fantastic goal that was not counted due to a a technicality. (It should have been 4 -0) Congratulations Cristiano Ronaldo! It only makes sense that the Greatest team in the World should have the Greatest Player in the World! ***** Manchester United 2008 World Cup Winners *********** Cristano Ronaldo 2008 World Player of the Year ******
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Manchester United Wins World Cup
Manchester United Wins World Cup
December 22, 2008,
Wendy Wells – Charlotte, NC
wwells@wendywellswrites.com
(12.22.08)
When it comes to my favorite football team (what we Americans usually call soccer), I'll admit I'm a bit…passionate. But you have to understand: Manchester United has had a slight hiccup in the Barclay's Premiership League this past season. This blip in their sturdy record of victories has led the uneducated novices of the Football world to think, the team is suddenly no good, or that they've lost their edge. Wrong! Nothing could be further from the truth!
The Red Devils have been busy winning qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup AND taking out the competition in the 2008 World Cup to become the first British team to ever win the title. Do you understand what I just wrote? Let me repeat: Manchester United is THE FIRST BRITISH TEAM TO EVER WIN THE WORLD CUP TITLE.
That means Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, (certainly) Hull City, Everton, Blackburn, (duh), Wigan...NONE of them have ever accomplished what http://www.manutd.com/ has by becoming THE FIRST BRITISH TEAM TO EVER WIN THE WORLD CUP TITLE.
(Now, don't get this confused with England's winning the World Cup in 1966. That's the England National team's win. I am very proud of England. Especially since there are so many ManUnited players on the team!)
I'm so proud that Rio Ferdinand was the Captain (no disrespect to Neville) as the lads took the trophy. I always feel that Rio does a good job of keeping a cool head on the pitch, he communicates well with Sir Alex Ferguson, and he intervenes well on behalf of the players with the referees. Usually. The only disappointment out of all the celebration, of course, is the thing that makes me nearly cry....Nemanja Vidic's send off. In some respects it proves how Manchester United can win a World Cup with only a ten man team. On the other hand, it's heartbreaking to think Vidic might not only have been sent off for such an important game, but he also might be banned for an upcoming match as well.
Apparently, this ban is going to carry over into the UEFA Champion's League when they play Inter Milan in February. Now, I'm not so worried about Inter Milan taking the match as the team that they are now --- but if they get their shoes on the right feet, and run through the gates in the proper direction...they could become a force to be reckoned with, especially with Vidic off the pitch. He's not only an integral part of the Manchester United defense but he's also proven to be the "ace-in-the-hole" on more than one occasion by scoring out of nowhere when we needed it most.
Sir Alex is being the lovely diplomat about it all (at present) and I commend him for that. He says it (the send off and red card) was the right thing for the ref to do at the time. However, I have not yet seen or heard what SAF is saying about the possibility of the suspension carrying over into the UEFA's upcoming match. The elbow is easy to see in slow motion replay, but it's really hard to know exactly what the momentum of their body's inertia was, the velocity in which they were carried, or how hard of a shove off Nemanja was taking as he launched himself up off of the Liga player. As a fan of the man, I see it as his simply his trying to get up after a fall. I'm sure a fan of the other team, would see the incident as an insult to their player. Regardless of the exact motive – we have a red card and have to face the possibility that #15 might not be on pitch against Inter Milan in February.
Now, on to the man of the hour – or rather, the Man of the Match, Wayne Rooney! He scored the winning goal in the 73rd minute of the game to win the trophy 1-0. Whew! Saving the day, that "White Pele." First off, let's rewind a bit to Gamba the other night. Sir Alex Ferguson switched out Tevez and Rooney while we were ahead 2-0. Just as Rooney was coming onto the pitch, Yamakazi. scored for Japan. Rooney's answer to Japan's slicing our lead in half? Within one minute (or less?), he zapped a goal past their keeper like a stone in the ocean! Then, what do we do? BAM-BAM hat trick like nobody's business and the score goes to 5-1. Endo gets a penalty kick and bumps it to a less embarrassing 5-2 for the Japanese.
Now, right here, I must comment on the merits of the penalty kick he'd been awarded. Total bollocks. Neville supposedly had an arm in but it was really a ball that hit his arm from behind. It was a ridiculous call, Neville had no idea the ball was coming at him. One of the game's announcers said there had been an earlier arm ball that was not called out, so this probably balanced out. Phooey on that notion as well. Either a ref makes a call it when it happens or they don't call it at all, that's it. The ball that hit Neville was not from his deliberately swinging his arm into the path of the ball's play. The ball was kicked into Neville's arm, from behind. "Nuff said.
So, Endo gets one by our Eddie. It happens sometimes, even the best keeper in the league, Edwin Van der Sar, can’t swat every fly. I do not think our Dutchman gets enough credit, though. So often, all of the blogs and message boards are about the guys running on the pitch, and it is well deserved praise – I'm right there shouting "Halleluiah" with the rest. I just don't see enough "atta' boys" and "Man of the Match" praises thrown to our Eddie. (I love to call him our Eddie, I don't know if he'd hate it or not!) Anyway, as always Van der Sar played a huge role in this victory…as he always does. He knocked out so many, very close-to-the-post balls, especially once we'd gone down to just ten men after Vidic's send off. This comes as no surprise that Eddie's got the skill for the sweet taste of being the BEST on the planet…this is his second world title, his first was with Ajax in 2004. (They haven't played CL football in, so long…I think since he left, do you see the connection?).
BUT I DIGRESS…..back to our World Cup Title
The Man of the Match, # 10, Striker, Wayne Rooney scored the goal that proved Manchester United is the Greatest team on Earth. This happens to have been his third goal in less than one and a half games! He got two during that Gamba match.
I haven't even gotten into the other amazing players and the plays they made! Perhaps after I've had the chance to study my recording of the game more in depth, I'll add to this. But for now, I'm lovin' Manchester United with the rest of ya'll who do and tryin' to educate those of you who don't YET! ~ Wendy Wells
PS – One final little note to Sir Alex. Please Sir, grab up Michael Owen. We don't need him as a Skipper but can't you just imagine the Striker on our team? Oh, the rhythm he and Rooney, Ronney, Berby, Brownie and the rest would all have together…think about it, please!
December 22, 2008,
Wendy Wells – Charlotte, NC
wwells@wendywellswrites.com
(12.22.08)
When it comes to my favorite football team (what we Americans usually call soccer), I'll admit I'm a bit…passionate. But you have to understand: Manchester United has had a slight hiccup in the Barclay's Premiership League this past season. This blip in their sturdy record of victories has led the uneducated novices of the Football world to think, the team is suddenly no good, or that they've lost their edge. Wrong! Nothing could be further from the truth!
The Red Devils have been busy winning qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup AND taking out the competition in the 2008 World Cup to become the first British team to ever win the title. Do you understand what I just wrote? Let me repeat: Manchester United is THE FIRST BRITISH TEAM TO EVER WIN THE WORLD CUP TITLE.
That means Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, (certainly) Hull City, Everton, Blackburn, (duh), Wigan...NONE of them have ever accomplished what http://www.manutd.com/ has by becoming THE FIRST BRITISH TEAM TO EVER WIN THE WORLD CUP TITLE.
(Now, don't get this confused with England's winning the World Cup in 1966. That's the England National team's win. I am very proud of England. Especially since there are so many ManUnited players on the team!)
I'm so proud that Rio Ferdinand was the Captain (no disrespect to Neville) as the lads took the trophy. I always feel that Rio does a good job of keeping a cool head on the pitch, he communicates well with Sir Alex Ferguson, and he intervenes well on behalf of the players with the referees. Usually. The only disappointment out of all the celebration, of course, is the thing that makes me nearly cry....Nemanja Vidic's send off. In some respects it proves how Manchester United can win a World Cup with only a ten man team. On the other hand, it's heartbreaking to think Vidic might not only have been sent off for such an important game, but he also might be banned for an upcoming match as well.
Apparently, this ban is going to carry over into the UEFA Champion's League when they play Inter Milan in February. Now, I'm not so worried about Inter Milan taking the match as the team that they are now --- but if they get their shoes on the right feet, and run through the gates in the proper direction...they could become a force to be reckoned with, especially with Vidic off the pitch. He's not only an integral part of the Manchester United defense but he's also proven to be the "ace-in-the-hole" on more than one occasion by scoring out of nowhere when we needed it most.
Sir Alex is being the lovely diplomat about it all (at present) and I commend him for that. He says it (the send off and red card) was the right thing for the ref to do at the time. However, I have not yet seen or heard what SAF is saying about the possibility of the suspension carrying over into the UEFA's upcoming match. The elbow is easy to see in slow motion replay, but it's really hard to know exactly what the momentum of their body's inertia was, the velocity in which they were carried, or how hard of a shove off Nemanja was taking as he launched himself up off of the Liga player. As a fan of the man, I see it as his simply his trying to get up after a fall. I'm sure a fan of the other team, would see the incident as an insult to their player. Regardless of the exact motive – we have a red card and have to face the possibility that #15 might not be on pitch against Inter Milan in February.
Now, on to the man of the hour – or rather, the Man of the Match, Wayne Rooney! He scored the winning goal in the 73rd minute of the game to win the trophy 1-0. Whew! Saving the day, that "White Pele." First off, let's rewind a bit to Gamba the other night. Sir Alex Ferguson switched out Tevez and Rooney while we were ahead 2-0. Just as Rooney was coming onto the pitch, Yamakazi. scored for Japan. Rooney's answer to Japan's slicing our lead in half? Within one minute (or less?), he zapped a goal past their keeper like a stone in the ocean! Then, what do we do? BAM-BAM hat trick like nobody's business and the score goes to 5-1. Endo gets a penalty kick and bumps it to a less embarrassing 5-2 for the Japanese.
Now, right here, I must comment on the merits of the penalty kick he'd been awarded. Total bollocks. Neville supposedly had an arm in but it was really a ball that hit his arm from behind. It was a ridiculous call, Neville had no idea the ball was coming at him. One of the game's announcers said there had been an earlier arm ball that was not called out, so this probably balanced out. Phooey on that notion as well. Either a ref makes a call it when it happens or they don't call it at all, that's it. The ball that hit Neville was not from his deliberately swinging his arm into the path of the ball's play. The ball was kicked into Neville's arm, from behind. "Nuff said.
So, Endo gets one by our Eddie. It happens sometimes, even the best keeper in the league, Edwin Van der Sar, can’t swat every fly. I do not think our Dutchman gets enough credit, though. So often, all of the blogs and message boards are about the guys running on the pitch, and it is well deserved praise – I'm right there shouting "Halleluiah" with the rest. I just don't see enough "atta' boys" and "Man of the Match" praises thrown to our Eddie. (I love to call him our Eddie, I don't know if he'd hate it or not!) Anyway, as always Van der Sar played a huge role in this victory…as he always does. He knocked out so many, very close-to-the-post balls, especially once we'd gone down to just ten men after Vidic's send off. This comes as no surprise that Eddie's got the skill for the sweet taste of being the BEST on the planet…this is his second world title, his first was with Ajax in 2004. (They haven't played CL football in, so long…I think since he left, do you see the connection?).
BUT I DIGRESS…..back to our World Cup Title
The Man of the Match, # 10, Striker, Wayne Rooney scored the goal that proved Manchester United is the Greatest team on Earth. This happens to have been his third goal in less than one and a half games! He got two during that Gamba match.
I haven't even gotten into the other amazing players and the plays they made! Perhaps after I've had the chance to study my recording of the game more in depth, I'll add to this. But for now, I'm lovin' Manchester United with the rest of ya'll who do and tryin' to educate those of you who don't YET! ~ Wendy Wells
PS – One final little note to Sir Alex. Please Sir, grab up Michael Owen. We don't need him as a Skipper but can't you just imagine the Striker on our team? Oh, the rhythm he and Rooney, Ronney, Berby, Brownie and the rest would all have together…think about it, please!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Super Bowl XLIII: Attend it or Enjoy it on Direct TV? : Direct TV Satellite TV Blog
Super Bowl XLIII: Attend it or Enjoy it on Direct TV? : Direct TV Satellite TV Blog
This is an example of my work. Since it is on my own business site, let me make it clear that I am not trying to sell the product or content. I am only showing an example of a blog style article that I was hired to write.
This is an example of my work. Since it is on my own business site, let me make it clear that I am not trying to sell the product or content. I am only showing an example of a blog style article that I was hired to write.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
When Service Stinks - It Smells Like Wild Dog
Thought I'd include this bad experience I had written about in a previous blog from last year.
Bad experiences I have had occurred at Wild Wing Cafe one night (Ardsley Plaza, Charlotte, NC) when we ordered nachos with NO jalapenos and told the server I am allergic to them. A different guy brought out the platter and each cheesy chip had a jalapeno sitting on it. We told him I am allergic to them and sent it back only to have the same one returned with the jalapenos picked off! We could still see the indentation from them on the cheese AND some droplets of jalapeno juice were still on the chips! Now, it wouldn't have KILLED me to eat them but I would have become tremendously uncomfortable with hives, swollen and runny eyes, asthma coughing and of course, the need to give myself a shot, which I hate to do.
Another bad experience was at the Fox and Hound in Winston-Salem, NC. I handed my allergy card to the waitress and asked her to check with the kitchen staff if the tartar sauce was safe for me to eat. I rarely eat fried foods but the Fish & Chips sounded good. She came back a little while later saying, "they don't know, so you better just not order it." SAY WHAT? I got up and asked for the manager on duty to come speak to me. I handed him my card and asked him to check the label of the tartar sauce and see if it was safe for me. (Often contains mustard powder or mustard flour.) He checked, I couldn't eat it. But to have to go through the hassle of demanding service like that is bollocks! Hello? Is anybody listening? CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NOT A REQUEST, IT IS AN EXPECTATION! I have more than 20 years of food and beverage service under my belt and know this is not the way good business is conducted.
Bad experiences I have had occurred at Wild Wing Cafe one night (Ardsley Plaza, Charlotte, NC) when we ordered nachos with NO jalapenos and told the server I am allergic to them. A different guy brought out the platter and each cheesy chip had a jalapeno sitting on it. We told him I am allergic to them and sent it back only to have the same one returned with the jalapenos picked off! We could still see the indentation from them on the cheese AND some droplets of jalapeno juice were still on the chips! Now, it wouldn't have KILLED me to eat them but I would have become tremendously uncomfortable with hives, swollen and runny eyes, asthma coughing and of course, the need to give myself a shot, which I hate to do.
Another bad experience was at the Fox and Hound in Winston-Salem, NC. I handed my allergy card to the waitress and asked her to check with the kitchen staff if the tartar sauce was safe for me to eat. I rarely eat fried foods but the Fish & Chips sounded good. She came back a little while later saying, "they don't know, so you better just not order it." SAY WHAT? I got up and asked for the manager on duty to come speak to me. I handed him my card and asked him to check the label of the tartar sauce and see if it was safe for me. (Often contains mustard powder or mustard flour.) He checked, I couldn't eat it. But to have to go through the hassle of demanding service like that is bollocks! Hello? Is anybody listening? CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NOT A REQUEST, IT IS AN EXPECTATION! I have more than 20 years of food and beverage service under my belt and know this is not the way good business is conducted.
Hard to Feed Lady ~ Loves to Eat at Blue! (Food Allergy Queen)
My most recent experience at Blue was after the Second Harvest Food Bank's Awards Banquet for their "Canstruction" competition, at the Convention Center, Uptown. Local architects and builders created sculptures out of nothing but food products, which were really amazing to see!
Well, at the banquet, there was NOTHING safe for me to eat. (Due to my crazy food allergies that came on just a few years ago, I have to be REALLY careful about what I eat.) Everything had either some sort of mustard sauce or paprika splashed all over it, which would have made me blow up and need a trip to the hospital...yuck! Bad choice. Other options were meat products, which I don't eat. So, I stood there nibbling dry crackers and sipping a glass of wine while everyone else gorged. Nathan said, "We gotta' feed you!" We walked back to the parking garage, took his car around the block and started to drive around Uptown. Neither of us wanted pizza or pasta, so Fuel and Brixx was eliminated. The evening was getting started into "club scene," so sushi at Cosmo's was nixed, we could have gone with one of the big name steak houses; but they usually have only two choices for me. A shell fish of some sort, or a grilled slice of fish, which is often prepared as blandly as possible. I wanted something tasty. We looked at each other and both said, "Blue."
Since it has been a while between this blog and our visit, I'm only going to comment on what I REALLY remember perfectly. (I promise to be quicker with other reviews!) Our server was excellent and I don't remember his name, so I will have to investigate.
A few years ago, Nathan made a laminated allergy card for me and it lists all of the seasonings I'm allergic to, as well as the warning to be aware that cross-contamination of utensils, gloves and other food handling need to be closely observed, when preparing my food. Everywhere we go, managers, servers and chefs LOVE the card. I want him to patent and sell them.
I've gotten so tired of telling servers about my allergies and whipping out the card, that I let Nathan do it when we're out together. (After all, I have to handle it all the times he's NOT around, don't I?)
As we had our drinks, Nathan had a Booker's on the rocks (I think) and I was drinking a split of Moet and Chandon, Champagne (I know), we looked at the menu and studied the seasonings. (Nathan knowes them by heart, too.) Usually what I do is, find a few items on the menu that sound good to me and ask the server to see if they are safe. On this night at Blue I did the same and the server left, with my allergy card in hand, to speak to the chef. When he returned, he told us that Chef Gene Briggs has a relative in his family, who also has food allergies, so he really understands the special needs of a person like me. Chef Briggs had an area cleared away in the kitchen, which would serve as the only place where my food would be prepared. This way, my food is separate from any of the seasonings that can harm me, and there would be great diligence in hand washing and glove changing, he would personally see to it. I almost wanted to cry, or run back to the kitchen and hug Chef Briggs around the neck. The server also said that the chef remembered seeing my allergy card before, on other visits to Blue and that tonight, he took the liberty of making a copy of it to keep it on file. So, from now on, when I know I am going to Blue, I can fax or email Chef Briggs directly to let him know I am coming. He can be prepared and make something special for me.
He has done exactly that twice. One night, Chef Briggs made something VERY special for me with the Jumbo Diver Scallops, and my mouth is watering as I recollect the meal. Nathan and I were going to see The Cure at Bobcat's Arena with our friends, Phil and Sara Harris. We met up at Blue before the show for a quick bite and a drink. I wanted the Scallops so much but they were wrapped in Procuitto and I don't eat meat, don't even like the flavor if it's peeled away. Chef Briggs made a completely different recipe, off the menu for me that night and I can't even describe it. To say it melted in my mouth is so cliché' but it did…the food was so full of flavor but not overwhelmingly so. Incredible. When a Chef is willing to accommodate a diner by going so far "off menu," you know this is the place to eat.
So, on the night of the Second Harvest Banquet that couldn't feed me, I wanted to eat something different from that previous visit, with Phil and Sara Harris. So, I ordered the Whole Roasted Mediterranean Sea Bass, with fresh herbs, artichokes, pear tomatoes and a lemon spinach orzo pasta. This menu description immediately had my attention because I love sea bass, lemon, spinach, artichokes and I'm very fond of orzo. I don't remember if Chef Briggs had to change the recipe at all to accommodate my allergies. There may have been some seasonings he had to leave out or substitute, it doesn't matter to me, the meal was excellent.
The server brought the fish…as the menu says, the WHOLE fish to the table and cordially asked if I would like him to remove the fish's head and bones. I replied that, I would appreciate his doing so. (I don't eat fish very often anymore and I certainly don't want it looking at me while I do! Picking and spitting bones, also not too ladylike.) He worked quickly, so the fish was still hot once I was able to begin eating. Nathan was waiting for me to get my meal before he'd begin eating, so I encouraged him to start without me (isn't that sweet? 8 years later and he's still so chivalrous). He had ordered the Pomegranate Glazed Lamb Loin Grilled over an apricot and toasted pine nut couscous with a carrot, mint salad and a cardamon scented yogurt. Nathan was very happy with it and said it had been cooked to perfection. (He practically licked his plate clean, so I know he liked it!) I remember l loved mine as well and that I had no complaint whatsoever.
Alex Myrick came over and spoke with us for quite a while. He wanted to come over and make sure that everything had gone well with my meal and most importantly, that I felt Ok. From across the room, Alex was simply approaching the table where "the blonde lady with the allergies" was sitting. Once he got to our table and saw us up close, he realized he knew who we are. Alex and Nathan have known each other for a long time, and between Blue and Table, we've seen him a few times over the last several years. However, the topic of my allergies was the main focus at first. We told him how my food allergies came on just a few years ago, in my late '30's….literally out of nowhere, practically overnight. Alex and I agreed that part of the training process in food and beverage related industries, should be based on the topic of food allergies. I have more than twenty years of food and beverage experience, and I can honestly say that very few places I have worked, managed and trained employees; spend enough time discussing the dangers of anaphylaxis.
As for the rest of the meal that night, I remember Nathan had a top-shelf bourbon on the rocks just not positive which one (they have all the best), and I had a couple of Moet & Chandon White Star, Champagne splits. During other visits there, we've had some really great wine.
Alex Myrick has an amazing wine list at Blue and as a former bar manager myself, I'm very impressed with the variety of gorgeous flavors. Not all of them are the highest dollar bottles on the market either. Some of my favorites are really fantastic grapes and they're not the most expensive on the menu, either. The Vignale, Veneto Pinto Grigio is from Northern Italy, it's light, not too overpowering and get this, it's Vegan/Organic! However, Santa Margherita, Valdadige, Pinot Grigio is my personal favorite and it's a bit higher in price. Chardonnay's Rombauer is a MUST on any decent wine list and Alex has it at the top of the Carneros Region wines.
You can check the wines for yourself, so I'll leave them at that, except to say I am surprised at the lack of Sonoma Valley wines he has (that aren't in the Reserve price range). The Napa Valley selection is huge, don't get me wrong – he has an amazing selection. What I was looking for specifically, was either the Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon Rodney Strong (he has the Reserve) or Chateau St. Jean's Cabernet Sauvignon. Now, I know he can't carry EVERYTHING that everyone likes and some wines just have to be left off the list. It's just my personal opinion that the Sonoma Valley gets too little attention and is overshadowed by the Napa Valley, not only by Alex Myrick at Blue – but really, by many other restaurants, too. But I'll get to those at another time!
Overall grade – A+
Awesome job by our server (I really wish I could remember his name and the next time I see him, I will remedy this!)
Fantastic care by Chef Gene Briggs and the rest of the kitchen staff.
Personal attention from the owner and not only because of the previous friendship with Nathan!
Well, at the banquet, there was NOTHING safe for me to eat. (Due to my crazy food allergies that came on just a few years ago, I have to be REALLY careful about what I eat.) Everything had either some sort of mustard sauce or paprika splashed all over it, which would have made me blow up and need a trip to the hospital...yuck! Bad choice. Other options were meat products, which I don't eat. So, I stood there nibbling dry crackers and sipping a glass of wine while everyone else gorged. Nathan said, "We gotta' feed you!" We walked back to the parking garage, took his car around the block and started to drive around Uptown. Neither of us wanted pizza or pasta, so Fuel and Brixx was eliminated. The evening was getting started into "club scene," so sushi at Cosmo's was nixed, we could have gone with one of the big name steak houses; but they usually have only two choices for me. A shell fish of some sort, or a grilled slice of fish, which is often prepared as blandly as possible. I wanted something tasty. We looked at each other and both said, "Blue."
Since it has been a while between this blog and our visit, I'm only going to comment on what I REALLY remember perfectly. (I promise to be quicker with other reviews!) Our server was excellent and I don't remember his name, so I will have to investigate.
A few years ago, Nathan made a laminated allergy card for me and it lists all of the seasonings I'm allergic to, as well as the warning to be aware that cross-contamination of utensils, gloves and other food handling need to be closely observed, when preparing my food. Everywhere we go, managers, servers and chefs LOVE the card. I want him to patent and sell them.
I've gotten so tired of telling servers about my allergies and whipping out the card, that I let Nathan do it when we're out together. (After all, I have to handle it all the times he's NOT around, don't I?)
As we had our drinks, Nathan had a Booker's on the rocks (I think) and I was drinking a split of Moet and Chandon, Champagne (I know), we looked at the menu and studied the seasonings. (Nathan knowes them by heart, too.) Usually what I do is, find a few items on the menu that sound good to me and ask the server to see if they are safe. On this night at Blue I did the same and the server left, with my allergy card in hand, to speak to the chef. When he returned, he told us that Chef Gene Briggs has a relative in his family, who also has food allergies, so he really understands the special needs of a person like me. Chef Briggs had an area cleared away in the kitchen, which would serve as the only place where my food would be prepared. This way, my food is separate from any of the seasonings that can harm me, and there would be great diligence in hand washing and glove changing, he would personally see to it. I almost wanted to cry, or run back to the kitchen and hug Chef Briggs around the neck. The server also said that the chef remembered seeing my allergy card before, on other visits to Blue and that tonight, he took the liberty of making a copy of it to keep it on file. So, from now on, when I know I am going to Blue, I can fax or email Chef Briggs directly to let him know I am coming. He can be prepared and make something special for me.
He has done exactly that twice. One night, Chef Briggs made something VERY special for me with the Jumbo Diver Scallops, and my mouth is watering as I recollect the meal. Nathan and I were going to see The Cure at Bobcat's Arena with our friends, Phil and Sara Harris. We met up at Blue before the show for a quick bite and a drink. I wanted the Scallops so much but they were wrapped in Procuitto and I don't eat meat, don't even like the flavor if it's peeled away. Chef Briggs made a completely different recipe, off the menu for me that night and I can't even describe it. To say it melted in my mouth is so cliché' but it did…the food was so full of flavor but not overwhelmingly so. Incredible. When a Chef is willing to accommodate a diner by going so far "off menu," you know this is the place to eat.
So, on the night of the Second Harvest Banquet that couldn't feed me, I wanted to eat something different from that previous visit, with Phil and Sara Harris. So, I ordered the Whole Roasted Mediterranean Sea Bass, with fresh herbs, artichokes, pear tomatoes and a lemon spinach orzo pasta. This menu description immediately had my attention because I love sea bass, lemon, spinach, artichokes and I'm very fond of orzo. I don't remember if Chef Briggs had to change the recipe at all to accommodate my allergies. There may have been some seasonings he had to leave out or substitute, it doesn't matter to me, the meal was excellent.
The server brought the fish…as the menu says, the WHOLE fish to the table and cordially asked if I would like him to remove the fish's head and bones. I replied that, I would appreciate his doing so. (I don't eat fish very often anymore and I certainly don't want it looking at me while I do! Picking and spitting bones, also not too ladylike.) He worked quickly, so the fish was still hot once I was able to begin eating. Nathan was waiting for me to get my meal before he'd begin eating, so I encouraged him to start without me (isn't that sweet? 8 years later and he's still so chivalrous). He had ordered the Pomegranate Glazed Lamb Loin Grilled over an apricot and toasted pine nut couscous with a carrot, mint salad and a cardamon scented yogurt. Nathan was very happy with it and said it had been cooked to perfection. (He practically licked his plate clean, so I know he liked it!) I remember l loved mine as well and that I had no complaint whatsoever.
Alex Myrick came over and spoke with us for quite a while. He wanted to come over and make sure that everything had gone well with my meal and most importantly, that I felt Ok. From across the room, Alex was simply approaching the table where "the blonde lady with the allergies" was sitting. Once he got to our table and saw us up close, he realized he knew who we are. Alex and Nathan have known each other for a long time, and between Blue and Table, we've seen him a few times over the last several years. However, the topic of my allergies was the main focus at first. We told him how my food allergies came on just a few years ago, in my late '30's….literally out of nowhere, practically overnight. Alex and I agreed that part of the training process in food and beverage related industries, should be based on the topic of food allergies. I have more than twenty years of food and beverage experience, and I can honestly say that very few places I have worked, managed and trained employees; spend enough time discussing the dangers of anaphylaxis.
As for the rest of the meal that night, I remember Nathan had a top-shelf bourbon on the rocks just not positive which one (they have all the best), and I had a couple of Moet & Chandon White Star, Champagne splits. During other visits there, we've had some really great wine.
Alex Myrick has an amazing wine list at Blue and as a former bar manager myself, I'm very impressed with the variety of gorgeous flavors. Not all of them are the highest dollar bottles on the market either. Some of my favorites are really fantastic grapes and they're not the most expensive on the menu, either. The Vignale, Veneto Pinto Grigio is from Northern Italy, it's light, not too overpowering and get this, it's Vegan/Organic! However, Santa Margherita, Valdadige, Pinot Grigio is my personal favorite and it's a bit higher in price. Chardonnay's Rombauer is a MUST on any decent wine list and Alex has it at the top of the Carneros Region wines.
You can check the wines for yourself, so I'll leave them at that, except to say I am surprised at the lack of Sonoma Valley wines he has (that aren't in the Reserve price range). The Napa Valley selection is huge, don't get me wrong – he has an amazing selection. What I was looking for specifically, was either the Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon Rodney Strong (he has the Reserve) or Chateau St. Jean's Cabernet Sauvignon. Now, I know he can't carry EVERYTHING that everyone likes and some wines just have to be left off the list. It's just my personal opinion that the Sonoma Valley gets too little attention and is overshadowed by the Napa Valley, not only by Alex Myrick at Blue – but really, by many other restaurants, too. But I'll get to those at another time!
Overall grade – A+
Awesome job by our server (I really wish I could remember his name and the next time I see him, I will remedy this!)
Fantastic care by Chef Gene Briggs and the rest of the kitchen staff.
Personal attention from the owner and not only because of the previous friendship with Nathan!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Tense Writing
While reading various articles and doing research, I frequently come across business writing and web items that I think I can write better. I'm a proofreader and editor, it's what I do! When trying to write for business or any other sort of correspondence, it is important to maintain a consistent voice. One mistake I find on a regular basis is when web designers do not maintain a common tense. I think the mistake of switching tense is often made when a writer is trying to keep the tone of the text casual. Or, a writer might misuse tense by trying to keep the same tense. A few tips can be pulled from these examples to get you on your way to writing better business correspondence.
This example is pulled from the biography of a professional:
XYZ Company was founded in 2005 by Jane Doe. Ms. Doe's mission was to assist companies in achieving their strategic business goals.
In trying to be consistent, this writer has made an error in tense. The word "was" indicates that particular mission is in the past, which therefore, implies her mission has changed. If the mission has not changed, the sentence should be revised. One option is:
Ms. Jane Doe founded XYZ Company in 2005, with the continuing mission to assist companies in achieve their strategic business goals.
However, aren't most companies goals business related? Is it necessary to spell out "business goals?"
The XYZ Company was founded in 2005 by Ms. Jane Doe. XYZ's strategy is based on Ms. Jane Doe's mission to guide companies as they realize their goals.
If someone has to read something more than once to understand what it means, rewrite it for clarification.
We accept a 25% - 50% up front payment after agreement of project scope and terms, remaining balance is due upon successful completion, unless other terms have been arranged.
Three separate clauses are awkward and have to be re-read in order to be properly understood.
Rewritten:
When the client and our firm have reached an agreement on the project’s scope and terms, we expect a 25% to 50% payment before work begins. The remaining balance is due upon completion. Any other arrangement of terms will be written into the contract. We find this protects your interests, and ours.
This example is pulled from the biography of a professional:
XYZ Company was founded in 2005 by Jane Doe. Ms. Doe's mission was to assist companies in achieving their strategic business goals.
In trying to be consistent, this writer has made an error in tense. The word "was" indicates that particular mission is in the past, which therefore, implies her mission has changed. If the mission has not changed, the sentence should be revised. One option is:
Ms. Jane Doe founded XYZ Company in 2005, with the continuing mission to assist companies in achieve their strategic business goals.
However, aren't most companies goals business related? Is it necessary to spell out "business goals?"
The XYZ Company was founded in 2005 by Ms. Jane Doe. XYZ's strategy is based on Ms. Jane Doe's mission to guide companies as they realize their goals.
If someone has to read something more than once to understand what it means, rewrite it for clarification.
We accept a 25% - 50% up front payment after agreement of project scope and terms, remaining balance is due upon successful completion, unless other terms have been arranged.
Three separate clauses are awkward and have to be re-read in order to be properly understood.
Rewritten:
When the client and our firm have reached an agreement on the project’s scope and terms, we expect a 25% to 50% payment before work begins. The remaining balance is due upon completion. Any other arrangement of terms will be written into the contract. We find this protects your interests, and ours.
Detailed Service Description
Passionate professionals who use the power of the written word to help you achieve your objectives.
Just because there is a header, doesn’t mean the sentence below it shouldn’t be capable of standing alone.
Rewritten:
Our services are provided by passionate professionals using the power of the written word, to help you achieve your objectives.
Obviously, a casual and conversational tone works very well and is expected in certain circumstances. Formal language and technical verbiage can appear snobbish, and frankly, it can look as if the writer is working too hard to prove they know big words. Appearing erudite is not necessarily a bad thing, when it's shown in small doses. – wdw.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Another Semester of School
So, another semester until I graduate. It's my own fault I didn't pass the MA exam. I took on teaching a Film Class at the University because my vanity screamed, "Yes, Professor! Of course I'll teach the class because you think I'm so brilliant and worthy - with high quality lecture skills and vast amounts of film knowledge!"
Then of course, there is the stupidity of my own making where I misread the required list of works to read and study. I thought I already knew over half of them. All summer, I kept saying (not only to myself, but out loud to others), "I really should be studying and reading for my MA exam..."
There is no silver lining yet but there is a silver line. My independent study professor has agreed to continue helping me write my novel next semester. Thank God! I got stuck - or rather, the freaking people in my head got stuck. Oh, they've been busy - don't get me wrong...they're always busy. They were actively trying to escape while I was studying and cramming and STRESSING during the MA exam prep time but NOW?
Now that it is time for them to get out and get on the page, they've started to argue with me. They don't want to do this...they don't want to do that....the water's too cold...the dog wouldn't do that....a snitch wouldn't break so easily....and on and on. They cooperate to some degree, they love me if they're supposed to love me, they creep me out if they're murderers, but their ACTIONS are ........... stalled, on the side of the road with a white flag sticking out of the window.
Then, this other chick came along and had the nerve to create a whole other story line in my head. Not only did she do that but her story line involves TWO separate story lines! Kind of a "Sliding Doors" deal but not really that easy. She doesn't know where she's going either....her name's Shelley...brunette, drives a convertible - which I kind of think is a flaw in her character. It's a grossly vain thing but one of the story lines gets rid of it.
Anyway, the screenplay was no easier to write because the characters took over and barely let me speak at all. See, they were only dialogue. So they got to do, say and take the story where ever they wanted! I couldn't control them at all sometimes, couldn't reel them in. At least with the novel, I can hold them in, suck 'em back, cross my legs and negate their birth...I just can't always make them do what I want them to do...UGH! KIDS! Right?
Then of course, there is the stupidity of my own making where I misread the required list of works to read and study. I thought I already knew over half of them. All summer, I kept saying (not only to myself, but out loud to others), "I really should be studying and reading for my MA exam..."
There is no silver lining yet but there is a silver line. My independent study professor has agreed to continue helping me write my novel next semester. Thank God! I got stuck - or rather, the freaking people in my head got stuck. Oh, they've been busy - don't get me wrong...they're always busy. They were actively trying to escape while I was studying and cramming and STRESSING during the MA exam prep time but NOW?
Now that it is time for them to get out and get on the page, they've started to argue with me. They don't want to do this...they don't want to do that....the water's too cold...the dog wouldn't do that....a snitch wouldn't break so easily....and on and on. They cooperate to some degree, they love me if they're supposed to love me, they creep me out if they're murderers, but their ACTIONS are ........... stalled, on the side of the road with a white flag sticking out of the window.
Then, this other chick came along and had the nerve to create a whole other story line in my head. Not only did she do that but her story line involves TWO separate story lines! Kind of a "Sliding Doors" deal but not really that easy. She doesn't know where she's going either....her name's Shelley...brunette, drives a convertible - which I kind of think is a flaw in her character. It's a grossly vain thing but one of the story lines gets rid of it.
Anyway, the screenplay was no easier to write because the characters took over and barely let me speak at all. See, they were only dialogue. So they got to do, say and take the story where ever they wanted! I couldn't control them at all sometimes, couldn't reel them in. At least with the novel, I can hold them in, suck 'em back, cross my legs and negate their birth...I just can't always make them do what I want them to do...UGH! KIDS! Right?
Monday, December 1, 2008
This New Thing - A VERY old Blog
This is pretty cool. Being able to just write stuff and send it out there. The main thing that I have been going through lately is written below. It's been a hard road since I lost my boy, Spanky. I'll come up with something new next time. For now, I'm still so sad that this is all I'm concentrating on. WDW
Subject: Spanky Doodles
I wanted to let you all know that I am back online from my recent move. While I am happy to be in my new home, the joy has been dimmed due to the departure of my beloved, Spanky. My cat of nearly 15 years has left us to go to a place where there is no pain, no kidney failure, no ulcers, no organs shutting down and no more wasting away. He was very brave as he stared into my eyes when he left to go into the Light. We had been preparing for this for a while now and over the past few days when I knew he was feeling as bad as he ever has, I told him I would do whatever he wanted me to do. If he wanted me to alleviate his pain with eternal slumber, I promised I would. If he wanted a bag of doughnuts, I told him I'd get them. Unfortunately, he had stopped eating for the last few days of his life. Spanky had been losing weight over the past few months and those of you who knew him at his full and gloriously muscular 25 pounds would have been very sad to see him at his final 12 pounds. His robust, baritone voice had turned into an old man's craggy complaint. His naps got longer and his waking time was shorter. He began to instigate fewer and fewer of our "stare down" games with his enormous yellow eyes. He would never lose by blinking first and would only lose if he looked away first. Normally though, it was rare that I would win a game of "stare down" with my boy. He was just too good at it.
Dr. Bissell from the Charlotte Cat Clinic said that she could "fix him up" and send him home with me after teaching me to inject him and give him IV fluids. She said that he would not nor ever be the same cat that I had known and that it would have been merely post-poning the inevitable in order to help myself adjust to his dying. I told her that I loved him way too much to let that be the way he lived his final days. I would rather say goodbye to him than see him in the pain I knew he must have been feeling. Once she gave the first injection that made him sleepy it was 5 to 7 minutes until the final injection that would quiet him forever. During the last few moments we had, I held him, sang his song and Pasha's song to him, and rubbed his belly as he always had loved. He held his gaze in my eyes throughout the entire experience. Instead of me telling him it was OK for him to go, I believe he was telling me it was OK for me to let him go. Even after he had passed, his eyes were still staring directly into mine. He won our very last game of stare down and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
God Bless Spanky Doodles
February 14, 1990 - September 20, 2004
Subject: Spanky Doodles
I wanted to let you all know that I am back online from my recent move. While I am happy to be in my new home, the joy has been dimmed due to the departure of my beloved, Spanky. My cat of nearly 15 years has left us to go to a place where there is no pain, no kidney failure, no ulcers, no organs shutting down and no more wasting away. He was very brave as he stared into my eyes when he left to go into the Light. We had been preparing for this for a while now and over the past few days when I knew he was feeling as bad as he ever has, I told him I would do whatever he wanted me to do. If he wanted me to alleviate his pain with eternal slumber, I promised I would. If he wanted a bag of doughnuts, I told him I'd get them. Unfortunately, he had stopped eating for the last few days of his life. Spanky had been losing weight over the past few months and those of you who knew him at his full and gloriously muscular 25 pounds would have been very sad to see him at his final 12 pounds. His robust, baritone voice had turned into an old man's craggy complaint. His naps got longer and his waking time was shorter. He began to instigate fewer and fewer of our "stare down" games with his enormous yellow eyes. He would never lose by blinking first and would only lose if he looked away first. Normally though, it was rare that I would win a game of "stare down" with my boy. He was just too good at it.
Dr. Bissell from the Charlotte Cat Clinic said that she could "fix him up" and send him home with me after teaching me to inject him and give him IV fluids. She said that he would not nor ever be the same cat that I had known and that it would have been merely post-poning the inevitable in order to help myself adjust to his dying. I told her that I loved him way too much to let that be the way he lived his final days. I would rather say goodbye to him than see him in the pain I knew he must have been feeling. Once she gave the first injection that made him sleepy it was 5 to 7 minutes until the final injection that would quiet him forever. During the last few moments we had, I held him, sang his song and Pasha's song to him, and rubbed his belly as he always had loved. He held his gaze in my eyes throughout the entire experience. Instead of me telling him it was OK for him to go, I believe he was telling me it was OK for me to let him go. Even after he had passed, his eyes were still staring directly into mine. He won our very last game of stare down and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
God Bless Spanky Doodles
February 14, 1990 - September 20, 2004
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Edwin Van der Sar's Beautiful, Sticky Hands!
This post is from an older blog that I transfer to this new site. It's in praise of our amazing keeper, Edwin Van der Sar.
Aston Villa vs. Manchester United - November 22, 2008
How about that lovely save and keep that our AMAZING Edwin performed during this particular game? With ONE hand on the ball, right at line, his hand stayed on the ball, Milner's foot kicked it, Van der Sar's hand KEPT the ball, then his other hand came around, both hands picked up the ball and Edwin stood up.Incredible! It was a beautiful move. The commentators (the ones I suffered through here in the South East USA) were saying how Van der Sar's gloves must have glue on them....but nope, we all know it's just his fantastic talent shining through.A one-handed ball retention, against Milner's kick! THAT deserves some recognition!(Manchester United is the best team on the planet and they will prove it again this year! - I agree they are having a rough start but you just wait and see - they'll pull it out and take the cup! FIFA can blow Sir Fergie's arse!)
Obviously, we know that now -- the World Cup has been taken by our lads!
Aston Villa vs. Manchester United - November 22, 2008
How about that lovely save and keep that our AMAZING Edwin performed during this particular game? With ONE hand on the ball, right at line, his hand stayed on the ball, Milner's foot kicked it, Van der Sar's hand KEPT the ball, then his other hand came around, both hands picked up the ball and Edwin stood up.Incredible! It was a beautiful move. The commentators (the ones I suffered through here in the South East USA) were saying how Van der Sar's gloves must have glue on them....but nope, we all know it's just his fantastic talent shining through.A one-handed ball retention, against Milner's kick! THAT deserves some recognition!(Manchester United is the best team on the planet and they will prove it again this year! - I agree they are having a rough start but you just wait and see - they'll pull it out and take the cup! FIFA can blow Sir Fergie's arse!)
Obviously, we know that now -- the World Cup has been taken by our lads!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
