Would you like some cheese with that...

As promised, per my New Years Resolution, here comes two more wine reviews for your reading pleasure. Unfortunately for me, the wines were less than a pleasure to drink. These two definitely weren't awful (and I've had some awful wine...), but they were more...well, let's allow my review of them speak more of my mind...


First up, a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Turning Leaf winery in California. It has a very rich red color and a very dry nose (not always a good sign for me...) and it's flavor matched it. While in most cases this would be a plus, in this Cab Sauv, not so much. The dryness and oakiness overtook the fruit flavors that lie beneath it, leaving it tasting like a generic dry red wine than an individual. However, after a few days uncorked and breathing, it developed a much richer flavor, balancing out the dryness and making the drinking much more pleasurable. Turning Leaf gets points for presentation (nice label and all...) and having a wine that improves with some time, but this will not be a wine I will be revisiting often. Not a fan of many dry reds, anyways...


Next, a 2008 Pinot Grigio from the Lumina winery in Italy (my second European wine...). Like many Pinot Gris I've tried, this has a fresh and fruity nose. However, like the Cab Sauv I just mentioned, it's flavor fell into the realm of the generic. Nothing really stood out other than tasting like 'wine'. In its defense (also like the Cab Sauv...), a day or two open and a more unique flavor came forward. An interesting note: this Pinot Gri has a screw on top rather than a cork. I wonder if this (as with some others I've tried...) affects the taste and longevity of the wine or if it's all in my head. Either way, this particular wine will take a back seat to my preferred ones. Nice try, Lumina...

Now, despite my earlier mentioning of not enjoying dry reds too often, the next review contains at least one if not both wines being red and dry (I haven't broken into wine #2 yet...). Reason: these wines, more than any other, are ones that I need to slog my way through to find the gems. Thankfully, the first is a keeper, so that's something. Till then, it's always a fine time for wine...

What time is it...

ADVENTURE TIME!!!


A smattering of years ago, a short toon made itself aware to me via Youtube. The toon in question: Adventure Time. It. Was. Hilarious. Surprisingly, enough it has remained funny even if it has waned in the eyes of some. It's a sort of random assortment of cartoon moments and cliches and still manages to be fresh. I look at it as a parody of the more ridiculous elements of modern cartoons, but not in such away that it smacks of meanness, spite, or ridicule. Not only is it geared toward the young, it is also a sort of love note to us adults who enjoy an absurd yet harmless show...



A quick bit of info: Adventure Time was created by Pendleton Ward and was nominated for an Annie Award. The toon detailed the exploits of Pen (changed to Finn) and his magic dog Jake. They battled the Ice King and rescued the Princess. That's where the normal parts ended. We are introduced to a Rainacorn, an Iceclops, a lost elemental, Abraham Lincoln in the past...on Mars, and then we see ninjas stealing an old mans diamonds. Cah-razy... Afterward, it developed a cult following due to its' aforementioned random absurdness and easy to use catch-phrases, such as 'Rhombus!' and 'Hey sloppy milkshake...'. Further, since being discovered on the interwebs, people have wanted to show turned into a series. And now, finally after 4 years, Cartoon Network is going to give us what we wanted. Awesome...



Now, I've seen some of the promos for the new show and I am pleased with the results. The animation style is slightly different, but not too much. They did change a few of the voice actors (which is moderately understandable, since it's been 4 freakin' years...), and here I do have a complaint. I have no feelings about the actors for Finn or the Princess, but they changed the Ice King's voice from Charles Adler to Tom Kenny. While I have nothing against Tom Kenny (his biggest claim to fame is Spongebob...), Charles Adler voiced The Cryptkeeper from Tales from the Crypt. And that's just cool on so many levels. I am glad John DiMaggio has returned to do Jake's voice, for he is also to voice of Bender on Futurama. Awesome...

Here's the link to see the original short. Also, check out the other, newer bits from the up and coming series and tell me what you think. If I missed something awesome, point it out to me...