Child’s play

I/O part 2

If you want better outputs, use better/new inputs.

So I’m just beginning to read Atlas Shrugged. Why? I’m actually developing an interest in governance, particularly as it pertains to economic issues. This week I watched on CSPAN a plenary session of a Federalist Society meeting that featured a panel of two law-school professors, Steve Forbes and a labor union representative. (Did I really just write that sentence?) It was really interesting, particularly as it highlighted the fact that two smart people can look at the same historical events and pick exact opposite reasons as the causal factors. Anyway I am trying to shrug off the most shrill and sensational voices in politics and instead gain a real understanding of conservative economic philosophy. Atlas Shrugged checks in at an intimidating 1000+ pages of small type, but I keep telling myself I’ve plowed through Shogun 10 times, so I can do it.

On the chess front, I’ve lucked* onto a squad for February’s US Amateur Team East that could compete on the top boards. So I better get my books on. To that end I’ve ordered an endgame book and an opening book, and constructed a study/practice plan to be in top shape by the time I hit Parsippany. Good inputs + hard work = better play.

*Actually it’s not luck. The key is to know Boston Blitz assistant manager Matt Phelps.

Wine postscript – a trick for ordering a good bottle for your friends at a restaurant when the wine list ends up in your hands

Order any 2006 Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley area of Oregon.

Pinot Noir, 2006, Willamette.

Not kidding. It works. Especially if you’re willing to cough up an extra $20 – $30. This one from Ponzi Vineyards kicks serious butt, should you be so lucky as to find it.

(Why 2006? Has to do with the weather that year. Although some sites are claiming 2008 was/will be even better.)

A little w(h)ine

Second question about France, after “eat any good food?”, is typically “drink any good wine?”

Yes. Every glass of it was from the local region, Domaine Ventoux, which I’m assured we won’t be able to find in the US. But it wasn’t anything crazy anyway. Just pleasant.

Now I did have a particularly agonizing wine experience. With two kids in the car, I set off for the Theatre Antique in Orange. (The theater is, oh, maybe 1,900 years old. Cool. See pic, taken on my iPhone. They still perform opera there, but mostly it’s a museum. – We have a corner cupboard in our house that’s called an ’antique’ because it’s 100 years old. Yeesh.)

Anyhoo, the drive from Sault to Orange was both amazing and harrowing. We drove along the back side of Mont Ventoux on twisty roads cut into the steep hillside, with little or no protective railing. Went through several picturesque villages. Then out of the mountains and down into what turned out to be the Rhone river valley. Vineyards on both sides, far as the eye could see.

I’m still largely an ignoramous about French wine, but I do recognize Cote du Rhone as a famous wine region. And now that I’m back and looking through a wine atlas, I see that Orange is maybe 15 minutes north of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, an area that gained international appeal due to the influence of Robert Parker. You can almost definitely find Chateauneuf-du-Pape in your local wine store (and probably pay a good bit for the privilege).

So there I was, driving past sign after sign for “Degustation” — free tastings at each local vineyard’s shop.

If ever I get back to the Cote du Rhone and Chateauneuf-du-Pape, there will be no children in the car!

Playing dumb

Ted Danson. New series Bored to Death with Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore) on HBO. Ted’s aging well. Striking looks work particularly well for this character, who’s dumb as a bag of hammers. Very funny.

Which brings to mind fond memories of…

Bill Pullman in Ruthless People. Mentally three or four scenes behind at all times. “This could very well be the dumbest person on the face of the Earth. Perhaps we should shoot him.”

George Clooney, O Brother.

Brad Pitt, Burn After Reading. It’s amazing what chewing gum does to your IQ.

What makes it fun is that the character has to think he’s pretty smart. It takes a genuinely smart actor to do it well.