Wine around the world

I've currently got my man Blake Gray doing some writing here on sake, but that won't stop me from writing about it when I've got something to say or notes to share.

Like Blake, I made my annual pilgrimage to the Joy of Sake, an event which is effectively the largest sake tasting outside of Japan, and which is a wonderful treat for those who enjoy this nectar.

Much to my continued delight, America seems to be discovering fine sake at a fantastic rate. And I don't mean the hot stuff that every sushi restaurant has been serving since the early Eighties. Apart from the dedicated and authentic Japanese restaurants that even years ago managed to import enough to serve their customers, it seems to me that fine sake first began gaining traction in luxury dining restaurants. I remember my surprise when I found some very nice sakes on the list at the French Laundry several years ago. From the upper echelons of dining, sake has spread to nearly every sort of moderately upscale restaurant, and is also featured in many of the hippest new cocktails in lounges and bars across the country.

Which I suppose was why there were hundreds of people tasting alongside Blake and myself a few weeks ago at the San Francisco Hilton. In my usual ambitious fashion I set out to taste a lot of sake, but there's just way too much sake at this event for even a power-taster like me to taste it all. Plus, I had a conflicting commitment that evening which meant I could only spend a couple of hours tasting (instead of my usual three or four). As a result I concentrated on the type of sake that I like the most.

And I really do mean concentrate. Tasting sake is much more difficult than wine. The flavors and aromas are much more subtle, and because sake (even more so than wine) really should be paired with food, there's also a constant need to be nibbling on something as I go along. Which slows me down even more.

DAIGINJO SAKE TASTING NOTES
Daiginjos are generally my favorite type of sake. They tend to be the most delicate, the most aromatic, and unfortunately the most expensive. In order to be classified as a daiginjo, the rice used in the brewing process must be polished to at least 50% of its former volume, though the rice for some high-end sakes has been polished down to a mere 30% of its original volume.

I tasted all 133 daiginjo sakes that were available.

DIAGINJO SAKES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9.5
Okunomatsu Shuzo Okunomatsu "Junmai Daiginjo," Fukushima Prefecture
Minogawa Shuzo "Koshi no Omachi," Niigata Prefecture
Saiya Shuzoten Yuki no Bosha "Akita Sake Komachi Shikomi" Daiginjo, Akita Prefecture
Saito Shuzo Eikun "Ichigin" Junmai Daiginjo, Kyoto Prefecture
Nishida Shuzoten Nishida "Utou Hyakuyonju" Daiginjo, Aomori Prefecture
Nishida Shuzoten Nishida "Utou" Daiginjo, Aomori Prefecture
Sakuramasamune "Yakimare" Daiginjo, Hyogo Prefecture

DIAGINJO SAKES SCORING BETWEEN 9 and 9.5
Tentaka Shuzo Tentaka "Silent Stream," Tochigi Prefecture
Sakai Shuzo "Saito no Shizuku" Daiginjo, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Kodama Jozo Taiheizan "Tenko," Akita Prefecture
Mado no Ume Shuzo "Baigetsusoshi" Junmai Daiginjo, Saga Prefecture
Yoshikawa Tojinosato Yoshikawa Toji "Daiginjo," Niigata Prefecture
Murashige Shuzo Kinkan Kuromatsu "Nishiki" Daiginjo, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Tenzan Shuzo �Hitenzan� Daiginjo, Saga Prefecture
Yamatogawa Shuzoten Yaemon "Junmai Daiginjo," Fukushima Prefecture
Miyao Shuzo Shimeharitsuru "Daiginjo," Niigata Prefecture
Hananomai Shuzo "Gentei Daigin," Shizuoka Prefecture
Yoshinogawa Yoshinogawa "Daiginjo," Niigata Prefecture
Kamotsuru Shuzo Kamotsuru "Sokaku," Hiroshima Prefecture
Takara Shuzo Shirakabegura Shirakabegura "Daiginjo," Hyogo Prefecture
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Yukimanman" Aged 5 Years , Yamagata Prefecture
Ichishima Shuzo "Gin no Yorokobi" Daiginjo, Niigata Prefecture
Ichishima Shuzo "Yume" Junmai Daiginjo, Niigata Prefecture
Hokusetsu Shuzo Hokusetsu "YK35," Niigata Prefecture
Hara Shuzo Koshi no Homare "Daiginjo," Niigata Prefecture
Yamanashi Meijo Shichiken "Onakaya" Junmai Daiginjo, Yamanashi Prefecture
Yamanashi Meijo Shichiken "Nakaya Ihee" Daiginjoshu, Yamanashi Prefecture
Takara Sake USA Inc. Shochikubai "Junmai Daiginjo Yamadanishiki," California Prefecture
Chiyokotobuki Toraya Chiyokotobuki "Toranoko," Yamagata Prefecture
Tohoku Meijo Hatsumago "Shozui" Junmai Daiginjo, Yamagata Prefecture

DIAGINJO SAKES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9
Yasumoto Shuzo Hakugakusen "Sen" Junmai Daiginjo, Fukui Prefecture
Kato Kichibee Shoten Born "Yumewa Masayume" (Dreams Come True), Fukui Prefecture
Yaegaki Shuzo "Kuro no Mu" Junmai Daiginjo, Hyogo Prefecture
Manatsuru Shuzo "Manahime Densetsu," Fukui Prefecture
Kizakura Kizakura "Daiginjo," Kyoto Prefecture
Kayashima Shuzo Nishinoseki "Tekishu," Oita Prefecture
Gensui Shuzo Gensui "Daiginjo Tobingakoi," Tottori Prefecture
Nagai Shuzo Mizubasho "Daiginjo," Gunma Prefecture
Kiuchi Shuzo "Kurakagami" Daiginjo, Ibaraki Prefecture
Tamanohikari Shuzo "Kumesan Yamadanishiki 100%" Junmai Daiginjo, Kyoto Prefecture
Saiya Shuzoten "Kachogesseki" Daiginjo, Akita Prefecture
Suehiro Shuzo Daiginjo "Gensai," Fukushima Prefecture
Maihime Shuzo Maihime "Ofu Daiginjo," Nagano Prefecture
Koshi no Iso Ichigoichie "Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Tobingakoi," Fukui Prefecture
Takenotsuyu Hakurosuishu "Winter Water" Junmai Daiginjo, Yamagata Prefecture
Imayotsukasa Shuzo Koshi no Tsukasa "Junmai Daiginjo," Niigata Prefecture
Morishima Shuzo Taikan "Hizoshu," Ibaraki Prefecture
Yamagata Honten "Moriko," Yamaguchi Prefecture
Fuji Shuzo "Kozakaya no Hitoriyogari," Yamagata Prefecture
Tamanohikari Shuzo "Yuki Hiryo Shiyo Bizen Omachi 100%" Junmai Daiginjo, Kyoto Prefecture
Ume Ichirin Shuzo Ume Ichirin "Daiginjo," Chiba Prefecture
Eiko Shuzo Shusen Eiko "Yume Tsukiyo" Junmai Daiginjo, Ehime Prefecture
Aoki Shuzo Kakurei "Daiginjo," Niigata Prefecture
Koshi no Hana Shuzo Koshi no Hana "Chotokusen" Daiginjo, Niigata Prefecture
Uchigasaki Shuzoten Hoyo "Kura no Hana," Miyagi Prefecture
Umeda Shuzojo Honshuichi "Daiginjo 50% Seihaku," Hiroshima Prefecture

DIAGINJO SAKES SCORING BETWEEN 8.5 and 9
Michisakari Michisakari "Kojikomi Junmai," Gifu Prefecture
Uchigasaki Shuzoten Hoyo "Yamadanishiki" Daiginjo, Miyagi Prefecture
Oguro Shuzo Koshi no Bairi "Koshi Tanrei" Junmai Daiginjo Genshu, Niigata Prefecture
Fuchuhomare "Wataribune" Junmai Daiginjo, Ibaraki Prefecture
Tsukasabotan Shuzo Tsukasabotan "Sakafunashibori" Junmai Daiginjo, Kochi Prefecture
Rihaku Shuzo Rihaku "Daiginjo," Shimane Prefecture
Shimizu Jozo Zaku "Daiginjo," Mie Prefecture
Kato Kichibee Shoten Born "Tokusen" Junmai Daiginjo, Fukui Prefecture
Nakamura Kamekichi "Tamadare" Daiginjo, Aomori Prefecture
Kamoizumi Shuzo Kamoizumi "Senbonnishiki" Junmai Daiginjo, Hiroshima Prefecture
Fukuchiyo Shuzo Nabeshima "Daiginjo," Saga Prefecture
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Daiginjo," Yamagata Prefecture
Kinshihai Shuzo Echigo Toji "Daiginjo," Niigata Prefecture
Hakuryu Shuzo Hakuryu "Daiginjo," Niigata Prefecture
Ishimoto Shuzo Koshi no Kanbai "Chotokusen," Niigata Prefecture
Ichinokura Ichinokura "Gensho" Daiginjo, Miyagi Prefecture
Yaegaki Shuzo "Shikon no Mu" Junmai Daiginjo Genshu, Hyogo Prefecture
Nakamura Kamekichi "Kamekichi" Junmai Daiginjo, Aomori Prefecture
Saura Uragasumi "Yamadanishiki Junmai Daiginjo," Miyagi Prefecture
Murashige Shuzo Hinoshitamuso "Junmai Daiginjo," Yamaguchi Prefecture
Kamotsuru Shuzo Kamotsuru "Tokusei Gold," Hiroshima Prefecture
Kurosawa Shuzo Kurosawa "Daiginjo Premium Reserve," Nagano Prefecture
Mifuku Shuzo Mifuku "Daigingokujo," Shiga Prefecture
Tenzan Shuzo "Hotarugawa" Junmai Daiginjo, Saga Prefecture
Kamenoi Shuzo "Kudoki Jozu," Yamagata Prefecture
Momokawa Murai Family "Daiginjo Sake," Aomori Prefecture
Hinomaru Jozo Mansaku no Hana �Daiginjo," Akita Prefecture
Marumoto Shuzo Chikurin "Karoyaka," Okayama Prefecture
Hokusetsu Shuzo Nobu the Premium Sake, Niigata Prefecture
Sakuramasamune "Aramakiya Tazaemon," Hyogo Prefecture

DIAGINJO SAKES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8.5
Asahi Shuzo Dassai "Migaki Ni-wari San-bu" Junmai Daiginjo , Yamaguchi Prefecture
Ishizuchi Shuzo Ishizuchi "Shinsei Daiginjo," Ehime Prefecture
Umenishiki Yamakawa Umenishiki "Junmai Daiginjo," Ehime Prefecture
Ume Ichirin Shuzo Ume Ichirin "Kanpyokai Shuppinshu," Chiba Prefecture
Tonoike Shuzoten Seishu Sanran "Daiginjo Shizukuzake," Tochigi Prefecture
Okunomatsu Shuzo Okunomatsu "Daiginjo Shizukusake Juhachidai Ihei," Fukushima Prefecture
Marumoto Shuzo Chikurin "Taoyaka," Okayama Prefecture
Yoshida Shuzoten Tedorigawa "Iki na Onna," Ishikawa Prefecture
Akita Shuzo Akitabare "Suirakuten," Akita Prefecture
Chiyomusubi Shuzo Chiyomusubi "Daiginjo Tobingakoi," Tottori Prefecture
Umeda Shuzojo Honshuichi "Daiginjo," Hiroshima Prefecture
Koikawa Shuzo Koikawa "Junmai Daiginjo," Yamagata Prefecture
Sawasa Shuzo Sangu "Hoden" Junmai Daiginjo, Mie Prefecture
Yaegaki Shuzo "Mu" Junmai Daiginjo, Hyogo Prefecture
Nishida Shuzoten Nishida "Denshu Yonwarigobu" Junmai Daiginjo , Aomori Prefecture
Miyake Honten Senpuku "Kura" Junmai Daiginjoshu, Hiroshima Prefecture
Ippongi Kubo Honten Denshin "Rin," Fukui Prefecture
Saito Shuzo Eikun "Koto Sennen" Junmai Daiginjo, Kyoto Prefecture
Furuta Shuzo "Tenyuka" Junmai Daiginjo, Gifu Prefecture

DIAGINJO SAKES SCORING BETWEEN 8 and 8.5
Tajime "Tajime," Hyogo Prefecture
Suigei Shuzo Suigei "Yamadanishiki" Junmai Daiginjo, Kochi Prefecture
Nanbu Bijin Nanbu Bijin "Daiginjo," Iwate Prefecture
Kinshihai Shuzo Yukikage "Junmai Daiginjo," Niigata Prefecture
Tajime Chikusen "Kuro Label� Junmai Daiginjo, Hyogo Prefecture
Tenryo Shuzo Tenryo "Ten no Shizuku" Daiginjo, Gifu Prefecture
Sekiya Jozo Horaisen "Ku" Junmai Daiginjo, Aichi Prefecture
Asama Shuzo Higen "Daiginjo," Gunma Prefecture
Obata Shuzo Manotsuru �Daiginjo�, Niigata Prefecture
Iinuma Honke Kinoene "Yuga" Junmai Daiginjo, Chiba Prefecture

DIAGINJO SAKES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8
Michisakari Michisakari "Maruo," Gifu Prefecture
Saiya Shuzoten Yuki no Bosha "Daiginjo," Akita Prefecture
Akita Jozo "Yuki no Bijin," Akita Prefecture
Takahashi Sukesaku Shuzoten Nihonshu Matsuo "Gentei Junmai Daiginjo," Nagano Prefecture
Kinshi Masamune "Ennen no Biroku," Kyoto Prefecture
Miyasaka Jozo Masumi "Yumedono," Nagano Prefecture
Nanbu Shuzojo "Kyukyoku no Hanagaki," Fukui Prefecture
Chiyonosono Shuzo "Shuhai" Junmai Daiginjo (Garden of Eternity), Kumamoto Prefecture
Obata Shuzo Manotsuru "Koshitanrei" Junmai Daiginjo, Niigata Prefecture
Miyasaka Jozo Masumi "Sanka," Nagano Prefecture
Gekkeikan Gekkeikan "Horin" Junmai Daiginjo, Kyoto Prefecture
Suishin Yamane Honten "Chonansuijikomi" Junmai Daiginjo, Hiroshima Prefecture
Hananomai Shuzo "Gentei Junmai Daigin," Shizuoka Prefecture

DIAGINJO SAKES SCORING BETWEEN 7.5 and 8
Yano Shuzo "Gon-emon" Junmai Daiginjo, Saga Prefecture
Midorikawa Shuzo Midorikawa "Daiginjo," Niigata Prefecture
Kitaya Kansansui "Junmai Daiginjo," Fukuoka Prefecture

DIAGINJO SAKES WITH A SCORE AROUND 7.5
Nagai Shuzo Mizubasho "Junmai Daiginjo," Gunma Prefecture

GINJO SAKE TASTING NOTES
Ginjo sakes are defined by the polishing ratio of the rice used to make them. In order to qualify as a Ginjo sake, the rice used in the brewing process must have been polished down to 60% of its original volume. Unfortunately, because of my focus on the Daiginjos above, I only got to taste forty or so Ginjo sakes.

GINJO SAKES SCORING BETWEEN 9 and 9.5
Ginjo Chiyomusubi Shuzo Chiyomusubi "Goriki" Junmai Ginjo, Tottori Prefecture

GINJO SAKES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Omachi," Yamagata Prefecture
Akita Seishu Kariho "Rokushu," Akita Prefecture
Asahi Shuzo Dassai "50," Yamaguchi Prefecture
Iinuma Honke Kinoene "Yuga" Junmai Ginjo, Chiba Prefecture

GINJO SAKES SCORING BETWEEN 8.5 and 9
Nakashima Jozo Kozaemon "Junmai Ginjo Shikomi 38 Go Omachi," Gifu Prefecture
Saiya Shuzoten Yuki no Bosha "Gentei Kuradashi" Junmai Ginjo, Akita Prefecture
Kamotsuru Shuzo Kamotsuru "Junmai Ginjo," Hiroshima Prefecture
Masuda Tokubee Shoten Tsuki no Katsura "Yanagi" Junmai Ginjoshu, Kyoto Prefecture
Chiyonosono Shuzo "Kumamoto Shinriki" Junmai Ginjo (Sacred Power), Kumamoto Prefecture

GINJO SAKES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8.5
Midorikawa Shuzo "Green River," Niigata Prefecture
Sake One Corporation Momokawa "G-Joy," Oregon Prefecture
Yamanashi Meijo Shichiken "Bigin Bigin," Yamanashi Prefecture
Kitajima Shuzo Miyosakae "Omimai no Shizuku" Junmai Ginjo, Shiga Prefecture
Akita Jozo "Hirari" Junmai Ginjo , Akita Prefecture
Furuta Shuzo Secchu Kanbai "Chikara" Junmai Ginjo, Gifu Prefecture

GINJO SAKES SCORING BETWEEN 8 and 8.5
Daimon Shuzo Mukune "Root of Innocence," Osaka Prefecture
Tokoro Shuzo Bojimaya "Junmai Ginjo Gohyaku Mangoku," Gifu Prefecture
Obata Shuzo Manotsuru "Junmai Ginjo Genshu," Niigata Prefecture
Rihaku Shuzo Rihaku "Chotokusen" Junmai Ginjo (Wandering Poet), Shimane Prefecture
Gensui Shuzo Gensui "Junmai Ginjo," Tottori Prefecture
Fukuchiyo Shuzo Nabeshima "Nakakumi Junmai Ginjo," Saga Prefecture
Miyao Shuzo Shimeharitsuru "Jun," Niigata Prefecture
Kaetsu Shuzo Kanbara "Bride of the Fox," Niigata Prefecture

GINJOSAKES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8
Chikumanishiki Shuzo Kizan "Sanban" Junmai Ginjo, Nagano Prefecture
Koshi no Hana Shuzo "Sakenikokoroari" Junmai Ginjo, Niigata Prefecture
Maihime Shuzo Maihime "Junmai Ginjo," Nagano Prefecture
Miyasaka Jozo Masumi "Karakuchi Ki-Ippon," Nagano Prefecture

GINJO SAKES SCORING BETWEEN 7.5 and 8
Tajime Chikusen "Keiyaku Saibaimai Omachi," Hyogo Prefecture

Sunset and Clouds

"Like some of my other recent images, this photo was taken in Sonoma county, near the town of Healdsburg. There is a certain point during the sunset where the sky begins to divide into light and dark, which this photo emphasizes. Between the light from the sun, the darkness of the cloud, the mountains, and the velvet dark of the vineyards beneath, it's like the world has been divided into four parts." -- Michael Regnier

INSTRUCTIONS:
Download this image by right-clicking (Mac users, click and hold) on the image and selecting "save link as" or "save target as" and then select the desired location on your computer to save the image. Mac users can also just click the image and drag it to your desktop.

To set the image as your desktop wallpaper, Mac users should follow these instructions, while PC users should follow these.

PRINTS:
If you are interested in owning an archive quality print of this image, or any of the other vineyard images featured here on Vinography, you can purchase one on the Michael Regnier Photography web site for $85.

ABOUT VINOGRAPHY IMAGES:
Every Thursday, Vinography features a new image from photographer Michael Regnier for readers' personal use as desktop backgrounds or screen savers. We hope you enjoy them. Please respect the copyright on these images.

I crash my car (backwards nogal) through a garden wall. I am not injured. I reek of alcohol and my words are slurred. I refuse to get out of my car (because I am hardly able to stand). A crowd gathers including the owner of the house. They all agree that I am so intoxicated that the police should be called. I curse and swear at them. They tape my slurred ranting and raving with their cell phones. Photographs and videos are taken clearly displaying my glazed and swimming eyes, and recording my drunken and incoherent rantings.

Two female officers arrive and request that I get out the car in order to breathalyse and if necessary, arrest me. I swear at them and say that I refuse to be arrested by "females". I become violent and lurch around outside of the car. The officers call for backup. I still refuse to be breathalysed. I write my name and other details on a scrap of paper making numerous mistakes. I am eventually arrested, a blood sample is taken and the results reveal that I am almost four times over the limit.

I appear in court and plead INNOCENT. The State presents all of the facts above, but my defence attacks each and every shred of evidence and all of the witnesses called. What a nerve !!

And do you know what? I am a High Court Judge, and my name is Nkola Motata, and I'll probably just get a rap over the knuckles. What a good example for the rest of us. No wonder crime is out of control in this country.

Go to this website and download the audio clips for a good laugh, and "judge" for yourself.

" if you don't give a damn, we don't give a f*ck"

- youngbloodz feat lil jon

sat sept 22 around 8am, 2 beers in can (lights)

long way trip to fontana. i haven't slept yet from graveyard shift. excited to get on the pool, or play tennis. or just excited since it was my first time to go to that place. while on NLEX, rain poured every time we attempted to light a marlboro stick. damn!!! i loved the trees and the sights. everything wet from the unexpected rain. with eheads on the background, i remembered the time i had them on tapes. those were ages ago. i remembered memorizing each songs from their cutterpillow album. trying to play riffs of "poorman's grave" or "fill her".

sat sept 22 around 8pm, 2 bottles of tequila (mojitos) // 2 bottles of brandy (tres cepas)

i think i haven't got to the 2nd bottle of tres cepas. i'm not drunk yet but my head hurts like something was breaking out of my head. almost 30+ hours of no sleep. damn!!! finally, morning (don't know the exact time), i rested my head and then blank. i'm not really sure what was my last thought before i drifted away. i think it was a plan of going out, or maybe i was thinking i can still slam down the last bottle. nah. i remembered it clearly, i just wanted to sleep. /gg

sun sept 23 around 1pm beer in can (lights)

we're all setup to go home. got a decent breakfast and a good 1 hour of relaxing (tiring?) on the pool earlier. i was thinking i'll be home by 4pm or something. looking forward on getting off my jersey and shorts and lay down on my heavily curtained room with cool AC running. damn!!! got home by 7pm.

sun sept 23 around 9pm bottle of beer (lights)

back at moa with my wifey and daughter. after buying couple of computer parts. i was calming my body with a cold beer and later, a sweet nicotine stick. i always love eating inside grams. i love the sounds of 70's playing on the background. setup like an old american diner.

mon sept 24 around 9pm whiskey (cuttysark) // 4 or 5? mucho beer (red horse)

i was on leave. we were celebrating something special that day. after a sumptuous meal that evening, laughter filled the night as we reminisced some memories, planned some getaways. can't even remember what we were laughing about. LOL!

tues sept 25 around 4am to 5am 2 bottles of pale pilsen //a bottle of san mig lights

im totally wasted. so fucked up!!!  i was thinking that i'll be on bed the whole day, and i was. back on work tuesday night. still wasted and fucked up.

wed sept 26 around 9am 3 bottles of brandy (generoso)

i wasnt thinking of anything that day. no plans, no nothing. i just felt i wanted to get drowned by alcohol. i dunno why. after 4 hours of sleep, im back at work. cant feel my legs. mix of headache,  nausea, starving, body pains, sweating, cold.  it seemed that time froze and i was just staring at my blank desk. then suddenly *tooot*, got a call. damn!!! just wanted that shift to end.

post scriptum:

got other blogs xbryanjamesx.blogspot.com

and  xkeirax.blogspot.com

hmmm.. hope i can manage all of them. this one is new to me. i felt like it's time to begin it already. i've been planning to do this long time ago, but i guess  now is the right time. (hirap pala). as you may noticed, i ran out of words sa last part. /gg.

enjoy and happy bloghopping! tag me or leave me a comment. thanks!!

I so sorry, MsShooooz - I'm a bit late with this post, but dangit it's still the 27th!

In my short 28 years, I have had to deal with all sorts of abuse; sometimes it was child abuse and watching my sister get beat down by our alcoholic father, or myself was granted the luxury of having the beating. Our parents were not spankers, they were beaters.

I have had to deal with drug and alcohol abuse, with myself - my father and my sister. The chemically based highs that my sister enjoyed so much aided in her slow death, which ultimately took her life as a young woman.

I have had to deal with physical and mental abuse from my first husband, and that's namely what I'm going to keep this post about. I was only married to him only a short time, but in those few months I learned that I am my own person, one that doesn't have to deal with that. One that doesn't have to live with that.

My first husband was a hell of a man. He was so very manly and masculine. He walked around with his chest puffed out, and when he spoke to others, his voice deepened. He tried to be someone he wasn't when other people were around. But when it was just the two of us, he was a terrible man. The motto in our his home was his way or no way. And women were to bow down to him. Yeah, one hell of a guy, he was.

His manliness even increased when he began pushing me around, shoving me if I didn't do what he told me to do, or if I didn't do it correctly. Read: His way. I was yelled at, belittled, spit on, made fun of and gradually, he got physical. He was scary. He was loud and strong and the thought of me being a small woman *I was then* I wouldn't have a chance if I stepped up to him.

Oh my God, he was such a man, and I say that as the sarcasm drips off the letters.

And finally, one evening he thought he'd be cute and hit me. He only missed a few times. I didn't when I returned the favor - leaving a few teeth broken. Almost ten years later, his teeth are still broken. That's when I left him. That's when my eyes finally opened for the first time and I thought to myself that I was fucking crazy - craaaaazy, if I stayed with this man. I needed out. And I needed out fast, quick and in a hurry.

I got out, I filed for divorce and a week later I found out I was pregnant.

Then I had another choice to make .. do I stay with him because of the baby? Or do I continue on with my divorce and become a single mother, and raise this child on my own, and keep her away from harm. That's exactly what I did. I wasn't about to stay with him merely because I had his baby. Hellls no, I was a woman. I was a strong woman. I was going to stand on my two fucking feet and deal with it . by . myself.

I wouldn't have done it any other way.

And I can only hope and wish that other women out there do the same thing .. get out. If it's that bad, don't stay. Don't stay merely for the children because you can do it by youself. You can live without a man. You don't have to live and deal with the abuse. You don't.

STOP THE ABUSE!

"The Pioneer"

"Consumption"

"The Entrance"

"The Move"

"The Chase"

"The Attack"

"Triumpth"

The Best Porno Period.

We here at Drinkin' Buddies are now entering the t-shirt/clothing business. Any suggestions or anything you would like to see us make on a t-shirt that you would like to buy or even just see on our site e-mail the Webmaster Jchsmitchman55@yahoo.com. Now for what you came here for.

All So True.

I hate evenings like this. I know they're good for me and I works this out of my system in hours instead of days but still, it is really depressing. Every once in a while, when I'm sobering up after a few drinks, I come down with a bad case of melancholy. Everything thats weighing on my mind, that's been bothering me or that worries me just starts running around my mind for hours.

It's not even like most of the stuff is big or important, I just can't stop thinking about all of it and it gets worse and worse until it starts to drown everything else out. But then I sober up a little more and remember that I'll wake up tomorrow (or today) and it will all have gone.

According to old whiskey drinkers, good whiskey (and therefore good alcohol) will make you jocose, morose, bellicose, lachrymose, and eventually comatose. I think I keep hitting morose.

Certain groups in the Christian community, including Concerned Women for America and The Catholic League are in high dungeon over a poster being used to advertise this weekend's Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco. In case you are not one of those whipped up about this event, it is an annual street fair that caters to a certain segment of the GLBT (this is one time all 4 letters are appropriate) community who enjoy certain sexual fetishes, especially BDSM and leather. It is not for that faint of heart. (The FSF link above has a galleries section in case you need more detail about what sorts of things happen at this fair.) Anyway, here's the poster:

Obviously, it's meant to bear a striking resemblance to Leonardo De Vinci's Last Supper.

Matt Barber, policy director for cultural issues with CWA said his group wants California's elected officials – including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer – to "publicly condemn this unprovoked attack against Christ and His followers." How exactly is this an attack on Christ or his followers? While it is certainly a parody of a painting made 1500 years after the events it purports to depict, it in no way says anything negative about Jesus or Christians.

Gays are the boogeyman to these groups. Gays are ridiculed, attacked, mocked, lied about and rejected by these groups in order to raise money. Other "sins" committed by those inside the flock are not safe to attack.  Divorce, domestic violence and gluttony, also named as sins, receive little or no attention from AFA, CWA of the Catholic League. Throughout my Pentecostal upbringing, I spent way to many Sunday nights after service sitting across the table at Shoney's watching a 400 pound traveling evangelist shovel another hot fudge cake into his maw while gossiping about the last church he was at to take this manufactured outrage very seriously.

And the final irony for me is the fact that The Catholic League has contacted 200 other religious organizations to join them in a boycott of Miller Brewing Company, one of the event sponsors. Religious groups calling for a boycott of a beer company for sponsoring a gay event. Wow.

To have a real impact, they should ask their members to boycott Blow Buddies.