I used to draw a lot. If you didn’t know I have an art degree, in sculpture and painting. I really miss a creative outlet like drawing that let’s me play, be myself, or be someone else for a bit. What ever is needed.

So I’ve decided to draw more. Starting a few days ago I started a regiment of forced doodling. Not much has come of it as of yet, but I do have some nice scribbles coming along. Bit by bit I hope to get this bug back in my fingers, where the twitch to sketch won’t quit…then I want to find a rock and some chisels…to work on that other part of my degree.

I used to draw a lot of stuff, here is one silly thing I did for fun. Not a favorite but one of the ones I brought back from the US this last trip. I have a few more that I like better which I will post when I figure out how to get a better scan. Maybe a photo would work better? Click the picture to see it better. Tell me what you think, or don’t. I’m still going to do some drawing.

In the end I wonder what has changed with basically a 5 yr break from it. What will I come up with next? Who knows, we’ll have to see. Here I go.

Been to Montsant and back, and now have a pile of tasting notes to enter into adegga. Regardless the trip was fun and full of interesting twists and turns, not to mention way too much food! Seriously we did not starve on this trip.
Anyways, here’s a favorite pic from our time there…about 500 more to edit through, when I have time!

Benidorm. A beach side village with towers competing for views of the sea. Old people wandering in wheelchairs and motorized seats along the beach. Whale basking by a pool that sits literally yards from the ocean. What am I missing? Why would you subject yourself voluntarily to this? It’s beyond me. But it seems to be big business! Might need to figure out how to capitalize on it. (best seen full size)

I found this, and I agree:

Dear photographers who restrict your hi-res images on Flickr/your portfolio/whatev
You do this because you think it will benefit you. You think that visitors to your portfolio or Flickr stream will try to find a way to hand you money to avoid visual blueballs, or you think it will prevent IP theft and thereby increase your chances of being approached by photo editors/art directors/gallery owners even though people in those influential, legitimizing positions constitute maybe 0.000001% of your current audience.

This thinking is wrong-headed. You are dumb. (continue reading)

I couldn’t agree more. Why someone uses “all rights reserved” as their copyright on Flickr is beyond me, it just doesn’t make sense. Why post your photos there at all? Start a blog and keep them there, but don’t bother with flickr then.

If this all is confusing to you then watch this:

Balzac.tv: La belleza del copyleft

There are subtitles to some of it, if not there is also a lot of english in it. Thanks to Hector for making this, and for creating Balzac.tv.

This week as changed the playing field. After 5 yrs of hard work, trying to figure out what we are doing here, I feel like it’s starting to make sense. The London International Wine Fair turned out to be a chance for us to both learn about what we actually know and to share that knowledge with others. Dinner with the Circle of Wine Writers where we were welcomed with open arms, and a glass of wine with Jancis Robinson. Both surreal, exciting, and full of future possibilities. 

Life is good. More soon…

The past few weeks have been a blur. First I was in Madrid and at FENAVIN, and then after a quick night or two in Terrassa, I’m back in London for the London International Wine Fair. This trip includes a dinner the night before the fair with the Circle of Wine Writers, a group that includes Steven Spurrier, Jancis Robinson, Oz Clarke, Charles Metcalf, and many more “names”. The odd part is we’re there as “equals” if you will. In no way am I saying we’re as important in the wine world, yet, but we are writers, who do our best to educate others. Hopefully with some good results.

And while we don’t agree with them all the time, we do appreciate what they have done and who they are, and it will be an honor to have the chance to hang out with them.

We’ll be having dinner at a restuarant here in London and all I have to say is that I would not want to be the sommelier on duty that night!  

Cheers, 

Ryan Opaz

Found this book posted online…Sexist, full of stereotypes and wonderful all at the same time. Amazing to look back at who we were just a few decades ago:

My blahg: I’m Glad I’m a Boy! I’m Glad I’m a Girl!.

Seriously just leave a comment. What do you think? Why?

Robert Parker’s Bitch from Josh Hermsmeyer on Vimeo.