Nice easy drinking wine this week from Cote de Nimes in the South of France. Its named La Cascatelle, Vin de Pays d'oc, country wine, & one hundred per cent merlot. This would usually not be my bag, but when its done old world style it has a nice dusty quality it, reminiscent of Negroamaro from Italy. Its a 2002 so it must of had some serious juice to begin with because its still got plenty of fruit left. Very reasonably priced, good find.

Cultural Learnings For Make Benefit Glorious Nation or "The Massacre at Croker"

Having missed the Match of the Day post last week while I was working in South Beach, it would seem redundant to go backwards if it weren't for the fact that one of the greatest events in the history of Irish sports occurred in Dublin, Ireland, last Saturday evening. Ireland played England in the Six Nations rugby tournament. For back reference on the historic ramifications read Michael Moynihans report in the Washington Post. For the opening ceremonies go here (and as a sports fan if you don't get goose bumps watching this you might want to check your pulse), and, of course, for the glorious outcome go here. It may not make up for watching it live but I think you will get the picture.

You're goin' to Hollywood!

An exciting week coming up for a good friend. Composer Philip Glass will be heading to Hollywoodland next Sunday, Feb 25th, as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has once again nominated him for Achievement in music written for motion pictures. Academy Award to you and me. Nominated before for Kundun and The Hours, this time its for his score of the Richard Eyre film 'Notes on a Scandel' with Judy Dench and Cate Blanchett. Here's hoping Phil returns with the hardware. On a weightier note his on going Tibet House concert series renews the next night, Feb 26th at Carnegie Hall. Redeyeing it back with his grab bags in tow, Philip will lead for the 17th time a collection of music's finest in a celebration of the Tibetan new year, and its culture. This year artists include Michael Stipe, Deboarh Harry, Ray Davies, and Iceland's own Sigor Ros, certainly worth the price of admission on their own.I have been very lucky the past few years to be invited to the rehearsal the day before the concert and everyone was kind enough to indulge me my 8x10 Poloroids Tickets are still available at the box office and of course its a very worthy cause.

The End is Nigh?

Word coming from one of the big photo labs in NYC, is a mandate from Kodak, its ending its shipments of 220 film as of, IMMEADIATLY. Load up if you need it. As you can tell from the shingle above, sheet film plays an important part of my photo process, I'm sure its only a matter of time before my beloved goes the way of the dodo bird also.

Match of the day

Each week a major fixtue in the world of sports will be highlighted. Primarily football, i.e. the Premiership or European matchdays. In the event that no game lives up to the billing we will look for another sport to spotlight. In the summer we will of course cover baseball, except for the European Championships or the World Cup or......its just going to be everything. That is Jimmy "the chin" Hill the voice and face of the original MOTD from the BBC circa 1978. Please click to hear the music that made every boy dream he could be the next Georgie Best.

Frigid North East

Have to start this week with the fridgid weather here in the NE. Hovering around 20 degrees for 7 straight days in NYC and, as you can see from the image, much colder on Queechy lake in Canaan, NY, over the weekend. Some local boys were Ice fishing but didnt need the hut "because it isn't cold enough". They just needed their beach chairs.They make 'em tough up there.