I have been grinding the wine books for a while now. My test is in 2.5 weeks. A couple of days ago I freaked a bit on how much I had to learn before the test, but I got that under control. I don't know why I find the subject matter so interesting. I have to say, it really makes me feel good to steer someone who is intimidated by wine towards a wine that they are very happy with when I am working.

The more I learn about wine and the more I can envision myself working as a Sommelier, the more I become dissatisfied with my current job. Things that never bothered me before start to grate on my nerves. I have to be careful because that attitude has got me into trouble before (see my first blog post on this site). I seem to do that when I start imagining myself in a different situation. I am trying to remind myself of what a great job I have in this economy that allows me to provide for my family, even as I take steps to move onto greener pastures through wine and poker.

I have not played much poker recently, and have not played to the best of my ability, either. I am obviously preoccupied with a lot of other things. I will probably divide my time 90/10 between poker and studying with poker getting the short end of the stick until after my test.

I tasted an '83 Chateau La Lagune and a '96 Chateau Lynch Bages last week. Both outstanding.

Play well. Do good work. Keep in touch.

PFJ