tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post8765662118389015790..comments2024-02-25T02:50:53.858-08:00Comments on HoseMaster of Wine™: Mis(s) FeiringRon Washam, HMWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-88290308082003409502010-07-02T16:40:39.639-07:002010-07-02T16:40:39.639-07:00Terence,
Thanks for the kind words. I did, indeed...Terence,<br /><br />Thanks for the kind words. I did, indeed, pull punches, because there is a line a satirist can cross and the work becomes about simple nastiness and contempt, and I wanted it to be funny, not a bludgeoning.<br /><br />I doubt I'll ever meet Ms. Feiring. All accounts say she is a lovely woman. I just parodied the person she portrays on her blog. As it happens, people also think from my work that I'm a jerk and probably very lonely. In that case, they're right.<br /><br />Tell Lyle thanks for all of his support.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-36785710148791581492010-07-02T15:47:00.413-07:002010-07-02T15:47:00.413-07:00Terence,
I never said ALWAYS...
Kisses to you ki...Terence,<br /> I never said ALWAYS...<br />Kisses to you kidSamantha Duganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214278596698698245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-23267895883158128872010-07-02T15:35:53.608-07:002010-07-02T15:35:53.608-07:00Lyle Fass told me to read this today. He was right...Lyle Fass told me to read this today. He was right, it's a pisser. And you pulled many a punch, too.<br /><br />Alice in person is completely different from the strident fundamentalist harridan she has created as a persona in her writing. And you're right, her literary style seems a bit like a translation from the Lithuanian at times. <br /><br />You hit on that and the loneliness very accurately. For satire to succeed you have to hit the target right smack in the middle, and you did.<br /><br />(See, Samantha Dugan, I'm not always a fucking smartass.)Terencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14505984067343124098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-91515257843333707282010-05-06T19:22:08.612-07:002010-05-06T19:22:08.612-07:00Quite entertaining... this post and the next one h...Quite entertaining... this post and the next one have been the highlights of my day, albeit for much different reasons. Goes to show you the broad range a person's psyche can span in a matter of minutes :)Matt Mauldin https://www.blogger.com/profile/08730509895080535690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-48953714749299089662010-05-06T11:39:58.020-07:002010-05-06T11:39:58.020-07:00Steve,
Thanks. Every time I do a blog parody I ge...Steve,<br /><br />Thanks. Every time I do a blog parody I get the most amazing and scary responses. That's why I keep doing them.<br /><br />Vainroastchuck would be incredibly easy to do, so at this point I won't bother. His is self-parody and requires a very heavy and cruel hand. I can do that too, but don't feel compelled. And by the way, that kind of talk is VERY insulting to cartoon characters.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-83900962719052898202010-05-06T11:03:46.285-07:002010-05-06T11:03:46.285-07:00Fantastic post sir!
Can't blame you for not w...Fantastic post sir!<br /><br />Can't blame you for not wanting to go after the vayne one, and agree with Mr. Olken that it would be hard to do satire of a such a cartoonish figure. Leave the hucksterchuck lampoon to South Park, and keep on skewering your way...Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13408376823718155214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-476424267164220832010-05-05T20:53:02.523-07:002010-05-05T20:53:02.523-07:00Or you know, you could just help me out with my Gi...Or you know, you could just help me out with my Giro challenge and find me a wine or food for each stage:<br />http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/93rd-giro-ditalia-gt/stages<br /><br />Oh wait, I am the only one interested in that.winebookgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01108898075062843791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-55841401965351404412010-05-05T17:54:13.232-07:002010-05-05T17:54:13.232-07:00I don't want you to go after Gary V. I love ca...I don't want you to go after Gary V. I love cartoon characters.<br /><br />Have you given some thought to fictitious conversations between wine personalities like Helen Turley and, oh, say, Alice Feiring.<br /><br />Or Samantha Dugan and Charlie Olken discussing CA wine.<br /><br />Or publishing Alder Yarrow's response to your expose on Vornography.<br /><br />Or new wine book titles and the authors who could write them.<br /><br />Or going back and figuring what the hell was really happening on the mean streets of Healdsburg with all those MS candidates dying.<br /><br />Or what was it like being wineboarded? How many varieties could you pick out?<br /><br />How about "Inside Dan Berger's Mouth--What Its Like To Taste Wine With When Your Mouth Has A pH Lower Than Pickle Juice".<br /><br />Those would be just a few ideas.Charlie Olkenhttp://www.cgcw.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-36882151705002095982010-05-05T16:33:38.877-07:002010-05-05T16:33:38.877-07:00CabFranco,
It wasn't intended to amuse her, i...CabFranco,<br /><br />It wasn't intended to amuse her, it was intended to amuse everyone else. Well, amuse a few people anyway.<br /><br />I can't believe how many people have asked me to go after Vainupchuck. Sheesh. I just don't think I have the heart and stomach to watch that cretin.Ron Washamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10386836101202976147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-34994625968532801152010-05-05T13:19:22.179-07:002010-05-05T13:19:22.179-07:00Wow, you brought out the Feiring squad and hosed A...Wow, you brought out the Feiring squad and hosed Alice down real good. Based on her reaction to a few comments on my blog re: she thinks all CA wine is gooey carp, I don't think she'd be amused by this. It's too spot on . . . .<br /><br />I think you need a little Gruner V boarding in the form of some Gary V watching. Bet you've never heard sheep's butt and bouquet used in the same sentence . . . .Cabfrancophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10408854685852702400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-89211282109910242612010-05-05T05:25:52.472-07:002010-05-05T05:25:52.472-07:00Ron,
You do realize that when the Geneva Conventi...Ron,<br /><br />You do realize that when the Geneva Conventions convened Santa Ragamita wasn't popular.<br /><br />Pity they don't have an amendment process on the Convention the way it is with the U.S. Constitution; imagine initiating a prohibition on Santababy.Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07322028233207741737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-90955085151813900832010-05-04T21:12:18.377-07:002010-05-04T21:12:18.377-07:00Arthur,
Making anyone ingest Gruner Veltliner in ...Arthur,<br /><br />Making anyone ingest Gruner Veltliner in any way is strictly prohibited by the Geneva Convention, and all that we hold sacred.<br /><br />For God's Sake, I'll talk!!Ron Washamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10386836101202976147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-70758117871999591322010-05-04T21:06:30.584-07:002010-05-04T21:06:30.584-07:00Ron, you know that waterboarding is more effective...Ron, you know that waterboarding is more effective when you use Gruner Veltliner...Arthurnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-43506798365963341802010-05-04T18:58:57.869-07:002010-05-04T18:58:57.869-07:00Great! I'll bring the Santa Margherita Pinot G...Great! I'll bring the Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio.Ron Washamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10386836101202976147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-38928894630840340672010-05-04T18:41:39.263-07:002010-05-04T18:41:39.263-07:00" frankly, I'd rather spend the weekend b..." frankly, I'd rather spend the weekend being waterboarded. "<br /><br />Come on over.H20 Daddynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-312067069841135952010-05-04T18:33:24.126-07:002010-05-04T18:33:24.126-07:00Charlie,
You'd think by now I'd know bett...Charlie,<br /><br />You'd think by now I'd know better than to start talking the nuts and bolts of satire in the comments section. I've said it a thousand times, if you're writing satire and not pissing somebody off, you're not doing it right. And, you're right, we've effectively talked this subject to death.<br /><br />The good news about wine blogging is that two days after you post, no one cares. It's just another post in the archive that no one will read.<br /><br />Dave,<br /><br />I've only watched a Gary V. post once, and have no desire to watch him again. He's not a blogger, he's a huckster. That's why he's making money. A written parody of a guy who is a "personality" (much like American Idol features "talent") wouldn't work. Plus, in order to lampoon him I'd have to watch a bunch of episodes, and, frankly, I'd rather spend the weekend being waterboarded.Ron Washamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10386836101202976147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-70285890603943832022010-05-04T18:04:32.163-07:002010-05-04T18:04:32.163-07:00Honorable HMW,
Yes, do Gary V. I learned of him t...Honorable HMW,<br /><br />Yes, do Gary V. I learned of him through my godson/nephew (25ish) whom we have been bringing along the twisting, turning wine road. The Vchucker really seems to resonate with the younger demographic (is Vaynerchuk Ruski for vomit?). Regardless, he provided some links to the V's spewing, including the one about eating dirt, tile grout mold, and old bandages from sucking chest wounds to help develop one's palate, and asked for my honest opinion. Not wanting to put the lad off on further exploration, I diplomatically said that the V also resonates with me, but did not add my comparison of him to a stack of 500W Marshalls with cracks in the bass speakers, tweeters gone terribly bad, and a sound man on a cocktail of meth, ecstasy and bad gin. Hmmm, this may explain my aversion to Twitter.<br /><br />Light the barbie and dig out the skewers. Satire has no requirement to be pretty.Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-2720344246817607642010-05-04T17:19:13.297-07:002010-05-04T17:19:13.297-07:00Yes, of course it was personal. If it had been gen...Yes, of course it was personal. If it had been generic who would have laughed? Who would have cringed? <br /><br />Not to worry. And don't take these comments too personally either. The fact that some people got uncomfortable has to go with the terrority if you are going to go right to the heart of the matter.<br /><br />But, that does not mean that some of us won't cringe from time to time. That also goes with the territory, and so do comments left here that we cringed.<br /><br />OK, I think we have covered this topic in enough goo for the day. I think I will go greet my tasters with a pie in the face tonight and tell them that Ron made me do it.<br /><br />Oh, and secret password is Hank Stram. What the hell does he have to do the price of tea in China?Charlie Olkenhttp://www.cgcw.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-30898534528934944522010-05-04T14:54:23.953-07:002010-05-04T14:54:23.953-07:00Charlie,
How can satire not be personal? It is fu...Charlie,<br /><br />How can satire not be personal? It is funny that there was very little stir when I lampooned Alder. Satire is always funnier when you think the subject deserves it. When the subject is someone you like it's suddenly mean and unfunny. I've heard this my entire writing life. And I'm far from a great satirist, I'm simply having fun and trying to make folks laugh. Though cringeing has its place.<br /><br />Paul,<br /><br />Thanks for the support. As I said, I haven't read Ms. Feiring's book. I lampooned her blog, not her book. <br /><br />Somehow this debate is about being mean. Why? The wine world is not immune to comedy or criticism, I don't care who it is. Should I?Ron Washamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10386836101202976147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-34621982297472682242010-05-04T10:52:22.993-07:002010-05-04T10:52:22.993-07:00I made it halfway thru her book before the cringin...I made it halfway thru her book before the cringing overtook my intention to see where (if anywhere) it was going. You nailed it, but could have gone further. Where is the whining about the sub-par accommodations? The dicey weather? The cold caves? The dismissal of all corporate wines as garbage, while happily chowing down at the corporate troughs? Onward HMW, and if necessary, I'll take my hit if it comes.PaulGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05409346656762573929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-7007229380368485602010-05-04T10:07:57.646-07:002010-05-04T10:07:57.646-07:00The fact that we cringed at this post does not mak...The fact that we cringed at this post does not make it illegitimate. It does mean that we knew how close it was coming to the bone, and in a personal way. I have told Ron both here and privately, that this was one of his greatest pieces ever in my opinion. Not because it may have been hurtful at some level, but because it rang so damn true that it made me cringe for Alice--who, by the way, may or may not cringe on her own.<br /><br />Amy (ABC) suggested that there was a mean edge to the piece, and perhaps there is (again, why cringe if there was not), but Ron has written tougher stuff, more accusatory stuff before. It is part of the territory. Really good, biting satire does that.<br /><br />My wife and I saw a play in SF recently called VIGIL about a nephew who comes to care for an ailing aunt who is about to die. She does not die and the despair that causes him is treated in an amazingly humorous way. You know, as you laugh, that this is black humor. You know as you laugh that you too will feel the same thing when you get to care for an elderly person of diminishing capacity. You know as you laugh that you should not. But you do because the playwright has found the right voice, the right cadence to capture the irony. So you laugh at the prospect of death.<br /><br />Humor is not always neat. It is not always kind. Sometimes you just have to cringe while you laugh. Great satire digs deep.Charlie Olkenhttp://www.cgcw.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-77575811812801451862010-05-04T09:21:07.919-07:002010-05-04T09:21:07.919-07:00To Amy (and anyone else crazy enough to listen to ...To Amy (and anyone else crazy enough to listen to me).<br /><br />For the privilege of expressing opinions or lecturing, writers take on a great amount of risk. The risk increases exponentially when their writing is true to their personalities and to their voice.<br /><br />Comes with the territory.<br /><br />I'm sure that when Ron gets around to this famous writer (that's a joke) I will cringe at what he has discovered and that I am sure I try hard to hide...Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07322028233207741737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-27005483468531161492010-05-04T08:54:55.572-07:002010-05-04T08:54:55.572-07:00John,
Would that be insulting to Gary V. or Garci...John,<br /><br />Would that be insulting to Gary V. or Garcia Marquez? Rhetorical question.<br /><br />Amy Darling,<br /><br />I love you too. You know that, I hope.<br /><br />I'm glad you expressed your thoughts here, and, more than that, I'm really glad my post made you spend a lot of time thinking. I take that as flattery.<br /><br />Satire cannot have any boundaries. Period. I felt, after reading through a bunch of her blog posts, that what drives an awful lot of Alice's work is this subtext of loneliness--it was just a hunch, based only on reading her words. It's not a personal attack on her. I have never met her and know absolutely nothing about her personally. And how did loneliness become a character fault? It's simply the human condition. Alice uses it in her work. I did too.<br /><br />A cringe is the response I wanted. That feeling of needing to look away when you see a terrible accident. Only you can't. It was the feeling I took from her blog.<br /><br />I'd only spend this much time "explaining" myself to someone like you, Amy, someone I adore. Otherwise, the work stands, or falls, on its own.<br /><br />John,<br /><br />I'll never be a famous writer either. It's why we blog, right? To be famous in a tiny little way, among eight or nine people. <br /><br />Thanks for the cringe.Ron Washamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10386836101202976147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-7636891415215580022010-05-04T08:18:09.255-07:002010-05-04T08:18:09.255-07:00Just all kinds of wow, but it made me glad I will ...Just all kinds of wow, but it made me glad I will never be a famous wine writer. While brilliant, I cringed a little as well - in between the laughs and smiles.<br /><br />I think you cut very close to the bone with this parody, but Alice lays it all out there with her own writing.<br /><br />Thanks for a morning chuckle.John Cesanohttp://johnonwine.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-53852759525076336412010-05-04T07:59:55.588-07:002010-05-04T07:59:55.588-07:00Ron
You know I love you. But, this post bothers me...Ron<br />You know I love you. But, this post bothers me. I have spent more time thinking about it than most of the posts I write--though, given their quality, that might be obvious. <br /><br />I think the reason this post makes me cringe rather than laugh is that it comes off as more of a personal attack on Alice. Alice is a friend and I am not particularly troubled by criticisms on her work. If I had trouble with negative reviews, I would need to look for another type of employment.<br /><br />But stating that you had not read her work and then adding the "lonely" comment takes this from parody to personal and it just strikes me as unnecessary and a bit mean.<br /><br />End of lecture now. Back to whining about author I have worked with for several years who continues to introduce himself as meetings as though we have never met and sends emails to other departments asking what my name is.<br /><br />Ftr, I got protac. Is someone implying i need prozac?<br /><br />-Amywinebookgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01108898075062843791noreply@blogger.com