tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post7536444451000480041..comments2024-02-25T02:50:53.858-08:00Comments on HoseMaster of Wine™: What Makes A Wine Worth Drinking: In Praise of the Sublime Via the RidiculousRon Washam, HMWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-70230578346050935632018-12-09T12:13:47.736-08:002018-12-09T12:13:47.736-08:00Marcia Love,
Thank you. I had a tab open in my bro...Marcia Love,<br />Thank you. I had a tab open in my browser once, but it was under my trenchcoat in the park. <br /><br />Always a joy to hear from you, Love. Have the happiest of holiday seasons! Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-79409244805555897372018-12-09T11:53:21.515-08:002018-12-09T11:53:21.515-08:00I've had this tab open in my browser for at le...I've had this tab open in my browser for at least a week (so weak, I know)! It's fabulous. (So glad I finally got to read it.) Love the zingers, as always.Marcia Macomberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07237764449953259939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-24041870257500691672018-12-08T12:24:57.126-08:002018-12-08T12:24:57.126-08:00Winodennis,
I know it helps to drink too much win...Winodennis,<br /><br />I know it helps to drink too much wine to write this crapola. That's all I know.<br /><br />Merry Christmas!Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-6541441949568290382018-12-08T11:21:25.125-08:002018-12-08T11:21:25.125-08:00It helps to have drunk too much wine in order to r...It helps to have drunk too much wine in order to read the book or the parody -- or maybe that's the point. On the other hand, how could one drink too much wine? Maybe that's the point...Winodennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08634075751616431395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-34827865162229028502018-11-29T18:06:44.474-08:002018-11-29T18:06:44.474-08:00Tom,
I'd be happy if they were simply required...Tom,<br />I'd be happy if they were simply required to read.<br /><br />Happy Damn Holidays!<br /><br />Stephen,<br />Dare you take off your clothes, or dare you write stream of consciousness? I don't write in the nude myself, though if I did, I'd write in shorthand. <br /><br />Always nice to see a distinguished MW type around here, Stephen. Slumming, I presume. But thank you for being a common tater! And, yes, you should definitely shake off the shackles and write whatever your anarchic mind instructs you to write. The wine business needs more anarchy and fewer rules. I don't think of my style as stream of consciousness, though. I'd call it more like a steaming pile of consciousness.<br /><br />Happy Holidays!Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-33821943043308600232018-11-29T13:35:57.353-08:002018-11-29T13:35:57.353-08:00When I read your writing I want to break free from...When I read your writing I want to break free from my writing style (already fairly anarchic) and take off all my clothes and just do the Hosemaster stream of consciousness stuff. Dare I? Stephen Skelton MWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12812376883418904287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-52095379792131493422018-11-29T12:05:56.414-08:002018-11-29T12:05:56.414-08:00All Somms should be required to read Confessions o...All Somms should be required to read Confessions of Felix Krull Confidence Man, by Thomas Mann. It explains allTom Hellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01391252220303377480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-78654851218446214142018-11-29T11:41:21.342-08:002018-11-29T11:41:21.342-08:00Mike,
I received a very funny and kind note from T...Mike,<br />I received a very funny and kind note from Terry Theise this morning. He seems grateful to have been "hosed" (as the kids say). He's a funny guy, so I'm not surprised that he appreciated my foolishness.<br /><br />I try to be myself in my comments, not the HoseMaster. Also, I respond in a way that will remind me of what I was thinking when I wrote a piece so that if I look at it five years from now, I'll remember my motivation for the piece. As for instructive, I think writing satire is strange, and that maybe folks who like what I do will find my mental processes interesting. And if they don't. so what? It's my damn blog.<br /><br />Merry Christmas to you and your lovely bride!Ron Washamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10386836101202976147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-26310096252826837852018-11-29T09:56:23.981-08:002018-11-29T09:56:23.981-08:00With the rest of us, Theise will love it. Aside fr...With the rest of us, Theise will love it. Aside from that, are you aware that your straight-forward responses to comments from common-taters are wonderfully enlightening and instructive? Mike Dunnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14496499437274796935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-11873900868664493052018-11-29T07:37:32.947-08:002018-11-29T07:37:32.947-08:00Kleigh,
Making people laugh is what I intend, and ...Kleigh,<br />Making people laugh is what I intend, and kisses are usually welcome as a reward. "Next time" you see me? If you've seen me before, must have been from behind. <br /><br />Happy Holidays!Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-4214920941352861552018-11-29T00:19:21.339-08:002018-11-29T00:19:21.339-08:00Seriously, next time I see you I am going to kiss ...Seriously, next time I see you I am going to kiss you on the face, so get ready for it. Laughter is everything to me and this installment had me belly-aching. Thanks, man.kleighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16865650676332484122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-45383926354621978722018-11-28T15:38:34.579-08:002018-11-28T15:38:34.579-08:00Paul,
Wow, a common tater from the prehistoric Hos...Paul,<br />Wow, a common tater from the prehistoric HoseMaster days! Great to see you here!<br /><br />I finished the book and still have no idea what it was about. Wine. Ghosts. Soul. Honest. Authentic. "Cork Dork" for aesthetes. It seems to be cobbled together from a bunch of different articles Theise had written for publications like World of Fine Wine, a veritable Roget's Thesaurus of wine blather, and others. So it's wine book cioppino. <br /><br />However, Theise can write circles around the vast majority of wine writers these days. Very few, and I mean five or six at most, have any writing chops at all. So reading Theise is a joy for a guy like me. He walks up to the line of unbearably pretentious, then walks it back. That's hard to do. <br /><br />The title kills me. Notice it doesn't have a question mark. So it's not "What Makes A Wine Worth Drinking?" No, it's an instruction manual. This is what makes a wine worth drinking. It's like Asimov's "How to Love Wine." Frankly, if you don't know how to love wine, or what makes a wine worth drinking, you're something of an imbecile, and probably an MS. (Ah, the gratuitous cheap shot--'tis the season!)<br /><br />Have a great holiday, Paul! Hope our paths cross again soon.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-29084938684470234282018-11-28T15:02:38.603-08:002018-11-28T15:02:38.603-08:00I’m about halfway thru the book and can’t decide i...I’m about halfway thru the book and can’t decide if it’s brilliant or b.s. – or maybe brilliant b.s. But you nailed it my friend! A whine with soul. Cheers!PaulGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05409346656762573929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-2577682917151443172018-11-28T14:09:17.444-08:002018-11-28T14:09:17.444-08:00My Gorgeous Samantha,
Oh, don't grow up, Love....My Gorgeous Samantha,<br />Oh, don't grow up, Love. Hardly worth it. Stay the Peter Pan that you are. Or, since you're in the wine biz, maybe Pieropan makes more sense. You're so soave.<br /><br />Always nicer around here when you show up!<br /><br />I love you!Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-21996115862310021762018-11-28T13:31:46.786-08:002018-11-28T13:31:46.786-08:00Ron My Love,
When I, finally, grow up, I want to b...Ron My Love,<br />When I, finally, grow up, I want to be like Mr. Theise...or You!<br />Sending a million tiny kisses<br />Samantha Samantha Duganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214278596698698245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-65425911547768721072018-11-28T12:07:24.529-08:002018-11-28T12:07:24.529-08:00David,
Theise is a very talented writer. He is the...David,<br />Theise is a very talented writer. He is the rare wine writer who is a writer first and a wine expert second. I read the book and enjoyed it, but he has a hilarious tendency to get completely lost in the spiritual aspect of wine. Honestly, I can't think of another writer who could even get away with all the hooey and make it so entertaining. <br /><br />Parody only works if the person you're spoofing has a distinctive voice. This was a hard piece to write, really. It's nonsense mixed with whimsy mixed with criticism and satire done in someone else's voice (though I wouldn't say I nailed his voice). But it's the hard pieces that give me the most satisfaction.<br /><br />Thanks for being such a loyal common tater, David. Have a great Christmas!<br /><br />George,<br />It's a book worth reading. I just hope when you finally do read it, you can't keep the HoseMaster's voice out of your head.<br /><br />Have a great holiday season, George!Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-15129045216048106822018-11-28T11:50:41.315-08:002018-11-28T11:50:41.315-08:00Wow, I haven't even read Terry's book and ...Wow, I haven't even read Terry's book and I'm still convulsed in laughter. Ron, you've outdone yourself and perhaps even Terry! What a Holiday delight! (George R)<br />Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05829199334514536430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-57856329123813120922018-11-28T11:44:04.717-08:002018-11-28T11:44:04.717-08:00Jeesssusss.. if that book is as bad as that... tha...Jeesssusss.. if that book is as bad as that... that kind of gibberish would give Hunter Thompson and Robin Williams a run for their hackdom.. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11992278224164669829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-30703527247311363522018-11-28T11:18:00.240-08:002018-11-28T11:18:00.240-08:00Robin,
Very kind. Thanks for stopping by and dropp...Robin,<br />Very kind. Thanks for stopping by and dropping a comment. I'll have it here waiting when you want to take it back...<br /><br />Happy Holidays!Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-19640724277645250002018-11-28T10:15:11.226-08:002018-11-28T10:15:11.226-08:00Brilliant indeed. Brilliant indeed. Robin Eitlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11081052431064551806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-71430369249638139952018-11-28T10:07:26.331-08:002018-11-28T10:07:26.331-08:00Big Jim,
Parody is about mocking, but it also has ...Big Jim,<br />Parody is about mocking, but it also has to have punchlines or it's just mimicry and doesn't work. I tried to channel Theise and then let the jokes show up. My twisted mind finds them endlessly. As I've often said, you should see what I left out.<br /><br />Thanks for the kind words, Jim. It was fun to see you in SF, no matter how briefly. Have a great Christmas season!<br /><br />Tom,<br />Yeah, that's such a stupid joke, I love it. Thanks for being a reliable common tater! Enjoy your holidays.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-1549946792820990342018-11-28T09:58:51.631-08:002018-11-28T09:58:51.631-08:00Port... tongs. Proving once again that, when maki...Port... tongs. Proving once again that, when making a metaphor, you are undeterred by distance. Another gem Ron. Tom In Real Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03019701684574053273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-14817728502538660342018-11-28T09:49:32.306-08:002018-11-28T09:49:32.306-08:00Old Hobbits Die Hard...brilliant. This is one of ...Old Hobbits Die Hard...brilliant. This is one of your best efforts.Jim Caudillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09163559952765216636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-83132580979595504362018-11-28T09:06:33.055-08:002018-11-28T09:06:33.055-08:00Dean,
Thank you! That's high praise coming fro...Dean,<br />Thank you! That's high praise coming from the likes of you. I admire Theise's talent, and have been wanting to write a parody of him for years, and his latest book, which I quite like, finally pushed me to sit down and have fun with him. I do love parody because when I write it, I have to pay attention to what the writer I'm lampooning is actually doing and saying. Theise made me laugh the entire book, but never at his punchlines.<br /><br />Of course, I'd be honored to have you link to my parody in your holiday gift book column. That should sell some books!Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-20405844452244918272018-11-28T08:55:01.641-08:002018-11-28T08:55:01.641-08:00RON -- ABSOLUTELY STUNNING PARODY !!
PS: Ten minu...RON -- ABSOLUTELY STUNNING PARODY !!<br /><br />PS: Ten minutes ago I just finished reviewing (annotating) the book for a holiday gift book column..maybe I should also attach your work as an excerpt?Dean Tudorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027150351344396656noreply@blogger.com