It's not that I'm trying to be difficult, but I do have the vaguest seed of an early-mid 90's anti-corporate need for idependence and individuality. This makes it kind of a shame that I'm choosing to make the DC area my home, though I have heard good things about Takoma Park and should probably check it out. Basically, I wish I could be all cool and Indie, but I'm just too lazy and cynical.

Where does this commentary originate? The basics in this country when you're learning to drink are pretty much Pilsner, Merlot, and any hard liquor with coke. Those who are aware of my drinking habits may be surprised to find out that these three standards just about turned me off of alcohol altogether. I love a good dark beer or a Hefeweissen, but find Pilsners to taste...well...like ass. The same goes for IPA's. I also think that Belgians taste like bubble gum, but that's another story. Kelly and I had very different experiences with wine. We both started on Merlot, which is more tanicky than I like. The result? She thought that all other wines tasted rotten, and I nearly quit reds. With rare exceptions, I find Merlots to taste rotten. Of course, Kelly also likes Brussels sprouts, so I'm guessing we have slightly different tastes. Honestly, the only part of the _____ and coke formula I had trouble with was the coke. I don't really drink soda, and adding alcohol doesn't make me like it any more. I'm ok being teased for my tequila cranberry as long as you don't mind me rolling my eyes at your vodka spite and mixing your rum and coke stronger than you like. Anyway, this all makes me kind of difficult and makes me seem like more of a snob than I actually am. I really don't know that much about beer/wine/liquor. I just know what it is that I don't like.

Of course, this still doesn't explain why the tangent got started. I happened upon this website, and though we dislike Merlot for very different reasons, I value any source dedicated to good cheap wine. Those are my kind of drunks.