Monthly Archives: March 2008

Blogging Tales of the Cocktail: 2008

It’s been quiet around here recently. Very quiet.

In case anyone was quietly wondering if I’d gone on the wagon and lost all interest in this thing, let me knock away that idea right away. Instead, I’ve been busy with another project — so busy in fact that I haven’t even taken the time to blog about the incredible experience I had in Portland last weekend, at the Tribute to Jerry Thomas event with David Wondrich at Teardrop Lounge, and during the long aftermath of the evening in the accompaniment of drinking companions and fellow bloggers Jeff Morgenthaler, Lance Mayhew, Blair Reynolds, and the menacing Munat brothers.

What has kept me away from such things? Perhaps nothing could do this but Tales of the Cocktail.

Tales BlogTickets for the 2008 event go on sale — let’s see; NOW! And to make this year’s event even more unforgettable, around 30 of the most talented and dedicated folks in the mixological blogosphere are coming together on a little something we’re calling Blogging Tales of the Cocktail: 2008.

This group blog is now running; over the next 3 1/2 months, keep an eye out for previews of Tales panels, posts from featured guest bloggers, and whatever else we decide to put up. During Tales of the Cocktail? Good lord, there’s no telling what’ll happen with 30 bloggers in New Orleans at a five-day event built around booze. Whatever happens, you’ll find it on the site, which should be reason enough for subscribing to the RSS feed.

Anyway, that’s where my free time has been recently, but now it’s up to everyone else. If you’re a participating blogger, THANK YOU; if you’re a veteran from Tales, keep an eye out, because we’ll have opportunities for you to get involved; and if you’re coming to New Orleans in July, we’ll keep you informed of what sessions and events you’ll want to check out.

So stop by, bookmark or subscribe, and stay tuned for actual drinking business back in these parts sometime soon. Really.

My mother always said I was special…

…as did my guidance counselor, while dissuading me from pursuing anything ambitious in life. Now, apparently the San Francisco Chronicle thinks so, too — see, it’s right there next to the byline: “Special to the Chronicle“. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, almost as warm as the new St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram I wrote… Continue Reading

The Emerald Bijou?

I really try to ignore St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a time when the fair-weather drinkers like to lay into the stuff, making bars about the last place I want to be. And as someone who’s let this particular interest slip among colleagues and casual acquaintances, it’s the time of year when I invariably get asked… Continue Reading

Anybody waiting for Mixology Monday?

Okay, it’s been a while since I mentioned the upcoming Mixology Monday schedule, and considering the line of e-mails in my inbox from bloggers patiently tapping their feet, this hasn’t gone unnoticed. My apologies for the delay, but now I think we’ve got things lined up for the next few months. The next round, for… Continue Reading