Where am I?

Get it here.

Every time California holds an election I have to hold my nose. This isn't so much about the candidates, but the propositions. The official voters guide includes commentary by the legislative analyst, which is pretty good, but after that has nothing but inane, pandering arguments from special-interest groups. Mostly they just disagree with each other at the top of their caps lock keys.

Yesterday I was reading through the guide for next Tuesday's election, and noticed the argument against 1F submitted by Pete Stahl. Just for a change it was well-written and sensible. His web site has analysis of each proposition in this and past elections.

There's a hummingbird nesting in the back yard. I tried about four different shots - this was the best one.

We've had a little smoke in the air, lately. Which picture is from the area around Chiang Mai, Thailand - and which is from the area around San Francisco, California?



I'm skipping wine tastings until I can smell something besides the woodsmoke.

• 1999 Bethany, Barossa-McLaren Vale (14.5%). Showed vanillin, pepper, and robust tannins. Group score 13.
• 2000 Bethany, Barossa-McLaren Vale (14.0%). Some orange in the color, indicating oxidation. Shows strawberries and peppery tannins, but they don't linger in the glass. Group score 27.
• 1999 T-Vine, Napa Valley (15.4%). Cloudy, with eucalyptus in the nose, leading me to pick this as an Australian. Group score 20.
• 2000 T-Vine, Napa Valley (14.4%). Fleshy texture, cedar-box, and somewhat hot. Group score 18.
• 1999 Cedarville, El Dorado (14.5%). Showed vanillin and some light fruit, marred by vegetal notes. Group score 23.
• 2000 Cedarville, El Dorado (15.5%). Showed some pleasing strawberry and soft tannins, but fell apart into rubbery aromas as the wine opened up. Group score 25.