Wine Tasting at VinoVersity

One of life’s sweetest pleasures is a glass of wine complemented by the company of a good friend. Earlier this week, that’s exactly what I enjoyed at Divine Bar’s VinoVersity.

An ongoing series of informal wine tastings, VinoVersity is ideal for both the novice and the more experienced connoisseur. I probably fall somewhere in the middle, having fancied myself as an oenophile ever since I fell in love with Australian wines during my stint as a Sydney resident six years ago.

This week’s VinoVersity class served up an array of the world’s white wines alongside seafood-tinged hors d’oeuvres. Joining me for the palette-pleasing fun was my friend and fellow wine lover Cindy. Cindy and I have attended several VinoVersity tastings over the last couple of years, including one last summer featuring wines from the vineyards of Lorraine Bracco and family.

Over some Riesling and delicious tuna rolls, Cindy and I talked about the fun of drinking Champagne for no reason and pretending it's your birthday even when it's not. We also shared a good laugh about an older man who took a little too much delight in asking whether we were “getting enough.” Some double entendres are definitely better left unsaid.

I’m already looking forward to VinoVersity’s fall 2008 semester. For more info about the Divine wine tasting series, visit http://www.vinoversity.com/.

Following Your Bliss

When you work at a close-knit company of 40+ people, the departure of a colleague often feels like losing a family member. This week marks the end of an era at Quinn & Co., the spirited PR agency where I spend my workdays, with the exit of three beloved co-workers.

Each of my departing colleagues is leaving to pursue different career paths. Cristina is taking her tremendous gift for advising into a new role as a school guidance counselor. Fashion-savvy (and, I predict, future Project Runway candidate) Michel has been accepted to New York University's highly-competitive Steinhardt Master of Arts Visual Culture’s Costume Studies Program. And organizational whiz Danielle will be transferring her talents to event planning for the New York Historical Society.

Quinn & Co Gals: Danielle, Michel, Me and Cristina

As these fabulous women begin new chapters in their lives, I am excited at what lies ahead for them. And I can’t help recalling the circuitous but deeply fulfilling journey I’ve had in following my own bliss.

I spent most of my twenties pursuing my childhood dream of broadcast journalism, specifically, the pie-in-the-sky hope of becoming the next Katie Couric. My ambitions took me to destinations of all kinds -- from glamorous cities abroad (Sydney, Australia) to small-town USA (Southern Illinois, Dover, Delaware). For seven years, I was part of the TV news world as a writer, producer and on-air reporter.

I was on day two of a two-year reporting contract at a CBS affiliate in Maryland when it hit me -- I want to do something else. The realization unnerved me. After all, I had devoted my education and career to that point in service of one very specific goal. What in the world would I do next? Thanks to a serendipitous encounter with Val, a fellow journalism school alum and respected travel reporter, I soon found out.

Over drinks one night, I discovered Val was looking for a freelance writer to contribute to her website. She gave me the job, which was to take press releases and turn them into news items. It was in the course of doing this that my new career in travel PR was born. Val forwarded me an opening at Quinn & Co. and the rest, as they say, is history.

Nearly four years later, I’m still having the time of my life. PR is the perfect confluence of what I love -- writing, travel, and working with the media. Uppity journalists might say I’ve gone over to the ‘dark side.’ I say, it was the best professional decision I’ve ever made.

I have no doubt the same fulfillment awaits Cristina, Danielle and Michel, and I can’t wait to hear all about their adventures post-Quinn & Co. Their transitions are a wonderful reminder that it’s never too late -- or too soon -- for a second act.

As English novelist Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley once said, the beginning is always today.

By The Numbers: Take Five

Some of the most memorable moments I’ve had with the opposite sex have taken place at airports. Whether it was the promise of a shared journey or the imminence of a geography-induced separation, airports have served as the backdrop for many a movie-worthy scene. Here’s a snapshot of my jetsetting encounters -- by the numbers.

Number of romantic airport goodbyes/reunions: 30
Number of flights taken with significant others: 4
Number of post-breakup airport partings: 2
Number of guys picked up while waiting for a flight: 1
Number of flights preceded by making out in an airport parking lot: 1

Even when you're not a member of the mile-high club, taking to the skies is always an experience worth having -- especially when you've got a little romance to accompany you in-flight.

A Night At Giants Stadium with The Boss

Last night, I filled in a major gap in my experiences as a concert buff, attending Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band’s titanic three-hour show at Giants Stadium.

The Boss performed his classic brand of rock ‘n’ roll with an energy rivaling performers half his age. At 58, Springsteen is—as he quipped in a recent 60 Minutes interview—“a chiseled hunk of muscle,” who knows not only how to belt out a tune and produce magic with a guitar, but also how to work a crowd with effortless charm.

Springsteen’s thirty-year recording history spans hundreds of songs, so it wasn’t surprising that some in the audience held up signs requesting their favorites. His set list delivered the perfect combination of past and present, with hits ranging from “Held Up Without A Gun” and “Thunder Road” to “Hungry Heart” and the powerful post 9/11 anthem, “The Rising.” A rousing rendition of the 1980 classic “Sherry Darlin’” turned into a stadium-wide duet between Springsteen and the audience.

The E Street Band knocked it out of the park, with electrifying performances from drummer Max Weinberg and sax player Clarence Clemons. But it was Springsteen’s chemistry with Stevie Van Zandt that stole the show, as they stood smiling cheek to cheek, belting out the best of The Boss’ repertoire. Along the way, Springsteen also showcased his number one fans offstage.

“It’s my baby’s birthday tomorrow” he said, leading the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to wife and bandmate Patti Scialfa.

Teenage daughter Jessica also received a shoutout, when Bruce went into the crowd and put his arm around her.

“This is my little girl!” he said, briefly giving her the mike to sing.

The show ended on a high note with Springsteen’s signature hit “Born to Run.”

As my friend Sara and I made our way out of the stadium, it occurred to me that I have a soft spot in my heart for Jersey-bred musicians--Sinatra, Bon Jovi, Springsteen. When it comes to great music and unforgettable concerts, it simply doesn’t get any better than these guys. From where this New Yorker is sitting, The Boss still has many Glory Days ahead of him.

Rock on, Bruce.