Lessons from The Continent

Lest anyone doubt:

This trip has been THE research experience for all things Syndicate. The folks on this side of the pond know how to do things RIGHT, Syndicate-style.

Meals are done course by course - with plenty of matching of wines, after dinner drinks followed by coffee, followed by dessert wines.
At one place in Florence, they were SO shocked that we WEREN'T ordering after-dinner drinks (after two people finishing a bottle of wine on our own) that they THREW IN DESSERT.

Yes, the Continent has been refining many of the things that we hope to put into practice when back on our side of the Atlantic. (And, AGAIN, let me say - Thank heavens there's no Embargo here!)

Strange - in some ways, the Syndicate ethic of 50's style life and excess are perfectly captured here in Italy, as there are portions of the Italian towns we've visited that seem almost untouched by time, and still have that 50's style feel. (Of course, we also heard a guy at the Rialto Bridge in Venice playing "My Way" on an accordian).

So, let the research continue!

Cheers

The Syndicate Goes International

The time has come -
For those of you not following the blog covering the Oak Street Ranch - The Syndicate is going international.
Tommorow, we head off to "the Continent."
Two weeks in Europe - Rome, Venice, Florence and London.

You can be assured that true to Syndicate principles, we'll be tracking down the finest in wine, food and sights.

More updates from the road.

The Ides of March

Its a wonderful time of year.
Its the Second Season.
Not to be confused with the Second City (though, a lovely place, and I was born there). No - its playoff basketball time!

That falls nicely into a perfect storm of sports:
Baseball - though the Dodgers seem to have a problem figuring out to get W's in the column.
Hockey - Apparently, people still play this (which is news to anyone who is not east of the Misissippi, or north of the US/CN border - those are the only folks who watch).
NFL Draft - Yes, watch for Tennessee this year. Hopefully Norm Chow makes lightning strike again.
And of course, playoff basketball.

What does all this mean? An endless supply to 30 second updates from ESPN Sports Center. Lots of reasons to read J A Adande and Tony Kornheiser's columns, and a religious observance of the "No talking until a time out" rule (Unless of course you're watching Laker basketball and you're screaming at the refs).

Its a beautiful thing.