Vino, Verse, & Vinyl: June
In 2017, I met someone at a wine bar in Encinitas, CA. I initiated a conversation because I had to meet her dog, Luna (a white boxer named after the moon, I mean...). Erin and Luna were wonderful, I really enjoyed sharing wine, conversations, and treats* with them that evening. But this night is significant to me because it is when I got the idea for a book club that has led me down a very interesting path. Erin had a vinyl group with friends, where they met once a month and played records, chatting the night away about music.
It may or may not be surprising that I do not do well with 'small talk.' This makes making friends as an adult, and business networking, exceptionally difficult for me. Anyone else? I am going to assume that our LG community are the kind of folks who are always interested in having unique, deep discussions. In 2017 I found myself often thinking about how to make friends as I got older without a dreaded awkward “first meeting” dinner. So, when Erin mentioned the record club, I was instantly intrigued: I could talk with newer acquaintances and strangers about music, not small talk? Sold.
Because I am a poet and lover of wine (wino, wine-snob, older millennial, up to you), I came up with the concept to combine those loves and thieve the vinyl idea. Hence, the poetic alliteration of Vino, Verse, and Vinyl was born. I dreamt this could be a meeting for friends to bring their friends or new acquaintances, with a mostly informal structure. Did you read—great let’s chat about that weird moment in Chapter 12. Didn’t read, do you think this wine actually tastes like charcoal like the tasting notes said? What record did you bring for the theme of “music to play at your funeral”? There are endless things to discuss and it does not mean each guest has to participate in all aspects of the monthly meeting, but they could.
Interestingly, the last party I had before the pandemic was a VVV in February around Valentine’s day. We read Rumi love poems, drank a bizarre amount of rosé, and listened to a variety of records themed around “best music for a break-up.” It was, obviously, an incredible party. I got to know some newer friends in such a vibrant way and learned some really fun aspects of other friends. It was a really special night and I cherish those memories (which ended with an epic-move-the-couches-for-a-danc-party until the morning hours).
My hope for VVV has always been to build community. It led me to food studies at the academic level, to then developing an honors course “Literary Gastronomy”, to seeking out growing food and studying a permaculture (now staring at a half-acre to grow!), and now this business. It has been the most delicious, rewarding bread-crumb-lined path to further learn myself and the world around me. I deeply hope this builds community in and of itself, but also for you with new and old friends—with a plethora of conversation potential and connection that transcends small talk. Let’s get started (I love you so much for being here!).
VINO, Gamay
Based on the IG poll @literarygastronomy you all you preferred for me to give you some information on the region and comparisons for Gamay...
I fell in love with this red wine years ago at a restaurant in Austin. I told the sommelier, after their beautiful and complex description of the French wine from the Beaujolais region, that it smelled and had an after taste like the “Pirates of the Caribbean” water ride at Disneyland. Of course this puzzled the sommelier, but I realized my new favorite wine profile was ‘funky water-log ride’. This may make sense to you, it may not, just taste for yourself.
Often times, people equate Gamay to Pinot Noir and this is smart because it’s region is very close to Burgundy. Yet, Gamay, or Gamay Noir, is often cheaper than most Pinots. I prefer this wine chilled and it is usually my red summer-wine. Wine Folly notes it could also be compared to “St. Laurent, Schiava, and Zweigelt.” Majority of Gamay is produced in Beaujolais and often (this can help when you are searching for a Gamay) the label doesn’t say Gamay but just the region (or Beaujolais Nouveau). They’re basically all the same. The region has a pretty temperate climate, with some Spring frost and the grape is likely impacted by the closeness to the Mediterranean Sea. There is some limestone in the soil, which between that and the sea's closeness are what probably create the tasting of “water-logged, mossy” that I call "Pirate's ride vibes". It can be light and funky, which I adore.
Verse, interpreter of maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
The first story I read from this collection of nine short stories was the title story “Interpreter of Maladies” and I was awed by Jhumpa Lahiri’s poetic prose, complex characters, and nuanced moments in relationships. It was instantly clear to me why she won the Pulitzer Prize for this collection. The stories can be read on their own, or as a whole. I have taught “When Mr. Prizada Came to Dine”, “Interpreter of Maladies”, “Sexy” and “A Temporary Matter.” Students were always captivated by the nuance of characters and character conflict, which presented room for such complex discussions and real-world applications. Win, win.
After a few years of hosting VVV, I have found that short story collections, essays, and accessible poetry garner the most participation (novels with film adaptions too). I am going to focus this month on the heartbreaking and beautiful story in the collection titled “A Temporary Matter”, as it deals with grief and repressed emotions (if you have not reviewed the monthly meditation or wellness ritual, please do). The workshop “Thriving With Grief” as well as my writing this month was meant to synthesize with the reading for VVV. Between that and these questions, hopefully it will thrive deep and surprising conversations.
The first part of the short story begins with the narrator, through the husband-Shukumar, analyzing the way in which place reflects the mental state of those dwelling—in states of grief. How does this relate to your life, is your space a reflection of your emotional life? What do you make of this in your life and in the lives’ of the two characters? (The plants are too dry to hold candles, the shelves are dwindling nutrients, Shoba uses the home like a ‘hotel.’)
Next, the relational depth of the couple is corollary to their grief. Where do you see this as most evident in the story? Does the quality of your relationships change in times of high emotion, how and why?
Shukumar isn’t interested in India until this father dies, what sense do you make of this?
Why tell secrets in the dark with a bottle of wine? Can secrets be told without masks or protection/hiding oneself?
Shukumar describes Shoba’s beauty as ‘fading’ or expected. Is she the one who has changed or what has changed? Who determines beauty? How does this relate to the “desire/disgust” he feels for the woman in the magazine tear-out?
What has brought about his fears of Shoba’s “secret”? Is the anticipation worse than the actual secret? Can you relate, is there a moment in your life where you were the husband or wife? “Something happened with the house went dark.”
Esther Perel theorizes about desire—that desire is when there is balance in the dance of independence and connection. In other words, there must be space and some mystery between lovers. “You didn’t have to tell me why you did it” she said, squeezing his hand, moving closer. Why would revealing a weakness, a secret, make her feel closer to him, to desire him more?
What do you think came of the couple? Was their relationship broken prior to the secret telling? Or did the secret telling seal their fate? Can you recover as a couple from that kind of pain/grief why or why not?
How does grief change you, does that change your relationships and presentation of ‘self’ to the world? Is this good or bad or neither?
Vinyl: "Mood Revision," music that can instantly transform any mood
I've loved playing this mix while making dinner this month, my mood dancing around with me as I mince veggies. Also, I have met a new music love, Peter Cat Recording Co. (thank you, my dear Shelby!). I will open collaboration once this is posted, but because of a new Spotify limit, it is only open to be added to for 24 hours! Get those records in that you want to add for the June playlist. Make sure to "like" it, so it is saved to your library for anytime you need a mood to be altered.
As you meet, your playlist is taken care of for the night. I suggest to not play on "shuffle", so the entire album can be heard (bonus if you want to bring actual records to play for the night). Conversations around the music chosen are really insightful to learning people well. Seek to understand here: what album did you bring; what mood does that change for you; what is it that can impact you so quickly, the lyrics or tone?
I love building this community with you, because it is in a community that we can heal. Once a month, nurture and build that community. Our reward for it will be so great. Talk soon and I am so grateful for you being here.
Be good,
Amanda
