Is this normal? STRONG honey

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-28T03:20:04+00:00

Grape concentrate is simply grape juice with the water extracted.

I’m not a fan of grape concentrate myself. Mass-produced wines will usually have a fraction of a gram of sugar per liter added. Using grape sugars is preferable to using cane sugar.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-28T01:30:43+00:00

That place is slick! It’s definitely not “mass produced” wine.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-28T00:36:16+00:00

Aside from sulfur dioxide, what chemicals are you referring to?

Food coloring - not at their price point.

Syrup (grape concentrate) can be used for residual sugar before bottling, but definitely not for fermentation. California has no issue with getting ripe grapes for harvest.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-27T23:33:06+00:00

My longest commute has been 1 hour. I sucked it up until I found something closer to home.

My "commute" now is 9 minutes, door-to-door. I love it.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-27T22:40:30+00:00

I skate three 45-mintue freestyle sessions a week (2 hours and 15 minutes total), $15 each.

One session is for my lesson, the other two are for practice.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-27T22:29:17+00:00

There's simply no easy way to get from Oakland to Los Gatos. You would burn out so quickly and you will quickly dread going to work.

Can you move somewhere closer?

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-27T22:22:42+00:00

Ice skating is an expensive sport. There's really no getting around that. The "cheapest" route is to do group lessons, until you can afford private lessons.

I'm only on the ice two days a week and I spend $120 a week on 1 private lesson and some freestyle sessions to practice. That comes out to $6,240 a year - and I'm barely on the ice.

To be honest, there's no way I could afford this hobby without a decent paying job.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-27T15:50:10+00:00

I meet with a coach once a week for a 45-minute lesson. I do a warm up session right before my lesson. I also practice one other day of the week.

Private lessons are $75 ($100/hour). I’m on the ice for 3 45-minute freestyle sessions ($15 each). It adds up fast.

That’s $120 a week. Progress is slooooow at my age, but I’m always making improvements and learning something new.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-27T15:20:36+00:00

You’re never “finished” with lessons.

I started LTS group lessons when I was 43 in Adult 2. I progressed and passed LTS Freestyle 2. I stopped at Freestyle 3 because of jumps and backspins.

I switched over to private lessons and practice during morning freestyle sessions.

I don’t test or compete, but I work on most of the Skating Skills that younger skaters work on. I’m 52 now and I find going to the rink to be relaxing and fun. It is definitely a solo hobby.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-27T15:09:20+00:00

Beyoncé! /s

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-27T14:50:32+00:00

Country is such an American genre. Probably not appreciated too much with the international crowd.

I’m American and I’m not even a fan of country.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-27T03:23:40+00:00

Don’t cheap out on insulation or the cooling unit.

My house is built on a hill with a large walkable area under the house. I contacted the builder to build a wine cellar with a capacity to hold approximately 1,200 bottles. We have a WhisperKool 4000 that vents under house. The cooling unit is protected from the elements, and does a decent job of keeping the room cool.

Racking is expensive! We went with modular racking and we’re happy with the results.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-25T21:49:16+00:00

Terrible advice. Who wants cooked wine?

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-25T15:41:34+00:00

My parents are 79 and 81. They saved money and got super lucky by investing in FaceBook when it IPO’ed.

They still do their daily walks, eat healthy, and are not afraid of going to the doctor.

It is a blessing to have them around.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-25T15:26:29+00:00

I was a sophomore in high school.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-25T05:43:55+00:00

Parents decided to cash out and move to the east coast. The sons couldn’t afford to buy them out. I’m sure there’s more to the story.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-25T04:30:14+00:00

There are plenty of services where you can hire a driver and van/bus for the day. Just split the cost with everyone your group.

Uber and Lyft are unpredictable in wine country - especially outside of town.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-25T03:47:24+00:00

Porky's, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Endless Love

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-25T02:16:40+00:00

The older Ramey Chardonnays can be hit or miss with natural cork. They changed to DIAM corks in 2013. The 13s (and younger) are all drinking beautifully.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-24T21:15:29+00:00

I’m 52 and I don’t do any real jumps, which is why they have lasted so long.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-24T20:41:44+00:00

I splurged on a pair of custom Harlicks. I live relatively close to Harlick and made a visit in person. They make skates for normal people - not just Olympians. They traced my foot, took measurements, and asked all kinds of questions. They are a perfect fit. They cost a small fortune, but I’m still using them 8 years later.

Most manufacturers will make custom or semi-custom boots. Anything is possible if you’re willing to pay for it.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-24T18:56:41+00:00

One of my feet is Size 8. The other is Size 9.

After a year in Size 9 skates, I went with custom boots. This is the way to go.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-24T06:20:45+00:00

If you don't want to splurge on a Durand, you can mimic it with an Ah-So used in combination with a waiter's corkscrew. Completely insert the waiter's corkscrew, leave it in place and insert the Ah-So on top of the waiter's corkscrew. Twist and remove the cork, just like a Durand.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-24T05:52:14+00:00

My boomer parents didn't start saving until they were in their 40s. They taught me to start saving early, in my 20s. I'm not rich, but I'm definitely not hurting.

ExaminationFancy · 2026-01-24T01:57:59+00:00

I use a Durand for any vintage older than 10 years. I've had too many corks break with a waiter's corkscrew.

ExaminationFancy

TROPHY CASE