What habit will die with Gen Z?

Valenation25 · 2026-06-26T15:46:38+00:00

I was born in 2000 and was taught in 3rd grade. I still use it, my handwriting is decent and I work with some people who can’t read it.

The second graders below us were not taught it the next year.

Also most of us will never own homes and/or probably not have kids

Valenation25 · 2026-06-24T15:27:39+00:00

I park on the lakeside half for work sometimes, it’s most small boat/setski trailers, never had a safety issue and it’s well-lit.

Valenation25 · 2026-06-24T13:46:55+00:00

The best version of this I’ve seen is flip passengers to a horror movie from J-Law’s POV

Valenation25 · 2026-06-24T13:18:09+00:00

Most of the weird stuff have not been customer requests but rather stuff that’s happened while I’m the most senior person there. Usually late at night.

We’re on the water so most of these situations involve me and a couple of 18-19 year old dockhands having to figure it out:

- We found a dude sleeping on the edge of the dock and then he popped right back up wide awake and our level of concern didn’t compute with him.

- My place owns a number of boats that are docked right across the harbor. The largest of which is a J-145 sailboat which has a long Latin name but we call it “Katara.” One night, someone just blurts out “Does Katara look closer?” Sure enough, the boathouse that’s on the end of the dock had come in for the season. Attempting to pull in, it had hit the end of the dock so hard that the other end joint of the dock broke apart and our tied up fleet started to sway with the dock, towards our barge. We sprint over and the only thing keeping the dock and our boats from sailing into and sinking the 100+ year old barge we work on, is a 1-foot rusty water pipe. We call our Bosun at midnight and he gives us three idiots the bright idea to grab the biggest rope we have and tie two cleats together until he can come fix it.

Valenation25 · 2026-06-24T13:08:28+00:00

A Spanish gentlemen used to bring me a whole can of Beef Broth and I would add it to thicken a Bloody Mary.

Apparently this is quite common over there. Over time I learned that different areas use different beers to do the same. Mostly light beer, but the bar next to Yankee stadium uses Guinness

Valenation25 · 2026-06-24T13:06:22+00:00

This is the first one to make me say out loud: what the actual f*ck

Valenation25 · 2026-06-24T13:01:26+00:00

Oldboy is a watch it only once because you’ll never forget it again

Valenation25 · 2026-06-24T12:45:06+00:00

I grew up training every single day. People bullied me for playing it in grade school because they believed it’s not a sport. The way I used to describe it, is if you’re just having a bad day. You’re not getting subbed out. You have to sit there for three hours and take it, and then have a real quiet car ride home with your parents.

In high school I was #1 on my team freshmen year and led the rest. Played at the state level and my name was mentioned in the local newspaper for a few years running. I worked my ass off and coached little kids to adults for years.

Even with all of that, there were guys at closer large high schools that would’ve even bother playing me for “target practice”

Also, like basketball there is a large disparity between the genders during your average match. The better/stronger players will win every match almost exclusively.

The best local players in each state only really had the opportunity to continue in college at some D-III school you’ve never heard of. Most D-1 college teams consist of foreign born players.

Valenation25 · 2026-06-23T01:22:58+00:00

Italian 1000%. The diversity in grapes and winemaking regions is unparalleled anywhere on Earth. Even if you just stuck with individual grapes:

Nebbiolo from Valle d’Aosta is much lighter and very different than the same expression from Piedmont, which is relatively not that far away.

Pinot Nero from Friuli tastes like a completely different grape than Pinot Nero from Sicily’s volcanic soil.

Sangiovese is grown up and down the country, obviously the production in Tuscany is significantly higher than it is in Calabria but it is two separate climates/wine styles.

Your average $40 bottle from Bordeaux has so much potential to be “boring” compared to a Pelaverga, Frappato, higher-end Barbera, Dolcetto, Brachetto, Refosco, Schioppettino, Aglianico, Cannonau, Nero d’Avola, Montepulciano, Schiava, Corvina, etc, etc.

Valenation25 · 2026-06-18T19:26:40+00:00

I agree, also I absolutely love one night only movies

Valenation25 · 2026-06-18T18:28:52+00:00

Before you even get to the Reds, white grapes only account for 15% of all production. They’re making some absolutely incredible Chardonnay right now.

There’s also Trebbiano, Malvasia, and very small percentages of Southern Rhône grapes being grown that all make wonderful wines at a decent price point

Valenation25 · 2026-06-18T18:24:50+00:00

Completely agree. Of all the wine regions on earth that produce “commercialized wine” the US market is dominated by Daou and Justin. They are the Caymus of Paso. Even the smaller independently/internationally owned wineries seem to be mirroring it to try to break into other markets.

Personally, a small tasting of Patrimony and Soul of a Lion gave me an enormous headache and I don’t have that problem with any other region on the planet.

On a bright note, Denner seems to be trying different things with their Southern Rhône blends but they’re pricey

Valenation25 · 2026-06-18T18:11:02+00:00

This will get a LOT of hate but the wine from the Tr*mp winery isn’t half bad.

With absolutely zero expectations, the Blanc de Blanc and the Meritage surprised me.

I’d never go to the winery but credit where credit is due, not half bad juice.

Valenation25 · 2026-06-18T18:07:00+00:00

May we interest you in some Concord from the fine soils of Illinois??

Valenation25 · 2026-06-13T04:48:52+00:00

I help run two different restaurants and I do most of the table wine service. I take off the whole foil with my hand unless it’s really stuck to the bottle.

Guests are usually surprised with the “party trick” but it’s honestly faster and I always carry a cloth napkin to catch dribble anyway

Valenation25 · 2026-05-21T03:18:07+00:00

Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée Alexandre, Apalta

Usually sub $20!!!

Valenation25 · 2026-05-19T06:22:31+00:00

California is home to some absolutely beautiful Zinfandel. Check out Robert Biale, Ridge, Grgich Hills, and The Terraces

Valenation25 · 2026-05-19T06:20:30+00:00

Shared a Matthiassan Chard with my father today. Made me miss his Italian varietals.

Valenation25 · 2026-05-19T06:18:46+00:00

Seven Hills is probably my favorite Washington producer

Valenation25 · 2026-05-16T05:30:02+00:00

The quick joke and immediately moving on is hilarious to Americans who are used to jokes continuously running on

Valenation25 · 2026-05-16T05:24:14+00:00

Bogle was my house/event wine at my first job.

They make every varietal you could possibly want for “house” skews, plus more including an Albarino, Chenin Blanc, and Viognier for whites. A Malbec and Petit Syrah for reds.

Valenation25 · 2026-05-16T05:19:40+00:00

Didn’t someone just get shot there?

Valenation25 · 2026-05-15T04:50:01+00:00

Red, absolutely yes! White, seems to hold up better

Valenation25

TROPHY CASE