E-mail: Sherwood@cis.co.za September 2000 You know you are indeed living in the modern millennium age when one actually feels guilty about taking time off work, taking a holiday, taking a sick day (when you are genuinely sick in bed), or making plans and arrangements that are not related to work or ones professional life in anyway! However, this phenomenon is now a fact of life. The more we grow to accept it and embrace it, however reluctantly, the more we lose sight of what life is really all about. Everyone will surely agree that we were not put on this earth to work ourselves into the grave, while in between, if perhaps we catch a few spare moments, we might find time to take up an interest, hobby or activity that does not enhance chances of a promotion at work. Admittedly, it is not easy trying to break out of this mould, for once it takes a grip of your life and lifestyle, its about as easy to stop as it is to jump off a racing high rise roller coaster. Well, fortunately, within the mad frenzy of the work-orientated lifestyle, it is still a necessity to eat and drink. Thankfully, the practice of popping a white pill for breakfast, a green pill for lunch, and a red pill for dinner are still things only seen in obscure Stanley Kubrick movies. But for how long? Striving to simplify our lifestyles and clear out the clutter can of course be taken too far. However, this simplification does not necessarily imply making fast food faster and convenience stores even more convenient. More and more, time-challenged professionals are discovering the deeper pleasures to be found in a simple, healthy, well-prepared meal and a great bottle of wine to match. Cooking and eating has started to take on therapeutic, stress-relieving characteristics, while the selection, purchasing and consumption of wine has started to double as a handy hobby or interest. No earth-shattering lifestyle changes are required either, merely a slight refocusing of a portion of one's energy supplies. A direct consequence of this new movement to raise the profile of wining and dining to a higher level (whether at home or out at restaurants) has been to change wine drinking trends among consumers. Not only are we all drinking better, generally more expensive wines, but also consumers are searching out more exciting, non-traditional styles of wine, from more obscure regions around the globe. So, for those time-challenged yuppies out there who are ready to make a break with take-aways and plonk, here are a few foolproof pointers to help make the transition a little easier:
While the above suggestions are neither new nor profound, the message that lies in their simplicity is certainly valuable for all. Eat, drink, enjoy! |
|