george aldridge

The Friday Fermentable: Vote for Your Phavorite Pharmboy by George Aldridge

terrasig — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:45:44 +0000

The Friday Fermentable: Vote for Your Phavorite Pharmboy by George Aldridge

As I alluded in last week's post, a friendship struck up with Australian wine writer, Philip White, led me to the outstanding artistry of George Grainger Aldridge. I asked Philip how I might engage Mr Aldridge in designing the official avatar for The Friday Fermentable series and he set me up with George. I sent George two, real-life photos of me appropriately enjoying a Thorpe Estates McLaren Vale Reserve Shiraz (as he is also in South Australia) and suggested that he read the blog a bit to get a feel for my personality. Within two weeks, Mr Aldridge sent me these three drawings.

I was absolutely ecstatic and amazed that a well-recognized artist halfway around the world could capture various aspects of my personality so accurately. I guess that's why he's a pro, eh? Anyway, I couldn't wait to share these with you.

Now, I have to admit to liking each one for different reasons. But I ask you, Dear Reader, to vote in the comments as to your favorite drawing that best represents how we convey our love for wine (almost) every Friday.

George, you are the king - I hope that the devastatingly hot weather cools back a bit over the weekend and that all is otherwise well in Gawler. A cheque will be in the mail shortly.

And if you wish to commission Mr Aldridge with sketches that you desire, please feel free to e-mail him at aldridge_george [at] yahoo [DoT] com [dOt] au.

terrasig Thu, 02/05/2009 - 15:45

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I like all three - they are awesome and you need to use them everywhere, perhaps as avatars - but my vote goes for #3 - looks like a Prefesser of Dangeral Studies!

I like #3 the best, #1 would be okay. not fond of #2 at all.....

The body positioning in #2 is a bit perplexing, but I really like the facial expression. That raised eyebrow is both an invitation to join in the tasting and a hint of scientific curiosity.

Needless to say, all three are very nicely drawn.

for some reason i'm partial to number two.

My vote goes to #3

#3 is my favorite, though either 1 or 2 are still awesome.

Abel, you are one devastatingly handsome dude. #3 makes my teeth sweat.

Any one is better than the funeral director portrait in the pharmacology poster on the left (although I do know some handsome funeral directors). No.1 seems a bit too wine-snobbish; no.2 is into his cups (and into Victorian pyjamas, or some such strange garb); so it's got to be no.3!

I'd go with two because it's more visually interesting, if not slightly insane.

Thanks, folks! Keep 'em coming. I'll tally up later and then also give the family totals as well unless they weigh in here as well.

baryogenesis raises an interesting point - I told Mr Aldridge that I'm thinking of using one of these as my blog avatar as well (not just for this Friday feature). As I've begun to get invited for professional talks as a result of this blog, those who don't know me are surprised when someone shows up about 25 years younger than the then-Dr Abel. I never really thought how much that photo might influence the reader into thinking I am of a different demographic than my 70-years-deceased 'nym-sake.

@Coturnix weighs in first - what a surprise!

@Brother Drug - your choices remind me that I may care to stratify the results based on those who know me/have seen my real photo and those who don't.

@Linda - is your vote influenced by your tropical locale (and tropical beverages?)?

@chezjake - a superb analysis

@PalMD - you also drank wine with me - reminds me that I have to finish that Friday Fermentable Live! post from three weeks ago!

@Isis, oh my dear and kind friend, come on, you must say that to all the boys - well, maybe except for Sol Rivlin and Dave.

@george.w and skepoet - okey-dokey, thanks for the votes

Oh, and while we're at it, can I get a big "Booyah!" for the talented George Aldridge?!?

They are all good. If I had to pick ordered best to least best, it would be 1, 3, then 2.

3, 1, 2...but they're all pretty great. Thanks George for capturing Abel so well.

I like #3 the best - very cool, very beatnik. My second choice would be #1. I'm not as crazy about #2 in the full, but I agree with chezjake that the facial expression is excellent - maybe you could crop? Or would that be gauche?

We really like #1, then #3 and not #2 although he did catch the raised eyebrow. Talk with you soon.

Another vote for #3!

Oh, Number ONE!!!! Hands down! : D

#3, though I do like #2 as well...actually, all of them are great. Can you not rotate them?

I'm voting for #1. I like profile shots. I actually have #2 as my second choice. #3 comes off too serious for me.

I also noticed the #2 pajama party look and wondered if that's what went down at SciOnline09!?!?w00t!?
For me, #2 paints the real pic of a scientist. You have your hand under your leg holding up your glass (like jumping through yet another freakin hoop just to sip some wine), balancing the wine bottle on one finger with style (since the other fingers are tired from writing that damn grant), and dancing in your pjs (instead of that stuffy-ass jacket)!
#2 FTW.
George - you are amazing!

Two is out. Three is better than one; though, it's a tough call. I like Erin's idea for rotation. Two could be used for the more fanciful posts.

George rocks, these are great. I like nbr. 3 best. He has 'tude :)

wow, what a talented artist! that's very cool.

i like #3.

Not to dampen our little party here but Philip White himself just authored an article in today's Independent Weekly that surveys the disastrous heat currently hitting South Australian vineyards:

http://www.independentweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/blast-of-the-summer-wine/1427028.aspx

Keep the votes coming for Mr Aldridge's work - it'll make me feel better to be sending some cash down South Australia way.

I vote for #3, which I think looks and feels most like you.

(I am another who was temporarily nonplussed on meeting you, having (unconsciously) expected someone much, much older.)

OMG!! LOVE. THEM. #2 and #3 are definitely my favorites. I can't imagine you ever being as serious or pompous as #1 ... it's a very good drawing, just doesn't feel very you. #2 feels pretty you -- it's appropriately fun and goofy, #3 is you too, and quite cool, but ... perhaps too cool? Is there such a thing? Not that you're not Mr. Cool -- you are, obviously -- but #3 is perhaps a bit too ... I don't know ... self consciously cool? I like the man-of-many-talents thing going on in #2 ... Like, I can raise one eyebrow, balance a bottle on my finger, and drink from this glass under my leg, ala Globetrotter.

Drawing #3 is cool, Newport Jazz festival cool, but the shades take away any facial expression or personality. Drawing #2 has insect-like body language so that one I rate last. Without question #1 is the best. You've got the Jazz thing still going on, i.e. the cool thing, but we can see your eyes and more of who you are. Great renderings all but go with #1.

You people rock - can't believe that Mom even weighed in. I'm also glad that Uncle Bill shared the view of baryogenesis that the Abel portrait misrepresent my relative youth (youth, HAHAHA!)

It seems that #3 is in the lead but a strong contingent likes #2. PharmKid favored #3 also while PharmGirl favored #1. So much for agreement amongst the family.

While purchasing last evening a bottle of Allouchery-Perseval, Tradition Brut, Champagne, France NV, I asked Wine Authorities co-owner, Seth Gross, to comment because 1) his operation displays superb graphics and 2) he is a fellow graduate of the University of Florida. Seth was drawn immediately to #3 but was put off by the aroma stream from the glass than invoked tobacco smoke, a big no-no even here in North Carolina. He liked #1 but thought that my nose was turned up just a bit too much as to be inconsistent with our inclusive view of wines. He also liked #2 but thought it was too busy.

I will share with you that I am most of the mind of my colleague, Rebecca Skloot. #2 is the personality I most wish to be, has the raised eyebrow that my Mom recognizes as mine, and is sort of George's channeling of Ralph Steadman. #3 is most representative of the photographs I sent George and, for those of you who know me, most likely to be your favorite. I have a real soft spot for #1 because it shows me from looking behind my shades - a nice metaphor for being a pseudonymous blogger whose identity is known rather widely. The swirling of the glass in #1 is also really, really cool.

Bottom line is that I have ordered all three from Mr Aldridge for display at Ch. Pharmboy and will rotate the three through The Friday Fermentable, perhaps even including all three in each post to denote the views of each of my personalities with regard to wines tasted.

Thank you each for registering your vote.

Ooooh, I didn't even think of the looking-from-behind-the-shades thing and its connection to the 'nym ... that's cool, and you get it in both #1 and #2. I like the idea of rotating them. One more thing I like about #2 besides its man-of-many-talents thing is that by being in the rotation it says, I take myself seriously, but not that seriously.

One might note that if the undoubtedly lovely, brilliant and talented persons PharmGirl and PharmMom are in agreement the deal is sealed.

The Friday Fermentable: Philip White, Drinkster, and George Aldridge, Artist, Cartoonist, and Illustrator

terrasig — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:32:53 +0000

The Friday Fermentable: Philip White, Drinkster, and George Aldridge, Artist, Cartoonist, and Illustrator

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, is a place that many have told me I must visit (although perhaps not now as they are experiencing record heat). In fact, a twist of science and friendships nearly brought me there for my sabbatical before I had a big change in my life. The University of Adelaide is outstanding (and home of colleague and Astroblog blogger, Ian Musgrave), the surrounding wine appellations are world-famous, and the mountains to the northwest would be a combination I'm told I'd be certain to enjoy.

Therefore, I was delighted to receive the following e-mail on 3 January from renowned Australian wine writer, Philip White, who was attracted by my pseudonym:

Dear Dr.,

There's a lot to be said for ersatz monikers, especially if they're cleverly constructed, which drew me to yourn.

You made me laugh - I glued you in my regulars, which is the place to be.

I started writing so long ago my cover was blown by the time I was six, so I'm envious.

I do however answer to Fellici Bianco, and to various other appellations.

I was Filth at school. My black mates call me Whitey.

I'm sitting inside my French windows in a beautiful vineyard in McLaren Vale, South Australia. It's about 38 degrees Centigrade outside ... the cutting horses are dozing neath the eucalypts, and all the wee berrudies are taking their arvo nap. I'm sposed to be writing about geology for money, but, well, you know, it's Saturday, the riesling is cold, I'm too lazy to cook, and sometimes a mind sets a ramblin and takes a stroll through the big cob web. Anything to do with drugs and drinking immediately attracts my attention.

So thanks for the humourous break you gave me.

Keep in touch,
Philip White.

With that fantastic imagery, it will be no surprise to you that Mr White keeps a blog of wine stories at d r i n k s t e r, and an incredible wine-tasting notes archive at Drankster.

White's self-description:

Philip has written about the history, economics, politics, geography, geology, ecology, manufacture, marketing, packaging, flogging, not to mention the drinking of grog, mainly grape-based, and its results, for thirty years, in newspapers and magazines all over Australia, not to mention a couple of shiny ones in London.

His writing simply makes me want to either strive to be him or hang up The Friday Fermentable feature in resignation. Witness his skewering of a, shall we say, substandard beverage:

Golden Oak Australia Argentina Medium Dry White 05:33 L 8290
$2.50/litre; 9.5% alcohol; bladder pack; 68 points
Alarmingly fizzy when poured (from a chrome handbag) this wine has obviously used all that soluble CO2 to maintain its bright fruity freshness. It smells like fresh white grapes - doradillo maybe, like Petaluma has on its labels - with a dusty whiff of the desert about them. Can't blame that on the cork, eh, Portugal? Maybe a little plastic, but it's not overt with polyvinyl chloride, which is a mercy. It does show a squirt of some cosmetic, adding to its quality. The palate tastes like a glass of sugary water with a dash of impossibly fresh grape juice - about as sweet as what we used to call spatlese riesling in the '70s and '80s. Mother's Little Helper. While there's no vintage date, there IS a batch number in fine print on top of the box. So if you get another batch number, it's not the wine I tasted here. Not too bad, really: fault-free, but cleverly concocted to the price, cheaper than imported bottled water, and sweet! Go for it! PS: Try it with ice and soda in a long tumbler, and a sprig of mint. BWS.

Cheaper than imported bottled water. True, indeed.

Originally a poet, Mr White has been a formal journalist and wine critic for over 30 years. Not highly publicized is his dedication to his community, from supporting wine making from residential grapes left to waste to fundraising for the care of those with alcohol addictions. Mr White is easily the most highly-regarded wine writer in South Australia.

Philip's take yesterday on the impact of the current SA heat wave and vintage 2009 and, more importantly, the people of Adelaide, is far more informative than other press reports. (Mr White is, however, also quoted in The Independent Weekly as well.). Fellow Twitterers can follow the latest news using the hashtag #adelaideheatwave.

Beyond his terrific writing, I am impressed by Mr White in his outspoken support for small, traditional wine makers and disdain for mass-produced corporate swill - these comments from 2001 were particularly prescient:

Philip White says the tragedy is smaller winemakers who still handpick their fruit are making better, more authentic, Australian-tasting wine. He says the big companies, millions on distribution and marketing, are churning it out to a formula in hyper-sized refineries.

"What was a cute wholesome product is now a commodity that is generally overpriced. It's totally unnecessary and in some cases is like coca-cola except in some instances you'll find it's selling cheaper than coca cola," Philip White said.

Philip White hopes consumers here and overseas will be a wake-up to the hype, before the industry is consumed by it's own hubris.

"In South Australia if you're even vaguely critical of any aspect of the wine industry, you're regarded as a traitor who should be thrown out of Australia. It's a very cocky self-satisfied group of people at the moment," he said.

I wrote a few months ago about my current disappointment in one of my old Aussie favorites, Rosemount Estates Shiraz, and learned that the original maker has started a small estate winemaking enterprise. I share Mr White's enthusiasm for small, authentic Australian producers.

With that all said, I strongly encourage readers of The Friday Fermentable to dial up Drinkster and Drankster. While you may not get all of the wines in your area, you can still enjoy the delicious imagery of Mr White's writing.

One final aside that we'll follow next week: While perusing Mr White's Drinkster site, I came across some fantastic drawings by artist, George Aldridge:

All the DRINKSTER cartoons are by the Flinders Ranges based artist, George Grainger Aldridge. While George draws cartoons for DRINKSTER and The Independent Weekly, he usually paints huge beautiful landscapes of the Adnyamathanha country in the northern mountains, and portraits of those who live in them. For copies, or originals, of the work of George Grainger Aldridge, contact him at aldridge_george [at] yahoo [dot] com [dot] au.

So taken was I by Mr Aldridge's artwork that I asked Mr White for an introduction. Mr Grainger and I had a few conversations and I sent a few photographs of me enjoying a McLaren Vale Reserve Shiraz. Next week, we shall present Mr Aldridge's interpretations of your humble blogger and hold a vote for the most appropriate image to accompany this near-weekly feature.

terrasig Fri, 01/30/2009 - 17:32