The Girl Who Does It All

It only took 6 months and a long international flight, but I finally watched the second and third movies in the Milennium trilogy, The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.  Good follow ups, but not quite up to par with the first movie. 

True to the books, everything bad that can happen to Lisbeth does.  Somehow, with the help of friends like Bloomkvist, she comes out in one piece.  Great acting from most of the cast. 

Noomi Rapace can say nothing and still get her message across.  Mikael Nyqvist as Bloomkvist is sometimes guilty of over acting, but he gets the job done.  Annika Hallin as Bloomkvist sister and Lisbeth's lawyer was excellent.

Read the books, then see the movies.  I am guessing they will be better than the US versions that are begining production.

T Minus 7

It has been almost four years since I made a trek to Napa.  Next weekend will be a great time with more wine and food than I should or can consume (I will need to walk 20,000 steps a day to stay even on weight).

Miner Diner on Saturday.  Lunch and blind tasting at Chappellet on Sunday. Finishing off the trip with a day on Spring Mountain at Terra Valentine and Fantesca.

In between there will be stops at other favorites and my e-mail friend Jim Kimmel is having some of his great Chardonnay and Merlot delivered to my hotel.

Hopefully I have not forgotten how to blog from my phone.  It should be a great weekend.  I am in training tonight with a great Chardonnay from Fantesca.

Chris, You Can Stop Spinning Now.

What's wrong with this picture.  I guess that's a loaded question, but I best get on topic.  No, this is not a young Rush Limbaugh (although there are similarities).  This is the Governor of the great State of New Jersey.  He doesn't have enough to do right now so he is encouraging (probably too nice a word) businesses to abandon Illinois for "business friendly" New Jersey in advertisements on Illinois radio.

The Tax Foundation reports New Jersey ranks 48th on the list of states with the best tax climate.  Illinois was 23rd, but with the recent tax increase has dropped to 36th. With a business tax rate of 9%, New Jersey does have 0.5% lower business taxes. However, the Tax Foundation also reports that New Jersey has the highest state/local tax burden in the nation.  In fact people who make more than $40,000 a year will pay higher income taxes in New Jersey than in Illinois. I guess Chris forgot to put this in is advertisements. 

I don't like paying more taxes, but those who live in glass houses....