All I know is that I don’t know nothin…

When I was 15 years old the Operation Ivy: Energy album was my siren, my mantra, relief and greatest friend. The formative years of a Pacific Northwest youth in those days were driven by the mercurial pinnings of a misunderstood generation, or so we liked to believe. We would clamor to the $5 Billy’s Punk Rock Pavilion shows at La Luna, witnessing the birth of bands like Everclear, Nirvana, Floater, MXPX and so many more, content that nobody really understood us and probably never would.

Back then I knew everything.

Well, I’ve doubled in age and learned a few things since then, most importantly is that I still don’t know shit. I used to believe that “Knowledge” was a song about seeing the way the world really worked and not being blinded by the transmissions of modern society. But what I think now is that the bay area boys were really just admitting that they had no idea what the hell was going on either, but weren’t content just towing the line.

And that’s an important lesson.

Especially for those of us in the service industry. When we feel content to rest on previous success or try and sell the same ideas over and over again, we are doing a disservice to our customers. How can we be trusted to be guides behind the bar or at the table when we won’t make those same initial leaps and try something new?

Don’t get me wrong, innovation and experimentation just for the sake of looking smart or cutting edge is just as dishonest. (This idea has largely led me to abandon messing around with molecular mixology style ideas, it just feels like expensive shtick)

Long story longer, All I know is that I don’t know nothin…

But, this week I’m going to try and smarten myself up a bit.

Image "Borrowed" from Talesofthecocktail.com

I’m attending the  big daddy of spirits gatherings this world has to offer world, the 8th annual Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. I have been watching this social gathering from the internet sidelines for the last couple of years and vowed to not miss this years event. More than 15,000 people descend on the French Quarter in Sprited reverie.(Pun absolutely intended)

I signed up for a full plate of seminars (14 in five days!) and a slew of other events around the city. It’s more than a drinking party in one of the worlds best drinking cities, it’s a chance for me to finally witness first hand what the brightest minds in the business have to offer. (And finally get  beignets & a real Po’boy) It looks to be a challenging week of debaucherous schooling. A constant test on my imagination and liver.

A high falootin good time, if you will.

Oh, I will….

I’ll be throwing y’all some updates and live-blogging a few of the events. Expect pictures and stories and more than a few misspellings to be forthcoming. (Seriously the Kahlua Coffee Bar opens at 8:30 am. I like to think my STX training has led me to appreciate this)

I hope to

A: Return alive and in a functional capacity

B: Have a bonnet full of ideas and experiences to bring to my fellow STX’ers

C: Seriously, return alive and in moderate shape

D: Make some new friends & promote our little island and all it (see: Rum) has to offer

All I know is that I don’t know nothin…. and that’s fine

See you on the other side, St. Croix!

Tales of the Cocktail