Perhaps I should explain those pics below...

Just in case you're at all interested, that dude pouring drinks in the first photo is David Nepove, the chief mixologist for Southern Wine and Spirits. He was heading a seminar on bourbon, and my old chef buddy Marc* (who I ran into at random, hadn't seen him seen he was working at the Ritz on Maui) were all over it.

*(Actually, I knew Marc way back in '89 when we both lived in the desert, although we went to different schools. Anyway, we sort of leapfrogged each other after that to San Francisco then Maui and now Palm Springs again, without prior knowledge or planning. Okay, so we might've hooked up, for like half a minute, when I lived in Santa Cruz. But now he is a desert-dwelling, home-owning, happily married high-end chef with a young pup on the way and I am very pleased for him. And he was intent on convincing me that such a happy existence would surely await me, once I found my niche in the desert, even though I patiently explained how living here was much like living on Maui in that it was far too comfortable and, frankly, a bit boring, and that I really wanted to get back to the city. He wouldn't hear it until about his fourth bourbon cocktail, a spiced apple cider with Bookers, that made him wistfully recall one foggy night in San Francisco, cozied up at Vesuvio and watching the rain make jagged lines down the window, before scampering over to City Lights or perhaps a nearby bistro for a double espresso and some live jazz...
"Oh, go back to San Francisco!" Marc mock-cried, hanging his head over his woebegone bourbon cocktail. "Just go back already.")

The second photo was of this snazzy booth featuring Roberto Cavalli vodka (oh, I know Miss Kimmy would like that one) and Frida Kahlo tequila. I was initially put off by the young, L.A. model-ubergods and goddesses pouring the spirits, but once I put my pettiness aside, the anejo tequila was surprisingly smooth. It really was some good shit.

Another nice surprise was the discovery of the Cosentino Winery (third photo). They showcased their Cabernet Franc (strong eucalyptus) and Meritage blends. My faves were the "Poet" (red) and the "Novelist" (white). Great names, eh? Seriously, it was the only vineyard represented that I went back to every day of the festival. I will surely be stocking up on this stuff, you know, to help with the writing.

Fourth photo? Um, yeah... that would be my new Porsche Boxster. Oh shit, or is it their Carrera Cabriolet? I was getting them confused with the Audi Roadster, another sexy car, but of course I was drinking mega amounts of wine. Well, whether it's $55K or $100K at that point what difference does it make, right? (Spoken like somebody who's real happy with her Scion at the moment!) Anyway, I'm not really a convertible kind of girl but for this car I would definitely give it a try.

The last photo's just of the sun setting over the mountains and tent tops. I am enjoying the desert sunsets...