forging katanas

Dip, hammer, dip, hammer, dip, hammer, dip ...

This day, two years ago, I boarded a plane to Barcelona, and started on an adventure. An adventure that would test me, painfully at times, but one I threw myself into with everything I had. I can honestly say that I wasted not a single minute of my time as an IESE MBA - emptied the tank, as they say. And now, two years later, back where I started - sort of. When I can't sleep at night, I like watching these forging videos. There's something deeply soothing about watching craftsmen at work. Something inspiring too. The care and attention paid at every step of the way ... the concentration required. What's that line about getting back what you put in? 

It's been getting progressively more hot and humid in Toronto. Since unemployment more than 2 years ago, I haven't seen the inside of a gym, preferring to run, hop, and grunt outdoors. Easier in Barcelona, and much more pleasant too - those bright sunny skies leading all the way to the beach. Not quite the same here, what with our muggy, dark ravine leading to power lines and empty suburban streets. One has to enjoy the good times while they last, I suppose.

Post-MBA justification is a long, slow, steady road. Dip, hammer, dip.

DF

Obsessed

So I'm obsessed with these knives made by Kikuichi. I feel a bit stranded here in Zaragoza, cooking-wise ... the company flat is great and all, clean and in a great location, but the kitchen really leaves something to be desired. I've been reduced to pretty much eating scrambled eggs on toast with a cucumber every night now, with the odd fried chicken when time allows. Sad, but then hey, summer internship baby. This ain't no vacation. But one does dream.

I've been feeling tired lately. Coming out of the office into the sun always makes me a bit dizzy ... not sure if it's the dry air or the 35C temperature, but the 15 minute walk to the bus stop is always a struggle. Blasting Serena Ryder in the headphones helps. So does Lights. Canadian love. Must be a sight ... Chinese guy wearing bright t-shirts over rolled-up pants, walking along a dusty road with literally not a spot of greenery, just belting English songs off-key. Loudly. Just wailing away. I sit staring at a computer screen too long man, all day. But what am I saying. I'm being a baby. That's real life man, that's the hustle, that's the wine trade.

Just a bit over a week now before we conclude this project, and I'm pumped. Went through a review of it today, and while I'm on the right track, much more work left to do. You see, we have to look beyond what's obvious - ie. young Millenials are interested in wine but insecure about their knowledge - and find the insights behind it, and the implications for our company. I'm in this for the ones toiling and sweaty in the dirt and the vines, but the only way we can help them thrive is to sell, sell, sell. 

DF

San Fermin 2014

One misstep led to another, and before I knew it, I'm on day 8 of a raging bender with no reasonable end in sight.

So last Saturday, following our 4th Friday night Shabbat, we were all a little hungover. Over lunch, decided with the roommate that yes, we were actually going to do it and head to Pamplona to take in San Fermin. Being so last minute, our original idea to rent a car fell through, so we went for the next best (or worst) thing. We went out (I headed straight for H&M) to find cheap white pants and shirts, and took the night bus leaving Barcelona at 10pm, and arriving in Pamplona at 4am on Sunday. We figured we'd head straight for the Plaza de Toros, watch the running of the bulls, take a lunch, then head back home on the 2pm train.

What a crazy 20 hours it turned out to be. Arriving in Pamplona was like what I imagine arriving in a refugee camp looks like. Garbage and shattered bottles everywhere - streams of urine flowing through the straights, people slumped in corners dry-heaving, puking, and just wasted. The day was fun though. The actual running of the bulls was over just like that, but the young calves they release into the ring were vicious. Killers, even with wrapped horns and all. A great atmosphere all around. By the time the sun was shining (14C at night here!!), all we wanted to do was find a park for a nap. Got home sweaty and dirty, but I got the stains out of my new white pants, and most importantly, no one came home gored, trashed, or otherwise injured. A great one-in-a-lifetime adventure.

We had our 5th Shabbat this past Friday, and my last one this summer. A little sad, to think that my time at the Calatrava flat is coming to an end, but hey, the bender is far from over. We go hard, until the bottles are empty, or to failure. Whatever comes first.

DF

high and lonesome

What is bluegrass? Songs of sorrow, of weariness ... songs of salvation to salve the soul. A high and lonesome sound. That good old-timey music.

How's all, son?

Not too good. 3rd term's starting off on a rough note. Beat down after 8 months here. Still no internship.

Can't be all that bad. 

No it can't. We are, after all, in Barcelona. It's 23°C outside. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and runs on the beach clear the head and lift the spirit. But man, my ribs are getting sore. I don't know how much more punishment I can keep taking.

We're doers, son. Stop bitching and just get on with it. We do the best with what we have.

Big weekend here. School event and all, for business schools across Europe. Partied hard for 3 nights now. What a waste of time. It's all the same, no, no matter where you are?  How many drinks am I going to have? How late am I staying? How come the music is so bad? Who am I (trying to) taking home tonight?

Focus is key.

Right. So a big week ahead. Lots to deal with before Easter.

Take a minute, take a breathe. And then get to it.

Easier said than done. But yeah. Yeah. At least we have bluegrass.

At least we have bluegrass.

DF

How do you prepare a business case?

I'm so excited to share this - towards the end of our first term at IESE, my team - #TeamB5 - was approached by the MBA Office about participating in a new video describing the case study method. A film crew would film one of our Analyzing Business Problems classes and our team meeting, and conduct individual interviews with the members of our team. An easy yes. And now, the finished product. I hope that it helps whoever is researching, or deciding on business schools to learn more about the case study method, and feel the energy of the class and of our team. So incredibly proud of my teammates. Out to celebrate tonight!

DF

Slow Barcelona

Gabriel is a true artist. A Mombasa gin tonic, he muddles cinnamon sticks into the gin for a subtle fragrance and spice, finishing off with an orange zest to bring it to life. By far my favourite place in Barcelona ... yet.

DF

celebrating La Mercè

Barcelona has stopped in its tracks to celebrate La Mercè. It's been a great experience to see everything, and there are A LOT of things to see. Impossible to catch them all, but we did try, starting with the Castellers. Incredible. The teams compete, piling up one top of the other to 8 stories or so. The person on the very top is always a child in a helmet - bravery like no other, they climb to the top and have to raise their arms to make the tower eligible to compete. Incredible, and well worth the chest-to-back crowds.

Moving out a bit, we got to the cathedral where we caught the traditional Catalan folk dance, La Sardana. Everyone gets in a circle, and as you can see, it's all in the footwork.

And tonight, I caught a surprise performance of the OCB, the Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona I Nacional de Catalunya. Lots of Strauss being performed, getting the crowd all excited. What a beautiful venue - outdoors in the perfect night weather, against the spectacular backdrop of the Catedral de Barcelona. After all the partying, I needed some culture today, and while I wasn't able to see Pure Views (closed today and tomorrow), this was some well-needed alone time (shared with a crowd of thousands). A very good night. The actual day of La Mercè is tomorrow, ending with a light show and closing ceremonies. I might make it ... I might not. But what an experience.

DF

muddle for fragrance

Ok. Enough's enough - let's focus now. No more crying.

Summer is here, and for me, it means stocking up on mint and lime for mojitos. As in all cocktail making, there are infinite variations in preparation and technique, but the key remains quality ingredients and attention to detail. Gentlemen, this is the way to attract a girl's attention. Just don't get twitchy and spill the rum all over her as you pour.

DF

the last drink I ever had with her

This is the drink of my nightmares. No, not because of what it is - the daiquiri is, in a word, wonderful. It's what it represents. Loss. My loss. And it's all my fault.

DF

summer is here

Ok, so this month has been a shitstorm so far and I've been lazy. Bear with me and enjoy the videos - will be back in June. Hopefully. For the summer, the Pimm's Cup.

DF

Uyeda-san demonstrates the Hard Shake

With little else to occupy myself with, I'm teaching myself cocktail making. And as like all other things, technique, technique, technique.

DF

The Office says farewell

Too much to handle these past few weeks. Thanks guys ... thanks for 9 years of comedy and heart. Tonight is going to hurt.

DF

Rome ... by all means, Rome

DF

I'm pretty rusty on it ...

DF

ice cold

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please don't take ...

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In the rocks

This is mind-blowing stuff. Grant Achatz and Craig Schoettler of Chicago's Alinea and Aviary work on an egg-shaped ice ball that is hollowed out, allowing you to inject a drink inside. The customer then cracks open the egg in the glass, creating their own drink on the rocks. This is an Old Fashioned cocktail, but as Mr. Schoettler says, there are endless possibilities ... clear ice, coloured ice, ice flavoured with a cocktail ingredient ...

Amazing.

DF

the Old-Fashioned

A true throwback, the Old-Fashioned, in all its variations and subtleties.

DF

True Originals No. 1 - The Samurai

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Wagyu, recut

Reliving a dream that (for one night at least) came true. Wagyu dinner, with the people that mean the most to me.

DF