(Not shown: the proper wine glasses, which are in a cupboard above the fridge because most are too tall or too voluminous for this cabinet)

I mean, we divorced more than 12 years ago, so it’s well and truly in the past, but I appreciate the sentiment.

That was a bargain from the now-closed Pottery Barn in Bondi! It’s somehow become my most reliable shaker, go figure.

Look! Waterford, LSA crystal chased with platinum, vintage 60s art deco, souvenir barware, $2 seasonal Kmart Xmas stuff, IKEA tumblers, charity shop oddballs, Bohemia lead crystal & at least two I made by cutting the tops off bottles. The common factor: they look cool & I can drink out of them.

C’mon Dave, get with the program.

So reading about people talking about vacuum-tube amplifiers or Japanese re-pressings of niche American jazz labels or sourcing everything a producer worked on reminds me that I might be one of those guys, but I’m not *that* fuckin’ guy.

My barware I use has no theme of maker, era or design. My records are rereleases, modern pressings & banged-up $5 bin beaters. My only caveats for buying an analogue camera is that it mostly works, is fun to use & isn’t too pricey. With 3 exceptions, I’ve never paid more than $50 for a fountain pen.

I’ve read 2 books recently where a main character’s niche interest (jazz records, Mexican cinema) has been the driver of the mystery/plot & tell you what: I am a nerd/hobbyist of many niche things, but these books have reminded me that I’m not an anorak, because I really only seek out things I like.

I’m picturing you thwacking the blackboard with an extendable pointer where it it written “OILS!” and “NAIL HEALTH!”

This got an IRL LOL out of me as I reached the last bit