A Life That's Good (feat. Jack Simon Vineyards)

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Every post I will include the song that inspired me to build a post around it's title

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​A little bit about Jack Simon Vineyards

Jack Simon Vineyards is family owned and operated. Their estate is located in San Diego's wine region, the foothills of Polomar.  We all know I love sharing stories about impactful and inspiring people who can rise to the top. Jack Simon was founded by brothers Brad and David Dickson. The name Jack Simon comes from their father's first and middle name. Jack Simon came to America after fleeing the war in Europe in 1939. Coming to America with only $6 he hustled and rose to the top to become a successful businessman. He had a passion for fine wines which inspired his sons to open a winery. They have succeeded in creating a life that is good, in honoring their father with their wines. This winery would later become one of Southern California's best. They offer 7 2016 vintages, 2 of which I had the pleasure of trying, composition 2 and rosado. Let me tell you, the taste was exceptional and perfect for a night in, a dinner party, or if you are more like me, a day at the beach. Their vintages don't cost much and you can get these tasty wines for as low as $24.00. That's a steal considering they are California locals offering some high quality wine. If you want to learn more and join in and get some of these wines for the now Autumn season, you can visit jacksimonvineyards.com or if you are in town and want to check out their tasting room, see the info I have attached below.

Visit The Jack Simon Tasting Room
Sans V
298 Enterprise St , Suite D
Escondido , CA 92029
 
Follow Jack Simon
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What I'm Wearing - Jacket & Shirt - Good Fellow, Pants - Express Men, Shoes - Calvin Klein

​"A Life That's Good" (feat. Jack Simon Vineyards)

Dear readers,
Endings are always scary. No matter if they are happy and tied with a bow, there is a  sense of uncertainty as we move towards the future. Summer has come to an end. I did my best to hold onto it as long as I could, and now it is over, summer is over. I never thought I would feel sad typing those words. Last summer was very difficult, the summer before that, not one to remember, the summer before that summer, I was living in hell at the hospital. Now here we are, it is Labor Day Weekend and another chapter is complete. Some people will move onto new stories, as for me, this is just an ending of a chapter, we still have 2 more chapters to go for this story of mine. What a beautiful summer it has been. I have done and learned so much. I up’d my game by 100 and i’m now at a level I was not at when I first stepped in the DeYoung Museum, when this summer started. I’m leaving summer with a tighter bond with those that I love, i’m leaving summer closer to people who have become my family, i’m leaving with a sense of hope for tomorrow, and a lot of love in my heart, for a future life that is good. 

I make it a point to end my summer at the beach. I wish everyone I love and everyone I have become close to could be here with me. Instead I drank some Jack Simon Rosado No. 1 to myself while Steven and I just talked about life. I never would have thought that the day Steven came in my life, this past May we would be sitting here at Baker Beach taking in the sunset and chilling like it’s our job. As I remind him ever so often, he has become my brother. He may be younger but I look to him and to be in this moment with him as summer ends, is something I won’t forget. Our summer hangouts were limited, but we made the most of them. He’s not leaving for school yet, so we still have time, which is good cause even once he goes i’m really gonna miss him, but our brotherhood won’t end there. It’s been nice to look out for him and Courtney. To have both of them to relate to on different levels. Courtney is headed back to classes. As much as I would have loved to have my sister be here with us at the beach, the girl is off to New York City for her last summer adventure. I wouldn’t have her summer end any other way. She is going to meet Armie Hammer AKA Daddy Hammer, you know Oliver from "Call me By Your Name". I'm so excited for her. We started this summer together learning about the unspoken badass b’s of the world, thanks to Museum Hacks. We did a music video together, hopped around dive bars in SF, partied with MIXED, had beach days and fried egg avocado sandwiches by the beach. We went a little too crazy on some occasions, but we made it home and made new memories to laugh, cry and smile about. My sister and I have done a lot this summer. She has been my rock through it all and been a venting partner through the power changes behind the scenes. I didn’t think we would be going into summer 2018 together for the entire summer, but i’m so glad we did. Side note, I’m also glad that her boo Colin is such a boss that he gives her the space to hang out with that older older bro of hers. Seriously though sis, i’m such a fan of you 2 together and having a blast and embarrassing myself with our wild past by showcasing it to C is something we need to do more often, lol. Anyways, our relationship is stronger than ever and i’m blessed to have my sister Courtney Johnson by my side, even if it will be from afar one day. My nephews are back in school and there’s no more Wednesday movie days with the Incredibles or trips to the hundred acre woods. Both boys are back in school and it’s so weird… they like it… They are growing up and it’s surreal for me to see 2 little boys grow into big boys right before my eye. I just hope they don’t grow up too fast because everyone should never grow up, even when you have to, keep a little of that child in you, it helps you become a better person. I made a new friend this past summer, his name is Ranjot. He has become a brother to me as well. We come from 2 different backgrounds but meet in the middle with our history. Getting to know Ranjot and talk for hours about our past and present and just not be judged about everything, that’s what I need. Not that people I love constantly judge me for decisions I have made, but you know it comes up every now and then. Ranjot is just real and honest. I need genuine people in my life, to be able to make new bros that are genuine af, it’s good for me, it keeps me sane. I went into summer with a mission to spread some love and help some of the children of tomorrow. I’m so proud that my sister Jenny’s donors choose fund was fully funded and knowing that when she starts school next week, all her students will have the supplies they need to have the best school year with the best teacher they could get. Jenny and I didn’t get to see each other this summer, but we talked everyday regardless of the distance. That’s what family is for, even when you are not blood it doesn’t matter, sometimes those that are not blood become your genuine family and Jenny and I are family. Hopefully one day we can reunite and I can show her off and tell her amazing story. Cause sister Jenny has a beautiful and flawed one that deserves a beautiful retelling. Let The Music Be Your Guide got re released. Look at what that did for me. If I keep writing I will legit cry, because it just adds another beautiful page to this story of mine. It was an experience to be able to share that with my loved ones and all the people who have entered my life these past few years. I couldn’t have done that without one of my best friends, Dan Petz. I may write about Dan every now and then, but BTS we talk like everyday. Dan is my safe space, we relate on levels that some people won’t be able to get. Us being musicians makes our bond stronger, our health issues and our past also makes our bond real solid. I wish I got to spend at least a full day skating around or jamming with Dan, but at least the magic of phones and FaceTime kept our friendship strong. As I look out at the water, that I hope somehow, will forever look this beautiful, I get ready for the sun to set. I’m very aware that what has been done is done and we can’t go back to the start of summer. As much as I wish I could be deadpool and have Cher play over a montage, I can’t go back. My story has been getting better and better and these last 4 and a half months have been such a beautiful experience for me. After all I have been through, I don’t want the good to stop. Sometimes i’m hard on me, when dreams don’t come easy. I just want to look back and say, I did all that I could. I have to be okay knowing that it’s not gonna be good forever. I’m gonna loose opportunities, things won’t be as fine and dandy as they were this summer. All I can do is hold on to the memories that have been made and use them to honor the rest of the story, that I still have to live though. That way I can fill these pages up with meaningful words and adventures that can make an impact on not just me, but the people who look to me. 

Sitting here tonight, it reminds me, I already have more than I should. As much as I would love to have the biggest following and audience, I don’t need that to get a message across the board that all I want to do is a make a difference in this world. At the end of the day all I pray for is a life like this, a life that is good. When spring ended, I didn’t know what I was walking into when summer started. Now that summer is over, i’m walking into another chapter. I’m uncertain and i’m scared that I won’t be able to keep being on top of my game. But i’m hopeful that i’ll still have heaven to ground me and 2 arms around me, with a family that always calls me home. I have enough love to share, and I hope they, and everyone will keep allowing me to do so. So from the bottom of the sweet sweet song within my heart - goodbye summer, thank you for treating me so well. One last thought before I go - Indulge and enjoy the good things in this world. Life is short, cherish them and keep the memory of them in your heart, just like this Jack Simon wine that is warming mine over the cool Baker Beach breeze, lol. Cheers to whatever the next pages hold, may you and everyone that I love, have a life that is good. 

Love, Dom

END OF CHAPTER 7

Here's a few memories made with love from summer 2018. 

Photographer - Steven Nguyen  
Personal Photos - Dom Baza

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Stories From My Life - Chapter 7