MICHAEL SWAN: THE HAPPENING >>>

Saturday, working on my insignia, I closed my eyes, opened up the dictionary (still have one), and brought my index finger down on any old word â€" you know the trick. I needed to add an image to my insignia. I was drawing a blank. And I had a big blank spot in the middle of my picture, between the slingshot and a bowling ball and the stack of waffles, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out what to draw there. It’s the center, after all. Darn important. And yet, what could possibly be more illuminating than a stack of waffles, or a slingshot and a bowling ball?

I opened my eyes.

Montpellier, noun. a city in and the capital of Hérault, in S. France, near the Mediterranean.

How the hell am I going to draw that?

One page earlier: monolith. Crap. That would have been cool.

But you're thinking, why does this idiot have “food and drink” in his tag cloud for this post?

I couldn't believe my eyes, and then I couldn't believe my luck.

The Red Hot will pour Montpellier Vineyards’ Viognier and Pinot Noir during Wino Wednesday, which falls on the first Wednesday of every month. Each pour is $3 from open to close.

You can see where this is going.

I’m going to get loaded on Montpellier wine at The Red Hot Feb. 4 and finish my insignia. Maybe have a hot dog or two.

I know Montpellier Vineyards is in California, not France. It's a sign, though. I'm riding it.

OK, back to work on my insignia. Need to add a couple more waffles.

[The Red Hot, Wino Wednesday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., 2914 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.779.0229]