While not a fan of Donald Rumsfeld, I always loved the press conference where he explained his philosophy on "Known Unknowns" -- things you know you do not know -- and "Unknown Unknowns" -- things you do not know you don't know. The speed with which we opened WINGTIP -- a unique extension to our downtown store -- meant that there would be many surprises: some we knew would happen, some that we could predict might happen, and some that we could not even imagine might happen.

In retrospect, we should have predicted something like this, but I'd be lying if I said we did: yesterday, we had our busiest day yet in terms of members visiting and bringing guests, and while I did my best to facilitate introductions and be a good host, members started opening some of the bottles of fine spirits that they store at the club since we do not have -- or want -- a full liquor license. Members have already brought in some Willet and Pappy van Winkle bourbon, single malts like Oban 14, Hibiki, Duncan Taylor, Yamakazi, Lagavulin 16, and a couple ports including '85 Graham. As members started meeting each other casually, all of them started offering some of their prized booze to each other (and to me). Nothing organized, nothing encouraged by anyone. Just a brand new, spontaneous camaraderie taking shape amongst people that were complete strangers just minutes before.

It's what I would have done (and have done with my own stash), but I didn't expect others to do it so quickly. It was hard not to feel an immense amount of pride in what we've started...adding community to what has, heretofore, been commerce...