I am writing this before I go out and will probably not be on this thread. However I would like to thank the Blogmocracy Netizens for the success of this blog. We hope to continue to grow with your assistance. This thread is more than the usual drinking thread. We would like to know, what stories you like reading or which ones you don’t. We want to hear you compliments as well as your criticism.

As the tradition of the drinking thread, I am drinking Chianti Classico Riserva. An Italian wine from the Tuscany region north of Rome. It is great tasting and comparable to Spanish Rioja in strength.

On the cover is Charles V (Carlos I) the 1st Hapsburg ruler of the Spanish Empire.  Germany, Spain, Most of Italy, parts of North Africa, Austria, Northern Hungary, The Low Countries and Latin America were united under his rule. It was an Empire where the sun never set and was sustained by a professional Army, who’s nucleus was the feared Spanish Tercios (Infantry). His son Phillip II (Felipe II) would later add the Portuguese Empire and the Philippines under the Hapsburg.

Happy New Year Netizens and thanks for your support!