Tiny versus Somm

I saw two movies over the weekend. Tiny - a movie about living small and Somm - a movie about sommeliers trying to pass the Master Sommelier exam. I like watching people putting forth great efforts, so I liked both movies.

Each movie explains the journey of people trying to achieve something. In Tiny, a couple attempts to build a house from scratch. In Somm, several sommeliers are trying to pass an extremely difficult exam.

Each adventure has clear rewards. Becoming a Master Sommelier opens career doors and subsequent financial gains. Building a tiny functional house gives you an economical place to live. 

The perception of being a Master Sommelier is different from building and living in a tiny house. A Master Sommelier is held in high regard. Owners of tiny houses are often met with ridicule and have to defend and explain their living choices to others.

Another difference in the two adventures was the way the participants viewed the journey. Tiny house builders seemed to appreciate the journey of building their houses. Whereas the Master Sommelier candidates viewed studying for the exam as a painful means to an end. In the Tiny House movie, a couple who was thinking of going separate ways was brought closer together by the process of building the house. But the journey of becoming a Master Sommelier put huge strains on the personal relationships of each candidate. 

I'm one of those people who think the journey is as important as the ending. I also prefer beer to wine, and my smelling and test sensitivity is unrefined. So, the story of the tiny house resonated with me a bit more than the one about sommeliers. But that's just my opinion. Go and watch and decide for yourself!

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