Front Row Access 1/30 Portland Winterhawks

A normal weekend. It has been a long time. I woke up at 6 AM this morning not because I wanted to but out of habit. I looked at the clock and went back to sleep.

Second time I woke up at 9:30 AM! Spent the next 3 hours cleaning my house from top to bottom. My parents arrive on Wednesday and I do not want them to think I am a slob.

Went for a quick run and then got ready for a girls night out in Portland. Caitlin and Rachel picked me up at 4:45 PM and off we went for dinner and then to The Rose Garden for the Winterhawks game. So much fun. Front row hockey! How I miss it. Loved every minute of it.

Check it out. Rachel even got a game puck!

I was born with a fanny pack on my waist

Potential names for my blog:

I WAS BORN WITH A FANNY PACK ON MY WAIST...

I WAS BORN WITH A BACKPACK ON MY BACK...

I WAS BORN WITH A BOWLING BALL ON MY HAND...

It just isn't the same as I WAS BORN WITH A SUITCASE IN MY HAND...

The blog storyline

According to Wikipedia, "A blog (a contraction of the term 'web log') is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. 'Blog' can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog."

I admit I originally started this blog because I was lazy. I was off to New Zealand and I wanted my close friends and family to be able to see what I was up to, but I didn't want to have to email everyone individually. So I started a blog. I had no clue that I would continue writing on it two years later.

The plot thickened, and this blog became so much more. The exposition: the beginning of the plot concerned with introducing the characters and setting. At the beginning it is all about my travels to New Zealand and work. Then the rising action occurs when I fly to Tasmania , Australia (the first time) to work harvest at Tamar Ridge.

The conflict: clash between two or more groups around which the plot evolves--occurs on Valentine's Day in Sydney, Australia when I find out Andries has been cheating on me. It isn't just that I was cheated on, it was that I chose love over accepting a perfect job in downtown Chicago. It was that I finally trusted someone and I was decieved. This was when I opened up to the world and showed another side. Someone I don't even know at all but who recently discovered this blog commented about how much more enjoyable it became after the conflict. I opened up and showed a side of me most people never knew. I guess he is right. I think this blog helps me get out things I would normally hold inside.

The climax: the high point of the story which features the most conflict and struggle and usually reveals any secrets or missing points to the story. Well, those of you who have read my blog know quite well what the climax is. Those of you who are reading it most recent to oldest do not and are in for a BIG surprise.

I can guarantee that this blog will be full of conflict, climax and falling action: the part of the story which shows the result of the climax and its effect on the characters, setting and proceeding events.

Someday there may be a resolution: series of events that follow the climax and thus serve as the conclusion of the story.

For now, just enjoy the story.

I really was born with a suitcase in my hand

What is your signature look? Do you always wear a baseball cap? A ponytail? The color black? Bright neon colors? Dresses? Shorts? Jeans and a white shirt?

Someone (you know who you are) pointed out tonight that apparently my signature look is a suitcase in my hand...oh yeah and boots. Well these boots are made for walking and that's just what they'll do. One of these days these boots are gonna stomp Sauv Blanc grapes too.

So the story continues. I guess I really was born with a suitcase in my hand. Some children grow up needing a security animal or a blanket, but my item of choice was obviously a suitcase. Stay tuned for pictures of me and my suitcase. It's a new game at work. Maybe I should name my suitcase. Any suggestions? Maybe Shoe It or Cue It? Sauvey? Wisco?

Mo's Clam and Chowder Festival at Willamette Valley Vineyards Day 1

6:54 AM Wake up

7:00 AM Get ready for work.

8:00 AM Depart Sherwood for my hour commute to Turner, Oregon

9:00 AM Stop at Safeway to purchase snacks for the weekend

9:30 AM arrive at Willamette Valley Vineyards

9:30 AM to 7:00 PM Help setup for event, facilitate admissions table, stock wines, breakdown boxes, direct traffic outside and organize shuttle service from the Gatehouse, help Rudy get deliver Riedel "O" wine glasses from the warehouse, cleanup winery and get set for next day. Not to mention that this was all done while wearing high heels.

Mo's Clam and Chowder Festival was a HUGE success on day 1. 1300 + visitors (more people than live in Stoddard, WI where my family lives) and lots of Willamette Valley Vineyards wine enjoyed. Time for bed.

California Trip January 2010

Backswing Becky

When one door closes, another one opens

Today I visited the winery where it all started for me: Bargetto Winery in Soquel, California. I owe a lot to Marty Bargetto who took me under his wing and hired me back in 2004. Since then, I have worn many hats: wine club assistant, wine club and direct marketing manager, compliance, vintage cellar hand, seasonal viticulturist and now direct sales manager.

The crazy thing is, that I am still having a blast. It is not a career for me, it is a lifestyle. I will post some more pics of my California trip very soon. Off to bed and back to the office tomorrow.

Cheers!

To Tweet or not to Tweet, that is the question

Tomorrow I am off to California, my old stomping ground. I lived in a few places in California: Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Felton, Capitola and Santa Rosa. My fondest memories in California involve wine.

I am excited to see my friends and coworkers at Bargetto Winery where I first got a job in the wine industry as the Wine Club Assistant in August of 2004. I could have never imagined that taking that job would change my life so drastically. Now my family has a vineyard in Wisconsin! How crazy is that? I have traveled around the world making wine at all sorts of wineries. Me, the girl who hated science and math and preferred art and fashion, is currently in school for winemaking and viticulture.

Today we had our Annual Strategy Meeting at Willamette Valley Vineyards. The topic: Social Media and Marketing. I cannot decide if I am going to take on Twittering. I mean what do you say? I will be over once I am done Tweeting. Send me a Tweet? It kind of sounds like I am Tweety bird.

In California I will be attending the Direct to Consumer Symposium where the topic of discussion is Social Media. Also on my agenda is tours and tastings around Napa Valley area, a quick trip to Bargetto Winery to say hello and visiting friends.

Looking for simple love

This year I am looking for simple love. I have been in love twice in my life. Both times I thought I had found my best friend and my soul mate. In the beginning it was fun and it was simple. But in the end it became complicated, stressful and heartbreaking. Love is hard work.

So now I am just looking for simple love. The kind that is made up of hugs, hand holding, laughter, growth and appreciation. My search continues for a man who is confident, trustworthy and knows what he wants in life. A man who loves me for me.

This trip home was particularly hard. It made me realize how precious life is and how the choices we make, big or small, influence not only ourselves, but everyone around us. My whole life I have been surrounded by people who battle(d) addictions: whether it be drugs, alcohol, money, success, food, gambling, work, etc. Watching them and the effects they have had on the people around them have shaped me into who I am today. I always hope that they will turn there lives around and some of them have. I am so proud of the ones who have because it is never too late.

I never realized how much this has affected me until today. I understand why I am so independent and strive for perfection. I try to be the opposite of the people I know who failed. They did drugs, I didn't. They got bad grades, I graduated top 5%. They gambled. I don't gamble at all today. You get the picture.

There was a time in my life when I put up a wall. I thought if I didn't let anyone get close to me, I couldn't get hurt again. I have a wonderful family and friends who have helped me through a lot. Thanks for your ears!

I know and I accept that I will never be perfect nor do I want to be. Now I simply laugh at all of my imperfections, laugh when I run out of gas (well, actually when my mom runs out of gas), just simply laugh because there is no reason to get stressed out about things that are out of my control. I take more chances. I am carefree. I am inspired to live my life to the fullest. I am more open and honest. I am me.

My heart is open again and I am ready to find simple love.

Home sweet home?

I just got home from the airport, and I am happy to report that I had an uneventful, I guess you could say boring trip home. Besides my flight in Minneapolis taking off a half an hour late and me almost missing my boarding in Denver due to looking at the Portland time on my computer, it was smooth as ice. My flight from Denver arrived early in Portland, the shuttle was there to pick me up and there wasn't any traffic on the drive home.

Javier is glad I am back in Oregon and so am I. Is this my home sweet home? I don't have the answer to that question just quite yet. One thing is for sure: I am a local. The gals at Dutch Bros. have my medium black coffee waiting for me in the morning, I know some shortcuts around the area and I have a local gym.

My trip back to WI was short. Mother Nature got in the way of my Chicago trip so I didn't get to see Korinne or Mary. Sorry ladies! Next time. I spent too much time working for a vacation, but it is what it is. I got to see lots of my family and friends, share Willamette Valley Vineyards wine, eat Big Al's pizza and drink Wisconsin beer, grill brats and watch the Packer game (wish they would have won), go to a baby shower, go to the movies with my parents and I found my missing box of clothes!

I love you all very much. Sorry to those of you who I didn't get a chance to see while I was home. Next time or you are always welcome to come out for a visit.

Back to school at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)

DMACC how I have missed you! Monday I start my Intro to Wine Science class at DMACC with the talented, and very challenging instructor Paul Gospodarczyk.

I even ended up in the Viticulture and Enology Program brochure. Check it out

Midwest bracing for heavy snow, wind chills of -50

I woke up this morning to this (see picture). Snow and more snow on the way. My trip to Chicago has officially been cancelled. The newspaper headline reads: Midwest bracing for heavy snow, wind chills -50. Welcome home, Becky, welcome home.

I got a good nights sleep and once I finish my cup of coffee, I am going to bundle up and ski down to Grandma's house (next door). Just kidding, but I could.

What a long, strange trip it's been

I made it, but what a long, strange trip it's been.

I departed Sherwood, Oregon at 3:15 AM for Portland Airport. My flight departed at 5:30 AM to Minneapolis, Minnesota. My Mapquest directions to the off-site airport parking were wrong! I had no clue where the AirPark was. Luckily I had printed out my receipt and called them for directions. That put me about 15 minutes behind schedule. I raced to check in and to the gate. They had just begun boarding. Phew! I didn't miss my flight.

On the flight I was lucky to be in a row with only one other person so we had extra space to lounge and relax. I was half sleeping when I felt someone touching my head. I looked up and there was an older gentleman in his mid 60's and he was swaying back and forth. At first I thought he was drunk but then I started getting really worried that he was having a heart attack or stroke. I said, "Sir. Are you alright? Sir?" He didn't respond and he was white as a ghost. A guy standing next to him turned around and helped me catch the guy and sit him in the extra seat by me. The flight attendants grabbed the oxygen and some cold, wet towels and the guy started to get some color back. His brother, sister and other travel companions came back to check on him and take pictures of me and him. They teased him that he just wanted to sit by a pretty lady! It turns out he was not having a stroke or heart attack but he was borderline diabetic and hadn't eaten yet. I luckily had a Lara bar and we sat and chatted while he ate it and drank some water.

The rest of the flight went fine. My mom was at the Minneapolis Airport to pick me up. We were chatting and having so much fun that she failed to notice we were low on gas. The fuel light came on and we were in the middle of nowhere Minnesota. That means no cities and no gas stations.

I knew that there was a gas station down the road in Nodine, MN so we pulled in there, but guess what? It was getting remodeled! So we continued to drive on. We were about 3 miles from the Wisconsin border and a gas station when we ran out of gas. We started laughing but knew Dad was going to be mad.

A quick call to AAA and we patiently waited on the side of the interstate. A Minnesota cop stopped by to say hello and make sure we were okay. It was 12 degrees out so we just bundled up and waited. Over an hour later AAA came and poured some gas in so we could continue on our adventure home.

I was welcomed home by my nephews, Jamison and Sebastian. It has been 8 months since I have been home. I am happy to be home, to see my family and friends and to rest up.

I am off to Chicago tomorrow to meet up and have dinner with my girlfriends at Tango Sur. It is a BYOB restaurant as most Chicago restaurants are. Of course I have brought a couple bottles of Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir (Tualatin Estate and Signature Cuvee) to share.

Night.

Dust off the suitcases...here I come

In just a few short hours I will be on my way to the Portland Airport for my flight to Minneapolis, MN. Going home to Wisconsin subzero temperatures but don't worry about me because I have lots of wine to keep me warm.

I am looking forward to seeing my family and friends in Wisconsin, going to Chicago and seeing my new nephew Ian.

Goodbye Northwest, hello Midwest.

Time to pack!

Happy New Year!

Wow! 2010! Is it pronounced two thousand and ten or just twenty ten? I prefer twenty ten. It has a good ring to it. I spent New Year's with Javier, my cat, and my couch. I had a couple of beers and some bubbles. The ball dropped and I fell asleep.

In three days I will be twenty-nine and a half! It is hard to believe I am going to be 30 this year! How time flies. There is still so much I want to do. I have no regrets about my life so far, but this year I am going to look at life in a different light. I will be smarter in my personal decisions and make myself, family and friends the priority. I am not going to make any New Year's resolutions because I just want to enjoy life and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

As Abe Lincoln once said, "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

Make 2010 an unforgettable year. I know I will.

Love,
Becky