I'm just back from the 3rd Annual Wine Bloggers Conference held this year in what locals call W2, that is, Walla Walla, Washington (hell, shouldn't that be W3?) Accordingly, I thought I'd scribe a few of the best kept secrets that I gleaned/overheard/learned/stole from some of the best wine bloggers in the world!
Habit 1: Be ProactiveStart the day out right with a glass of wine at breakfast. If there's not mimosas being served, steal some OJ and bring a bottle of bubbly or 3 down.
Habit 2: Begin with the End in MindLook, there's lots to be done here. We've got parties, tastings, parties, breakout sessions, tastings, parties, and some fine Hors D'Overs marauding as dinner. If you don't pace yourself, you're going be grumpy just like the photog from MutineerMagazine.
When It's time for lunch, it's time for lunch, not time for monkeying around with your laptop, camera or other iDevice. C'Mon, man! Find a TacoTruck and do a WallaWalla Taco or Burrito from La Monarca or Los Taquitos.
Actually, I just try to win. Period. I almost made it during speed dating. Close but no cigar. My buddy Steve Paolo of Notes From the Cellar did win. Go ask him how and stop bugging me.
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood
It appears our School Bus doesn't understand where we need to go and I don't understand why. Wait! Why the hell are we going to Touchet when Dry Creek is to the left...and wait..where are we? Walla Walla?
Habit 6: Synergize
Again, too many bloggers taking too many pics at the same time equals a great deal of dis-synergy. Will you people just relax and drink some wine. Again, what's the deal with all of the Skool Busses?
Habit 7: Sharpening the Saw
I have no idea what this means nor do I have a witty analogy or euphemism, but here's a panoramic view from atop the Seven Hills Vineyard. It was truly beautiful, regardless of the 12 pounds of Aphids that took a ride in my camera bag on the way home.
..and a bonus tip:
Most importantly, enjoy your time with the friends you get to see but once a year.
Photos (c) 2010
Ward Kadel
Arianna Armstrong
chow | studios
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Dang. Rules to live by if we ever saw'em!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Love the Covey approach to the list. Had fun hanging out in Oregon and in Washington. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteHa! Great stuff, J. Was a real pleasure getting to put a face with a name, and especially getting to put in some QT in Portland/Willamette.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how we'll squeeze it all in, but I've got to try to reconnect with everyone in the Bay area when we're back there in September.
Cheers! Joe @suburbanwino
Funny post, well done!
ReplyDeleteI will wait for your next post titled:
20 Inebriated (and highly ineffective) wine bloggers on $20 a day
Cheers
Awesome. That is all.
ReplyDeleteWell said.
ReplyDeleteGood points! LOL - Love that you guys were sent over on school buses. So classic.
ReplyDeleteJason,
ReplyDeleteIt was nice seeing you at WBC. Thanks again for your comments and advice. If you’d like to come up one day in August for lunch and an overnight stay to talk 7D/5D stuff, please let me know.
Regards,
Lisa
The Journey of Jordan: a wine and food video blog
@Lisa Always great to see you and glad you're doing well with the DSLRCimema work. ..and yes, would be great to come up and perhaps do a joint video project.
ReplyDelete@kristi - Yes..the school busses were great. Luckily the weather wasn't too hot, so it worked out great!
ReplyDelete@Beau - Thanks bro. Was great meeting you. Hope to catch up with you sometime soon.
@sarita - Thanks so much! Yes...not much more to say....but wait. Lots more to come.
@walid - Excellent idea. I like that. I'll have to work on that. Perhaps a travel channel project???
@joe Ditto, my brother. I'm looking forward to catching up with you for a bit more serious vino fun when you're back in Sept. Cheers!...and great job on TopGun Blogging!
ReplyDelete@ben - Yep. Covey is a master and principles apply everywhere...but he doesn't know alcoholics, er bloggers, the way I do!
ReplyDeleteWine bus lol. Doesn't that seem like something which should be done in a college town? Heck, we had Bill's Bus in Santa Barbara...you know the type, takes you from your apartment to bars downtown (or in this case from your hotel to a tasting).
ReplyDeleteInteresting stuff...very cool blog!