Wine, Women, and Vines – Part 1

Chances are that for many of us, our first experiences with wine were something akin to blasphemy – a few watered down sips of refrigerated red jug wine, or worse – fortified and laced with berry flavors.  

For those who were not scarred for life by the experience and are able to see past those transgressions, sampling new wines can be a lot of fun.  For a select few, it can become a life’s passion and for a handful of those, it becomes a vocation allowing for, well, even more indulgence.  The allure of winemaking has created appellations of more “wine countries” than I can count. I am all for it, if not a little puzzled by some.  Far be it from me to complain – instead I will commit to visit as many of them as I can when I am out and about on my Gal-Away travels.  Because…they’re there.

It is my fortune to a stone’s throw from one of the country’s most distinct wine bounties – I am referring to the Pinot mecca we all know as Oregon.  Imagine – less than an hour away from the Portland metropolitan area, with an incredibly scenic drive to boot, and you can be enjoying the otherworldly beauty of the Willamette Valley vineyards and their wineries.  Witnessing the entrepreneurial pursuits of the smaller scale or independent vintners, some of them crafting wines in their free time and dreaming of the day they can commit to the grape on a full time basis is a huge bonus as well.

This weekend, Vista Hills Winery held a charming and little-marketed soiree called the Uncommon Wine Festival at their Treehouse Tasting Room.  I joined up with two of my oenophile girlfriends for the effort. While wine tasting is almost always pleasant, this experience left me with a few more important things to ponder than the nose of the 2012 Pinot Gris that Vista Hills greeted me with (which I also liked, very much!).  It brought to light the other industries where there are very few women at the forefront, and it also reminded me that people buy from who they like.

There were several artisan winemakers at the event, some crafting wine from the basement of their residences, some beginning to take it to the next level.  A few high tech professionals dreaming of a life of viticulture one barrel at a time.  And one woman.  Ahem. 

Now, most of the world knows Oregon for its Pinot Noir, but surely the rest of the fairer offerings can’t be overlooked.  Leah Jorgensen has created one of the fairest and most intriguing I have sampled in some time.  She has produced a Blanc de Cabernet Franc.  Is this possible?  It is.  Complex, unexpected, and beckoning to me from my pantry like a temptress.  And it is so good.   Also, she was the only woman showcasing her craft at the Uncommon Wine Festival. 

As a former technologist and a veteran of the high tech world for some 20 years, I know all about how it is to be the only woman in a group.  Old boys’ club?  Technology’s got nothing on the wine industry.  And I mean that in the nicest way.  Considering how many women have a deep and passionate love for the grape, it is surprising how few actually make wine.  Some women buy from women – I buy from people I like, regardless.  I had the privilege to sample other wines, but I chose to support Leah’s endeavor by buying a bottle of her lovely and unexpected Blanc de Franc. 

Leah’s one to watch – she’s not only a woman facing the boys’ club of winemaking, but she’s leading with a gamechanger like Blanc de Cabernet Franc.  @leahjorgensenOR, you go girl – and for all of the women visiting the Portland area, make the 45 minute trip to our incredible Willamette Valley wineries.  You’ll be glad you did.

Celebrating By Yourself Can Be Dangerous – And Found On YouTube

It’s been a few months since I formally announced that I’ve jumped in with both feet to launch Gal-Away.  Work time is flying at warp speed and I’m loving the work.  Working 16 hours a day never felt so good – and I know exactly how they feel working on someone else’s behalf.  I have three new employees onboard and doing great work, and they are fired up too – and so, I am happy.  Living on a dental floss budget? Luxury-less and often sleepless.  Loving pursuing the business I’ve wanted to start for so long?  Priceless.  Absolutely priceless.

Thinking back to what inspired Gal-Away in 2007, there is more than a decade full of experiences that came into play.  Some thrilling and exciting and path-changing in a good way. Some funny, and some so NOT funny that I had burst into gales of ill-timed laughter out of sheer exhaustion combined with the dawning knowledge that I can’t control everything (I said dawning…I haven’t given up yet).  Fortunately for my dignity, those moments were rare.  And fortunately, not public either.  I’ve found that those moments come about when they’ve been tapping on my shoulder and being ignored for a very long time.  I’m pretty sure that I learned to pretend things aren’t there playing peek-a-boo.

Let’s face it – life as a road warrior, male or female, is no picnic.  It’s a constantly changing landscape full of potential obstacles and things to throw you off from what you’re trying to accomplish.  It’s a lifestyle full of anticipation and/or trepidation for what you’re there to perform, followed by exhilaration when you deliver your best A-Game in a major accomplishment…and then by a sense of disconnect because you have no one to do a nerdy high five with (you will look REALLY nerdy if you give yourself one), or raise a glass and celebrate with when it’s done.  Goals achieved, while they may followed by an internal round of “We Are the Champions” seem a little bit hollow when it’s really only “I am the Champion”, and that’s when you really start missing home.  And celebrating by yourself, as illustrated by the spectacle I witnessed in a suburban strip mall bar on that link, can be really…regrettable (but entertaining for others – you’ve got to check that out, it’s “public service announcement” worthy).   Best to choose shopping, golfing, or treating yourself to a massage.

Life on the road is truly without community, and while you might love your work and like the travel too, there’s a sense of isolation that you really can’t shake.  I’ve talked to a lot of men and women who have lived or do live this lifestyle, and we all experience this same lack of community.  Hence the movie, “Up In the Air”.  I don’t think that movie could have been much more personal for me – and thousands of other men and women who know the valet’s name and the room service guy’s face in every hotel they have a loyalty program with.

So I thought about what would be great to have on the road – access to local services, restaurants, and hotels that would give me and other women like me a sense of familiarity in my destination cities, and that those companies would understand my on-the-road needs and cater to them.  Like…places that were solo-dining friendly, or would do an emergency manicure – budget be damned, or would put together a new outfit for unexpected extended travel. While this, on its face, may not appear as a community builder, by bringing women like me these services at related businesses, it opens the door for social and professional relationships, and therefore community.  Do you like – but maybe get tired of – your morning room service guy, Francois after several days (Francois, I didn’t ever get tired of you – but come on…that 35 minute wait was a killer when I needed coffee – true story)?  Maybe it’s time for you to get out and visit those places that cater to you.  Instead of rifling through Yelp or CitySearch reviews trying to figure out whether the reviewers are using the same criteria you are, why not go to the source – women like you – and get REAL and relevant reviews, specific to quality of life on the road?  I’m looking forward to making this happen for you.  We’re building it now.  If you pre-register at www.gal-away.com you’ll have a chance to give your two cents on how it is shaped and participate in the beta, special events, and promotions from Gal-friendly and focused companies. 

Hoops Go With Hulas and Earrings, Not Blogs

“Nice post!…but your blog is a little sexist.” This was coming from a 41 year old man I know from high school who recently referred to a picture of me as “milfissima” on Facebook after my mom told me it was a very pretty photo of me. That is still my funniest Facebook moment, as he electronically turned beet red and apologized to my mom with much contrition and self-efficacy while I enjoyed the show from the sideline. You know who you are.

The good news is, the man is a dyed in the wool smartalec and was just poking fun at me. But being someone who is a fan of the male species in general, I was a bit taken aback. I mean about his statement about the new blog, not the Facebook self-shaming incident. But what I was intrigued by was his explanation: “It’s just like, why can’t I benefit as well from your advice or enjoy your spunky observations? The style’s pretty ballsy as well … as they say, jus’ sayin’.” Flattery will get you everywhere, so I took a look at the format and made some changes. Guys, please enjoy the blog and we won’t make you jump through hoops.

Taking an outsider’s look at the blog – and by the way, I’m a neophyte at blogging so please be gentle – I was glad that he helped to point out that the Gal-Away blog and the focus of the Gal-Away.com service are two different but complementary platforms. The truth is, Gal-Away.com is designed specifically for women, while the blog is for anyone who’s willing to read my ramblings. And as it turns out, about half of the people who’ve read the “Boyfriend” post so far are men…which rocks. So, thanks for the playful poke from a longtime irreverent buddy, and thanks too for enjoying and sharing the fledgling blog!

It also brings up another topic that some of us struggle with – although I’d assert that it’s a big majority of us. That is the problem of being so close to something you’re focused on that you can’t see the obvious. I struggle with that frequently – like when, as I am getting old and decrepit, I hold something too close to my eyes to read and it all blurs. It’s always good to have someone willing to adjust your lenses for you.

I’d love to hear your input – please let me know if I’m on target, or if you’ve got a suggestion that my mom won’t be embarrassed by.

Thanks!

Mom, Meet My New Boyfriend – His Name is Portland

Portland, Oregon is one of those places that’s more like an everlasting gobstopper than anything else.  Layer upon layer of distinct flavor make a quick explanation near impossible.  Try to describe it succinctly – and let me know when you’ve narrowed down that 90 second pitch.  I tried yesterday to “sum up” the best places to visit in a five day visit for an adventuresome Canadian traveling alone in her more mature years, and ended up with a novella.  I realize frequently how much I enjoy this city and its diversity, but I think it really hit home yesterday.

Introducing someone to Portland is like introducing your boyfriend to the family.  There’s so much to it that doesn’t appear at first sight – so much complexity that those who are not looking for the real Portland merely write it off as “weird”.  You want them to understand it the way you do – for its sensitivity, its quirky humor, its depth and its “okay-ness” with itself.  You want to say, “you don’t know him like I do!!” when they gawk and judge the tattooed residents which make up such a large portion of our taxpayer population.  You want them to see past the ink and recognize that we are one of the most educated metro populations in the country, and that most of us with a little (or a lot) of self expression inked on our canvas have advanced degrees, mortgages and/or a toddler or two.  Or are creative contributors without the need for all the box-checking that would define us to most people as ‘normal’.  You want to explain that our food carts are pods of unbelievably tasty gourmet cuisine, and that they’re sanitary.  Really.  Food inspections and everything.

I find myself wanting to overexplain about WHY it is that we have community gardens where people exchange beets for carrots, and why an average of 35% of our community regularly gives back with volunteer efforts.  It’s not because we have to.  It’s inherent to our culture, and our values.  It’s why people move to Portland.  Well, it’s one of the many different reasons for different people.

If I were trying to introduce Portland as my boyfriend, I’d probably say…”Hi Mom, meet Portland.  He has a promising future in a choice of growth industries, gives back to his community, is very active in the outdoors, and is comfortable in his own skin.  He holds an MFA and has been exposed to the finer things but still prefers chicken and waffles for breakfast, and wearing retro game t-shirts to dinner.” (Oh, and has a hilarious sense of humor that you probably won’t appreciate.  And likes to eat at restaurants that serve food out of trailers.  And hasn’t owned a car in 5 years because…well, he doesn’t need to.)  And could be the next big thing.  So, Mom, don’t judge the book by its cover – the chapters inside are rich with tales of culture, adventure and normal-ness, and probably not what you’d expect.  Get to know Portland.

Summertime Travel – Meltdown or Cool and Collected?

It’s summer…and summer usually means heat.  You’ve been begging for it all year, yet here it is and it’s making life a challenge.

For many women, business travel means hopping a plane and making a trip across the country, only to arrive in a completely different climate.  If you’re leaving San Francisco and it’s a moderate 75 degrees, you may not be thinking about what happens to your spendy silk blouse when thunderstorms and 100 degree air welcome you in Atlanta.  Or Houston.  Or…insert the humid Southern destination city here.

One of my more notable experiences on the road took place in summer.  I was off to a two-day trip from Portland to Oklahoma City to do a business process analysis at a major sports brand, so I packed my favorite summer suit and headed to the Midwest.  Having conducted a rather formal morning of analysis with the CXOs and my business partner, we left the building and headed across town to get lunch.  Apparently, thunderstorms begin arriving about this time.  Wasn’t aware of this – or that my sharp little microfiber suit would pucker up and look like a bad seersucker wreck the minute it got wet.  Which it did.  I was grateful for my updo, which was firmly flattened to my head and stayed that way.  The skies opened and there we were, without any cover.  There was no avoiding it – I was drenched and my hosts thought it was hilarious.  Fortunately enough, there was men’s display sports gear in the retail showroom and I spent the rest of the day touring the facility in a Tae-Bo t-shirt with rolled up sweats, heels, and smirking men while my suit dried at the office.  I’m glad I’d learned to laugh at myself by then.  It didn’t take them any time at all.

The summer heat has an impact on the way every person travels, for leisure or business.  But when our A-game is on the line, it can be our nemesis.  So if you’re expected on stage shortly after you arrive in a hot destination, there are a few things you can do to prevent your own catastrophic moments.

1. Pack light – not only the amount, but also the colors if appropriate.  Darker colors attract and retain more heat than lighter ones.  Perspiration also tends to show less with lighter colors.  If you roll your clothes well in your carry-on, you can have a mostly unwrinkled backup plan in the event that you arrive in your destination city less than refreshed – I’ve changed my clothes more than a few times in the airport at my destination for one reason or another.  It’s not great, but knowing you have the option in a pinch is great peace of mind.  Oh, and if you can…make sure your clothes can take a little rain or humidity.
2. Pack light – the heavier the bags, the harder you’ll work – and sweat – when you get there.  You might want to forego the ‘big bag’ and bring a smaller personal bag instead on this trip.  A few gems to include in your bag should be:
   1. Palladio Rice Face Tissues – these little numbers can help travel face, even on the hottest days.  Not only do they absorb oil and ‘ick’ accumulated over a cross country flight, but they leave a delicate dusting of superfine rice powder to keep you shine free.  These can be used over makeup or on fresh skin.
   2. Gum or other minty treat.  There’s something about mint that makes you feel more refreshed.  If the rest of you is on fire, at least your mouth can feel cool.
   3. Travel-sized sunscreen and hand lotion.  Neutrogena makes a near weightless SPF 50 sunscreen you can wear under or without makeup.  It saved my bacon for a week in Mexico earlier this year, but I also wear it regularly.
   4. Rubberbands for a pony to reduce the heat trapped by your locks.
3. If it’s appropriate for your purposes, consider wearing your hair up, in a “power pony” or other style that keeps it off your neck and shoulders.  It helps significantly with keeping yourself cool – and keeps humidity and other factors from turning it into a very bad hair day.

And a final note – feet tend to puff up on long flights, so make sure that you wear shoes that have a little give.

Stay cool (and DRY!) out there – and post any tips or funny stories you have!

Pre-Trip Prepping 101

A good friend of mine recently started a new job as a specialist covering several states for a large company. Much to my surprise, my very successful friend has not done a lot of business travel, having been conducting business in our local market for several years. She made a very astute observation – and incredibly obvious to those of us who are paying attention – that business travel is new to many women, regardless of our … ahem… maturity. While most of us have been on leisure trips, there’s a lot on the line when you’re traveling on a business’s behalf.
As I’m getting ready to head out tomorrow, I am going through my mental checklist and thinking of my friend. After 15 years of frequent travel, the checklist is pretty hardwired. As they say, those lessons best remembered are the ones you learned the hard way. Perhaps those lessons can benefit you and help you – and my friend – avoid the same mistakes. Here are some of the pearls of wisdom I’ve picked up along the way.  Any brand/product recommendations are my personal favorites, not a plug:
Personal Prep:
1) If you have your hair colored at a salon, make sure you do this a few days before you leave. This way you don’t have the “wow, that color is vivid” beacon at the top of your body – unless you’re going for this look. This also applies to haircuts. Give yourself time for a correction on a haircut – you don’t want to leave on a trip with a cut you don’t feel good in. Oh, and in case you’re tempted – do not make a radical change to your hairstyle right before a trip. This is like trying a new recipe out for the first time with dinner guests. A no-go.
2) If you color your hair at home, do so at least three days in advance. Give yourself at least one day in your home town to get it fixed professionally in case you need to, no matter how many times you’ve done it. Since starting Gal-Away, I’ve been on a startup schedule so getting into the salon with a calendared appointment just hasn’t been happening. My new favorite is Garnier HerbaShine – it’s a 28-wash color with bamboo extract and it leaves my hair feeling incredible until the next time I do it. I may not go back to salon color, unless my stylist is willing to come to my house and keep the same hours I do. Not likely.
3) Any personal maintenance – plucking, waxing, shaving, whatever it might be – do it the day before you depart. Give your skin a chance to settle back to normal – nothing screams rookie like arriving with raised or red patches on your lip, brow, etc.
4) Don’t fool yourself into thinking you’ll have time right before you need to leave – get that manicure done the day before.
5) Assume you are going to get wrinkled, stained, torn, or snagged and have a backup plan. This can mean carrying a second pair of nylons in your laptop case, or knowing where you can get replacements of other articles in an emergency in your destination city. This is one of the many reasons Gal-Away was created.
6) If there’s ANY chance you’ll hit your monthly time while traveling, bring supplies in your carry-on. Yes, it will go through security. Don’t let momentary embarrassment get between you and peace of mind.
7) You’ll love this one – if you get travel face after a flight and don’t have a chance to freshen up before you hit a meeting, you can use a toilet seat cover to blot. I kid you not, they’re made of the same material as the pro makeup artists use and despite their wispiness, they are very absorbent. I read about this one several years ago, and tried it out of desperation. It worked like a charm. No one has to know. 😉
Things to Bring: (Okay, I’m starting to feel like maybe I SHOULD do product placement here, but I feel like I should give you the best recommendations and frankly I’ve narrowed them down to these)
1) Colgate Wisp one-use toothbrushes. They are tiny, they include a bit of toothpaste gel, and have been a lifesaver for me on many occasions when I needed to brush on the way to a meeting or after a flight when I’ve been sleeping. Very, very worth the price.
2) If you can duplicate what you use at home, do so. It’s always a good idea to do this in the event that you forget or lose something while traveling.
3) If traveling by plane, you will get travel face. This is because of the recirculating air in the plane. It’s kind of unavoidable, and feels icky whether you wear makeup or not. If you do, consider bringing an oil-absorbent loose powder. My personal favorite is Make Up 4 Ever’s HD Microfinish Powder. It is superfine – when they say it’s good enough for high definition – it is. If you don’t wear makeup, this is incredibly light on the skin, and invisible. Clean & Clear also makes a handy oil-absorbent product that comes in tiny packets of 50 sheets. It’s smaller than your business card case.
4) Earplugs. Great for the plane and/or the hotel.
5) Music and earphones. If you’re a music junkie like I am and are renting a car, bring a stereo audio connector (about $10). Most rental cars don’t have a USB port (some do) but they almost all have an “input” where you can plug in your music player/iPhone/whatever. You can find these at any electronics department.
6) A small nail file. Even if you wear your nails al fresco, they can break unevenly and look tacky. Better safe than sorry.
Finally, as you pack:
1) It’s a lot easier if you decide firmly what you’re wearing for each day you’re away (for work hours). Triacetate and wool work great, and pack and unwrinkle on a hanger well.
2) If you’re wearing suits or other professional dress, place them in a pile, on their hangers, and fold the arms over, fold the stack over the arms, and pack in a big bundle. Make sure that the most “wrinkle-able” items are at the bottom of the stack, comprising the outside layer of the bundle. They will be much less likely to wrinkle if they’re folded over other clothes. Everything else should be rolled up to maximize space and minimize wrinkling.
Happy Traveling!