Bush-Field is finally on the map! Well–I would like to think so anyway. Our 2005 Bush-Field Estate Pinot Noir received an award at the San Francisco Chronicle wine competition as well as an Outstanding! review from the Pinot Report. I think it’s been quite an experience for Alan and he is happy we are getting recognition for all the effort.

We are also announcing our Above the Clouds Wine Club. Exciting, exciting things are starting to happen on the mountain. Stay tuned for our special events and check out our website at: www.bush-field.com.

Introducing my new Blog Submissions category. If you want to submit entries, please use the form on my Contact page. My nephew Jorden submitted his comments on Pablo Neruda’s poem The Word.

The poem goes through the years and layers of language. The first types of communication were the pulsing sounds of war drums. The violent hatred for something you didn’t know something that was different. As man grew and evolved, communication moved away from senseless hatred. Just as man was born into violence, language reverted to violence in times of need. Words they had created changed from peaceful requests into violent commands.

Time changed words as it changes all things. Communication started anew, the words were not those of peace or violence they were words of meaning. And with this mold, the language of man was set and changed little over the years. If you could not communicate you could not function. And–as words developed different words were made in different languages, but just as they were vastly different they were infinitely the same. Communication is more than just orders–it carries images. It carries life.

I enjoyed the following lines because it lends to the subtle beauty of language.

“A word or shining cup
In it I drink
The pure wine of language
Or inexhaustible water”

At first I did not like this poem because I looked at it too literally, but it goes deeper. It has a meaning unto its own and it communicates something that we do every moment of our life. So in that–it communicates life itself.

Jorden Dye
Gr. 10 English
Juno Beach Academy

“You know Rach, I don’t think you should go to school this year.”–Not exactly words you would expect from your father. But, as Rachel Ferguson and her dad were wondering around campus the day before school started, that’s exactly what he said. And–that’s exactly what she did. She took the year off to work on her music.

It has paid off. Rachel’s song Joshua is featured as pop rock song of the week this week on GarageBand.com. Not bad for a 17-year old from Gatineau, Quebec. Rachel started singing lessons when she was eleven and has been performing ever since.

In 2004, Rachel was looking for local artists or band members to work and grow with. She placed ads in local newspapers, local music shops, and even in coffee shops saying who she was and what she wanted to do. After a few false starts, she became discouraged with the response and she used the internet to expand her search.

In 2005, she found producer Chris Landon from an ad he placed on the LA Craigslist. Together they have created Joshua, You’re Not Alone, Never Good Enough, She’s Always Out, I want him, and her latest: Throw It Away. Chris creates the instrumental track in LA and sends it to Rachel in Gatineau. Rachel writes the lyrics and creates the vocals and melody. She and her dad then record the vocals in their “garage” and send the results back to Chris to mix and produce the song.

Her “garage” studio is actually in her basement, and it is truly an interesting set up. “I have a hula hoop with a big thick blanket draped around it–a makeshift sound room.” Her sound-proof contraption is hanging in the stairwell and she uses equipment that they also bought off the internet. When everything is set up and ready, she steps inside and sings. Her dad is just a few feet away in front of the computer manning the recording software and engineering the tracks.

From this homemade studio, she’s not only recorded her GarageBand.com songs, she’s also recorded tracks for commercials, videos, and other creative endeavours. In her year off, she has a lot of opportunity for growth, experience, and exposure. She is writing and recording more songs, playing guitar, and attending various open mics in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. Last November, she went to Toronto to meet with representatives from some major Canadian record labels. She definitely hasn’t been idle in her year off school. However, she could quite possibly become the next Canadian Idol–on her own terms.

Keep up the great work Rach. We’re rooting for you.

When I first started this blog, I didn’t know what it was going to be. It was a gift from my friend Waitman who saw that I needed a place to express myself and to find my voice. I have been trying to contact Waitman recently to let him know how much I appreciate his gift, but alas–he is not returning my phone calls. I will have to persevere.

I love this blog. It ended up allowing me to express myself positively and make other people laugh, and–when all is said and done–to laugh at myself. It helped me through a really rough time in my life (not that that part is over, but it is better) and I hope it helped others. I wrote about the funny things–the non-sequitur things that make you look or think twice: “Does that horse look like a lama?” OR “I know Saskatchewan. That’s where they have sasquatches.” or “Je ne mange pas les preservatifs.“. Also, I can’t forget about those Trueman moments.

This year, I thought I would take the focus off of me and my rather stupid antics (have you read about the hand sanitizer incident? Am I the only one this happens to?) and I have decided to blog about other people. I would like to blog about people I believe in or people who have potential. This year, I have quite a selection of people to choose from–so I will go about interviewing them and writing about them on my blog. I like that.

I have interviews planned for people who know me and people who don’t. For example, tonight I interviewed Rachel Ferguson–my friend from Gatineau, Quebec. She is 17 years old and already has a list of creative accomplishments that I can only dream of. I’m going to post my interview with her later this week–so stay tuned for that.

I want to interview my parents. I love my parents. I don’t think you can get any more real than my parents. They are who they say they are and they don’t pretend to be anything else. My dad is a very colourful man with the best sense of humour (and Dad, yes, I am already thinking of your present for next Christmas. You’d better beware!). My Mum is so talented with her quilts and her quilting projects. I think I’m going to interview her about her quilt challenges. I’m also going to ask if I can publish her bread recipe. Yum!

I want to interview my sisters and my niece and nephew. I think they all have interesting stories to tell about who they are and how they got to be where they are.

This summer, my family is planning a huge family reunion in Alix, Alberta. I’m keen to meet people there and interview them for my blog. I have a famous aunt in my family: Irene Parlby. She was one of the Famous Five Women of Alberta. I’m proud of her accomplishments and I’m eager to meet more of my family and discover my heritage. I am planning a series of blog entries on Irene Parlby alone.

I want to interview Mr. Alan Benfield Bush. Mr. Bush started out being a rather random event in my life–but now he is a bit more constant. He has led quite a life and I’m eager to start documenting with his stories. We’ve started a blog at: www.alanbenfieldbush.com for that purpose.

I also want to interview a former neighbour who works with women and young girls in Indonesia training them and giving them skills weaving fabric–which he then imports for sale to the US. He works with these young women and girls to give them skills so they don’t have to work in the sex trade. Admirable man, that neighbour. I definitely have to interview him.

I still have other entries to post. GB jr is back from his travels in South America. I have to post his entries and pictures. He will also be joining a family who are travelling around the world on a year off. I’m keen to publish whatever his stories are.

My nephew just submitted a comment on a poem that he is proud of. I will also encourage more submissions–but I’m going to have to write some guidelines first. I have a few more blogs to create–so look for them too. I’m a busy girl this year. When am I ever going to find time to get a job-that-pays-the-bills?

Now, when I look this blog entry over, I have so much to do. So much to learn. So much to document. I’m excited. I can’t wait to get started.

It’s my Dad’s birthday today. I would just like to take this moment to tell the world I love my Dad. He’s taught me a lot and –it’s never too late to say: You were right, Dad–most of the time.

My Dad is a funny man. He has the best sense of humour of anybody I’ve ever met. He’s always laughing–mainly at himself–and playing practical jokes. He’s definitely a joker. This Christmas, I think we started a new tradition in our family–to see who can play the best practical joke. I think Dad is the reigning champion for giving his son-in-law (my brother-in-law) a universal remote for a Digital Wife. That was funny–and–it was fun making it.

We initially scanned a real remote control. I photoshopped the text to make it more applicable. We printed it out again and Dad cut out the buttons and glued the printout back on the original remote–so it wasn’t a virtual present–it was an actual remote.

In honour of my Dad, here is a link to all the stories on my blog where I talk about him or describe him: All about my Dad. Pay attention to the entry: Dad-isms. That one best describes my Dad–by far.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD. I do love you.

Today, Alan and I drove around Petaluma in the Bush-Field truck. I am sorry for Alan though. He was driving. I was talking. Princess Donkey–that’s me. I just sit in the passenger seat and he drives and I talk. I have no idea what I was talking about. I think I was telling him about the WordPress meetup yesterday and how the energy level was so high and how many ideas I got from the effort. It was definitely worth the effort.

I was telling him about my ideas to market and sell his wine–nothing revolutionary yet. I think I just need to pound the pavement. I need to research distributors and meet them face-to-face and just talk about the wine. I am finding, however, when I pour the wine for a tasting, it usually speaks for itself. (Ha!–a wine with a vocabulary–I like that.) It’s a wine with personality and integrity…just like the owner. What else can I say?

Actually today, we were looking for Bruce Gorden’s bike shop. Alan is going to get his bike tuned up so he can start riding. Very cool. I pumped up his tires in the morning. His bike is so sweet. My tummy simply sank to my feet with envy when I realized what a great bike it was. My bikes are old beaters–quite literally. I’m not going to be able to upgrade anytime soon though, so I’ll just have to make do with what I have–which is usually just what I do. I make do with what I have.

Today was the WordPress meetup in San Francisco. I was a bit late because I’m not familiar with driving in the city and I had to stop and ask for directions twice. I’ll need to get a map I think. The meetup was quite successful. Anthony of www.themacmind.com actually put it together. I’m hoping to work with him for the next few–but, I don’t know yet. I guess we’ll just have to see.

There was quite a turn out: a variety of backgrounds and interests. Some WordPress guys were there (that was exciting). I guess I should say THE WordPress guys were there. Ryan Boren was fixing a bug for the next WordPress release in a corner while everybody else was chatting away. I talked to Barry for a bit. He was introduced to me as the WordPress server-guy. I also found out he runs servers for other organizations too–at the Laughing Squid for example. The world is a very small place when you get online. Really. I hadn’t heard about the Laughing Squid until–coincidently–the day before. I had googled Dave Best to see where he was in the online world. Dave’s one of our neighbours at Bush-Field and last weekend we stopped by for tea. Both he and Alan were talking about how many hits they get on their websites. Dave wins hands down–and he doesn’t even have a website. Regardless, I ended up reading about recent happenings at Burning Man on the Laughing Squid. So, now I know about the Laughing Squid and I know that Mr. Abrahamson is the server guy–or according to his business card: Chief Tentacled Officer. Small, small world when you get online.

Mr. Mullenweg was impressive and rather affable. I asked for his card. I think he rather reluctantly gave me his second-last one he had in his wallet. I laughed and threatened to sell it on ebay’s sequel in twenty-or-so-odd years. I probably should have gotten him to sign it. And now, as a result of a totally random event (or the fact that I was carrying beer in my shoulder bag over to the neighbours to watch a comet set over the horizon at sunset and my cards I’d collected from this meetup were in the bottom of my shoulder bag and at one point Alan put an open bottle of beer in my bag), my prized card is now covered in beer. I guess I could make up a wild and crazy story about the beer-soaked card and Matt Mullenweg–but, it really is my fault–or Alan’s. Sigh, and now this entry is more about Matt Mullenweg’s beer-soaked business card and not about the meetup at all. I really have to learn to focus.

I didn’t get to meet everybody there, because–believe it or not–I’m quite shy. I did meet a few people and can only hope to meet the rest at a subsequent meetup.

Stay tuned to the WordPress Meetup San Francisco page.

Ouch…last night, I visited my good friends KatieBird and her husband Sean. They are lucky enough just to have bought their first house in Healdsburg just before Christmas. I’d brought them a house warming present from the Yukon–an ulu knife for their kitchen. On second thoughts, I wasn’t sure they would like it but it is very practical for chopping and dicing. They assured me it was a lovely addition. I’m not sure I’m convinced. Although, a saving grace is that I have always wanted an ulu knife for my kitchen. If they don’t like it, I can re-gift it to myself! KateBird and Sean are renewing their vows on the southern-most tip of New Zealand on 05 February. I was hoping to be there, but alas–I ‘m sorry, I just can’t.

Last night, we were celebrating a few things: the New Year, their wedding vows, their new house, Sean’s promotion to assistant winemaker!! Congratulations Sean. Clos du Bois couldn’t made a wiser choice. You guys deserve it.

Sean, Katie–Here’s to your new house and new position and new life. Happy 2007!

I drove into San Francisco today to sell some Bush-Field wine. That was fabulous. WINE! in San Francisco is putting us on their by-the-glass menu. I am now trying for appointments at other wine bars too. I have a few lined up in Healdsburg and I’m on a waiting list for a few more in San Fran. Every little bit helps I guess. I’m encouraging people to go their local wine bars and ask for Bush-Field Pinot Noir. Eventually, we’ll be available in all your favourite wine bars and restaurants. I just have to figure out where they are.

Alan’s son Aamon has a friend in LA who has an exciting business wrapping vehicles with advertising. Over the holidays, he wrapped the Bush-Field truck. This is so fun to drive around. Honk when you see us and look for us in the Petaluma Butter ‘N’ Eggs Day parade.