Friday, July 27, 2007

Summer travels

This past week saw travels to the Okanagan and Similkameen where I visited, among other things, a distiller (and his still, which was dispensing a clear stream of fresh whisky for the occasion); a vintner who plans to launch an ultra-green winery; and the annual conference of the B.C. Wine Grape Council. A report from the latter is available online at Wines & Vines.

Next week I plan to travel to Prince Rupert, a part of Canada I haven't been to before. I'll be taking a week off, so that means a lot of work this weekend to clear the decks so I can enjoy the time away.

Monday, July 16, 2007

On the fly


I had the chance last week to fly in the front-seat of a float plane travelling across Vancouver Island. The view was wonderful, and the feeling not unlike my life of the past five months -- on the move, and rarely touching ground.
I will be travelling to the Okanagan next week for the annual viticulture and enology symposium in Penticton, returning as always through the Similkameen Valley. It will provide some opportunities to gather material for stories on fruit growing and viticulture, which have been far too few this year as I've kept busy with a variety of real estate and business projects.
This past weekend I finished reading Lewis Hyde, The Gift: Imagination and the Erotic Life of Property, a thoughtful read worthwhile for anyone trying to strike a balance between the market and the generosity creative life requires. A key concept is that unless a gift be given away, it falls short of its potential; when creative work becomes a commodity, its power to inspire diminishes.