Advertising

I log onto my email account and at the top is an ad for Franklin Covey offering me free shipping if I complete my order (I would if they didn't continually discontinue planners just when I get used to them). On the side is an ad from Staples flashing a picture of an action planner I viewed on their site. Periodically, it switches to various hotels in NYC which I viewed when trying to decide where to stay for my upcoming conference.

As I rub my eyes and try to wake up, I start to feel like I'm being watched and I'm reminded of that movie where Tom Cruise (I think it was him) is walking in a mall and the ads change specifically for him. It's weird, because we're there in that sci-fi world!!

I'm not sure how I feel about this kind of target marketing. I mean, do I really want everyone to know what planner I use, what coffee I drink, what computers I buy, where I send my kids to summer camp? Do you?

And then I wonder if we're all making it too easy for marketers and criminals to know our every step. Has anyone ever "checked you in" to a restaurant on Facebook and announced to the entire world that you aren't home?

I'm not computer savvy enough to figure out how to block all these crazy ads and companies from finding me, but I think it's worth spending the time to figure out how to do it. I found this one option.

Here is another article about target marketing.

Something to think about . . .

Hugs,

Julia

To Mom

No, she'll never read this. She owns a computer and knows how to get on the Internet. Emails every once in a while, but has no patience when something goes wrong. And since I can totally relate to feeling incompetent when it comes to technology, I'm no help. But it's okay for her not to read my blog post, she knows how I feel and I'll be telling her in person tonight anyway.

My mom and I are very different. I love books, she loves TV. I think dogs are people, she'd rather never touch one if possible. Her idea of fun is dressing up and going to a fancy restaurant, mine is a hike in the mountains or a day at the beach. You get the picture. Sometimes I think we are complete opposites in just about everything.

And yet, maybe because she's my mother and I'm her daughter we only see perfection in each other.

Not recently, but she's mentioned that she wishes I'd get a "real" job rather than be a writer - however, she's convinced I'm the best author that ever lived. She tells me I'm a better cook than she is (I'm not); I'm the best mother ever (I'll share that title with her); and the list goes on - sometimes to an embarrassing extreme. And she believes all this, not because any of it is true, but I think because she sees me through that mother's lens that erases all the faults and only sees the good.

And to me, she's my inspiration. I'm forever amazed at all she has accomplished in her life, and by the incredible strength and determination she pulls from somewhere inside herself. Maybe it's because she lost her own mother when she was only 9-years-old and had to learn to be tough at a young age, I don't know. But at 74, she's still telling her children what to do, taking care of grandchildren, taking yoga and belly-dancing classes. She was doing marathons in her sixties and attending rock concerts. She had the strength to go through a major divorce in her fifties knowing that she would have no way to support herself, and that as an Argentine woman it would be frowned upon. All this in the second half of her life. In my office I have a picture of her on a motorcycle when she was in her teens and have heard stories of how she stood in front of tanks when the military dictatorship threatened the citizens in the streets of Argentina. When I asked about this, she laughed and said it was fun. Fun? I would have been scared to death. I also often question if I would have had the nerve to move to a foreign country where I didn't speak the language or know anyone, like she did.

My mother is soft-spoken, and sweet, and doesn't appear strong at all. But she is. And I'm so grateful that I've had the chance to learn from her and thankful that she's my mom.

Love you, Mom! Happy Mother's Day.

I would love to year about your moms and their stories. Let's celebrate our mothers.

Hugs,

Julia

Visiting The Joseph Filippi Winery

Today I'm very excited to introduce a guest blogger who will be taking us on a journey through some of Southern California's most beautiful wineries and vineyards in a five part monthly series. The wineries we've chosen to highlight on this blog are the ones I visited and enjoyed while researching SAY YOU'LL BE MINE. Each is unique and offered a learning experience for me as a writer and gave me a deeper appreciation for the art of wine-making. I hope you'll enjoy learning about these wineries too, and have a chance to visit them.

For an opportunity to win a set of artistic wine charms, I'm asking everyone one to do one thing. Visit the SAY YOU'LL BE MINE Facebook page and "Like" it. If you already have, ask one of your friends to "Like" it and I'll give you both and entry. Then post below that you've done it.

For an additional entry, comment on Ceclia's blog post. Have you visited this winery? Others? What did you think? Drink? Who did you visit with? Which was your favorite wine? Let's talk wines.

I will draw the winner on Friday at midnight, Pacific time.

Enjoy the tour of the first winery!


Joseph Filippi Winery

Cecilia Vasquez

The Cucamonga Valley is just one part of the great history of the Inland Empire. The Cucamonga Valley that once spanned over 30,000 acres was the home to many wineries. One in particular is the Joseph Filippi Winery. Founded in 1922, it is one of the oldest wineries in the country. If I were to describe the Joseph Filippi Winery in one word it would be tradition. The Winery has been kept within the Filippi family since its founding and flourishes today under fourth and fifth generation vintners. From the intimate care of the vineyards to the personal tending of the wine, the family is as involved in the creative process of their wines today as they were when they first began.

Along with being a winery that has many traditions they also preserve many. The wine culture of the Cucamonga Valley is a grand tradition of the Inland Empire and the Filippi family has worked to preserve it. They are currently revitalizing the building that once housed the Ellena Brothers-Regina Winery, a designated local historic landmark. Since 1994, the winery has undertaken several new acres of vineyard plantings and vineyard revitalization projects in the Etiwanda area of Rancho Cucamonga.

Joseph Filippi Winery & Vineyards has earned over 200 Awards for winemaking excellence in the past 30 years. Award-winning varieties include Zinfandels, Grenaches, Cabernets, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Mourvedre blends, Sauvignon Blanc, Sherries, Ports and Angelica wines.

The Wine…
From the making of the wine to the décor of the labels there is a Filippi every step of the way. They specialize in red grape wines such as zinfandels and merlots. Some of their more popular wines are Big Joe Red, Zinfandel, and Syrah.

Upcoming Events…
May 5: Cinco de Mayo Celebration, a chance to relax and enjoy sangria and mojitos
May 8: Mother’s Day complimentary tasting, bring your Mother in for a complimentary tasting or if you are a mom come in and let us treat you to a complimentary tasting.
May 13: Late Night Fridays; come in with your friends. 9 pm closing
May 15: Enter your favorite recipes using Filippi Wine. Submit recipes by May 1. See home page for more info
May 27: Late Night Fridays; come in with your friends. 9 pm closing


The Joseph Filippi Winery is open daily. Monday from 12-5pm, Tuesday-Thursday 11-6pm, Friday-Saturday 11-7pm, and Sunday 12-6pm.

The address is 12467 Baseline Rd. Rancho Cucamonga 91739.