Relax and have a beer

Sounds good doesn't it?  I thought so.  So much so that I ran out to the fridge to grab a bottle of Great Divide Brewing Co., DPA or Denver Pale Ale.  I've heard that phrase often but it now has a truly different for me as an individual.  There was a time not in the not so distant past that it probably meant, escape and take the edge off, but for me it goes deeper.

Why do you need a beer to relax?  What is true relaxation?

Relaxation is defined as;

  1.  The state of being free from tension and anxiety.
  2.  Recreation or rest, especially after a period of work.

I can almost hear each of you saying, "Sure, that's easy for you to say."  With that I shall quickly reply with, "the grass isn't always greener" and "everyone has stresses in their life, whether rich or poor, young or old."  I will tell you that I am finally learning how to deal with the stresses in my life and truly relax.

It was amazing to me that the first week after I'd left my previous career, I began to sleep soundly, dream vividly and breathe deeply (save for a few moments when the kids left massive quantities of toys out in the house) like I'd never done before.

It's not rocket science, we as Americans just haven't allowed ourselves the privilege.  First, I figured out what was causing me stress and I walked away from it.  I found what truly made me happy and I ran to it,  (beer was not first on that list) my family.  Then, I cut off communication, that's right, phone, text, email, Facebook, Twitter all that "stuff" that we feel that we have to be constantly doing, I shut it off!  In the end, I found myself immersed in relaxation.

It's not that difficult.  You can find it too.  So, RELAX........then have a beer!

Cheers

SQUIRREL!!!

It's interesting to me how much less my inspiration and motivation are to write when I am back in the valley.  I'm confident I've pinpointed the reason as well.  Distraction.  There is too much going on here to truly sit down and think with a clear mind.  To not only listen, but to truly hear.

Even sitting on the couch this evening with the volume off on the TV, the TV was still turned on.  Why do I feel the need to have something in the background?  Is it just a comfort zone for me?  As much as I may like the stillness and quiet of an evening in the cabin, is it just human nature to be drawn to distraction, like the trained dog inevitably gravitates to the.........SQUIRREL!  Even sitting on the couch, my wife is attempting to convince me that it's easier to write or put my thoughts together with background noise.

So here I sit, alone and in the quiet.  In fact, the only sound I can vaguely make out is the air gently moving through the register, from the furnace, in our bedroom.  So here it is, a question.  How do you truly drown out distraction?  I'm not just writing this post for my own health or because I secretly have a passion for typing.  Think about it.  How do you truly focus?  You see, it takes less work when you take the opportunity to step away.  Add kids, the phone, television, a knock at the door, the cat and it's just not that easy to drown everything out.

Just make yourself the promise that you won't quit.  Challenge yourself, discover daily, that there is a place for you free of distraction.  Maybe on a stool in the tasting room at Payette Brewing Company, with a pint of Chubby SQUIRREL!

Cheers

Life.......and Limb

It is truly my hope that this blog and these posts properly convey the daily events taking place in my life.  With that being said, in all sincerity, these posts are in no way meant to brag about my experiences but to share with each of you what else is out there in the way of opportunity.

I've learned that an opportunity can come in many different forms, sure it could be a new career path, but opportunity can be found in the much smaller, simpler, day to day events in life.  Everyday I wake up, I take the time to meet my opportunity head on, whatever it may be.  It's my personal goal to become the best version of myself that I can possibly be and to share that with you.

A quote from the movie; Coach Carter

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine as children do.  It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone.  And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

In life, there are said to be no second acts, however, Life and Limb, brewed as a collaboration with Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada is proof that sometimes we get a second shot.

Don't live a small, defeated, immobile life.  You have the power at the break of each morning to grow, to impact others and to live your life.  Live a life everyday that you would be proud to read about.  

Cheers

Nothing beats the Northwest

Every time I go to Seattle I have my itinerary planned out, somewhat, well it's unintentional.  I just have those places that I love going.  Maybe its comfortable, maybe I feel like I get the best service or maybe, I'm just getting more and more set in my ways in my old age.

I can't really determine any one reason I love Seattle so much.  Maybe it has to do with the fact that it's the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, maybe it's the fresh seafood or traveling by ferry to Bainbridge Island.  It could the fantastic dining or the great shopping all within walking distance of the many great downtown hotels.  Maybe it's just the beer.

In any event, I love Seattle.  One stop that never gets overlooked on a visit, Pyramid Alehouse.  A warm summer afternoon, waiting for the first pitch of a Mariner's game or a crisp fall day just before the kickoff of the NFL season, the brewhouse is just comfortable.  Whether it's a crowded pub table with my buddies or a patio seat with my wife and kids, there's always a massive plate of nachos (possibly the best I've had anywhere) and a refreshing pitcher of Apricot Ale.

Okay, okay, fruity beer, I know.  It's funny, I'm not a fruity beer drinker, but Apricot Ale is just extremely drinkable and it's kind of like crack.  I think their website probably explains it best, Apricot Ale perfectly combines the taste and aroma of fresh apricot with the smooth finish of a traditional wheat beer. It’s refreshingly unfiltered character and fruit flavor make it an ale worth savoring.

Yes, I miss Seattle, next time your in town, enjoy a game, family, friends and quite possibly one of the most addicting beers I've had.

Cheers

Experimental

Do you remember when you got your first few "friends" to friend you on Facebook?  Do you remember the day you got to 250, 500, 1,000?  How many of the 1,000 "friends" that you have on Facebook do you actually know something about?  I'm not referring to second hand conversation, profile deep info or surface level conversation.  How many of them do you know and how many know you?

Acquaintances are many but you can count your true friends on one hand.  With that in mind, I set out on a little social media experiment, with a twist, curious of the outcome.

Social Media Experiment:

5:15 at Brewforia, I'll buy your first pint. Maybe we know each other well, maybe we don't. My attempt to make my friend list more personal. 

If a bunch of of show up I'm sure it will make for good conversation!

 In anticipation, I arrived 15 minutes ahead of schedule, chose a slightly larger table and waited.  Now, there are several conceivable things that could possibly happen;

1.  Of the current friends I have on Facebook, none of them were online.
2.  Of the current friends I have on Facebook, all of them were on vacation.
3.  Of the current friends I have on Facebook, all of them live out of state.
4.  Of the current friends I have on Facebook, none of them took me seriously.
5.  Of the current friends I have on Facebook, all of them were too busy.
6.  Of the current friends I have on Facebook, none of them liker beer.
  (I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THE ABOVE AND FIND IT PURELY SACRILEGIOUS)
7.  Of the current friends I have on Facebook, none of them could make the time.

As I sat at my computer, sharing a pint of Epic Brewing Company's, 825 State Stout, with two of my closest friends, the outcome of my experiment was perfectly clear.  Less than one-half of one percent of my "friends" had responded.  Muhammad Ali may have said it best, "Friendship... is not something you learn in school.  But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything."

Don't live a surface level life.  A friend is someone who knows you and wants to spend time with you anyway!

Cheers

Snow Falling on Ponderosa's

Sitting here, pecking away at my laptop, I'm reminded of something my father has told me most of my life, "in quiet there is strength."  Sure, I mentioned it briefly in a recent post, but it most certainly bears revisiting.

I had the unique opportunity of a new and wonderful experience with my family, 3 miles on snowshoes.  Yes, with a 3 and 6 year old.  There are few things more silent or serene than walking through the forest with quarter-sized flakes gently falling from the sky onto a white-blanketed floor.  Even with my kiddos in tow, all sound seemed to fade to nothing but the crunch of snow under foot.

Major League Baseball's, Ray Knight said it well, "concentration is the ability to think about absolutely nothing when it is absolutely necessary."  So, that's what I did.  I concentrated on absolutely nothing.  I just took it all in.  The beautiful snow-draped branches on the Ponderosa's.  The perfect diamond pattern left in the trail from the cross-country skiers who traveled the path hours before us.  The smoke, gently curling out of the stove pipe of the yurt, Tibetan prayer flags draped across two sides, the environment so natural, so inviting.

Stepping into the yurt was as if stepping into a far away place.  The criss-cross oak frame silhouette against the canvas danced at the flicker of the candlelight.  A small wood stove spilled warmth throughout the cozy shelter, the stack of freshly chopped firewood still showing signs of a trip in from the snow.

I've begun to realize how much noise and distraction I have in my life.  It's easy to keep running.   Today, with my beautiful family, I got to embrace quiet.

Cheers

Pleasure

How often do you allow yourself pleasure?  Yes, it's a very serious question.  Stop and take a moment to think about it.  How often do you actually allow yourself to truly enjoy your life?  Most enjoyment comes as a reward for personal accomplishment, physical achievement, etc.  How often is it that you just take a weekend, a day or even an afternoon for you.

As Americans, living in the United States, it's just not what we do.  How many Americans do you know who go on Holiday?  How many Americans do you know who take a sabbatical?  How many Americans take a two and a half hour lunch and a nap mid-day?  It just doesn't happen here in the States.  We push, push, push.  We are always going, always have somewhere else to be and something to do that we're running late for and in the midst of our own self-imposed chaos, we neglect ourselves.

So what does this "pleasure" look like in my life?  Pleasure may be what we didn't work for, or what we don't deserve, but it's part of what makes us whole.  I think I've only recently begun to understand what it looks like, and even then, it's not quite something I fully grasp.  A full day, mid-week, uninterrupted, with family, friends or those closest to you.  An extended vacation in excess of two weeks either here or abroad.  A walk in the gently falling snow.

I just can't help but realize that we all have a very warped view of pleasure.  We think we have to earn it, put ourselves in the grave for it or sacrifice our families or ourselves to get it.  We think it comes in the way of physical stuff, a new car, a shopping spree at the mall or an extravagant weekend in Vegas.

This afternoon sit back, pop the cork and like a cellared bottle of Deschutes Brewery's, Abyss, slowly drink it in.  Enjoy the richness of your life today.

Cheers

Family

Once again, I'm welcomed by the crackle of the fire in the woodstove, sipping on a glass of Black Happy ABA from SRB.  I've found that the most clear thoughts happen right here in the front room of the cabin and generally with a growler of something from SRB.

My mind is going over and over the conversation of the day that the ONLY thing important in life is family.  Jobs, titles, money and status come and go but family is always there, family is the true constant in our lives.

I often refer to time back at the cabin in the mountains.  I do so in part that there are few things in my life as pure, without flaw.  Stresses fade, time doesn't seem to have an end and everyone seems to be more centered.  More often than not I find myself wondering how frequently I've taken my family for granted.  I always felt guilt and remorse when my wife and I had the opportunity to get away, but never in the day to day, which I now see clearly as habitual neglect.

Why is it that the ones we love the most are the ones that we often treat the worst?  I've made a commitment to myself that I want to die, but I also want to leave a legacy.  The only way to truly leave a legacy is to have those closest to you actually want to spend time with you and carry on your thoughts and beliefs.

I challenge you to find time with the ones you love, set aside your selfishness and enjoy something new.

Cheers

No beer...

Today has absolutely nothing to do with beer, it is, however, honest, open and true and I found this to be very thought provoking in my journey.  I hope you find it to be the same.


Cheers,


A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that 1,100 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by, and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace, and stopped for a few seconds, and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping, and continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally, the mother pushed hard, and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money, but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the most talented musicians in the world. He had just played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Procrastination........

Congratulations, if you are reading this, I have some earth shattering news, I'm human.  Yes I have actually procrastinated in getting my thoughts put together for the day, which, I actually find odd due to the fact that I truly have enjoyed this writing experience.  Nevertheless, I've waited right up until the last minute and now feel the pressure to come up with something mind-blowing.

With that being said, there's nothing quite like spending half of your day in the crawl space of a house to give you something somewhat interesting to talk about and/or lead you to drink.  Scratch that.  One could have the added opportunity of repairing and replacing broken sewer pipe.

It's funny the things you forget when you've been cramped in a small and strange place for any length of time.  Things like, disconnecting the drain pipe from the toilet, venturing above grade to stretch out, move around, use the restroom, FLUSH THE TOILET.  It's uncanny how much water really does go down the drain with each flush.....or so I've heard.  Needless to say, happy-hour came a little early, along with a fresh set of clean, dry clothes.

Due to the fact that the days affairs had created an unquenchable thirst, I met my friend Monty at Sockeye Brewing for one of their many award winning craft beers.  Yes, as if there could be any question, I'm quite confident that when Sockeye reads this they will be so proud of the fact that their brewery is mentioned in the TOILET post.  In any event, I procrastinated, partly due to the fact that I was sitting on a stool in their fine establishment enjoying a malted-hopped beverage and some fine conversation.

When it was all said and done, I'm quite sure that Monty and I had solved the worlds problems with five words, "in quiet there is strength."  No matter what you are facing in life, no matter what you have to overcome, remember those words.  Don't be afraid of time alone, it's an opportunity to center yourself.  I just don't think it was in the crawlspace!

Cheers

Oh the THINKS you can think...

I love spending time playing with my kids, although, I will admit, it doesn't come natural.  To clarify, I didn't really grow up around small children and I'm pretty certain that I don't really know how to play with them on their level.  But, I am learning.  Thus far, reading is definitely our common ground, especially when it comes to Dr. Seuss.

There is no better way to discover the THINKS you can think than to get out of your routine, shut off your phone and just allow yourself to be in the moment.  Just like my time with my kids, I make the physical choice to free myself of distractions.  It's only then that I don't over-think what I'm doing and just enjoy being in the moment.

Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery conveyed it best in his book, Brewing up a Business.

...pursuing artistic hobbies is a perfect escape route for businesspeople.  They can engage your mind in nontraditional yet productive ways.

I, like Sam, never realized how much I enjoyed expressing my thoughts and feelings in writing.  To paint a picture in words, of an experience, a place or the taste of a finely prepared meal or a craft beer is truly a release me.

What is your release?  Is it a good book, an afternoon of cycling, a walk by the river, a fine craft beer or throwing a ball with the dog?  Whatever it may be, I challenge you to find that time, allow yourself to unwind, be in the moment and just see what THINKS you can think.

Cheers

Happy Valentines Day

Alright, I'm coming clean, it has been a few years now….

Eric, my fellow vertically challenged friend and I started our pilgrimage to Denver, Colorado a few years ago.  We were headed to pick up our pilot system for brewing.  Before I go any further, I will declare that this was possibly the most male thing I've ever done.  Yes, we left on Valentines Day.

There's nothing quite as romantic as two dudes, leaving their wives and kids behind to unite a common love for craft beer.  There's also nothing quite as enjoyable as a trip to Denver from Boise, Idaho in the middle of winter, in only 3 days.

For those of you who are not familiar, 3 days would allow enough time to drive there, pick up our equipment, find a new brewery to try, have dinner and begin the drive home.  Having spent no time in Denver previously, outside of the airport, we were fortunate enough to wandered in to one of the best breweries in the world, Great Divide, completely by chance.

Great Divide Brewing Companies beers have landed an impressive amount of acclaim: Great Divide beers have earned 17 Great American Beer Festival medals and 5 World Beer Cup awards. Great Divide was also ranked 8th in Ratebeer.com’s 2010 “The Best Brewers in the World” and was ranked 7th in Beer Advocate’s 2010 “All-Time Top Breweries on Planet Earth.”

On a day that celebrates the expression of love, I find it very fitting that I get to share about my experiences in craft beer.  As in a marriage, relationship or friendship you have to invest time, be passionate and love. I know Great Divide does.

Cheers

Oh, and by the way.  Happy Valentines Day to the most beautiful woman I know.  Thank you for the support to go on this amazing adventure and for believing in me.  It's kind of ironic that Great Divide became one of your favorites too!

The empty tap room at Great Divide Brewing Co. at 2:00 on a Friday afternoon

The standing room only tap room at Great Divide Brewing Co. at 2:30 the same afternoon

Eric working on our new pilot system

Ryan (aka Justin Timberlake) and I brewing

Collision

When two forces collide, the end result can go in two very different directions.

I sat down this afternoon with one of my best friends, Ryan, aka Justin Timberlake, for a fine craft beer and a little conversation at R&R Public House in Meridian.  At the rapid approach of he and his wife's second child, the conversations underlying theme seemed to drift to balance and harmony and a topic for discussion that has been on my mind for quite some time, collision.

There's no debating that collisions occur daily in life causing disruption.  A misunderstanding with a spouse about finances, a disagreement with a child over curfew or an argument with a co-worker over the credit for a project.

Why can't every collision have the balance of a Mountain Standard.   Odell Brewing Company scored a triumphant victory on this Double Black IPA, a collision of dark roast and light hop.  Yes, I have an affinity for a big, bitter, herbal and citrusy character in my beer.  However, it still boggles my mind to think that an American IPA in style could ever co-mingle with a dark beer.   The first sip of this pitch black, hoppy perfection and you can truly see the marriage of two opposites in perfect harmony and balance.

At the end of the day it's time, spent with a close friend that helps create a great sense of perspective and brings balance.  Conversation, reflection and a great beer can birth great opportunity for growth personally, within the family unit and in the business world.  

If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.  Like a great craft beer, invest in the collision, the outcome can be phenomenal.

Cheers

No-Shave November.....

I began No-Shave-November with two goals in mind;

1.  Men's health awareness (prostate cancer)
2.  Withhold the cutting or shaving of hair to protest the greed of the snow gods upon the ski hill

Simple idea, new venture.  However, I've long since extended No-Shave-November past its 30 day expiration period.  The snow has dumped in 1 foot increments and the skiing is now phenomenal.  I believe my wife has become satisfied at my infrequent visits home as I get fewer and fewer kisses with each return trip.  I am beginning to get the occasional, "when are you going to cut that" and "don't you care about the way you look to the rest of us", from friends, family and random acquaintances.  I've decided to politely answer, no.

Up to this point in my life it was just what I did.  I maintained what I thought to be a presentable canvas to the world around me.  Until one morning in mid to late November while brushing my teeth, I looked up ever so slightly to notice a now scarce population of hair follicles in the region just north of my now larger forehead.  To the east and west of my face, it was as if someone had forgotten to say when with the salt and pepper shaker.

Therefore, I embrace my hair and what remains, in all its glory.  It will continue to grow until I deem it necessary to part with it.  Like Samson, I shall maintain strength with each lock that remains intact.  I may purchase a pair of Carhartt overalls and now fit the look of a brewer in a Samuel Adams commercial.  If, however, my wife tells me to cut it, I assure you it will be gone with no warning.

Cheers

Powder Day and Perspective

So how's the snow been?  I recently had a conversation with a 60 something retiree who made the journey back to Idaho for a winter of skiing, after years spent living in the midwest.  It's hard not to fire back a half-cocked grin when you can answer, five days and five feet of powder.

Pagosa Brewing Company defines Powder Day as;

The anticipation alone can bring a knowing smile.  Powder Day IPA™ has a balanced hoppy character with the distinctive aromas and flavors of true American hops, which gives it a lovely fresh hop finish.  It’s unfiltered so that the hoppiness can be fully appreciated sip after sip.  After a Powder Day, you’re in hop heaven!

For those of you who haven't had the good fortune of the experience, the Urban Dictionary describes a powder day as;

A day after/during an amazing snowfall in the mountains where the ski area is transformed into a slice of heaven by a light, fluffy, deep powder of snow.  Skiers and snowboarders have perma-grin etched on their faces for at least 24 hours.  Exultant whooping can be heard all around.  This is your chance to huck huge cliffs and try a backflip with no consequences.  If you miss it you will hear about it the next day and feel regret.

Meeting new people and enjoying great conversation, it will be difficult to forget, but 3 days into the greatest snow I've seen in my life, "He" boarded the chair.  He was ill-tempered, short, abrasive and had a sub-par view of life.  36" of powder and you're going to complain about the drive up from bottom to top, really?

So what's the point?  I'm going to sit back, toast my ill-tempered lift companion and ponder the words coined by a friend, "Sunsets and stars matter, suits and ties do not."

Cheers to a great outlook on each day!

Try not to try

I can't tell you why, I'm not quite sure myself, but I often find that I try way too hard.

There's nothing quite as awkward as forced conversation, strained, unnatural marketing or pushing pencil to paper expecting quality results, right now.  Sitting here this evening, writing this very blog, I've dumped myself into a point of reflection, trying to write something relevant, worthy of a post. What am I doing?  I'm trying too hard.

I find it interesting, now that I think of it, that a majority of the friendships, business relationships and acquaintances in my life are due in part to chance, unscheduled and unplanned.  No, I'm not flying by the seat of my pants and I hate the phrase, "you were just in the right place at the right time."  I'm simply stating that I've personally chosen to be available and aware.



It's of no coincidence that 30 minutes ago I was opened a bottle of Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout with a good friend.  Not five days prior I sat at BierThirty Bottle & Bistro, visited with the owner, Chris and introduced myself to a table of gentleman, one of which, was Steve Koonce of Epic Brewing.  I got my first taste of Epic's finely crafted brews.

So as I sit here, savoring the big flavors of coffee and chocolate with the hint of a whiskey barrel, I'm reminded to be available and aware, I most certainly would have overlooked something special.  In short, try not to try, you might miss out on the Big Bad Baptist!

Cheers

Why the title?

Seemingly every family vacation will find us on a long road trip, followed by a search for a local brewery or brew pub and the promise of a long awaited meal and point of unwind.  Why the brewery?  The food is great, the cost is inexpensive, the people are friendly and it never seems to matter if the kids make noise.  Oh, and did I forget to mention that dad and mom do get to soften the edge of hours in the car.

I've been to a number of breweries and brew pub's in my lifetime from the West Coast to the East Coast and there seems to be one common theme, openness.  A conversation with the brewer will generally arrive at his or her favorite recipe, the desire to create and the passion for the ingredients.  The owner/proprietor conveys their hope of creating a feeling of community and a sense of belonging a place where people can go and share.  Set aside technology and the brewery or brew pub is Facebook on a personal level.  No profiles, no backspace or delete, no like or unlike, just people.

You see, a craft beer can't lie.  It is honest, open and true.  From an American Imperial IPA with big floral, citrus and hoppy notes to a Japanese Rice Lager defined by a low-hopped, bready malt, what you taste is what you get.

So why did I choose the title and choose to enter the craft beer industry, take a trip to your local brewery or brew pub, shut off your phone and find out for yourself.  Chances are, you may meet me there!

Cheers

Deschutes Public House in Portland with my son

After careful consideration.....

.......I've decided to post Monday thru Friday and allow the weekends to regroup, regain perspective and ensure the continued quality of content of each post.  I just deemed it necessary to clarify this and wanted to share with all of you.

That and I plan on enjoying a few malted hops each weekend!

Cheers

I raise my glass...

As I've approached the end of my first full month in a new career and new perspective on my life, I find myself sitting, very aware of the tranquility listening to the crackle of the fire.  Spending the evening with an old friend I find myself deep in reflection and life evaluation.  Josh and I became friends in high school.  As most high school acquaintances do, we lost touch over the years.  I often found myself following his adventures via Facebook.  Reading his posted quotes provided inspiration, I desired my own risk as he was off skiing the perfect line, mountain biking a new trail or winter camping prior to a mountain ascent.  

It had been years since I'd seen him and had only been able to read about his life, going, doing, experiencing, BEING.  In late November, I ran into Josh at the Teton Gravity Research film tour.  It's by no mistake that I've now seen him three times since that occasion.  To mark the occasion we opened a bottle of Dogfish Head, Theobroma, a rare and ancient Mayan recipe paired with a dark, rich, full bodied cigar. Standing in sub-20 degree temperature visiting with my friend, I realized, I was finally living what I had only read about.  Conversation flowed, mainly of the missed opportunity of many to live simply, not allowing oneself to get caught up in stuff, schedule or deadline.  Truly living like there is no tomorrow.  

The evenings conversation arrived at a common mindset and a desire, never take for granted the freedoms that we now have, live this life to the fullest and share our experiences with others.  I don't share my experience to boast or brag, but to prod.  What are you missing out on, a powder day, a hike, an afternoon in the park with your kids?  So, Josh, I make this request, don't shut down your Facebook page, people are watching and your journey may change someones life.  

Here's to you Josh, I raise my glass of SRB, Buzz Buzz Porter.  Thanks for dangling that life preserver out there on Facebook for a white collar, corporate guy like me.

Cheers

Ryan (aka Justin Timberlake), Josh and myself at SRB in McCall

Facade

In the interest of full disclosure and for the integrity of this collection of thought,s I've chosen to address this topic right out of the barrel.  I had in-depth conversation with a vertically challenged, bald, very close friend of mine who shall remain nameless and find it necessary to rearrange the order of my posts in light thereof.

Stepping out of a long time career, I've made several keen observations with the help of the solitude in which I have jumped.  "I know people", I would say.  Well, I thought I knew people.  I have learned that a career made up of self-induced 10-minute, what can you do for me conversations where I vaguely remember with whom I've spoken the next day, is hardly knowing people.  To all who this has affected, I sincerely apologize.

As a business man, my day was filled with facade conversation.  Surface level, mostly meaningless banter.  Today I bare myself.  I put pen to paper as a self-confessed, lousy communicator, listener and friend.  It has only been in retreat that I've just begun to learn what true honesty, openness and communication are.  I've had the good fortune of finding myself in engrossing conversation of late, with both past acquaintances and new found friends, one, two, three hours at a time.

Essentially, I'm re-learning an art I proclaimed as my profession.  Discovering the meaning of true communication and community.  If nothing else, this blog will be honest, open and true.  In the spirit of conversation, listen and be amazed at what wisdom you can attain through the lives and experience of others.  I know I will.

Cheers