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