451 Dean Potter, Climber, Hits National Geographic in "The Man Who Can Fly"

2012-02-09T05:17:00.000-08:00

from: deanspotter.com

Humans are always pushing limits. Maybe you don't feel that's true of yourself in particular, but someone, somewhere in this great wide world, is reaching higher, going faster, becoming greater than life's obstacles and roadblocks. Dean Potter is one of those humans. He's testing limits as a climber, free soloer, base jumper and yes, even slackliner, for the entire human race. What he accomplishes sets the standard for the next climber (sometimes himself) to overcome.

Meanwhile, I sit here cozy and content to gasp at these superhumans' calculated daredevilry (see 1:40). Well, maybe not content... while I watch I feel a tugging to push my own limits, not only in the sports I love but also in all areas of life. What rocky face can I climb that pushes the abilities I exhibited on The Most Epic Trip? What chutes can I destroy virgin powder in with my skis? How can I develop my talents in a way that makes me self-reliant and satisfied with my own progress in life? These are the questions that pull me toward a greater purpose as a human.

Those I watch on film are not simply crazy stuntmen who, after watching for two minutes, I shut off and forget. The images are burned in my mind, filed amongst all extraordinary feats I have witnessed, creating a collective that drives me to defy my personal best. These athletic extremists invoke desire for squeezing life out of every day. The passion they induce by exhibiting control over their fears becomes the catalyst that pushes me to want more, live higher, go faster, and be greater than my own perceived obstacles. I can overcome because they overcame so much greater.

Enjoy:

For Once in Your Life

2012-02-02T07:16:00.000-08:00

Not sure how I stumbled across Butch Walker And The Black Widows song "Synthesizers" this morning, but the chorus motivated me. Plus, ol' Matthew McConaughey isn't a bad thing on a Thursday morning.

Chorus:

For once, once in your life
won’t you do what feels right
instead of waiting for the next big compromise
Stop running your mouth
Get out of the house
Get yourself downtown
and shake it all out tonight
...

There are really two parts of the song for me. The first that hit me is the chorus, as I mentioned. It's a challenge to get moving, to stop making excuses and to go for it. My faithful readers will know from past posts that this always strikes a chord with me. I can't tell you how many times people approach me with ideas, wondering how to get them started. When I offer tips, they shut them down, putting up blocks to what I know works since I used them for Outdoor Women's Alliance, my journalism and The Most Epic Trip. Excuse after excuse they offer as to why they can't make it happen, as if I have some special power they don't posses. If you can dream it, you CAN do it. You just gotta stop running your mouth and get out of the house. Put down the remote control and pick up some knowledge. Get going.

Listening to all the words of the song, the singer talks about not having the "cool" things and not needing them to have a good life anyway. I mean, he's not using any synthesizer and the song still sounds good, right? ;)

So often people are hung up on having the latest, the best, the biggest, or at the very least, the "staples" of what everyone else has: iPhones, 80's neon sunglasses, feathers for your hair, Mac computers, skinny jeans... or in the case of me and my outdoor friends: Subarus, the fattest skis, magnetraction boards, the newest ATC, Zeal Goggles with your GPS coordinates...

But two weeks ago, before the four foot snow storm, I was on my skinny skis from 2006, rocking out on man-made groomed runs and smiling just the same. And I've seen plenty of happy hipsters (there are ways to tell they are having a good time) with Androids instead of iPhones.

So what do you need to make YOU happy? What do you need to live out your dreams? You've got it all, you just need to realize it. It's what you've got going up in your head that makes all the difference- your outlook, your belief in self and your goals, your attitude towards being able to get what you set out for. What makes your heart pound? Believe in it. What makes you smile? Bring more of that into your life. Keep things positive, keep things focused. You'll get there. I promise.

The Fat Flakes Fall

2012-01-22T09:18:00.000-08:00

That's more like it...
from the Solitude Facebook page

It's hard to get more depressing than rain in January when you live in Utah. Adding insult to injury is that thousands are gathered here in Salt Lake City for the Outdoor Retailer (OR) show this week and the skies in the valley have been dumping nothing but 33°+ water droplets. For some attendees, this was their first taste of Utah's winter. Our mountains should have been cutting a crisp white line across bluebird skies- instead they've been socked in gray while rivers of rainfall run through the downtown gutterways.

But that changed yesterday. I was buried in my smartphone's calendar, busily trying to sort out my next appointment at OR when I quickly took a glance to establish my surroundings. A ceiling to floor window caught my eye, revealing the magic that had taken place: the 33°+ droplets had transformed to fat feather-like flakes drifting through the air. I stopped still and stared, forgetting my smartphone and appointments. A rush of relief spread over me. It was finally snowing in Salt Lake.

from skiutah.com - Jan 18, 2012

I do need to clarify... we have been graced with a healthy punch of winterness in our mountains for a couple of days, but when it's raining below it usually means a dense layer of snow in the upper elevations. Hey- not that I'm complaining. We've seen well over 3 feet of snow since January 18th, so at long last I'll be off my rock skis. However, a bit of jubilation is expected when the rain changes to snow in the valley- skiers know that means conditions are improving at their favorite resort.

Therefore, as a skier, it was my duty to check one of my favorite resort's snow report first thing this morning. Solitude is boasting a healthy 27" of new snow in the past 24 hours- which is close to what the base depth was previous to this storm. It's a cold 23° up there, which helps keep this particular snowfall lighter than what we've been experiencing the past couple of days. Hallelujah!

I wasn't the only one rejoicing. As I tore myself away from the window and continued on, the hum of "Did you see?", "It's snowing!" and "The flakes are huge!" carried me all the way to my appointment. The first five minutes of conversation with the PR rep I was meeting with were taken up by discussion surrounding this weather phenomenon and the skiing that would ensue as soon as Outdoor Retailer concluded.

As for me, I have no doubt where my Line Pandora skis and I will be rocking (on powder!) tomorrow morning- a secret stash at Solitude will be waiting. And for all you "snow snobs" who have been allowing your skis to gather dust- it's time to brush them off and wax them down. Winter has arrived.

Seek and Ye Shall Find

2012-01-11T07:13:00.000-08:00

With so many neglected skis gathering dust in closets, there's bound to be treasure out there for the one who searches in the right places. To this minority, I applaud. While the snow snobs keep sighing over lack of snow, your skis, dripping from melted snow in the back of your truck, have just enjoyed a day of secret stashes. This is the story of how I found mine:

I was running on about two hours of sleep after baking all night for a Sugared Magnolia order when I was asked to go skiing at Solitude Mountain Resort. I didn't think I would have the energy needed to keep up with my own skis, let alone those of my friends. But, already missing the cold mountain air I had been in this past weekend, I complied and hoped for the best.

Since I was ice climbing in Colorado during the last snow storm, it completely escaped my mind that a new layer of white had fallen on the Utah mountains and patches of it still hung around off trail- my favorite area anyway. I was expecting more icy conditions upon my return to Solitude, but was surprised by how soft even the base layer was. No, these were not pristine conditions that begged for my powder skis, but my trusty rock skis could maneuver between the occasional exposed hard spot and the soft snow that was plentiful off-piste. And when I was funneled back to the trail from my wanderings in the ungroomed, I found no occasion for keeping a wary eye- the runs were clear of obstacles so I was free to make the wide, arcing turns that are the beauty of groomers.

Now, dear reader, you get a bonus for joining me on my search for snow. I'm about to divulge what another skier should never share. If you want the good stuff, head up the Summit lift and stay left off the top. Enjoy a few hits of powder there (I got about four turns of untracked goodness) and then continue on down to the Headwall Forest. Inside this magical place the trees have dutifully protected the soft snow below. You'll find each turn as good as mid-winter (in a normal year) and lots of powder pockets between the trees. As you exit, take note of the smile on your face. You're welcome.

Don't think I've given away my best secret, though! You gotta do some exploring yourself. There is one other area off the Summit chair that will make you feel as though you've hit gold... just follow a traverse. That's all I'm going to say.

Skiing may be the last thing on people's minds but the diligent seeker shall find, and find well. So dust off the skis, my friends. There's goods to be had.

On the Road Again :: Ouray Ice Climbing Festival 2012

2012-01-09T07:39:00.000-08:00

Photos from members of my ice climbing entourage

As soon as I piled into the truck with my climbing gear and four other people, I knew I was in the right spot. We were headed to Ouray, Colorado for my second trip to the annual Ouray Ice Festival, about 6.5 hours away from Salt Lake City. Although the climbing had changed from rock to ice and my trip partners had multiplied from one to ten, being back on the road felt exactly like going home to The Most Epic Trip. I felt an inward sigh of relief as we hit highway speeds in a truck filled with gear. I was on the road again.

One of my favorite climbs this weekend

This weekend was refreshing both physically and mentally. Imagine going from living in the clean air for six months to a smog-filled basin filled with traffic, noise, and dangerous air-borne particulates trying to lodge themselves in your lungs. Because of this inversion-caused pollution and lack of snow, I hadn't been venturing much into the outdoors. It's been a rough transition. Therefore, the opportunity to escape into the mountains for four days and exert my pent-up energy on sheets of frozen water was as welcome as being fed a homemade meal after months of fast food. I felt gratitude for the amazing world we live in, for the body I have that can move among the elements of rock, ice and snow, and for the people milling about the festival- reminding me that I was not alone in my love for tackling the challenges of those elements.

I was greeted warmly by some familiar faces from last year- some even by name which surprised me. The ice climbing world has a level of acceptance that surpasses the clubs and organizations to which I've belonged. It's probably because there are few people "crazy" enough to want to stick themselves on something as unstable as frozen water. When these people find each other, the "whys" of ice climbing is a given, lending itself to a great foundation for conversation and camaraderie. I was given hugs, passing high-fives and shouts of hellos as I walked by. Talk about making a girl feel good!

Our moms are all glad we're off the ice...

Aside from the competitions, raffles, rubbing shoulders with athletes and leaders in the industry, there was the ice. It was simultaneously the backdrop and the highlight of the weekend. Flicking my tools into the clear blue surface of the ice, I felt a shock of exhilaration speed from my heart throughout my body. My crampons bit into the smooth frozen water and I moved up, flicking my pick into a placement overhead. I was climbing again. And not only was I climbing, but I was climbing with icicles dangling overhead, snow falling lightly onto my face and sporadic calls of congratulations for well-placed moves coming from below.

It's dangerous, yes. It might be crazy (sorry, Mom). But when you are faced with a mass of ice and the tools to tackle it- when you are in that moment where people believe in you and you believe in yourself- there's nothing like taking on that challenge and achieving it. There's nothing better than standing on top of that frozen waterfall, looking down over chandelier ice and knowing you are the reason you made it up there.

For more photos, click here.

Yes, Virginia, there is a sun!

2011-12-21T11:34:00.000-08:00

Study the two pictures below. The one on the left is the view of the city. The one on the right is from Solitude Resort. Both are taken within an hour of each other.

Let us begin our examination in comparisons. Both photos have clouds. The photo on the left features a pollution cloud filled with smog particulates from an inversion that hangs over the otherwise picturesque valley of Salt Lake. The clouds on the right are happy little clouds filled with H20 and little else.

Both have lines. The ones on the left are power lines that crisscross the city and disrupt views of the mountains- which are visable when the city isn't blanketed in yellow air. The lines on the left are chairlift cables that whisk you up to incredibly clear views of unobstructed panoramas.

Both pictures have people. The people on the left are hidden in buildings and cars- boxes that keep them from interacting with the outdoors- which is probably a good thing since they'd otherwise be sucking in the chemicals floating in the city air. The people on the right are fully exposed to the outdoor elements- a good thing because up in the clean mountain air, they are filling their lungs with freshness, getting vitamin D from the sun, and awakening their senses with crisp air.

About to escape the "cloud"

Since being back in Salt Lake City, I have looked out my window every day to discover an ever-thickening cloud of toxicity enveloping this valley. The mountains are hidden behind a layer of noxious air- air which has banned the sun from showing its cheery face. But it's not just my visual senses that are offended. Almost immediately upon my return, I noticed a severe increase in respiratory problems as well.

Yesterday I had about enough of this. I didn't move to Utah to be closed indoors with curtains drawn to avoid a sickening yellow cloud. The air in my apartment, being closed up against the outdoors couldn't be that much better for me. I had to get out and the only place I could think to go was up.

Yes, Virginia, there IS a sun!

As I zoomed (having a Mazda, this is the adjective I am trained to use) up Big Cottonwood Canyon, the muck persisted until, by what seemed a providential sign that I was nearing a place I hold sacred, I spotted a peak touched by golden afternoon sun. "The sun still exists!" I smiled to myself as I pulled over to snap a photo.

Arriving at Solitude Resort, my spirits soared. Sun- everywhere. Tiny wisps of clouds in an otherwise bluebird sky. People freely playing outdoors with no concern for the health of their lungs. And other than people laughing and chatting with each other, a peaceful stillness that quieted the city buzz that had been ringing in my ears.

For the first time since being back in Utah, I felt at home. I felt rejuvenated, alive, alert, and strangely clean. Taking a few runs, I felt how surprisingly soft the snow felt on the sides of the trails and heard the laughter of children as they trailed parents or toppled over a skis. This is what I was used to at Christmas time- a winter wonderland of bundled up folks sporting rosy cheeks and smiles. This is what I had been missing in the valley.

My Christmas tip: Head up to the mountains, my friends. Bring your skis and play. Create some sunny winter memories to replace the gray here below. Trust me, you'll feel Christmas the way it's meant to be.

In Answer to Re-Entry: Coming Home After an Adventure

2011-12-19T10:18:00.000-08:00

Steve pausing on West Virginia's Via Ferrata

Today seems to be a reflective one. There are few fellow travelers that I keep up with on Twitter who I either met on The Most Epic Trip or who I shared ideas back and forth with during the trip. Today's talk seems to be circulating among a tight group on Twitter about Amy Christensen's recent post Re-Entry: Coming Home After an Adventure. As I was posting my comment, I came to realize some important things about my behavior pattern since being on the road. I guess I just had a self-guided therapy session. Introspection to the rescue! Here's where I was guided [taken from my comment on Amy's blog]:

Amy-
Andy showed this post to me this morning; I know we've talked a bit on another post about the feelings of coming back from something like [The Most Epic Trip]. It's difficult to put into words, but I tried:

During the trip, the closer I came to realizing that my return to "civilization" was imminent, the more I grew uneasy with settling down and becoming part of the urban world again. It's been two weeks since being back and I'm dealing with the woes that come from living in a capital city- smog, traffic, apartment life and the general buzz that constantly surrounds me. I feel the constant need to escape.

Basically, I can't settle in. I feel a constant need to be doing something, to be busy, to be creating or cleaning or whatever. I'm sure it was driving Steve crazy; however I just recognized what I was doing and realization struck. When we were on the trip, we were constantly doing something. Even if we were just taking it easy in the hammock, we were experiencing the trip. But really, it was usually more movement than that- we were always discovering, always traveling, always learning, always organizing, always writing, photographing, taking videos, meeting people, cooking, hiking, climbing, etc... we were always doing something. The return to a stable environment is very unsettling for me and I just realized that I am in hyperactive mode, feeling like things need to get done, need to be finished, etc. But when I was on the trip, it was all enjoyable because it was all part of a larger experience. Back in this city- it's all busy work. I'm rushing towards nothing. Not in a negative way- it's just the comparison between the trip and "home" brings me to realize that the trip's activities held so much meaning to me, whereas here I'm not getting the same satisfaction, so perhaps it has been subconsciously driving me to do more. Like someone hooked on drugs who doesn't get the same "fix" as they once did so they up their intake.

Steve mentioned [in his comment on the blog] feeling isolated- that no one really understood where he was coming from. While I haven't felt completely that way- I felt that he, as well as people that we met on the trip, could relate- I have felt cut off from other people directly around me. Maybe self-imposed, but I have a hard time relating to the general public. When I do get a chance to talk about the trip, especially with those who have done something similar, I am so very grateful. It feels like rehab.

Anyway, those are my rambling thoughts on the matter. This is a new type of adventure. It's different than one I would have planned for myself, but that's the beauty- I just have to create it into one I choose. One day I'll do a trip like this again- and not "one day" in a wishful way- but in a determined it-will-be-done manner. It's in my blood now and I'm sure it will be throughout life.

What experiences changed you and caused you to feel a little rough in the situations and places you used to fit in? What did you do to overcome that or grow from it?

P.S. Special thanks to Andy who showed me Amy's post today and made this whole insight thing possible. =)

Birthday Wish- charity: water

2011-12-12T06:52:00.000-08:00

When we are thirsty, we put a glass under the tap.

Do you take this for granted? I do- I realized a tiny bit of this while hunting for clean water sources on The Most Epic Trip. At home, the journey to my kitchen faucet is a mere 5 second walk from any point in my apartment. But that's not all- I take water that is already considered the most sanitary in the world and filter it further through a purifier just to make it taste a little better.

Meanwhile, thousands of others make due with water shared with livestock, mixed with sewage, or contaminated with deadly factory runoff.

What a princely manner in which we live.

For my birthday this month- and for Christmas, I'm asking you- my readers- for a special gift. I don't want (or need) anything extra. But I do want to see others have some of what we enjoy every day here in America- clean water. So I'm asking you to help me raise $100 for charity: water; a charity which gives 100% - every single cent of every single dollar donated- directly to providing clean water to others. They then find other ways to pay for their time. You can give now by simply clicking here: charity: water

What luxury can you give up today to provide something good for others during this season of giving? How about that cup of Starbucks coffee? A lunch date? A fast food meal? These items are gone in a matter of minutes- clean water affects an entire life.

Please share this post wherever you can- email, post on Facebook and Google+, tweet about it, Digg it, etc. Together we can raise the necessary funding to provide clean, drinkable water to children and families in developing nations.

(Please watch this incredible video- even if you don't care about water, you'll love the cinematography)

Give now: click here

Return from a Road Trip: Making Sense of Life 6 Months Later

2011-12-05T08:01:00.000-08:00

I boarded the plane in Florida, headed back to a home which had I had all but forgotten. It's hard to imagine that a place you were once so enamored with could be dismissed over the course of a few months of travel, but that's what happened.

Makeshift kitchen in Squamish

During The Most Epic Trip, I had come to think of my car, my tent, the camping spot I was in, the rock faces I climbed, the roads and waterways- all of these as home. Indeed, the entire continent of North America was home. The mountains, the trees, the people- they were all fixtures in the great expanse of the continent I roamed about in. It was all home.

But then suddenly, it was time to return.

Week One: City of Rocks

It still makes me teary-eyed to reflect on this change from a few days ago. The trip didn't end the way we planned, which made it even harder. But the biggest difficulty I faced was going back to a place where I had once lived a completely different life and back into an apartment full of stuff. I was overwhelmed by the amount of things I had to unpack from a storage unit, and the disconnect I felt with the outdoors. No clean air sweeping over me as I slept. No birds waking me in the morning. No trees rustling with the wind. Just dead interior air. And stuff... everywhere.

Knife edge traverse in Rumney, NH

As I sat with my face pressed against the airplane window, I felt something completely different than I imagined I would feel at this moment of return. Instead of relief for being done with nearly six months of traveling, I felt a bit of trepidation and a giant dose of anxiety. What would being back in a city feel like? Would I be able to handle the noise, the cars, the fast pace? Would I be able to find a job? Could I afford to be back and pay for rent, utilities, internet? I was being rushed from simplicity into complication and it didn't feel right.

Time Out in Bellingham, WA

I still don't feel right. I would give anything to be back on the road. I blame it on my parents who trained us to take to the road at an early age. We visited the Smoky Mountains every Fall, drove to Maine and Virginia regularly, and traversed across the wide West whenever the opportunity arose. I carried that tradition into my early college years- taking off whenever I felt too confined and needed to break free of four walls. Anytime I could go further on the road, I took that opportunity. If continents were connected, I'd be long gone on the other side of Pangea.

Sunset in Smith Rock

I don't know yet what lessons I've learned yet from this trip. They will unveil themselves in time, I'm sure. I still don't fully know how this trip has changed me or my perspective, but I do know one thing: through the trying times, the triumphs, the getting lost, the finding beauty, meeting new friends and the rare stranger, I dreamed big, I lived bigger, and I loved it every moment of it.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement during this trip- for your interaction with us on Facebook, Twitter, our blog and here. I so very much appreciate you and whatever part you played in our experience during this trip- even if it was just a comment or thought. Stay tuned as my wheels won't be out of commission for long...

A song we listened to on the way to the Smokies as kids

All I Can : JP Auclair, Urban Skiing and the Beauty of Old Snow

2011-11-30T08:16:00.000-08:00

Gritty. Grimy. Rough. Unpolished.

The JP Auclair segment from the highly acclaimed All.I.Can ski flick has "urban" sewn into its very foundation. From the water dripping off the eaves of a soot-caked roof to the sparks that fly up as metal ski edges catch hold of coarse concrete, this five minute motion exploration of urban skiing encapsulates the untold bits of a sport that trends towards glitz and glamour.

A JP Auclair example: It's hard to deny the charm of a French-Canadian

Auclair, who tops the charts as one of my favorite skiers (along with Seth Morrison), not only has the dashingly good looks of the French Canadian tribe (yes, being one, I am biased) but also the skills that take his skis to the air, initiative that makes him a leader in ski manufacturing, and a heart that takes on more than self-interest. These traits combine to make a well-rounded ski celebrity who is worth keeping tabs on.

In this clip, Auclair guides us through the "behind the scenes" of urban rail slides and jibbing. There's no glossy magazine spreads here, no brightly clad masses of teen boys trying to impress themselves. Auclair, the singular star of the moment, almost becomes second to the sport itself- rare in the world of urban skiing- as he traverses the demands of a frozen cityscape.

For many, it is difficult to find beauty in the mundane aspects of winter life. However, when brought together by masterful film artists, perspectives open and we begin to almost welcome what was previously abhorred. It is in the world of these artists that we discover the beauty of old snow, crystalized into grains, as its movement is caught in slow motion. We see the aesthetic contribution that wiry, barren, winter trees make against the cold sky as birds are flushed out of its tangled branches. Most importantly though, as Auclair navigates the bleak surroundings of a city cloaked in snow, we find an exuberance in simply skiing.

Enjoy.

The Best Way to Shop Cyber Monday : Support A Blog's Affiliate Links

2011-11-28T07:05:00.000-08:00

It's Cyber Monday and many of us are scouring the web for deals. We are sandwiched between Thanksgiving and Christmas, holidays that teach us to give thanks and give to others. Many of you know I'm a big believer in supporting the little guy, so I'd like to combine the first two statements of this post into one idea and present it to you: Instead of buying straight from the source, why not look over your favorite blog's affiliate links and order through them?

When you purchase through the affiliate links on a blog's site, it is a win-win situation. Affiliate links often advertise the same deals that you would get when you go straight to the source, so you're not paying a penny more. However, instead of just forking the money over to the big retailer and helping no one in-between, by using a blog's affiliate links, the blog's author will get a bit of compensation for their hours of research, writing and editing. When you choose to shop online through affiliate links, you're showing bloggers you value their time, their opinion, and their blog. You help them stick through with their commitment to bring value to your "screen time." Bonus: you'll come away knowing you helped your favorite blog, its community, and have supported a small business- that's what blogs are, after all! Shopping through a blog's affiliate links just makes sense.

Keep Cyber Monday focused on small business. Shop through your favorite blog's affiliate links and spread the word!

Ski Snowbasin This Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T09:32:00.000-08:00

Although I believe all our Utah ski and snowboard resorts have claims to fame when it comes to beauty, one that takes my breath away is Snowbasin. Located between two picturesque valleys about 35 miles north of Salt Lake City, Snowbasin is...

(Just wanted to share my latest article at http://www.outdoorwomensalliance.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-at-snowbasin.html - go check it out! :)

Life Lessons from The Matrix

2011-11-16T04:11:00.000-08:00

I've never seen the Matrix, but I assume a lot of you have. While doing some online research (really, do I need to qualify this with "online" anymore?), I came across a leadership conference video where the speakers took clips from the Matrix to create a platform for their points.

That's when I learned the Matrix is full of life lessons.

While I don't condone jumping from very tall buildings in an attempt to let go of fear, doubt and disbelief, I do condone finding what "tall buildings" you've let stand in your way and then changing your view to the truth of the matter: that they are merely hurdles- and hurdles can be jumped.

It is our mindset that is our biggest obstacle. Once we let go of the three dream killers: fear, doubt and disbelief, we understand that we are not faced with anything insurmountable in this life except death. So go live.

A Plea From a Broken Heart: Utah Ski Season 2011-2012

2011-11-10T06:51:00.000-08:00

No hiking at all for me today

It was like Christmas Eve last night and I was the six year old child trying to keep my eyes squeezed shut long enough for the early signs of dawn when I could jump out of bed and race to my... computer.

Yes, this is what I have been reduced to- a spectator of the ski season beginning. All the wonderfulness of winter begins today in Utah with my beloved Big Cottonwood Canyon resorts in the lead. My own dear Solitude resort opened with three lifts. Three! Yet, here I dejectedly sit, about as far as you can get from participating from this yearly celebration. As I write this, I stare out on a vista of palms and a slow, winding river filled with gators. I'm in Florida, kids. Feel my pain.

Usually I love being home. I grab the old canoe, paddle around the herons, egrets and manatees and explore the channels cut through the swamp by the Army Corps of Engineers to control the swarms of mosquitos that once plagued the area. I can be at the beach within 7 minutes and practicing my sand castle building skills. But to be here on the one day that marks the beginning of the best time of year? That's torture.

I've already pored over photos from last winter, stalked the Solitude Facebook page, and dug deep into the Twitter feeds from both resorts. Now all I can do is sit, and wait, for Utah to wake up, get their freshly tuned skis and boards loaded into their Subarus and hit the snow so I can live vicariously through my fellow (but much more luckily situated) snow enthusiasts.

Good readers, won't you please have some pity? This troubled heart needs compassion and it can only come in the form of you telling me details of your day. Photos, tweets, updates on Facebook- whatever. Yes, I actually want to hear how much fun you are having. Chalk it up as doing your good deed for the day- you'll be lifting the spirits of one who lives for snow but is stuck with sand.

All my thanks in advance. Now go make some turns.

photos included in this post are from my blissful days last season at Solitude. Ah. Pass a tissue, please.

Solitude, Skiing and the Wisdom of Julian Carr

2011-11-09T05:42:00.000-08:00

"Whether you think you can or think you can't- you're right." - Julian Carr hucking it

off some Solitude terrain.

Julian, you're my hero for the day. Not only did you put up a photo which demonstrates the defiance of rational thinking, but you used it to symbolize the succes of taking those risks (as you are still here to tell the tale).

Yes. Risk taking is, well... risky. But what would we gain if we didn't huck ourselves off some cliffs once in a while? We'd never progress, we'd never inspire, we'd never push ourselves past our current "limits." And we certainly wouldn't have this amazing photo from Julian.

Thanks for thinking you can, Julian.

Sand Messages (Pt II)

2011-11-08T05:29:00.000-08:00

Sunday I put up a post asking what you all would like written in the sand. I headed down to the beach yesterday to fulfill the requests. A storm was coming in and it was high tide- not the best time for drawing pictures, but it made for a pretty scene.

After rescuing a little bird from the tangled seaweed that had been pushed on shore, I cleared away the soft sand to get to the harder sand beneath and started drawing.

Do you have anything you want drawn on a sandy Florida beach? Let me know. Limited time offer as The Most Epic Trip is taking off soon!

Sand Messages

2011-11-06T11:05:00.000-08:00

Today I want to do something kinda fun for you. While I am here in Florida on The Most Epic Trip and in close proximity to the sandy white beaches of Daytona, tell me what message you would like written (keep it clean, kids) and I'll go down to the beach and do a little artwork in the sand for you with your message.

It will look better than above... I was in a hurry there. A hurry to enjoy the sun. ;)

P.S. Feet not included.

The Chilling Tale of the Ice Man

2011-10-31T05:45:00.000-07:00

Not scary, but chilly, for sure. Happy Halloween!

.

2011-10-24T05:45:00.000-07:00

"To get what we've never had, we must do what we've never done."

Photo by MIKECOOTS

Sherpas Cinema Stop-motion: The Man and the Mammoth

2011-10-20T05:45:00.000-07:00

Sherpas Cinema has been on fire with their much-talked about "All.I.Can," a winter flick exploring the relationship between climate change and winter sports. Known for their stunning cinematography, Sherpas Cinema is on the fast track for being a (skiing) household name. But little is known about their more playful side (and their twisted side):

The Man and the Mammoth from Sherpas Cinema on Vimeo.

Music Monday: Pictographs

2011-10-17T05:30:00.000-07:00

It's Monday. You're not ready to let go of the weekend, but here you are, back at your desk, trying to wake up as the hours of daylight shrink. Let's get your brain started for the week ahead. Or at least before you head out to your first meeting.

These Pictograms are clever illustrations of (mostly) well-known songs. See if you can guess the title before peeking at the names below the icons.

The most appropriate one to start with:

Now on to the rest:

How many did you guess correctly?

Penny for Your Heart

2011-10-10T05:15:00.000-07:00

I want you to stop for a minute.

Quiet things down. I need your full attention for this minute.

We're going to do some imagining with something very real. And we're starting by taking an inventory of your heart.

I want you to find the idea that refuses to be shaken, the one that send a little zing through you. It could be anything- backpacking through the Himilayas, starting a nonprofit for schools in third world countries, building your own log cabin in the mountains, creating a line of accessories from thrift shop finds. Whatever it is, it's valid. Look for it.

When you've got it, hold it out in front of your mind's eye and consciously acknowledge its presence. Now, for one full minute, I want you to trade the situation you are in now- office, home, hotel room, etc.- for the one you have in front of you. Dive in as if it is something you are entirely familiar with. See yourself setting up camp in the Himalayas and drinking tea at the little tea houses along the trek, look at the village children around you as they put their desks in order, inhale the sweet air surrounding the mountain cabin you now live in, envision the shine of the antique brooch you are refinishing. One minute. Go.

Now I must ask you: What's the dollar value of those memories you just imagined? What's the price tag on your dreams?

Take this question to heart. I'm not asking how much it would cost to make something happen. I'm asking for how much you would, if given the chance to live out that long-guarded and much loved fantastic dream of yours, turn around and sell the rich experience of it? How many dollars would you take for the memories and feeling of sheer satisfaction for living what's in your heart?

I assume (and hope) that most of you will answer that they're not for sale... that you would rather retain your remarkable memories than trade them for money. If that's the case, then we must move to the next logical question:

Are you afraid?

What I believe stops us from pursuing our life is fear. When a dream suddenly becomes possible, we are unprepared for the transition. We’ve kept it at arm’s length for so long, content to some degree to wish on it and think about it for a time and then put it back and continue with the day-to-day.

The day-to-day. Is this really how we are supposed to live our lives? Is the purpose of having a dream simply to fill the gaps between worrying about bills and deadlines? I refuse to believe they are there for anything less than to become our own reality.

Warm up those cold feet by moving; run, walk – even crawl if you must – to the richness of your dreams. You can make it happen. You absolutely can.

...

I believe in teaching by example. See this idea in action.

Gotta Keep Up

2011-10-05T05:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.likeable.com

Blogger.Wordpress.Tumblr. Posterous.

Digg. Reddit. Delicious. StumbleUpon.

Facebook. Twitter. LinkedIn. Google +.

YouTube. Vimeo. Flickr. Photobucket.

Scoop.it. Instapaper. Google Reader. Thoora.

Random sites like Foursquare. Klout.

Chat. Text. Email.

Are we going overboard?

No Childhood Left Behind: A LEGO Tribute In Honor of Legoland Florida

2011-10-03T05:45:00.000-07:00

Dedicated to my brother, Ryan, whose LEGO creations I seemed to always inadvertently crush.

Photo: Mike Stimpson

I recently got the news that a LEGOland was opening in Central Florida, not a far drive from my hometown. This news sparked a bit of happy nostalgia as I remembered the various creations my brother would skillfully craft from LEGOs when we were kids. For hours on end, my brother would bury himself in a mound of brightly colored blocks and silently work away on his next laser-forcefield-warpspeed-equipped space jet or turbo engine watercraft.

Photo: Mike Stimpson

The world of LEGOs is one that many children find irresistible because it is one that is created by their own imaginations. Using only tiny bits of plastic, they can capture a fantasy and bring it to life. Such power is delicious to little humans who are otherwise directed by adults in their navigation of a grownup world. Because the reality of these little LEGO worlds become so real in the creation stage, because the child has full control over what they are creating and the idea surrounding each creation, LEGOs dive deep into the spirit of being a child and dive even deeper into their hearts. A lasting fondness for the toy is deeply rooted in these children.

Photo: Mike Stimpson

But alas, children morph into adults at dangerous speeds and find they are expected to leave their space jets behind. Their bucket of LEGO blocks sit, gathering dust, in the closet. Though these adults may have very grownup black suits and sit behind very grownup polished desks in very grownup gray office buildings, any memory touching on their childhood pastime sparks a warm glow in their heart, manifesting itself by a growing smile on their face. A story usually follows about the things they once created.

Hence the need for LEGOland. Suppressing love is unhealthy and even moreso when compelled to do so by the outside force of becoming an adult. Safely under the guise of going for the entertainment of their offspring, LEGOland gives adults the chance to thrill at grandiose creations that they once dreamed of creating if only they had unlimited plastic blocks of their own.

Photo: Mike Stimpson

Here's to a great new LEGOland. Here's to never leaving childhood behind.

Photos are from a great photographic artist- Mike Stimpson. All these images, and many great others, can be found on his site. I recommend the Star Wars photos to discover a softer side of Star Troopers.

Cinematography and Skiing: Sweetgrass Premiere

2011-09-27T05:30:00.000-07:00

One of the most beautifully composed ski films I have had the opportunity to lay eyes on. If you love beautiful photography, gorgeous landscapes, skiing, travel or any combination of the above, this film will be worth your while.

SOLITAIRE: A Backcountry Skiing, Snowboarding, and Telemark Film from Sweetgrass Productions on Vimeo.

Things I Wish I Learned in Sunday School

2011-09-26T07:17:00.000-07:00

Worth sharing again.

Food Systems: Back to the Start

2011-09-08T05:45:00.000-07:00

There is not much I can do to add to this because I am afraid anything I will say will detract from the message. I am even hesitant to say where it comes from. Just watch.

Thank you to Stephen W Weiss for sharing this with me.

Time Alone

2011-08-15T06:26:00.000-07:00

On top of a double pitch in City of Rocks, Idaho

While running along a wooded lane in Ohio a few days ago, I got tangled up in my thoughts which tend to run into each other without any real logic. Soon I found myself thinking of the person who, of late, sits beside me in the car for hours on end- the same person who shares a tent with me, my meals, climbing responsibilities and conversations. Because of our current project, we are together 24/7, literally, until now.

Circumstances changed in Ohio. Steve went one way for family, I went another. We both had short-term jobs to earn some much needed extra money and because of that, we were (as he put it) "accidentally" separated. Not having a phone on this trip means that I've had one 20 minute chat conversation with him through gmail during the week we've been apart.

Steve's special day

As my pace quickened on the downhill, snippets of the things Steve and I have done together played through my mind like clips from a movie. I thought back to our first "date" nine months earlier (which, tellingly, turned into an 11 hour road trip) when I discovered I kinda liked this guy who approached me at the climbing gym; our road trips to Steamboat/Vail, and St. George; ice climbing in Ouray; skiing the countless powder days of the 2010-11 ski season at Brighton, Powder Mountain, Snowbird, Solitude and Snowbasin. And of course I saw mini-versions of all the adventures we've had so far on The Most Epic Trip.

It isn't just the trips, though. Running along, I was more cognizant of the thoughts I had as those adventure clips flashed through. I thought of a time in a Leavenworth hat store where Steve was a wizard and I was Medusa, which reminded me of how much I love when we're just playing around. I thought of all the times we've discussed projects we'd like to take on, which made me think of how creative he is in scheming up & developing new ventures. A scene from a particularly scary night of camping in a Bellingham beach cove crossed my mind and I remembered feeling safe if I just squeezed in a little closer to him. More and more scenes played and thoughts came flooding through: I've never been so evenly matched in skiing, I've never met someone who's as ready to take off and explore, I've never met someone else who thinks life is about living first and making money... well, last. I've never met anyone who seriously deliberates my St. Patty's day ski outfit at a thrift store... or who has a St. Patty's day outfit to deliberate in the first place.

Our carefully chosen St. Patty's Day ski uniforms

My point is: I haven't had a lot of time since being on this trip to reflect on the reasons why Steve is such a big part of my life. During the course of "normal" everydayness, people see each other in the mornings and reconvene in the evening. Because of our trip, we've defied the everydayness of normal dating life and put ourselves in a place where we are rarely alone with just our thoughts. I've always believed time away from each other is part of a healthy, balanced relationship. Our separate ways in Ohio has been a powerful demonstration in the affirmative for that thinking.

My final thought as I was finishing my run was that I wanted to write about my thoughts on a blog post. I woke up the next morning to find, without any discussion between us, that he had also had the same idea. Written on our trip's blog was an entry he posted on the same topic. The thought going through my head? I can't wait to see his face in just a few more days.

Is there someone whose qualities you may have been overlooking lately?

Take My Advice...

2011-08-09T00:38:00.000-07:00

From: http://leadershipfreak.wordpress.com

"I don't let myself stand in my way."

I read this statement given by a Successful Someone who was giving advice to a journalist. Just moments before, my sister and brother-in-law were telling me that sometimes the biggest obstacle to success was ourselves. When two very similar pieces of advice present themselves within minutes of each other it may just be time to listen.

The subject we were discussing was what I was planning on doing for the rest of my life after this Most Epic Trip I'm on. I explained the different things I had in my back pocket: bakery, non-profit, outdoor pursuits, etc. I kept getting cut short by my brother-in-law who continued to ask me: but WHAT are you doing?

It took a few repetitions for his meaning to sink in. It wasn't what had I done or what will I do or what do I feel like doing. He wanted me to pick one avenue and name my specific reason for wanting to go that route.

This one-avenue approach was a difficult channel to put my life into. I have, for so long, entertained all the many things I like to do and the different ways to I could make a living by them. When I responded with this, my sister chimed in with some powerful insight: sometimes we create distractions for ourselves because we are not sure how we will handle success.

I never thought of myself as being afraid of success, but I realized that perhaps I really wasn't sure what I would do if I were successful and what that would mean as far as making life sacrifices and new commitments. This is a new perspective that I am finding has kept me awake until now (3:50 a.m.) because I can't stop mulling it over, realizing it is something I need to face. Hmm.

What do you think? Is someone who pursues many passions avoiding putting all their "eggs in one basket"? What avenues have you forsaked in order to pursue one dream, or on the flip side, do you have your feet treading many roads?

What I Really Need Is... A Life With(out) Possessions

2011-08-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

From walkslowlylivewildly.com

I've been living from a car for over a month now. I've gotten used to not having things (like refrigeration, plumbing, clean toes, etc.) but I haven't gotten over the feeling of freedom I experience almost daily. There are very difficult times; I'm still living a real life despite what people think. However, I can't imagine being back at my apartment unless it meant being outside in my garden and up in the mountains around my place. Actually being inside, at a desk, sitting still- that's incomprehensible to me now.

I started thinking about possessions and pondering my attitude towards them. I forced myself to think of what I would keep from back home if I were only able to take what would fit in my car. At first, I thought I'd easily be able to sell it all. But as I began mentally walking through and "seeing" what I had, I realized I still find myself attached to possesions. Not as intensely as before, but the idea that I needed things hasn't dissipated as much as I thought. How long does it take to untrain ourselves from this attitude towards things?

I decided that if I were forced, I would take the things that have sentimental value. Photos, being digital now, all fit on an external hard drive, so that's easy. I'd also bring along a blanket that my Nana made me by hand when I was six- hundreds of tiny knit colored squares in a child-sized cover. I'd take the books my great aunt & uncle sent me for my mother to read to my twin brother and I as children. I'd take the journals I wrote growing up; the dress I wore to my brother's wedding, the cards my dad sent me for every birthday since moving out West on my own. Oh, and my KitchenAid mixer. Because I do miss cupcakes. ;)

What would you load into your car?

The Most Epic Trip

2011-07-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

The Most Epic Trip, a set on Flickr.

Thought some of you all might like to see the photos that have been taken on the trip so far. The ones of me are taken by Stephen W. Weiss, otherwise by me. It's been a beautiful trip! I do find myself missing Utah from time to time and a home base, but not enough yet that I am pining away for it. I have always loved being on the move and the further away I can get from what I know, the better. We'll see if that holds up throughout this trip!

Traveling

2011-07-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

From: http://mtnvalleycc.org

I have only three minutes before Starbucks closes and I lose wifi access... so I wanted to give a quick thought while I can and before I disappear again into the the wilds of another climbing area.

This trip has taught me so far that people are good. It's taught me to be less fearful of strangers. It's taught me that people want to find a connection with each other. It's taught me that people want to help each other.

I know this because I've met many strangers on this trip. They have fed me. They've given me places to stay. They've come up to start conversations. They have lent a hand when I am stumped with a climb.

I know we are taught never to talk to strangers. That might be good when we're in grade school. Now that you're grown up, give strangers a chance. You might learn some good things about them, too.

Apology

2011-06-11T08:57:00.000-07:00

Friends- I am sorry about slacking on the blog front. Big things can sometimes mean big sacrifices and it has been hard to realize that I have had to take so much time away from writing and keeping in touch with you all here. Please know it is only temporary while I pursue something big. It won't be much longer.

In fact, you can see part of it here.

In the meantime, sometimes it's fun to look back, so let's have some interaction here. In the comments, leave a link to the very first blog post you ever wrote. =)

Are you merely interested?

2011-06-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

"There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, just results."

Does that change your perspective?

Protecting What I Love

2011-05-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

Climate Change and Ski Resorts

"The Sherpas (http://sherpascinema.com) present All.I.Can: a two-year feature film project that fuses passions for riding and exploring the mountains with the potential to help the environment. The film strives to unite global mountain culture and bind us together as the leaders of a revolution.

Journey to Chile, Morocco, Alaska, BC and beyond with riders Kye Petersen, Mark Abma, Eric
Hjorleifson, JP Auclair, James Heim, Chris Rubens, Mike Douglas, Dana Flahr, Rory Bushfield, Ian McIntosh, Lynsey Dyer, Alexi Godbout, Matty Richard, Chad Sayers and more. Full feature drops in Fall 2011."

Love & a Time Lapse Video Over El Tiede

2011-05-04T08:08:00.000-07:00

From: webtenerifeuk.co.uk

I'm going on a trip.

It's five months long. I'll be sleeping in a tent. I probably won't have a place to take showers regularly. I could get sunburned, bug-bitten, and bruised. There will be dirty clothes to rewear and the same oatmeal-in-a-pouch breakfast every morning. There may be precious little in the way of cell phone reception, internet connection, and clean water.

But I'm in love. So none of those things matter.

I unabashedly declare that I want to be wrapped up in fresh air, kissed by the sun and the rain, covered under a majestic Milky Way evening. It's one of the most powerful, awe-inspiring, life-giving loves that I've found in this mortal life. I want to be physically consumed by it the same way it consumes every spare thought. I can only begin to touch that in a five month trip.

Words rarely do justice to why someone is in love... but maybe this still-photography film will. If you remain confused, you need an intervention. Run yourself to the mountains, to a wild river, to the ocean. Sit yourself down and fill your lungs with clean air. Lay back on the grass and let deadlines pass like the clouds overhead. Birds will serenade you... you don't need your iPod. Things are constantly changing- you don't need your television. Nature is talking all around you- you don't need to text. Just fall in love.

Thank you to @savagemountain and @newhiker for sharing the video that inspired this post.

Live

2011-04-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

From: http://www.sutcliffeplay.co.uk

I was introduced to a song (thank you, Grooveshark, for putting new music in front of me) and while I didn't like the actual song, some of the words stalled the clicking of the "next" button. I removed certain parts that weren't relevant; what remains is here:

Not everybody lives, but everybody dies
So while I'm here, I’m shooting for the sky
Landing on the moon, walking on the sun
Taking over the game, give it back when I'm done

Work 9 to 5 or 5 to 9, do you ever dream
They in the red, but I'm out in the green
Feel the dreams,
Fears all gone and my peers all wrong
So keep your 2 cents
I don’t leap, I quantum it
Pinky, do you know what I’m pondering?

Overly optimistic, maybe a dreamchaser
Where the wild things are, where the kids wear crowns

...

Living life has been on my mind a lot.

Good Friday & Earth Day

2011-04-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

Early Settlement Remains in Virginia Farm Field

"If only people cared for the planet as much as they care about who created it."

- Jason Hong

This is the first message I saw as I checked Facebook this morning. It inspired some thoughts... some might think it a bit heretical to say we should value anything equally as God but think a little deeper. If you are a believer in God, should you not treasure something He created pretty darn highly? If it is indeed His work, shouldn't it be respected- perhaps even revered?

Jason's statement was made even more poignant as I contemplated how Good Friday and Earth Day came together this year. I am somewhat of an environmentalist. I am also a Christian. I don't believe these two things are mutually exclusive. In fact, I wrote a personal wilderness ethic that explains my outlook on how these things come together in complete harmony.

What do these statements mean to you? What's your take on the environment and God?

Spike Jonze, Lil Buck and Yo-Yo Ma

2011-04-22T04:30:00.000-07:00

Be unconventional. You never know what might come together...

The Dialect Project

2011-04-21T04:30:00.001-07:00

Say what?

This little project invites fellow bloggers to upload a recording of the way they speak, showcasing similarities and differences between our dialects worldwide.

Want to participate? I'd love to hear how you sound!
1. Get the list of questions here: Dialect Directions
2. Record yourself!
3. Post to your blog or site
4. Come back here and link to your recording!

From: http://www.rps.psu.edu/probing/dialect.html

Utah is Beautiful

2011-04-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

Tilt-Shift Trickery: A Tiny Tuesday Tour of Jackson Hole

2011-04-12T02:15:00.000-07:00

From: http://www.junkietelevision.com

I believe I have said it before... I love tilt-shift photography. I also love skiing. (That was already apparent, right?) So when the two were added together to create one miniature movie of awesome in epic proportions, I knew it was a match made in heaven for me.

You'll like this, too.

This mountain is like nothing you have skied before. Spend a day riding the tiny tram and shredding miniature backcountry lines in Jackson Hole.

Be sure to let 'er load completely if watching in HD.

Different Strokes for Different Folks - A Climbing Analogy

2011-04-10T23:09:00.000-07:00

That WOULD be a problem...

From: todoinstitute

I'm not that spectacular at bouldering... I've been climbing for a good amount of my life but my Superman of a boyfriend is the one who got me into bouldering more. He explained that it would help me cross-train and make me a better lead climber. I dutifully complied.

I quickly learned that my skier self wasn't as upper-body strong as required to be a proficient boulderer. I would attempt a problem (a boulder route), fall off and stand back, bewildered, while I watched someone else complete it. I did this time and time again, trying to pick up ideas and tips from other climbers.

The other day was no different. I stood with crossed arms watching Stephen and Rich climb a problem I had just attempted. One of the girls I boulder with, Breanne, was standing beside me, chatting about her technique on the same route. As we watched the guys on the wall it became apparent that there were two very different techniques being applied- Stephen was able to bypass certain holds because of his longer reach while Rich would turn his feet a different direction on a hold to reach the next point. After each successfully completed the same route, Breanne remarked, "Even though each person has their own style of climbing they still solve the same problem."

I'm not much for analogies- but this one was pretty darn good. Here I was, standing around doing something I love and along comes a life lesson. I contemplated the following questions for a bit before jumping back on the wall:

How many times have you tackled a problem from the same angle and then someone comes along presenting an entirely new solution to the problem? Did you continue doing it the same way or did you take the opportunity to learn from it ?

Yes, Lionel Richie

2011-04-10T08:45:00.000-07:00

Indeed. All my life.

PBJs

2011-04-05T10:08:00.000-07:00

I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

I didn't always.

The Necessary Materials
(from bernews.com)

My twin brother loves them. He eats them every day, still, as an adult (sidenote: even though we're twins, I'm only a semi-adult. Just wanted to make sure we are clear on this). He still dunks them, like a cookie, right into a glass of cold milk, just as we did as kids. He has perfected the art of applying the peanut butter (all natural, the kind you have to mix) with the jelly (I think he experiments in this area) to a specific type of bread. He knows the precise measurements of thickness to apply on the peanut butter side and how much should be contrasting it on the jelly side.

He even has a special peanut butter mixing and spreading spatula.

Now that I am far away from my brother, I find myself reaching for peanut butter in the grocery store, picking out a tasty looking fruit accompaniment and slathering both on some home-made bread. And yes, I still dunk mine in milk.

I take pbjs skiing, hiking and camping. My boyfriend even switched out his chunky peanut butter for my beloved creamy (a big move) when making me sandwiches for our Valentine's Day climbing date. I considered it one of the sweetest gestures ever.

This childhood lunch has managed to stay with me through the years. I believe it is because I tie it in with someone who I love so much; because of the memories associated with it when we were still under the same roof and not 2500 miles away from each other. I've come to realize it's not so much that I love the taste of Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches (I don't like anything else peanut butter related) but more because of where the first memories of this sandwhich lie.

What little things have you kept with you since childhood? What meaning do they have to you?

Life's Challenges: Pick One

2011-04-01T05:56:00.000-07:00

Other than eating late last night at Dee's, I'm feeling pretty good about this day. Are you feeling it, too? If not, I want you to do something for me (you've got some options)- pick your challenge:

Do one thing you love.
Take one step forward on your dream.
Live something differently.
Love life around you.
Take something ordinary and make it beautiful.
Take a photograph of happiness.

Which are you doing?
Are you inspired enough to write about it, draw it, photograph it?
Will you share?

Stuck With the Next Big Idea- Making Your Dreams a Reality

2011-03-31T07:01:00.000-07:00

This big idea changed how we light our lives
credit: here

You're sitting around, watching a rerun of your favorite "The Office" episode when suddenly you're smacked upside the head with an idea so brilliant you completely zone out your favorite Dwight-Jim moment. Your wheels start turning; first you see the big picture and then finer details of how everything will work start coming into play. You see multiple uses for your idea, a niche that needs to be filled and how the idea will evolve to fit needs in the future. All worked up, The Office completely forgotten, you check online, pensively scanning Google to see if you are late on the scene. A rush of exhilaration overcomes you when your results turn up nothing. This feeling dissipates as an overwhelming sense of urgency fills every square millimeter of you- you've got to get this idea into fruition before anyone else snags it out from under you...

And this is where, an hour later, you find yourself starting blankly at The Office episode you restarted, completely defeated.

I can't tell you how many ideas I've seen come and go because I was clueless as to the next step: making them reality. This was probably to my benefit on the majority of ideas- looking back, many of them were a little on the "not-likely" side (to put it politely). However, I've had time to reflect on my ideas for years and some of them may potentially have been winners.

So how do you take your next big dea from a flash in the pan to a legitimate product or service?

The first place I start is Twitter. I've built up a circle of trusted friends on there- people who I admire for living out their dreams. These are the doers of the world- people like Emily Hill, Stephanie Hansen, Ryan Kendrick, Stephen W. Weiss, Andy Ryan... to name a few (this list would fill a post if I listed all the incredible people I know on Twitter). I ask them questions, bounce ideas off them and receive some great feedback. If you aren't on Twitter (gasp!), search through your friends on Facebook; chances are you will have at least a couple of entrepreneurs there who will be happy to give you some tips on making your dreams reality. If you don't have either, you may want to consider joining us here in 2011. ;)

Next, look for places on the web and in your community that help people exactly like you. Chances are you have a college or university nearby that has a business program; many times the business department will serve the larger community through workshops, seminars, and even programs offered for free. These services are often provided through the students but lead by their professors who many times are professionals in the business world. Other resources to check out are the Small Business Association (many free services) and a host of tips, tricks and articles posted for free online by well known magazines such as Entrepreneur, Fast Company, etc.

Speaking of magazines and online sites, many will have online forums. If you don't already have a Twitter account, forums are a great way to engage with others about your topic. Find one or two that look well-visited and active and post your question there. Make the subject line interesting (unique) but descriptive for a better chance at getting a discussion going. Tip: always check to see if your question had already been answered by using the forum's search option.

Finally, just dig in. The more you start working on your idea, the more likely you'll make it a reality. If you aren't sure where to go next, start researching materials. Draw sketches. Make your business plan. Work on your logo. Create a website. Register the name with your state's business administration. Stay active in your idea. You'll find that the more you do to keep it forward in your mind, the more opportunities will present themselves in helping you on your way because you're in tune with what you need.

Have you successfully pulled off a great idea? How did you do it? What resources did you find indispensable? Or have you had a great idea pass by? What kept you from making it a reality?

Olympic National Park, Washington: A Grand Discovery

2011-03-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Stephen W Weiss for inspiring today's post on Outdoor Women's Alliance. I am including a snippet of my post here.

Discovery Through Roadtrips

Olympic National Park
photo credit here

Roadtrips are one of my favorite ways of discovering a new locale and seeing how well my skills in outdoor activities transfer to new terrain and climates. This is the tale of a roadtrip to the awe-inspiring west coast of Washington:

My first time to the west coast, and more particularly to WA, was on a midnight road trip. I was infamous within my little circle for leaving on spur-of-the-moment trips to some far off destination. This one was no exception. One close friend and one exchange student from Sweden joined me on this trip. There were no plans; I guess that's how we ended up, 14 hours later, in Olympic National Park. It was about 4am when we arrived & pitch black; I had no idea where I was. The only things I had seen of Washington at that point was what was included in the range of my headlights.

When I awoke the next morning, I honestly can't explain the feeling that came over me. The closest I can get is utter disbelief mingled with astonishment. I had driven to the most lush landscape I have ever laid eyes on...

Full story on Outdoor Women's Alliance

Cupcakes & Muffins, Plums & Preserves

2011-03-23T09:40:00.000-07:00

Mmm... Check out Sugared Magnolia!

Lemon-Ginger Cakes with Cream Lemon Glaze; Homemade Plum Preserve Muffins with Maple Plum Glaze. You'll want to see what was baking early this morning in the Sugared Magnolia Kitchen!

You've Got to Be Kidding Me, Fathead

2011-03-21T07:28:00.000-07:00

*Edit Oct. 2, 2011: Comments are closed; the majority of those coming in now are disrespectful and do not spark intelligent conversation. They come from those who did not read my comments about this being based on a review of the movie and not the movie itself. Sorry to have to close it for these reasons.

Tom Naughton on the cover of the movie "Fathead"

*Edit July 3, 2001 - before you jump on my back about this, I am mostly talking here about the article I fully read about the movie, not about the movie itself. I am critiquing the "facts" that the article took from the movie. I have received some very strongly worded and downright cruel comments on this post (which I did not approve- happy to approve disagreeing but not condescending comments) and I just felt I needed to say something about that since those who are so critical are very obviously not reading what I have said in the comments, but continue to bash me for not watching the whole movie. (Funny how they all prefer to remain "Anonymous" too. Must not want their moms to see how they talk to others.) This post is mostly about the article, the "facts" it takes from the movie, and what I believe about those facts. Period.

A couple of weeks ago, I tried to watch the movie Fathead (Tom Naughton), a reply (secretly from the fast food industry?) to the movie Super Size Me (Morgan Spurlock). I like to hear both sides of an issue, so I thought I would sit down and hear what Tom had to say. After a few minutes of the film, I shut it off in disgust. It seemed like pure propoganda from someone in cahoots with McDonald's. He claims in the beginning that that eating fast food is okay for you. It is NEVER okay for you. Just because you continue living after eating it doesn't mean it is beneficial for your body.

I stumbled upon an article this morning on Twitter with the title "Everything You Know About Weight Loss is Wrong." It was in connection with Fathead which compelled me to read it. Within the article, I found more Fathead "facts" which made me 99% sure that this movie was produced by an industry desperately grasping for some credibility and finally giving up and creating counterfeit claims. Take for example:

The obesity “epidemic” has been wildly exaggerated by the CDC. People the government classifies as “overweight” have longer lifespans than people classified as “normal weight.” (Explain THAT one to me.)

Eating a diet rich in saturated fats has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels in your blood.

You’re better off eating fries cooked in beef tallow or duck fat than fries cooked in vegetable oils.

Get about 50% of your calories from saturated fats. (Yes, I read that one twice just to make sure...)

The author of the article, equipped with the amazing garbage fed to viewers of the movie, goes on to say:

"We prefer fatty foods because our bodies crave these foods, because we evolved to eat animal fats over millions of years. The diets of our ancestors were mostly meat-based, with a few fruits and veggies, and very few carbs…and they didn’t have a lot of heart disease."

Yeah. Guess what else our ancestors were NOT doing for millions of years? Sitting on their behinds, chomping on chicken nuggets, watching movies like Fathead.

First of all, saturated fats contain high amounts of calories which provide energy. Our ancestors needed the slow release of energy that fat provides because they were chasing the original version of fast food... their prey. Fast forward "millions" of years... we chase our fast food in cars. Big difference. Secondly, our ancestors weren't eating their saturated fat in highly processed forms: oils used over and over again to fry foods in, meats with fillers in them, breads lacking whole grains and corn syrup laced throughout. These things did not exist. Their foods were whole and homecooked. Another big difference.

What confuses me most is how Americans are so quick to believe whatever the media spews out at them. How can overweight be healthier than normal weight? How can saturated fat, which clogs our arteries, be safe to consume at 50% of our diet? Yet here is a seemingly intelligent author, quoting bogus Fathead facts, saying Tom has discovered the secret to longevity.

Sorry. No dice this time, Fast Food Industry. Just because you produce a movie catering to what people *want* to hear, doesn't make it true. Back to the drawing board for you.

How To Make Your Dreams Come True

2011-03-16T07:14:00.000-07:00

From Cartoon Modern

I noticed I had a "How To" theme going with the last two posts. Why break up a good thing (I hope it's a good thing...)?

I love feeling inspired. I love that feeling that wells up inside of you and becomes so strong that you just have to do something about it. Usually it comes and goes, but not lately... it's been surrounding me for the past few months. I believe it's a result of acting on the impressions and thoughts that come with feeling inspired.

Last night, as I was finishing up my day and checking the last few messages on my phone, I suddenly received notification of a new post from Stephen W. Weiss' blog that stoked that "Inspire Fire" a little more. He begins with:

"Have you ever sat back and wondered on things that would be really cool to do? ...have you looked back and said “I wish I did [enter activity here]? Or I wish I started that business..."

(Go to his blog to read the rest... you may feel inspired, too.)

So do you have an excuse? Get it out there... put it in front of you and then dash it to pieces. Here's why.

It's a Lie.

Doubts are not part of your dream. Did you doubt when you were five? Or did you just go out there and make that lemonade and sell it on the curb of your driveway? It was a big task, but you did it. It's a big task now... and you still can do it.

There used to be a time in my life that I thought big dreams only came true for those with money or born into the right connections. So wrong… Your life its completely in your control. It is exactly what you make of it. And that’s the key word… Make- a verb, an action word. Take action on your dreams, take them off the shelf and make them reality. There are no excuses.

How to Stay Young: The Parable of the 100 Year-Old Skier

2011-03-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Declaring "I'm getting old" is a sure-fire way to become just that. It gives your mind an excuse not to perform, to chicken out, to give up on the things you used to enjoy without a second thought. And it's pure nonsense.

It's about your mindset. I've known college-aged folks who act like they're ready to retire and I've known 75+ year-old kids who go jogging every day. I've heard 25 year-olds claim that their knees are getting weak but witnessed a handful of skiers with knees 60+ years older that won't let a day go by without getting on the slopes.

Maybe it's because I grew up in the Retirement State but hearing "I'm getting old" is a pet peeve of mine. I've seen too many people join the White Socks & Sneaker Club too early in life. There was plenty of "spring" left in those chickens but they spent their days sitting in retirement homes commiserating over joint pain and medications with other members of the WSASC club.

Sound exciting? Though it is a stereotype (hey, grew up in Florida) it is essentially where you're headed if you keep up the "old" thing. The minute you make allowances because of age you start to deteriorate both physically and mentally. You begin to group yourself with a society of people who are satisfied to let life happen to them instead of acting on life. In a sense, you're giving up.

Don't be content. Don't give into perceived limits at different age brackets. Break those brackets. LIVE. Get out and enjoy what your body can do. Your body isn't done until you're six feet under - and you're not there yet, are you?

Not a parable at all... a true story. Get busy on life.

How to Make Someone Happy

2011-03-11T08:53:00.000-08:00

Write a blog post about them. I was just talking to my guy about this two nights ago. He did that for me for Valentine's Day by complete surprise and it put an insta-grin on my face. Something about putting words in a public forum - where all the internet can potentially read it (as long as it's good things- you got that, right?) is a heartwarming gift.

I subscribe to a recent Twitter friend's blog: Becoming Sunny (cute name, eh?). I get her updates in my email so I usually don't have to wait to see her Twitter announcement when it goes up- as was the case last night. I was reading along about how much she (Brooke Miller) loves Utah and her beautiful life here. Of course, this is something I love talking about so I continued reading. How surprising to suddenly find MYSELF mentioned! Not only myself, but two other people I enjoy: Jill from @geargals and my guy Steve @stephenwweiss.

I loved it. I loved reading good things about myself and about my friends from someone who herself is so full of positive energy and enthusiastic about life. So without further introduction, here is Miss Brooke and her kind words about others:

Beautiful Utah!

Filed under: Uncategorized — becomingsunny @ 3:26 am

I have come to the conclusion that I absolutely love living in Utah! I feel far too lucky to be surrounded b these beautiful mountains, gorgeous terrain, and friends and family that love to get out and enjoy it! The type of of people that appreciatethebotdoors and want to get out and enjoy it! I can’t wait to move to Logan next ear and start an adventure of my own!

The beautiful sunrise in SLC Today!

and.. the beautiful snow covered valley!!

As I start growing older and embarking on my own adventures I come across people that share the same passions and attitudes as I do. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve met some really cool people via twitter!

First off being miss Gina Begin. She is a super cool outdoorsy chick who is so very rockclimbing savvy and and excellent baker of sugary goods! She is is super nice to talk to and her blog is awesome and she above all is just so nice!! You can follow her via @ginabegin and at www.ginabegin.com!

Secondly, is miss Jill from GearGals! She is so nice and is such a rad chick! If you ever need any advice on gear or just to talk she is always there! A super groovy Chica that is always so strong! You can follow her at @geargals and www.geargals.net

The last but certainly not least on this list is mr. Stephen Weiss! He is an outdoor enthusiast, blogger and snowboarding/climbing junkie! Super rad and y’all should get to know h!you can follow him at @stephenwweiss and at www.mountainenthusiast.com

Well that’s it for today folks!

.Make It A Great One.

Searching for a Photographer

2011-03-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Taking a break from my regular posts to ask for your help.

Are you up for some extreme photography?*

I'm assisting the search for a photographer to help out with a project for Outdoor Women's Alliance. The organization began in 2009 as a group of local women supporting each other in the outdoors; learning new skills, educating each other about different sports (skiing/climbing/mountain biking - etc.). It's since grown and is now looking for ways to really promote awareness as well as possibly helping other related non-profits through this venture.

**The gist of the project (email for more details!): We want to feature real women athletes (not just pros) in the outdoors. We're looking for artistic/creative expression with the photographer as well as someone who can really capture emotions: Fun, silly, serious, etc- whatever the personality of the athlete, we want it to shine through.**

We are in the midst of gaining sponsorships so everything we are doing right now is unpaid work- which in turn means the job would be unpaid. However, it has the possibility of great exposure as a published piece; the project promises to be very popular with the outdoor crowd. We would let all the outdoor media venues know about the project; I'm almost 100% confident that magazines such as Climbing Magazine, Outdoor Magazine, Gravity Women, Skiing Magazine, etc. would all be interested in it.

If you're interested or know someone who would be, get in touch with us!

gina@outdoorwomensalliance.com

----

*It probably won't be that extreme... but the girls probably will be.

Photo credit:

http://photography-tuts.info/find-those-businesses-that-need-a-photographer-like-you

**There is more to the project than this, but we don't want to spoil all the fun! Email for more details if everything else sounds A-OK to you!

It Can Be Overwhelming

2011-03-07T01:39:00.000-08:00

He's overwhelmed

Who out there has run their own business?

What about three - with a *supposed to be* full time job?

What about three- with a full time job and full time school?

What about that with a computer that keeps crashing, won't edit video, refuses to format documents correctly and with no computer chair to sit in comfortably?

I write this not to receive any adoration or to have you tell me I'm amazing- because I'm not. I'm tired & achy and feeling like I am slowly losing it. I ran two red lights this past week- something I've never done in my life. (I have pretty much cease and desisted from operating a vehicle since then.) Amazing? Not according to Officer Olsen.

I'm writing this because of what it means to try to achieve something you are passionate about and truly believe in. I've given up nearly everything I love to do. I've given up the whole reason why I started my businesses - to be outside more. I've sacrificed skiing and climbing to *gasp* spend more time indoors for a short season so that I'll hopefully soon be able to do the things I love for a living.

It's a gamble... it's a risk. My parents get rushed conversations as I walk to class. My friends have no idea what's going on. My back and knees ache from sitting. My eyes are bloodshot from no sleep and the glare of a monitor. My patience is thin from having a near-worthless computer and struggling to remain efficient and produce quality from it. And the crushing part is that there is no gaurantee that any of what I am sacrificing for will pan out.

Is it worth it?

A resounding YES.

(I say as I try to regain control of the cursor which is skipping around the screen...)

Even when I feel as though I will collapse with extreme fatigue, there's a deep sense of reward tinged with excitement. I look forward to the time I spend creating, fine-tuning and puzzling out various projects. I love the learning and growth I've received from having to discover answers through my own dilligence. There is no one else to do it for me (heck, I can't afford to get groceries, let alone pay for someone to assist me) so every task falls on my own shoulders... and that's okay because I'm learning the ins and outs of something that is important to me.

It's not glamorous. I'm missing all the hours of beauty sleep I could have if I just worked regular hours for someone else. I'm missing out on using my ski pass and climbing with my boyfriend and best friend. I'm missing some RAM in this computer. (I still have a sense of humor... for a while, at least.) And I'm missing - most of all - sitting down and devoting time to a good phone call with my family.

But I do it. I do it because I've tried the 9-5 life and it just didn't sit well with me. I do it because I want to help others through the projects I am working on. I do it because I want to educate. I do it because I believe in people being the catalyst, being the change and living fully and without regrets. I do it because I believe in life, because I believe in dreams and in happiness.

I do it because if I never tried, I would forever pester myself with "what if...?"

And personally, I'll take no sleep over regrets.

What keeps you going?

Introducing: The Outdoor Women's Alliance

2011-03-02T07:56:00.000-08:00

Have I introduced you yet to the wonderful world of women and the outdoors?

The Outdoor Women's Alliance (OWA) serves women of all abilities in "providing outdoor opportunities... focusing on non-motorized activities outside of cities: hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking, rock & ice climbing, biking, trail running, etc." In addition to providing some incredible adventures, OWA also features up-and-coming female athletes & writers in the outdoor sports arena and posts gear reviews to help those in search of getting outfitted with the perfect harness, climbing pants, powder skis, etc.

OWA recently joined the Twitter world and is already being recognized by some of the most prominent companies and nonprofits in the outdoor industry. Some of their followers and fans include: Mountain Hardwear, OR (Outdoor Research), NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School), Leave No Trace, Petzl, FiveTen, Probar, Banff Mountain Film Festival, SUWA (Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance), The Alpine Institute, Keen, Salomon, Montrail... whew... do you need more convincing?

*Everyone is welcome to participate on any level they choose... Are you an expert on the latest ski gear and would love to share that knowledge as a gear reviewer? Maybe as an outdoor enthusiast you've been searching for a group of like-minded women with whom you can hit the trail and local crag. Perhaps you've had a dream outdoor adventure you've been wishing you could make reality or have a deep passion for a specific activity and would love to bring others into the fold. Even if you'd simply like to read up on some of the best known (and unknown) female athletes in the world, The Outdoor Women's Alliance wants you to make yourself at home.

For more information on getting involved, send an email to: info@outdoorwomensalliance.com

Now you've been introduced... what will you bring to the adventure?

*For the fellas: you can be involved by holding a workshop or leading a clinic for OWA and its participants. The only requirement is that you aren't easily intimidated!

Global Warming ... So What?

2011-02-24T09:33:00.000-08:00

"...only we humans make waste that nature can't digest."

Capt. Charles Moore of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation

Well, I got over my writer's block today thanks to a post on another blog I just finished reading. I was just going to leave a short little comment, but it turned into a full tangent, and as Chris Brogan (social media man extraordinaire) once advised: ...if you've made a good comment, use it as a blog post! (Or something along those lines.)

So now I follow the advice of Brogan and do exactly that.

Ahem. Here I go:

I am a student of earth sciences... it was my major and I have had a lifelong fascination with the earth and all its processes. I do believe firmly that the earth's climates naturally and cyclically shift - obvious, as Earth has had several ice ages with periods of warming in between.

However, I do believe that man, as a one of the few beings capable of acting upon its environment and not necessarily being acted upon, CAN and does have an effect on the environment and can essentially intensify/speed up a shift in the changing climate. On the flip side, mankind may also be able slow down the process to a degree with human ingenuity.

We can not deny that certain actions that make the human race comfortable are also detrimental to the environment. A universal law states that every action has an effect. If we are being "unwise" stewards in taking care of the earth, we should expect that likewise there will be a reaction in kind. We should expect to see a degree of degradation in the quality of life on this planet. We can not naively think that we can go about happy-go-lucky with no thought for anything but our own comfort as a species and not reap any repercussions.

Luckily, the earth has been a robust planet, bouncing back or adapting from many of our actions. However, as the human race continues to grow and use more resources, we have started to see some failings in the environmental systems: lakes that have been unable to support its fish; forest systems that have become inundated with exotic (introduced) species; displaced species; extinction. Why is it not possible that our pollution may also be intensifying an already naturally occurring cycle of global warming? The result may have been subtle in natural circumstances (generally speaking, that's how nature works- GENERALLY ;) but with our actions involved, we may be witnessing much more drastic results than would have naturally occurred.

On the flip side, there has been a greater awareness brought to us on the importance of the environment. This has awareness has spurred a reaction of people doing things such as using reusable shopping bags (hopefully slowing the growth of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch- which CAN'T be good for anything living there), driving less (we in Salt Lake City see the effects of too many vehicles on the road every day since we have some of the worst air in the country during the winter), walking/biking more (hey, that's a healthy way to help our nation's obesity problem! ;), using solar panels and better construction tactics such as LEED certified buildings to keep energy use down (and I'd much rather see solar panels than oil drills in my landscape; way less ugly in my opinion- and being a native Floridian, we don't need more oil in the ocean!), and the restoration of many habitats, especially wetlands which are crucial to the longevity of our planet's species (and hey, it looks nice, too).

If the idea of human-caused global warming is what it took to make people realize that we are harming our earth and co-habitants on this earth- which we were and still are doing - and start changing their lifestyle, then I ask what harm is there in that? More biodiversity? Cleaner air? Healthier bodies? Less sickness and disease? All this will come in time with living more respectfully with our surroundings. However, even if there is no human-caused (or even influenced) global warming and we continue with our past actions we have all the opposites - less biodiversity, polluted air, obesity-caused disease, sickness.

I'd rather an "imagined" global warming scare wake us up than business as usual and continued unwise stewardship of my home. Earth is all we've got.

Music & Mr. Bender

2011-02-22T23:55:00.000-08:00

Photo not by me, prolly by Ian.

I love how talented my friends are. Ian Bender, a friend from back home, is no exception. Ian is the one who introduced me to Mumford & Sons as well as his newest share- The Civil Wars. Besides having outstanding taste in music, he's constantly amazing me with his own voice (which has a slightly ethereal quality to it) and musical skills. Oh, and his mad rock climbing skills- but that's another post.

Now it is time to share his music with you. He just started a little place online to share his songs and already has four recorded & online... and if you like 'em you can have 'em- free. Here's a sample:

Now go check out the rest- and keep the page bookmarked as he puts together more music... it's sure to come.

**Also, I have to add this picture because it is my all-time favorite of Ian, which he's probably sick of hearing.

(again, not by me, I just stole it for the purposes of this blog and because it's just awesome.)
(I mean cuz, come on, it is...)

A blog about nothing - with apologies to Seinfeld

2011-02-21T16:53:00.000-08:00

It's a quiet day.

No skiing.

No climbing.

I'm just wondering.

The last week I've felt as though I had something to say. I get that feeling up in the corner of my mind that tells me to get over to the keyboard- pronto- and start writing. I comply only to find that I have nothing to say.

This has happened day after day. I've asked questions on my blog & Twitter, hoping for inspiration. The comments were varied but none of them really sparked anything in my mind. I thought of asking for a word and just writing about whatever came to mind. But I wanted to actually say something- and I had nothing.

I should be inspired. I'm surrounded by creative people. For example, Steve is great about posting up meaningful content based around his enthusiasm for all things outdoors. Today he posted about our recent ski day with some of my photos; usually this type of thing is enough to get the words flowing. His blog posts have been flying out. I find myself reading and feeling completely ready to write and then... nada.

The truth is, I have things in the works but I can't talk about them yet. I have pictures I need to post up but a computer that really is only good for crashing. I have video I need to edit but based on the previous statement, that would obviously be a fatal move.

So I am stuck with words. And they won't come. I feel caged in.

How do you get out of ruts like these?

This Second

2011-02-17T07:15:00.000-08:00

Please excuse the hiatus... I have had a friend in town from Australia and with work and school and side ventures and being a hostess, well... something had to give for a minute. I'm sure you all will forgive me.

I do want to ask you all one thing before I am off for the day catering to life. It's something I asked on Twitter and to which I got some incredible insight into what's going on with humanity's mass conscience:

What are you thinking of RIGHT NOW?

No. This second... not the cool thing you were pondering in the coffee shop, not the brilliant quote someone else thought of (you will be marked down for plagiarism), not what your mom wants to hear you thinking of (hi mom!). This second. Well, anything in the past ten seconds it took to read this paragraph.

Go. Now:

...

2011-02-08T16:18:00.000-08:00

the moon is a cold light

There's a pull to the flow

My feet melt the snow

For the irony, i'd rather know

'Cause blinded I was blindsided

-Bon Iver

What Parker Does

2011-01-20T19:49:00.000-08:00

Today I want to spotlight some other fantastically creative outdoors-person: Parker Cross. A native of Utah and a firm disciple of the outdoor lifestyle, Parker has been busy creating videos which showcase the majesty of our local mountain scene. He & his crew set their sights on high backcountry experiences and post them online to inspire the rest of us to get up and get out and get living.

Enjoy.

301 Revitalized - Wasatch Mountain Podcast.
Subscribe in iTunes
"Another season starts off strong when the boys summit two peaks over 11,000'...
Featuring the talents of Parker Alec Cross, Andy Earl, Hayden Price, and Blake Nyman."

Get Going

2011-01-13T10:38:00.000-08:00

Big thanks to Steve Weiss who sent me a big piece of inspiration this morning.

People often ask why I live in Utah, so far from my family and all that I grew up with. They wonder why I am so head-over-heels (sometimes literally) in love with skiing, climbing, mountain biking, etc. No matter how plainly I try to put it to them, I get one of two reactions:

A. staring as if I were the freakshow at an Arkansas carnival; or
B. glazing over while I gush on and on about what this lifestyle means to me.

It's changed my life. I thought I lived mighty fine before Utah; I had my dance teams and the beach and life was pretty sweet. But I never really challenged myself until I hit the West. Suddenly a world opened up to me that I had only seen in glimpses of magazine ads and stunts in movies. I never imagined real, everyday people did those things. I never imagined I'd be doing those things.

I am, and I'd never change it for a second. And since you may be beginning to do either A or B listed above, I'm gonna let someone else do the talking for me. Like I told Steve when he sent this to me:

This captures perfectly why we do what we do. It's not really a choice anymore, it's a need. It's what fuels life. Besides, who wants to sit when there's so much out there to do and see?

Enjoy.

Just a taste of what went down this past weekend

2011-01-10T18:24:00.000-08:00

Yea, Ouray!

...

2011-01-10T17:47:00.000-08:00

I dream big.

...and I don't think that's unreasonable.

DC

2011-01-02T09:45:00.000-08:00

See more here: http://on.fb.me/fUHQxZ

Dad

2010-12-14T08:16:00.000-08:00

Photo from: sjengraving's shop

My earliest memories of my dad are of him singing to me. He'd sing me songs about being a soldier ("...in an hour I must go, where all the brave men go to fight") as I was going to sleep, imitate Louis Armstrong in "What a Wonderful World" (and a darn good job he did, too) and in the final minutes before my eyes closed for the night there would be a verse or two from Jimmy Buffet's "Little Miss Magic" which always left me wondering if I really was going to learn how to fly.

In the mornings I would wake up before the sun would rise just in time for my dad to hand over the control to the cream and sugar for his coffee. I would carefully measure it out, stir it in, then wait and watch with four year old anticipation as he took a sip. If I got the "A-OK!" hand signal I felt as if I ruled the world. There was never a morning I didn't feel as though I ruled the world for as long as I mixed my dad's morning coffee.

The word I find myself using to describe my dad is... jolly. Like Santa, except with more wit. And a lot less girth around the waistline. ;) He's always made me feel this way though I don't think he knows it. He keeps a persistent twinkle in his eye that shows he's happy as a clam to have you around and concurrently planning a mischievous trick to play on you. His smile makes you feel like a millionaire the minute you meet him. Strangers dissolve instantly into friends and if you get one of his hugs, it'll be a hard one to top. You just feel all around good when you're hanging out with my dad... his constant cheerfulness is contagious.

My dad's door is always open. Any friend of mine felt as if my dad's home was also their own. In fact, most of my friends felt as if my dad, himself, was also their own, too. No stiff invitations were ever needed to join at the table (which usually turned more into laughing sessions than mealtime), no one needed to ask if it was okay to join on a boat ride, everyone piled into dad's "Ol' Blue" when going for a ride. And dad always greets my friends with a huge smile and hug to match as if seeing them was the highlight of the year for him, even if he just saw them the day before.

When we were kids, he built our house... with his own two hands. I remember him working on sawhorses outside and him letting me hold the board still on the far end while he made cuts with the hand saw. I remember the smell of sawdust being associated with my dad and going out while he was working just to watch him and to play in the shavings from the wood. The end result of his handiwork was a beautiful home on the river with palm trees swaying in the back and a tire swing hanging in the yard from a big old oak tree. Oh, and a wishing well my brother and I really thought was magic.

Even with all the work he did, he never minded when my brother and his best friend dug up the yard to find buried treasure or carried out other wildly imaginative projects. In fact, he kept the tools in a handy spot that allowed them easy access to shovels, hammers and all kinds of things boys like. I have to admit, growing up with nearly all boys in the neighborhood, I also was intrigued by treasure hunts and underground forts that my brother built. My dad would come out to inspect our handiwork and made it seem as though it were legitimate business that we were about. Dad understood that fending off ninjas and finding treasure was hard work.

My dad folds shirts, makes the bed, lights the Christmas tree and wraps presents with noticeable perfection. Anyone who has seen my father's shirt drawer comments on it. Anyone who receives a present from him unwraps it reverently. The Christmas tree lights glow from the inside out, with just the right amount of light to dark areas. And the ultimate test of my dad's bed being made is bouncing a coin off the sheets. He also grills Thanksgiving turkeys that taste better than any roasted turkey you've eaten in your life. He cracks jokes in Julia Child's voice as he creates kitchen masterpieces. He prays as if God were his very best friend, sitting right beside him. He's brilliant about important world issues and politics and can reason his way through any tough problem. He gives his daughter advice that doesn't feel like a lecture. He draws smiley faces that really do make you smile - every time. My dad is, in short, the best dad in the world. Hands-down, no contest, no call-backs. It's just the way it is.

Happy Birthday, Dad.

I love you =)

Commercial Break

2010-11-30T17:37:00.000-08:00

This commercial actually added something to my life. It's beautifully done and makes me want to go start a journey right now (I didn't really need much encouragement, actually). Some asked the question... what does this have to do with Louis Vuitton? I kinda think that's what is so good about it- it's not pushing their bags in your face, but makes you come to the conclusion about how their company fits in with the ad itself. Or maybe you don't think about how it does at all...

How did it make you feel? What did you think of?

If you want to see the long version (beautiful, without as many words):

Brighton

2010-11-18T19:55:00.000-08:00

It's only November & I'm steadily falling in love...

Brighton Resort has had the most consistent snow quality and coverage of the resorts I've visited this season. The more I'm there, the more I realize this resort deserves a lot more time than I've given it in the past. This year I hope to make amends...

From my latest visit on Wednesday this week:

All In

2010-11-15T09:35:00.000-08:00

photo used from a free site, photographer unknown

Life's twists, turns and forks have left me wondering if those bends mean I have to follow, or if I should do a little off-roading. In the past I've tried starting out on several different paths at once, only to find as they diverged, I could no longer keep up. I'm only one person- apparently I have limitations to what I can accomplish in one day.

The past few days, eh, months! have brought a little sadness, but a whole lot of happiness, too. I'm finding that what I've always been passionate about is just coming together in my life. In the past I was persuaded to stay away from it... my passions couldn't become a real job... it wasn't something that would pay the bills... it's not a good priority.

So I stopped thinking of them as real-world pursuits and tried to be satisfied with them as hobbies. I attempted to apply myself to education and jobs in fields that were considered respectable and "real" . But because I wasn't 100% there my pursuits in these areas left me feeling unfulfilled. I did alright but my heart was somewhere else.

With these twists and turns, I've been brought suddenly back face-to-face with my real love. Without the frustrations of floundering in the past I don't think I could appreciate it as much as I do now. And now that I have it, I realize it's been right for me all along. I guess that's part of life and coming into your own. It's like Erykah Badu says, "I please me cuz I can't please you, and that's why I do what I do". So now instead of trying out all those other little forks, I'm dedicating myself to one.

Gotta be all in.

Spent half my life on a search for nothin’
I came up with somethin’
It’s on again!
I found myself by the river and jumped in
It’s all or nothing, gotta be all in

3

2010-11-14T13:01:00.000-08:00

Saturday was the third and final of the three-in-a-row openings here in Utah (see 2 previous posts for other openings) and it happened at Snowbird. The day before I skied Solitude, ran off to work & then jumped on the climbing wall, finishing my day with eating until midnight. Shouldn'a done all that.

Saturday I woke up at 5:30 a.m. to get my Solitude coverage finished for First Tracks. Four hours of sleep. It's cool. My new ski buddy, Matt Baydala, was running a little late so my slow pace wasn't too big of a deal... until I got to Snowbird and met up with Marc & friends who got me right on the tram and right into powder. Powder & rocks. Powder & rocks & I can't see.... oh, and I put yarn in my boots to keep my heels down. (Matt was happy to share that story around to everyone he introduced me to.)

Just a little more detail about the night before so you get a feel of where I was coming from. I climbed my first *5.11c in a long time and attempted the first half of a 5.12 as well as some other routes. I was toast, but feeling pretty good. Figuring it was worth a celebration, my friend and I headed to Friday's and ordered the endless soup and salad meal and stayed... and stayed... and stayed. All this meant the next day I was feeling it in my quads after about 4.75 turns in the powder. I pressed on but slipped gradually further away from the guys.

Nevertheless, I was up there for free and even though defeated, I was happy. So, without further introduction, here's my article for Snowbird's opening day, published just now:

Snowbird Opens

(In other great news, I just registered for the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. So excited to see what new technology & gear are in store for the ski industry...)

*If you're not familiar with the climbing grades, check out this article.

1, 2...

2010-11-13T07:24:00.000-08:00

Stephanie Nitsch has the whole place to herself...

Photo by Matt Baydala

Second day of the Utah ski season, second resort of the season opens... we're on a roll here! Yesterday I strapped on my skis again and, thanks to Nick Como, Marketing & PR Coordinator at Solitude Mountain Resort, was able to take some runs on opening day at Solitude, one of my favorite Utah resorts. (Really, though, it's Utah, so you'd have to try to make it a bad ski day anywhere. ;)

I love this resort. Last season I skied 3-4 days a week here and was spoiled by the ability to ski straight from the run onto a chair- no waiting in line, no having to take the "singles" line to get up quicker. I felt I had the whole mountain to myself. On a powder day, you can arrive an hour late and still expect to get just as much powder as if you'd stood in line for two hours pre-first chair (which is what you might have to do at any other resort). It's Solitude, fo'sho. And I love it.

Here's the recap of yesterday's opening. And if any of you want to take a run or two, I'll be up there a few days a week- I'd love to share the greatness of this Big Cottonwood Canyon resort with you. But shh... don't tell anyone else...

http://cot.ag/bFKQdr

Opening Day- Joy, Joy, Joy

2010-11-12T06:43:00.000-08:00

My view of opening day

Brighton, Utah: 11/11/10

Yesterday I was privileged to be invited to ski Utah's opening day of the ski season by Jared Winkler, Brighton’s rep for Marketing and Public Relations. It was simply an amazing day and I got to meet some great new people in the industry. The snow was by far the best I've seen for an opening day - our group did fast laps the soft groomed runs and tested the power of our early-season quads in the powder off the groomers.

Breaking from the laps

Photo: Marc Guido

Skiers: myself & Steve Benally

Loving this day

Photo: Marc Guido

On hill: Steve Benally, Stephanie Nitsch, me

Of course, I didn't just get invited for free. ;) I was charged with writing an article for Utah's season opening by my editor, so of course I complied. The trade-off seemed all in my favor...

http://www.firsttracksonline.com/News/2010/11/11/Ski-Season-Underway-in-Utah/

There's the article... and now I am off to cover Solitude's opening day, skiing with a freelancer for ESPN (Stephanie- my newest snow sista who I skied with most of the day yesterday) and Matt, Ski Utah's Powderhound winner and new blogger for the organization. Then it's hopefully off to Snowbird's opening day tomorrow. 1-2-3!

Happy Chair

L-R: Stephanie Nitsch, Marc Guido (my editor), me, Steve Benally

86400; Make it good

2010-11-03T12:20:00.000-07:00

"Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them."

86400 - This is the time you've been given. The clock isn't stopping.

Thanks to Andy Ryan for the inspiration.

Spoken Words

2010-10-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

You know this is wrong

You know what is right

Knees don't buckle

No heart on the sleeve

Don't wince at the pain

Don't gasp in dark waters

Don't cry out when they rise

Show you're strong

You don't need anyone

If you're independent

You can save you

Force a brave face

Sink the thought of your heart

Eyes straight up

Breathe into the deep

Don't unclench your fists

Don't check over your shoulder

Lift, step, repeat

One step forward

This is for you.

2010-10-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

Watch it. You will be glad you did.

Thanks, Ryan Kendrick, for sharing the inspiration.

In honor of the author of my blog's title:

2010-10-05T16:40:00.000-07:00

Stuff your eyes with wonder,

live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds.

See the world.

It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.

- Ray Bradbury

(via http://mymindlessmusings.tumblr.com)

The Plan for Winter

2010-09-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

photo from: Penebscott Bay Real Estate

I have a long way to go. (#4)

I just visited April Atwater's blog where I was asked what my Top 10 activities of winter were. The first, I'm sure, you'll have no problem guessing. The rest took a moment as I thought back over my winters here in Utah. This is the list I came up with:

1. Skiing- of course. This is pretty much all I think about year round.

2. Full moon snowshoe hike- I was invited to do this on a first date with a guy who turned out to be pretty fantastic. However, things progress and ultimately the magic of this activity stuck around long after he did. ;) What increased the enjoyment of the winter night: At the end of the trail he built some snow benches for us to sit on then whipped out a thermos full of hot chai. While I sipped the spicy brew, he recited some Pablo Neruda poetry under the midnight mountain sky. It was .... amazing.

3. Sledding with "grownup" kids- namely: your best friends

4. Build the tallest snowman you can - borrow your friends' shoulders to complete the task.

5. Write giant messages in a snowfield for someone you love, then either take them up there or send a photo if they're far away.

6. Take photos of the "feelings" of winter- stillness, serenity, loneliness, etc. Try to find the beauty in the more monotone landscapes- gives appreciation for winter & the other seasons, too

7. Have a campfire in the snow - get all your friends together for what's usually a summer activity. It's fun to be bundled up, roasting marshmallows and sipping hot chocolate.

8. Get ready for Christmas- caroling, making handmade gifts, enjoying the winter festivities that cities put on during the season.

9. Getting cozy with a loved one - head to a cabin with a fireplace and cuddle up on a big comfy couch with a book or some old photos.

10. Watch the snow fall- there's nothing that calms me more than watching big, fat flakes falling all around me. It's serene, beautiful and... gets me excited for #1. ;)

What's in your Top 10?

Choices

2010-09-17T14:57:00.000-07:00

The following was written to me; it's shared with you in hopes it might be of use out there...

You are traveling a road that has quite a distance although you've been on it for a little while. You may come to a point where you will have a fork in that road. Your choices are not easy. You have the dream of travel and building your career. You have the dream of having a home, a family. They are both wonderful ideals and possibly can be interlinked, but at a cost to you of not being able to keep both feet planted on that road and having the space between roads grow ever wider. Look at the long-term goals for yourself.

Until the time you must make a decision, work on each part of your life as much as you can - involving yourself with professionals in the fields you are exposed so they know the value you offer, and balancing your life so you can breathe. That means taking care of yourself. Remember to be selfish enough to take time to draw, write, play, cook, make your creative things, spend time alone to know yourself. Don't be afraid to be alone. Enjoy it.

Remember that often opportunities in life often only surface once, for one chance. A decision must be made at that time... right or wrong, that is what we often have to settle with. I knew when I turned 45, it would be a momentous time in my life - I didn't know why, but since my youth I knew it. It was at 45 that I was able to fulfill my dream of going to law school. I did it. I blew it. I will never have that chance again. Maybe I could have done it earlier in my life, I don't know. The opportunity didn't present itself and I made a solid choice to have children and a family - I have no regrets absolutely about that decision then. I do have regrets that I changed the course of my decision in 2002... there were no roads back - no opportunities left.

photo by Nate Bagley

Keep your mind open so that if you have the opportunity to develop in the career path, you take it. If you have an opportunity to settle down and it's right, you do it. Just be open to what could be and remember to branch yourself out right now to allow something to happen. You have all roads open to you - no blockages right now. Breathe. Take care of you now. Don't get caught up in any path until you have been offered the opportunity. It could stifle your mind so you lose sight of what is actually being presented to you.

I want you to remember: you are now going forward. You have a clean slate. You have a chance to make life what you want. Do not wait for anyone. If they want you, if a career wants you, they will make their offers to you for you to decide what you want. Meanwhile, you will be charting your own course, moving towards your own goals.

photo by Nate Bagley

I hope this makes sense to you. I love you. You are always in my best wishes.

photo by Nate Bagley

Political Scott

2010-09-16T21:23:00.000-07:00

This is how my friend, Scott, handles his outrage against environmental atrocities.

Happy little oil rig.

Visit Scott's blog (http://www.severalsuchbuildings.com) for more insight on... pretty much everything.

2010-09-15T08:18:00.000-07:00

Twitter background, uninterrupted.

P.S. A little favor, if you will: I'd like to see how the twitter page looks on different monitor sizes, because I'm considering adding a sidebar with contact info. If it's not a bother, click the Twitter link, grab a screenshot (instructions below) and email it to ginabegin (at) gmail (dot) com. Thanks!

-How to take a screen shot in Windows or in Mac

Passion

2010-09-10T17:59:00.000-07:00

Can't watch this without feeling the need to develop myself further, take life on with both legs running (or strapped to some fins)...

DARK SIDE OF THE LENS from Astray Films on Vimeo.

2010-09-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

G:na: "Food activist

lover of white precipitation & K2 skis

owner of mad kitchen skills

runs organic, fair-trade bakery.

"

Click on the link (G:na). I like this idea. You should make one and then tell comment your page's address below...

Do it... now.

http://flavors.me

The Hottest Thing I Did This Weekend

2010-08-28T18:07:00.000-07:00

Mmm...

The Cycle

2010-08-27T15:37:00.000-07:00

Artist & Photo Info: quickrelease.tv/?p=1244

special thanks to this guy for the pic

My professor, an urban planner, was passionate about people and life. He connected with his students because we could tell he cared about us. He took the time to sit down and look us in our eyes. He shared things with us that most professors were too frightened to speak up about but the things that mattered most: his ideas, his opinions, his outlook on life.

We respected him.

One morning he really worked himself up into a rage. He had our attention as he walked up and down the classroom aisles, arms gradually losing their tame demeanor, eyes piercing each of us as they washed over the room. As he delved into his diatribe we grew increasingly somber, the reality of what he was saying sinking into the depths of each of us. His message can't be justified without his passion to back it up, but I'll make an attempt at his words:

We wake up in a box. Once we feel sufficiently prepared to head out (or time dictates the need) we climb into a smaller box and sit. This smaller box takes us to yet another box where we'll sit away the majority of our day. After sitting the required 8-9 hours in this box, we return to the small box and sit there until it reaches our first box of the day, where we'll sit out the rest of the hours, addicted to an illuminated box, until we rest ourselves from the taxing sitting position. This cycle is on repeat for forty (plus) years of our lives, or until we die from it.

-adapted from Stephen A. Goldsmith, my professor, a brilliant man

At different points in my life I've been able to give up on one or two of the boxes. I lived in a tent for a few months (best home I've had yet). I worked where you could walk for miles and never hit anything resembling a wall, let alone a box. And now, since I am tied to two other boxes out of convenience's sake, I've dramatically lessened my dependence on the third: my car. My two feet and Sophie Deux helped me disrupt the cycle.

Summary: Live longer. Take a break from boxes.

Just a Reminder

2010-08-25T10:42:00.000-07:00

The future is no place to place your better days...

photo by Rebecca Tabor Armstrong

Well, whaddya know...

2010-08-21T11:03:00.000-07:00

Little G was published.

I talked about this thing in the article.

I'd like to thank my adoring fans (mom. dad. bro. sisters.)

And Nate.

And Marc.

And Maria for being patient in her climbing desires.

I accept congratulations in the form of mighty hugs, new skis, heartfelt high-fives and food.

Really, no preference.

This link here will take you to my words.

Update: Just hit the first rung with Google Ski News. I just... really, really like the look of that.

The Tiny Teton Trip

2010-08-17T07:42:00.000-07:00

This is a repost from my entry on Outdoor Women

Just two of us headed up to the frozen world of the Tetons late on a winter's eve. It was a spontaneous trip fueled by a desire to head north into the wild country of Wyoming, a little bit of cabin fever, and twenty-two gallons of 88 octane. Departure time: 10:45 p.m.

These kinds of trips generally have no rules other than to enjoy the moment. We took backroads and stopped at every state sign (three- crossed back into Utah from Idaho before hitting Wyoming). We turned up the hip hop and pulled over to video the hilarity of the Mazda-turned-discoteque. We played songs on repeat. We took pictures on repeat. We took two hours over normal travel time to arrive. Eventually the dark silhouette of the jagged Tetons loomed before us and we entered- rather irreverently- while Outkast on full blast asked us to shake it like a polaroid picture...

Thank you.

It was about 6 degrees at Jackson Lake when we first exited the car. We set up to photograph the night sky which was reminiscent of an oreo milkshake in negative. Chips of stars were scattered in a curvature clearly visable to the casual viewer. But we were no casual viewers: we were drinking in the frozen air, visually consuming the glittery inkwell overhead and feeling so alive for 4:30 a.m. Our hands stiffening in the cold as we set up for long exposures, we grinned at how giddy we were.

While our cameras did their thing, we spoke in hushed tones about the magnitude of the sky and the meaning of it all. We took shot after shot, adjusting f-stops and shutter speeds, admiring and critiquing each other's work as deemed appropriate. We quickly found, however, that our photographic skills were dwarfed in comparison to the competition (read: reality). Not being sore losers, we gave the beauty overhead a proper high five before searching out a suitable spot to car camp.

Every star is a shooting star when you bump a long-exposure...

Car camping- in the literal sense of the term. Catching three hours of sleep in seats that don't recline to a true horizontal does not lend itself to a full sleep-cycle. But the sun was relentless in rising and as the bone-chilling cold in the car heated with the force of solar rays, we groggily stripped off down sleeping bags and pulled on snow pants and fleece-lined beanies.

Oh, good morning, Tetons. Oh, good morning, Sign We Didn't See Last Night.

We were not alone. As we came to a realization of day, we glanced around our once-empty parking lot and found ourselves among dozens of similarly suited-up fellows, skis slung over shoulders, shovels strapped on packs, dogs prancing impatiently around owner's legs. Stepping from the relative comfort of our car cabin into the sparkling crispness of the morning air, I felt a smile rise from somewhere deep within. It landed full-force on my face. "This is... awesome." My first words of the day.

Never a bad sign.

Strapping on our hydration packs and snowshoes and donning some much needed eyewear, we crunched through the hardpack towards the lower hills southwest of our campspot. The destination was generally decided to be a lake somewhere at the end of some trail we might end up on. It being a Saturday, sunny, and living off the remnants of road-trip excitement, it mattered little if we made our destination. In fact, I think both of us would have been content to sit on the snow bank on the side of the parking lot with a couple of sandwiches; the views were mighty fine there, too (wink, wink)...

I digress. We crunched on, noticing tracks of various animals: dog, bird, chipmunk, humans on skis. We climbed up to admire views, snapped photos of broken-down fences, nodded at the occasional passerby. The peaks of the Tetons were almost unobstructed from our view- a rarity- and either our awe of being so close to them or the sleep deprivation we harbored seemed to keep our mouths quiet during our trek. Squirrel chatter punctuated the rhythm of the crampons perforating the snow- other than that, our world was silent. The discoteque of last night's trip was a forgotten memory...

A couple of hours brought us to the end of our trail and we looked around questioningly. The lake was frozen over and unspectacular; in fact, we weren't sure of it even being a lake until one of us tripped over a small wooden marker that hardly rose above the surface of the snow. Feeling only the slightest twinge of regret for the loss of a potential photographic opportunity, we dropped our packs on a bare-faced slope and settled in for a long lunch break. We tore into tangerines, peeled delicate layers of string cheese and dropped mouthfuls of home-made granola. Hunger satiated, we succumbed to the warmth of the sun radiating from above and reflecting from below, dropping back onto our hydration packs for a little more sleep.

Can you spot the mid-jump mink?

At higher elevations the sun is surprisingly strong and the mounting heat across my nose and cheeks woke me from what felt like a very deep sleep. Surprisingly refreshed, I threw a snowball at the still-sleeping Maria who casually rose to her feet without protest. We turned our backs to the Tetons and looped towards the trailhead. The return trip was contemplative, quiet and, other than being stopped briefly by a mink who ran deftly across our path and a couple who wanted advice on snowshoes, quite uneventful. The sun was a little past its crest in the winter sky as we neared pavement and, the parking lot being less spectacularly populated by this time, there wasn't much reason to be leisurely about heading home. Stripping layers down once again until at a comfortable travel-level, we climbed back into the mini-club and headed home to the bustle of our little city. Arrival: 7:30 p.m., less than 24 hours of road-trip time.

Lesson: fit the adventure in.

Substance > Style

2010-08-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

The lyrics of this song give me an appreciation of women who are making things happen; it inspires me, keeps me going on the things I am passionate about. There are times when I feel like I'm out there on my own talking about the changes that need to be made, speaking to apathetic blank stares, writing letters to government offices that exist in thin air. It doesn't matter if I am. It doesn't matter if you are.

Keep fighting for it.

Life or Debt:
Woman you're my comrade, ride and die,
revolution-making mother earth standing with me in the grocery line
While I'm paying with a jar of pennies, nickels and dimes...
Moms tryin' to tell us not to protest instead pray for peace,
But that ain't the nature of the beast
So lady grab a bullhorn and take it to the streets
Yellin power to the people, el pueblo unido jamas sera vencido
Til the wealth is spread equal
You 21st century Gabriela Silang
Fierce like Lorena with a rifle in her arm

And I love how you don't like art without a message
I love it how you call some fellas on they fetish...
I love how you love the people as much as self
I love it how you want redistribution of the wealth
Third world sister, never sacrificing substance for style
But stylish with a golden type smile
I love it how you organize with other strong sisters
Love it how you talk about tearing down the system
Like a soldier, my dialectical reflection,
yes is the answer to your question.

Also, Hi5 for this man praising strong women.

If You've Got Ears, Listen.

2010-08-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

And listen loud. Surround yourself with this; turn it up so the bass hits and that banjo duels. This is Mumford & Sons. I was introduced to these guys tonight by a friend who has been on a quest to provide me with a soundtrack for my bike rides. He hit the jackpot with this one. When they break into it, my foot tapping can not be constrained. Neither can my smile. If they came to the states again, I would go as far as my car could take me for a single song live. I'd give up half my belongings if it were this particular one. It's just that incredible. Cinematography, instrumentals, vocals, lyrics...er...

Here's the catch. They're from the UK, so their version of expletives doesn't correspond with ours and dropping this choice one is like a drop in the bucket where they're from. My mom wouldn't approve of this language (sorry, Mom). However, the other version is only available on Facebook who hasn't learned how to share and play nice, so sensitive ears, please check out this version instead. Those of you who want to watch it here, be warned: 1:05, 2:01, 2:14, 3:37, 3:51.

Follow My Logic

2010-07-31T13:31:00.000-07:00

Today is July 31st. That means tomorrow starts August- the last full month of summer. August stands in line next to September. September houses the 23rd: the official day of Fall. And do you know what happens after Fall?

That's right kids.

Winter.

Meet Someone New Today

2010-07-28T06:27:00.000-07:00

CUPCAKE CONFERENCE SUMMER SOCIALSince it's coming up, maybe you should meet and admire my crew (in abridged fashion):

Stephanie Hansen
Twitter: @sahans
Email: stephanie@cupcakeconference.com
Blog: The Daily Blarg
Hometown: It's a secret... shhhhhhh
Favorite Cupcake- I just like a plain old butter cake with chocolate buttercream frosting. But anything with butter is amazing... right?

Stephanie Hansen quit the fast paced corporate world about five years ago to focus on her one true love, chauffeuring, also known as: raising teenagers. Her spare time is spent reading, cooking, eating (obviously), blogging, tweeting and watching trashy reality television. All of course while cuddling up in her Snuggie and sporting a BumpIt.

Stephanie's upbeat and perky attitude, along with her silly antics, helped her launch and sustain her blog "The Daily Blarg" where she takes on social issues like the existence of unicorns and manscaping. Her love of food, fashion, fun and friendship provided her with the opportunity to write for the review site Sassy Scoops. And her insane need to hear "are we there yet" helps keep her family alive while on long family road trips...

Becky Olsen

Twitter: @DomesticBecky
Email: becky@cupcakeconference.com
Blog(s): Utah Loves Cupcakes  Project Domestication
Hometown: Orem, Utah
Favorite Utah Cupcake: Cupcakes are like children, I don't have a favorite...

Becky Olsen loves Utah and loves cupcakes. It really is that simple. After a short stint of living in Manhattan, the mecca of all things cupcake, she fell in love with the individual-sized treats. Upon returning to her native Utah, Becky knew the cupcake scene in the Beehive State was on the cusp of exploding, and she couldn't wait to be a part of it and share it with others.

Becky authors the blog Utah Loves Cupcakes --the voice of cupcakes in Utah-- where she scopes out the latest cupcake news in Utah, reviews cupcake bakeries and cupcake-related items. She loves using high-quality, local ingredients; especially if it means learning something new and being able to enjoy a special treat with those she loves. You can follow Becky's personal baking adventures at Project Domestication...

Ryley Eaton

Twitter: @ryles
Email: ryley@cupcakeconference.com
Blog(s): That's My Family  That's My Cake
Hometown: Just ask her...
Favorite Cupcake: Coming soon...

Ryley is a mother, a baker, and a conqueror of corporate America. She tries to keep it all together while raising a 19 month old boy with the most beautiful eyes ever, running a growing cake business and working 50 hours a week in a high-profile corporate career.

Her story started in 2007 when she was determined that her calling in life was to be a food blogger... She breaks all the rules of the society she lives in by being the only source of income for her family while her husband stays home to take care of the baby they both love so dearly. Her favorite food is grilled cheese sandwiches, but she is currently living the life of a vegan who eats meat. (Thanks to said son’s allergies..) She misses grilled cheese. A lot.

Gina Bégin

Twitter: @sugaredmagnolia
Email: gina@cupcakeconference.com
Blog(s): 451  SketchDining  Sugared Magnolia (website)
Hometown: Somewhere warm and sunny, which is why she likes cold & snowy
Favorite Cupcake- you know, those one kind... mmm, boy.

Gina is the proud owner of mad kitchen skills, a southern heritage, dual citizenship and K2 skis. She ofttimes can be found blogging her life secrets at 451. She owns Sugared Magnolia, an organic, fair-trade bakery in the 801. When searching for wisdom, she turns to Calvin & Hobbes; when searching for snow, she turns to Big Cottonwood Canyon and when searching for something delicious, she turns to her French family's time-tested recipes. Sugar pie made with pure syrup from her Quebecois family's maple farm? Mmmm... yes.

Gina's passion lies in food activism, but her alter-ego secretly loves a stolen bite of something greasy and dubious. This split personality explains the organization of SketchDining, her all-star epicurean daredevil team. But ask her on most days and she'll dive into a frenzy over growing and preparing food at home. Or, when you can't, she says, go with what's local and sustainably/humanely raised. Try it; you'll like it. She pinky swears.

First Day

2010-07-27T00:04:00.000-07:00

New job, new bike, new philosophy on human dynamics.

I need my lunchbox.

My friendly first day welcome.

L3- My weekday home. 1/3 the size of my own

apartment but with rent reversal.

They provide a visitor chair and, in true Mr. Rogers style,

a place to hang your cardigan should you visit.

Starting my office library off right.

Two eyes = two monitors. Obviously.

P.S. Name the location of desktop photo.

Wall- to-cubicle-wall desk. Luxury.

Where I plan to hide out.

This will probably use up most of my time.

What I found out about the previous tenant.

These look promising...

Now you can imagine me at work more precisely... which is precisely how I like it.

Oh, P.S.- The bike? Free. Random good deed and I will do likewise.

Twilight Nonsense

2010-07-23T11:57:00.000-07:00

I Wish For...

2010-07-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

In Yellow

2010-07-21T23:04:00.001-07:00

In Yellow, originally uploaded by ilikewinter.

Entire set here: http://bit.ly/9upObZ

This Morning

2010-07-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

this is what I like to see at the end of my day... or the beginning.

"I say, if you knees aren’t green by the end of the day, you ought to seriously re-examine your life.”

- Calvin and Hobbes

(hopefully my heroes will allow a dirt substitution ;)

How to Impress

2010-07-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

(acknowledgements to Mr. Bagley for once again finding the best of the www)

Once in a While

2010-07-16T21:10:00.000-07:00

...there is a song that just clicks. This time the song also happens to reflect my beliefs. I can't begin to describe how much I love our incredible world and how much majesty is in it. I hear this song and am reminded of how much I have to be thankful for every night that I watch that big moon rising over jagged mountains- how grateful I am to have sight and a heart that is thrilled by flickering stars in an ink-colored sky. It's just all so amazing to me.

GSing

2010-07-12T17:35:00.000-07:00

Ronald McDonald glove slapping some poser for not lovin' it.

from: http://www.appletreeblog.com/wp-content/2008/04/ronald-slap.jpg

My friend, Dustin, has an imagination and a sense of humor. Both are odd and awesome. I can say it's odd because it's very similar to the type of humor my family has and hardly anyone gets it (so don't get offended, Dustin; you're in with the cool crowd). Hence, I can also say it's awesome. If you don't find some odd humor in it, I guess you know where you stand.

P.S. This occurred through gchat. Thank you.

Dustin's Gmail status: glove slap

me: What is this glove slap?

Dustin: no idea. i just thought it was cool. Kind of a snooty and disrespectful-challenge sorta thing

me: I want to steal it.

Dustin: go for it
we'll start a status gang

me: wonder if I could get my mom to change hers.

and here I said something Dustin did not like, hence the following:

Dustin: I GLOVE SLAP you with my white isotoners.

me: what the freak are white isotoners?

Dustin: isotoners are/were rich people gloves back when.

me: you read a lot of Jane Austen, huh

Dustin: you're so totally cruising for a GS

me: (changed my status to "2handed glove slap")
I just doubled yours

Dustin: not possible. Double implies the number 2. Number 2 means second place. I am singular, meaning number one. I win.

me: that was goodness in its purest form

Dustin: i mean, just imagine getting slapped by a white one of these:

Biggest. Insult. Ever.

me: I want the man to wear tight pants
and step out of a carriage first.
And take off his monocle before slapping the heck outta someone.

Dustin: of course he would. but his name would definitely NOT be Mr. Darcy

me: Then he should promptly step back into his carriage

from: http://th04.deviantart.com/fs44/300W/f/2009/129/a/9/Glove_Slap_by_hpanna47.jpg

Dustin: exactly
such pomp. such arrogance.

me: Who did he slap, anyway?
I have no idea. It doesn't matter.

Dustin: everyone.
all of them

me: The whole circle of people stood around, dazed after Mr. Monocle, in a 360 motion, glove slapped the entire audience.

Dustin: correction: the entire towne. Notice the elitist 'e' added to the end of the word town.

me: So the towne was standing arounde and got glove slapped downe?

Dustin: Yes.

me: This is a queer conversation.
Queer in the late-baroque sense of the word

Dustin: this is a queer conversation:

After which, we immediately began discussing rock climbing and Dustin getting jumped by his mountain bike & breaking ribs. His bike totally GS'd him!

I suggest you begin using glove slaps to let people know you are offended or that they are encroaching upon your social class.