Stuff

I love stuff as much or more than the next person. I mean, I worked at an outdoor company; I own more jackets than a normal person in LA should have. However, as much as I love my stuff, I am worried that my having too much will mean that we won't have much of anything in a few years. So, someone sent me the story of stuff and it shows in very significant detail the impact of our desire for stuff.

While watching this 20 minutes e-cast, I realize how inextricably linked this is to the world is flat which focuses on how we have leveled the playing field for globalization through commerce and competition.

Only 1% of the 'stuff' we buy is still used six months after its purchase. So, how do we change our love for stuff? How do we change our perception of our need for obsolescence? How do we reduce our stuff? If recycling isn't everything, what should I do?

I don't necessarily have the answers for this question, but as we head closer to Christmas and its over-consumption of food and stuff, just think about what you are buying, using, and giving, and how it can change for new year. How you can be more sustainable and more green in your giving, doing and celebrating.

My Darling Season Pass at the Canyons

I think I’m finally ready to acknowledge that I may have a small fear of commitment. I’ve never really thought I was that kind of girl, but as this third winter gets going in UT, I hate to tell you that I've already cheated (twice...). It’s not fair to you, but I am finally acknowledging my freedom and flirtatious attitude. My eyes are slowly wandering to the West, North and anywhere the snow is tempted to fly.

In the past two winters that I’ve been in UT, We’ve had some great times! I’ve been riding over 120 times (at least half with you, my darling), but there have been some others (12?), but I’ve always come back! (I mean--2 season passes--and you knew about Powder Mountain and my Little Cottonwood habit … we're just friends!). Oh, Canyon's, we've gone through a lot together: pow days, bullet-proof snow, sunburns and sore legs. But you knew about my past... winters in New Mexico, New Zealand, and trips to Colorado, Wyoming and Canada. I mean I've dated a bit and had some relationships with a few resorts (nothing quite like what "we" had) and now I'm realizing I just can't be tied down to any one hill.

Riders in Colorado don’t have this problem—they have passes to multiple resorts and no one thinks any less of them, and it’s Utah that gets the bad-rap for Polygamy…

I don't want to blame your mild terrain, or long traverses (its really not you, its me!) but its just time to move on. It’s been quite easy to look at the past through rose-colored goggles. Each day that you wake up, whether a powder day, a corn day, or that freezing cold day on the ridge where you can barely go forward because the wind is blowing so hard; there is just something about being out there with you that made it worthwhile.

I mean, really, who can forget their first? My first full-day of REAL powder day with you: Though we’ve drifted apart since that initial winter (It’s not you, it’s me!) I shall always treasure the time we had, and I’m glad we can still be friends. I know you understand that I just couldn’t stick around.

And I’m sorry, but that first real weekend of the season, (6 resorts in the Wasatch were opening!) I snuck out on you and had an excellent day with Brighton—I couldn’t stay home. Even last weekend I went on a group date to Snowbird and had fun without you. But you were busy with your out-of-towners, and I can’t be blamed, right?

Remember when we first heard that Rilo Kiley song on that warm-up run off of Condor? “There’s love and work up where the snow meets the sky.? We’ll always have the Eagle Chair and Ninety-Nine Ninety; our Sunday afternoon chill sessions on Dreamscape and Tombstone with tunes blaring and bluebird skis shining will always hold a special place in my heart. I’ll still visit to catch some turns—I promise.

I can barely scratch the surface of mental, physical, and emotional feelings that I have had with you. But, there are some current crushes I can’t ignore, some past loves that still make me ache, and a few that have caught my eye and can’t wait to get to know a little better…

Till we meet again.

Always,

Why I'm studying marketing in B-School

I really do think its because I'm delightfully entertained by how ridiculous some people get. I mean, a bazillion products get created every year and most are flops. I mean, Hooter's energy drink? Seriously? And a ceramic coffin from precious moments? They think there is a market for this?

For Marketing this semester, we are supposed to re-target a product, or create a product, and first semester MBA's come up with more appropriate products than people actually out there in the field. It makes me think I might actually have a job when I get out of school.

See the other HORRIBLE line extensions for 2007 here