Random Acts of Adventure
United WE Stand
November 19, 2008
We constantly try to think of ways to align doing the right thing and business – which as the national news has been showing, isn’t always the easiest path to take. As far as we’re concerned, there is no other way to do business except with one eye on the ball and one eye on the big blue ball Earth!
We recently partnered up with Simple Shoes – a great company that makes eco shoes for those that literally want to keep their foot print light – to donate a portion of our sales to the WE Campaign, a non-profit dedicated to solving the global climate crisis.
Here’s the scoop, 10% of any purchase made at Horny Toad or Simple Shoes using promo code SIMPLETOAD will go to the WE Campaign. Not to mention you will be lookin' and feelin' good head to toe - literally.
Here’s the word on the street about this great deal – for everyone and everything involved.
www.greenzer.com
www.thegearjunkie.com
www.whiteapricot.com
www.womensadventuremagazine.com
www.trailspace.com
After The Fire Storm - Tea Fire Update
November 18, 2008
Needless to say, it was a long weekend here in Santa Barbara. The Tea Fire that started on Thursday evening and blazed though hundreds of acres and homes continued to rear its ugly head. Luckily, the wind died down on Saturday, which helped the firefighters get control of a very disastrous situation. We are lucky as an office to have all retained our homes, one merely missing the blaze by one house! This morning in the office we all checked in with one another to make sure that everyone was okay. Stories of friends and family that were affected were told as we collectively mourned for those that have lost everything. Even though no Toads had a house destroyed in this fire, we are all part of this community and feel a loss.
For now, we hope to help ease the pain of the 200+ families that lost homes by donating clothing from the Toad – ‘cuz that’s one thing we know we are good at. Beyond that, we hope to help out with food and help cleaning up the wreckage left behind by the flames.
If you would like to help, please donate to the Red Cross. As we get information on more locally driven fundraisers, I will publish them ASAP for anyone that wants to help.
Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts.
The Toads
The Tea Fire - Up In Smoke
November 14, 2008
It was 6:00 p.m. when I strolled out of the office to a strangely warm night. This time of year in Santa Barbara, it’s not entirely unusual to get warm winds from the southern desert, so I didn’t think twice about it. Around 6:30 while I walked my dog I saw the smoke – a large apocalyptic cloud of black smoke rising from the hills of Santa Barbara.
This entry is not so much a fun hunting entry, but more an information hunting entry to let all that are concerned about out little Toad home here in Santa Barbara what is going on. The office is safe downtown by the water, but that can’t be said for some of the folks that live up in the mountains above downtown. Here are some of the stats as of this morning: more than 100 homes destroyed, 2500 acres burned, approximately 500 firefighters are on the job along with helicopters, engines and fixed wing planes. About 5,400 homes have been evacuated – mandatory and voluntarily.
For more information and updates go to:
https://www.countyofsb.org/ceo/oes0.aspx?id=2332#Maps
If you are in the area and want to help there are a few things to consider first. Don’t go near the road closures. Don’t overwhelm first responders when they are trying to focus on the job at hand – this means going to relief organizations (without checking on what they need), hospitals, shelters, etc. Please always call or go online to find out how you can help. That said, they welcome the help where needed and donations are always welcome. Visit the Red Cross web site for more information on how to donate and where to volunteer http://www.sbredcross.org/.
Also, Direct Relief International, a disaster relief organization in our home town is offering up face masks for the public to help with health concerns from the smoke. Get details here www.directrelief.org.
We hope that the wind doesn’t kick up again today causing an already disastrous situation to get worse. I will update this as I get information on how the Toad family is doing. At this point we have people that have been evacuated from their homes, but I do not have any further information. I will let you know how we fair. Keep us in your thoughts.
My Name Is Flag
November 6, 2008
With most elections called and the fever pitch of candidacy over, it's a time to reflect on our decisions. No matter your point of view or opinion on the outcome of the elections, one thing remains the same for all of us - we are Americans. I think I speak for most of us when I say, this is a great country. It's not without mistakes and challenges that we've become who we are today, but our indomitable spirit of hope remains. I was forwarded this video from a friend, and thought it quite apropos to our current state. It's time to remember, party aside, what we stand for. Here's to a bright and proud future.Voice Your Vote
November 3, 2008
We all have opinions, hopefully. The fact that we live in a country that asks us to give our opinion is a privilege that many have given their lives to protect - so let's honor that. Whatever it is that you believe in, make your voice heard on November 4th by going to the poles to cast your vote for federal, state and local officials and propositions. This is quite possibly one of the most important elections of our lifetimes, so be a part of it, have an opinion and make it heard. Voting is your voice!
If you are unsure where to go to vote, google - yes they think of everything - has a page dedicated to finding where your polling place is. Simply click through here, type in your address where you are registered and voila!
Women's Adventure Contest - Yoga Jungle
October 17, 2008
We’ve teamed up with our friends over at Women’s Adventure, a great site and magazine for gals with an adventuresome spirit, to run a contest. We are giving away ten $20 gift certificates every month until December in exchange for a story about a recent adventure – the good and the bad parts. Then 3 lucky winners will be drawn from the monthly winners for the grand prize $500 gift card! We know there are those moments of either the highest highs or the lowest lows from a big trip somewhere exotic or a small trip somewhere domestic.
Below is a great example of a yoga/spa trip to Costa Rica, written by fellow adventurette Angela.
My spa yoga retreat turned into a jungle adventure with riot gear. When I arrived in Costa Rica, the luxurious room online is a cot in a jungle hut. So what, that's romantic, right? I hike to the yoga temple. No class? The yoga teacher is on her day off? (There's only one yoga teacher at the yoga retreat?) I make myself busy until dinner. By 6:00, the jungle is pitch black and my flimsy flashlight is no match to the jungle noises and the warning that my hut is located in "snake alley." It rained so hard that the jungle roads washed out, limiting beach access. On the plus side, I did wake every morning to howler monkeys. And I was in the rainforest! I had an awesome experience sea kayaking, cresting two waves that brought me more than 50 yards into shore. When it was time to leave my rainforest home, the local people had blocked the main road calling for flood relief (rightfully so). I hiked past armed militia to catch my shuttle back to the capital city. It was time to get back to the safety of mountain lions and 14ers in Colorado. Om.
Funeral Flowers
October 13, 2008
While on her morning bike ride to work, Tami, our lovely PR Toadette saw this sign at her favorite place to buy flowers. Although it is sad, his sense of humor is appreciated in these dark economic days. You know what “they” say, if you’re not laughing, you’re crying.
Invest in your 401-Keg
October 6, 2008
Some stats to ponder.
• If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines one year ago, you would have $49.00 today.
• If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG one year ago, you would have $33.00 today.
• If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers one year ago, you would have $0.00 today.
But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank it all and then turned in the aluminum cans for the recycling refund, you would have received $214.00 back.
Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily and recycle. It is called the 401-Keg.
A recent study found that the average American walks about 900 miles a year. Another study found that Americans drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year. This means that, on average, Americans get about 41 miles to the gallon!
Mmmm... Beer
September 25, 2008
It was yesterday at about 4:00 when the New Belgium beer fairy came by our office. I am not sure if their magical powers had sensed how thirsty we were for a little respite from the busy week, but needless to say, the visit was a welcome one. With a little fairy dust and a wave of the magical beer wand [insert magical harp sound here] the Toad fridge filled with gloriously yummy New Belgium beer. There was much rejoicing and the decision was made to finish off our hectic workweek with a little happy hour.
Thank you New Belgium beer fairy!
Check back for video and pics on our little TGIF party and the quenching of some thirsty Toads.
Mowercycle
September 19, 2008
Picture this … the wind in your hair, the big blue sky above you and nothing but lawn as far as the eye can see. This bad boy may not have a supa bad V twin engine and tail pipes that put out a sound that shake the teeth out of your head – but that’s what we think is so awesome about this thing. Did you know that a typical power lawnmower pollutes as much in one hour as driving an automobile for 20 miles! Why not combine your workout with your chores and do it all while impressing the neighbors. Guaranteed the Joneses will covet your new mowercycle.
A shout out to this guy for making the mowercycle our new favorite vehicle!
Crusade Against the Mundane
