Random Acts of Adventure
Lessons For An Optimist - Zappazon
August 3, 2009
The news of Zappos.com being acquired by Amazon was bigger than just another merger and acquisition. It will have meaningful implications to the online consumer product business for years as it combines the two most successful pure plays to come out of the dot.com era. It is also interesting because the brands and the business models they chose could not be more different in many ways.
The question I keep asking, is this acquisition a good thing or a bad thing?
A bad thing:
• Sad to see this independent and very unique culture become part of a public company and we can only hope Amazon understands the premium they paid is only justified if they don't mess with what made Zappos special.
• Even though these are extraordinary economic times, Tony and the Zappos ownership could easily be perceived as sell outs, giving away the vision they preached to the very competitor they targeted to outdo.
• One less online competitor to keep the playing field fair.
A good thing:
• A win for exceptional customer service, a Zappos hallmark.
• A win for modern company culture. That makes us feel better, that our happy hours, free form office space and dogs are not so crazy after all.
• It demonstrates optimism that the economy will improve and that consumer spending on apparel and footwear in the online environment still has significant growth potential.
What do you think? Good, bad or don't really care?
Dear Ellen - The Governator
July 29, 2009
Dear Ellen,Why do we have a governator?
Curious
Dear Curious,
California has a Governator because in the Year of Darkness, 2029, the rulers of this planet devised the ultimate plan. They would reshape the Future by changing the Past. The plan required something that felt no pity. No pain. No fear. No budgetary foresight. Something completely politically unqualified. They created "THE GOVERNATOR."
Ellen
Rock, Paper, Scissors - Birdhouse Project
July 28, 2009
Green houses come in all shapes and sizes, and they aren't just a habitat for humanity anymore. Gotta love it ... recycled materials and antique lumber that come together to make an original birdhouse (really, it is more like art). Even better, the 'birdhouse projects' are made by a group of boys with autism and behavior disabilities who are able to find purpose and meaning in what they are doing while building needed skill sets. Each house has its own little story to tell.There is a perch for everyone and it comes with a good cause, not unlike our very own Planet Access Company and Search for Adventure - where adults with developmental disabilities have a chance to live in beautiful group homes, get employment training and paid work opportunities.
Offer a feathered friend a nice new abode in your yard while simultaneously offering opportunity to someone who needs it. Check them out at www.recycledbirdhouse.com.
Lessons For An Optimist - Outdoor Pilgrimage
July 27, 2009
I can always count on getting inspired twice a year during our pilgrimage to the Outdoor Retailer tradeshow and last week was no exception. Imagine all of your favorite outdoor inspired brands from the last 40 years under one roof and the many people that make those brands special sharing adventure stories, showing off their latest and greatest innovations and partying to great live music until the late hours every night. And while the economy was definitely a well-covered topic in the aisles, generally the mood was optimistic as getting outside and enjoying fresh air and outdoor recreation has never been more popular.
Not a bad way to spend a "business trip" and the best part of being in the Outdoor Industry ... most of the attendees are committed to doing the right thing and making a positive difference with their businesses.
Congrats to team Toad for winning yet another best booth award with their amazing Lizard Lounge inspired merchandising and recycled fixtures ... gardening and backyard fun was the theme.
Agave Juice
July 24, 2009
Hey everyone! It's national tequila day and just so happens to be a Friday at the same time. Coincidence? I think not.To celebrate this gloriously golden elixcer of good times, I thought it would be interesting to give a run down of where the heck this stuff comes from - no, not heaven or hell, depending on where you are in the party process (i.e. night or morning).
Tequila is made from the agave plant. After about 8-12 years, the leaves of the plant are chopped off and the piñas (Spanish for pineapple) are assessed by a jimador to see if it is ripe for the pickin'. Apparently this assessment is something that is crucial to how the sugars will develop for the tequila.
Once uprooted the piñas are roasted and then distilled ... which is way to complicated for a Friday! The important thing is that the end product is something I'm sure we've all enjoyed at one point in our lives - perhaps a little too much.
Here's a recipe for a nummy num drink for you to try out this weekend - compliments of Ideal Bite. Cheers!
Tequila Mockingbird
One drink
Ingredients: (local and organic whenever possible)
1 1/2 oz tequila
1/2 oz celery juice
1/2 oz limejuice
1/2 oz simple syrup
2 dashes orange bitters
Cayenne pepper
Celery salt (enough to salt the rim)
Directions: Combine celery juice, limejuice, simple syrup, and orange bitter. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with cayenne pepper and a celery salt rim, and serve.
The Binary Chef - Fired Up For Burritos
July 23, 2009
Breakfast Burritos ... is there a better way to start the day? As you've probably realized, our office likes to cook ... and eat. As much fun as I've had preparing cool things for the group on our office grill (pizza, stir fry, brick chicken, cookies, pies) I'm not sure there's anything that puts a smile on people's faces like the announcement that breakfast burritos are ready on the patio. Here's my strategy for a group breakfast to please that can be handled on a single grill. Our office grill has a side burner that I use to cook my eggs in a pan, but there's no reason that can't be done on the grill, whether you use gas or charcoal. Here's my standard list of burrito fillings.
• Scrambled eggs with diced green chilies - mandatory!
• Canned whole black or pinto beans - either one works, you can't go wrong - cooked down in a pot on the grill.
• Frozen hash brown patties. Toss ‘em right on the flame, they cook fast and will be crunchy and delicious.
• Fresh veggies, a proprietary blend of bell pepper (red and green), mushrooms, onion and jalapeno.
• Bacon - come on folks - and/or linguica sausage. I use Soyrizo on occasion. I have to admit the resemblance to a fatty pork chorizo kinda weirds me out, but this soy-based alternative actually is a wonderful addition.
• @jelzabeth has had great success at the office with her guacamole recipe; maybe she'll share it with us some day. Or ya can just slice up an avocado or two.
• Sour Cream and Salsa - the fresher the better!
• Flour Tortillas - duh! Throw these on the grill in a stack of 6-8 over medium heat, make sure you flip them often so that they don't get crispy, and rotating the outside tortillas into the center so they all get a turn over the flames, wouldn't want to leave anyone out, now would we.
Ring the bell, call the troops, and watch the smiles. The grill ain't just for dinner anymore. Enjoy your breakfast!
Dear Ellen
July 22, 2009
Dear Ellen,
How do they make non-fat yogurt?
Curious
Dear Curious,
It is actually a very simple process. First the milk is heated at medium heat to allow thickening to occur, then rapidly cooled. It is injected with bacteria, and allowed to incubate in a warm environment. The bacterial fermentation causes the milk to curdle, turning it to yogurt. The ‘full fat' yogurt is then spread into a thin layer over a large flat surface, often a polished slab of marble or concrete. The slab is placed in an oven and baked until all moisture has evaporated from the yogurt, leaving a hard cake. The cake is pulverized into a fine powder, and mixed with water and chalk. After straining the mixture through cheesecloth to remove all sizeable yogurt particles, it is poured into a large pot and reduced over low heat until it reaches a thick paste consistency. The paste is pressed into a special machine where it is zapped with giant lasers until all organic molecules are destroyed. The paste is then ready for the final process. Water and artificial yogurt flavors are added to achieve the desired yogurt-ish consistency and taste, and voila! you have non-fat yogurt. Bon appetit!
Ellen
Rock, Paper, Scissors - Dumpster Diving
July 21, 2009
Ever wonder what you could make out of that old dryer in your backyard (I'm sure your neighbor wouldn't mind seeing it put to good use) or that stack of dusty encyclopedias?This week the majority of our company is in Salt Lake City at the biannual Outdoor Retailer trade show where we have a booth to showcase our upcoming line to dealers and media - and, of course, to catch up with friends over a couple of tall frosties. To keep things interesting, earth-loving and in the spirit of everyday is an adventure, we recycle found and salvaged objects to decorate and merchandize our clothing with. Here are some of my favorite repurposed objects from our booth:
• Dryer doors mounted on the wall. Presto! Instant shelving.
• Stack of encyclopedias bolted together and re-birthed as a low table.
• Washing machine drum as table and shelving.
If you need even more inspiration to crawl into the dumpster, here's a few links to get you dusting off that hazmat suit in no time:
• Cardboard Office
• Cathedral of Junk
• Ready Made
Happy Diving!
Lessons For An Optimist - Grant 4 Change
July 20, 2009
I am lucky enough to be on my way to a week at the Outdoor Industry tradeshow to spend time with some of the most inspiring leaders and athletes in the outdoor world. While I am gone, the best advice I can give to believe the world will be a better place is to spend some time browsing the amazing work and accomplishments of the nominees we have received so far for our Nau annual Grant 4 Change program - special people doing exceptional work to create positive change.
Make sure you vote and if you have a friend or colleague that is making a difference, get them in the mix with a nomination!
Cheers,
G
Dance Like No One Is Watching
July 17, 2009
A perfect post for a Friday! Remember that what you put out there is what you get back.
If you dance, they will come.
Crusade Against the Mundane
