Oh... OR

The Outdoor Retailer show comes twice a year and it is probably the event that I both look forward to and dread equally. For me it is a place of contradiction in many forms and unfortunately this year I didn't handle the lack of sleep, constant stimulus and personal expectations of what I am supposed to do at the show very well at all. Unfortunately it is those closest to me that suffer the wrath of this complicated headspace. It is important to learn from these weak moments - life challenges, acknowledge weaknesses and work to be better the next go around.


On the positive side I got to run each morning with friends from the industry, participate in the "stupidest thing on earth" (according to Andy JW) Uphill Challenge; which he followed by saying that he would definitely return to and check in with friends I see only at the show. Ben and I got out for an evening of climbing at the new "Momentum" gym and on another night we hung out in the Little America parking lot longboarding - both good distractions.


I am happy to be home now and home for a couple of weeks. I haven't been here for more than three days since the middle of June when I left for Western States. (perhaps that has something to do with the lack of energy for OR) It has been a whirlwind couple of months and I am looking forward to some time here to catch up with friends, find a rhythm, pick blackberries and enjoy the northwest.