A guy named Joe

About a month ago, I attended a trade show for the promotional products industry. As I walked the shrunken show, I was alerted to a good friend of mine's presence. I walked up, offered a hand shake as is custom, and assimilated into conversation on mundane, unimportant topics such as water bottles and incentive programs. Somewhere along the way, maybe 2-3 minutes into our chat, Joe turned to me in an almost complexion erasing phrase, saying 'I was diagnosed with colon cancer this morning.'

Dammit, the C word. Kinda came from left field and sucker-punched me. Not something I remotely anticipate to hear during these casual encounters. Damn Joe, I'm sorry bro...

Almost 6 weeks later, I visited Joe at his home. His surgery was successful and he looked great, smiling the broad smile and trying hard not to laugh (keeping the staples in!) at the jesting I can't help but engage in. We talked about politics, faith, and what was next. That was the part that inspired me - What was next? He isn't done yet, and it reminded me that neither am I. Keep moving forward and put to bed the ill thoughts that come with a diagnosis ubiquitous with dark clouds and clinical failures. His spirits soaring and his mind and tongue sharp, I looked at Joe with admiration and respect.

It's coming up on hunting season. Time for us to retreat into the woods and desert our cushy life in the metro area. This season, I'll be thankful for my health, and inspired by Joe's courage and resolve, and remember not to take life for granted. It's the old cliche that you don't miss what you have till its gone. Somehow I think you all will understand.

Having an opinion...

An acquaintance recently posted a statement online about the recent 'Tea Party' events being 'idiocy.' I sat long and hard thinking of this statement of opinion. Is he right? Or are the participants in the town square on the right path? What I should realize here is that both have an opinion, and that is what makes our country great. We can voice our pleasure or discontent without fear of recourse (as far as we know) and assemble in public free from fear of being incarcerated. I needed a few hours to settle down and not think of this one person's opinion as being somewhat righteous, but rather a product of who this person is. And that's alright.

Here is something to have an opinion on:

Grey wolves are responsible for 18 dead sheep and more injured in Eastern Oregon.
Grey wolves will be removed from the ESA but not in Oregon.
Ranchers are angry at their loss.
Many people support the wolf population being protected.
Wolves are indigenous to Oregon but extirpated in the last century by human interest.
ODFW is attempting to balance all interests in this debate through ODFW's Wolf Conservation and Management Plan.

Educate yourself to the fullest, then mold your opinion, and don't be so arrogant to believe that maybe, just maybe, your opinion could change.

Monkeys, Signs, and The News

Portland is buzzing with the sound of monkeys being liberated from an OHSU facility. The crafty primates found freedom to their liking and heightened the public hysteria over these long-tailed leapers. As the test subjects caroused the hoods in Beaverton, citizens have been alerted to their dangerous nature as they could bite an unsuspecting passer-by, or perhaps throw a fecal delicacy at their primate-like human counterpart. The news, bless their investigative and protective hearts, is alive with fulfilling their obligation to the public. Asking such difficult questions as - "What should you do in case of a fecal splattering?" - "Where could the monkeys possibly be found?" - "What were the monkeys last seen wearing?" - or my favorite, "Could we truly see 5 monkeys jumping on the bed?"

The White Stag, er, Made in Oregon, er Randy Leonard/City of Portland Tax Initiative sign in PDX is the subject of considerable debate. In one corner stands the city itself, looking to stake claim to this marketing real estate for the good of the public of course. U of O stands in yellow & green trunks in the opposite corner, wishing to perpetuate their brand (see NIKE) further among the commoners. The news loves it. Hell, the monkeys can play on it, too! Why not put that rock from China up there next to it. Do you know how many people increased their civic pride when Ms. Katz unloaded that slab o' geologic wonder in downtown? I am sure the sign will have the same effect. In spirit, I have a few sign campaigns to start:

Portland - City of Potholes and one big Rock

or

Portland - Unsustainable Public Retirement!

or

Portland - It's for your own good.

or

Come for the Mayor, stay for the monkeys!


Can you tell I am under the weather?

Big Ego, Big Collapse

I am not sure if I am correct in my opinion here, but it is my opinion at the moment. The collapse of GI Joe's and Sportsman's Warehouse has less to do about the current market conditions than it does the bullheaded attitudes retail heads take when growth periods occur. Stop listening and providing your customers what they truly desire and suffer the consequences. Focus on rapid expansion at the expense of your solvency and be handed your fortune. True, market conditions exasperated the demise, but in the case of both organizations we observe the following critical mistakes:

Joe's - Poor merchandising throughout, inconsistency among stores, high pricing models and the typical retail 'big stick' when dealing with suppliers. Who's left holding the bill? - The supply chain, ancillary services, lessor, employees, etc., but Norm Daniels walked away paid in full in '07. It's no secret (after last week's financial disclosures) that these entities were stringing the supply chain to its limit and posturing for a distressed, well heavily damaged, sale to bail them out.

Sportsman's - Excellent store, poor methods. Living in salmon/steelhead country (OR,WA) and visiting my local store in Vancouver in January, I couldn't buy a steelhead float (they were sold out for 2 months), but the bass (you know, that warm water, runny-nose kid) section was 3 lanes wide and stocked full! Hey Stu, great purchasing model! Maybe if you paid attention to the geography and local interest things would be different. Oh, and you didn't need 92 stores. Focus on who you can serve best, not how many you can serve - like limit building a store across from Cabela's - they were barely breaking even with their footprint, how did you expect to take market share and do better? See Home Depot vs. Lowe's. Not working out so well either.

I know I am being a bit harsh, but I can't help it. Just putting up a store in a growth area using a generic retail stocking formula derived by an algorithm in the back room of Geek Squad's campus isn't always a recipe for success. Look, these companies were in trouble far before the recent derived economic 'crisis' our bankers and politicians created. They have been leveraged to the hilt with the thought that borrowing would get them out their recent troubles, when it only exponentially destroyed their ability to survive. Not a sustainable model folks. Sounds like Washington right now, huh? The analogy isn't far off.

THE GOOD NEWS!

My favorite entities, the mom-and-pop shops, local retailer, and specialized merchants should see their business increase. These small stores generally service their customer better, know more about the locale, and deliver a good customer experience that the big box guy always strives for but rarely makes good on. And of course, a direct-to-consumer company like 20sub3 will benefit as well!

The Spice Trade

If any of the conspiracy theorists are correct, the monetary system as we know it is steamrolling towards a designed collapse. Somehow, a portion of me has become sympathetic to this ideology. As news media sensationalizes outrage over AIG bonuses, we the people continue on day to day, considering the status of our employment, our families well being, etc. We look at cutting luxuries and removing unnecessary expenses. Establishing a budget, something we used to consider unnecessary, is now mandatory. Considering a dollar worthless - now that's scary.

In Columbus' time gold and silver were dreams of grandeur - romantic thoughts that were rarely realized but often sought. True trade was performed with spices, like salt and pepper, items today of little worth, but perhaps we should not look past these luxuries just yet.

Let's consider if a world financial collapse occurs, bringing chaos and martial law. Trade with foreign countries could halt, and staples of sustenance like rice, wheat, and corn may see scarcity known now only to third world countries. Our ability to tend to a crop and harvest animals to survive may actually become paramount. Now, all of a sudden, a hunter is looked at differently by the majority of society. A fisherman is no longer a sportsman, but a skilled provider of nutrition for the family.

If I have a point here, it is for us to realize that our recreational desires outdoors have real world application, especially if the s$%t hits the fan. We may become the ones looked to for guidance and direction, rather than being dictated guidance and direction from government. Left with such uncertainty, salt and pepper may become the luxury we seek, and the fish and game on the table a treat to be savored.

Beacon Rock No Longer A Beacon?

http://www.columbian.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090311/SPORTS...

This is a shame. This geologic wonder is a short drive from the metro area, a great place for a family hike, and a seasonal climbing hot spot. My family and I have ascended this volcanic neck numerous times, gaining great vistas from it's peak and absorbing the history of the surroundings. Lewis and Clark were awestruck my this monolith as well, and to consider it being mothballed saddens me deeply. Perhaps private industry could be hired to manage this natural wonder?

Stimuli & A Limerick

Frustration is best served by drifting a presentation through a seam and watching your indicator dart through the surface, breaking the tension of anticipation and propelling you into a dramatic dance of wills with a steelhead. That, to me, is a stimulus. Something that moves you into action, providing a pulse of life and sustained activity. What I am reading amongst congress and the media is only stimulating empty talk and negative emotions, driving some to duck and cover, hiding away from the world and admitting defeat. I suggest we hike up our britches and begin stimulating ourselves into action. But I digress...

I was reminded tonight that only 22 weeks separates us from the obsession of archery elk and deer season in our neck of the woods. Wow, could it really be only that far off? Have I been that consumed this winter with thoughts of metalfish? So what are we doing to get ready? I should be running 20 miles per week, climbing 4000 feet on weekends, and practicing at the range to be a better shot. Instead, I am sitting on the couch with my beautiful wife, eating buttery popcorn and talking to my dog in puppy language. This is pathetic. I promise to get back to it Saturday. Really, I will. No, really!

So let's see - What else can we do to get ready? Well, turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) need to be thinned this spring, as do burgeoning bear (Ursus americanus) populations across the north west. Coyotes (Canis latrans) are fair game, as are other predator species in specific areas. I call it cross training. While each of these species is different and unique in method, all are hunted and place the hunter in his or her primal environment. We have desires and favorites no doubt, which should be honored and cherished, however we may look to increasing our activity in the woods outside of the habitual species and gain knowledge and understanding of others which can only sharpen our skills and increase our odds over time.

Beyond the aforementioned topics of alternative game species, give a chance to some alternative training techniques as well. Try a martial art to develop balance and focus, yoga to decrease injury and stimulate dormant body functions. Perhaps swimming to assist your cardio, and even something as simple as walking to build stamina and endurance. Remember, starting now, and in slow intervals building over the next 5 months, and your entire season could be that much more enjoyable. Not only will these help you, but remember that your daily schedule should be adjusted to reflect your sleep patterns during the hunting season, going so far as to limit night time sleep to 6 hours with a short nap during the day. I know, maybe I am nuts, but during climbing season I do just that. Perhaps it is more mental masturbation than anything, but it seems to work for me.

Tonight, I leave you with a limerick (it's almost St. Pat's after all!)

There once was a fellow named Jerry,
Who as a meat packer was quite contrary,
His wit was quite sharp,
Shot his arrows like darts,
And was best known for an antelope still roaming the prairie...

And I will pay for that one...