time to move on....

well, today i had a troubly question hanging over my head.

I recently applied to a job up in MT that I thought I was sure I really really wanted, giving me a lot less time to play. Still, I would have to finish my research up for my Masters, present at a few conferences (by the way, whos around Seattle for Halloween?) and possibly lead some more research this fall as part of my committment.

So here it is...I make a decent amount of money to go to school, and yes, thats what I do for a living, but it really does nothing for my future savings and actually puts me in a hole. Or I could take a job being paid a hell of alot more but with all the negatives that are associated with work. There are positives but c'mon now...work is overrated.

So today as I walked home from working out I pondered this wuestion of what to do. And as I walked by the COmmon Ground office, its a NPO that helps disabled people get into the outdoors, i thought about helping out. Why not since I am out there all the time. But I walked by the first door thinking, " Is that how I want to get into the outdoors?"

"Thats lame"..I thought to myself and walked to the front doors and popped inside.

After a few minutes of discussion I signed up to be a leader for backpacking trips, a helper on white water rafting trips, a canoe man, a leader for day hikes, and so forth and so on.

Answer to my question...I'll stay in poverty and not take 3x as much money, play as much as I do now, if not more, give back to some people in this world who are less fortunate than most of us, feel better about this world since it is in such a mess right now, and continue my research and a few other experiments through at least March.

I already feel better about myself and the world. Partially because I have not read any news today. I have one concern....anybody in the Logan/ SLC area that has river guiding experience and would want to volunteer their time rafting the Sanke and a few other rivers??? If so..PM me and I can give you more info....or, if you are interested in all the other exciting adventures the Common Ground does, do the same.


Peace

congrats Stoy...way to be the solution instead of more pollution!
btw...ive got some killer trails picked out if you wanna come up for a ride this summer.

Props dood. Taking the path of the heart.
Spooky in Seattle? Yup, most likely.

Nice, Stoy. One of the most satisfying things I ever did was help run a pro bono summer camp for childeren with cancer. Every moment was fun, meaningful, and really freaking cool.

Some things are worth so much more than $$.

What a selfish asshole.

you can't do both? I am, though mine is court appointed. the volunteering, that is.

Way to go dude.

I volunteered teaching skiing to disabled kids for a couple of years and I also volunteer on the crisis lines where ever I am living. Contributing something back to people less fortunate than yourself feels good and when it involves outdoor pursuits, there is nothing like watching someone grin from ear to ear when they get on a pair of skis or in a raft or hike to a mountain top for the first time. It truly makes you realize how wonderful life can be.

Without realizing or intending it, you get far more than you give.

Stoy... you seem to have it all figured out. What's the secret?

Congrats man, that sounds very rewarding. Way to put life in perspective, too. I volunteered one season on Sundays my freshman year in Boulder at Eldora and spent time with Eldora Special Recreation Program. Work may be a bit tough at times, but to see those kids and adults reactions riding the chairlifts and coming down the mountain- really gave a lot of satisfaction that I was able to share something I truely enjoyed with others less fortunate.

Good Luck! And Seattle, Halloween, yep- I'll be here!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Stoysluttie1
[B]
I recently applied to a job up in MT that I thought I was sure I really really wanted.


Did they offer you the job? I know when we last talked up at Alta you had applied but I didn't hear if they offered it. If they did offer it I would say it's a no brainer. take the job and volunteer in Montana. I don't know your specific circumstances but you can't pass up on the Y-club if you have a chance. My .02.
It is refreshing though to hear about people volunteering for those less fortunate and for that my hats off to you.

Quote:

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Originally posted by skibe
you can't pass up on the Y-club if you have a chance. My .02.
[/B]

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WHOA..... change of opinion. after hearing of the Yellowstove Clubs involvement..
Go North young man....the lifties there told me that the powder doesnt last as long as it used to, but it still lasts about -7 days after a storm.
still nice to see you taking the road less traveled, but that place is still undeveloped, and when it is it will rival Vail in size, AND have better terrain.

http://www.eaglemount.org/

Check out this place Stoy. Its one of the first outdoor volunteer programs i thought of here. It's pretty big and popular for MT standards.

Wow. Thats really cool and definitely not taking the easy way, even though it may appear so.

So do I qualify to be Common Ground student?

What a wonderful choice!

Never in my life have I been as challenged and as fulfilled as when I guided.

Good choice. There's always time to take a job that is killing you. Some of my happiest time was teaching something I loved to people, and not making any money. Go where your heart is.

drC

Quote:

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Originally posted by Jiffy
WHOA..... change of opinion. after hearing of the Yellowstove Clubs involvement..
Go North young man....the lifties there told me that the powder doesnt last as long as it used to, but it still lasts about -7 days after a storm.
still nice to see you taking the road less traveled, but that place is still undeveloped, and when it is it will rival Vail in size, AND have better terrain.

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ditto ... almost ... not quite sure what to think mang

Congrats though on coming to a decision and being at peace with it; many people spend their whole life trying to find that. Enjoy dude!! Only you know what's in your heart.

Git sum!!

P.S. You better be out touring; it has been off the hook since Thursday :D

Wow, good on you stoy!

The job hasn't been offered to me just yet. I am in the running though.

There are a few more things to consider.

Negs

1) leaving my best friend in Logan, which isn't all that bad since it is only about 5 hours away
2) Complicating my life until the end of November basically working two jobs...which we all know what that means...less time to play.
3) Leaving a good group of friends here...just to find a good group of friends there.
4) leaving the BC and Snowbasin
5) Leaving my lifestyle here in Logan...hell, I just got invited to do a week in Desolation Canyon
6) Leaving some photographers I am working with
7)Work...its overrated.
8) Leaving my riding crew behind

Positives

1) more money..but thats not what I am about
2) Possibly, and it is a possibly, being able to ski a place that hardly anyone skis...and being th eonly one probably to ski the more tech lines and drop cliffs
3) beginning my career
4) moving on to a new and exciting place
5) being closer to Canada for when the world turns against America
6) doing what I love...well, i do that now and love it just as much


So its more than what the cover shows. I think staying here is the right option for now...unless they offer the job to me, then, and only then, will I really have to sit down with Jen and talk things over more seriously.

Thanks everyone....I'll let you know

Stoy, I will be in touch with you soon. I have been doing some major struggling in my life right now and have some questions and comments for you and hopefully vice versa.

I would love to talk to you soon over a nice glass on lemonade on a beautiful sunny day and shoot the shit.

Alex, I need someone to talk to. Someone like you. I am reaching out for the first time in a long time.

Ron

$.01....
take the job Stoy and get a career going that will let you
1) live where you want
and 2) ski when & where you want

having the finances and career skills will let you choose your worktime around your mountain-time :cool: