Everything up until the Blog started

Ideally, it would have been perfect to have started this blog as soon as I moved here, but unfortunately I was pretty much a poor ski bum and didn't have the resources to do so. Now I'm not saying that I make enough to do whatever I want whenever I want now, but I'm getting by alright. I have also realized that money is definitely not the most important thing out there, just a necessity to continue to enjoy the things you like. As far as jobs, I have worked for Deer Valley Resort, Skis on the Run, and now currently work for backcountry.com. These have all helped fuel my outdoor addiction in some way. As far as a "career", I obviously haven't made my mind up yet.
My view on working and job security is best described by a quote from Chris McCandless, from "Into the Wild." "So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit withing a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."
I have found this to be true so far, and though I am young a still a little naive, I believe this will remain true for me at least for many years to come. As far as feeding my adventurous spirit so far, I'll compile a little list of experiences to get you up to date so as this blog grows it will make sense to you. Here is a little "timeline" if you will for my Utah endeavor so far:

• Summer 05: I became a raft guide for a summer job. I didn't know this at the time, but this "job" (if you can call it that) would help shape the rest of my life. Obviously I have been an adventurous person for my entire life, but the experiences I had as a raft guide will never be forgotten. Fueled by a concern from my Dad to work during the summer instead of wakeboarding everyday, he put me into contact with Outdoor Adventure Rafting. I immediately took to rafting with a passion. Driving up for training every weekend during spring semester was my main motivation to get through the week. Not to sound cocky, but I was a natural. I graduated from my training class at the top and way before anyone else. This made for a little hostility between me and the others training, but they were a younger crowd anyway. I quickly jumped into the "senior guide" crowd of the Ocoee Raft Guides and had a blast. Rafting had it all: Outdoors, stupid fun, partying, kayaking, and a fun living environment. I was hooked and didn't want to leave.
• Winter 05: I somehow graduated from college in December 05. My only real motivation was to get out to keep the parents happy and also to be able to do something like rafting full time. 2 days after graduation, I headed out for Utah. I had lined up a job as a "Liftie" at Deer Valley Resort. In a nut shell, I lived in employee housing, blew off work whenever possible to go skiing, and partied a lot. I was miserable in my job. Deer Valley had filled my head with an awesome outlook to working there before leaving Auburn. I soon realized this was all a lie. I hated working there and quit within a month. My parents visited me over Christmas (Mom couldn't stand the idea of me being away for that). They had never seen me so miserable. Soon I told everyone at Deer Valley where to go and what to do and found a new job. I also moved out of employee housing with 2 friends from Auburn (one I didn't meet until in Utah). I started wirking for a company called Skis on the Run and loved it. I made pretty good money and got to ski literally everyday. I have also become good friends with Bryan and Alison who own the small company.
• Spring and Summer 06: Back to Tennessee for another rafting season
• Fall 06: Back to Utah for another ski season. I worked for Skis on the Run again and lived with a buddy I talked into coming out from the river. Yet again, I skied literally almost everyday putting in over 90 ski days. I also began backcountry skiing, which has taken over my skiing activities. I still ski resorts, but I get out into the backcountry whenever possible.
• Spring 07:This year I decided to stay in Utah for the summer as well, awaiting the next ski season. The rafting company I worked for was being run very poorly and I was ready for something a little different. I got lucky and got a job very quickly with Backcountry.com as a "gear expert". My experiences with the outdoors and the knowledge of the gear for them that I had gained through doing them finally paid off in the form of cash. I was getting paid to basically answer questions about outdoor gear over the internet. My dog Mickey and my girlfriend Bri also moved to Park City. We had previously dated through the rafting seasons and now are dating once again.
  
• Summer 07: I moved into a sweet condo with some friends from out in Kamas ( a town close by) and began working from home. Now I answered gear questions, but from the comfort of my own home. Mickey had a hard time adjusting, especially when I got a new puppy. I got Lily the rottweiler shortly after moving and Mickey was having a really hard time. After attacking 5 different people (including myself) and then attacking the new puppy, unfortunately it was time for him to find a new home. I got lucky and found an older couple in Salt Lake that took him in. I miss him, but he will be happy with his new family and home.
  
• So that pretty much brings you up to date on my life so far in Utah. Obviously there are tons of details and awesome stories left out, but more will come soon. Bri and I are still together and very happy. Lily is doing great and growing very fast.