How we would like to say that we were sick, incapacitated or in Tahiti, but no such luck. Taking a bit of a vacation this week, we spent the better part of the morning staying offline and reading Yvon Chouinard's new book, "Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman" which is totally remarkable and inspirational.
Little did we know that our unfinished post had jumped up by itself.
We'll get back to work now, but we really recommend checking out this book if you interested in business and the environment, and want food for thought in the new year.
This looks just like what my soul needs right now. Thank you for the recommendation!
BTW, I'm currently reading the copy of Apartment Therapy that I ordered, and loved the introduction. Your story about how you first became an "apartment therapist" was very engaging.
It also helped me to feel less guilty about being a house owner here on your blog. Somehow, I felt like a bit of a party crasher. The thing is, I'm not a mommy-type with kids and dogs who owns a house. I'm part of the wave of women who struggle to buy a house of their own as a way of establishing their independence and some personal sanctuary. Looking forward to starting the cure!
When are we getting new posts? These cheater year-end reposts aren't keeping me entertained on this slow work-week between holidays....!!!!!!!
I'm bored too. Some of us are stuck at the office this week and are wishing we had AT to help us muddle through.
Yvon Chouinard is an amazing guy, and Patagonia is a great company. He has a wonderful manifesto posted online called "Don't Buy This Shirt" that criticizes consumer culture and urges us not to buy clothes from him (or anyone) unless we really need them. If you're stuck at the office like me, it's worth checking out:
http://www.changethis.com/10.DontBuyThisShirt
My entrepreneur fiance swears by this book and all it represents, can't wait to read!
Hmmmm... I see Chouinard is highly critical of well-known leaders of public companies... but his own company remains private, so it isn't accountable to shareholders for results, and there's no way to measure the impact of his ideals on the company's performance, or even to compare Patagonia to its competitors.
"Don't Buy This Shirt" strikes me as incredibly disingenuous -- his entire business depends on people paying a premium for equipment for leisure activities, which are hardly necessities of survival.