So the good news is that I wasn’t in the hospital for long at all. Though first…
I was in Salt Lake last week for a quick trip to see a new client… a movie producer/ski instructror/ex-fireman…yeow... and to check the site progress for our upcoming raising for Mark Tracy, who just emailed me, “Thanks Jonathan. You and New Energy Works certainly have turned this project 180 degrees and made it fun again. You are always welcome in our guest bedroom once it is ready for guests.” I think Mark, you live in arguably the finest ski and mountain bike terrain on earth, be careful of such offers! (The sad story of his comment about turning the project around is one of those frustrating ones that gives the building process its well-deserved black eyes). Check our raisings page in a couple of more weeks when we post the specific day if you want to join us.
Dinner and more business with my friend Ashley of the Green Building Center
But mostly I went to ski with old friend John Abrams, of South Mountain Company. John admits to being pathologically optimistic. About pretty much everything. Over the years John has helped me to see passed the daily dusty details and figure things are gonna work out fine.
His book, “The Company We Keep,” is the story of his own journey with SMC and business, and can make a believer of any cynic. Business, in an atmosphere of thoughtful regulatory guidance from a logical gov’t structure, is perhaps our best last hope of major social change and help. John’s thoughtful attitudes regarding community responsibility, company participation and ownership, and product quality (in this case 30 years of amazing design/build projects,) make it a favorite business read.
And he can ski. We did Snow Basin , that big place near Ogden
Freak accident for most, a bit too typical for me, I fear. Funny thing was an hour later at a mid mountain stop, I looked down at my shin and noticed a torn pant. Then I noticed the red. Then the squishing noise from the boot. When later I wondered aloud why there wasn’t more pain, and why I hadn’t noticed the bleeding sooner, the patroller who was taking me down on a toboggan said crisply, “Those nerves never had a chance.” Thirty stitches later and I’m ready to ski again!
Ever go down an Olympic ski run in a toboggan? It’s unsettling, but comfy and womb-like. Couldn’t resist shooting the enroute adventure. Those guys looked like they were having WAY too much fun, given my dire straits. Sheesh.
I had assumed this was going to be difficult. I figured that I would be exhausted. I thought that there would be a fair share of simple hard work. I’m not sure I knew how exhausting.