Settling into SoCal life is finally starting to happen. I still haven't nailed down a job, but should know by Monday or Tuesday if I have a server position at a bar and grill in downtown Encinitas. On the journalism side of things, I spent the weekend in San Francisco attending a Professional Athlete Women's conference put on by The Stone Clinic in partnership with SheJumps.org. I can't express enough how motivational and inspiring it was for me to sit in the same room with 30+ women who all aspire to make a career out of skiing. I went more for the media networking aspect of the weekend, and I feel very accomplished with the contacts I made. I talked with editors from Ski, Ski Racing, ESPN the magazine and Athleta catalog just to name a few. Although I didn't walk away with a job (that would have been way too ideal), I did walk away with a handful of possible job opportunities to transpire in the future. The actual job I came out here to do has unfortunately dissolved. This unfortunate event has only made me that much more motivated to charge full speed ahead for writing and ski coverage opportunities this winter.
I've been spending my days pounding the pavement with resume in hand. It's a humbling experience to return to the days of restaurant and retail jobs. But as I explain daily, anything is better than no income, which is what I have had to face for the last eight months of my life post skiing accident.
I've been trying to get out on road bike rides and went on a nice ride yesterday. On the way I met an ultra-cyclist who works at a triathlon-geared bike shop here in town. In addition to being a great contact for ride routes, George will also be a good person to know for bike maintenance. Just the other night I got a flat. I ended up breaking spokes and paying $60 for a tune-up and rim repair. Perhaps next time I'll get a friendly discount. ;o)
I'm coming into my own with SoCal mentality. As most of you tell me, I already dress the part. Perhaps my most stylish accessory here has been my sunglasses. The new rage is the re-introduction of Ray-Ban's Wayfarers as well as Oakley's Frogskins. Or any other trendy, expensive pair of sporty shades for that matter. Challenging stereotypes and trends as always, I am sporting a pair of 1980-something Taiwan-made knock-offs of these old school, new school sunglasses. I'm nearly positive they came from the Steamboat Ski Area lost-and-found when the 'hostesses' now called 'ambassadors' got first dibs. Those were the days my mom came home with new shades, gloves and goggles for us daily. The frames are red with white arms. Naturally, I have tagged them with my rasta tape and they are now the coolest sunglasses around. I get compliments on them constantly. I can only accept and laugh at my re-invented rocking trend!
I'm off to the beach. Even though I only live one block away, I haven't been there in over a week because I only associate it with 'play.' I feel that I cannot just 'play' until I have a job and an income to justify my idle time. Wish me luck on the continued hunt!

Bless!

Hello from sunny SoCal!
My life is starting to get back to some normality. The other night I moved into my room and I feel right at home. I now live a block from the beach and just off Coast Highway 101. Yesterday I received my road bike, put it together and went on my first ride. I can't tell you how amazing it felt for me to feel the breeze of the ocean on my face while I got a good sweat in for the first time in three weeks!
The copy writing job I came out to work on is plugging right along. It is very mundane, so I am chomping at the bit to land a restaurant job that will help me financially and socially.
This weekend I am going to San Francisco for a professional women's conference put on at The Stone Clinic on behalf of Dr. Kevin Stone. I have known Dr. Stone throughout the years of being a U.S. Ski Team member, and more recently, part of the Director's Cup. There will be a handful of magazine editors there for me to meet and network with. I am eager to start proposing story ideas and get connected with such publications as Outside, ESPN and Ski Racing to name a few.
Wish me luck that I land the beginning of a dream job!
Best,
Brett

My first official blog from SoCal! I've been here a week and a half, and I couldn't be more elated about it. I've found a room I'll move into on the 15th, I'm hard at work with the job that got me out here and I'm eagerly awaiting to settle so I can ship bikes and borrow a surf board.
Since I've been here, I've been helping my good friend Adryan Ritter put together a show for well-know snowboard photographer Tim Zimmerman. The show was part of Travis Rice's, 'That's It, That's All' movie premiere which took place on Friday night in a swanky music/restaurant venue in downtown San Diego. The show went well, and Tim was able to display and sell some of the most epic prints from the most progressive snow movie I've ever seen. The movie crew was able to borrow the same camera that National Geographic uses. The clarity and color this camera captures trumps any other camera with no comparison.
The job with Adryan (which got me out here) has been going great. I am a copy writer for an e-commerce website, the-house.com. I am in charge of writing short product descriptions for the 10,000+ products they sell. Not only do I get to hone in on my writing style voice, it's also a healthy challenge for my vocabulary as well as a refresher for all the new technology and products currently flooding the action sports scene. It's a well-paying job on top of being open ended. We are working on back-stock items now, and within the next couple of weeks, the new website will be launching with all of the 2009 products to dive into.
Aside from that, I will work on a restaurant job as well as pursue freelance jobs for winter. I hope to establish myself as a traveling freelance writer covering various events, functions, etc.
The room I got is located in Leucadia, a small, funky community squished between Encinitas and Carlsbad. I'll be living with two older guys (thankfully) in an old, chill beach house. It's one block from the beach and what-will-be my new surf spot, Beacon's. I'm looking forward to getting back in the waves, and eventually getting my own board back out here.
Since I've been here I've met a ton of great people in the snowboard and skate industry. I've also met some great great people in the editorial and publishing world within the area. I feel that the more influential people I meet, the more opporunities will start to flow my way.
After riding my bike three to four days a week all summer long at home, I'm definitely missing my wheels as well as the exercise. I hope to get my road bike sent out in the next week. Pacific Coast Highway is right out my door and is chalk-full of road bikers during all hours of the day. I'll join a group ride or two, and settle in as an urban biker. I've also been invited to join a co-ed soccer league. Once I inherit my hand-me-down car from Adryan, I will be able to hit a game or two and get back into a sport I love so much but that I'm never healthy enough to play! On that note--I PROMISE you all that I will take it easy and not play like I'm a 17 year-old jock. I'll be so thankful to be back on the field that just getting to kick the ball will tickle my fancy. I've been going on short beach runs, and so far I haven't had any soreness in my pelvis or back from the impact. I realize that the soccer field is a different story and will be well aware of how aggressive I'm testing my body's soccer-playing capabilities.
The weather out here has been my best friend. As Adryan calls it, 'Groundhog Day' is just that, and it's fantastic! Every time I talk to someone back in Colorado, I get all giddy inside knowing that I'm not experiencing the recent change of temperature and change of leave color. As much as I love the beauty of changing seasons, my body is happy to continue soaking up the California sunshine.
I am now camera-less, and until I get some cash flow going, I won't be able to share my daily images with you all. Once I'm back to snapping shots, I'll be sure to share my new lifestyle with all of you.
I wish my best to each and all of you. I hope my blog finds everyone healthy and happy.
Until Brett's next ramble...
Peace and Love!
Brett