On Monday, Rustin shared Tellason with you– a denim company that produces stylish, durable jeans that are sourced, cut, & sewn right here in the U.S. of A. In continuation of the “think global, act local” fashion theme, I’d like to share with you “Sidewalks.” We love when friends have new, creative, ideas– and we love to enrich your lives by passing them on!

Chelsey Ann is a Denver local and talented young fashion designer. Sometime late April she’ll be launching Sidewalks: a website that features the street-wear styles of everyday people. The idea is similar to LookBook in that it offers a resource for people to discover new trends in fashion. What differentiates Sidewalks, however, is the photos posted will not be taken of obscure occupants of a distant region. Instead, they’ll be candid shots of YOU, Denver! Chelsey Ann, the creative genius behind the site, is on a mission. She will be sacrificing sleep, privacy [and possibly her liver], to become your personal paparazzi. Chelsey will be taking it to the streets of Denver to catch all of you fashion-forward folks in your best-dress. Then, she’ll post photos of you for the world to see, judge, and impersonate.

That’s not all, though. The best part? After your leather jacket/sun dress/Chuck Taylors combo hits the world wide web, this fashionista will break down the outfit for readers. She’ll offer finely tuned art-school commentary on the styles and provide direct links to similar (if not the same) pieces online! You’ll be able to pick up new unique styles without spending your weekends hanging out in front of City O  City- waiting to stalk the hipster you just saw walk in wearing those ambiguously labeled “perfect jeans.”

Here’s an example of what’s to come:

Well it’s official: It’s Spring. One of the best parts about the state of Colorado is the ridiculous number of days we see sunshine every year (see even MORE awesome things about Colorado here), and we are entering the sunniest stretch. While I’m sure many of you are sad to see the snow melt away, just as many are likely ready for warm weather (I’ll admit- it is nice to venture outside without donning a “Michelin Man” outfit).

One of my favorite parts of the change in season is cruising through the streets of downtown: sun on my face, wind in my hair. And I know– as the temp continues to rise, so does the appeal of your air conditioned auto, but I’m writing you today to remind you of the joy of riding a bike.

Do you remember being a kid, riding around your town or neighborhood? Racing your friends… maybe traffic (what, just me?)… Before you had a drivers license. There was pure elation in those moments.

Too many people think of bicycling as a mere means of transportation, or a form of exercise. Both of these associations carry a negative connotation in society today. And while it’s true, a bicycle can get you from A to B and make you huff and puff, it’s also downright fun. (Although, to state the obvious: you will save precious ozone and denero between point A & B, and you miiiiiight shed some o’ that cottage cheese clinging to your ass in the process. Minor pluses… I suppose…)

Now you may be thinking: “I don’t own a bike and they’re expensive.”
But you don’t have to have the newest, flashiest, 42 speed with cappuccino maker and 7″ handlebar LCD installed. Besides, that shit is gettin’ stolen. A bicycle does not have to be pricey, and it should never be pretentious. It should merely be an expression of yourself. If you want something that can go back and forth from trail to road– get a used mountain bike. If you only plan to bar-hop in the flats of downtown (as fast as your .14 BAC permits)– build a single speed. Then spray paint it. Pick up some tassels. Make it you.

If you’re still not sold on buying something, the geniuses at Denver B Cycle made a bike as easy to get your hands on as a Red Box movie. Rent one.

A final incentive to get pedaling is the notion that the bicycle is the most efficient machine man-kind has ever created. In fact: the energy efficiency of a bicycle has been estimated to be the equivalent of the average car doing 1,600 miles on a gallon of gas. And that’s pretty awesome.

So, now that I’ve planted the seed, water it. See if it grows on you. If it doesn’t, no biggie– your car is still in it’s spot.

- Ches Sheridan Arms

Today is the start of something great. It’s the first day of a beautiful tradition that celebrates ones masculinity and machismo…
“Do boys start puberty in the spring?” you may ask…
Well, probably. A mustache induced hormonal reaction anyway. Because all the real men around them are now sporting caterpillar lips and walking around with swagger…
That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, it’s Mustache March.

Many greats have sported the stud-stache. Tom Selleck, Geraldo Rivera, Alex Trebek, Salvador Dali, Charlie Chapman, and Yosemite Sam– to name a few. And many lesser have donned the butt-broom, molestache, or some variation thereof… but let’s not be “that guy.”

While no one expects you to stand tall next to these gods among men, this third month of every year allows you the opportunity to show the world the raw and unequivocal power of your upper lip.

The ‘ol soup-strainer is so mighty, in fact, that it has inspired men across the country to use it for a cause. Is it merely an excuse to rock ferociously phallic facial hair? Probably. But the cause is good.

Rather than put on an event, run a race, or bake some cookies, the idea behind this is a TCMBC, or “Temporary Cultural Movement for the Benefit of Charity.” The official movement donates money to The MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer) and more hilarious information can be found at http://www.mustachemarch.com/. I fully encourage getting involved in the cause; however I, myself, will be growing simply for the verility…

As for the females reading this post, don’t fret! Even if a combination of fish oil and black-market stallion steroids wont grow ya a dick-duster, there are companies out there determined to help. Try The Hot Pink Mustache on for size! They’ve got mustaches designed just for you

So gentlemen, get your shave on. And ladies- fair warning: your mans libido will increase tenfold this month. Prep your loins.

Let the bash begin!

- Ches Sheridan Arms

My writing process typically begins with 5-15 open tabs in my browser– the majority of which are completely unrelated to one another. I read a little of this one, I scan that one for a second. I will probably mosey on over to Facebook or my email at some point.

As I was thinking about the unorganized manner in which I approach my writing I started to wonder what habits stifle creativity, and what habits encourage it to flow freely into words on a page (so to speak).
I sat down to compose a post for you on a riveting topic (something to look forward to next week!). Poetically, however, my  creative process lead me to stumble upon this cool little video. The music is different… but the animations and ideas are rad.
Enjoy:

What is your creative process? What do you do to encourage creativity?

- Ches Sheridan Arms

“You’re not your job. You’re not how much money you have in the bank. You’re not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet. You’re not your fucking khakis. You’re the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world. ”

Ok, so maybe Tyler Durden’s soap box is a bit too tall for me to stand on, but what he’s getting at here truly resonates with me– as I’m sure it does for many of you. The notion is: Don’t let your social status or your possessions dictate who you are.
However, Tyler’s last sentence here implies we cannot do this because we are no better than anyone else. I beg to differ. I strive to do better and be better every day. And in many instances, I believe we can be better by possessing less.

A while back I was geeking out on Mashable(a website that covers digital culture, social media, and technology news) and ran across an article titled 4 Big Trends for the Future of Sustainable Tech. The whole article is awesome and I highly recommend the quick read, but #3 on the list really caught my attention. The concept is “Micro-Living,” and the idea behind it is that we can reduce, or do away with, much of the material goods we accumulate in our lives.

Think of a goldfish in a bowl. If you put a tiny goldfish in a big bowl, it will fatten up and grow to the size of it’s environment.
If you put a perfectly content human in a big space, they find themselves yearning for “things.” They will seek to fill that space– unnecessarily.

I, like many of you out there, am in the job market. There are many questions that arrise when headed down this road: “Do I have the necessary experience?”… “Will this salary support my lifestyle?”… “Could I get away with ‘dancing’ for a little while longer? You know- have some fun… pay off the school loans…” (<–What? No one else?)

But how many of you have seriously asked yourselves: “Would I be willing to relocate?”

I’ve recently asked myself this question and come to realize: No, given the choice, I would not relocate (for work or otherwise).
The state of Colorado is one of the greatest places in our country.
Sure, if given the opportunity to work our dream job in Fiji, most of us would probably jump ship. But let’s be realistic- 40k a year for a middle-management position in Mianus, CT… no thanks. I’ll keep my anus in Denver.

Some of us, however, get in ruts. We begin to think “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” A common theme in my posts to you has been finding contentment, and in continuation of that theme, I’d like to share with you 10 Reasons Colorado  is GREAT:

1. Colorado ranks as the nation’s fifth-best state for business and careers in the latest annual report by Forbes, posted November of 2011. So stick it out, job hunters!
   
2. Colorado consistently ranks in the top 10 healthiest and slimmest states in the country. There’s so much to do! Plus, walking anywhere west of Denver means going up hill.
3. Denver was named the 13th best city for singles by Forbes.com in 2009. We have the thinnest, most attractive young professionals. Look in the mirror… you’re probably getting laid tonight.
4. Boulder is the most educated city in America. Colorado is one of the most educated states. It’s everywhere online… Google it.
5. Colorado gets over 300 days of sunshine every year– the most clear-sky days of any state.
6. Denver is the top city for bicyclists according to Bicycle Magazine and the Huffington Post. One more reason we’re not fat.
   Moreover, I’d like to share: I have ridden a bicycle on both coasts and in many different states. In California you get flipped off and run off the roads. On the east coast you can’t breath from the smog or people assume you’re poor. Colorado is the only state where drivers will slow down for you and wave. Shit- in Boulder they’ll stop at a convenience store and circle back around with gatorade.
7. We’ve got Colfax. In addition to all the different aswesome “scores” you can make within a single-block radius, Colfax is the longest continuous street in America.
8. The Colorado Rockies. Sure, we’ve had some good baseball years, but I’m talking about our mountains. People from all over the world save for years and spend thousands of dollars to ski and snowboard where we do any day we fancy.
9. Colorado loves good beer and has has more breweries per capita than any other state in the U.S.
10. Denver is the sixth happiest city in the country according to market research performed by the fast-food giant McDonalds.

BONUS: COLORADO HAS YOU! The communities within this fine state are filled with healthy, intelligent, open-minded, friendly people.

 What more could you want from your home?

- Ches Sheridan Arms

Today, thousands of sites around the internet will cease operation (“go dark”) in protest of SOPA– the Stop Online Piracy Act. With the internet so integrated into our lives, anything that will drastically change it, will drastically alter our way of life as well. Because of this, I think it’s important to have some level of understanding of what the SOPA and PIPA acts are poised to do.

Now, I know you’ve all been inundated with status updates, emails, and articles talking about this potential internet game-changer. If you’re anything like me, once a certain topic starts to blow up your news feeds, you start reading around it– unconsciously dismissing it as “SPAM.” SO- I tracked down a short little video produced by the hilarious Matthew Inman over at The Oatmeal (if you aren’t familiar- The Oatmeal is a little website filled with comics and other hilarity discussing current issues).

For those of you who hate sitting down to read an article, or simply don’t have time, this is a laughable 1 1/2 minute crash course on this controversial issue:

I’ll be the first one to admit that this is an extremely partisan overview. But, isn’t that the point of something this controversial– to take a side? A strong position?

If you disagree with this video and feel SOPA/PIPA could create positive change, I implore you: Share your thoughts and point of view!!!

After all- that is what the anti-SOPA stance is all about: freedom of expression!

Below is another video that goes into much more depth. I wanted to include it for those auditory/visual learners who do have some time to get their knowledge on but don’t feel like reading another article. I also encourage further reading at http://americancensorship.org/. And be sure to check out their nifty infographic HERE.

- Ches Sheridan Arms

___________________________________

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

Age 0-20 is spent growing- molding yourself into the person whom you want to live the rest of your life as. Age 60-80 is spent in useless dying. Age 20-60 is spent with useful potential. 1/3 of that is wasted sleeping. 1/3 of that is wasted at a job. This leaves 1/3 of 40 years free, which is about 15 years (rounding optimistically up). 1/3 of that is wasted on chores and obligations.
That leaves 10 years in which to live. Not 80 like you thought. That is why life seems so short. It is short.

A few weeks ago I wrote a post titled Living In the Moment. It discussed the notion that we are all so busy in life we rarely take the time to “stop and smell the roses.” After considerable contemplation of this conception I’ve come to some conclusions:

• Most people I know consider me “time challenged.” Why?
• It’s not that I don’t respect other people’s time, it’s that I sincerely respect my own.
• I value the quality of my time at any one moment much more than I value having it allocated as “efficiently” as possible to accommodate those around me.

I know I’m not alone. Do you associate with these conclusions as well?
Perhaps you disagree entirely and perceive my conclusions to be selfish.

This week, I’d like to continue my musings on the topic of [thoroughly enjoying your] time while introducing you to the concept of Monocronic Vs Polychronic senses of time. The link I listed here talks more about individual senses of time and it’s an excellent little explanation of the concept. However, In 1959 a famous anthropologist, Edward T. Hall, originally introduced the theory in regards to cultures around the world.

• Monochronic cultures are cultures in which individuals structure and schedule their activities in a linear fashion, based on clarity of purpose, and economic progress. “Time is money.”
• Polychronic cultures tend to be more fluid and less structured. Having several projects running at the same time (multi-tasking) is both natural and stimulating, and people are put before punctuality.

Monochronic culture runs the Western World. That’s not to say that everyone is a monochron — far from it. But life, work, and society are organized according to monochronic principles. Conversely, in Mexico, Latin-America, and many parts of Africa & Europe the culture as a whole is considered polychronic.

Personally, I am a Polychron (with a few monochronic tendencies). It’s likely that you associate with one column of the chart above more than the other. I wanted to share this with you because I believe it can teach you a lot about yourself, including how you fit into the world and how you get along with others.

Moreover, I’m sharing because (as illustrated above) life is short. By understanding how we perceive time perhaps we can learn how to get the most fulfillment from it. Anyone can “stop and smell the roses”– but some people only truly enjoy their aroma when it doesn’t interfere with any of their other carefully laid plans. Others find greater satisfaction when they randomly stumble upon the roses and put all lesser obligations on hold.

How do you best enjoy the smell of life’s roses?

- Ches Sheridan Arms

A couple weeks ago I wrote a post entitled “3 Easy Ways to Improve Your Shred this Winter.” The 3rd bullet point discussed being more environmentally conscious about our actions surrounding skiing and snowboarding. I re-read this post recently and it got me thinking: there is a lot I do, unconsciously, that contributes to my carbon footprint.

Corporations have the opportunity to purchase Carbon Offsets  in order to maintain a certain level of eco-friendliness across all forms of industry. I’m not positive I agree with allowing companies the opportunity to pay off others to be environmentally considerate for them (My feelings mirror this Bloomberg Businessweek article: “Another Inconvenient Truth” <– http://buswk.co/vLsHJI). Regardless, as individuals, most of us do not have the capital to pursue this option.
SO, what can we do?

We can separate recyclables. We can walk to the gas station (2 blocks over) for snacks instead of drive. And we can stick to 6 or 8 squares in the lavatory. I mean- if you haven’t had Chipotle in the past 24 hours do you REALLY need half a roll in one “sitting?”

I know what you’re thinking: “Stringent bath tissue management by little ‘ol me isn’t likely to put a stop to the clear-cutting of our rain forests.” BUT, think about this: you are one of hundreds of people (mostly Denver-ites) reading this blog. If each of you makes one conscious effort a day to reduce your usage of paper products, over the course of a month it could decrease demand enough at a popular local supermarket for them to tally one less crate of paper products on their next order form. You just saved a tree. Not to mention more than a few bucks.
By doing this consciously for a while (supposedly it takes an avg. of 66 days to form a habit) pretty soon you will be unconsciously saving numerous trees (that are probably older than you are!) and lots of green-backs.

As an example: my first conscious attempt to reduce my usage of paper products was simply not throwing away a paper towel after it’s initial use. I would neatly fold the towel on my counter and use it later to blow my nose, wipe up my spills, and so on- until the towel no longer functioned. Anymore, it takes me a month to go through a roll.
It doesn’t have to be just paper products though! Reducing your impact can be as easy as shutting off the light EVERY time you’re not home; Or unplugging all of your appliances when you are out of town for the weekend. The best part: All of these things will save you money too!!

Above is a carbon footprint calculator. I’ve included it here for you to get a rough idea of what your personal carbon footprint looks like and encourage you to compare it to the US average. Give my suggestion a shot! Then- check back here in a month and recalculate.

What size are your shoes?

- Ches Sheridan Arms

Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past couple months, you’re probably familiar with the “Occupy” movement. Until recently, I only had a general idea of what it was: 1% of our population makes significantly more money than the other 99%. This, however, didn’t seem like “breaking news” to me, so I decided to do a little reading on the movement to more fully understand it. Pretty wild stuff. For those of you who are a little fuzzy, I’ll highlight a few points:

• The protesters seek (in part) more/better jobs, more equal distribution of income, bank reform, and a reduction of the influence of corporations on politics.
• The top 1 percent of income earners have more than doubled their income over the last thirty years according to a recentCongressional Budget Office (CBO) report.
• In 2009, the average income of the top 1% was $960,000 with a minimum income of $343,927.
  

  Source: Congressional Budget Office, Average Federal Taxes by Income Group, “Average After-Tax Household Income,” June, 2010.

That said– I’d like to introduce you to Rusted Yucca Furniture. Travis Toms and Sam Rolph of Golden, CO are educated individuals. They have degrees in Urban Planning and Business Administration. For nearly a year now the two have been looking for jobs in their field that would pay the bills, and they have yet to find suitable employment. SO- have they thrown up their hands, moved into their parents’ basements, and nurtured their beer guts to the point of being mistaken for a pregnant Rosie O’donnell? NO!

Instead, they got creative. They started collecting wood that no longer served anyone a purpose (old fences, broken shipping palettes, etc.) and began RE-purposing it into fine furniture.

The fact that Trav and Sam truly love the work they’re doing is evident in each final product. No two pieces are alike, but they all are re-purposed from unwanted pieces of timber, and exhibit exquisite craftsmanship & a signature rustic Colorado style. These characteristics speak for themselves and, as such, the business is taking off. Their extremely reasonable prices even sweeten the deal.

If you want to support these local artisans and businessman, you can visit their website at http://rustedyucca.wordpress.com/
You can also meet them and purchase furniture in person at the farmer’s market off 2nd and Santa Fe every Saturday.

Garth Henrichs, a famous author, was quoted as saying: “The person who is waiting for something to turn up might start with their shirt sleeves.”

The point is: The job market is tough. Money is tight. What can you do to be creative, make money, and contribute positively? Occupy your time.

- Ches Sheridan Arms