Ten - A sweet Ski Movie

I watched a great online ski movie yesterday called Ten. The movie was produced by Guido Perrini and uses footage from his last ten years of filming. The movie is a cross between a documentary and standard ski movie, and answers the questions:

- What is Freeriding?
- Why Freeride?

As a skier and snowboarder, I enjoyed how both activities were intertwined into the movie, without requiring a specific ski or snowboard section. In the end, we are all ripping turns down a mountain, if you leverage 1 or 2 planks, its still the same process. Bottom line, this guy understands how to make a great ski movie.

You can learn more about the movie at Guido's website. Also, make a donation if you view the movie so that we have future editions to view. A streaming ski movie, what could be better?


TEN ski snowboard film www.guidoperrini.com from guido perrini on Vimeo.

Idaho Falls - Ponzi Schemes?

In late December I rode the lift with a plastic surgeon from Idaho Falls who mentioned that her practice was slowing down due to the difficult economic conditions. It sounded logical, people will cut cosmetic costs as incomes and savings decrease. During the conversation she mentioned that an alleged Ponzi Scheme was being investigated in Idaho Falls and the information should hit the newspaper in the next few weeks. Well, I am sorry to say that she was right.

Man ordered to halt alleged Ponzi scheme in Idaho Falls

Idaho Falls is a small city with a blend citizens focusing on agricultural and research at the Idaho National Laboratory (nuclear engineers). It's remarkably similar to other ordinary small city's in the rural West. This would be the last place that I would identify with Ponzi schemes. If a $50 million scam grew in IF, watch out, because they must be everywhere. Apparently, the NY Times agrees with my theory.

My New Kiva Loan

NY Times: Ski Area Avalanches

Check out this article by the NY Times which highlights the recent inbounds avalanches at ski resorts North America. The author focuses specifically on Jackson Hole and describes our recent avalanche activity.

50+ Calls

We recently placed a classified ad in the paper for a part time babysitter. During the past 8 days we received 50 voicemails and our phone has been ringing non-stop. I get the feeling that jobs in Jackson have dried up, a large number of people are looking for work and people are very excited about picking up a few shifts watching an 8 month old baby.

Cloudveil and Wells Fargo recently announced a few entry level retail positions and the word around the valley is that each company received over 150 applications for the positions. How do you narrow down a field of 150 applicants for one entry level position? Now consider that 90% of the applicants have a college degree and are overqualified for the position. Where do you start?

I wonder how this will shake out during the next few months - will people be forced to leave the valley? Will this force duress real estate sales?