Glad to be Home

I just returned from one month in South America where I completed my 9th shoe drop and took some time off for much needed R and R. During my time off, I enjoyed the silence and beauty of the Patagonia region, visited Iguazu Falls and caught the biggest fish of my life on a 5 weight fly rod. It was relaxation at its best. However, all feelings of peace evaporated when I woke up in my Long Beach hotel room this morning. It is now 8:39 and I find myself writing and rehearsing my TED Talk that I will give this afternoon. Today is the beginning of the TED conference which I have been invited to attend. Not only are they letting me attend all the amazing events and talks this week, I have been given the opportunity to give a TED talk (3 minutes) before a crowd of the most intelligent and innovative people in the world, including people like Bill Gates, JJ Abrams, Jeff Bezos, Seth Godin, and the list goes on and on. I usually do not get nervous speaking in front of people, but today is a little different. Today I will have the honor and privilege of sharing the TOMS story with each of these people and to learn about what they are working on and thinking about, too. I still cannot believe that I was invited to attend this amazing conference, much less speak, and I look forward to sharing many of the amazing ideas and experiences I will have with each of you over the next week. Needless to say, I am glad to be home :)

me and 27 inch rainbow from Baker river


me and my girlfriend Maggie at Iguazu