This website didn’t used to be about me. Sure my name is in the URL. And yeah, the “about me” page contains more info about me than any person should know. But the content of the posts were always marketing best practices, technology tutorials, and how to get your cat on Oprah-types-of-insights. The subject changed, but it was consistently not me.
And then I went on a hike.
Although I tried to make the focus of my writing the trail’s culture, I started to leak into the posts. I never liked the idea of writing about me, too many people do it, and, in my opinion, very few do it well. I didn’t want to fall into that category. But in order for a hiker’s journal to have any context, it’s important to get to know the hiker.
So, I opened up. One thing led to another. I finished the trail. I wrote a book. I made a lot of noise about said book. And now here we are…
Normally, I wouldn’t find a post updating you on the status of my life worth writing, but I am also cognizant of the fact that there are now people who care about the Badger behind the screen. I’ve received enough e-mails inquiring about a life update to make this theory seem less delusional. Although, far be it from me to let delusion prevent action.
So if you don’t care about a Zach Davis State of the Union, now is the time to click the “x” box in the top right corner.
….
You’re still with me? Good. I always liked you best anyway.
Here’s what’s new in the world of the Good Badger.
1) I have a job
As it turns out, writing two blog posts a month isn’t enough to pay the bills (or even to buy the pen that signs the check). So instead of living at home forever, I decided to go the route that doesn’t end in suicide and join the working world.
I have accepted a position as the Marketing Director for Tech Cocktail, an emerging technology media company. In a nutshell, my job is to be me– for them. Pretty sweet.
More specifically – I write. I cover startups. I organize events. I create and manage digital projects. I meet and interact with millionaires and poor people who will soon be millionaires. I learn a lot. I send a tremendous amount of e-mails.
At this point, you might be asking yourself…
Aren’t you falling straight back into the technology suckhole you were so desperately trying to escape?
Although the conditions are eerily similar to where I was before leaving for the trail (working remotely, no strict hours, many projects), I have learned my lesson. I know now that in order to my job effectively I have to intentionally build in a fair amount of fuck around time into my week. The reason I’ve been slow to post here, is because my free time has largely been spent on hikes, exploring, and being social. Fool me once, Appalachian Trail thru-hike. Fool me twice, shame on me.
As to the technology issue, yes, I am surrounded by all things tech on all levels at all times. I like technology, and judging by the amount of interactions we have on Facebook, so do you. I’ve learned that technology is not the enemy; it’s only our usage of it that can be at fault. When it’s time to Tech Cocktail (a new verb I’m experimenting with), I am in a vortex of Tweets, cloud-based collaborative platforms, software, and keystrokes. When it’s time for Zach to recharge, he is in the mountains, he is with friends, or playing basketball. His phone is no where to be found (unless you look in his middle console or bedroom – this is not an invitation to rob him).
So far, it’s been good (healthy and sustainable). Plus, I like my job. I like the people I work with. I believe in the company. I was fortunate to have options, and I chose based upon the above characteristics. But most importantly, as I already stated, I get to be me.
My position involves having a fairly visible online persona. For most who too share this digital semi-spotlight, it’s important that they speak through their work mouth – which roughly translates to constant self-censorship. I’ve never been good at that and I have stopped trying. In other words, I can tweet the occasional hippo having a crazy explosive diarrhea fart, and not worry about losing my job. That’s important. Once you start compromising on hippo farts, it’s all over.
2) I moved to San Francisco
I moved to San Francisco. Because I work remotely, I can live anywhere (with wi-fi access, that is). San Francisco was my top choice. Why? Yosemite, Sonoma, Napa, Big Sur, John Muir Woods, Tahoe, Pacific Ocean. Oh and the city is pretty neat too. If you live in the bay area and like to drink beer, we should coordinate.
3) I will write another book
Someday. I have already decided. Probably not this week, or this year, but before long. You made the entire process a lot of fun, and I’m already itching to make the next one better. But for now, I am focusing on Tech Cocktail’ing and getting lost in the mountains when I can. If you want to be the first to know when the next idea drops, the Good Badger e-mail club is for you.
4) Thank you
That’s not new, or even a thing really, but still very important and true. Your Amazon reviews have made the book launch a glowing success. I am proud of the early reception of Appalachian Trials (the best Appalachian Trail book ever written by a Badger), and you are the reason for this being so. I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heat.
That’s it.
Stay good,
Zach