From Boardroom to Backcountry: My Journey to a Mountain-Inspired Life
The Call of the Wild: Trading Servers for Sawdust
For 17 years, my life was a blur of corporate IT consulting, airports, and boardrooms. Ironically, for three and a half of those years, I worked for Sun Microsystems in Mountain View. While the Silicon Valley hum of servers was my soundtrack, my heart was always elsewhere. My boss, knowing my love for the real mountains, had a standing agreement: if I put in the extra hours Monday through Thursday, I could head out by Friday lunchtime. That meant a straight shot to Tahoe to spend the weekend snowboarding. Those Friday escapes were my first real taste of being "Missing In Adventure."
Yet, deep down, a different call echoed—the crisp, clean air of the mountains, the scent of pine, and the quiet satisfaction of working with my hands. That call grew louder with each passing year, until one day, I answered it.
I packed up my life, left the bustling cities behind, and found my true home nestled in the heart of the British Columbia mountains.
This wasn't just a career change; it was a complete life transformation, a journey into what I now call Missing In Adventure (MIA).
Missing In Adventure: More Than Just a Motto
MIA isn't about being lost; it's about being found. It's the feeling of disconnecting from the daily grind to reconnect with what truly matters: the thrill of a fresh powder day, the serenity of a lakeside sunset, the camaraderie of friends around a campfire. It's the belief that life's best moments are often found when you're a little bit 'missing' from the ordinary.
At Advent Wood Products, we don't just make signs. We craft the medium for memories. Each piece of knotty pine, knotty alder, Canadian maple, or North American ash is transformed into a tangible reminder of those cherished mountain adventures. We believe that your home should tell your story, and what better story than one filled with adventure?
The "Best Days Ever" Bundle: Your Memory Wall Begins
This philosophy is at the heart of our new "Best Days Ever" bundle. Imagine a dedicated "Memory Wall" in your home, a growing testament to a life well-lived.
From BC to Paris: The Global Adventure of MIA
Even as I prepare for a week-long adventure to France, including a day at the French Open in Paris, the spirit of MIA travels with me. It's a reminder that adventure isn't confined to the mountains; it's a mindset. Whether it's the thrill of a new ski run in BC or the excitement of a grand slam tennis match in Europe, the pursuit of unique experiences fuels the soul. This is my third year in a row attending Roland Garros—a tradition that has become a cornerstone of my own "MIA" journey.
And when I return, those memories, too, will find their place, perhaps inspiring a new sign design.
Join the Adventure
Are you ready to start your own Memory Wall? Explore our collection of custom signs and let us help you craft the perfect reminder of your "Best Days Ever." Because life's too short to be stuck indoors when there's a whole world of adventure waiting to be discovered.
•Explore the "Best Days Ever" Bundle: [Link to Product Page]
•Join the MIA Community: Sign up for exclusive updates and stories
•Discover Your Next Adventure: [Link to Blog Post about local BC adventures]
(This post is available in both English and French for our valued customers in Quebec.)