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Office Fever

The modern equivalent to cabin fever.

By: Charlie Jasper + Save to a List

It's a slow day at the office today. In the middle of Los Angeles, just past the border of Beverly Hills, I look out onto the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains and the over-populated shores of Santa Monica itself. The sky is a mix of gray and brown down low, and pale blue above, with some altocumulus clouds to the north. Not atypical for late summer here. I can walk to the other sides of our suite and see Palos Verdes, urban sprawl, downtown LA, and if the smog level is low enough, all the way out to Mt. San Jacinto.

My mother had told me, as a kid, of a condition our forebears called cabin fever. I'm sure you know of it. I believe its modern equivalent, coupled with what may seem like ennui, is office fever. Stuck in an unnecessarily overcrowded city that more often than not costs too much and doesn't pay enough, looking at Accuweather and envying the cooler, more variable temperatures of our mountains and northern coastline doesn't help either. Hell, I can't even finish writing this, I feel.


I want to break free of this. However, I have ties that keep me here. Family, both two and four-legged, are here. Most of my friends are here. I struck out on my own years ago, and struck out. It affected me poorly, to say the least, and to say I'm hesitant even as I plan and plan and plan to start my own business to try and break out of this, my execution is slow. I have a brilliant idea, I have somewhat of a plan. I have the confidence that once executed and made available, it will grow quickly, but it will be sustainable.

But for now, I'm stuck in Los Angeles, figuring out what to do to get that next level while trying to execute something while being hesitant, anxious...and longing for clean air and alpine meadows, and sea mist and redwoods.

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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