Sean O'Brien's Blog

A Story About My Drawers

May 26

Written by: Sean Obrien
5/26/2009 



The story goes I once slept in the bottom drawer.

I don’t know the genesis of that particular O’Brien family urban legend — let alone if it’s true. The story remains, however: as an infant I slept (at least once) in the bottom drawer of the chest of drawers in my room.

It’s a shabby piece of furniture. It probably wasn’t great shakes when it was new. Now, 40 years down the road, it’s very worse for wear.

But it’s followed me all along this life journey and that makes it special — somehow magical — even though it now sits neglected in my garage holding gardening supplies and catching spiders.

I don’t know when the first sticker went on — probably around the age my oldest daughter is now. I do remember that my mom busted me pretty hard when she found it (maybe as hard as I busted my daughter for all those Save Trestles stickers plastering her bedroom window.) But from that point on, my chest of drawers captured the epochs of my life — and the brands that had caught my attention.

Looking at it now is a lesson in how few companies are able to stand the test of time. Lightning Bolt was the coolest brand ever (Lopez!) when I slapped that first Bolt sticker on. Ten years later nobody could touch Gotcha. Offshore? Solid. Split? Homegrown cool.

Then there were the shop stickers: Newport Ski Company, equipe, Laguna Surf & Sport. Good to see some of those are still around.

Over time the stickers have faded. Brands flourished or became footnotes.

The desire to plaster my furniture, however, lasted through high school. That’s a good thing. It serves as a reminder that the foundation of our businesses can't be found at any one company — no matter how clever or connected it is.

Companies may come and go; the desire to feel a part of this great lifestyle endures. Looking at that ragged piece of furniture now, I find that wonderfully reassuring.

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6 comment(s) so far...

Re: A Story About My Drawers

nice Sean, the only thing missing is a Surfers Alliance and Platts sticker

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