Date: 2004-02-26
To: My failed attempt to get corporate sponsorship
Miles today: 0.0

I sent this off to the makers of my favourite condiment a week ago, and have not as of yet heard anything back. I can only assume that they junked the email as a prank. Alas!I still love them though. And I guess this is an unconditional kind of love, because it can contend with the bitter sting of rejection. :-)I will be hauling a container of Pepper Plant dried spices with me. And I'll be delighted to share it with you, should our paths cross out there. Okay, back to obsessing over details and chewing my cheeks with excitement...------------------Hello there.Ever since I tasted your original Pepper Plant sauce (at the Bon Temps Creole Cafe in San Luis Obispo) I have been a huge fan of your Pepper Plant creations. I always made sure to stock up when I was in central California, or, if I was in need, I'd have traveling friends pick me up some on their incidental voyages. Such was my love for your product, I simply could not do without it.I've used your delicious sauce as a secret component to my recipes - recipes which of course never failed to satisfy. After my housemates became aware of what I was adding, it soon became the favourite of the house. "Crack spice " it was lovingly dubbed by a housemate who found herself having it - at the very least - once a day.I bought more and more of the stuff. I took it with me when I went camping. I shipped bottles off to family members and friends in far flung Canada. That's right - the joy of Pepper Plant sauce is known in Canada: from the blustery rainswept streets of Halifax, clear over to Vancouver. I've given your sauce as Christmas gifts. I've given it as birthday gifts. And at times it's felt like I've wanted to bring to the awareness of the world the wonderful product you have.This is something I would like to continue doing. And this brings me to the point of this email.In just over a month, I am going to hike the Appalachian Trail. In case you don't know, the Appalachian Trail is a footpath which goes from Springer Mountain, Georgia, all the way to Mount Katahdin in the state of Maine. The trail is over 2100 miles long. It takes anywhere from four to seven months to complete.Each year over 2000 people set out to conquer this path. However, only around 1/10th of those who set out actually make it to the end. I intend on making it.Recipes on the trail tend to get tedious. People eat a lot of ramen noodles, a lot of kraft dinner, and other foods which are bland and boring. Many don't look upon eating as a joy - rather, a dull neccessity.And I got to thinking that a little bit of Pepper Plant dried spices could really, well, spice things up.I would like you to sponsor me. Why? Because I am a huge fan. And I would like to bring the message of Pepper Plant to the east coast of America - and, well, to the world. People from as far away as Australia journey this trail.And at the shelters every night many people will be eating their bland food.And I could have a Pepper Plant solution for their poor, needy stomachs.What would the details of this sponsorship be?In the ideal I imagine it consisting of two simple things:- A backpack patch, or some other item I could easily display on my pack that says "Pepper Plant" on it (a laminated sticker? or a laminated label?)- A single container of Pepper Plant dried spices.With these items I would be your faithful envoy and delighted unofficial spokesperson.And yes, chances are I'd just get the bottle of spices regardless of whether you sponsor me or not. And yes, even if you ignored this email, or, worse - told me to go stuff it, I would still continue praising your product with the praise it deserves. I would be your faithful envoy and delighted spokesperson whether you wanted me to or not, and continue to bring the message of Pepper Plant to the masses.So, sponsoring me is obviously something you need not even entertain doing.But wouldn't it make you feel good if you did?Yours sincerely,J. Olenick