I went to see the Huskies get beat by the Cougars with my Dad. It was a great game, just too bad the Huskies are so horrible on defense. They do okay at stopping the run, but the secondary is so pitiful it's hard to watch sometimes.
So what should the Huskies do? They had a super tough schedule this year but aren't a winning organization. Fans and alumni must be demanding the return of the purple and gold winning tradition. But it's going to take some patience in an instant gratification setting.
You can see that the Huskies are getting better. They were in just about every game they played. I don't think they got blown out this year and almost upset some very highly ranked teams. Give Tyler Willingham a couple more years to get this team turned around. I mean the guy inherited a scandal and a 1-11 team. It takes longer than normal to bounce back from that.
Plus, the stadium seats are still pretty full come game day. The faithful will still come out and support the Dawgs. Father and sons, families, alumni, greeks, students, all will be there. Do it the right way, support the man you hired to do the job and give him the time to finish the job.
So the day after Thanksgiving, I needed to get out and go for a walk. To try and burn off some of those turkey calories. So I took the bus downtown and checked out the new SAM sculpture park. Then walked up to the Seattle Center and finished up at the Queen Ann park that everybody takes their "epic" Seattle images.
It was a beautiful day and the light was amazing. Hope you enjoy my amateur photography.
A few of the red chairs looking out at the Olympic Mountains.
A row of trees I thought could be a interesting photo, just as you start out on the park path.
A reflection of a tree on the rusted wavy sculpture.
The metal tree sculpture.
The Federal Building. Hmm, don't think I should be taking photos of that. Might risk National Security.
Can't get any more classic Seattle than a shot of the Space Needle.
Just wanted to wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving. Hopefully you are all having the day off, celebrating with family and loved ones. Family is one of the most important things in life, be thankful on this day for what family you have.
I'm thankful for my health, friends, family, and everything that has happened to me over the course of 33 years. Both the good and the bad.
...When we learn to give thanks, we are learning to concentrate not on the bad things, but on the good things in our lives.
The media, with its scandals, oversized personalities and power, has become an institution that people both revere and despise, often at the same time. I can barely stand to watch the local news, as it starts out with the crime report stating how many deaths occurred during a particular day. I tend to find the only tolerable part of the local news is the weather and sports. The only news show that seems worthy to view is the NBC nightly news with Brian Williams.
No longer is the news media a source for factual or intellectual information. Too often it's filled with conjecture, assumptions, accusations, and half truths. What happened to intellectual stories that inspire or challenge us to seek what's fundamentally right?
I have formed the opinion that aspects of our political system are broken, and mass media is partly to blame. The root problem, I fear, cannot be fixed in both mass media or politics, which is the necessity for generating revenue. There will never be enough money to get by and report or represent an unbiased opinion that can operate independently of the financial bottom line. Somehow, someway, they need to run as a non-profit organization.
Today, the most electable candidate for President is measured by how much money they've raised and not the position they hold on electoral issues. Upon the completion of the last Democratic debate the newscasters were trying to decide who 'won' like it was a Monday night football game. If any panel members tried to talk about differences in stance or on something of circumstance, the moderator would bring it back to a high school social status gossip level. Where is the correspondent that will dissect the education plans of Clinton and Obama? Who's plan is better and why? Not who slung the most mud and who kept their composure.
The media makes it seem like a race between the three candidates of Clinton, Obama and Edwards and hardly mention the likes of Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich, Christopher Dodd, or Bill Richardson. Why? Is it because the polls and media have them behind in the race? Why do the 'categorized' lessor nominees receive fewer questions during the debates?
Why are the Democratic Presidential Nominees being covered in the media more than the Republicans? Is it because the Republicans aren't holding as many debates? Or is it true, the media is run by a bunch of leftist liberals? I must not be watching enough FOX news.
It is a bitter marriage between politics and mass media. Each party hurts and help one another. The current administration uses the media to feed us misinformation while the media is too caught up in ratings promoting exciting drama and being first than taking the time to report accurate findings. It's become a wicked self serving cycle that somehow needs to be broken.
All of American broadcast media and most of the print media as well, are owned primarily by wealthy individuals. Direct ties to the biggest of big businesses are almost unbelievably extensive and these ties cannot help but seriously bias and compromise news coverage. Moreover, the media empires are, first and foremost, profit-making corporations that conduct themselves like other corporations when it comes to corrupting American politics. That is, the parent corporations of many make so-called "campaign contributions" and also act against the public interest in other ways. As big winners in the corruption game, they show no signs of serious interest in political reform.
Allegations of political bias in the media are common, although there is considerable controversy concerning the nature of this bias: neither liberals or conservatives are pleased. Conservatives allege that the media exhibit a liberal bias. On the other hand, liberals allege that the media exhibit a pro-corporate bias. The truth is that the apparent liberalism of some of the mass media is primarily cultural, and rarely economic. Like most other American institutions, the mass media advance the economic interests of the wealthy few at the cost of the interests, and values, of the majority; and the self-indulgent, empire-building interests of the wealthy few are not those of either liberals or cultural conservatives.
There is much change to be desired in American politics and mass media. How can it change? Hmm, we live in a democratic society right? Doesn't it come down to the will of the people? There within lies the problem. The will of the people to make more and more money has continually won over the will to change what is going wrong in American politics and mass media.
So I think it's safe to say this has been one of my more serious blogs in some time. Don't know exactly where it came from, but figure I gotta write something more interesting from time to time than being just self involved. Just to keep things light, check out the speech Stephen Colbert gave at the White House Correspondent's Dinner in 2006. It is so harsh of President Bush it hardly got any press except for the hundreds of thousands of people who saw it on Youtube. Youtube, who would have thought this internet site could truly be an unregulated source of free press.
I've wanted to become more of a photographer for some time. The problem is, finding the time, learning, and the investment in gear. So my roommate Fletch just bought a new camera, some lenses, filters, and has been going out capturing some Seattle classics.
So I've started to think about taking more pictures. I started surfing the web for some of the photographers I've worked with in the past to see their latest work. Lots of good stuff out there.
The other thing I've been looking into and thinking about is an Action Sports College Seminar deal. Who could speak, what the curriculum would include, what campuses, and who would sponsor it. So when I was at Chase Jarvis's site, I saw his presentation video for Photoshelter. It's good stuff but pretty long. So if you're interested in photography, give it a look. Also big ups on having a DJ spin during your presentation.
Pretty good time hanging out this Saturday night. Went down to EVO in Fremont and saw Erin Valverde Pollard's art showing. Hung out with her, the whole family, who'd come out from the Portland area, and her hubby Eric. It was a good event that also showed her snowboard film, Float. The amp had a blown fuse or something was wrong with the tuner, so the first half of the movie the audio was screwed up. Too bad.
This is Erin.
This is some of her artwork.
This is her husband Eric.
This is his artwork.
So that's just a couple pieces. Eric and Erin had another showing in San Fran at the D-Structure shop. The only difference was this show was more about Eric and his ski film. These two are such a "couples" story, I'm just waiting to see them in Sports Illustrated or Outside Magazine. There were a lot more pictures taken at the D-Structure show, if you wanna check it out click here.
So the same evening, it was also my friend Ana's birthday. So a little after 11, I walked home, grabbed some canned food for the T-Day food donation Ana requested and walked over. It's nice when everybody lives in the neighborhood.
It was a rock n' roll themed event with Karaoke. There was only one other person in the whole place not dressed up. I was a little out of place. Had a few drinks, did a couple yummy shots (thanks Yonnie), listened to a few songs sung, and headed home at one in the morning. I just can't stay up and party like I used too.
Tonight at EVO in Fremont, Erin Valverde Pollard will be having an art show and premier of her all girls snowboard film. I'll be down there hanging out. Then hopefully ending up in the Whitman corridor for Ana's birthday party. Rock on!!!
To say it's a wet day in Seattle would almost be an understatement. It's raining cats and dogs, coming down in sheets, um, that's all the raining sayings I can remember...
I love it when it rains. It just sort of slows things down. Makes things just a little more mellow. Maybe it's why we have so many coffee shops? You want to go inside to have a cup of coffee or tea and watch the rain come down. Well, that's what I did anyway.
Walked to the bank in the downpour, stopped at Starbucks and had a latte. I hardly even drink coffee anymore. Now I'm going to lay on my couch and read a book while the caffine is still working, probably take a nap when it wears off. Ah, I love a lazy Saturday. Peace.
Okay, so the main thing I'm trying here is embedding a media player in my blog. No big deal, just wanted to get it going. My old friend Shawn 'Smiley' Nesbitt landed himself a real job at a action sports digital asset management company called Rip.Tv. Here he is making first turns of the season at Blackcomb. Really cheesy segment. If you are playing beer drinking games, drink every time he says, "I won the golden ticket". Happy the man found work, but I have to say he needs improvement with his in front of the camera hosting skills. I believe in you buddy!!!
Funny thing is Whistler/Blackcomb also did an edit on the same trip. Much better with less commentary and more action. Yeah it's tough to put something together cruising groomers, but just check out the difference. I guess it also goes to show you, whoever owns the video footage, can create the best edit.
Dropped my new skis off at Pro Ski today to be mounted. I'm hoping to be skiing in the next week. A few turns would make me very thankful on Thanksgiving. Hope to see you at Crystal or Baker in the next couple weeks.
So in doing a little website maintenance, I checked out DDC or Aaron Draplin's website and saw this thing called Layered Tennis. Pretty freaking cool if you like checking out graphic design. DDC takes on David aka. "Multifresh" Nakamoto. Both do amazing work. I was lucky enough to be influenced by them when they were both working for Cinco Design. Both these cats can hold it down. Who is going to win this one? Upon my viewing, I'm going for Multifresh.
So Layered Tennis is where two designers shoot designs back and forth. First, go check out Cloudal Partners and view the coin toss. Then click here to see the match. Go through the volleys numbered 1-10 and you'll get the idea.
Also, be sure to check out David's site, lately he's done some pretty cool work. Especially the HOLDEN apparel site. So clean and the videos showing everything is cool. I dig on artsy fartsy.
So since my blog has been out of commission for a while, I figure I should provide an update as to what's been going on the last few months. There's a fair amount to tell, so get comfortable if you plan on reading everything.
I have to tell you I'm a bit torn with my situation these days. Not totally satisfied with where I'm at and plan to make a change for the better. I mean, we're all in charge of our life, so it is what we make it.
I've been at K2 trying to make a living. By taking almost a year off to recharge the batteries, it was tough to get back to the grind. I'm a strong believer that whatever I do, I want to make a difference. I'm not going to go into the reasons why it hasn't worked out, it's just not what I expected when I signed on. I do like all the people at K2, good group who put their heart and soul into what they do.
Had some success with certain projects. Made some really cool product video's for each ski on the Line website with my long time friend Kris Ostness. Check it out here. We ran a little late getting them done, but in the end, think we did a better job than in previous seasons. Finally re-skinned the entire site, although it didn't turn out as planned. The original site and all the coding is super messed up. Also put together a pretty cool brand overview video for Full Tilt ski boots. Did a cool "Golden Wicket" contest where end consumers can win a heli trip and weekend up at Whistler/Blackcomb with our pro Eric Pollard. Also did a cool testimonial generating deal with Ski Press, although the execution hasn't been what I'd hoped.
Working from 8 to 6, then going home and working late into the evening hasn't brought the self-satisfaction of a job well done that it used to. Just has brought the marketing neck and buddha back. Too much resizing of imagery and web updates that don't seem to make a big enough difference to the brands overall. But I don't want to complain, even though that is what it sounds like. There are a lot worse jobs out there in the world.
I yearn to breath life back into the G Plan and work for myself. I think it can be a healthier way to live. I just have to take certain opportunities and make them a reality. I have to do something special. I want to help my friends in their business endeavors and see them be successful. I want everything to have meaning. Am I dreaming? Is that too much to ask? I just don't want to go to work for the sake of a paycheck. It's got to make a difference and have a positive effect. I like to grow brands together. It has to be fun and challenging, not repetitive. I just haven't found that next career path that gave me what working at HH did.
Okay, so that's the work rant/update. More to come on the work plan pretty soon, as I hope to shake things up, I'm just not ready to announce what I'm doing yet. But I will post that soon, just have to have a couple one-on-one conversations with a few people first.
So what's be going down personally. Well, my good friend MIke Gaeir and Kate Goodwin got married. I really should do a gallery post with all the images, but haven't had time. I love weddings. It's always a good excuse to get all my friends together and catch up. I wish them great happiness as they move to Portland to start a new life. Mike is moving on from REI to work for Columbia. I hope it's what he's looking for in apparel design. Kate left Hayter Communications, hopefully she finds good work in P-town. Get on that writing career! Write a novel or something.
Hmm, what else. Went to a wedding reception with a friend named Tara. Been trying to get some pictures from her but she hasn't delivered. It was for this girl Denise. Another happy story of finding love. It was at the top of Seattle's Smith Tower. An amazing setting and a super fun evening. Well, for the most part, except for my dates boyfriend (unknown to me) showing up. Still was fun even with the dude showing up. I'll leave it at that.
Another friend of mine Bryce created a community workspace in Greenwood. Super cool space and saw lots of friends. My buddy Mike Arzt was in town and I showed him around town a bit. Would love to work with him again. Would love to work with Bryce more too.
I'm exercising on a regular basis again. Haven't done pilates or yoga for a while, but hope to get back to it. I miss my pilates instructor Erin and Maya. Too bad it's so expensive or else I'd be going every week. I've been running, biking, and playing soccer, but as you get older it's tougher to get back into shape. I keep hurting myself which makes getting exercise everyday tough. I need to join a gym again, so when my legs hurt, I can do low impact machines, weights, and swim. Soccer has been fun but we are in the highest league and haven't won too many games.
So a few of my friends, including my Mom, have told me I should try online dating. Hey, I'm not getting any younger so why not right? It's weird. You create a profile with some pictures, an overview on yourself, and then it shows you who your matches are. You can see how many times your profile has been viewed and the profiles of women who viewed you more than once. Some are fairly interesting and I'm trying to get up the nerve to shoot them an email. But what do you say? So the computer says we are compatible so you wanna go out? I mean, what do you put in an email to a woman who a computer program says you are a match with? I haven't sent an email out yet, as I'm hoping somebody will email me first. I'm just a big ol' chicken. But it is nice to see my profile viewed so much and so many marking me as a "potential". It's also entertaining to see girls I know who have profiles online. Ha, nice to know I'm not the only one...
Well that's it for now. There's more, but nothing too exciting to report. I'll let you know if I go on a date via interweb action. I only signed up for a month, just a couple more weeks to get up the nerve to ask somebody out.
Since I love quotes, I'll leave you with the following:
"Nature will not forgive those who fail to fulfill the law of their being. The law of human beings is wisdom and goodness, not acquisition" - Robert M. Hutchins
The winter season is so close I can almost feel the burning in my legs. There are resorts in Colorado who've already opened a few runs by blowing enough snow. There's one thing good about the jib scene, a resort can blow a bunch of snow and set up their terrain parks and the kids eat it up.
It's been snowing here in the PNW as well. Fresh dusting in the mountains last night and the arrival of the new chair at Crystal Mountain has me excited. My friends at Helly Hansen were nice enough to still hook me up with new gear. Time to sell my old skis, mount up my new ones, and try to score some discounted passes. Thanks for the glove hook up from the boys at POW.
I've completed my normal rituals of going to see the new film premiers at the local spots. Watched a great new production by MSP, called "Seven Sunny Days". Went to evo and saw the triple threat of "PNW, Yeah Dude, and IDEA." Might go to WME, we'll see if I can get up for it. Now there are only two things left, well three things, on the "to do" list. 1) Work out as much as possible to get in shape, 2) go to Alpine Huts Pray for Snow Party, and 3) get the first day of skiing under my belt.
Every time I've gone to this event, it's been a huge success. My good friend Adam even asked his current wife out for the first time at the party. Now I'm not hoping for that kind of magic, but I'll still be keeping my eye open. I always run into the Crystal Mountain crew that I make a few laps with.
So if you happen to be a skier or snowboarder and want to come out and get pumped up for the ski season, I hope to see you at the Red Door this Wednesday, it's sure to be a great time.
So I haven't blogged a lot in the last, oh, 5 months... because my blog plug-in to my website has been on the fritz. Sometimes it would work but most of the time I was getting error messages. Super frustrating. Especially when you write something, reformat imagery, get around to hitting publish and then you get denied.
I went through reading the user's guide, trying my best to fix the situation. Then I emailed the company Movable Type and got nothing back from them to help me fix the issue. So I tried calling customer service but all you get is a recorded voice telling you to email customer service. It became a never ending loop without any results. Not the biggest fan of Movable Type anymore.
Then I got a hold of Harrison Boyce, who programmed my site and he was able to fix the problem. Weird how it just stopped working one day. Or how on a couple nights while drinking too much and just needing to write for therapeutic reasons, it just happened to publish. Then when I went to re-edit the piece, it wouldn't work again. That would be my last two entries. One about my grandmother passing, another about my folks cabin. Never drink and blog is my new rule. Well, except for the beer I'm drinking now.
So this is sort of a test, to check and see if it is truly working again. I have lots of topics and much I want to start sharing again. I want to re-connect to the interweb for multiple reasons. The main one is to keep writing, to help further my copy writing ability. Practice, practice, practice. Another is to keep my friends and family in the loop with what's going on in my life and in my head. Lastly, it's just good for my mental well being. If you are like some people who used to check my blog on a regular basis, I'm here to tell you, "I'm back."
