Monday, November 29, 2010
RIP Leslie Nielsen: Thank you for all the laughs..... and don't call him Shirley
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Moodtune of the Moment: Deerhunter - Helicopter
(8991 KB)
Listen on posterous
Moodtune of the Moment: Girl Talk - Jump On Stage
Jump On Stage by Girl Talk (15218 KB)
Listen on posterous
Album can be downloaded here, free, for a limited time http://www.illegal-art.net/allday/
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito 20th Anniversary Reunion Show
Straight up legends live and direct!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Moodtune of the Moment: MJ - Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' by Michael Jackson (7115 KB)
Listen on posterous
Friday, October 15, 2010
Moodtune of the Moment: MJ - Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' by Michael Jackson (7115 KB)
Listen on posterous
Friday, October 8, 2010
Moodtune of the Moment: The Police - De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da by The Police (4829 KB)
Listen on posterous
Friday, September 10, 2010
Four!
Fine art from the Colorado/Kansas border. Just did a quick and informal survey of the parking lot. Excluding my vehicle I am looking at 100% Ford and pickup.
Four!
Fine art from the Colorado/Kansas border. Just did a quick and informal survey of the parking lot. Excluding my vehicle I am looking at 100% Ford and pickup.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Moodtune of the Moment: M.I.A. - Come Around
(5494 KB)
Listen on posterous
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Moodtune of the Moment: The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
Bloodbuzz Ohio by The National (9653 KB)
Listen on posterous
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
A Crowdsourced Movie: "Life In A Day"
Check out this trailer from the forthcoming movie, "Life In A Day" which will be one of, if not the first significant crowdsourced movie in history. Ridley Scott and Kevin McDonald will incorporate clips of user generated video, recorded on 7-24-10 into this film. In essence this movie will document July 24th, 2010 from the perspective of thousands of people from around the globe. Can't wait to see the finished product.
Moodtune of the Moment: TV on the Radio - Halfway Home
Halfway Home by Tv On The Radio (9314 KB)
Listen on posterous
Friday, August 27, 2010
Video(s) of the Week: Then and Now
Then: this is a great Apple commercial circa 1985. Cigars, storm the gates, climb to the top and beat Microsoft. "Apple......The power to succeed."
Now: thin, crazy powerful, it's beautiful and magical. "It's already a revolution and it's only just begun."
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Control-Self-Delete
Watch this video for Stephen Colbert's guide on how to perform a full digital cleanse.
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/351570/august-24-2010/the-word---control-self-delete
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Moodtune of the Moment: A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It?
(4945 KB)
Listen on posterous
The Evolution of Marketing and things
Peep this little ditty of a video and watch The Cake Group's take on the evolution of marketing: from selling, to sexy, to corporate, to ambush. Now it is about the power of the people and listening. Power is key here. No longer can firms stuff sub-par products down our throats via media spending, ROI, or coolness. They can try, but we the people have found our individualized and powerful voices thanks to technology. No longer do our hand written or emailed complaints end up in the trash, no longer are our verbal complaints logged in some call center's software. Now we can alert or encourage all of our friends, and your friends, and their friends, and perfect strangers to dump or dig a brand, a product/service, or a company with a simple click of a button. Welcome to the age of the engaged consumer. So if you love a product or a brand, tweet about it, digg it, blog your butt off. If a product or a brand wrongs you, let it be known. From your machine, a terminal, or a device, raise your voice and let it be heard! If you are fed up with it or if you disapprove, let us know, and in doing so perhaps piece by tiny little piece our world can become a better place.
We are entering a new and fascinating age in marketing. So engage, listen, learn and change if need be. That goes for our governments as well.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Two New Bikes from Bionega
The first bike is a true head turner: designed by Ross Lovegrove and called the LDN. The frame was inspired by a wishbone and there is no chain, this baby is propelled by a shaft drive.
The second bike is called the NYC bike, designed by KiBiSi. It features a grease-less and silent belt drive.
Video of the Week - No BS
This is some amazing footage captured yesterday at a bullfighting ring in Tafalla, Spain which is not far from Pamplona. The bull launched into the stands where it injured roughly 30 spectators. After 15 minutes it was corralled, killed, and removed via a crane. I do not support bullfighting for I think it is a cruel and silly sport. While I respect cultural differences, torturing an animal to death does not seem honorable to me. I hate to see anyone or anything hurt, but it is hard not to pull for the bull in this case.
Mess with a bull..........
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Video of the Week
Comfort Wipe: Maintain your dignity and never touch another dirty toilet tissue.........
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Urban Bicycle design.......
Here are three approaches to urban bike design:
This is Le Coq Sportif's carbon fiber City Bike which was created by Alberto Del Biondi Industria. The design of this ride is said to be inspired by the company's origin and connection with the Tour de France. This machine features all the bells and whistles not to mention hand made carbon.
VS
This is the Victor bike which was designed by Christpohe Robillard. Bare bones, industrial, minimalist. Single speed, one seat and chain stay (as opposed to two) means less steel and less maintenance. It also features integrated reflectors and fenders. This rig would definitely draw some attention as your roll down the road.
This is the Crappy POS bike, designed by Father Time. It can be found at any pawn shop, trash dump, police auction or simply abandoned at your local outdoor bike rack. It features the "already broken in" and weathered design, all of its parts are 100% recycled. The seat is mostly waterproof and it comes with a very low replacement cost in the event that it gets ripped which would be unlikely given the only attention it will draw is sympathy. I liken it to buying a brand new pair of faded and torn jeans. Note: upon purchase, chain lubricant is not included. 
While the City and Victor rides are quite impressive in very different ways, my vote for the best urban bike design goes to the Crappy POS and Father Time.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Amazing, learn by doing, scared, the grind, overdue, welcome!
What a trip! I think I earned my stripes as a sailor on this one. You name it, we encountered it except for lightening (thankfully). Confused seas, rough seas, big seas, a squall, a couple too many, a pair of mammal encounters, stunning sunsets/sunrises, gulf stream complications, broken instruments, a few too many stunning sunrises/sunsets, missed flights, safe harbor.
After a month of reflection, and rest, here is a brief chronicle of some of my thoughts during this adventure:
Tuesday June 29th: And We Are Off
12:30 p.m. EST........ So long Bermuda! We are underway and the learning has begun. We were escorted out by some dolphins, I went swimming in 4,000 ft of water after which I threw up for the first time. I made it 55 miles, there is a first for everything. I felt fine when I was at the helm or when I was resting down in the cockpit. The sickness came when I moved from one place to the other. The seas were rather confused, at least that is what my gracious host assured me of at the time. Despite puking a couple of times, I was feeling pretty good. Happy to be on our way, excited for what might come.
Wednesday June 30th: It's Alive!
Took some Meclizine at 5:30 AM for sea sickness. No need to play around with the sickness anymore. My first overnight shift completed. I was fairly concerned during this 4.5 hour shift. Sailing was a challenge, sailing completely blind was not easy at all. Luckily I was accompanied by a full moon, numerous flying fish, a pair of compasses, a couple of instruments, and the wonderment that was provided by the phosphorescence. I had read about the phosphorescent microorganisms but I was not prepared for encountering them. I felt like I was in Avatar. After a bit of rest, I was back on deck mesmerized by the blue Sargasso seas. We travelled 170 miles in 24 hours of relatively rough sailing. We were heading into the current with the wind behind us at 7-11 knots. The agitated seas were about 9 ft and I was having a hard time imagining 3 more days of this. Time to dig deep Myers. At 7 p.m. we encountered a small squall, 220 miles from Bermuda. Takeaway of the day: the tiller feels alive, the rush of the water, a glide, it almost has mind of it's own. At the same time, with the tiller comes an obligation to be on, to be alert, it is a privilege and a responsibility.
Thursday July 1st: The Big Squall
Finished my second overnight watch. I would like to say I felt more comfortable after this one........ not yet. I put the patch on for safe measure at 5 am, the sunrise was incredible. The steel blue seas was nothing short of awe-inspiring. By 10 am we hit another small squall, lots of rain, second reef was out, boat was really heeling over, rain and more rain. By 1 p.m. the wind had settled down and we were able to have some lunch. We were 310 miles from Bermuda, 25 miles from the Gulf Stream. Weather on the horizon. I had a moment at this point. In my boating experience to date, under the power of a motor which could get me going to over 65 mph if need be, when you see weather, you run and you run hard. You may not be able to run from it but you run hard through it. Here, we just steadily stayed the collision course. Eventually we were in it. The big squall. Thirty plus knot winds, 12 ft seas, mainsail down, number four jib up and motor on. 15 hours (mostly overnight) of white knuckled, N/NE winds, 2 hour shifts, cold, wet, very exhausted, frightened. I was dozing off at the helm, I got disoriented and went the wrong way. We got blown off course, it was terrifying particularly when we were changing sails. I was at the helm, Jim on bow. I couldn't but help to think that had something happened to him....... I would be on my own. It would be up to me to save us. By no means was I ready for that. Killua was amazing though. I tell you, that boat is just solid. She is kind and forgiving, she is balanced, rock solid.
Friday July 2nd: We Made It!
7 a.m. One of the most beautiful sunrises of my life mainly because it revealed clear skies ahead. I am sure Jim had not a worry in the world about what we just went through. Me? There were moments...... and that is all I have to say about that. We were well into the Gulf Stream at this point, more dolphins which was a nice sign. We spent 5 hours fighting wind and current during which time we lost 4 miles on the Vineyard. The Gulf Stream had shifted, we were not where we had hoped, the wind was against us, and we were where we did not want to be. Jim was pretty unhappy about all of this. Very unhappy at times. I on the other hand was armed with a new perspective on things. I would rather be stuck in the stream than be alone at the helm, at night, in a squall, with 36 hours of sailing experience under my belt, hanging on way too tight.
Saturday July 3rd: Stuck in the Suck
3 p.m. We are 229 miles from MV, we have gone 50 miles in the last 10 hours. According to Jim, we have been beating against wind and current for three days...... "a sailor's nightmare." Let the motor sailing begin and get us out of the stream. I need a shower BADLY, get me off of this boat! We worked it as hard as we could, thanks to the little motor that could and as much sail as we could get out there. During our two full days in the stream, we averaged a measly 83 miles per day. We were peeping the water temperature gauge (a drop below 70 degrees means you are nearly out of the stream) frequently and hoping to see the end of the sargasso grass which is another tell that you are still in the stream. I missed my flight back to Colorado, once again..... get me off the boat!
Sunday July 4th: Please....... Please Get Me Off This Boat
My journaling became non-existent at this point. We were sailing VERY hard, every knot counted. We both wanted and Jim needed to get off of Killua so he could make a meeting. It wasn't funny anymore. We were not really eating, while we still had topics to talk about, I think we both were getting tired of talking Obama and the economy. That said, we came up with some very interesting fiscal, governmental, and social remedies for U.S. of A. That or we all need to move to Canada. In other news, I really found my sailing groove on this day. The two finger tiller technique was a very useful tip that was bestowed upon me by my patient captain. I wish he had taught me this a couple of days ago, but it was nice to feel like I was really getting it. I was feeling connected to the boat, letting her head into the wind and then bringing her gently back down. I learned to let her take the waves, she could do it better and more efficiently than I could. Just let her do her thing. We are putting money in the bank by heading a bit to the west. I had my first "relatively" comfortable overnight shift. By no means did I feel like I was a captain of the sea, I still didn't feel great about being blind particularly when the boat was darting into the wind and then I had to back her off. But I did feel like I was getting it, I could feel and perceive what was necessary to be more at ease at the helm. I may have missed another flight at this point. I miss my wife and the hounds.
Monday July 5th: Almost Home
12:20 p.m. Hello Vineyard. Great to see you. REALLY great to see you. I need a shower, a shave, the third s, a solid meal, and a drink! 690 miles of exhilaration, fear, learning, connection, laughter, curse words, anticipation, patience, and bonding. A trip never to be forgotten. My deepest and most heartfelt thanks to both Jim and Killua for looking after me in every way during what will be one of the most unforgettable adventures of my life.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Homeward Bound
It's on!
The boat has been fixed, we have our provisions including some of the famous Bermuda onions, and the weather looks to be cooperating along the route. So we are off, first thing in the morning.
Weather: it appears as if we will have 10 - 15 knot winds with 2 - 6 foot seas for most of our trip. We will likely encounter a couple light squalls and a bit of lightening as we cross through some smaller disturbances, but the dangerous stuff should be out of our way. With these small fronts, the models are forecasting shifting winds so we will definitely be doing a lot of sailing, manipulating sail angles rather frequently.
Route: we have established our route and adjusted speeds so it looks like the 636 mile trip will take between 4 days, 12 hours and 4 days, 20 hours putting us in Martha's Vineyard sometime between 10 PM and 3 AM on Saturday or Sunday.
Below I have included a map that shows the rhumb line (straight line from Bermuda to MV) and our projected route which stays pretty close to the line. Disregard the route which is off to the West. It will take us roughly 4 hours to motor our way from Hamilton to St. George where we must officially say goodbye to the good people of Bermuda. So by 11 am EST tomorrow, we should be under sail.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Waiting Game
So Bermuda is absolutely gorgeous! Who would have thought that turquoise water and pink sands existed in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.Bermuda is definitely an interesting place with a fascinating history. This is what I have learned about Bermuda thus far: tourism, banking/insurance, onions, rum, $7.00/gal for gas, two-stroke mopeds, mandatory 17% gratuity, wonderful beaches, narrow streets, marine life/industry, 65,000 people, 1.5 hours from NYC, shipwrecks, forts, and plenty of seafood.
As for the sailing trip, well we have run into a couple of issues. First, the autopilot on Killua is down which is a major safety issue for this sort of open-water crossing. A new unit from the states should arrive tomorrow, depending on how accommodating the customs officials are and the effectiveness of the expeditor. We will need to install and test the unit so keep your fingers crossed that everything works out on this front for we will not set sail without it.
Second, there is some rather nasty weather out there. A low front from Canada is pushing up against a high that is currently dominating the weather along our route home. As a result, the forecasts are predicting 25 - 45 knot winds, with seas approaching the 20' range. Ummmmm, no thank you. Behind us there might be a tropical system forming which could impact Bermuda and our departure but right now the probability is minimal. So at the moment, our window for departure looks to be Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning.
In the mean time, I am catching up on sleep in an effort to kill a minor head cold and enjoying all that lovely Bermuda has to offer. Today JB and I are going to do some work on the boat and hopefully tour more of the island.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Ready or Knot......
So here is the skinny. I am on my way to Bermuda to help my father in law, JB, sail his 33' boat Killua (see below) from Bermuda to Martha's Vineyard. During the trip we will travel over 600 nautical miles in open ocean, spending most of our time in the gulf stream. It should take 4-6 days depending on wind/surface conditions and the number of navigational mistakes made by yours truly.
This is an adventure of a lifetime, particularly given the fact that I have been sailing only once prior to this trip. Mainsail, halyard, jib, traveler, tack, bowline, trim, reach, apparent wind, "coming about." These are terms, parts, and theoretical concepts as of this moment. I can only hope that JB, my guide, my teacher, the skipper, and my only other companion on this journey possesses a vast amount of patience. As vast as the world's seas combined! He is highly capable and I will do my best to learn on the fly and execute accurately and quickly.
Ambitious? I think so. I liken this to attempting to hike and ski a 14,000 ft mountain peak after one day of ski school. Pizza slice turns with no poles on a 45 degree face.
Abound with apprehension, nervousness, and excitement while armed with a dopp kit stuffed with sunscreen and sea sickness medicines, I am off.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Mike Douglas and Cody Townsend go to Hawaii and tow-in to big waves on skis.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Urban Mobility: Puma's New Line of City Bikes
180 South: Conquerors of the Useless
We just saw this inspiring film from director Chris Malloy and his crew at Woodshed Films. It documents the adventures of surfer and climber Jeff Johnson as he retraces the epic 1968 journey of his heroes Yvon Chouinard (founder of Patagonia) and Doug Tompkins (Co-Founder of The North Face), on which they drove, mountain climbed, and surfed their way to Chilean Patagonia. The scenery was incredible, the soundtrack was moving, and the message was clear: Plan your next adventure, be in the moment, tread on our planet lightly, and get involved.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Drive: the surprising truth about what motivates us
This very interesting 10 minute RSA.org animate is about what motivates us. I think you will be surprised by the conclusions that it draws. Note: It is based off of a talk given at the RSA by Daniel Pink, acclaimed author of A Whole New Mind and Drive.
Video D8: Steve Jobs on the iPhone's Origin
Onstage at D8, Jobs talks with Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg about the connection between the iPad and the iPhone.
http://video.allthingsd.com/video/d8-steve-jobs-on-the-iphone-origin/3BBFA695-DC39-4834-9E39-7097C9CE1243
The Daily Show with John Stewart: The Spilling Fields
BP tries to stop the oil spill with laser-guided diamond saw robots, and Barack Obama claims the leak is his top priority.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Greenpeace Sponsored Contest: BP Logo redesign
Check out these logo redesigns for BP. If there any of you who would like to enter, follow this link: http://www.logomyway.com/contestView.php?contestId=1746
Vail Pass....... Done!
On Saturday May 29th, we rode up the West side of Vail Pass. This is the most popular Colorado pass to bike so we encountered plenty of like minded masochistic compatriots on the ride. The bike path was in great shape and everyone was friendly, even those that were really suffering. I am happy to report that we cruised up this 11 mile climb with relative ease which was very encouraging. Perhaps we are finally getting into some sort of shape! We gained 2,400 feet, the average grade was 3%, maxing out at 7%.
On our way back to Basalt we had a lovely drive through Rocky Mountain National Park to preview one of the hardest climbs on our list. I think I am going to need some more fitness under my belt in order to conquer this one.........
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
