Thoughts, Reviews, and Life

The Christmas Tree Bum

2009-12-07T20:49:00.000-08:00

Here's Christmas Present from me and Tyler Goll. Ah! I love what beauty spawns out of boredom. Enjoy!

It might be fun to make "The Christmas Tree Bum" a Christmas Tradition with your kids. Might be a nice tool to prevent them from peeking at presents early.

Fulford Cave

2009-07-04T21:09:00.000-07:00

My dad and I had quite an adventure today. We drove to Sylvan Lake State Park to do some spelunking in Fulford Cave. The hike to the cave is just under a mile and not terribly difficult. However, right as we arrived at the trailhead, a downpour of rain kindly greeted us. And this rain did not let up. Finally, we made it to the enterance, which was a narrow culvert.

The cave is multi-leveled and fairly difficult to navigate. The temperature inside was 40 degrees! The wet clothing didn't help.

In the cave......................

The aftermath...............................

The Aspens of Beaver Creek, CO

2009-07-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

My parents, Whit, Jack and I walked on a trail through the aspens in Beaver Creek a few days ago. It was awesome. Apart from a few pine and spruce, the aspen was pretty much the only tree to be seen. Thousands of them!

This sign certainly got our attention. However, not a single black bear was spotted. Blast! I have to admit it would have been exciting.

I carved my initials on this dead aspen. Exciting, I know.

I call it "Freedom."

Cutest toddler in the world.

P.S. I just began a new blog that revolves entirely around the world of Tree Sledding. Click here to view.

Tree Sledding (Spring of '05)

2009-06-29T16:39:00.000-07:00

Honduras

2009-01-23T15:26:00.000-08:00

These kids have completely melted me......

Florida's Gators

2008-11-08T11:18:00.000-08:00

Greetings from Florida, Land of the Gators! I actually have run into a few alligators so far and the locals seem to be completely unafraid on them. They'll do watersports in Gator-infested waters and even swim along side the beasts for fun! Now I assumed that the risk of being attacked must be extremely low and the american crocodile is more likely to attack and kill. For the most part I was right, but after a little research I discovered some disturbing facts. Fatal alligator attacks on humans have increased over the years. In fact, 11 people were killed by alligators in the five years between 2001 and 2006. That kind of frightens me. But alas! People take risks everyday: surfing with great whites, swimming with gators, driving, flying, you name it. I just think people need to be more aware of the risks and know what to do when danger strikes!

The Plot

2008-11-05T19:15:00.000-08:00

There is an evil plot at work. It's quite clear that someone wants me dead. I'm unsure why. Let me explain. While eating lunch at The Cheesecake Factory just the other day, I found a lone piece of asparagus in my four-cheese pasta. Now for those of you who don't already know, I am deathly allergic to asparagus and have visited the ER quite a few times because of it. Now what makes this plot even more incredible is that this is not the first time this has happened. I keep discovering random pieces of asparagus in dishes that have absolutely nothing to do with asparagus! So I have concluded that some disgruntled employee at The Cheesecake Factory wishes my death. So if you are reading this right now, I deeply apologize for anything I have done to offend you and if you truly want to kill me, let's take it out back and at least have a fair fight. I'll have my Samurai sword ready.

Tree Sledding: A History

2008-10-23T17:56:00.000-07:00

Fall is by far my favorite season. It is a season full of tradition. Leaves. Pumpkin Bread. Hot Spiced Apple Cider. Tree Sledding? Yes, you heard me right. Let me explain. Imagine yourself riding a plastic sled down a slope of dirt and leaves and crashing into a thicket of wood. That pretty much sums up Tree Sledding, an extreme sport created many years ago by myself and some friends. Well after a two year break, we decided to bring it back this year and here's the video to prove it. Check it out!

Ben is Back

2008-08-29T00:15:00.000-07:00

It's true. Ben Folds has returned with his new album, Way To Normal, set to release on September 30th. Check out his brand new single "You Don't Know Me" featuring Regina Spektor on iTunes. I love it. This album is going to rock.

(Ben is also performing live with the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn on September 7th. I could not be more excited.)

The Last Samurai

2008-08-23T01:57:00.000-07:00

"Nations, like men, it is sometimes said, have their own destiny..."
-Simon Graham

What has brought us to this day and age? How has our world advanced and what has it cost us? Edward Zwick's The Last Samurai deals heavily with the change that brought the isolated nation of Japan into the modern era. Despite it being fiction, the film well illustrates the struggle between tradition and modernism that Japan faced during the Meiji Restoration.

The Samurai, originally positioned as the military security of the nation's capitol for nearly a thousand years, were soon regarded as protector's of the "old world" and no longer needed in this new modern age. Therefore, they became outcasts, isolated from the civilized capitol. Their ancient traditions and customs, however, remained very much a part of their every day life. The Samurai's utter refusal to conform was viewed as rebellion and a potential threat to the prosperity of the nation.

The Last Samurai follows the journey of Nathan Algren, an American war hero mortally wounded by the past; the things he has both "seen and done." He is appointed by the Emperor Meiji to build and train a new and improved army of Japan to suppress the relentless rebellion of the Samurai. He soon learns that his newly trained regiment is no match for the strength of the Samurai and finds himself as their defeated captive. He is to spend well over a year in their village living among these "unusual people." He quickly becomes fascinated with their unique way of life and unprecedented display of discipline.

An interesting friendship develops between Algren and Katsumoto, the highly respected leader of the Samurai. From their many "conversations" Algren begins to understand the "Way Of The Samurai" and why they still hold on to tradition in an ever changing world. He writes in his journal: "I have never been a church-going man. And what I have seen on the field of battle has led me to question God's purpose. But there is indeed something spiritual in this place. And though it may forever be obscure to me, I cannot but be aware of it's power." Algren, for the first time, finds himself at peace in this beautiful place. Living among people bound together by honor, friendship, and love. Is this not something worth fighting for? I would rather not give away the ending and fear I have already said to much.

Today, Japan has undoubtedly caught up to the modern world and for the most part beat it...well at least with technology. But what was the price? What did they have to sacrifice to get to this point? The truth is that the Samurai were destroyed, traditions were forgotten, and urbanization rapidly increased. But if you visit the country today, you will see that it is yet a paradoxical place; a modern society still clinging to the roots of their tradition. It is evident in their architecture: cityscapes next to ancient temples and shrines, etc. Despite the intense "westernization" of Japan, its inhabitants still hold on to the same values represented by the Samurai, and that is what makes a nation truly unique.

Coffe & Congo

2008-08-22T14:43:00.001-07:00

Yes. I drink my coffee from a Congo mug.

Ellen Foster: The Video Diaries

2008-08-19T21:31:00.000-07:00

"When I was little I would think of ways to kill my daddy..."
Ellen Foster

During my senior year of high school my English class was assigned to read Kaye Gibbon's Ellen Foster, a tragic tale of a young girl on a quest to find the one she can truly call "mamma." As a response to the novel, my class was asked to illustrate certain themes and symbols represented in the story. I, as I did with all assignments, asked the teacher's permission for my group to make a movie instead. She agreed. I'm sure she regretted it. Here it is:

Ratatouille

2008-08-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

"Good food is like music you can taste, color you can smell. There is excellence all around you. You need only to be aware to stop and savor it." -Auguste Gusteau

So if someone told you a story about a rat, fascinated with the culinary arts, who cooks up the finest food in France by controlling a clueless human being, how would you respond? I say if anyone could make it work, Pixar can. And they do! Ratatouille is by far among the finest they have to offer, which is saying quite a lot.

The animation alone is on a whole new level of brilliance. You can almost smell and taste the food. But I believe Pixar's greatest strength is that of character and story. For that is what truly captures an audience and connects on a more personal level. Ratatouille left me charmed, delighted, and hungry for more....

The Beginning

2008-08-17T22:48:00.001-07:00

Well.......................this is me.