Wingsuit Flying

Hanggliding

My feeble attempt at flying.

Chuck Close

Twenty years ago, Chuck Close was a successful artist, painting photorealistic portraits with incredible technical skill. Then, one day he was suddenly paralyzed by a rare spinal artery collapse. Although the partial paralysis left him unable to paint with the precision he was renowned for, his art evolved into a more abstract and interesting form (see pics above). He talks about the transformation and its effect on the Charlie Rose Show.

Charlie Rose: What was the hardest thing about adjusting to what happened to you? I mean, you were a very healthy man. You were 49 years old.

Chuck Close: Well, 48, the same age my father was when he died. And it's interesting to have an event that corresponds...because I thought about every year that I had with my children that he didn't have with me. And as hard as my life was, I realized that every one of those years was a gift, and was to be cherished and appreciated. I think, in a funny way, it's made it a lot easier.

CR: How many years have you had since then?

CC: Nineteen.

CR: That's incredible. Nineteen years of gift to your children, that your father hadn't...

CC: Well, I'm not so sure they think it's a gift. [Laughing]. Some of those years I don't think they appreciated it.

Videos that Make You Feel Better

Here a few of my favs:

Puppy Lullaby


Where the Hell is Matt?


Bert and Ernie Gangsta Rap


from Ze Frank.

The Immortal Burger

America's Best Adventures

In 2004, National Geographic Adventure put out a list of the top 100 outdoor expeditions in the United States. Here's the top 10:

1. Rafting the Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona
2. Sea Kayaking the Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii
3. DogSledding in the Brooks Range, Alaska
4. Mountain Biking Kokopelli's Trail, Colorado and Utah
5. Hiking the Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah
6. Skiing Corbet's Couloir, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
7. Climbing the El Capitan, Yosemite
8. Hiking the Presidential Range Traverse, New Hampshire
9. Competing in the "Beast" Adventure Race, Alaska Range
10. Diving Bonne Terre Mine, Bonne Terre, Missouri

Thus far, I can only scratch off one of the items of the list, hiking the Narrows of Zion NP (#5). So much to do, so little time!

The Small Stakes

Jason Munn is an artist who lives in the "O" (Oakland). I first saw his beautiful silk screen posters at the SFMOMA a few weeks ago, and was delighted to see that his work is also on sale at the Small Stakes website for $20-45.

Apropos of the Times

"Our lives are controlled by a ruling class with vested interests not merely in change but in crisis and chaos. 'Uninterrupted disturbance, everlasting uncertainty and agitation,' instead of subverting this society, actually serve to strengthen it. Catastrophes are transformed into lucrative opportunities for redevelopment and renewal."

- Marshall Berman, All That is Solid Melts into Air

An Ideal Society

“In an ideal society, everyone should work for the well being of others.”
- Mencius

TED Talks: James Howard Kunstler

"When you degrade the public realm, you automatically degrade the quality of your civic life and the character of all of the enactments of your public life and communal life that take place there."

View Mr. Kunstler's diatribe here.

Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits

Trying to convince someone to eat healthier? This article in the New York Times gives some good, sound advice.

I particularly encourage getting folks into the kitchen -- I've been eating much healthier since I've taken up cooking.

Fun with Gravity

Adam Kimmel presents: Claremont HD from adam kimmel on Vimeo.

Fun with Gas

Career Advice, Manga Style

1. There is no plan. "Playing it safe" or "keeping your options open," generally speaking, don't lead to advancement. Instead, decide what you really want now -- take a job because it's cool or interesting, not because you think it'll lead you somewhere. In the end, you'll probably end up somewhere better.
2. Think strengths, not weaknesses. Research shows successful folks don't worry about their weaknesses but capitalize on their strengths.
3. It's not about you. Your job is about serving others, not serving yourself.
4. Persistence trumps talent. Persistence and performance feed on each other, allowing for faster growth than talent alone.
5. Make excellent mistakes. Mistakes don't mean that you're a failure -- they mean that you've tried. You improve yourself by going out there and trying to succeed where others haven't.
6. Leave an imprint. Think about what you want to accomplish at the end of your lifetime, and start doing something about that now.

from "The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need" by Daniel H. Pink.

Here's a trailer for the book:

Hate

"Being a hater just means that you are the one not having fun."

Burning Man 2008

Check out pics from this year's festival at Camp Montage.

My favorite overheard quote from BRC:
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"How many glow sticks are in your outfit?"
"Umm, I'm not sure. Around 500."
"Cool."

Academic Humor

Hilarious

The Great American West

Buffalo in Yellowstone

"Me Voy" by Julieta Venegas