Bob Marley said some pretty cool stuff...

“He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you.” 

Bob Marley


I want any girl I date to read this... especially after the last relationship I was in. 


“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.” 


“The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively” 

“Don't Gain The World & Lose Your Soul, Wisdom Is Better Than Silver Or Gold.” 


“Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!” 

We think too much and feel too little

The Avett Brothers

"Our hands and minds, legs and mouths, eyes and ears, arms and feet were all made with purpose, and though you may never find that exact purpose, it is your obligation to god to search for it...."



Hilarious intro to this video, with a song from one of my favorite bands - The Avett Brothers

At this point, they can only stop themselves

If you're a fan of Real Salt Lake, chances are at some point you were a Utah Jazz fan. And chances are, you have some sort of issues from the heartbreak the local NBA franchise has consistently unleashed upon us. Well, the future is bright and the heartbreak is a lot less frequent as a supporter of RSL. In ways, Real Salt Lake have already surpassed their in state professional sports brothers in their six short years of existence. In other ways, they're looking to establish the long term quality and stability in a small market that the Jazz have displayed under the guidance and system that Jerry Sloan and Larry Miller created.

The Utah Jazz have been such a quality team and such a stable team in a market where they have no business doing so. They have been to the highest level of professional basketball twice, but they have never taken home the prom queen. The consistency ranks them among the NBA's best over the last 25 years, but again, the team has never quite climbed over the hump, and therefore will probably never be remembered as a great franchise in the future. No amount of fifty win seasons, no amount of all star players, no NBA finals appearances are truly worth a place in the category of great, or historical moments in NBA history, nor will these things be a moment that stands out or is talked about to the future generations.

Bring in Real Salt Lake, a franchise still in it's infancy. A team that just a few years ago was the laughing stock of the league. A team that was nothing to the world of soccer, a team that was nothing even in our own league. Then, somewhere along the first regime's failed experiments, owner Dave Checketts noticed something was missing. The team didn't have an identity, the team had no leadership, the team's only direction was further down the tubes into an area where all the soccer naysayers said we'd go. Then, in a bold move that surprised everyone, Checketts took a leap of faith by talking then star player, Jason Kreis in to becoming the manager of Real Salt Lake. It was a move, to me, that was eerily reminiscent of Larry Miller's move to replace Frank Layden with Jerry Sloan. The similarities in coaches is very similar, and gave both franchises a building block, an identity, a sort of confidence that as long as these guys are here, everything is going to go smoothly.

Dave Checketts took over as president of the Utah Jazz at the young age of 28, making him the youngest chief executive in NBA history. After buying the Real Salt Lake franchise, laying the ground work to fetch the club a major soccer specific stadium deal, he then handed over the reigns to Jason Kreis, who would become the youngest coach in MLS history and soon turn the dying Utah franchise into the model franchise for all of American soccer.

Kreis' first full season was in retrospect a whirlwind of change. Along with newly hired GM, Garth Laggerway, the culture, the expectations and the results immediately changed for Real Salt Lake. Trades and signings were done strategically with a vision in mind. The result of that vision landed the club Robbie Findley, Yura Movsisyan, Fabian Espindola, Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales, Jamison Olave, Nat Borchers and Nick Rimando. With that haul, the core that we see today was in place. Other pieces would later be added to fine tune the product and strengthen the clubs depth.

In the final game of 2008 the mindset and resolve that Kreis had been bleeding finally took shape with the team. In the 90th minute of the final game of the season, Yura Movsisyan knocked home a goal that put RSL into the playoffs, and knocked arch rival Colorado out of the playoffs. I believe that was a major turning point in this club that truly moved us to believe that we could do anything. The club went on to knock favored Chivas USA out of the playoffs, before sputtering out to New York. In 2009 the club went on to win the MLS Cup and put their stamp on the MLS as a team to be reckoned with.

After a record setting 2010 that saw the club to record setting levels in league play, and proving they could play with the regions best in Champions League play, they have arrived at a new pinnacle for the team. A chance to win the regional championship and advance to play for the world championship.

Since Jason Kreis arrival and the implementation of a new mindset, records have been set, a league championship has been won, awards have been given, players and coaches have left, while new one's have arrived. But, the system and the motto that "The Team Is The Star" has stayed and has ruled this club. Everyone works for the name on the front of the shirt, not the back. This is a true army, a once in a lifetime coming together that we're witnessing right now. It's rare that the stars align perfectly in any walk of life, but somehow Real Salt Lake has found a way to put that together and there's no end in sight.

For me, unlike the Utah Jazz. This Real Salt Lake team has the heart and passion, they have what it takes to go out and surprise us every time they step on the field. They don't fold and wither away on the biggest stage. People, even fans keep expecting RSL to trip and fall, to stub their toe, to wake up from this dream run they're on, but the boys in claret and cobalt just keep getting better and achieving things that have never been done. Where a soccer culture of us Americans recently believed we were doomed when we play in Mexico, and a place in the club World Cup could never be achieved, has now turned into an ideal that is feasible, we're not scared any more and the bar for what can be accomplished keeps being raised by Real Salt Lake, and the rest of the country is coming with us. Forget MLS, I've never seen such wide spread support for the National Team for an upcoming game. The league, the teams, the players, the fans.... well, they're all Real Salt Lake fans for this championship match up. And it all started with Jason Kreis not being scared to dream big alongside Dave Checketts, and for them to go out and create a team that is capable of seemingly anything.

If Real Salt Lake win the CONCACAF Champions League, the RSL front office better prepare for the phone calls from Disney.This is a once in a lifetime ride that these boys are taking us on. This one is a classic story waiting to happen, if RSL wins the championship, they could make a movie out of it. You can't script this ride, and I hope it never ends. I hope that this becomes the norm for American soccer. In 16 years we've put ourselves on the same level as clubs and countries that Soccer is all they have. Clubs that have been perfecting their model for over one hundred plus years. This team has faced naysayers at every turn of the way, and they keep proving everyone wrong. Real Salt Lake realizes that you can never reach the pinnacle in sports, that there is always something to do better, always something bigger to achieve, breaking molds that MLS and USA Soccer has been stuck in and blazing new trails for what is capable if done the right way.

So whether you're a local from Utah who loves the Jazz, but aren't quite sure about this Soccer thing, well now is a pretty damn good time to jump on the band wagon. And for fans of other MLS teams or the USA national team. Well, finally there's a representative in Utah that we all, as a soccer community can take pride in, believe in, and realize that they're capable of greatness just like anyone from the states who sets their mind to a goal.

I firmly believe that Real Salt Lake will not only win the CONCACAF Champions League tournament over Monterrey, but they will win the first leg 2-1 becoming the first club or national team to ever win in Mexico. To date, our country is 0-44-4 playing in Mexico. Time to make history!

Real Salt Lake enters rare air.....

In a little less than 48 hours, Real Salt Lake will step foot in one of the most intimidating, most daunting stadiums in all of the CONCACAF region when they play the second, and final leg of the semifinals against a very good Saprissa team in Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Ayma. With the weight of not only their own dreams and desires, but those of a soccer nation that has never been represented on this level, RSL have a big load to carry. Our boys have already accomplished more than any other American soccer club has by simply advancing to the semi-finals of the Champions League tournament. And the good news is, RSL didn't get here by luck, and they sure as hell aren't expecting anything less than to advance to the championship game.

Is it coincidence or fate that brought so many loose ends together for all of us fans. I know it sounds stupid, but a few things seem a little strange in accordance with the clubs short history.

A little shy of six years to the day, my brother and I sat eagerly watching this new team play in Rice Eccles Stadium. A nice college football stadium, but terrible soccer stadium was host to the first ever Major League Soccer game in Utah. Something we'd only dreamed of for years was finally right in front of us. We didn't care that the team wasn't very good, we didn't care that the pitch was turf, painted with American football lines on it. We sat among a sellout crowd of over 26,000 through a stalemate of bad soccer as Real Salt Lake battled their soon to be bitter rival, Colorado Rapids. A man that would later transcend the culture of soccer in America introduced himself quite kindly to the locals, with an 86th minute flying header, Brian Dunnseth (TV Analyst, The Original Winger, Bumpy Pitch) gave us hope that soccer would flourish in the beehive state as he lead the newest club in MLS to their first win ever. It was a special night, and I drove home beaming with such high aspirations for this new club. Soon we woke up to realize that we were setting records, and not good records in MLS. RSL set a record (that TFC later broke) for the longest scoreless drought. Our keeper who had grey hair (Garlick) decided that he'd rather get into the real estate market and left the team, and we were 1 day away from the team being sold due to no public support for a stadium. But that all has past, and we're now known as the class of MLS... Strange how things can turn with the right pieces in place. Brian Dunnseth is now a Fox Soccer Channel analyst, and will be in Costa Rica as part of the broadcast team for FSC. *Fate*

A month later, the USA Men's National team came to Utah to face Costa Rica in a World Cup Qualifier. Current Saprissa, and former Real Salt Lake midfielder, Douglas Sequiera played for the Tico's in what was a beat-down applied by the Yanks. Seeing that game in person, I wondered if RSL or MLS teams as a whole would ever see the day of playing this level of soccer. Well my friends, the day is here... embrace this event, we're not guaranteed a win, and we're not guaranteed a return trip anytime in the future. This is the biggest game Real Salt Lake have had to prepare for, and that World Cup Qualifier was the biggest game the club had ever hosted. It has come full circle and we're playing that level. *Fate*

In 2010 after a dream season that saw Real Salt Lake end as the champions of MLS, I was a bit nervous about our near future because of our lack of goal scorers. We had just recently had our best striker, Yura Movsisyan leave for bigger opportunities overseas, and Fabian Espindola suffered through a horrible end of the season. Leave it up to the great minds in RSL's front office to land one of the premier strikers that Major League Soccer had ever seen. Costa Rica international, Alvaro Saborio had arrived on loan from FC Sion, by way of... you guessed it, Saprissa. Saborio is a legend already in his native country, netting 95 goals in six years for the Costa Rican giant. Saborio has also tortured the USA national team, and soon would take the MLS and Champions League opponents by storm. He scored against his old team in the first leg and will be an amazing asset to lead our team into the fortress of Estadio Ricardo Saprissa. Our strikers now stack up against any other team in MLS, and Saborio made me forget all about what we were missing. *Fate*

The soccer club, Saprissa was founded in 1935. They're recognized as the dominant power in Costa Rican soccer, and have won this very Champions League tournament three times (93' 95' 05') Saprissa has also finished second multiple times. In 2005 when Saprissa won the Champions League tournament, they had an exciting run in the FIFA Club World Cup - They finished third behind Liverpool (ENG) and Sao Paulo (BRA) Alvaro Saborio led the way for Saprissa, leading them in goals for the tournament, and recording two goals in their final game. RSL has Saborio now, he's the second leading goal scorer in this years tournament, and he surely will be instrumental in leading the boys from Utah on their way to Japan to play in the Club World Cup. Another addition that has been instrumental in getting us to where we're today, and a main reason we have a chance to win this game and go all the way to the Club World Cup. *Fate*


*This video is from a 2009 USA v Costa Rica World Cup Qualifier where USA lost 3-1 and RSL striker Alvaro Saborio had an early goal*

Coach Jason Kreis of Real Salt Lake played in Estadio Ricardo Saprissa for the USA National Team. He recollects having coins thrown at him while trying to warm up, the ceiling of the locker room nearly caving in from the fans jumping for hours on end. If the National team was scared / affected from the atmosphere, how can a club team not be affected. Fans of Saprissa talk about how the Americans fear the atmosphere, fear the fans, fear the noise. The USA National Team has never won here, and players clearly let the atmosphere get to their head. Watch highlights from the World Cup Qualifiers, and watch all of the mistakes that are uncharacteristically made. The stadium is nearly forty years old, and looks every day of it. The purple concrete walls and fortress gates that open for the team buses look like something from a junk yard / prison. The fans arrive hours in advance to sing and create an environment that no MLS club has ever seen before. I know RSL played in Azteca against Mexican giant, Cruz Azul, but the place was hardly occupied, and the torrential rain dampened the atmosphere and smog. The piercing noise, the terrible field turf, the flying objects. All of this will be more of a test for RSL than the team on the other side of the ball. RSL can play with anyone in CONCACAF, if they play their game, if they play their style. Will the atmosphere scare us, will we make mental errors due to our nerves. I don't think so... We have the right leaders in guys like Beckerman, Morales, Olave, Borchers, Rimando, Williams and especially Alvaro Saborio. But the big question is, will Coach Kreis stick by his motto, "Fortune Favors The Bold" and come out playing our game, possessing the ball and attacking. Will coach be able to ease the nerves of our players. I think so - One early goal and Saprissa has to score four to overcome the aggregate lead of 3-0 with an away goal negating any tie. Go on RSL - be bold and secure your destiny! *Fate*

Watching the first leg of this match up as Real Salt Lake hosted Saprissa in Utah really confirmed what a classy side we are. We thoroughly outplayed a team who has been the champion in our region multiple times. We made a team who has been ranked as a top 100 team in the world look silly. Saprissa was so frustrated they drew five yellow cards in the game and committed twenty fouls. Three of the yellow carded players were put over the limit, and thus will be ineligible for this upcoming game (Jose Mena, Ricardo Blanco, Douglas Sequiera) Saprissa was scrambling to slow down RSL all night, and the MLS champs won the game 2-0. My only concern with the game, was the Nat Borchers 6th minute goal that was disallowed due to a phantom foul. I don't even want to bring it up, because I don't want it to come true. But hopefully we won't need that extra goal, hopefully the gods will pay us back for cheating us out of a clean, and quite beautiful goal. *TBD*

All in all, the farther Real Salt Lake advances in this tournament, the more the nation is taking notice. Fans of every club in MLS are now cheering on our boys. This is a representation of soccer in the USA, a statement to all the non-believers that soccer in America has arrived. A belief in myself and a belief in everyone who is passionate about soccer in this great country of ours is pulling for a team that I put my heart and soul into.... That's a pretty special feeling! I hope our boys can do everyone proud and get into that championship game. More fate possibly awaits us as Cruz Azul have a chance to advance to the Championship game where revenge couldn't be sweeter for the crazy loss we suffered in Mexico. No other time has every soccer fan in America been cheering for one club team - this is crazy!

Thankfully the entire organization and the entire league has put so much into this tournament for us the fans. The behind the scenes 360 videos have been special to watch and have given us a look into the players lives and how important this is to them and to the organization. The media coverage locally in Utah, and nationally by all of the great soccer minds and websites have given RSL and MLS their just due. Now it's time for the boys in Claret and Cobalt to go out and put our stamp on the world. We're supposed to be here, and we're reaping the benefits of everything the club has done up until now. The hard work, the decisions, the support, the vision... It's all paying off, and I can't wait for the game. I can't wait for what the future holds for Real Salt Lake.

Saturday Sounds - B.O.B.

B.O.B. reminds me a lot of Outkast.. Fun stuff!

I have really not felt like blogging much the past month or so... I'm digging deep trying to find it in myself to bring back thoughts and ideas I want to share....

Saturday Sounds - Jurassic Five

What's Golden

Saturday Sounds - Brand New

Book Review - Further Along The Road Less Traveled - M. Scott Peck

Sometime a year or two ago, I read the initial offering from M. Scott Peck, M.D. which was simply titled, The Road Less Traveled. At the time, that book was exactly what I needed to further foster my growth and open my eyes to different ways of thinking and progressing. This book, in accordance with it's title is just a trip, Further Along The Road Less Traveled. These books are kind of old, but haven't dated or been passed up for the knowledge they possess. If you ever become stuck, lost or in search of something more, these books are a great resource for helping you along the path of an award winning Psychiatrist's personal growth, as well as stories from his patients growth.

The hard part for me with these kind of books, is that they take me so long to read due to the great knowledge and ideals. I have to re-read pages, journal about topics, take notes on ideas, quotes and thoughts I like. I guess this is kind of a problem with all books I read... But hey, I'm learning and trying to practice what I learn. Nothing wrong with that, right?

The subtitle of this book is, The Unending Journey Towards Spiritual Growth. I think that Is important to note, as Peck really is helping the reader find their personal path through the tough ups and downs of spiritual growth. He goes to great length to bust up myths, beliefs, fallacies, and certain bad practices with a easy to follow discussion. He also doesn't seem to push any one way of thinking on the reader, which is nice, and leaves you the opportunity to analyze yourself, and make your assessment of where you are at, and where would be best to go with only his knowledge, and experience. Although, part of the growth and process that you get to go through in these 2 books is that of Dr. Peck finding his own feelings, thoughts and beliefs in religion... something that you wouldn't have thought possible in the first book, where Peck is as Agnostic as they come. He ends up finding his life is so richly enhanced through the Christian faith, and it's kind of cool to see him grow into that, and all the critical thinking that comes with it.

I'm sure several posts of critical thinking and new, or slightly reinforced ideals will come of this book. But, for this post I will simply list out many of the parts, quotes and ideas I liked from the book for reference purposes. I think it's important for me to have these to revert back to and remember why I was so captivated while reading it. So here's some of what I enjoyed or learned from:


The path this book started me on: The Road must not be seen as the final or definitive word, but merely as the beginning of a difficult and unending journey toward spiritual growth that true pilgrims must take. Each of us must have his own path through life. There are no self help manuals, no formulas, and no easy answers.


Life Steps: 1) Spiritual Journey 2) Growing Up 3) Knowing Yourself 4) In Search Of A Personal God
These steps, to me... are a very simplistic road map for knowing where you are, and where your next step is for growth. I think I'm personally on the fence of number 3 and 4. 


"Appreciate that life is complex - Don't look for the easy answers. Think muti-dimensionaly, enjoy finding your way through the mysteries and paradoxes of life... Trial and error is classic history."


Never Stop Growing: "All of my life I've wondered what I will be when I grow up. Then I realized that we never grow up - growing is an ever on-going process."


Pain and suffering aren't necessarily bad: "Jesus said: Blessed are the poor in spirit. Or, on an intellectual level, Blessed are the confused - and they're blessed because confusion leads to clarification, and with the search for clarification comes a great deal of learning."


"For an old idea to die, and a new, and better idea to take it's place we have to go through such periods of confusion." "It is uncomfortable, sometimes painful to be in such periods. But despite feeling poor in spirit, we're searching for new and better ways, we're open to the new, we're looking, we're growing."


"Those things that hurt, Instruct." - Ben Franklin
I like this quote a lot, because I know from experience that when you hurt, you learn... you're in search.

"Everything that happens to us is designed for our spiritual growth."

You will never really know: "Reality, like god is something we can only approach. Life's about mystery. Some people need to feed their desire for mystery by climbing mountains, some need to explore religion, some need to explore themselves. Religion, Life, Love - All things we can observe and theorize, but we can never know." 


Loving yourself: "Major part of loving yourself is realizing that there is something wrong with you, accepting it, and trying to fix it. Those who claim that nothing is wrong, nothing to be fixed have the problem."

What is most important in life is the Development of Your Own Soul.

"This is courage! - Courage is the capacity to go ahead in spite of the fear or the pain."

"Self love is great, but be sure to avoid a self love that shuts everyone else out. Becoming narcissistic is easy to do. The path away from narcissism is the path toward meaning."

More religious talk:

You're wrong if you think that doctrine, scripture, bible is the absolute truth. If you believe that the Bible is not only the divinely inspired word of god, but the actual transcribed, un-altered word of god you're nuts. These books / doctrines have been and will be altered again and again. Not leaving it open to interpretation and growth is a huge mistake as they're filled with paradoxes and metaphors that can be interpreted in multiple ways. 


"My vision of Hell is distinctly that the gates of Hell are wide open. People can walk right out of hell, and the reason they're in Hell is that they choose not to. I simply cannot accept the view of Hell in which God punishes people without hope, and destroy's souls without a chance for redemption. God wouldn't go to the trouble of creating souls, with all their complexity, just to fry them in the end."

"Religions are different roads converging upon the same point. What does it matter that we take different roads, as long as we reach the same goal?" - Gahndi 

"What is faith worth if it is not translated into action." - Gahndi

How to deal with suffering: 

Based on the premise that I'm shy (and suffering because of it)

1. Ask yourself if your suffering is just or not: I can't ask a question in public to a speaker 
2. Ask yourself Is this way of dealing with my shyness which is holding you back from asking questions enhancing your existence, or limiting it? And as soon as I asked myself that question, It was clear that it was limiting my existence. 
3. Behave the way you normally would: So, I had to ask myself - How would I behave if I wasn't so shy. The answer is clear that I would ask my question with confidence because I want to know. Tell yourself, go ahead and behave that way... Fake it to make it... Act as if you weren't shy. 

"Americans think what characterizes the mentally healthy is an absence of crises. That's not it. What characterizes mental health is the ability to meet our crises early."

"Life should be measured not on how many crises we can avoid, but how early we can meet a crises and get on to the next one - and how many crises we can cram into one lifetime. With each crises you meet, acknowledge, overcome - you grow and learn." 

Stages Of Spiritual Development: 

1. Antisocial / Chaotic / Lawlessness: Like almost everyone's youth...
2. Formal / Institutional: Rigorous adherence to the letter of the law, and attachment to religion. 
3. Skeptic / Individual: Stage of principled behavior, but characterized by religious doubt, or disinterest. Although accompanied by severe inquisitiveness in other areas of life. 
4. Maturity: Stage of living more by the spirit of the law, than the letter of the law. 

The second stage, Formal / Institutional has always been a tough person for me to get along with. These are the hypocrites, and ignorant people who judge others and make me never want to go to church. Dr. Peck goes on to say: "These are people who are dependent upon an institution for their governance." "I compare this stage to prisoners. Some people need the church or prison for their governance. There are millions of inmates who are 'model' inmates. They're so good and get early parole because of it. but as soon as they're released, they go back to their old ways because they're not governed. Then they go back to prison, and go right back to being 'model' inmates. Some people simply need to be governed to organize their being." 

"I became a principled, self governing human being who doesn't need to depend on an institution for my governance."

"I don't believe in god as an eternal being, I think he is inside each and every one of us."

"I have pursued my passion for god and spirituality, but I'm fed up with the simplistic black and white religious faith that claims to have all of the answers, and doesn't deal with the mystery."

"Many of us are never able to adjust to the reality that life is larger than something that is just our show. In this failure to adjust, we fail to learn. But for real learning and growing we have to come to terms with the fact that ... Life is what happens, when you plan for something else."

"Love: Defined as the concern for the spiritual growth of another."

Saturday Sounds - HelloGoodbye

Would It Kill You?

Some of my favorite dude's I've ever met... Great music that is just happy music I guess... Check out there new album "Would It Kill You" - This album and this song specifically just matches how I'm feeling and where I'm at right now.

Dark Side Of The Lens | BLUR

DARK SIDE OF THE LENS from Astray Films on Vimeo.

Wonderful little film that Martin shared with me... Martin - You're like my resource for everything cool. It's all about doing what you love and finding away to structure your life around it. All the stress and bullshit in life, we don't have to put up with it. This film is full of beauty, wisdom, intrigue, and excitement. Blow it up full screen so you can see the beauty of this guys work. It's worth it!

"I never set out to become anything in particular, only to live creatively and push the scope of my experience for adventure and for passion… The raw brutal cold coastlands for the right waveriders to challenge – this is where my heart beats hardest…

Most folk don’t even know who we are, and what we do or how we do it, let alone what they pay us for it. I never want to take this for granted so I try to keep motivation simple, real, and positive… If I only scrape a living, at least it’s a living where I’m scraping…. If there’s no future in it, this is a present worth remembering.

I see life in angles, in lines of perspective – the slow turn of a head, the blink of an eye, subtle glimpses of magic – other folk might pass by. Cameras help me translate, interpret and understand what I see. It’s a simple act that keeps me grinnin’. I never set out to become anything in particular, only to live creatively and push the scope of my experience for adventure and for passion. They still all mean something to me, same as most anyone with dreams. My heart bleeds celtic blood and I magnetize the familiar frontiers. The raw brutal cold coastlands for the right waveriders to challenge – this is where my heart beats hardest.

I try to pay tribute to that magic through photographs. Weathering the endless staunch for rare glimpses of magic each winter is both a blessing and a curse I relish. I wanna see waveriding documented the way I see it in my head, and the way I feel it in the sea. This is a strange set of skills to begin to acquire. This is only achievable through time spent riding waves. All sorts of waves on all sorts of crafts. There is more time spent learning out on the water, floating in the sea amongst lumps and swells, you always learn something. It’s been a lifelong wise old classroom teacher of sorts and hopefully, it always will be. Buried beneath headlands, shaping the coast, mind-blowing images of empty waves burn away at me.

Solid ocean swells powering through deep cold water, heavy waves weighs in wait, coaxed from comfortable routine, ignite the imagination, conveys some of the viny spark, whisper possibilities, conjure the situations I thrive amongst and love to document.

We all take knocks in the process – broken backs, drownings, near-drownings, hypothermia, dislocations, fractures, frostbite, head wounds, stitches, concussions, broke my arm – and that’s just the last couple of years, still look forward to getting amongst it each winter though.

Cold creeping into your core, driving you mad, day after day, mumbling to yourself while you hold position and wait for the next set to come. The dark side of the lens – An artform that to itself and us, silent workhorses of the surfing wake. There’s no sugary cliché. Most folk don’t even know who we are, and what we do or how we do it, let alone what they pay us for it. I never want to take this for granted so I try to keep motivation simple, real, and positive.

If I only scrape a living, at least it’s a living where I’m scraping.

If there’s no future in it, this is a present worth remembering.

For fires of happiness and waves of gratitude. For everything that brought us to that point on earth at that moment in time, to do something worth remembering with a photograph, or a scar -I feel genuinely lucky and hand on heart say I love doing what I do. And I may never be a rich man, or live long enough, then sadly I have a tale or two for the nephews. And I dig the thought of that."

This video literally made me cry

Thanks to my good buddy Martin for showing me this video.. This is a such a great reminder that things aren't that bad. That we can overcome anything... even if everyone else says we cant.

Reminds me of a quote my boy Steve Peeler gave to me one day:

"You have to believe in yourself - Very few people will believe in you, many will root against you."

Take eight minutes out of your day and watch this.. I bet you get choked up, or at least get goosebumps.