Recollections, reviews, discoveries, and future plans.
We take it for granted that life moves forward. But you move as a rower moves, facing backwards-you can see where you've been, but not where you're going. And your boat is steered by a younger version of you. It's hard not to wonder what life would be like facing the other way...
sonder - n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. From "The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows" (www.dictionaryofobscuresorrows.com) Narrated, written, directed, edited and coined by John Koenig. ..... "Sonder. You are the main character-the protagonist-the star at the center of your own unfolding story.
I don't know about you, but I think this new production from Laser Unicorn looks pretty awesome. You've got Kung Fu, Nazis getting their asses kicked, vikings, Thor . . . it has it all!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kungfury/kung-fury Kung Fury is an over-the-top action comedy that has it's foundation in 80s cop movies. Written & Directed by David Sandberg. Produced by Laser Unicorns, Lampray and Salmon Fox. Cinematography by: Linus Andersson, Martin Gärdemalm, Jonas Ernhill and Mattias Andersson. Aerial Cinematography by: Henning Sandström. VFX by: David Sandberg, Klas Trulsson, Simon Tingell and Jimmy Sahlin. Starring: David Sandberg, Joanna Häggblom, Leopold Nilsson, Andreas Cahling and Per-Henrik Arvidius. More infos on xyozine.com/31166-kung-fury-trailer/
vemödalen - n. the frustration of photographing something amazing when thousands of identical photos already exist-the same sunset, the same waterfall, the same curve of a hip, the same closeup of an eye-which can turn a unique subject into something hollow and pulpy and cheap, like a mass-produced piece of furniture you happen to have assembled yourself.
nodus tollens n. the realization that the plot of your life doesn't make sense to you anymore-that although you thought you were following the arc of the story, you keep finding yourself immersed in passages you don't understand, that don't even seem to belong in the same genre-which requires you to go back and reread the chapters you had originally skimmed to get to the good parts, only to learn that all along you were supposed to choose your own adventure.
Date: June 3, 2014
Location: The Narrows | Zion National Park | Utah
Camera: Nikon D7000
Lens: Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G
Additional Gear: Lowepro Photo Sport 30L
The photo below was taken about 15 minutes before the sun sank below the rim of the canyon walls. We started running in order to make as much progress as we could before it got dark. The backpacker running in the green shirt is Ryan, he grew up near Zion and was showing me around. Further in the distance you can barely see my friend Christine, she lives near Zion and we had been trying to coordinate this trip for about 3 years.
The Narrows | Zion National Park | Utah
No snow in Snow Canyon
Last summer I decided to take a trip to Utah to explore Zion National Park. Over the years I had seen a lot of photos of Zion and decided that I needed to check it out in person. My original plan was to head out there in 2011 during a 4,000 mile solo road trip I was doing around the southwestern part of the U.S. Unfortunately I didn't have quite enough time to make it there and had to postpone. Finally at the end of May 2014 I had a bit of free time so I packed up my Saab wagon and drove from San Diego, CA to Saint George, UT. After about 6 and half hours I arrived, grabbed dinner, and met with a few locals I had befriended. The first day there I went on a solo hike to Three Ponds in Snow Canyon State Park. It was the beginning of June in the Utah desert so there definitely wasn't any snow in Snow Canyon and the 3 ponds turned out to be one small pool of stagnant water which was covered in dead flies. This was not the most pleasant thing to discover after trekking a few miles through really fine sand in 113°F/45°C heat.
Finding relief in the shade | Snow Canyon
A few days later I met with my new local friends and went to Zion. We did about a 5 mile hike in the morning that took us around one of the other parts of the park and then we headed to the Narrows after. I have to say The Narrows was definitely one of the most enjoyable hikes I've done. Not only is the terrain amazing, but hiking through the cool water in the shade while it's 100+ degrees out makes things much more pleasant. We probably hiked in about 3 miles and didn't start heading back until the sun was setting. Being in a canyon after dark was an interesting experience because it was pitch black, luckily I came prepared with my Petzl Headlamp. The downside to the headlamp was that it attracted a ton of Mayflies that started to circle my head so I eventually just used the headlamp like a regular flashlight.
The Heroes Project Feature Documentary, directed by Academy Award winner Freida Mock, is an inspiring story about strength, resilience, the human spirit and the ability to triumph over the impossible. It weaves together the story of seven men, all single or double amputees, who served their country with honor. Faced with catastrophic injuries these ordinary young men attempt the extraordinary – to climb the highest mountains of every continent in the world.
The Heroes:
Isaac, a double amputee from Michigan, who goes down under to Australia to tackle Mt. Kosciuszco in the middle of a severe winter storm.
Brad, a double amputee from Phoenix, who just 8 months after his injuries climbs Mt. Aconcagua in South America, the 6th tallest of the 7 Summits.
Kionte, a single amputee from Stockton, CA who climbs the highest peak in frigid Antarctica.
Mark, a double amputee from Michigan, climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa.
Matt, a single amputee from the flats of N. Carolina, climbs the highest mountain in North America, Mt. Denali.
Keith, an above the knee amputee from Colorado who climbs Mt. Elbrus in Russia, the highest mountain in all of Europe.
And Charlie, a single amputee from Boise, ID who sets his sights on the top of the world, Mt. Everest.
For these seven, facing a challenge that demands something deeply human in themselves, what motivates and inspires them on this heroic journey of recovery?
I think this project is worth getting behind and I'm pretty shocked and disappointed that it hasn't reached or surpassed its fundraising goal yet. The guys involved with this project are all real American Heroes that made huge sacrifices beyond what most of us can comprehend. They fought the good fight during the war and are bringing that fight home to take on each of their individual challenges head on. Tim Medvetz is a former Hell's Angel and founder of the Heroes Project, he seems like a pretty solid guy and he's really doing a great thing by honoring and helping all the troops that were wounded during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Unfortunately our nation has a short attention span and we tend to quickly forget all of those that put their lives on the line for our country, which is why I respect guys like Tim that make sure we don't forget. Regardless of your political beliefs or your opinion of the wars, you can't deny that this is a worthy cause. It should be viewed as something inspiring, because that's exactly what it is. Each of these guys has overcome serious injuries and gone way beyond the typical recovery, they've conquered their challenges by climbing the highest peaks on each of the 7 continents. Most healthy individuals with all 4 functioning limbs can't even do that.
We all go through struggles in life, most of them petty and occasionally some that are serious, but we should look at guys like my friend Mark Zambon and realize that those problems shouldn't stop us from living our lives and challenging ourselves everyday. Mark is the retired Marine that climbed Kilimanjaro after losing both of his legs in Afghanistan AND he's now training for the 2016 Paralympics! He's a truly inspirational individual and one of the most upbeat people I know. I did an ocean swim with him one night awhile back and it was a challenge for me to keep up with him. It's hearing stories like his and those of the other guys featured in the documentary that helped me get through my injuries and recovery process after a terrible car accident a few years ago. I broke a bunch of bones and partially tore both of my carotid arteries. The bones have since healed, but after 4 and half years the arteries still haven't. The injuries were pretty serious, but there wasn't a single moment when I felt down about my situation because I knew it wasn't anything compared to what others have been through. I realized if guys like the ones involved with this project can climb that tallest peaks in the world, I should have no right to complain or even take a moment to dwell.
If you have a moment, I'd really appreciate it if you would take the time to watch their Kickstarter video, donate something if you can, and please help spread the word because there are only a few days left of the campaign and if they don't reach their funding goal they won't get any of the money.
Trailer for Heroes Project / Seven Summits
Additional Press:
CBS with Lara Logan
Bloomberg
CBS in the Morning
Wall Street Journal
