“Meaning doesn’t happen on autopilot”
I say… tackle the whale.
Hugh MacLeod — The Whale
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Category Archives: Inspiration
Bamboo Blackbox Case Launch
We finally launched a project I have been working on early this morning. I have to say that it is scary to put yourself out there like this when you simply just don’t know what can happen. I’m feeling confident that we can get some attention and reach our goal though. These cases are just too well made and gorgeous to not be seen and there are some super good deals for those early adopters.
“Thank you for your support and helping us take Blackbox Case to the next level. As you can see in our pledging limits to the right we have tried to accommodate for nearly anyone who would like to be a part of making this product a success. We have included some fun enhancements for those of you who are looking for that extra effort in truly building a product together and we have provided some excellent deals for you early adopters. Don’t take our light hearted approach of making something unique and home grown the wrong way — We are firm believers in following your passions and making the most of any opportunity that is granted to you. Life is simply too short to not make something amazing.”
Save $20 on an iPad 2 Bamboo Case for the first 100 pledgers… Cheers to the future!
Amanda Capper – Live at the Pit Stop
“I just saw Amanda play last night at a crap hole bar on colfax… although you can’t make fun of bars like this… you can poke fun of her absolutely rocking out a place where she doesn’t belong. Just because she can.”
HYDLE – Constant Reminder
I have recently written about why, within human nature… does it take something to end, like death – for others to begin caring? And in reading someones last work – how chilling it is to often find how someone has experienced something of a higher power only days before they have passed.
My constant reminder right now is the remarkable story of Nicole Davis. Who is still alive today and deserves the celebration and caring now.
On New Years Eve my brother Jeremy hosted a fundraiser in Nicole’s name trying to break the world record for the number of tattoos done in a 24-hour period. His tattoo artist KAOS fell short of the record (802) at 656 but the benefit was far from failing. I personally worked a large chunk of the 24 hour event and was blown away by the stories and meaning behind every breast cancer support ribbon KAOS tattooed.
It seems to me that everybody has a cause, a benefit, a request for donation… but it’s very rare when people actually take the time to read into and experience the real stories of the people effected before or after they choose to make a donation. Maybe this is due to the saturation of how many thousands of causes we are bombarded with supporting… it’s easy to shut the door. But in the case of Nicole Davis and her beautiful family, I challenge you to read this recent story. She is still alive with us today and has an amazing story to share.
Hugh MacLeod – More To Life
To paraphrase Seneca, the tragedy isn’t that life is short, the tragedy is that we waste so much of it.
The other types of tragedy, the more violent kind, never worry me too much, thankfully. I never lost much sleep, worrying about wars or serial killers or whatever.
But getting to the end of my life and realizing that I had wasted most of it, that idea froze my blood.
As it should…
Easy vs. Do-Able vs. Impossible
Subscribe to the good words of Seth Godin
Often we consider an opportunity based on how easy it is. The problem with this analysis is that if it’s easy, it’s often not worth doing. It’s easy to start a blog, but of course, starting a blog doesn’t really deliver a lot of value. Posting 4,100 blog posts in a row, though, isn’t easy. It’s do-able, clearly do-able, and might just be worth it.
Successful organizations seek out the do-able. When Amazon went after the big bookstore chains, analysts ridiculed them for doing something insanely difficult. But it was clearly do-able. Persistence and talent and a bit of luck, sure, but do-able.
Sometimes we seek out things that are actually impossible. Building a search engine that’s just like Google but better is impossible (if your goal is to dominate the market with it). It’s fun to do impossible projects because then you don’t have to worry about what happens if you succeed… you have a safety net, because you’re dreaming the impossible dream.
Do-able, though, is within our reach. Ignore easy.
Harlan Ellison – Pay the Writer
[YouTubeUlar] <— 524,719
Need some balls to justify your freelance ability to do anything? Remember these words of Harlan Ellison... this is your answer.
“All you got to do is pay me. Everybody else may be an asshole but I’m not. By what right would you call me and ask me to work for nothing? Do you get a paycheck? Does your boss get a paycheck? Do you pay the telecine guy? Do you pay the camera men? Do you pay the cutters? Do you pay the teamsters when they shlep your stuff on the trucks? Would you go a gas station and ask to give you free gas? Would you go to the doctor and have them take out your spleen for nothing? How dare you call me and what me to work for nothing……there is no publicity value. The only value for me, is if you put money in my hand.
I don’t take a piss without getting paid for it.
I get so angry about this because you undercut by all the amateurs. It’s the amateurs who make it tough for all the professionals.”
Now that we have that clear… lets talk about some creative thinking.
EyeHandy – How to Regrip your Golf Clubs
[Link]
I’m feeling this one to be a little more seasonal then our last EyeHandy post.
I hope you are hitting the links.
-Hydle
EyeHandy – How to Wax a Snowboard
[Link]
I’m not recommending snowboarding – but I think you can apply these same principals to your skis.
Hope everyone is enjoying summer.
-Hydle
HYDLE – 2011 Craig Hospital Push Dinner Video
[Vimeo] <— 112 views
Wow - What an amazing story and adventure it was getting to hang out with Doug Smith. He is an incredible piano player and if you have never heard him play before his accident… it will alarm you what his fingers can do.
Buy his Live album and prepare to be *blown* away.
Work to it… rock out to it… study to it — just listen to it.
Artist: Doug Smith
Album: Doug Smith — Live
Songs: West Texas and Passion — give them 5 stars.
I can’t wait for your new album Doug!
TOTD – 200 MPH
“The coffee mug is full, it’s 10:30 pm, but it feels like 10:30 am. You are experiencing the rush of being “in flow”.
You’re furiously typing your ‘big idea’, and you know the hair-brained scheme you just dreamt up is going to be a winner. A big winner.
You’re at 200 MPH, and you just know you can push the needle further.
You do.”
I’m doing this right now… only still adventuring at the same time. Look for a Kickstarter Blackbox release tomorrow. Thanks for defining how my brain works Hugh MacLeod.
MFCEO Kenneth Powers is Back
EXPLICIT:
[YouTube] <— 318 views
My brother and I have been dreaming of a campaign like this... finally good to see it.
Is this marketing? Or is it genius?
Genius Marketing - again.
Staff:
Jillian Michaels - Community Outreach Director
Matt Cassel - Chief Marketing Officer
Josh Cox - Chief Super Long Distance Runner Officer
Jon "Bones" Jones - Human Resources Director
Urijah Faber - Chief Operations Officer
Ray Mysterio - Director of Security
Patrick Willis - VP of Carnage
Kenny Powers - MFCEO
Slogans:
"Stop Not Training"
"Un-Weak Yourself"
"Do Not Undermine the Lightness of the Tubes"
"Quit Not Breaking World Records"
"I'm the Ceo. You Shut Up."
"Get Championy"
Micro Site:
[K Swiss Micro Site of the Year]… again.
Behind the Scenes:
[Explaining MFCEO Kenny Powers] <— 614
YouTubeUlars:
[Tubes or Weakness] <— 379
[A-Too Slow B-Not Enough Effort] <— 472
[Get Hard] <— 460
[Five-Druple] <— 401
[Patrick Willis] <— 443
K-Swiss Power Cologne:
[Scent of Boner] <— 308
[The Shit] <— 535
[Scent of Dick] <— 328
Last Year R Rated:
[40 Yard Dash] <— 3,477
[Last Years Explicit] <— 22,841
[Calipornia – Funny or Die] <— 55,124
If you still want to show your grandma the power of the tubes... watch this one.
NOT EXPLICIT:
[YouTube] <— 696 views
4th of Chicago – Checklist #2
[YouTube]
4th of July Chicago To Do Checklist:
1. get drunk
2. cubs game
3. fireworks
4. get all of us laid-ies
5. play on a lake
6. go to a beach
7. golf
8. drink free beer at coors headquarters
9. top golf – wood dale
10. pee on the border of wis + illinois
12. sell 100 blackbox cases to OWC
TOTD – You’re Pretty Awesome
Just a thought… of the day :)
Ballyneal 155 Holes – For a Cause
[Just Read This]
[Denver Post Article]
Talk about a surprise story of the day revolving around a client of mine (Craig Hospital) an unfortunate skiing accident (At Monarch on March 17th, 2011) golfing an amazing course I’ve wanted to play (Ballyneal in Holyoke, CO) and playing 155 holes (walking) for a cause (Ben Cox’s personal patient assistance fund) and a completely random and honest stranger (Jim Colton)…
“If you’re a Golf World subscriber, check out the most recent version of Golf World Monday, the publication’s weekly digital version. #10 features a familiar face. If I had known my composite scorecard was going to be shared with the world, I might have tried a little harder on those four-footers. I also hit this drive on #12 way right into the native.”
Although I wish there was some actual video of this happening… the recap below is ok – but I still want to see more. Don’t hesitate to click through the links and get involved. There is a remarkable lineup of 74 raffle items for every $50 you donate… and if your a serious golfer you do not want to miss this list.
Total Raised to Date: $82,115
What: A 108-golf marathon to raise money for Ben Cox, a Ballyneal caddie who was paralyzed from a severe skiing accident in March.
When: June 22, 2011 (update)
Where: Ballyneal Golf & Hunt Club – Holyoke, CO
How to Give:
Send a check payable to: Prairie Home Baptist Church (memo: Ballyneal fundraiser)
Prairie Home Baptist Church
P.O. Box 271
Haxtun, CO 80731
[YouTube] <— 82 views