3/2/09

One of my favorite things about training for cross country was running through Albany and all of its nooks and crannies. When you slow down and take time to notice things you will always be pleasantly surprised with what you find. 

So when I recently was out playing with my new camera it gave me a great opportunity to search new areas of LA. I ventured underneath the Colorado bridge, and discovered all sorts of cool little things: trails, ducks, and the stunning architecture of the bridges. But my favorite thing I found was this little basketball court hidden under the 134 bridge. The entire area was fenced off (did I mention I jumped a fence or two?), and left in solitude.  Overgrowth was creeping in the from the sides, and a thin layer of dust covered the entire court. It was a little secret tucked away beneath the city, and away from the masses of the City of Angels. 

This week I'd like to issue an adventure for your weekly inspiration. Break out of your normal paths this week and try to discover a new area in your area. During your lunch try a new hole-in-the-wall restaurant. On your drive home try a different side street. Or vent a foreign film you'd never even think of seeing. 

For your weekly inspiration open your eyes up, and discover your own little secret in your backyard. And feel free to write your discovery in the comments section and share your secret with everyone. 

2/23/09

As I sit here watching the Academy Awards, it's very clear that Slumdog Millionaire is having a big year. I haven't seen the film yet, but I hear it's pretty incredible, yet incredibly sad. Much like India itself. 

I was fortunate enough to travel there last year, and it was an incredible experience. It's a land of beauty and ugliness. Spiritual insight and human cruelty. Rich natural splendor and widespread urban poverty. Out of this country comes one of my biggest role models, Mohandas Gandhi. 

So today I thought I would share my favorite quote from this incredible man. Gandhi's main message was that of action, not preaching. Doing the right thing, is usually the hardest thing to do, and in him I see incredible bravery for always facing towards the light. Whether it's making moral changes in society, letting someone know how you feel, or fulfilling your life through your own work, remember: actions will always speak louder than words. 

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

     ~Mohandas Gandhi

2/16/09

A cool little video I stumbled upon. Good song too. Enjoy!

Remind Me from Röyksopp on Vimeo.

2/9/09

- Taking the Week Off -

2/2/09

I've always been a naturalist. Meaning that I believe nature has an intelligent design, and that all life can be described through a set of natural laws. That is to say, ultimate truth can be found in nature. 

Here is a cool little video which shows hacker Joshua Klein give a talk about the intelligence that can be found within crows. teaming up with some scientists, he's learned how to train crows to pick up coins for peanuts - literally. A process which is called synanthropy.

But more importantly I think it also sheds light on the age-long lesson that if we all just learn to work together we can create a better place. Regardless of race or species.

1/27/09 - Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year! Or, gung hay fat choi!

In the Chinese calender, today officially marks the shift from the year of the Rat (2008) to the year of the Ox (2009). Which is actually great news. The President of the United States is an Ox, so according to Chinese astrology this year will be extremely lucky for him, and mark significant progress in his career.

For the rest of us the Ox represents hard-working, methodical, steady, logical, tenacious, and patient. Sounds like a good year to work on that career, and work on centering yourself. If you want to see what this year means for your particular sign check out this site. 

Anyhow, for today in honor of the occasion I would like to share one of my favorite Chinese proverbs:

The best time to plant a tree was twenty year ago,

the next best time is today.

~Chinese Proverb~

1/19/09 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

What to say about such an incredible man? How can you encapsulate the supreme goodness that this man has bestowed upon this country? He's my idol, my hero, and a role model to all. 

Passive resistance is the most powerful, yet hardest form of rebellion. And when one man can inspire thousands to fight against injustice using such peaceful albeit arduous methods it should stand as inspiration to us all. 

What can you say about this man? I think one word is all you really need. For sometimes the simplicity of a single word speaks louder than a thousand poetic verses. 

The man is a hero. 

1/12/09

Scavenging the web for this week's inspiration I stumbled across a very cool website called Open Street Map. It's a wiki based online mapping system. In laymen's terms, it takes user based GPS and survey data to create an online map. They also use satellite maps and existing data as well, but this project proves to create the most comprehensive and accurate map of the existing world. So not only are your major freeways and streets on there, but so are dirt roads, bike paths, and even user generated hiking trails. Sites like these reaffirm my belief that the internet will ultimately bring this world together for the better. I think it's an incredible project. 

Anyhow, the video below is an animation which portrays the world map as it's edited by OSM users/contributers in the year 2008. Apparently they had four times the amount of edits in 2008 than they had received in 2007. The white flashes represent changes. 

1/5/09

First post of '09!

Your inspiration for the new year: slow life down and enjoy the little moments. The music between the notes...