Sunday, October 30, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
The Fault In Our Stars
Of late I have taken much more notice than not of the writings of John Green, Vlogbrothers. John writes teen novels and has success with such titles as Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns, both of which are more than worth the the coin to pick up a paperback copy. His latest book, The Fault In Our Stars, is being released next year on January 10. Yesterday, John did a live reading of the first chapter of his new title of which I wish to share. John is much more than just a talented writer. He has the ability to speak from the perspective of young adults even at the ripe ol' age of 34 and also posts videos periodically throughout the week on the Vlogbrothers Youtube channel with his funny, charismatic brother Hank who also possesses many talents which together have made them iconic figures in the internet realm. So with out further ado I give you the first chapter of The Fault In Our Stars.
Friday, October 28, 2011
A Troubled Man
I ride the light rail often enough to see the same ol' folk getting on and off at their respective destinations. The same faces continually reappear like the lingering image of a reoccurring dream always showing up when least expected but always in the same place as before, during sleep or in this case the RTD's D line light rail. The man below, apparently attempting to find a few of the missing Zs from his previous nights sleep, caught my attention. Undisturbed as he was I couldn't help but notice how his reflection was caught in the reflection of the window next to him trapping his very self in the window as well as captured as a photo in my camera.
Other people on the light rail also come to mind. Every Friday as I board the 10:30AM north bound train I notice another man refusing help from others as he attempts to conquer the two flights of stairs leaving the Littleton Downtown station laiden with an oxygen tank and full backpack both set on wheels to assist with obvious poor condition. Lift oxygen two steps, lift backpack two steps, grasp rail, step up once, twice, again.
Leaving class at 2pm on the south bound light rail I notice similar events and not so similar ones as well. The old lady bound from head to toe in winter clothing carrying an extra jacket under her arm and grasping a small child's hand while quietly staring off the passing cars of the freeway not to far away. The black man rapping aloud to himself but loud enough for everyone to hear him as he paces back and forth from one end of the platform to the other. The homeless man passing out the latest issue of "The Voice", a Denver weekly publication dedicated to helping house, feed and employ the homeless.
A man smoking.
A girl laughing.
A mother scolding.
A student learning.
Everyday I see people living life differently than the life that I have chosen for myself and everyday I wonder what it would be like if I made or had to make a change. Would I be the man smoking? Would I be marching down and back on the platform to the cadence of my own rhymes? Perhaps explaining to a small child why the gum on the ground is not for eating or trying to decipher what my teacher was so amped about in my last organic chemistry class?
Either way it seems to me that at the end of a long day of working, learning, taking photos, running and sleeping that I am comfortable for now taking the road of the old man and the stairs. Tasking myself with the same trivial obstacles week after week but, always taking life one step at a time.
Other people on the light rail also come to mind. Every Friday as I board the 10:30AM north bound train I notice another man refusing help from others as he attempts to conquer the two flights of stairs leaving the Littleton Downtown station laiden with an oxygen tank and full backpack both set on wheels to assist with obvious poor condition. Lift oxygen two steps, lift backpack two steps, grasp rail, step up once, twice, again.
Leaving class at 2pm on the south bound light rail I notice similar events and not so similar ones as well. The old lady bound from head to toe in winter clothing carrying an extra jacket under her arm and grasping a small child's hand while quietly staring off the passing cars of the freeway not to far away. The black man rapping aloud to himself but loud enough for everyone to hear him as he paces back and forth from one end of the platform to the other. The homeless man passing out the latest issue of "The Voice", a Denver weekly publication dedicated to helping house, feed and employ the homeless.
A man smoking.
A girl laughing.
A mother scolding.
A student learning.
Everyday I see people living life differently than the life that I have chosen for myself and everyday I wonder what it would be like if I made or had to make a change. Would I be the man smoking? Would I be marching down and back on the platform to the cadence of my own rhymes? Perhaps explaining to a small child why the gum on the ground is not for eating or trying to decipher what my teacher was so amped about in my last organic chemistry class?
Either way it seems to me that at the end of a long day of working, learning, taking photos, running and sleeping that I am comfortable for now taking the road of the old man and the stairs. Tasking myself with the same trivial obstacles week after week but, always taking life one step at a time.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Film in Penitente Canyon, Colorado
Penitente Canyon, Colorado. Located just a four hours south west of Denver along highway 285 nestled in the San Juan Mountains and just down wind of Kit Carson Mountain and Crestone Peak of the Rio Grande National forest, Penitente is home to some of the best quality rock I have seen in some time. The rock is very unique, formed from highly fluid basalt lava flows after volcanic eruptions, last of which was 25 million years ago. How the lava cooled however, makes for a much more enticing climbing experience. Once solidified the rock left small huecos behind and the elements have eroded some of the edges, cracks and slopers I have ever had the opportunity to climb on.
There is much history to be heard climbing in the canyon whether you read if from the Penitente climbing guide or from one of the locals hanging out at the La Garita cash store on road G there is much to tell. Locals have a handle on a lot of the history as well as geography so asking them about what is going on around those parts is definitely the best way to approach it. Hidden gems inside and around the canyon that are not in the books or on the web can be found by merely lending an ear and patiently listening to the stories told by the proud La Garita land owners.
Overall my experience at Penitente was a good one. Great climbing, historical locations and friendly locals all added up to be a positive weekend.
There is much history to be heard climbing in the canyon whether you read if from the Penitente climbing guide or from one of the locals hanging out at the La Garita cash store on road G there is much to tell. Locals have a handle on a lot of the history as well as geography so asking them about what is going on around those parts is definitely the best way to approach it. Hidden gems inside and around the canyon that are not in the books or on the web can be found by merely lending an ear and patiently listening to the stories told by the proud La Garita land owners.
Overall my experience at Penitente was a good one. Great climbing, historical locations and friendly locals all added up to be a positive weekend.
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| Mike Banuelos making an epic journey up "Los Hermanos De La Weenie Way" 5.11c |
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| Terza |
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| Apollo lurking in his ninja suit |
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| Frank on Los Hermanos De La Weenie Way, This shot was from the "window rock". |
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| Shot from Penitente Canyon in the San Juan Mountains. Background is Kit Carson and Crestone Peak. |
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| Lisa taking a moment |
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| Brendon kicking it post peanut butter finger |
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| Brendon preparing for a shoot |
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| Grant leading up "Not My Cross To Bare" |
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| Frank hiding from the midday heat |
Monday, October 17, 2011
Why is this so difficult?
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
National Novel Writing Month
NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, stretches from the first day of November every year and continues to the end of November which is my birthday.
What: Writing one 50,000-word novel from scratch in a month's time. That averages out to about 1,650ish per day. Most feature length articles that journalists spend writing for several days to a week are 2-2,500 words. So writing that many words everyday from scratch with out editing everyday is a painstaking process.
Who: You! Everyone and anyone can do this and unless there are more people taking part it won't be as much fun as it will be. "Let's write laughably awful yet lengthy prose together."
Why: The reasons are endless! To actively participate in one of our era's most enchanting art forms! To write without having to obsess over quality. To be able to make obscure references to passages from our novels at parties. To be able to mock real novelists who dawdle on and on, taking far longer than 30 days to produce their work.
When: You can sign up anytime to add your name to the roster and browse the forums. Writing begins November 1. To be added to the official list of winners, you must reach the 50,000-word mark by November 30 at midnight. Once your novel has been verified by our web-based team of robotic word counters, the partying begins. The site name is nanowrimo.org.
I fully intend on participating and belting out a thrilling crap-tastic excuse for a novel with the goal of capping it off on my birthday, November 30th. One more thing to add though, your piece must be fiction. Anybody can write a nonfiction piece but, to build your own story, develop new characters and create and describe non existent worlds, towns, objects or anything really is much more of a challenge. Good luck to everyone who is participating and I would love to hear everyone's ideas for the project.
What: Writing one 50,000-word novel from scratch in a month's time. That averages out to about 1,650ish per day. Most feature length articles that journalists spend writing for several days to a week are 2-2,500 words. So writing that many words everyday from scratch with out editing everyday is a painstaking process.
Who: You! Everyone and anyone can do this and unless there are more people taking part it won't be as much fun as it will be. "Let's write laughably awful yet lengthy prose together."
Why: The reasons are endless! To actively participate in one of our era's most enchanting art forms! To write without having to obsess over quality. To be able to make obscure references to passages from our novels at parties. To be able to mock real novelists who dawdle on and on, taking far longer than 30 days to produce their work.
When: You can sign up anytime to add your name to the roster and browse the forums. Writing begins November 1. To be added to the official list of winners, you must reach the 50,000-word mark by November 30 at midnight. Once your novel has been verified by our web-based team of robotic word counters, the partying begins. The site name is nanowrimo.org.
I fully intend on participating and belting out a thrilling crap-tastic excuse for a novel with the goal of capping it off on my birthday, November 30th. One more thing to add though, your piece must be fiction. Anybody can write a nonfiction piece but, to build your own story, develop new characters and create and describe non existent worlds, towns, objects or anything really is much more of a challenge. Good luck to everyone who is participating and I would love to hear everyone's ideas for the project.
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