Patagonia rock and roll act

Beautifully described purity of purpose from former Belgium native:

Sean believes he didn’t choose to climb – climbing chose him. He considers his first expedition to Patagonia as a turning point in his life because he felt utterly connected with the forces of nature and the adventure of just being alive. Climbing teaches Sean to live life to the fullest and that he can do whatever he wants if he puts his mind to it.

HT Patagonia’s Rock Climbing Ambassador “Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll”

Teddy Roosevelt

It’s worth remembering the poetic words of Teddy Roosevelt:

“It’s not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worth cause; who at the best…

…knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.”

Greg Lynn

Conceptual work teaming together filmmakers, architects and designers. Greg’s commentary is rather fascinating, averting the concepts away from preconceived notions of “the world = a globe”. Ross Lovegrove first mentioned Greg’s name during his TED conference.

Greg Lynn: New CitySeed Magazine Feature
Is a sphere the optimal shape for our world? If physical laws were no longer a concern, how would we mold the Earth to better suit our global economy? The 21st century city planner tackles these questions and more as he redesigns our planet for the web.

Obama

obama

The White House posted this photo on its Flickr feed yesterday, of President Barack Obama taking a moment to sit on the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. Obama remarked on the moment later that day, at a campaign event in Michigan. (The bus is housed at the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit.)

“I just sat in there for a moment and pondered the courage and tenacity that is part of our very recent history but is also part of that long line of folks who sometimes are nameless, oftentimes didn’t make the history books, but who constantly insisted on their dignity, their share of the American dream,” he said, according to a White House pool report.

Paying homage to a hero does not make one a hero or a great leader. But contemplating the wisdom and brevity of such events in history is a powerful way to start.

Keira Knightley

Keira Knightly’s impressive appearance in David Cronenberg’s Jungian psychological drama A Dangerous Method

She smoulders in this provocative shoot for GQ. Beauty notwithstanding her *prattling* magazine remarks.

GQ always pulls the most ironic quotes.

George Clooney

Actor George Clooney is arrested during a demonstration outside the Embassy of Sudan March 16, 2012 in Washington, DC. United to End Genocide, the Enough Campaign and Amnesty International held a rally to call on the United States and world leaders to stop the violence in South Sudan and prevent hundreds of thousands of people from starving. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Brooklynite

From a post I shared on twitter titled, “pregnant women who looks allot like a typical-brooklynite”. Shot by a famous portait photographer who’s best know for capturing the rich and wealthy upper class lives of New Yorkers. You can see why this well known NYC real estate brand would follow such a direction.

The Day of Affirmation speech

The Day of Affirmation speech was a speech given by Senator Robert F. Kennedy to National Union of South African Students members at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, on June 6, 1966. In the speech Kennedy talked about individual liberty, apartheid, and the need for civil rights in the United States at a time when the American civil rights movement was ongoing.

“Only those who dare to fail greatly, will achieve greatly”

Highlight about daring at 29m 3 sec

Only the Brave Gladiator

Transcript:

Success, acknowledgement, fame, glory.
Many of us fight for reasons like that,
but they don’t build a good name from one day to the next.
It is necessary to work hard even if there are stumbles and falls.
It is necessary to overcome obstacles.
It is necessary to have motivation, to persevere and insist.
Life is a succession of battles.
Job, family, friends: All of us have a current status, and most, expectations for the future.
However the twists and turns of fate take us by surprise.
One can not always do only what one likes,
but to those that like what they do and are proud of always doing better,
make more progress day by day.

At our moments of quiet, and hectic decisive moments when mere good intentions are not enough,
that’s when life demands of us, courage, boldness, creativity and an unquenchable fighting spirit.
The truth is that problems and setbacks happen more frequently than we would like.
Times change, new challenges arise, and new objectives.
The warriors look into the eyes of the future without fear or arrogance but with the confidence of those who are ready for battle.

Living is also being prepared for difficult situations.
How we approach the difficulties is was makes the difference.
Sometimes we ask, How can we cope with the radical changes that we are faced with?
It’s like acting a new scenario where things we used to do so well, now need to be relearned.
And how can we fight without letting go of fundamental values?
And more, how do we know exactly what needs to be done at the right time?
The amazing thing is that it is precisely upon facing adverse situations
that many rediscover the best in themselves.
Ethics, friendship, the capability to create new strategies based on experience.
The talents to promote positive alliances.
The spirit of leadership.
The awareness of the strength that resides in true teamwork.
All this comes to the forum when required by circumstances when one knows there is an important ultimate goal.

Naturally it’s not easy to give up habits, customs,
it’s not easy to adapt to new environments or employ resources we are not familiar with,
but all warriors know that pessimism and uncertainty hold one back at moments like this.
Even if the threat comes from many sides, with agility strength and determination,
we can achieve our goals.
A combination of energy and intelligence as well as a balance between emotion and reason
are essential to success.

It is a most satisfying feeling to reach the end of a task with a feeling of duty fulfilled and receive the accolades and respect of all our colleges,
the admiration of the people we love,
to hear our names spoken with pride,
The pride of having seen the obstacles, the opportunity of growth,
The pride of having seen life’s ups and downs and win.
The pride of being a winner who did not give up fundamental values.

Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe

The film documents Herzog fulfilling a bet he made with Errol Morris.

Roger Ebert has said, “After twenty years of reviewing films, I haven’t found another filmmaker who intrigues me more. Errol Morris is like a magician, and as great a filmmaker as Hitchcock or Fellini.”

If Morris would finish his brilliant first feature “Gates of Heaven,” Herzog said he would eat his shoe. He uses this public stunt to say some very serious things about American pop culture, filmmakers becoming ‘clowns’ to promote their work, and the culture of images (or lack thereof).

Twitter CEO

Twitter CEO Evan Williams steps down and moves into product development:

Twitter CEO Evan Williams

Guardian reports today on how Twitter is entering the second phase of the company’s growth potential as Evan moves to bring Dick Costolo in as CEO:

Growing big is no success, in itself. Success to us means meeting our potential as a profitable company that can retain its culture and user focus while having a positive impact on the world. This is no small task. I frequently reflect on the type of focus that is required from everyone at Twitter to get us there.”

Williams says he will personally focus on product strategy: “I am most satisfied while pushing product direction. Building things is my passion, and I’ve never been more excited or optimistic about what we have to build.”

Wonderful quote and very inspiring way to describe the passion for making things.

Clooney in Sudan

Tribal elders in Abyei, Sudan telling Clooney about ethnic divisions and fears of war in Sudan.

About war in Sudan,

 

Clooney in Council

Taking a stand and pushing on organizations like the UN.

Marco Pierre White

A true Northern Monkey – 3 Star Michelin Chef, Born Leeds, Yorkshire, England.

White worked relentlessly for 17 years to pursue his ambition, he ultimately found that in spite of his accomplishments, recognition and fame, his career did not provide him with adequate returns in his personal life. So in 1999, he retired and returned his Michelin stars. After a long stint he re-invented himself and once again donned cooking aprons. In January 2010, MPW opened a new restaurant called “Marco Pierre White’s the Swan Inn” in Aughton, which serves a selection of classic English pub foods.

Enjoy your rise to success (rather than waiting until you reach the top of your game). Very good article about MPW’s New York visit and some recommendations on places to eat.

Yusaku Kamekura

They refer to him as the Grandfather of Japanese Graphic Design. Yusaku Kamekura is considered one of Japanese greatest first generation designers.

Uncompromising perfectionist, visionary and the profession’s first undisputed leader, Yusaku Kamekura worked all his life to shape his reputation.

Real McCoy


Nice one Carl. Winning short from Cutty Sark competition.

The Smalls is a website designed for short films of all shapes and sizes. In conjunction with Cutty Sark whisky and Discovery Channels they sponsored a film competition. They provide 4 scenarios and you tell a story in under 5 minutes. You can use elements that they provide (images, script ideas) or go off piste and make it all up.