This film will be epic, I cant wait for it! This is the essence of what adventuring this beautiful planet is all about. Once you've seen a place you respect it, you begin to understand it. Its people, its land, and its confrontational wild. Yvon Chouinard paved the way for land conservation long before it was popular to do so. This film by Woodshed Films is based on the 1968 journey Chouinard took from Ventura California to the top of Mt. Fitz Roy in Patagonia.
180 Degrees South trailer:
180° SOUTH from Surfpresss on Vimeo.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
180 Degrees South ... more than a Film
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Living this life to the fullest ... how do we do that in our lives?
ReddBrew Productions "Always Brew it Redd"
This is ReddBrew's first podcast, many more to come! Hope you enjoy!
Click Here to listen: Living this life to the fullest ... how do we do that in our lives?
Posted using ShareThis
This is ReddBrew's first podcast, many more to come! Hope you enjoy!
Click Here to listen: Living this life to the fullest ... how do we do that in our lives?
Posted using ShareThis
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Bookends
It's been three and a half years since the left side of my face was a different color than the right. With a splash of water I to try to even out the color ... it could just be dirt. My second glance into the foggy mirror of a gas station somewhere in the plains of west Texas proves to be no different. The face staring back at me is red on the left side. The perfect line down the middle resembles faint war paint, and I'm convinced this sunburn symbolizes something more.
As I dry off my blonde 3 week old excuse for a beard I feel a strange sense of dejavu. I know I've never ventured this far into the Texas plains, but for some reason the rolling tumbleweeds take me back.
"That'll be $46.50" the clerk says with a smirk, after she did a double take at the condition of my face ... guess she sees these bicolor faces a lot. Walking back to my car I'm almost knocked over by the hard January wind and it hits me. I've been here before. Not physically, but I've been on this journey. Last time it was harder, last time it was Kansas. This time it felt different, this time it was Texas. Both times felt like an empty eternity.
At a crossroads I check both ways to pull out from the station. I can actually see the horizon both east and west, no cars either way, so I pull out on the flat as a pancake country road and push the pedal. I'm headed west ... to the mountains.
Traveling west seems to act as a hand turning the page in my life. Both times a pit in my stomach, both times my face changing color, my eyes opened, my story rewritten. This time I feel more confident, but mountains are unpredictable, I hope I'm ready for what awaits on the edge of these steep rocky slopes.
Three and a half years ago I left comfort for the first time and chose risk. I was scared, I thought about turning my car around, but God had different plans. The journey to the steep places of the west seem to have an affect on my life. But it's the struggle in these steep places that not only color my face, they shape my heart. Mountains seem to be my story's bookends.
Its the lie of this land that seems to encourage a lifestyle beyond the country club. It's a flee from comfort for me, a bold step towards risk. A journey isn't a journey at all unless fear covers, brings a shudder and spills tears. Once one tastes his tears in the face of the unknown and risks enough to trudge forward he will never go back. Maybe this is why I keep finding my face red on the left.
As I dry off my blonde 3 week old excuse for a beard I feel a strange sense of dejavu. I know I've never ventured this far into the Texas plains, but for some reason the rolling tumbleweeds take me back.
"That'll be $46.50" the clerk says with a smirk, after she did a double take at the condition of my face ... guess she sees these bicolor faces a lot. Walking back to my car I'm almost knocked over by the hard January wind and it hits me. I've been here before. Not physically, but I've been on this journey. Last time it was harder, last time it was Kansas. This time it felt different, this time it was Texas. Both times felt like an empty eternity.
At a crossroads I check both ways to pull out from the station. I can actually see the horizon both east and west, no cars either way, so I pull out on the flat as a pancake country road and push the pedal. I'm headed west ... to the mountains.
Traveling west seems to act as a hand turning the page in my life. Both times a pit in my stomach, both times my face changing color, my eyes opened, my story rewritten. This time I feel more confident, but mountains are unpredictable, I hope I'm ready for what awaits on the edge of these steep rocky slopes.
Three and a half years ago I left comfort for the first time and chose risk. I was scared, I thought about turning my car around, but God had different plans. The journey to the steep places of the west seem to have an affect on my life. But it's the struggle in these steep places that not only color my face, they shape my heart. Mountains seem to be my story's bookends.
Its the lie of this land that seems to encourage a lifestyle beyond the country club. It's a flee from comfort for me, a bold step towards risk. A journey isn't a journey at all unless fear covers, brings a shudder and spills tears. Once one tastes his tears in the face of the unknown and risks enough to trudge forward he will never go back. Maybe this is why I keep finding my face red on the left.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
they're always calling
The Mountains are always calling.
Its a spiritual feeling standing at the base looking up. Their it is. A Mountain. Still as in waiting. Always pulling something out in me. Engaging me ... initiating a stirring. What is it about this pile of rocks that makes me wonder? From a distance I hear the voice, in the plains It speaks, in the canyons It echos, and no matter how far I run the Mountains will always be calling.
It doesn't need me, but I need It. Outlasting time, It is patient. A quiet presence forever looming. I close my eyes tight to be sure I'm not dreaming ... once opened I see It greater than before. Reality of this calling mounts, I must approach it, confront it, understand it.
A mountain brings fear, get close enough and you will understand. To turn back would mean nothing... clarity comes and I begin to interpret my place in Its forests.
What is it about a Mountain? Can one get used to Its faces? Pity the man who ignores the Peak. Who turns down this obvious invitation. ...Welcome Its presence my people! Question its expanse! Trek through its passes! Answer the voice inside you! Damn those who grow numb to allure, who fail to see wonders, curse those who refuse true beauty!
What is it about a Mountain that makes me want to see the other side? Why am I compelled to pack my bags? What is it about a Mountain that opens my speechless mouth? Is It real? Reality evokes trial, and trial is evidence of the blazed path. Trembling with discomfort I leave the world of masks to enter into a realm of uncertainty. Risk is what this Mountain brings ... the closer I get ... the higher I climb ... the louder it calls.
Mountains demand greatness from the climbers seeking to summit. The higher I climb the stronger the test. It would be easy to just stand at its base to hear Its faint voice, calling. But only when I answer does the blood flow. Only when I turn and face it does my skin split. I must welcome struggle for I know where I am going. No matter how far I run east the Mountain will always stand, and always be calling. I must go West, listen to the Mountain and expect nothing short of the summit.
Its a spiritual feeling standing at the base looking up. Their it is. A Mountain. Still as in waiting. Always pulling something out in me. Engaging me ... initiating a stirring. What is it about this pile of rocks that makes me wonder? From a distance I hear the voice, in the plains It speaks, in the canyons It echos, and no matter how far I run the Mountains will always be calling.
It doesn't need me, but I need It. Outlasting time, It is patient. A quiet presence forever looming. I close my eyes tight to be sure I'm not dreaming ... once opened I see It greater than before. Reality of this calling mounts, I must approach it, confront it, understand it.
A mountain brings fear, get close enough and you will understand. To turn back would mean nothing... clarity comes and I begin to interpret my place in Its forests.
What is it about a Mountain? Can one get used to Its faces? Pity the man who ignores the Peak. Who turns down this obvious invitation. ...Welcome Its presence my people! Question its expanse! Trek through its passes! Answer the voice inside you! Damn those who grow numb to allure, who fail to see wonders, curse those who refuse true beauty!
What is it about a Mountain that makes me want to see the other side? Why am I compelled to pack my bags? What is it about a Mountain that opens my speechless mouth? Is It real? Reality evokes trial, and trial is evidence of the blazed path. Trembling with discomfort I leave the world of masks to enter into a realm of uncertainty. Risk is what this Mountain brings ... the closer I get ... the higher I climb ... the louder it calls.
Mountains demand greatness from the climbers seeking to summit. The higher I climb the stronger the test. It would be easy to just stand at its base to hear Its faint voice, calling. But only when I answer does the blood flow. Only when I turn and face it does my skin split. I must welcome struggle for I know where I am going. No matter how far I run east the Mountain will always stand, and always be calling. I must go West, listen to the Mountain and expect nothing short of the summit.
Monday, December 21, 2009
a scenic detour
I'm in Anchorage, Alaska. We just landed. Wild air penetrates the cabin. Through the vent above my head I breath in this untamed place. My forehead is smashed to the window. The unruly air fogs my view refusing to remain captive in my lungs. Snow capped peaks envelop our runway. I feel small. I want to stay. A wilderness surrounds me. Its savage spirit chills my bones. Its already in my blood. My senses are perking. Chills run free. My eyes water with possibility. My thoughts race to exhaustion. An untouched land just beyond my reach. A wild that demands respect. Valleys yearning to be explored. Mountains begging to be climbed. Rivers red with salmon taunt. My breathing slows ... with mind in muse I trek from the tarmac to the Bering Sea, summit McKinley, and face down a bear. Wondering at the beauty framed by plastic, what could this be like if I were free to roam? ... Through this foggy United Airlines window I dream of adventure in Americas last wild place ... I have to get off this plane.
I glance down at my feet to find I'm wearing my only pair of shoes. Chacos. I have shorts on, and I packed light. I brought nothing that could last in this landscape. A 55+ degree sleeping bag, a swim suit, and a hammock ... I'd be dead in less than 24. The thought of bum rushing a flight attendant and tearing through the cabin door crosses my mind. My sweaty hand grasps the cold metal buckle provoking my body to listen to my heart. But I stop, suppressing a primal urge to make a run for it ... This is not my stop. A foreign place on another continent is calling. A distant 13 hours and another stop away. I relax back into my seat, a smile grows on my face and I know I'll be back to these wilds soon. For now this American wilderness will have to wait. My journey is continuing to the land of the orient, where Bengal tigers roam and elephants graze; filled with islands, tropical beaches, and thick jungle. A place where Buddha is worshiped and monkeys swing. I'm headed west ... to Thailand.
Refueled, the engines fire up, the captain apologizes for the delay and as fast as the Brooks range rose from the earth ... like a dream it was gone.
This scenic detour wasn't in our original flight plan. While over the Canadian wilderness a drama unfolded causing us to drop fuel over northern Canada and preform this emergency landing in Anchorage.
The scene opens up like this:
Andrew and I were woken up somewhere over the northern Canadian tundra by a 31 year old woman who had passed out in the isle right next to us. The flight attendants rushed to help her, they got her to her feet only to see her eyes go white and shut. ... out cold. What unraveled beside us felt like a scene from ER or Grey's Anatomy. We had been cast as extras and told to "just stay calm."
Scene II:
The PA system loudly asked, "We need a doctor in the back of the plane! Is their anyone on board who is a doctor?" This queued the EMT nurse, who looked like your average soccer mom. While she assessed the situation a short and stocky flight attendant came up urgently with a green cylinder of compressed oxygen. Beads of sweat dripped down his face showing his audience that he had no clue how to handle the situation, unprepared, he did what he could to help. The nurse checked the patient's pulse ... she was fading fast.
Scene III:
The PA system sounded again: "We need a doctor! ... anyone with medical experience PLEASE!" The hero stepped into the shot, a taller than average oriental man who looked the part, exuding confidence he spoke in clear English, "I'm a cardiologist." Perfect! Patiently he asked a flight attendant to bring him the first aid equipment. Scooting the EMT nurse to the side the doctor checked the patient's pulse at the wrist. He began to ask the patient questions, she gave a slurred answer and before she could finnish he popped her on the cheek to wake her up. Her eyes opened as she tried to regain consciousness ... she slipped back into her hazy state again.
By this time the stressed out flight attendant gave the doctor a white box reading, "First Aid," he opened it up and let out a big sigh of disappointment. "These are just bandages!! Where is the First Aid gear? Lets get it over here now! I need pills, I need an I.V.!"
Scene IV:
My front row seat was taken from me, we had to get up to make room for the next scene ... I never saw cameras but I know they had to be there somewhere, you know how these reality TV shows are today, everything is as real as possible, so I happily moved.
The I.V. was issued and she recovered her blood pressure, it was good to see her acting her old self again, its tough to see anyone in that state.
I moved and stood at the back of the plane my eyes fixed out the window as we approached the Alaskan mountains. I glued my face to the plastic pane searching for Denali, from 30,000 ft. they all looked like Everest.
As I was looking at the grandeur, the captain announced that we would be making an emergency landing in Anchorage, to get our main character to the hospital. Suddenly the fuel, like ribbons tied to the wings, spilled out in dramatic fashion ... I was going to Alaska!
end scene.
I glance down at my feet to find I'm wearing my only pair of shoes. Chacos. I have shorts on, and I packed light. I brought nothing that could last in this landscape. A 55+ degree sleeping bag, a swim suit, and a hammock ... I'd be dead in less than 24. The thought of bum rushing a flight attendant and tearing through the cabin door crosses my mind. My sweaty hand grasps the cold metal buckle provoking my body to listen to my heart. But I stop, suppressing a primal urge to make a run for it ... This is not my stop. A foreign place on another continent is calling. A distant 13 hours and another stop away. I relax back into my seat, a smile grows on my face and I know I'll be back to these wilds soon. For now this American wilderness will have to wait. My journey is continuing to the land of the orient, where Bengal tigers roam and elephants graze; filled with islands, tropical beaches, and thick jungle. A place where Buddha is worshiped and monkeys swing. I'm headed west ... to Thailand.
Refueled, the engines fire up, the captain apologizes for the delay and as fast as the Brooks range rose from the earth ... like a dream it was gone.
This scenic detour wasn't in our original flight plan. While over the Canadian wilderness a drama unfolded causing us to drop fuel over northern Canada and preform this emergency landing in Anchorage.
The scene opens up like this:
Andrew and I were woken up somewhere over the northern Canadian tundra by a 31 year old woman who had passed out in the isle right next to us. The flight attendants rushed to help her, they got her to her feet only to see her eyes go white and shut. ... out cold. What unraveled beside us felt like a scene from ER or Grey's Anatomy. We had been cast as extras and told to "just stay calm."
Scene II:
The PA system loudly asked, "We need a doctor in the back of the plane! Is their anyone on board who is a doctor?" This queued the EMT nurse, who looked like your average soccer mom. While she assessed the situation a short and stocky flight attendant came up urgently with a green cylinder of compressed oxygen. Beads of sweat dripped down his face showing his audience that he had no clue how to handle the situation, unprepared, he did what he could to help. The nurse checked the patient's pulse ... she was fading fast.
Scene III:
The PA system sounded again: "We need a doctor! ... anyone with medical experience PLEASE!" The hero stepped into the shot, a taller than average oriental man who looked the part, exuding confidence he spoke in clear English, "I'm a cardiologist." Perfect! Patiently he asked a flight attendant to bring him the first aid equipment. Scooting the EMT nurse to the side the doctor checked the patient's pulse at the wrist. He began to ask the patient questions, she gave a slurred answer and before she could finnish he popped her on the cheek to wake her up. Her eyes opened as she tried to regain consciousness ... she slipped back into her hazy state again.
By this time the stressed out flight attendant gave the doctor a white box reading, "First Aid," he opened it up and let out a big sigh of disappointment. "These are just bandages!! Where is the First Aid gear? Lets get it over here now! I need pills, I need an I.V.!"
Scene IV:
My front row seat was taken from me, we had to get up to make room for the next scene ... I never saw cameras but I know they had to be there somewhere, you know how these reality TV shows are today, everything is as real as possible, so I happily moved.
The I.V. was issued and she recovered her blood pressure, it was good to see her acting her old self again, its tough to see anyone in that state.
I moved and stood at the back of the plane my eyes fixed out the window as we approached the Alaskan mountains. I glued my face to the plastic pane searching for Denali, from 30,000 ft. they all looked like Everest.
As I was looking at the grandeur, the captain announced that we would be making an emergency landing in Anchorage, to get our main character to the hospital. Suddenly the fuel, like ribbons tied to the wings, spilled out in dramatic fashion ... I was going to Alaska!
end scene.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
"It takes a village to raise a child"
So far my summer has been about following the path of older men who have gone before me. Its been about learning from their stories, and discovering who I want to become. These men are offering me a road to follow, and its my job to do the same with younger men.
Sunday night a man named Mark O'Neil and his 15 year old son James came over to cook dinner for us. It was our chance to give James what older men have been offering us and to speak words into his life. We sat around the fire pit on the back deck of the cabin and shared with James our stories and what led us to Training Ground. For the first time we offered advice and gave to a younger man what we had received from older men.
We all noticed it and we were all proud of ourselves...to watch each other give James words of affirmation and advice was a sure turning point in this journey. This offering of what we have received is the essence of Training Ground. We are being prepared to be sent into the world with a message to offer others. We are being raised by a "village" of men who see the importance of fathering, and now it is our turn to do the same for those who are younger.
We have grown so much in the last 2 months...it is beautiful to see the process unfold and to know that who we were in May and who we are now are two entirely different people...we have much to offer, because we have been shown the way, we know our own hearts, and we want to bring others into who we are becoming.
Sunday night a man named Mark O'Neil and his 15 year old son James came over to cook dinner for us. It was our chance to give James what older men have been offering us and to speak words into his life. We sat around the fire pit on the back deck of the cabin and shared with James our stories and what led us to Training Ground. For the first time we offered advice and gave to a younger man what we had received from older men.
We all noticed it and we were all proud of ourselves...to watch each other give James words of affirmation and advice was a sure turning point in this journey. This offering of what we have received is the essence of Training Ground. We are being prepared to be sent into the world with a message to offer others. We are being raised by a "village" of men who see the importance of fathering, and now it is our turn to do the same for those who are younger.
We have grown so much in the last 2 months...it is beautiful to see the process unfold and to know that who we were in May and who we are now are two entirely different people...we have much to offer, because we have been shown the way, we know our own hearts, and we want to bring others into who we are becoming.
Monday, July 9, 2007
The Great Mystery
So this week we have been seeking out the heart of a woman...
Saturday night we were hanging out at the cabin and Cory and Xan got us together and let us in on what they had planned for the evening. I was convinced that what ever it was that was about to come out of their mouths, first of all, I could handle without a problem, and second of all, it would be something that I was use to or comfortable with.
But what they had planned was something completely different and like nothing that we've faced in the past months with wilderness or work...they had arranged for 4 women around our age to come over and we had to take them out on one on one "dates". We had 1 hour to clean the cabin, cars, and ourselves before they came to the house! We were freaking out!
I truly felt like I had landed on the set of a reality TV show like the "Real World" and "The Bachelor" To tell you the truth I really wish we did have cameras in the house when they told us that we had to take a out that we had never seen, I'm sure our faces were priceless, and to capture the conversations between all the guys in he cabin while we were getting ready would have been great...we were sweating, giving each other pep talks, asking a million questions, and the greatest part about before the s arrived was that Dan and Adam didn't even know that they were going to be one on one with their date, they thought it was going to be a big group date. After they found that bit of info out the panic grew to a new level!
The women came over and it really sank in that this was actually happening...i mean you've got to put yourself in our world that we have been living in for the last 2 months, we've barely even seen a this entire time, much less taken one out for dinner and engage, its been guy time all the time, I was rusty for sure.
The night was very enjoyable and it was a new challenge for me, and it seemed to take my risk seeking heart to a new place. These women were amazing and sharp, they knew themselves and what they needed in a man. It was so refreshing to be in a place not of romantic interest but in a place of true engagement of a woman and her heart.
We are all learning what it takes to become a man, and its not just about getting in the stream or backpacking through the wilderness, but I believe that where you find evidence of a real man is in his ability to pursue a woman and her heart. Seeking out who she is, and giving her what she needs. This is a mystery for me and I was stretched and challenged in an area that this summer I have not been faced with...until now.
In my one on one time with Cory yesterday afternoon I was asking him what it looks like to take risks in life, and how to do that. He brought up a good point. He said that for me I need to look at the places in my life that make me uncomfortable and risk in those areas. He made me realize that the areas that I have been risking out here are the places that I am very comfortable with, such as the wilderness or the community of other men. But I'm finding that I need to risk much in the areas of relationships with people when it comes to engaging their hearts.
So last night was perfect, even if it did feel like a reality show, I got a glimpse of a strong woman's heart, and the weight of what has been lost over the years in dating and how men pursue and court a woman. As men we must step up and know what women need so that we will be able to offer it to them. This world is filled with passive men, and the sad thing is that women are settling for these sad excuses for a man....What if the bar was set higher and women expected more from men? Its a good question, and the beauty of it is that men and women both want their hearts to be desired and strongly pursued, they just don't know what this looks or even feels like. So the sad part is the settling, the accepting of less than is desired or even deserved.
The women who came Saturday night knew who they were and they were confident in themselves enough to know what they wanted and desired in a man. The question for us was..did we have what they desired and needed from us? This reinstates the point that if we truly knew ourselves and what we really need from the opposite gender then we would never settle. Because these women expected to be engaged heart to heart with a man, and if a man cannot offer this engagement to a woman then a woman who is in touch with her heart knows that she is wasting her time...the problem is that most men and women are not in touch with their own hearts enough to even desipher their need.
So the question I've been seeking is "What do I need from a woman?" and "How do I engage a woman's heart and her desire?" im sure ill be asking these questions for the rest of my life...
The greatest part of this weekend was that we entered into a new area of our journey... we are beginning to put what we have learned over the past 8 weeks into action and share our own stories and growth with others, and hopefully bless them through it.
Saturday night we were hanging out at the cabin and Cory and Xan got us together and let us in on what they had planned for the evening. I was convinced that what ever it was that was about to come out of their mouths, first of all, I could handle without a problem, and second of all, it would be something that I was use to or comfortable with.
But what they had planned was something completely different and like nothing that we've faced in the past months with wilderness or work...they had arranged for 4 women around our age to come over and we had to take them out on one on one "dates". We had 1 hour to clean the cabin, cars, and ourselves before they came to the house! We were freaking out!
I truly felt like I had landed on the set of a reality TV show like the "Real World" and "The Bachelor" To tell you the truth I really wish we did have cameras in the house when they told us that we had to take a out that we had never seen, I'm sure our faces were priceless, and to capture the conversations between all the guys in he cabin while we were getting ready would have been great...we were sweating, giving each other pep talks, asking a million questions, and the greatest part about before the s arrived was that Dan and Adam didn't even know that they were going to be one on one with their date, they thought it was going to be a big group date. After they found that bit of info out the panic grew to a new level!
The women came over and it really sank in that this was actually happening...i mean you've got to put yourself in our world that we have been living in for the last 2 months, we've barely even seen a this entire time, much less taken one out for dinner and engage, its been guy time all the time, I was rusty for sure.
The night was very enjoyable and it was a new challenge for me, and it seemed to take my risk seeking heart to a new place. These women were amazing and sharp, they knew themselves and what they needed in a man. It was so refreshing to be in a place not of romantic interest but in a place of true engagement of a woman and her heart.
We are all learning what it takes to become a man, and its not just about getting in the stream or backpacking through the wilderness, but I believe that where you find evidence of a real man is in his ability to pursue a woman and her heart. Seeking out who she is, and giving her what she needs. This is a mystery for me and I was stretched and challenged in an area that this summer I have not been faced with...until now.
In my one on one time with Cory yesterday afternoon I was asking him what it looks like to take risks in life, and how to do that. He brought up a good point. He said that for me I need to look at the places in my life that make me uncomfortable and risk in those areas. He made me realize that the areas that I have been risking out here are the places that I am very comfortable with, such as the wilderness or the community of other men. But I'm finding that I need to risk much in the areas of relationships with people when it comes to engaging their hearts.
So last night was perfect, even if it did feel like a reality show, I got a glimpse of a strong woman's heart, and the weight of what has been lost over the years in dating and how men pursue and court a woman. As men we must step up and know what women need so that we will be able to offer it to them. This world is filled with passive men, and the sad thing is that women are settling for these sad excuses for a man....What if the bar was set higher and women expected more from men? Its a good question, and the beauty of it is that men and women both want their hearts to be desired and strongly pursued, they just don't know what this looks or even feels like. So the sad part is the settling, the accepting of less than is desired or even deserved.
The women who came Saturday night knew who they were and they were confident in themselves enough to know what they wanted and desired in a man. The question for us was..did we have what they desired and needed from us? This reinstates the point that if we truly knew ourselves and what we really need from the opposite gender then we would never settle. Because these women expected to be engaged heart to heart with a man, and if a man cannot offer this engagement to a woman then a woman who is in touch with her heart knows that she is wasting her time...the problem is that most men and women are not in touch with their own hearts enough to even desipher their need.
So the question I've been seeking is "What do I need from a woman?" and "How do I engage a woman's heart and her desire?" im sure ill be asking these questions for the rest of my life...
The greatest part of this weekend was that we entered into a new area of our journey... we are beginning to put what we have learned over the past 8 weeks into action and share our own stories and growth with others, and hopefully bless them through it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
