hi. i'm dave.

May I present...Mr. Bird

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:26:26 -0500

Anyone who says an instrument has to be played any one way really is missing out on the whole idea behind music.

This is Andrew Bird - he closed out the Winnipeg Folk Festival this year on the mainstage. What a talented man, a musician in purest form. Videos really don’t do him justice, but I thought I’d share one of his mellower songs as well as a great dancing one - I know you’ll get hooked. If you get the chance to see this man live, don’t miss out on it.

Andrew Bird - Why

Andrew Bird - Skin, Is My

Music and sunshine, beers and patios, bicycles and longboards, camping and bonfires.

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:50:44 -0500

A few months ago now I had foot surgery. Minor and nothing complicated, but it was enough to gimp me for some time. Exercise is something I need, it helps keep me balanced. So even ordinarily a physical hinderance like this is very difficult for me. But it also came at the worst possible time - right when two of the most unexpected and hardest things were thrust in front of me. Dealing with the tragic disappointments of life and the reality of death is hard, and not having that physical outlet during it all was difficult.

But I am now healed in more ways then one, and am excited about the present and the future. I can do yoga again! And ride my bicycle, and longboard, and go boxing, and walk barefoot at folk fest! Life is good.

Time is precious and is the most valuable thing you can possibly give, and it is with this thought that I carefully choose where I spend my own time. From volunteering at The Bike Dump to energy exchanging at my local yoga studio this fall, I will give back where I can. And in doing so will help further causes that I believe in on top of personal growth.

Thanks to all my true friends, both old and new. You’re the best and I appreciate you so much.

When you develop strong feelings for someone you will always have strong feelings towards them -...

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:45:00 -0500

When you develop strong feelings for someone you will always have strong feelings towards them - they don’t just go away. What exactly that type of feeling is can shift dramatically, but it will always be strong and directed.

The guys over at fstoppers.com challenge themselves by doing a...

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:52:00 -0500

The guys over at fstoppers.com challenge themselves by doing a fashion shoot with an iPhone as the camera. Pretty cool - and it definitely proves how important light is!

Inception is the movie I’m looking forward most this...

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 20:00:43 -0500

Inception is the movie I’m looking forward most this summer. Christopher Nolan really does not make bad movies…Insomnia, Memento, The Dark Knight…this new one’s gonna be good!

…The Last Airbender is going to be a blast too. :D

I love football - real football. My teams are Argentina and the...

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:41:00 -0500

I love football - real football. My teams are Argentina and the Netherlands for the record. They’re both doing really well so far, second round here we come! I have high hopes. :)

The World Cup is so fun to get into, it’s a shame it only happens every four years! One day I’ll be a soccer hooligan in the stands, but for now I’ll just have to be a soccer hooligan wherever the game’s playing.

I threw together a “Zombie Hunter” design for a...

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:20:31 -0500

I threw together a “Zombie Hunter” design for a business card for a good friend. Yeah that’s right - Zombie Hunter. He means business!

I rather like it, maybe I’ll print off a couple for myself. :)

HBO is bringing George RR Martin’s ‘Game of...

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:00:00 -0500

HBO is bringing George RR Martin’s ‘Game of Thrones’ story to the film world. His “A Song of Ice and Fire” series is, hands down, my favourite book series ever (and that’s saying a lot ‘cause I read a lot of fantasy!). I must admit that I was skeptical that this could be done well, but if anyone can do it’s HBO. They just released the first teaser…and, well, I’m teased.

Graduation Musings

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 22:44:17 -0500

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.
And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.
If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking, and don’t settle.
As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”
-Steve Jobs

Convocation was great yesterday, albeit filled with mixed emotions. One thing I found lacking was an inspirational speech. You always here about them having amazing guest speakers coming in at more prestigious schools. I know that I couldn’t really expect that at the University of Manitoba, but I’m still a little disappointed. And so I found some speeches given by the greats to people who reached the same point that I’m at in my life - graduation from university with a focus on Computer Science. The quote above is from one of those speeches, from Steve Jobs speaking to some MIT graduates. University was a huge focus of my life in the past years, and now that it’s over I’m looking to the future - searching for what my great work will be. Steve’s words were so powerful to me because, as a recent graduate in a specialized program, the next logical step that everyone expects you to take is to slip into an existing job in the field…which I personally feel is like all too often compromising on your own dreams and will lead to, quite possibly, a less happy life. Instead I like to view the past 5 years as an amazing training time in which we were able to find ourselves and focus on developing ourselves. We learned a lot in our time in university, both in the classroom and out, and to stop dreaming on graduation would seem such a waste.

So think hard recent graduates, make goals and chase them because now is the time. Take chances now or risk never taking them at all. Always challenge yourself and never stop dreaming. (And if I ever stop please light a firecracker under my ass and let me know about it.)

Follow one of Bob Marley’s mottos: “Live the life you love. Love the life you live.” Whatever that may be.

I start boxing this week. I wonder if I know what I’m getting myself into…

Mon, 31 May 2010 12:24:00 -0500

I start boxing this week. I wonder if I know what I’m getting myself into…

Passion?

Fri, 28 May 2010 19:54:00 -0500

Recently the topic of passion came up in conversation. Most people it seems are too afraid to live passionately, perhaps because of the risk of getting hurt or maybe even because of some past hurt, but they simply don’t. They choose to live a safer, lukewarm, sort of life. A good friend of mine said this to me a few days ago:

“You’re a passionate person and that’s a good thing. It means that you have the capacity to truely enjoy life. With passion comes major highs and lows. The lows are the sacrifices we take to enjoy highs like no other.”

I think she hit it right on the head. The lows are worth it. In my opinion in order to live a life worth living you’d better live passionately. …So here’s to living life like you’ve never been hurt and experiencing the highs like no other!

Just a musing I thought worth sharing.

Oh Trent Reznor, I will always come back to you. Thanks for...

Thu, 27 May 2010 19:40:00 -0500

Oh Trent Reznor, I will always come back to you. Thanks for one of the best shows of my life (NIN live - w00t!)

The path to being a wise old yogi.

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:10:00 -0500

I started to do yoga oh…about 2 months ago now and I’ve really been getting into it. I’ve latched onto a local studio (my Moksha) really well. They’re one of the larger studios in Winnipeg and I thought I wouldn’t like that, but it really has been such a positive thing. Their size allows them to offer all sorts of classes for all different levels of people. I’ve already grown so much in my practice there and I can’t wait until I’m able to participate in the more difficult classes. I crave inversions.

In our western society it’s also really nice to see some instructors place an emphasis on the spiritual, meditative side of yoga. A lot of other studios have westernized the yoga practice and treat it as a workout akin to pilates or the such. Had Moksha been like this the first time I went, I probably would never have gone back for a second class. I’m so thankful to have a place like this nearby. The mantras that go along with the yoga practice are such good roots in which to live your life daily. When I grow up I hope to be a wise old yogi.

If you have never tried yoga, throw out any stereotypes you have about it and give it a shot. Worst case scenario you just won’t go back, but it just might become a big part of your life. I think it’s worth the shot.

I just decided that this is the summer that I get back into...

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:58:00 -0600

I just decided that this is the summer that I get back into dirtjumping.

Culture Shock

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:26:10 -0600

“It’s a funny thing about comin’ home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You’ll realize what’s changed is you.” -Benjamin Button

Two weeks ago I returned from Cuba. It was an amazing trip. Cubans never cease to amaze me with their generousity and kindness, despite so much hardship. The people there are so genuine and trusting. My cuban friends even joked about hitchhiking being their national sport!

This was the first time I’ve returned to Cuba in 5 years, and the way I experienced it was…much different then the last time I was there. Last time I was only 17 years old, and stayed on the tourist path nicely laid out before me. This time, I made an effort to get off the beaten path, making real connections with the locals. I went fishing with a local for hours on the rocky shore. I grabbed some beers and wandered through the local market (talk about a stark difference from even the tourist thrift markets). I played baseball with some locals in the town near where I was staying. I experienced Cuba.

I’m back in Winnipeg now and I’m having trouble slipping back into the way of life here…it just feels less “right”. Although I’m back where I was before my trip, I feel like I’m looking through a different set of eyes…or at least with a different perspective. Friendliness in the streets is few and far between here: Saying hello to a passerby is considered odd…hell even making eye contact makes people feel uncomfortable. In the morning I look at blur of cars buzzing past my bus stop: Most all of them occupied by but a single driver. And then there are all the things we take for granted here…

Our problems are so miniscule here compared to big problems in other places in the world, and we place so much emphasis on them. It just seems so dumb, so…pointless. I can’t help but feel we live in a hopelessly segregated, introverted society.

Will I readjust? …or do I even want to?

Monopoly Vote!

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:03:27 -0600

Monopoly Vote!:

Heh, they’re making a Canadian Monopoly game and are letting people vote on which cities are going to be in it. Cast your vote here! As of the time of this post Winnipeg was down at 23 (and they only will use the top 20!) so we have some catchup to do here on the prairies =P.

Super Mario 63

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:46:25 -0600

Super Mario 63:

This little mario flash game just plain rocks.

Help-Potrait

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:25:49 -0600

I was just made aware of a project of which I would like to be a part of next year, and it’s called “Help Portrait”. Help portrait is a movement of photographer who are using their time, equipment, and expertise to give back to those who are less fortunate. The basic premise is to find someone in need, take their portrait, print their portrait, and deliver it to them. I’m 100% behind this cause - why not take a day out of my schedule and use the gear I already have to give others something that means so much to them. A picture really is a fascinating thing that we overlook and take for granted…but to those less fortunate, it’s almost “magical”.

http://vimeo.com/8585737
This year a small group of Winnipeggers participated in this global event and made a big difference. Next year, I’m going to do what I can for this, and you should look into it too. It’s global, so there’s likely already somewhere you can pitch in OR you could start up your own initiative. More details at www.help-portrait.com.

"In a world where 1% of the population owns 40% of the planet’s wealth… in a world where..."

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0600

“In a world where 1% of the population owns 40% of the planet’s wealth… in a world where 34,000 children die every single day from poverty and preventable diseases, and where 50% of the world’s population lives on less than 2 dollars a day…one thing is clear: Something is very wrong.”

- Peter Joseph

May your reflection always grin back at you.

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0600

May your reflection always grin back at you.