hi. i'm dave.

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.

Very cool.

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:06:00 -0600

Very cool.

Live a Beautiful Life.

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:34:03 -0600

Live a Beautiful Life.

"Days with My Father" - Photojournalism

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:52:00 -0500

"Days with My Father" - Photojournalism:

“…To have left nothing unsaid. To know that we loved each other nakedly, without embarassment. To have felt his pride at my accomplishments. And to have discovered how funny he was.”

"If all the insects were to disappear from the earth, within 50 years all life on earth would end. If..."

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:01:23 -0500

“If all the insects were to disappear from the earth, within 50 years all life on earth would end. If all human beings disappeared from the earth, within 50 years all forms of life would flourish.”

- Jonas Salk

Camera lens destroyed taking this picture!

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:18:24 -0500

Camera lens destroyed taking this picture!

"Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others..."

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:04:21 -0500

“Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.”

- Claude Bissell

Spring.

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:35:55 -0500

Spring.

"The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with..."

Sun, 31 May 2009 21:33:00 -0500

“The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself.”

- Oscar Wilde

A different way to think about creative genius

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:12:51 -0500

A different way to think about creative genius:

A brilliant TED talk.

"…Everyone is moving in together, getting married, having babies and stuff like that… And..."

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:07:38 -0600

“…Everyone is moving in together, getting married, having babies and stuff like that… And all I am worrying about is school and the next Kegger…”

- Raz (in all too true words…)

"I wanna hang a map of the world in my house. Then I’m gonna put pins into all the locations..."

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 13:42:30 -0600

“I wanna hang a map of the world in my house. Then I’m gonna put pins into all the locations that I’ve traveled to. But first, I’m gonna have to travel to the top two corners of the map so it won’t fall down.”

- Mitch Hedberg

"College is 25% brains, 50% persistence, and 25% just sucking it up so you can put two letters on..."

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:47:59 -0600

“College is 25% brains, 50% persistence, and 25% just sucking it up so you can put two letters on your vita.”

Health!

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:55:00 -0600

I am finally healthy again, finally! I think I just thought up another resolution: don’t take your health for granted!