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January 6, 2010

Not surfing.

Every couple of years my family goes on a group vacation. A few years ago we rented a house in San Diego county and it was an amazing time. A great spot and time to eat, chill, read, "bond", as it were, and just be with the people important to each of us. This year, a return to the beach was decided on and we ended up in Encinitas. Funny place for me, since so many acquaintances live or have lived in the vicinity.

You'd think with my pathetic aspirations as a surfer that these would be epic times for me. But last time, aside from a great day with some of the most special So Cal ladies I know, there was very little surfing--no waves until our departure day being a summer trip and waiting for the random South swell. My thoughts this time were of bigger and better things--things being waves, obvi. But sadly, during the Dew Tour in Breckenridge, I was cruising down Four O'Clock run, a boring cruiser that takes you right into downtown Breck, I caught an edge while, in my mind at least, looking like a bad-ass--jacket open, sunglasses on, sweet set-up and camera pack on my back--straight lining through the holiday crowds. The scorpion bit me and I was just happy to have avoided landing on my face. Then on Christmas eve one of my great friends, not knowing that I was nursing a sore breast region, jumped on me as I rode a sled through the classic Carter Park sled hill. I heard, and felt, my rib crack again, or at least completely. So this time, waking up to overhead waves on my first morning in Encinitas, all I could do was watch and suck down Advil. Needless to say, I spent a lot of time reading, drinking coffee and walking around.

Here are a few pictures from my wanders, in the absence of stories of glory on the waves. Happy New Year to you all. And please think of our friends and others who aren't able to aimlessly walk the beautiful streets these days--most recently Kevin Pearce, but each and every joining me as I soak up this beautiful world.

All the best in 2010. -Nate.

San Diego airport, soaking up good light.

Outside our house.

Palm tree shot number 4 of 50.

Christmas garage.

Moonlight State Beach.

Bank light.

Emo?

Tree.

Sunset emergency.

Birds over Pacific.

Posted by at 8:07 PM | | Comments (2)

November 30, 2009

You can count on me to leave.

Another quick trip. I haven't been posting much here because of my new job blogging for the Worldwide Leader, so you can check out that post at ESPN.com/action. Here's some lifestyle and pictures I like from Stockholm. I hope to be on the road again soon, but until then I'll treat my home like it's someplace new.

Todd Walnuts is the the king of style.

But Andreas Håtveit is The King of Style (tm)

Wait B-Dog is supposed to be the king of style...

Yep, style.

Jacob has style, happy style then focused style.

Simon has style.

All the way to Sweden to be fitted for a suit...

The new guy, Timmy McChesney, is learning style.

Jacob and Simon, nighttime style.

Even in the rain Swedes have great style and ride their bikes everywhere.

Posted by at 9:39 PM | | Comments (2)

August 26, 2009

60 Hour Roadtrip. Part II. People(s).

Peter.

Craig.

Jake.

Michael.

Posted by at 10:02 AM | | Comments (2)

60 Hour Roadtrip. Part I. Places.

There.

Halfway.

Back.

Posted by at 9:54 AM | | Comments (0)

August 13, 2009

Da Hoodest

Bunch friends in the younger crew got a house together at the base of Mount Hood for the summer. Coach at Windells, training, filming or just skiing for the love, they all set up camp in the woods and blogged about it at dahoodhouse.com. So when Freeskier Magazine decided to send me and 8 girls for the annual Women of Freeskiing photoshoot at Hood. We decided to pay a little homage and start a blog. Not having the geek power to do our own URL it ended up being hosted at dahoodesthouse.wordpress.com. What's more ghetto than Wordpress right? Make sure you head over and vote in the poll, "Who da Hoodest?"

We had a super fun time, got the shots, and blogged it up. Nate plus Eight is over now, and the mani's and pedis will be destroyed, my bikini wax will become stubble, and I'll stop talking about the most recent issue of Cosmo. But I assure you the bumping sounds of Lady Gaga and Britney will haunt my dreams for months to come.

Anyway, I'll let you know when the issue comes out or "drops", by the parlance of our hood brethren. Bless.

Kaya and I did BFs into the foam pit in the Windell's barn.

GBaby jumped and Tweeted at the same time.

Dania is a yogi.

Keri shows me where the sun is going to set.

The Burke is back and bad.

Grete did the rock gap, but she didn't Tweet in the air.

Posted by at 12:37 PM | | Comments (5)

July 23, 2009

Vacation.

I'm on vakay in Oregon. We saw the sun the first day, and it just came back out on day five so I'm gonna go hang on the beach.

Finally saw the opener to the Shane McConkey story in Outside Magazine this month. You can also read the story here.

Family.

Dad.

Sunset, first night. Geographical marker.

Sunset, first night #2.

Sunset, first night #3.

Birds.

Parents' friends, Joel and Karen in bright fog.

Evacuation route.

Grass.

Sea Lion overlook.

Niece Emily with Sea Lions.

Beach.

Posted by at 1:15 PM | | Comments (1)

June 23, 2009

Vermont.

Here is a selection of images I made during two trips for an editorial with Derek Taylor from Powder Magazine. The story about people cutting and thinning trees in Vermont to make better skiing in and around ski resorts was published in the February 2009 issue, but I decided to post a little edit here as I wait for some product that I have to shoot tomorrow. Best.

Tools of the trade.

Cutting.

Removing flags was part of the ethic our guide adheres to.

Our guide.

Tree.

Old cut, new growth.

Run.

Jay Peak.

Skiing from the top.

Boundary.

Open Trees.

Jay Peak backcountry.

The road back from a backcountry lap.

Trees after Ice Storm.

Posted by at 3:49 PM | | Comments (4)

June 6, 2009

Uncanny Days.

I follow the blogs on the New York Times' website as much as I read the paper. (Disclaimer: Rarely the comments though...) I find it to be an interesting way to follow the world and to learn not just about a moment, but about the veins of history, opinion and concussion that lead to and from each event.

Errol Morris, much praised for his documentary film making (my favorite, The Fog of War, as well as The Thin Blue Line), curates the NYT Zoom blog, ostensibly on photography, but always meandering throughout photography, art, history, psychology, and various other delicious tangents.

Last week he posted a seven part series, called Bamboozling Ourselves, about a forger of Vermeer paintings who worked in Holland before and during WWII. I started reading thinking about intention and psychology of art--lots of creepy Nazi art and something called the Uncanny Valley figure prominently--but from the quotes below, you should be able to tell that it goes on to cover a much wider topical span. Just read it, HERE, 'cause it's good.

Good reading during computer downtime while I was editing photos all week. And also as I nursed the wounds from crashing my bike this morning--I was on the way to get cream for my coffee and my brain wasn't quite working yet...because I hadn't had my coffee (such is the circle of regret in my life...)

Göring's quote to Gustave Gilbert at Nuremberg:

Why, of course, people don't want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally, the common people don't want war... That is understood. But it is the leaders of the country who determine policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along... The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.

Errol Morris: "There may be yet one more principle at work - something very simple. The bigger the lie, the more willing we are to believe it."

And a semi-random photo, because that's what I do. Flying into Amsterdam Schiphol this year, which almost makes it relevant.

Posted by at 3:39 PM | | Comments (0)

May 28, 2009

We're never letting go.

Another random moment of musing. Long trip. Images are from the flight to my current home, whatever that may mean.

I'm sending out photos of Shane McConkey, and going through those images makes me sad. But the memories are so amazing. Shane telling Seth Morrison an extremely dirty (and fictional) story about banging a girl in the mountains while cameras were rolling for a Warren Miller movie. The first time my heart pounded as he BASEd off a cliff. Him convincing me to jump off a 270 foot cliff, despite never having used a parachute before in my life. Seth and me whining about him having his wife Sherry along on that shoot, only to learn that she was along because they'd just learned that she was pregnant with Ayla. Him making me laugh so hard that I missed countless images of him on every photo shoot. Looking through photos taken by my heroes, of my hero, every year I worked at FREEZE Magazine. All the images that Flip shot of him. Every turn he made--each so perfect for a camera! What special memories and what lucky lives we all live.

Been listening to lots of music while I edit photos from this (amazing) year. You should all buy the album Upper Air by Bowerbirds. And listen to one of my favorite tracks of the year, Northern Lights. I've embeded the video for another song, a favorite from last summer, from their last album, below.

Lyrics:

i don't need from you a waterfall of careless praise
and i don't need a trophy for all the games i've played

but all i want is your eyes
in the morning as we wake
for a short while

and i don't need you to catch my wanderin mind
and i don't expect a southern girl to know the northern lights

and all i want is your eyes
in the morning as we wake
for a short while

and i do need the wind across my pale face
and i do need the fern to unfurl in the spring
and i do need the grass to sway
yes i do need to know my place

but all i want is your eyes
in the morning as we wake
for a short while

Posted by at 12:54 AM | | Comments (3)

May 18, 2009

May Flowers

Spring in the ski world is a contrast between interesting moments and hellacious down time. Last week, filming at Mount Bachelor in Oregon with Poorboyz Productions, we had a good sunset, a good day, a milky day, a windy day, a rainy day, two rainy/windy days and finally one perfect day. On lockdown in the hotel in Bend, in spite of the forecast, each day we tried to be ready to shoot, do work, stay motivated, keep mentally sharp and be physically healthy. The week before in Tahoe, and this week in Mammoth? Both very similar...

Every occupation--every life--faces these roller coasters of emotion. Hope, possibility and success. Hatred, despair and failure. Honestly I can say at this moment, it seems like no person could understand my life. Clouds mean that we'll have a mellow breakfast, a nap, and maybe a vigorous competition--basketball, poker, soccer or video games--during a down day. But, as you take off the Gore-tex pants, boots and base layers--permeated with months of blood, sweat and tears--shadows reappear on the wall and a phone beeps: "I guess we're gonna go check it out. Heard it's actually nice up there." Instead of falling back into bed, the soggy boots go back on, bags go back into the car, and we grab two Red Bulls and a can of snus.

At this point, even after an afternoon hot tub followed by a delicious dinner, I can't help but feel like the winter will never end. But making a special photo never gets old and each time out the door we can't help but think, "I'll find someplace to publish another shot of Simon. Above the world. Upside down. Grabbing." Never has a winter been filled by my friends and my brain pushing me each day without regard for family, health, home, friends or bank balances. So to my credit cards, bills, family, friends, e-mail inbox and the real world I can only give heartfelt apologies and say, "Thanks for the patience, support and understanding for my passion, my dream, and my world." Especially I thank my friends--athletes, filmers, writers, team managers, park builders, randoms--and the Earth for taking the time to keep me smiling, make fun of the frailties I embody, crush me and inspire me in each moment, as it happens.

I know this would never be the same without the ups, downs, luck and feet touching the world. I'll never rise above or sink below that, but I promise I'll send those photos, pay those bills, give you a hug, be there for you and probably sleep for a while. All next week. Or the week after.

Oddly enough, despite, or because, of all my whining, these weeks will produce more than a handful of images--that I contractually can't show you here and now--that will next fall be in the magazines that we read or at least look at. (Srsly, check out Freeskier and Powder out and if nothing is published I'll reimburse you.) Just be thankful you don't have to smell my boots when you put them, wet, onto your feet tomorrow morning at 7:30.

My compadre and driver, Tyler.

My pathetic excuse for a bed, office and dining room table last week. Yes, that's a bean burrito and my Mac that kept me from sleeping in anything but one quarter of the luxury of my Queen sized bed at the Bend, Oregon Red Lion Inn last week.

The wind rippled pool at, and bunch clouds over, aforementioned Red Lion Inn.

TJ Schiller admiring his drive during a much relished windy down day round of golf.

Posted by at 10:48 AM | | Comments (1)

May 2, 2009

Inspiration

We all find inspiration in our own places. During one night of JOSS, the athletes were competing in the Sweet Rumble, put on by Sweet Protection who make dope clothes and have awesome employees. Since the JOSS signage was down and I'd shot the jump bunch already, I decided to take some pictures of the surroundings. I was drawn to my friends and my inspiration, the other artists working. Kids, inspired, and other veterans Getting The Shot alike. And I even made one cool image of Simon while I was wandering...

Simon Dumont.

Tony Harrington GTSing from the parking lot.

Team America's Josh Berman.

Shay.

Mike Thomas.

Interview.

Josh Knox.

Veg.

Alex O'Brien, whose Friends are pros.

Carl-Johan

Drew Lederer.

Erik.

Thomas Kleiven, of the winning Norwegian Team.

Posted by at 12:05 AM | | Comments (4)

April 19, 2009

Snaps.

After a little trip in February, I came back and rode my shred stick at Breckenridge. Some of the best times are simply a mellow day with an iPod and my camera.






Posted by at 6:01 PM | | Comments (4)

April 14, 2009

Is it a slide show if it isn't shown?

Ah, contests. I'm back from the JOSS circus of bad weather, late nights, good friends, laughs, changing rules, cock-suck people who take their lives too seriously, more friends, new faces, new friends, more laughs, Chug Life, Canadians, Americans, USA'ans, Shayzians, Schmucks, Red Bull, Max Burger, a few more laughs, another late night or two, photos, etc. Despite clearly stating that the photographers involved cared deeply about having our slide shows, well, shown, and having the organizer say that he understood and that they would be shown, they weren't. So here's mine. And I hope to see the others online sometime soon too.

PS. I'm not much of an editor and I've been too busy to figure it all out, but whatevs. Hope you enjoy.

PPS. I just got back from Dumont Cup, which was mellow and fun and good. But I lost my phone, but hopefully I'll have a new BB tonight.

PPS. Thanks for bopping by, srsly. I appreciate all the support, company, kind words, athletes and friends. Love.

Team America Slideshow, images copyright Nate Abbott: Low res or Higher res

This won best action photo (I fell down taking this too, so maybe that was the action part?) Simon Dumont fakie air, shifty.

Simon and Tom about to drop.

Trysil by night.

T-Crack.

Ill fated quarter-pipe build.

Man sized knoll ollie rodeo.

Fredrick helping while Tyler and Wallisch scope the shot.

Posted by at 12:25 PM | | Comments (19)

March 13, 2009

Rome goes to Michign

Last year, Ryan Runke set me up to go to Michigan with a John Cavan and couple shreds (Yan Dofin and LNP) for the Rome Snowboards production No Correct Way.

Shots that didn't get published, might as well see the light of day somehow, right?

LNP, hippie jump.

Yan, Gap.

LNP, ollie.

LNP, collegiate feature.

Yan, Double line.

Posted by at 1:16 PM | | Comments (2)

March 5, 2009

Off to see the wizard.

No updates, tons of work on portfolios and the like. I'm in Silverton with Peter, Symms and SImon waiting for it to snow. Also, of note, I'm going to JOSS in Norway and Sweden, and everyone knows I love Sweden. Unfortunately my team from last year disintegrated so this year, I'm with Simon Dumont and Tom Wallisch. Cannot wait!

Peterman.

Dumont.

Signs.

Updated: Forgot to put this photo up. Favorite of the day. Jake, taken by Simon.

Posted by at 7:56 PM | | Comments (3)

October 19, 2008

More than 24 Hours of Moab, Part 3: The Dust Bowl Years.

Every Great Depression has its Dust Bowl. We arrived at the venue to howling winds and red dust in everything.

The reason for us being there, our hero, Josh Tostado.

Engine(s).

Me ruining a camera. Dan Monaco praying?

Cover ups.

Posted by at 11:38 AM | | Comments (1)

More than 24 Hours of Moab, Part 2: The Road and Skillz.

After our (vegetarian for me) burgers, we headed to an old friend's house in Moab for the night. Apparently everyone else has bike riding skills so (they) had a skills challenge.

Kevin was our designated driver.

I hung out of various windows.

Ryan.

Back window, aka party window.

Sunset stop to ride...

and let Parks run around.

Outside Tom's bunny hops.

And manual's.

Even if Kevin dominated most of the skills, he had a bit of trouble with the flatland bar spin.

Ryan dominated the body roll—and I hit my head.

Posted by at 11:23 AM | | Comments (0)

October 17, 2008

More than 24 Hours of Moab, Part 1: Charcoal Burger.

More than 1000 frames shot. One lens destroyed by the sand. Very little sleep. More than a little CC and Pabst. One win.

First stop anytime we go West of Aspen is Charcoal Burger. Ryan rode the table. I had a grilled cheese (veggie burger was the BOMB on the return trip). Kevin drove. Shred Parks Rasta Dog was "sexy" according to Ryan.

More to come, obvs.

Dirty table.

Burger.

Kevin. Dog. Wierdos.

Hunters.

Where to go.

Posted by at 2:09 PM | | Comments (1)

May 15, 2008

Forgotten Post: Gone Surfin'

From Surfline Last Week:

"More moderate scale reinforcement SW(200-220) groundswell joins in during the first half of next week, keeping waves in the waist-head high range from Monday through Wednesday. Slow fade by next Thursday.
High pressure over the Central SPAC and a low off South America is currently setting up a large fetch aimed our way. Solid, long-period SSW(195-210) groundswell being whipped up by those winds is due to fill in next Friday, May 9th, then peak over the following weekend with more overhead waves."

Was going to gloat on that before I left, but I got busy and forgot to post. Even in the absence of electronic info, I went down to Mexico, I surfed, I hung out with old and new friends, I read, I celebrated the birthdays of two close friends, I ate a couple drinks, I remembered, I surfed, I got some sun, I took a few pictures, I played some asshole—you know the deal.

Modelo. Two birthday boys.


Timmy Shred.


R-G. 3-0.


Another Runway (DIA).

Posted by at 12:26 PM | | Comments (1)

April 27, 2008

Oz

Sat on the runway at Chicago O'Hare for a couple hours the other night. We pulled on to the runway for take-off, but shut down and sat through a huge thunderstorm. I was on the way home from visiting my amazing Grandparents in Atlanta. We went to a production of The Wizard of Oz put on by—and at—the Roswell, GA senior center. It was amazing how much fun and how free of vanity the actors were. Bravo to living life and having fun.

Sunrise at LGA.


Almost taking off from ORD.


Storm at ORD.

Posted by at 4:08 PM | | Comments (0)

April 10, 2008

What does this mean?

It used to be that I hurried home for companionship. But I have friends all over the world and sometimes this place—where I sit, I type, where I plan my travels, where I sort through the captured moments of my experiences, and I find myself at this moment—is the loneliest place possible. I want to get up and go.

Still there's never any place that can serve as a proxy for home: clean clothes, picking my own music, walking around naked, juggling a soccer ball in the living room, doing the dishes tomorrow, twenty photo books, a hundred magazines, falling asleep on the couch, vacuuming my own messes, any shoes I want, broccoli for lunch, coffee for dinner, ice cream at midnight.

At rest. In motion. (Stockholm)

Bankomat. (Stockholm)

Statue of Liberty from Flight 684.

Posted by at 5:18 PM | | Comments (2)

April 8, 2008

Stock-Home

A last post before I go home. Hanging in Stockholm for a couple of days. Some pictures.

With the contest done, Hatveit and Candide kicked it on the mini ramp while Blake Jorgenson—an amazing photographer with a new gallery in Whistler—enjoys a cold one in beautiful Åre.

Jersey Mike and Peter in the elevator.

Stockholm.

People.

Shapes.

Had a dance party with Shay WIll and Colby West last night for Colby's birthday. Party Shay was in effect all week long.

Stockholm building that looks like a diner.

Colby and the beginnings of spring.

Söt . Or maybe Gullig. My Swedska is kind of weak.

This is the rest of the crew, they went home today. They ate McDonald's yesterday and we all went to TGI Friday's for dinner. Horrible.

Posted by at 6:02 AM | | Comments (1)

March 26, 2008

Here I am.

Total disappointment—apparently I'm on the "B" team. Almost everyone else got a helicopter ride from the airport to the hotel. Me, just a ride in a pimped out Cadillac.

Anyway, the trials and tribulations seem to fade away sitting in the lounge. Here's a picture of our package from the front desk containing 4 packages assorted chocolate, a cellular phone pre-paid and programmed with the number of everyone involved, a GPS unit, dozens of condoms, 4 different kinds of hair gel, 2 logs of General Snus, t-shirt, sweatshirt, collagen eye patches. Yeah, I'm gonna have fun.

I'll try to update people here as much as possible. Or you can follow the news updates on

http://www.josupersessions.com

or

http://www.freeskier.com

or on

http://www.newschoolers.com

Schmuck (newschoolers) and Shay (freeskier) like to fight over who has better updates. I think Shay's doing a better job, 'cause he put a picture of me online. This link is for a picture of me and my Gnome.

Me and Gnome!

Me and my Lights.

It's been a couple of days and this blog entry has been sitting under appreciated and un-posted, but all has lived up to or beyond my expectations and coping mechanisms. I might never leave. So I'll give thanks now to: Jon and Olivia (our hosts), Peter (my bar-mate and at times driver), the Hotel Tott crew (despite their early closing time), all the ladies of Sweden, Sammy (my athlete and driving force), Damian (my drinking partner), the funky beats still playing at 3:40 am in the downstairs lounge, Red Bull, Dom (my roommate who doesn't care that I go to bed after 4 am every night, Zach (who has been carrying one of my 3 backpacks to most of the shoots), Snus, Riley, Luke, Philou, Tobias, Peter O (my sometimes wingman), my iPod (which is my only real companion and inspiration), and my cameras (because without them I'd be nothing!). Oh and everyone else, 'cause our crew is amazing.

Hope everyone else is feeling as good and lucky as I am right now! And I wish everyone else could be here too!

Z.

Amsterdam sunrise.

Me (photo by??? whoever borrowed my camera. Damian, I think?)

Eight photographers and our watt second pissing match.

Simon Dumont, a huge jump, and a helicopter (he's the thing sticking out from under the heli. Have I mentioned how cool helicopters are?)

Riley Poor, getting the shot.

Just after sunset before snowboarding down from the top of the resort.

Posted by at 2:02 PM | | Comments (3)

March 25, 2008

Gone Fishin'

Off to Sweden for a few weeks. See y'all from the other side of the pond.

EXPN.com has a photo gallery, by me, from the U.S. Open of Snowboarding, where I was last weekend.

Posted by at 10:59 AM | | Comments (0)

March 12, 2008

The Blow

So, I was in Vermont last week for part one of a feature story for Powder Magazine. It rained, it snowed (kind of), it iced over, it blew (in every possible way). I did have approximately 1.7 fun runs on my shredding board and 3 orders of mozzarella sticks. And on the way home I was doing over 90 MPH when I passed a State Trooper, but he pulled over the guy behind me. So I guess I am the luckiest man alive.

Untitled #1. (DT) 080307.

Untitled #2. (Run) 080307.

Untitled #3. (Lift) 080307.

Untitled #4. (Driving in Rain) 080307.

Posted by at 9:40 AM | | Comments (2)

January 23, 2008

Boulder.

Pretty beautiful place to hang out. Just sayin'...

From bed.

Posted by at 2:12 PM | | Comments (0)

January 22, 2008

The Road from NY to CO.

Twitter is like a mini-insta-blog. I like it aside from the fact I only have one real friend on there. It certainly kept me awake and amused on my drive from Brooklyn to Breckenridge last week. And I really like the unfiltered updates from journalists following the Presidential candidates.

I'm in Boulder, shot some beautiful girls and their hair today, then off to Aspen for the X Games madness. Here's my twittering across America and a couple pictures. See you soon. -Nate.

how to pack for driving there flying back? shite, i'm gonna have too much stuff. 06:20 PM January 15, 2008 from web

Last stop gimme coffee. Odo 48214. Headed west. 09:52 AM January 16, 2008 from txt

Nj smells. 10:43 AM January 16, 2008 from txt

Wnyc is static. Cue ipod. 11:02 AM January 16, 2008 from txt

Mnts of NJ r butiful. Snowy :) 11:10 AM January 16, 2008 from txt

Penn- why does every "salad" have meat in it? 12:49 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

Pack of turkeys eating by I80. R they social animals? 01:34 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

Sign: wlcome to penns wilds. - scary. 01:35 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

Skip to the end? I wish. 02:20 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

6 hrs. Ohio. Into the setting sun. 04:09 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

How many hrs of my life spent listening to NPR? 05:02 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

Wow. Ohio t-pike is ex-citing! 05:24 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

Sandwich, starbux, gas. Thinking about 100 things I need to do once I stop for night. Odo 48698. 06:14 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

Goodbye intilectual elitism, hello midwestern clasic rock. Good love is hard to find. 06:29 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

Holy Toledo. 07:30 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

Ohio tolls: obvs not payin for road repairs. 07:56 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

@Slickbyrd-i know very little bout myself so this should be useful. 08:06 PM January 16, 2008 from txt in reply to Slickbyrd

Indiana: how should we fill the empty spaces where we used to talk? Jedi mind trick and the radio plays floyd. 08:31 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

Advertisment for 3 level indoor archery range with leagues"where archery comes alive"!!!! 08:52 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

Too much coffee to be stuck in traffic. But I'm goal oriented, getting through chicago in spite of it. 10:38 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

Boredom sets in. Thought: will itunes reward me w a new gossip girl tonight? 10:43 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

NY ezpass works in illinois. Wish I new that b4 5 min in toll line. 11:02 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

Solo, ipod, camera. Couple photo stops. Stopping @ next crappy chain hotel I find. 11:32 PM January 16, 2008 from txt

On the road. Late night photos, days inn. Snowing just a little bit. Grey day. 08:47 AM January 17, 2008 from txt

I want to see a dead head sticker on a caddilac today. 09:31 AM January 17, 2008 from txt

at the largest truck stop in the world. full on iowa white out. google map says 12:30 to go. 10:45 AM January 17, 2008 from web

Lincoln reagan hoover: very presidential this stretch of i80. 11:44 AM January 17, 2008 from txt

Blue sky, fresh snow, farm houses-iowa's beautiful. 11:59 AM January 17, 2008 from txt

Iowa ext 187, brooklyn. I had to stop. Gas, windshield fluid, coffee, softbatch cookies. 12:47 PM January 17, 2008 from txt

google directions: next turn 475 mi, 6:35. Ugh. 01:49 PM January 17, 2008 from txt

I know I'm alone if I'm with or without you. about 24 hours ago from txt

Car napped. Cpuncil bluffs. Looking gforward to human interaction. about 22 hours ago from txt

And everything I make is trite and cheap and a waste of paint of tape of time. (Delayed response, but I'm in omaha.) about 22 hours ago from txt

Nebraska- zero clouds. about 20 hours ago from txt

Npr: same person invented hula hoop and frisbee. Died. about 20 hours ago from txt

Shooting star! Straight down i80. about 18 hours ago from txt

Montanita, ftw. Mountain time zone. about 17 hours ago from txt

Colorful Colorado. about 17 hours ago from txt

last stop for gas $ . about 17 hours ago from txt

Written in lights: "eat beef". Smell of manure in the air. about 16 hours ago from txt

When I was 13 went to summer camp for nerds and ended up w a girlfriend from Sterling CO. Dismal in so many ways. about 16 hours ago from txt

Which withdrawal is worse: Twitter or Caffeine? Caf is making me twittery. about 16 hours ago from txt

Northeast colorado filled with terrible smells. about 15 hours ago from txt

Denver...almost home. Thinking about all the stuff I'm missing in NY though. Too much world to love. about 14 hours ago from txt

Eisenhower tunnel. Elevation 11013. about 14 hours ago from txt

Fin. ODO 50055. So much snow. Last 10 mi white nuckles. And to all a goodnight. :) about 13 hours ago from txt

Lou dobbs on the COLBERT REPOOOOORT! Amazing as any mock tv show ever was done. I cannot support Colbert enough.correcto. about 11 hours ago from txt

Coffee and bagel at my breakfast spot of 8 years. Colder than...well, lots of stuff. 35 minutes ago from web

10 minutes into the drive.

Self explanatory.

Day's Inn 1. 12:15 am.

Day's Inn 2. 12:40 am.

Day's Inn 3. 6:00 am.

Brooklyn, Iowa 1.

Brooklyn, Iowa 2.

Into the sun, Nebraska.

Roadside, Nebraska 1.

Roadside, Nebraska 2.

Posted by at 4:30 AM | | Comments (1)

December 11, 2007

Welp, see you soon.

I'm coming to Colorado and I want to hang out, say hi, drink coffee, go snowboarding, talk about books and art and music and (despite the link I'm about to write about) take some pictures. So, call me. I'll be in Boulder after noon and in Breckenridge by happy hour. Ok, awesome, now I'll hope my flights aren't cancelled since there's a big ass storm on the way and its already raining in Brooklyn.

So, this kid is gnarly. Very courageous in his editing and willingness to get to another side of the story. Even if his work is hidden by the layers of editing involved in mainstream American media. Here's the link, be aware, it's got some disturbing and violent images. Conscientious Blog Conversation with Peter Van Agtmael

Thought provoking work and interview. One quote, but the rest of the article is worth your time.

"A few days after finishing my first tour to Iraq, I picked up a copy of a very well known American magazine at the airport in Holland. I was flipping through it absently when I came upon a brutal picture I had taken of the aftermath of a suicide bombing, run across nearly a full page [see photo in article]. I called my parents to tell them the good news and they went out to buy a copy. In the U.S. edition, in place of my picture they found an image of a few helicopters taking off. I was pretty crushed." -Peter Van Agtmael

Posted by at 6:16 PM | | Comments (0)

November 23, 2007

The champion

Thanksgiving morning I was victorious in the first Annual Seaside Beach Turkey Trot—or whatever it was really called. 5 kilometers of shoeless, sandy fun run—and I have to thank my sister for dragging us all out there, Stephanie for making me swim to the boat every day in Sayulita, Vampire Weekend for the uplifting soundtrack, my parents for all their support, my niece Emily for cheering me on, Uncle Ed for video taping it all and God for looking down on my with a benevolent eye. Ok, but seriously, I have never before won anything in my life. Not a thing. More importantly, I was able to put back 3 pieces of pumpkin pie later in the afternoon.

Posted by at 10:15 AM | | Comments (0)

November 11, 2007

Wishes.

Only one for today. Wish you were here.

Rayita and Sarah.

Jessica and Mel and the setting sun.

Posted by at 7:18 PM | | Comments (0)

The morning.

I need coffee.

Jewels.

Josh.

Posted by at 11:08 AM | | Comments (0)

November 8, 2007

Bags.

Sitting with my back to the wind, bouncing through the waves, exhausted from surfing, sipping a warm beer. That's a moment.

Late night at Tigre's, pinata spilled, meeting people, watching the passing people in the plaza below, drunken birthday kids, friends faces, buzzing head. That's another.

Reading "No Country fro Old Men", Vampire Weekend playing, head racing to keep up, fan blowing in my face. Yet another.

Town.

Mountains.

Waiting.

Motion.

Posted by at 8:20 PM | | Comments (0)

November 6, 2007

Salsa redux.

My last night in Sayulita was Salsa night. And my first night, after 24 hours of travel including a lost surfboard and its bag which held all my clothes, was Salsa Night. The same players at Don Pedro's, in the same places—hot older solo salsa lady, American Crock couple who've been to classes, Doc Chili with latest girlfriend, Mustang killing it, Joel being smooth, Quai in the far corner bigger and blonder than last year, Kristen the and different couples from Golden, and me dancing to my own special beat that sure as shit isn't salsa. All very amazing.

This morning I'm sitting by the beach, in newly purchased surf trunks, next to new dogs who seem to come and go with the seasons, the surf today is double the biggest day last year. Smiling, sipping coffee, I'll just sit in the shade until United gets my board to me. Que Bueno!

Posted by at 11:34 AM | | Comments (0)

November 5, 2007

Tell Me

Tell me. Who's that girl, running around with you.
Eurythmics.
LOL, Amazing— the Video!

There is a house built out of stone
Wooden floors, walls and window sills...
Tables and chairs worn by all of the dust..
This is a place where I don't feel alone
This is a place where I feel at home.......


Cause, I built a home
for you
for me

Until it disappeared
from me
from you

And now, it's time to leave and turn to dust........
The Cinematic Orchestra, To Build a Home.


4AM, the airport.

Posted by at 7:26 AM | | Comments (1)

November 4, 2007

Idiot.

I foresaw this moment - this day. Watching the marathon, huddled against the cold. I don't have a future. But I still do work and prepare for it.

I'll be in Mexico tomorrow, I apparently decided to get hammered last night and miss my flight this morning. I knew it was a bad idea when I booked it. Oh well, another day closer to the end.

Here is round one of wedding pictures: PG and RG 4 Ever!

This picture sort of sums up how I feel, right now—except I'm listening to South America by The Shout Out Louds and I can't help but smile. Yes, I'm out tonight. Duh.

Posted by at 4:55 PM | | Comments (0)

November 3, 2007

Inertia.

Main Entry: in·er·tia
Pronunciation: \i-ˈnər-shə, -shē-ə\
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, lack of skill, from inert-, iners
Date: 1713
1 a: a property of matter by which it remains at rest or in uniform motion in the same straight line unless acted upon by some external force b: an analogous property of other physical quantities (as electricity)
2: indisposition to motion, exertion, or change

Off I go again—to surf, to explore, to share times with friends. Mexico again. Sayulita again. I've been locked in on something this past year. Number 30. An explosion and pull of life stronger and more mysterious than before. Moments of pain and tears and the rips and rents of each day. Meetings and findings and an unstoppable force of time. Acting without regard. What a fucking mess of a year.


I sat upon the shore
Fishing, with the arid plain behind me
Shall I at least set my lands in order?


I'll be back with a new entry from Mexico each day. See you on the other side.

Posted by at 6:26 PM | | Comments (1)

October 16, 2007

Laterz.

Trip #one to Mexico commences in a couple of hours, so here I sit in my boxers. I want to say goodbye. Goodbye to the jeans and sweaters that I've been cherishing these last few dayz: I love you and I'll be back soon. XOXO.

Posted by at 10:51 PM | | Comments (0)

August 8, 2007

Summer life.

These are things that are making my summer fun:

Soccer - Despite the heat, and getting kneed in the balls (although reality she hit my thigh it was still to close for comfort and left the biggest bruise ever...)

The West - I flew back to Boulder, hung out with my family and my niece Emily. Then on to Seattle for Runke's wedding, which was an amazingly fun and beer soaked dance party. Java did an amazing job as the Minister, it was great to see old friends, meet new ones and see Melissa and Ryan express their love in front of friends and family. How drunk was M**k W***h, but still getting the shots? Incredible. Also, thanks to the Windell's intern (whose name I forget) who was driving our drunk asses around. Incredible in a different way.

The East - Humidity. Sitting in front of the fan. Buying a new bike today, the day mass transit failed (you should have seen how scared and confused I was when I woke up at 6 am to 3 inches of rain, lighting hitting within a mile of my apartment and, apparently, tornadoes touching down in another part of Brooklyn). The lameness of New Jersey - I would never hang out there. Beach days. The smell of trash on the street and in the subways. Sunsets over Manhattan. Sitting in the shade in the park. Contemplating the relative prevalence of anorexia between the women and men of Williamsburg. Shopping.

Shows - Went to the Handsome Furs last night after soccer, which left me more sweat and beer soaked than ever. Dan Boeckner (of Wolf Parade) is about as rad as it gets, the dopest voice and really dark stormy lyrics and incredible guitars. Also in the past weeks or tickets that are attached to my bulletin board: TV on the Radio, Tokyo Police Club, Ra Ra Riot, Modest Mouse, New York Red Bulls vs. David Beckham (not music, but definitely a show...), LCD Soundsustem and Arcade Fire, Feist, Ghostland Observatory, Ted Leo, etc.

Photography - I may not be shooting a lot, but I'm totally going back to school and studying a lot of other photographers and styles. Old shit. New shit. Old masters. Fads that'll be forgotten by next year. Next level shit. Concepts. Feelings. Meaning. Processes. Failures. Successes. Learning.

Here's some more bullshit pics from my point and shoot cam. I left the battery in Boulder, so no pictures from Seattle.

The Bruise.

Manhattan haze and the GW Bridge.

My sister's incredible elderly dog, Lewis.

Em.

Dive!

Eisenhower Tunnel.

I-70 going into Summit County, where there's no oxygen.

Boulder turnpike / bored on the bus.

Weaving our way through thunderheads flying out of Denver.

Storms over the plains.

Flying back into NY. Times Square lights. City stretches for miles and never sleeps.

Posted by at 7:42 PM | | Comments (3)

March 17, 2007

Snow.

Sometimes you end up alone in a blizzard in Quebec where no one seems to like you. But seriously, it still rules aside from wanting my friends to be here with me...

I know. I know I don't speak the language. Believe me, I wish I spoke French. But why assume I'm a stupid American? I speak 3 languages and generally have a fair bit of knowledge and empathy for the world as a whole. Not to mention that you have Jack Johnson playing on your freaking stereo, so don't act like America is the fucking evil empire - I just wanted to chitchat while I bought some batteries...

Furthermore, why, when you're having a lonely and sad dinner solo in a forgein land, is the after dinner "treat" always something flavored of black licorice - I hate it, ugh.

Aside from that, shot photos at a rail jam last night and woke up to a foot of snow- full blizzard whiteout. The others from Snowboard aren't gonna make it here anytime soon and its cold as hell.

I'll post the photos of my love den hotel room with fireplace and my car buried in the snow later.

Whatever, I'm gonna go take some photos of the cool old buildings until I can't feel my feet. Miss you

Posted by at 12:18 PM | | Comments (0)

March 15, 2007

Franch fries, franch dressing and franch bread.

I'm off to Quebec for Snowboard Magazine, and hopefully Larry will meet me in Montreal or even just straight up in Quebec City. Too much coffee and thinking tonight...

Sometimes so many things are moving in so many directions that it is beyond the comprehension of even the most sane. And I am not the sanest of human beings. So here I am, -3 am - having packed and repacked, planned and revised, motivated and re-motivated. My bags are packed, my camera is cleaned (for the third time), maps are printed and I know that nothing I've planned will happen in that way. But the magic comes from the chaos – from this complete shit show will come a random and special moment that I will capture on film.

So sorry to my Mom for not calling back and sorry to the person who talked me through it for all the random confused messages. And I hope that next week, all of you will see something wonderful, some burst of art that will come from an intersection of creativity and experience and technology and personality.

Posted by at 6:20 PM | | Comments (0)

March 11, 2007

An afternoon in Salzburg, Austria.

I'm gonna be crazed over the next month, so just throwing the last pics from Austria up here. Feeling inspired and so happy to see a lot of you and to experience a whole bunch of new places and things.

This is the beautiful town of Salzburg.



Birds by the river...





Mozart.



Town.











The castle that stands guard over the city.









Posing in castle.



Digi cam right, film camera left.





Cemetery in town.





Posted by at 6:21 PM | | Comments (0)

March 8, 2007

Austria #2 quick and lots of photos.

So I went to Austria, you might have seen earlier shots from Salzburg, and it was graaaaaaate. Vienna is one of the best cities ever, old, new, really old, modern, post-modern etc. The whole deal, clean and concise. Go there and don't read about it. I'm a little harried, so here's the photos without further ado. More pics to follow at some later date, maybe.

Also, I apologize fer being such a bad editor. TOO MANY pictures. Oh well.

Oh and finally, many thanks to my friend and host Eva. Niiice!

Train travel.





Statuesque.



Photo: Eva!



So tired...



Ask and ask and ask and eventually you can go to a normal restaurant that normal people would go to...







In front of the Museum of Natural History, I think?



Ice skating.



Crazy ass palace. So far beyond anything I can explain to you.







Mellow, uplifting street art in Vienna.



Ah ha! There's my pony!





They're goin to heaven, I'm not.



This is United States calling, are we reaching?



Also saw the crowns and jewels, but running through too fast for good photos.



Long weekend.



Posted by at 6:23 PM | | Comments (0)

March 7, 2007

Nights out, Days out.

So blogging out of shear boredom as I wait on computer to process some photos from Austria. Also, watching stream of the ASP surf tour finals from Australia. I need to go fucking surf.

Weekends in Brooklyn, seriously different level of interesting fun. Wandering the city, working on the computer, random encounters, art, etc. Saturday night I had my digi cam, and we went all over Brooklyn.

After sober-ish Saturday night, I slept a couple of hours, worked for a few hours, then proceeded to drink champagne, go to the Whitney to look at some art (not the best ever, gotta admit), then go to a bar on the LES that had the best Jukebox I've ever experienced, and continue to a late night photo booth session (is there anything better than a photobooth???) at Lulu's in Greenpoint. All of that, I had my film camera so only a couple of pictures from other peoples camera.



Beautiful weather in Union Square:



Saturday night:

Jesse, Joe and Chris have this insane loft. They're remodeling it themselves - ambition well beyond mine. Also, graffiti next to their door.







They live just down the street from me, it's good to have more of a crew on my side of the hood. Chris, Joe, Molly, Graham and Hailey.



Molly waiting for the G Train.



G Train wisdom: "Julani is NY #1 crook he even "f" his cousin." Wow.



We went to some birthday keg party in this delightful bit of Fort Greene architecture.



Lukas, Nate (other one, not me), Andrea, Jesse. Lukas and Jesse are Huffmans from the Northeast and snowboarders, but they're expanding their minds here in Brooklyn. Small world.



Cab back to Williamsburg. Molly and Hailey are from Aspen. Molly lives 2 blocks away. Small world.





Hipster dance party, late night. So much fun, both the dancing and the whole idiocy of it all. I hope everyone out there appreciates how perfect this photo is. Beards, flannels, flailing around wildly, etc. Wow. WOW!



Saturday afternoon, responding to the quality of art on display at the Whitney.



Booth.



Photos.

Posted by at 6:24 PM | | Comments (3)

March 4, 2007

Salzburg, Austria. Archived from MySpace blog.

Okay, so I went to Salzburg to visit Eva and explore Europe. The experience over there is way different just "travelling" (if it looks like a tourist, and it sounds like a tourist, its a tourist...) Salzburg is a rad middle sized city on a river. Cool old world buildings including a castle that looks down on the whole city (next blog), narrow winding streets, open squares, statues and a really nice modern art museum also perched on a cliff above town. Aside from the constant smoking, its really a beautiful place.

One further observation, the average woman in Europe dresses better and looks better. This is a fact. Actually, lets add that the average man in Europe dresses/looks better, and also ages much better.

JFK in the rain.



Lon Gisland.



Frankfurt. I made it!



Wing.



Mountain over Salzburg.



Mozart.



If they have one thing over in Europe, it bread.



Flowers in the Salzburg Market.



I confess...



Its a sign.



Listening to: Muse, Black Holes and Revelations

Posted by at 2:19 PM | | Comments (1)

February 22, 2007

Powder Magazine goes to Wisconsin, archived from MySpace blog.

I went to Wisconsin for Powder Magazine and shot 50 rolls of 120 film. You might see the photos next year. I learned a valuable lesson there, one that will stick with me for a while. Now, here are 2 things I know that I will never be good at:

1. BASE Jumping.
2. Shotgun Shooting.

Both are skills that really do not leave room for error and, if you've seen the video of the first, you will be surprised I didn't pull a Dick Cheney and shoot one of my compatriots on our clay pigeon massacre (the others really did well despite my 6 for 50 mark, which was a great marker of my pacificism, vegetarianism and general scaredy cat nature.)

Other things I now KNOW:

Though I am NOT a vegan, Wisconsin's prevalent cheeses do not make eating there a great experience.

When you get lost in Illinois, keep the setting sun to your left and you will eventually make it to Wisconsin. (Thanks for guiding me Lisa.)

Carrying a snowboard and the necessary accoutrement to Wisconsin is really not necessary. Rental gear, for even the most accomplished (not me) shredders, is sufficient to carry you to the next lift ride.

Just because there is a trash heap and a lift doesn't mean you need to strap on a shredboard and some 3 layer gore-tex.

If your wife is 7 months pregnant, your 2 spare bedrooms are not sufficient reason to invite the team from Powder Magazine to stay for several nights. And no, us drinking another pitcher of Miller Lite will not convince her otherwise.

I can have fun anywhere, anytime, with a 159 CM piece of wood (and steele and some sort of epoxy) strapped to my feet.

Now, back in Brooklyn, sipping wiskey and trying to translate stories about the chef at Red Bull's Ikarus restaurant in Salburg, who I'm making portraits of next week...

Off to Austria. Auf wiedersehen.

Currently Listening to: Editors, The Back Room

Posted by at 2:16 PM | | Comments (0)