Apr 22, 2012

Pete Holmes and Kyle Kinane: Being excited everyday

You'll find me posting more podcasts now that I'm a bit more stationary as I settle back into Sydney. That said, I plan not to be sedentary - to keep living, writing and connecting with people. To continue the energy of the YesMan year in 2010 and the Eurotrip of 2011, working towards the '30HomeGames' mission in the near future.
"We're like this everyday!". Ego-tripping in England 
Comedians Kyle Kinane and Pete Holmes discuss going "all in" and following your dreams. It encapsulates the spirit that I enjoyed about traveling, the elixir to living the good life - freedom, gratitude, novelty and finding optimism in uncertainty.

VIDEO: YMiW w/ Pete Holmes - Kyle Kinane on being excited all the time

You Made it Weird with Pete Holmes: Episode 30 - Kyle Kinane 
KYLE KINANE: (36m 50s) You all look so bored, sing a song skip through the grocery store! To see somebody express slight happiness - "Did you win the lottery, What happened to you?". Everyone's kinda trudging through... the transformation is that you're no longer trudging
PETE HOLMES: You're no longer tethered
KINANE: Tomorrow is always exciting right now. Do you feel that way?
In six months I have no idea what could happen but if I look back 6 months from now and look at all the stuff that happened that last 6 months; I went to Korea, I went to Amsterdam, I got to make a TV show with Matt Braunger. What happens the next 6 months? Maybe I just reap the rewards of that. I'm excited all the time. Everyday is Christmas Eve, everyday is Christmas Eve
HOLMES: I feel like we're on the Titanic and you're Jack, you're Leo DiCaprio "And now we're on this boat with you fine people" remember that?
KINANE: And if it goes down, f*ck it. Did you make the best of the time till it goes down?
Pete Holmes references this memorable scene from the Titanic. Its not the first time Pete has referenced a movie scene that has resonated with me after initially overlooking it because I wasn't in the right frame to properly appreciate it at the time.
Titanic (1997)
Jack: Well, yes, ma'am, I do... I mean, I got everything I need right here with me. I got air in my lungs, a few blank sheets of paper. I mean, I love waking up in the morning not knowing what's gonna happen or, who I'm gonna meet, where I'm gonna wind up. Just the other night I was sleeping under a bridge and now here I am on the grandest ship in the world having champagne with you fine people. I figure life's a gift and I don't intend on wasting it. You don't know what hand you're gonna get dealt next. You learn to take life as it comes at you... to make each day count.
Find previous Pete Holmes podcast references below:
Pete Holmes collection: Adjacent experiences
- Zach Cregger: Being a kid again and the power of "play"
- Matt Besser: Travel coincidences and Counting the serendipities
- Duncan Trussell: Traveling, living the dream and remembering it
- Kyle Kinane: Being excited everyday
- The Sklar Brothers: Performing, possibly failing - That's living the dream
- A question answered with a quote: Comedy Podcasts


Do you know what its like to go "All in"? Are you making the best of it?

Apr 20, 2012

Home Movies: 500 Days of Summer - Architecture of Happiness

500 days of summer,
Standout scene from '500 Days of Summer' (2009)
I'm not one for Bucket lists, what makes me happy is momentary and usually not so defined.
I found this line which simplifies my goals under one directive "You can measure your happiness by the gap between your thoughts and your actions". Its the mantra I've been living by the last few years and what I largely document on this blog.

Watch video of this memorable scene here
VIDEO: 500) Days of Summer - Expectations Versus Reality

Find Happiness related post below:
- Portugal: eat, pray, LOVE - Portugal sure is warm!
- Jacques Henri Lartigue: Why I'm getting a camera
- 'Songs to be happy to' tracklistings
Happiness, Dreams, Hard Work: Dirk [Nowitzki] DID it!

Apr 7, 2012

I want to "Go with Oh" to Paris!

<< crossposted on the "30 Home Games" blog

I had the pleasure of being in Europe for over a year in 2011. I visited a dozen countries but surprisingly never stepped foot in France. I wanted to.
  • I baracked for Les Bleus, the French Basketball side during EuroBasket and planned to see their star players representing local clubs during the NBA lockout. No luck.
  • I'd planned to do a walking tour retracing the trail of one of my favorite movies. Nope.
  • My parents were incredulous that I was going to miss the City of Light "Just go even for a few days!". Sorry mum.
In all honesty, I was saving it for last and as my time and money expired I knew if I was to go it had to be done right. I wanted a month-long experience like the previous Countries, considering my situation I decided I would save it for another time. 'Go with Oh' could give me that chance.

VIDEO: Quai 54 2011 - The Recap

1. Quai 54 (Continuing my mission)
This is the Pièce de résistance for any Basketball enthusiast in France. Quai54 is the International Streetball Championship held in Paris, the tournament enjoyed its grandest year in 2011 having the iconic Eiffel Tower as its backdrop. The event was brought to my attention by a Czech streetballer I befriended in my Kaunas hostel during EuroBasket last year. I walked around the city with said running mate as he achieved his travel ritual of digging for local hiphop. We later found a court where we balled with a Spanish exchange student.

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123 klan, graf, french
2. French Hip Hop (Enjoying the Arts)
When I think of France, romance and high fashion aren't the first things that come to mind. For some reason I picture gritty streets and colorful Graffiti, think of the segue used in Pixar's 'Ratatouille'. As a graphic design student I was enamored by French street art through '123Klan'. I had been looking forward to seeing some live French HipHop and was collecting plenty of acts to look out for as I met people around Europe. Names like Sexion D'Assaut, Oxmo Puccino and Booba.

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yamakasi, parkour, luc besson, french,3. Parkour (Getting Active)
France is the home of Parkour. I've been to several classes in Sydney along beautiful Pyrmont Point Park. On my first day attempting it, I reconnected with a mate from Design school. Though its been roughly 18 months since I've been to classes, it heartens me to know my friend has remained committed to the sport as I've never had the discipline to stick with something. One of my instructors made the pilgrimage to France and I can only assume my mate might one day do the same.

I did have brushes with Parkour whilst traveling Europe. The CouchSurfer who hosted me in Tallinn was in the early stages of starting Parkour lessons. I was impressed by the fact he had never done Parkour but hoped to bluff his way into leading sessions. I stumbled onto classes at Olympiapark München on the way to BMW museum. Despite the language barrier it was a well attended and fun workout. It was on this day I would have my first basketball experience in Europe, paving the way for my 30 Home Games project.

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4. Reconnecting with Running Mates du jour (Mon ami)
Traveling around Europe for the year, you'll inevitably have French running mates. Below are a few I'd love to reconnect with.
Fab was a charming French photographer I spent several days with in Istanbul. I followed him as he did a story on Turkish Oil wrestling, we met cool kids together at Jazz Cafes and Art Openings.
Syra was a journalist for a French Basketball Magazine (Reverse) I met in my Vilnius Hostel. She began as a dedicated blogger covering female ballers working her way up to globetrotting for the game. I appreciated her dedication and hope to one day forge a similar path. I showed her to the local courts so we could compare notes and shoot around.
When I visit France I'd like to hit up the Arts district and cool spots with Fab and hopefully Syra could show me the inner workings of her Magazine.
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VIDEO: Before Sunset Trailer

5. Before Sunset (Life as a movie)
Though I've been a little cute with my Paris to-do list so far. I'm not going to shy away from what Paris is best known for - Romance. I had this on my initial to-do list for my EuroTrip but obviously never had the chance to action it. Before Sunset is the sequel to my all-time favorite movie 'Before Sunrise', charming films directed by my artist rolemodel Richard Linklater. I hope to one day do a walking tour following the footsteps of Jesse and Celine past the iconic sights as well as the parks and cafes. A beautiful encounter with my own Celine would be nice too.


Find some France related posts here:
- Enes Kanter: Turkey, Wrestling and Basketball
- Balancing Basketball and Travel in Lithuania - Part I
- Balancing Basketball and Travel in Lithuania - Part II
- Jacques Henri Lartigue: Why I'm getting a camera

Hooray for competition giveaways!
Go with Oh is giving away 4 fabulous prizes. Head on over to their Facebook page and enter for a chance to win an iPad 2, Panasonic Lumix camera, 500 euros worth of accommodations or great Samsonite luggage - www.GowithOh.com

go with oh, competition