Episode 2: Jesse Martin

On October 31, 1999 Jesse Martin became the youngest person to circumnavigate the world, non-stop and unassisted. Younger sailors have completed the trip but his is the record that stands. I’m Just Droppin’ In to talk adventures old and new from his home in Melbourne.

Filed under: Uncategorized, Australia, Circumnavigate, Jesse Martin, JR Biersmith, NYC, record, sail

Episode 1: Jeff Johnson

A conversation with the surfer, climber, skater and photographer best known for his documentary film and coffee table book, 180 South. Johnson discusses: life after 180 South; the recent Chilean Supreme Court decision rejecting opposition to Patagonia dams; and his work as a Patagonia staff photographer.

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When Music Makes a Commercial

My test for a good commercial is rudimentary, but I like it. It works like this — if the television is on for background noise, or I am otherwise not engaged in a program, do I look up and actively listen? Last year, Temper Trap, an indie rock band from Melbourne crept into my playlist with a song called Sweet Disposition. Several months later, while multitasking during the Oscars, I heard the unmistakable opening cords to Sweet Disposition. It’s not often I admit to rewinding a commercial, but the dialogue-free storytelling around the song caught my attention. It was memorable in a way that if you asked my initial thoughts, my response would have been something to the effect of, “Wow, that was damn cool.”

I appreciate the diet coke commercial for many of the same reasons I stopped this morning to watch “The Subaru Outback Honeymoon” commercial with a track by M. Ward called, “Here Comes The Sun Again.”

It’s great, right? It has everything: a story arch, likable characters and of course, a great track. It’s not a song I want to own, per se, but a song that absolutely makes this commercial one of the good ones.

Filed under: Uncategorized, coca-cola, favorite commercial, Honeymoon, M. Ward, Subaru Outback, Temper Trap

President Obama’s First Tweet Today

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Two films you missed in ’09

It’s rare but when it happens it’s damn cool – the remote guides you through 600 channels and then pulls a weegie board style maneuver and takes you to new releases on demand. You know exactly what I’m talking about and then you stumble through trailers you’ve seen before and you’re again reminded why you didn’t see it on the big screen. Next time that happens just scroll to Every Little Step (A Chorus Line) and/or Departures (Academy Award Winner Best Foreign Language Film) and press rent. They are two of the most entertaining and moving films from 2009 that you’ve never heard. There change your status update good.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Favorite Video So Far In ’08

Matt just happened to drop in on 42 countries with some help from Stride gum. Brilliant.

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