Archive for the ‘People’ Category

Morning all.  Today we’ve got a bit of exciting news and I’m also looking for your thoughts.  First of all my friend Justine Curgenven; filmmaker, adventurer and occasional country chef has just released the preview of her latest DVD called, This  Is Canoeing!  (10,000 canoeists stand up and shout, “IT’S ABOUT FRIGGIN’ TIME!) What’s more, we’ve also.. (I can say “we” for this part…) updated her website at www.CackleTV.com..  Ok, now for the discussion bit…

I expect Justine’s new DVD to sell like mad.  She’s an amazing filmmaker of course, but what really shines through is her personality which simply soaks through every frame.  Personally, I believe she could make a documentary on lake sludge and I’m sure it would still exude excitement and fun.  It’s just what happens when she gets into something and that’s why I’ve been totally in her court for more years than I care to count now.

Now here’s the discussion bit.. How are we all doing with multi-media these days?  Are we video’d out and so far buried in the Youtube glut that we no longer value professional work?  Are we less apt to pay for something we perceive we can get for free elsewhere? Maybe it’s oppositely true that we’re more apt to buy something because all the free junk makes us well aware of the good stuff? Maybe there is still so few of us who live online, that we won’t effect the outcome either way..  What are your thoughts on the state of media today?

Oh, and by the way.. you can pre-order Justine’s new DVD right here on her brand new website… Did I mention that?

I wish the world was flat like the old days
Then i could travel just by folding a map
No more airplanes, or speedtrains, or freeways
There’d be no distance that can hold us back.
– death cab for cutie

You can’t get there from here.  But you can a get nice e-card from Body, Boat, Blade.  Yeah, I want to go live with Shawna and Leon for awhile..  ( But doesn’t everybody? )

Eat your parsnips.

Mind me platypus duck, Bill,
mind me platypus duck.
Don’t let him go running amok, Bill,
mind me platypus duck.
Altogether now!..

It’s been a long time coming, but I can’t say there was much doubt.  Freya Hoffmeister of Germany completed her  sea kayak circumnavigation of Australia!! Amazing! Wonderful!  Well done!  Read the rest of this entry »

Tomaz Humar Rescued in 2005.

Alpinest Tomaz Humar made a call Monday by satellite phone and said he was injured while climbing 23,710-feet (7,227-meter) Langtang Lirung, high in the Himalayas. According to news reports heavy snow is making a search difficult.  At the moment the search goes on.  There is an interesting backstory behind Tomaz and his career that is worth a look as well.  In 2005 he was rescued on Nanga Parbat’s infamous Rupal Face by helicopter.  I came across this very interesting article from National Geographic Adventure that tells us more about Tomaz Humar and looks at how “adventure blogging” has effected climbing. Something we often talk about in Sea Kayaking as well.  Let’s hope rescue teams find Tomaz soon.

* Update 11/15/05: It is reported today that Tomaz Humar has passed on.  Our thoughts go out to his family.

Up until this point I’ve chosen not to comment on the case of missing Wisconsin paddler, Doug Winter.   It’s an interesting case which I’m sure will stir up discussion soon enough if it hasn’t already.  As I’ve said many times, I don’t really keep up with what’s going on at Pnet anymore.  Still, just like anyone else I can’t help but roll the news reports around in my head and ask questions.  Questions I’m sure the police, family and friends have all asked.  I’m sure there are some answers out there.  Some known already by the authorities and some still waiting to be discovered.  One thing I’m feeling is that what I’m reading so far just doesn’t quite feel right.

Read the rest of this entry »

I can’t light no more of your darkness
All my pictures seem to fade to black and white
– john/taupin

You’ll have to guess who the guy is in this week’s feature photo on the homepage.  I took it one evening while we were sitting on the beach of North Manitou Island off the coast of the state of Michigan.  The sunset just kept getting more spectacular as sun slipped down to meet the horizon.  I remember thinking at the time it must be the whiskey, but I look at the pictures today and think, “No, it really was just that amazing.”.   Remember, with the new website design I will feature a new “cover” shot each week as well as featured links in the sidebar’s “On The Radar” box.

And still I stand this very day
With a burning wish to fly away
Im still looking, looking for the summer
- chris rea

Good day yesterday at Devil’s Lake with Coach JB.  No matter how hard the sun pressed down the air temperature never reached 70f.   While being in the water felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket, crawling back out into the cool air was a cruel reminder, summer is truly gone.  We spent a bunch of time on, in and under kayaks.. shared a couple of “Headless Man” beers from the legendary and historic community of Lake Mills, indulged in classic Wisconsin Bratwurst.. oh, and I got stung by a blasted bee.   Next week the indoor pool opens…