Ski Bum Poet

I have always considered myself to be at least somewhat compassionate, patient and tolerant. Lately I have been even more conscious of these personal attributes, ever since I subscribed to a daily thought/quotation from the Dalia Lama on Facebook. After all how could one not want to start their day reading something like the following..

One of the most effective ways to overcome anxiety is to try to shift the focus of attention away from self and toward others. When we succeed in this, we find that the scale of our own problems diminishes. This is not to say we should ignore our own needs altogether, but rather that we should try to remember others’ needs alongside our own, no matter how pressing ours may be…

Or…

It is self-evident that a generous heart and wholesome actions lead to greater peace and that their negative counterparts bring undesirable consequences. Happiness arises from virtuous causes. If we truly desire to be happy, there is no other way to proceed but by way of virtue: it is the method by which happiness is achieved. And, we might add, that the basis of virtue, its ground, is ethical discipline.

Perhaps this post sets me back a bit in that regard, but what the heck is going on with the continuous incompetence out there in day-to-day life? Is it just me?? I know that when I do things for work, I do them right. I know that when I say I’m going to do something, I actually follow through and do it. But it seems I’m not getting the same thing in return…and it’s happening more and more and more and more.

I will spare you the details, but from my experience it’s looking more as each day passes that large companies cannot be trusted, that household goods and kid’s toys are manufactured to break in three days, and that the majority of service industry workers do not care if they actually deliver with a smile what was ordered and paid for.

It’s certainly becoming more of a challenge, but I will keep working on stressing less and smiling more

“Men say, practically, Begin where you are and such as you are, without aiming mainly to become of more worth, and with kindness aforethought go about doing good.” -Henry David Thoreau

“Is peace and love too much to ask?” Here is a soothing seven minutes with “Jeb & Them” performing Hopes & Dreams at @Grassroots, 2010.

Lotsa really good footage and scenery from around the state. Nice work rukusaki and great music from Codi Jordan..

My suggestions is to watch the entire 7:53. Makes for a good (and angry) music fix…at least for me it did.

If You Only Could

Missing Ithaca…Arthur jogged my memory tonight of some good times with Sim Redmond Band. The title of this post is an excerpt from the comment thread on the YouTube clip

TRAIN SONG

I have been watching this short YouTube clip go viral around the web over the past four days. It’s an episode that played out on the Alta transfer tow.

When I first saw it less than a week ago, there were 80 views. And as I type this post it’s closing in on 100,000 views, Google is serving ads while it plays and apparently it was on Anderson Cooper/CNN last night.

I must say it’s a pretty athletic move he does…what with balancing off the ground like that All I can say is that dude is probably glad no one can see his face. I wonder if he’s seen it yet? Glad you weren’t hurt my friend, and thanks for the laugh. Enjoy:

Well actually, it’s been over a month since I’ve posted here. Sorry, I always seem to do this. Get bogged down with a busy stretch of work, or as the case this time, with major life events like having a baby. Owen Greeley Marcoccia was born on March 25th, 2010 in Park City, Utah. Everything went perfect. Check out Danette’s birth story for the details if you’re interested.

It goes without saying that this past winter with a pregnant wife, a 2.5  year old, plus a demanding business that’s cranking…I haven’t been able to ski too much in the last few months. Been joking with folks recently saying that I plan to come out of ski bum retirement someday, but have to take care of some business like financial security and kid raising first

At any rate, just wanted to check in and announce the birth of my son. I am very fortunate, and very happy. Check out the slideshow below. It was an impromptu shoot in the evening the second night Owen was home. Evening light was hitting Mom and Baby perfectly so I snapped some shots. Then my sister Danielle took some of all three of us…

Recently I was psyched to get my hands on a couple of Discrete Beanies, thanks to Julian (Julian’s Blog). I’m wearing one of them right now at the office…the Red Banger. Julian and team certainly run a class act over there. I’ve been seeing this brand around Little Cottonwood (and beyond!) for a while…after all you can’t miss Ted, in his pink Doyonator, patrolling ’round Alta keeping all the fired up locals in line.

To be honest I haven’t had a new winter/ski hat in ages, so it’s great timing for me to check these out and write them up. My old favorite yellow insulated winter hat I got from the Peruvian is really salty, has a crusted brim and frankly shouldn’t be worn out anywhere. Maybe I could wear it cleaning the chicken coop or something, but not out and about in public.

I took a close look at the Discrete About Page, and the story behind the brand is a good one. Nice work you guys. Check this out…

Discrete mathematical principles exist “in the sense of not supporting or requiring the notion of continuity.” Even most of Discrete’s products are named after mathematical and computer science terminology…

Great concept, sick design, killer company culture. Definitely worth checking out.

You can buy Discrete winter hats from Backcountry.com or browse select products below on this page.

That’s what Ellie kept yelling at the top of her lungs on her first day skiing from the chair lift, last Tues February, 16th 2010. She rode up Sunnyside lift at Alta three times. She was between my legs for each run, and the last one we went top to bottom without stopping. On the steeper sections I just stayed hard in the wedge and she kept forward leaning into my hands. When on the flats, she stood straight up and held all her weight, just holding on to my fingers.

Was a special day for me, and a big thanks to Dobber and team at Peak Photo for getting this shot for us!

Here is the caption from the Twitpic where I posted a high resolution version…

Ellie at 2.5 years old skiing off Sunnyside Lift at Alta on February 15th 2010. She took three runs, stands up on her own on the flats and yells “Go Fasssstttttt” the whole time.

Haven’t even finished watching this in full yet, but felt compelled to post. Keepin’ it real as always. Gotta LOVE Donna the Buffalo. Aside from family and friends, they may be the most influential force from the Ithaca area I miss…(not discounting phat growing seasons and lotsa lakes)

IF YOU ONLY COULD