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

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…

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

New teaser vid clip of some sorts from Julian.. best watched with sound.

I’m about to start a busy ten days smack in the middle of the Utah January thaw. Maybe the real deal POW will show up when I’ll need it most  towards the end of the month. Although I certainly wouldn’t complain if I was on top of Baldy today. Check out Alta’s pic of the day for 1/11/10…

On Sunday the AvantLink crew will be leaving for Vegas for Affiliate Summit…arrive Sunday morning and leave Tuesday morning. Two nights is good for me. It’s honestly about all I can handle in one of those casinos. Maybe I’ll only spend $100-a nickel at a time-this year.

Wednesday night we have an Outdoor Industry Association dinner in Salt Lake City, and then OR winter market starts on Thursday. Looking forward to seeing a range of people there. And on Saturday, January 23rd our company is sponsoring both an educational seminar on Affiliate marketing and a meet and greet reception. If you’re reading this, going to OR, and have an interest in Affiliate marketing feel free to come around for one of both of the events. Here are some details:

• Intro to Affiliate Marketing (for Outdoor Retailers)
  Saturday, Jan 23, 2010 – 12:00PM to 1:00PM
• Outdoor Affiliate Meet & Greet
  Saturday, Jan 23, 2010 – 5:00PM to 8:00PM

We have a New Year’s Blue Moon. And there’s powder snow at Alta. Not too shabby, eh? I heard this story on NPR this morning on my way to the office:

A Blue Moon is a full moon that is not timed to the regular monthly pattern, and results in two full moons in one lunar cycle. It happens once on average about every 2.5 years. But a New Year’s Blue Moon only happens once every 19 years. The last one was in 1990, and the next will be in 2028.

Considering it’s stormy in the Wasatch…which NO ONE is complaining about…there probably won’t be too many hippies skiing the full moon tomorrow night. But keep this rarity in mind during the celebration.

Happy New Year!