pura vida

40

2011-02-19T08:06:00.007-05:00

Over a year since a post. Apologies. Won't happen again.

The same crew that went to Jackson Hole last year treated me to a 40th birthday week in Aspen, CO. A huge week of perfect skiing, fine foods, local brews (we are at Aspen Brewing Co in this picture), bluegrass music and Rocky Mountain air.

We stayed at The Sky Hotel, a nuevo, chic lodge at the bottom of Ajax Mountain. Fantastic place, great food & service, views of the mountain, ski-in/ski-out. They also have some green practices, like eco-friendly lights, linens, soaps, in-room recycle bins etc., which made us all feel better we chose it for our accommodations.

Great to have friends like these. I think I can handle another 40 years of hanging with them.

6 feet under...

2010-01-31T16:37:00.007-05:00

6 days in Jackson Hole, WY. 6 feet of snow.

this was "ray" cool

2009-08-26T16:57:00.005-05:00

Went for a swim down at the south end of wrightsville beach a few weeks ago on a hot Sunday afternoon with a friend of mine. As we're wading into the ocean waves, she reminds me that she is not fond of any sea creatures...hates sharks and jellyfish...is very afraid that something is going to creep up and get her from underwater. As she is telling this story in waist high water, I look east out over the Atlantic and what do I see?

This:

I did not have a camera of course, but this is a very similar image of what was in front of us...a manta ray breaching the surface. It was probably 50 yards out. I thought it was awesome, I have never seen this in all my time on the water and beaches of NC. It was the size of my car. My friend caught a glimpse of it landing, and was not so excited about it...timing could not have been more perfect to coincide with her stating she was scared of ocean critters. To credit her, she braved the waters for another 30 mins or so.

Good stuff, Di. :)

see this seahawk

2009-07-31T14:40:00.003-05:00

ok, so it's not a seahawk, but it I certainly saw it...up close. we think it is a young Red Shouldered Hawk. it was looking to chow one of the many smaller birds that feed on the feeder it is sitting upon, which is just off my deck in my backyard. caused quite a stir with all of them, they were going crazy chirping. it eventually took off after a cardinal in the woods but missed. very cool to get a peep at one from such a short distance.

happy birthday, Pops

2009-07-03T10:09:00.002-05:00

mad hops returns...

2009-06-01T21:28:00.003-05:00

Many of you have asked, and here's your answer...my toadly friend has returned again to scale the front porch and meal under the night light for a third year. Cinco De Mayo was Mad Haps return date...a fine fiesta to choose her first Spring appearance. I've seen her probably 10 times already...my goal is to get video of her scaling the 4 front porch stairs...this is my America's Funniest Home Video cash cow if I can catch it...quite a site, but happens only after 10pm or so on humid nights. I am determined to get the footage. I've only witnessed it once.

Here is a not-so-exciting clip of her, the first...

feliz ano nuevo

2009-01-12T19:04:00.017-05:00

Friends and Family,

Hope the New Year is treating you all good thus far. I've decided to use my blog to once again communicate a year review and some well wishes to you all. I've been very slack this year in posting anything to it, so this may serve as a catalyst to get me back on track in 09.

2008 was a year that included some great trips and highlights...here's a quick list that, once reviewing it, makes me realize that despite the economy and awful local advertising market, I'm a very lucky guy.

A quick view of my Dad on The Today Show representing his teams stance on harmful plastics

A Charlotte Bobcats game with some college buddies. They got smoked but we had fun. Thanks to Tim for hosting

A Radiohead concert in Charlotte with those same buddies. A top 5 music moment for me. Thanks to Pat for hosting

A 5th annual trip to Las Vegas to remember our friend Steven Anderson. Thanks to Mandalay Bay for hosting ;)

A beautiful but mosquito ridden weekend in Bald Head Island. Thanks to Jay for the freebie

A lucky chance to see Barack Obama speak here at UNCW's Trask Coliseum

Another lucky chance to see James Taylor play to a small crowd in support of Barack. Another top 5. He is pictured above

A trip with my Bro to see the Steelers lose to the Colts in Pittsburgh with our Cousins. Luckily they have now stepped up in the playoffs. Thanks to Greg and Rebecca for hosting

A few minutes with baby Charlotte Hinson snoozin' in my arms. Congrats to Dave and Dani

A whirlwind holiday trip to Raleigh, Chapel Hill, D. C. and Pinehurst to spend some quality time with my family and friends. This included a chance to see my cousin Katie sing at the National Cathedral. She rocks, as do her kid brother and sister. Thanks to Lakins', Spaller's, Salmony's, Haber's and Shelby's for hosting

So, thankful for all this, along with plenty more.

I plan on continuing my heavy support for green life...hopefully you are going green as well, if not already. Composting, recycling, taking a bag in the grocery with you, paying bills online, buying in aluminum vs plastic, donating items vs. trashing them, planting trees, discovering wildlife, buying and eating locally...I could list 1000 things here. It's hard to do it all, but every bit counts. It's obviously a passion of mine and I am working on a project that you will soon hear about, one that has a green arm to it and is also a good bit of fun. If you have any green websites or projects you are working on feel I'd be interested in, please let me know.

Thanks to all of you for your holiday cards, gifts, family pictures, email cards etc. It's great to hear from you. Some of you I have not seen in years. If you and I have not chatted in a bit, don't be scared to call, email or come visit at the beach.

Best to you in the New Year,

Much love,

~Sam

white men can't jump. but small brown toads can.

2008-06-18T23:29:00.024-05:00

So early last summer I came home one night to find something that has now captivated me for over a year.

Got home late one night, a toad was waiting for me on my front porch. Waiting for bugs to drop from my porch light for a nice snack. No big deal, right? It would not be...if my porch did not have 4 brick stairs leading up to the porch. This toad is probably 2 inches long, if that. The stairs are exactly 6 inches tall. 4 of them. He/she has to get up these in order to get to my porch. This is equal me jumping up onto the top of a 2 story house. 4 times.

I probably found Mad Hops (that's right, Mad Hops, holmes) waiting for me a dozen times before I finally caught it in action last year. Basically, it jumps up and grabs the stair with its front legs. Then pulls itself up, kinda pull-up style. Quite a sight.

I had not seen it since late last summer, friends have been asking if I had seen Hops. I thought maybe it was an owl's dinner, or run over by the landscaping crew.

The picture above is at my front door from a few nights ago. Mad Hops is back! It comes from my back yard, across the walkway, scales the stairs, comes to the front door ledge, turns around and faces the street, and waits for dinner to drop. Does not flinch when I unlock the door and step over him. It has seen me so many times it knows I am not a threat.

I just get a big kick out of this. Web says they can live 4-20 years. Hopefully it's around during my stay here.

in rainbows

2008-05-29T21:47:00.005-05:00

For 15 years I have listened to what I think may be my favorite band...Radiohead. I have all but one of their albums. I listen to The Bends, their second release, once a month, at least. They are currently one of the hottest bands touring...they made history with their current release, In Rainbows, by offering fans the option to pay what they wanted for the download of their new album...Thom Yorke was on the cover of Rolling Stone a few weeks ago...and the their first US Tour in like 900 years is getting very solid reviews.

AND! On May 9, 2008, I finally had the opp to see them in Charlotte. With my friends Marc, Robert and Pat. It did not suck. We were deep in the lawn, but a wacky lightning storm, huge shooting star and incredible light show complimented their music nicely.

A girl asked me a few days ago who they sounded like. I said, "Radiohead". There is no band to compare them to. They are one of most talented and unique bands ever, or at least in my lifetime.

Radiohead 5/9/08 Charlotte, NC Set List

Set #1: All I Need, There There, Airbag, 15 Step, Nude, Sail to the Moon, Weird Fishes/Apreggi, Myxomatosis, Idioteque, Morning Bell, Videotape, Optimistic, Where I End and You Begin, You and Whose Army?, Everything in Its Right Place, Bangers & Mash, Bodysnatchers

Encore #1: Go Slowly, Talk Show Host, Exit Music, Planet Telex , House of Cards

Encore #2: Paranoid Android, Reckoner

(thanks to Scott E of http://silenceisoverrated.blogspot.com for the pic)

Gonzo El Rojo

2008-03-30T09:23:00.004-05:00

I now have a roommate. Meet Gonzo El Rojo, a male Beta Fish.
Been wanting a dog, but it's not sensible right now, I'm in and out of town so much. "Zo" should be simple to take care of and won't break the bank. He eats about 6 little pellets of food a day and the $3 food canister I bought has about a million pellets in it. He is in a 1 gallon, "stemless wine glass" shaped bowl, which is about 5 times the size of the spit-cup he was in at the shop. Lifespan is about 2-3 yrs, let's hope he sticks around that long.

Feliz y Verde Ano Nuevo

2008-01-02T19:48:00.000-05:00

If you are reading this, it is most likely because a photo of your family or your kids arrived in my mailbox and made it to my fridge for the Holiday season! Thanks for the card and picture. Very nice to see the crumbsnatchers growing and how good lookin' my friends kids are!

Hope your vacation went well. Consider this my Holiday card in return, wishing you a safe, prosperous and earth friendly 2008.

One thing to put on your to do list is to continue to make the planet a better place for your kids. So...recycle, compost, reduce the"stuff" you buy (especially plastics), turn off your lights, vote green, understand global warming, purchase local made goods and foods, add CFL bulbs, bookmark green websites, read a book on living green...all these things go a long way now and down the road.

Hope to see you all soon. Peace.

~Sam

that's my bag baby

2007-11-13T23:06:00.000-05:00

My friend Rachel gave me these a few months back, and I regularly use them now at the co-op and at Harris Teeter. In case you have been living under a rock, those little plastic numbers at the grocery take about 1000 years to degrade, and are a serious hazard to wildlife and the earths soil and seas. $5 each Chico Bags, as homely as it may seem to take them to the store, are a good option. Lots of the grocery chains sell their own bags now too, look for those if the Chico's are not your style.

guide on how to recycle everything

2007-09-21T14:13:00.000-05:00

Found this on the Lime site, which is a great find for anyone environmentall minded. From areosol cans to toothbrushes, this is a sweet directory on where to recycle everything you never thought you could...

http://www.lime.com/features/limes_guide_to_recycling

green threads

2007-08-26T11:59:00.000-05:00

Cool new organic clothing line I saw an ad for in Rolling Stone Mag.

They are out of Cali and have skate, surf and snow gear.

plug in

2007-07-30T20:57:00.000-05:00

I watched Who Killed The Electric Car tonight, a documentary on the theories of who outed the plug n' drive machines born in the mid-90's by GM. This is a film, like An Inconvenient Truth, that everyone needs to watch. The gov., fuel companies (not you Erwin, the major corps) and automakers are some shady suckers. Narrated by Martin Sheen, some commentary from Ralph Nadar.

midnight riders

2007-05-15T21:02:00.000-05:00

Some close friends and I took our buddy Dave to the New Orleans Jazzfest a few weeks ago for his bachelor party. This was all a virgin trip for us, we had never been, but did meet up with Major and some of his crew, who have gone for years. Needless to say, we had a great time. Drank too much, stayed up way too late, and saw some incredible live music. ZZ Top, Better than Ezra and the Allman Bros. to name a few. Greg Allman had Warren Haynes (Govt. Mule) and Derrick Trucks on stage with him. One of the best shows I have ever seen.

The city is still in bad shape, lots of empty buildings and condemned homes. The event had to be good for the community, bringing in some revenue for the area. I plan on spending some more of my $ down there in years to come.

an inconvenient truth

2007-04-18T20:52:00.000-05:00

Watched this movie tonight...it is something EVERYONE needs to see. I have a much better understanding of global warming, and new respect for Al Gore and the fight he is leading.

saving more than trees

2007-04-09T19:38:00.000-05:00

Read today that if every household in the U.S. replaced just one pack of 400 sheet virgin toilet tissue with a recycled one, we could save 1,450,000 trees, 3.7 million ubic feet of landfill equal to 5,500 garbage trucks, 523 millon gallons of water and avoid 89,000 pounds of pollution.

My next pack of tissue will be coming from Seventh Generation...I just purchased their dish detergent and soap last week. Good stuff.

g'trip mate!

2007-01-22T21:56:00.000-05:00

My brother just returned from a abso-bloody-lutely fun trip across the world...a weeks visit at the Australian Tennis Open..most of which was paid for by his very generous bossman. He had a great time and posted some great notes, experiences, videos and pics throughout the week on his own blog.

He did not see anyone throw any shrimp on any barbee, but he saw plenty...Onya!

tasty bites

2006-12-12T21:48:00.000-05:00

A big bump for the green movement to hurdle is making the movement cooler and hipper and more mainstream with young adults. This site is taking the right steps. They send some good facts/bites/tips to your email every couple of days. Sign up here.

broccoloroos...mmmm, good

2006-11-08T18:42:00.000-05:00

On the topic of organics and health foods, The Onion had a great posting today regarding new products from Frito-Lay!

"According to Frito-Lay's website, the new snacks contain one-third of the fat, one-half of the calories, and one-1,000th of the irresistible flavor of Frito-Lay's classic line of potato and corn chips. The presence of trans-fats and saturated oils is avoided by employing a cooking process "strikingly similar to the method used to create particle board." Serving suggestions that will be printed on the packaging include "definitely not adding any salt or seasoning, because then you might die"; dipping the chips in "delicious plain yogurt, lettuce paste, or other ground-up Flat Earth products"; and enhancing the flavor by replacing the chip in your hand with a Hot'n Spicy BBQ chip. "

I was in tears by the end of the article.

environmental activism

2006-10-17T20:08:00.000-05:00

I am currently reading a book written by Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia. His is an incredible story, and I recommend everyone with any business savvy, and any concern for the planet, read it. I have always considered myself eco-friendly, but in reading Let My People Go Surfing, I am realizing how little I am really doing. Recycling my wine bottles and milk cartons is a good thing, but there are a lot of other things that can easily be done. My next few entries will be related to "living green" and the importance that the organic movement has on me, you, our family, wildlife, plantlife and more. Hopefully those of you that are thinking "is Shelby becoming a treehugger?" will take the time to read them!

pete yorn

2006-10-05T20:51:00.000-05:00

I've gone a few months w/o posting. No, the hurricane did not sweep me away, nor did it dismantle my cable modem (it did produce a nice poker game that paid dividends though). I've been preoccupied and have simply neglected all that is blog lately.

It's been a few months without buying any new music. Last few album downloads were the new Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam and the debut by Wolfmother, probably one of the best new rock bands in last 10 years.

A few days ago I got the new Pete Yorn album. My bro introduced me to him years ago, he has been a favorite of mine ever since. He is by far one of the most under rated alt rock artists in the music industry. I highly recommend you give him a listen if you are a a rock and roll purist.

mucha lluvia

2006-09-01T09:21:00.000-05:00

Got our first taste of hurricane weather yesterday. This season has been quiet. Ernesto brought a lot of rain, something like 8 inches during the day. Flooded the entire area and closed most everything down by 2pm. We saw a a few places with water flowing in the front door. That aint good for business.

Looking forward to a dry Labor Day Weekend.

agassi

2006-08-28T20:59:00.000-05:00

As a lifetime tennis player and tennis advocate, I'm very disappointed to see one of the most talented, humble and durable players to ever play in the pros enter his last US Open. So, I'm on the couch watching Andre in the first round, hoping it's not his finale match at Flushing Meadows. He just lost the first set 7-6.

Hopefully you're giving him a few minutes of attention tonight, or this week if he advances. He's a solid player and a solid guy, and has created some big educational opportunities for kids in the Vegas area.

He and I also see the same barber.

captain matt bowen

2006-08-08T20:10:00.000-05:00

To the left is Matt Bowen and his sons Sawyer and Henry. Matt was a roommate of mine at UNCW back in 1992. We lived in a rathole called "the crack shack" that was low on the rent scale and high on the beer drinking scale. He is a long time friend of mine, and I hate I've lost touch with him and his wife Sandy (who he was with back in '92) for the last few years . I recently discovered he was deployed to Iraq a few months ago. He has written me and some other folks detailing some of the gruesome scenes he has been part of. It aint pretty.

There are a few articles that the Winston Journal reported about he and his family. They have two kids, so Sandy is home solo, like many other Mom's are, handling them the best she can. The articles are a good shot of reality, especially for those of us that know Matt and Sandy.

Matt, we love ya buddy. Come home safe and thank you for what you and our boys are doing for us. Sandy, you and the kids hang tough. Matt will be home soon.

crackin nuts

2006-07-31T20:12:00.000-05:00

I started my new job today. So far, so good. Jay, my new bossman who owns the Insiders franchise that I am now working with, is the Board President of a charitable organization that has seen a lot of momentum over the last year. It's called the Full Belly Project. From their website...

"The Full Belly Project is a non-profit organization that designs and delivers simple agricultural machines to people in developing countries around the world.
This project teaches people how to build hand-operated machines with common materials. Our material of choice for (peanut) sheller parts is concrete because it is inexpensive, widely available, easy to work with and has a very long service life".

A local fella helped start the project. I plan on getting involved myself. Give the website a look to learn more about the Nut Sheller. It's a very interesting invention and developing story.

going...going...gone!

2006-07-10T21:05:00.000-05:00

The MLB Baseball All-Star game is in Pittsburgh this year, and tonight is the home-run derby. My cousin Greg called a few mins ago and told me where he was sitting, and I just spotted him trying to catch a foul ball by David Ortiz (who is one of many hitting balls out of the park into the river). Greg got a bad bounce on the foul and didn't get the prize, but he is sitting pretty just behind the dugout behind the ESPN crew.

PNC Park and entire riverline is a great site. I've been there for lunch in one of the restaurants in the outfield, but never been to a game. Wishing badly I was there with my bro right now, along side Greg... shagging foul balls, shelling peanuts and sippin brew.

Go Pirates!

for unlawful carnal knowledge

2006-06-25T22:12:00.000-05:00

I wore a Van Halen t-shirt today that I bought in Beverly Hills years ago when Shawn and I were there for work...it's a an old stage photo iron-on, with David Lee Roth and the boys in their prime. I often get compliments on it, but the only one I got today was from a young black dude that was MC'ing at the Shoe Carnival on Market Street! Just a bit odd that he was the only person to comment on it. He was probably 23.

If you are a Valen Halen fan, you should bookmark this site immediately...www.valenhalenmusic.com. It's owned and maintained by my buddy Jon in Boston, who has known the guys for years and used to publish their official mag. He keeps good tabs on them and Sammy Hagar, and it's a great resource for a band that still has some buzz and life left from all members...they've been around for almost 30 years now. Incredible.

big bens bike

2006-06-12T21:02:00.000-05:00

ok, I have never been a big fan of riding motorcycles. I think they are cool, just like every other male, but I also know how dangerous they are, and how many people get hurt of killed each day b/c of the mistakes of another driver. We report about it all the time at the station.

I went four wheeling in Costa Rica a few months ago, against my better judgment really, but had a blast doing it. It's a big rush. But, I was wearing a helmet, and we were in the woods....alone. No cars.

Big Ben Rothlisberger just about spent his last day alive on this planet today. Did a face plant into a car that turned in front of him. Broke his jaw, nose, gashed his head and banged his knees up badly. He was not wearing a helmet.

I think the world of this guy, he is very solid person and is loved by the Pitt community and fan base. And he just helped bring us a Superbowl. I am just hoping he is smart enough to change his outlook on safety, and be around for another one.

if you've got will and a little time, use it

2006-05-17T20:43:00.000-05:00

I'm laid up on my couch with a rare chest cold, watching the Pistons and Cavs, chatting w/ my bro, who is in Seattle. Been sick for a few days. Just found out some bad news about a job I was looking into. Work is currently driving me bonkers, I'm drained with frustration. I've been very active in looking, and thinking about starting something on my own. More to come on that.

I also just read an email from the Save Darfur Foundation that helps keep things in perspective. I really took notice of the situation after hearing George Clooney, the only real high profile activists that I have seen creating awareness for the cause, on the Bill Maher show. You can send a letter to Pres. Bush from the homepage, urging for more help from the US Government. If you are not familiar with this crisis, please read about it. It's beyond horrible, and I'm a bit numb reading about the developments.

I heard a song today that phrased "if you've got will and a little time, use it". It's a good thought, and phrase to think about when bitching about your own personal workday, or reaching out for world peace. Make a difference in your own life and someone elses. A bit deep, I know. But true.

camptown ladies

2006-05-11T22:17:00.000-05:00

I played in a celebrity golf tournament this past weekend, we were a media sponsor and I was the lucky chump that got to spend the entire weekend at Landfall Country Club with 3 clients and 40 or so celebrities still, for the most part, stretching their fame from 30 years back.

I had low expectations going in, which was great, b/c the weekend ended up being a great time. I stunk on the golf course, which is no rarity, but the company I encountered was a pleasant surprise.

I spent an hour with my buddy Robert talking to an actor named Burton "Bubba" Gilliam (pictured). I am betting that most everyone on Earth does not know that name off hand. But, once his cash cow movie is mentioned, most movie buffs, male ones at least, will know him immediately. Blazzing Saddles is a classic, we've watched it 20 times at least, and Bubba, or "Lyle" as he was cast in the movie, had me and a few other guys crying. For those of you who don't know this movie, how about this..."The stuffs made in New York City?!?". Bubba also spent 11 years as the Pace Picante Sauce cowboy/redneck.

Classic.

how bizarre

2006-04-27T21:29:00.000-05:00

A former roommate of 3 years is getting married this weekend. This event was apparently growing close due to a voicemail I recieved today from the other roommate in that house. He called and played, without ever saying anything, a 30 second chunk of "I Get Knocked Down", a goofy pop hit by a group from Europe called ChumbaWumba. It was just one of those songs that you heard everywhere you went for a few months. It was a crappy but catchy song, and Lamar used to play it LOUD in his Explorer during the years we all 3 lived together, along with a lot of other cheezy yet suave songs. Every time I hear it I think of the 3 story house we shared in 5 Points. That's why he left that song on my VM today. His mind was on the wedding, and therefore our time together in that house.

Hard to believe that was 9 years ago. It was some of the worst and best years of our lives. Looking forward to seeing the crew at Daniel and Carmens wedding this weekend in Beaufort.

turtle troubles

2006-04-25T21:09:00.000-05:00

Like I said, these were going to be random...

I am beat. I've played a lot of tennis in the last 3 days. 35 and my feet are killing me after 5 sets. This is ridiculous. I used to be able to play 20 hours in a week and not feel a thing.

I just read a article on Yahoo about many loggerhead turtles that have died on the shores of FLA due to what they think is remnants of the red tide of 2005 . This sucks, b/c the apparent cause of this problem is pollution in the water from us human folk.

If you are not helping the wilderness in some way these days, I'm asking you to please start doing so. Signing petitions for the Sierra Club, attending local conservation meetings, giving a buck or two to a cause...whatever. My brother has volunteered at the Atlanta Zoo for years, and his involvement there has rekindled my respect/interest for wildlife that was very strong as a kid...which can be attributed to our dad. I'm attending the local Turtle Conservancy meeting here at the beach next week. A midnight turtle hatching is in my future.

active networking

2006-04-18T21:40:00.000-05:00

Had a nice conversation with the VP of Marketing at active.com tonight...an athletic registration and activity destination website for athletes and rec. teams (and golfers). It's run by an old Citysearch colleague and friend, Dave Alberga. They are out of San Diego, and it now looks like like I may be taking a trip out west to talk with them. It's only my second interaction with a company in the last few years, and I'm jazzed. I think they have a great product.

el primero...

2006-04-17T19:49:00.000-05:00

After months of reading about the popularity of blogs (which is short for web logs, in case you didn't know) and the importance they have in future of business and personal communication, I have decided to launch my own. Not only to learn a bit about how they work and put myself in a position to speak more intelligently about them, but to also start a diary of my thoughts and what's been on my mind lately. Plus, I can now send geeky, yet cool, links to my buddy Zahlaway in Boston, who has built a nice website for he and his growing family. I also have one close friend who has recently moved across to to San Fran to begin working for a blog software company, and I want to know what the heck it is that she is involved in.

I am off a recent trip to Costa Rica, my fourth venture to the rich coast in 11 years. As was the case when I returned from past trips, my head has been churning with ideas, wish lists, creative thought, etc. I think it's natural for most folks to have the same reaction... coming back from a place so different than your typical, every day surroundings. Costa Rica is a place that I have grown to love very much. It's people, landscape, language, food, vibe, dance, music...

I feel like the recent ramblings in my head spawned from this last trip will keep me busy for a while on the first ( "el primero" ) official blog I've taken a stab at.