On The Fireline: VSCO Journal

Came across this beautiful piece on the VSCO Journal site.   A little write up on a wildfire firefighter who uses his iPhone to document his work and journey.  I'm always in awe of this profession.  It's such an important role in our society, however it seems so thankless.  No one is saying "support our wildfire firefighters."  Or are they and I am just out of touch?  

Either way, a beautiful write up on the photographer after the jump.  Let me be the first in my life to say "Thank you brave men and women.  Support our wildfire firefighters."

VSCO Journal: On The Fireline
 

Paris Through Pentax

My wife had this piece sent to her by our good friend Rob Alexander this morning.  I was so pleasantly comforted when watching it.  I'm staring down two straight fourteen hour days right now and I'm trying to do my best to stay calm, relaxed and power through.  This was a great way to ease into the chair this morning.  I hope it finds you the same way.  

Side note:  I asked my wife the other day if I was truly experiencing life, when all I want to do is document it.  I couldn't help but think when watching this.  This is the way I viewed Paris.  Of course occasionally I'd look up, have an espresso and truly take in my surroundings, but really I had my face through a view finder for a lot of the trip.  If you feel so inclined, let me know what you think about an "experience" when all you want to do is create something so you can share that experience with others.  Am I living life when I feel like I'm "taking in this world from a window."? - David x Wood.

Iron and Resin / Beacon Coffee Company

IronandResin-BeaconCoffee

A while back for my wife gave me a pound of this blend created via partnership between Iron and Resin, and Beacon Coffee Company.  I've always loved what Iron and Resin have been doing over the past few years.  They've created a brand, aesthetic and foundation in a relatively unlikely place.  It's not in a major metropolitan area.  They've created this in Ventura California, a place with it's own special blend of perfection.  I was happy to be able to try a new roaster in Beacon Coffee company, and this delighted as expected.   I've talked a lot about Iron and Resin on the blog here, but unfortunately I haven't yet been by the shop in Ventura.  Everytime we're up visiting my mom we plan on making a side trip to stop in and see the shop, but for one reason or another we get held back well past their closing time.  Hopefully one of these day's we'll get in there, and hopefully also stop in at Beacon and have a brew.  Enjoyed it.

Sound Design

As a filmmaker / editor, I spend an extraordinary amount of time on the visual aspect of my chosen medium.  I make sure the image is lined up and beautiful.  I make sure the story is told in a clear and concise fashion, and to be completely honest.  I get exhausted by the time I'm to the audio and color portion of my process.   I came across this beautiful piece done on a sound designer and even though in my heart, I know I should NEVER skimp on the audio portion of any of my projects, it's really inspired me to step up my sound design game in more way's than one.  There is so much hard work and energy that goes into every story you watch, this one, or any of my films are no exception.  Sometimes it takes some reminding just how important each part of the process is.  There is no room for skimping on time, energy or your budge with regards to these parts of the process.  They just make your product/project even more perfect.

 

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters

A while back my wife took me down to San Diego for a little getaway weekend over my birthday.  While down there we tried to stay somewhere fancy, eat some good food, and drink some great coffee.  I had heard of Dark Horse Coffee roasters from some friends.  It was a great location, and the tiny little shop had a really special feel.  Not to mention that they roast a pretty solid dark decaf Kenyan.  If in San Diego, make sure you stop in an have a sip.

Seaworth Coffee Co.

Came across this Single Fin Sludge at a local Bristol Farms.  I love being able to get these different cold brew coffee's a try.  For the most part their relatively similar and really you judge everything against the greatest in Stumptown.  How does this Seaworth Coffee Companies "Single Fin Sludge" hold up?  It's wonderful and best of all, it is brewed here in California.  Based out of Costa Mesa you know that it's not traveling too far to get into your hands.  The bottle says you're able to get about 8 drinks out of each bottle of sludge, however with the way I prepare it and the amount I like to drink (a lot), I get about 4.  I cut it with a little water, some half and half and pour it over ice.  Seaworth also makes a Coconut Simple Syrup that you can purchase to add to your drink.  It's excellent, and if the price is right for you, it's something you'll want to keep on hand.  Over all, solid bottle of brew.

Seaworth Coffee Co.
http://www.seaworthcoffee.com

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My Mom's Motorcycle

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Was having a minute on the couch this morning and decided to click through a few thumbnails on Vimeo to see if there was any great content that I had been missing out on because I hadn't just browsed in a while. 

I don't know what caught my eye about this.  Maybe the title, it allures to legacy, parenthood, and the relationship between generations.  Immediately I was struck with the quality of work, the dialog and the writing.  This is what I always want my short pieces to feel like.  I think it's just great when you're able to find an artist that you're on the same trajectory as.  Someone who you can look at their work, and love it because you know they're in the same space as you.

So enjoyable.  Hope you feel the same.

I had too much to dream last night

I've spent the day searching over new opportunities, challenges and goals.  Of course change is scary, change will always be scary.  When you have a loving, supporting partner and a son who's face can just lighten your soul.  Really, there isn't much too be worried about.  In fact, there is nothing but positive energy and excitement.  Here's to new chapters, and new horizons.  Big things are just around the bend.  Man.... I too had too much to dream last night. 

Bone Music

Came across this interesting article in FastCompany a few weeks ago. Talking about how hipsters would listen to and then press music into medical X-Rays to distribute American Rock n’ Roll in Soviet Russia.Pretty interesting, would love to get my hands on one. Though, I’m sure every record collector could say the same. Let’s bring this back.

Fast Company – How Soviet Hipsters Saved Rock ‘N’ Roll
bit.ly/1pENYfc

Artís Coffee

I had never heard of Artís until I was reading a post from an old friend about how he had designed some pour over stands that were on sale at Artís.  That being said, I still had no idea where the store front was.

On one of our trips up North to visit family we stopped off at 4th street in Berkeley and I saw Artís on the block.  It's an interesting store front, selling a lot more retail items than other storefronts.  So there is plenty of stuff to browse through.  My favorite part of Artís though, was that you pick your beans in their green state, and they flash roast a pound for you in a small air roaster.  Not sure what any coffee snob would think about that, however, I thought it was a pretty cool little feature, and I thought the beans tasted pretty great.

Go enjoy a pound:

Artís Coffee
1717B 4th Street,
Berkeley, CA 94710

K and V Bake

I'm so stoked to be able to write about this for a few different reasons.  One of which being that this is some of the best bread I have had in Southern California (notoriously NOT good at sourdough's).  The second of which is that these two are working on the business that I had always wanted to had but didn't have the balls, or the skill.
The duo run a home bakery which uses all organic and local ingredients.  They make their sourdough from a live yeast culture starter meaning that it is a true sourdough bread.  My favorite thing, they believe in the "less is more" philosophy and use the highest quality ingredients.

Here's the trick:

You sign up for their newsletter and every week you get an email with the week's offerings.  You can then place an order on the website for delivery in pretty much the entire Los Angeles area (pretty much).  They have designated delivery times for different area's of the basin, so make sure you keep an eye on the schedule.  Of course you can also pick up, but make sure you drop an email so they know when to expect you.  Again, this isn't a brick and mortar shop.  This is a fully licensed and credited home bakery.  And let me just say... They do it really really well.

Get bread delivered end of day to take home for dinner, or have it delivered in time for afternoon coffee break and share with your co-workers.  Honestly, it's the best thing outside of San Francisco.  Just wish my midsection could handle more deliveries.  (spare tire).

Love it.  Go Big.

http://www.kandvbake.com/

Courier Coffee Roasters

Good friends of mine took a trip up to the Pacific Northwest, and knowing that I'm a huge fan of finding all the small batch roasters in America.  They brought back a pound of the happy bean for me.  <!--more-->I brewed Courier using two methods, the French Press and the Chemex.  To be honest, I preferred the pour over going through a paper filter with this roast.  Not sure why or for what reason, just had a deeper flavor and was less acidic to me.  I don't know much about the company themselves, they're unique branding on the bag of beans has me thinking they're a unique small company, making it all the more exciting that I was able to grab a pound.  Check them out in person at:

923 SW Oak. in Portland Oregon (obviously)
M-F 7-5  Weekends 9-4

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