DANNER'S!!! HOW EXCITING

Look what I received today. Hand delivered from Oregon with care. A pair of boots. Not any basic boot. They're Danner boots. They're an Oregon company who's been slaying it since 1932. Every boot is handcrafted and made with high precision. I'm grateful for such a nice gift. Although we are in different concentrated fields. I believe in the same values and craftsmanship when I in my design career. Make products that last a lifetime. Shout out to Danner. 

I received the Mountain Pass Cedar, and for those who know me. Of course I laced them red immediately. 

CHASING THE MILKY WAY in big sur CAlifornia

35.970° N, 121.451° W //

Trip Itinerary :  
a. CA Highway 1 South
b. Big Sur, California
c. Cabrillo Highway 1 
d. Prewitt Ridge Road

I've been fascinated by astrophotography for like ever. I thought I needed an expensive camera to be able to do it, so I never tried to learn. Turns out Its quite simple, you can basically use your iPhone if you wanted to. Download the app Slow Shutter for long exposures, and Photo Pills for all your galactic data. Grab a tripod and you're set. I wont' get into any details on how to-- Because Lonely Speck is a great resource if you're interested in learning. Check em out. 

Here are some photos taken with my Panasonic Lumix G7 w/ the 12-35mm f2.8 lens. Taken during sunset, and 4am when the milky way was at it's highest point. Enjoy !

Shout out to my homie Henry Wu for capturing Bentley and I gazing into the sunset. Check him out on IG. P.S congrats on winning the Alite Photo Contest. 

POWERTYE CARGO NET

If you ride a motorcycle that doesn't have a trunk. You need a cargo net. You'll never know when It'll come in handy. I picked mine up from Amazon for 8 bucks. It comes in black, orange, red or blue. The hooks are plastic but feel really sturdy. I keep mine in my backpack, and mainly use it to strap down groceries, or an extra helmet. In its relaxed state the net sits about 1ft x 1ft. Fully stretched out it's about 3ft x 3ft. These days I use it to go crabbing on my motorcycle.  But no luck so far.  Don't it at home. 

Portability is Key

I'm constantly quoting Chase Jarvis. He says "The best camera, is the one that's always with you." Its True. I take more photos using my iPhone than my micro 4/3. This is why I rarely carry my fancy camera anymore. I wish I did, and I should because It takes amazing photos. But, the convenience of a phone, the built in apps, and these Joby tripods make for an ultra portable, and killer combo.  

The Joby Grip Tight, Micro Tripod, and Mini Gorilla Pod pictured above can be found on Amazon. Each costing below 15 dollars, and fit in your pockets. Making them a no brain-er purchase. 

"Buy the Gorilla Pod over the Micro Tripod." 

I couldn't help myself so I bought both. I'm sorry, the red accents got me. After two weeks of use. It's safe to say. "Buy the Gorilla Pod over the Micro Tripod." The Gorilla Pod is way more versatile. It has magnets in its feet. Allowing you to get more creative with your shots. It contorts into complex positions, where as the micro tripod only sits low and pivots at it's mounting point.

Currently I used both tripod to grab filler time-lapse footage. They're both small and compact, so easy to whip out, and travel with. My main goal are to reduce hand held vibrations, and a clear steady shot. Trust me it makes a world of difference in post editing. If you don't already have a portable tripod for your phone. COP IT NOW.

Lastly. Here's a fun time-lapse using the Gorilla Pod placed over a cooler. 

UNDER THE HELMET NO°3

The burble of my exhaust unwound like a long cord behind me . Soon my speed snapped it, and I heard only the cry of the wind. Dry roads with my speed to shriek, while the airs coldness streamed like two jets of iced water into my dissolving eyes.
-- Lawrence of Arabia

Currently in Canada

Its been awhile since I've updated the blog. I've been quite busy with work and travel. Recently I went to Hawaii for a memorial, Big Sur to camp, and currently in Canada for Anna's birthday. I have so much editing to do, and can't wait to get to them. I'll just need to make the time. For now, enjoy this photo I took at Joffre Lake.

Bentley like nanoBlocks

Anna and I picked up one of these "Golden Retriever" Nanoblock toy from the hobby store. It resembled Bentley so much. I had to. I bet if I grabbed two sets of these I could make a miniature Bentley. Here's a time-lapse of the build. It took forever! 

Reupholster Take One

I'm proud of my amateur sewing skills. I've learned a few things, here and there. But, Definitely not able to correctly name those techniques. Friday night I took on the overwhelming task of re-upholstering my motorcycle seat. I'm pleased with the results. But will have to make a second seat cover before I can show it off to the public. Here is a time-lapse of my evening.  Excuse the blurry footage at the end. Bentley changed the focal point. :)

23.424° N,43.169° W Lanikai Pill Box

The time difference between home and Oahu makes me feel so productive. My internal clock think it's 8am, when it's really 5am. The locals are in disbelief I'm up and active. 

This morning a group of us drove out to the Lanikai Pillbox Trails to sweat off the Ciroc from the night before. First full day in Oahu and we're starting strong. Here's a short edit taken from my Phantom. I'll make a longer edit when I'm back, and not on vacation. Enjoy

38.9616° N, 120.1015° W | Rubicon Trail Tahoe

Trip Itinerary :  
a. Highway 50 - South Lake Tahoe
b. Highway 89- Emerald Bay Parking Lot

The thing about nature is I'm surrounded by all of it'g glory while hiking. Its acoustics, flavors and visuals are stimulating. I get the same feeling while riding, Its reason I love the open road. On a motorcycle my senses are heighten. You're aware of smells and sounds you generally tune out. If only for a minute, or an hour, Its all worth it. 

Here is a short clip of the Rubicon Trail Colin and I did this past weekend. Enjoy. 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” -– Mark Twain

Lookout on Rubicon Trail

This photo was taken by my homie Colin on Rubicon Trail. Views like these energize me. It fuels my desire to adventure more. I'm reminded how beautiful and grand mother nature is, and that there is so much more to discover.

We did a 13.2 mile hike that day. Colin, Bentley and I woke up early (4 A.M) hoping to score a permit to hike Mt. Tallac. An intensive 20 mile hike round trip. Unfortunately we weren't that lucky. So we did Rubicon Trail instead. I'm currently editingfootage from our hike. Planning to share something here before I leave for Hawaii in two days.