Exploration

April 17, 2010 | Filed Under Random, The Visual, Thoughts | 1 Comment 

For the past few weeks, I’ve been sitting back, watching and analyzing: myself, people, life. I’ve gained some insight and direction in the process. I spent some time walking around the city and in the burbs along Fox River thinking and seeing. Soon, but not quite yet, I’ll be ready to share more of those insights; I’m still processing. I encourage everyone to change scenery at some point for a bit–alone. Embrace your be-ing. Dissect your patterns. Explore your growth, or the lack thereof. Oh, and do something that just simply makes you happy.

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The ‘happy’ test

September 10, 2009 | Filed Under Consider this, Plain cool, The Visual | 1 Comment 

Source: Typcut

We could all use a little…

July 28, 2009 | Filed Under The Visual | Leave a Comment 

Image source: NEED Magazine

History

November 5, 2008 | Filed Under The Visual | 3 Comments 

ICON: Muhammad Ali

July 5, 2008 | Filed Under Inspiring, The Visual, Watch this | Leave a Comment 

I love this man. I do. It’s easy to see why his opponents wouldn’t like him since he talked so much trash…but he backed it up. Part of his process to prepare himself mentally was to talk about his strengths and his opponents weaknesses. I noticed this while watching When We Were Kings. He kept saying that George Foreman was scared and slow, that he was the greatest, and rejoiced in hearing and chanting “Ali, bomaye!” meaning “Ali, kill him!”

The background story to this fight is pretty interesting: In 1964, Ali beats Sonny Liston to become the heavyweight boxing champion at 22. In 1967, after refusing to be drafted in the Vietnam war, Ali is stripped of his title. After three and a half years, he is reinstated and at 29 must fight Joe Frazier in order to regain his title. Ali loses to Frazier in 1971 after 15 rounds. In 1972, relative unknown, Kenny Norton, breaks Ali’s jaw and defeats him after 15 rounds. Ali is considered to be finished. Frazier loses his title to George Foreman in 1973. Then, in order to become the champ again, Ali must contend with Foreman, who is undefeated and ten years younger. At the time, Ali’s record was 44-2 and Foreman was 40-0 with 37 KOs. Talk about a formidable opponent. It’s a good chance that the only person who thought Ali could beat Foreman was Ali himself. Really, that was all that mattered.

When We Were Kings documents the six weeks the fighters spent in Kinshasa. (Don’t waste your time looking for Zaire on the map because that name was abandoned for a return to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.) It’s lots of fun to watch and makes you wish for a time travel machine. A must-see documentary that won an Academy Award in 1997.

Foreman falls…

Watch it! Buy it here.

Heavyweights

Aside from his skill as a boxer, Ali is respected for his fearlessness and his “do for self” attitude. According to Wikipedia, even as late as 2007, he traveled about 200 days out of the year, lending his name and presence to causes he supports. The more I learn about this tactician, the more I like him. Good…I’m inspired.

Now…does anyone have a video or information leading to a video of Ali on the Mike Douglas show with Sly Stone on July 14, 1974? If so, email me.

The Cool…

July 5, 2008 | Filed Under Plain cool, The Visual | Leave a Comment 

Hats off to Ebony on the August covers. I hope the quality of the articles match that of the pictures.  Good…I’m inspired.

Shouldn’t Miles Davis have a cover?   

The visual: Ron “Rondiggy” Ackins

July 5, 2008 | Filed Under Pay attention, Plain cool, Spotlight, The Visual | Leave a Comment 

 

 

What’s ridiculously popular yet under-respected at the same time?

Comics.

Reading them will give you a brand new appreciation for illustrators. I can draw basic shapes…expecting anything outside of that is probably going too far. Still, I’ve always wanted to be able to draw well. See…anybody who can hold a pencil can draw, but to do it well is an entirely different story.

One who does it very well is none other than freelance artist Ron Ackins, whose work has been featured in Kicks and XXL magazines, as well as on Nike (soon!) and UndrCrwn tees. Chances are if it was a UndrCrwn shirt you really liked, he did it.

For more of his work and contact information, visit Behance.net/RonAckins. Good…I’m inspired. Not to draw, but to do what I’m good at.