camp olema - time lapse

Camping at Olema in early May. YouTube's music copyright software has forced my hand, and I'm moving to Vimeo.

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old spice body blocker

In my humble opinion (or "IMHO" as they say in online forums), there's no form of praise that an artist/composer can be lauded with that's greater than someone thinking to themselves, "Man, I wish I had thought of that."

I imagine this is exactly what's taking place in the advertising world these days with the best ad campaign going - the Old Spice commercials. And you know what's just as good? Check out these amazing video descriptions on the site. You can find the full list here: http://www.oldspice.com/videos/

• Punches stop people, Odor Blocker stops odor, and parachutes stop drag race cars. This commercial illustrates two of those three points.
• Welcome to the wildly powerful world of Odor Blocker Body Wash. I hope you're into explosions.
• You can spend the next fifteen seconds of your life watching a man and a tiger scream together or you can be an idiot.
• This Odor Blocker TV commercial would have won the presidential election if it were over 35 years old, born in America and a person.
• Don't smell like sunsets and baby powder. Smell like jet fighters and punching.

Man, I wish I had thought of those...

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engaged to my commitment

Allow me to take you back to the birth of GreensandBrowns (Really, let's remember this).

I was 27. Emmelle and I had known each other for about two years. I stayed home from work a little sluggish from the usual Thursday night frivolity that was routine during my work week at the time. I found myself bored at the end of the day, waiting for Emmelle to come home from work and in a random moment of inspiration, I began the blog.

I've stated a few times in writing that I mean for my blog to be a collection and synthesis of irreverent thoughts and half-baked ideas. Privately, I intended to use the medium as a way to document my life with Emmelle. At the onset of our relationship, I used to joke to friends on whether our relationship would last: "I am committed to my commitment." But really, it wasn't a joke. GreensandBrowns represents our desire and commitment to be with each other. I wouldn't dare record thoughts and emotions in writing about anyone if I didn't feel as though that person would be a permanent fixture in my life.

And one and a half years later, the contents of these web pages carry a series of photos, some silly musings, a record of travels and milestones, inarticulate reactions to pop culture. For posterity...to look back at where we've been together...for something to share with our children. We'll continue to fill these pages and over a long period of time, we'll slowly start to see a great story unfold. Today, there are pictures of our Halloween costumes; tomorrow, there will be pictures of our kids' Halloween costumes...

A couple of weeks ago - Saturday, April 24, 2010 to be exact - our future took a giant leap forward.

On an idyllic spring day in the south bay, we drove to the hillsides above Saratoga to Cooper-Garrod winery. I came back down the mountain with a new wine club membership and half a case worth of the 2007 Viognier and a 2004 varietal blend - the 2004 R.V. Fine Claret (above). As if that wasn't exciting enough, Emmelle left with a new diamond ring. There were some details in between as well.

There is no beginning, middle or end to this blog post. Coincidentally, I don't feel as though our recent engagement puts us at the beginning, middle or end to anything. It's actually all of those things.

Without any transition at all, I'd like to say thank everyone that supports us, keeps us in your prayers and thinks positive thoughts for us. There is still a long journey ahead but our firm foundation is filled with friends and family members' hand imprints.

Years from now, I'll re-read this post and regret not having articulated this event differently. But if I had to convey just one thought from this time in our life and this momentous occasion, it would be this: Emmelle, I thank you for all that has been up to this very day and for an abundance of reasons yet to discovered.

Thanks for stopping by and smelling the cheese, personal pieces like this are intended to be rare, but will definitely be savored when there is just reason.

Please check out some photos courtesy of Emmelle here.

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