Jul
13

The Shorts — Dirtbag Resume

Dirtbag Resume

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101492493″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]The M.O. was familiar–work hard at a series of bizarre jobs, make money and then hit the road to travel. During his twenties, writer and Diaries contributor Ryan Nickum went around the world and drifted across the Pacific Northwest. When it came time to settle down after returning from a Peace Corps stint, the economy tanked.  Once Ryan finally wanted a steady job, it seemed impossible to get one. He authored standard resume after standard resume. The results were disheartening. Ryan pieced together whatever work he could–data entry, process server and ditch digging. He began to question whether his youthful wanderlust now impeded a more adult life. In a moment of frustration, Ryan decided to create his curriculum vitae on his own terms–Nickum style.

Music: Saanko jäädä yöksi? by Regina   •   Drive it Like You Stole It by The Glitch Mob   •   Gold in the Hills by Boy Eats Drum Machine

Music provided by IODA Promonet.

Jun
23

The Accidental Journalist

The Accidental Journalist

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101492268″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]As a child, Freddie Wilkinson was fascinated by K2 and the adventure narratives from 8,000 meter peaks. It led to an incredible career as an alpinist seeking out difficult routes on obscure peaks across the globe, but his interest in climbing the trophy peaks waned. In August 2008, 11 climbers lost their lives on K2. The ensuing media frenzy was just that–a frenzy. Facts were hazy and right from the start people began making broad generalizations even though the details had yet to emerge. Something about it pissed Freddie off and stirred his curiosity. What really happened up there? Freddie started asking questions and in the process he found himself chasing an incredible story. You don’t need a journalism degree or a press pass to be a reporter. All it takes is a little New England “Can Do Spirit” and curiosity that won’t rest.

Music: Animus Vox by The Glitch Mob   •   Between Two Points (Featuring Swan) by The Glitch Mob

Music by The Glitch Mob provided by IODA Promonet.

Also, today we featured two songs from Wolf Parade off of the upcoming album “Expo 86.” I’m particularly happy about this album. Wolf Parade’s “Apologies to the Queen Mary” was one of the best albums of the last decade. It was so wonderfully different and yet still fist pumping and rocking, which is ultimately what I love in music. It also makes me think of chopping wood with Becca in Corvallis and drinking margaritas in our garage. Anyway, I’m pumped about the third album because the second album really wasn’t nearly as good.   I’m glad to hear that these guys are back rocking.

Jun
3

The Shorts — Yosemite’s Next Top Idol

Yosemite’s Next Top Idol

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101491927″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]Yosemite has always been a crucible of hard climbing and big egos. Every year the sport’s stars, die-hard dirtbags and hungry youngsters flock here to throw themselves at the big stone. Only the great will become legend.  There is Surfer Bob, Mr. Magoo and Platinum Rob. James Lucas had dreams of rock stardom. He wanted to cast a shadow longer than El Cap. He wanted to live forever in camp fire conversation. He wanted to be Yosemite’s Next Top Idol. What would it take? He would have to chisel his body into a granite monolith, learn to suffer through storms and develop swagger. He turned to the legends for advice and they welcomed him with open arms. Turns out nobody can resist sandbagging a young hungry climber.

Music: Vacation by Beach Fossils   •   She’s Wearing That Costume by Head Like a Kite   •   Director’s Cut (Featuring Tilson) by Head Like a Kite

Music provided by IODA Promonet.

May
18

The Pugilist

The Pugilist

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/100375814″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]”Fantasies happen from a safe distance. It’s one thing to say you want something, even convince yourself of it. It’s another thing all together to stand under a 3,500-foot nightmare you’ve feared for 15 years and try to actually climb it,” writes climber and writer Kelly Cordes. At a quick consideration boxing and alpinism have little in common. Ponder if for a second and you might see the similarities. After years in the ring and even longer in the vertical life, Kelly certainly does. Each challenges its practitioner to accept fear. A boxer’s opponent can deal out pain and defeat and when you put it in that light, a mountain isn’t all that different. Today Kelly presents a story about the biggest fight of his life and embracing the mythic choss pile that has haunted him since his early days of climbing.

Music: Skulltaste by Mux Mool   •   Lying Around by Magic Bullets   •   Kites by Geographer   •   Song of the Night by ZLOX

Music provided by IODA Promonet.

Apr
27

The Shorts — Scars

Scars

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Music: Fine by yU   •   White Liars by Typhoon   •   Vibrationz by Javelin

Music provided by IODA Promonet.