Random Acts of Adventure
Olympic House of Cards
August 26, 2008
The Olympics are a time to unite and put differences aside in honor of great strength and athletic talent. It’s a time to be inspired and let the boundaries that normally separate us dissolve. We cheer collectively as a world for those who deserve the metals – whether it’s because of their personalities, stories of hardship or pure raw talent.
Yeah, and then there is this guy, who wasn’t a headliner on MSNBC’s reporting of the events in Beijing, but clearly is a specialist in his field – house of card builder extraordinaire. Judging from the opening and closing ceremonies I would say that this guy certainly has large-scale spectacle pinned down. If only they had a gold metal for the house of card event.
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It's Elemental My Dear
August 21, 2008
Below is a message from Heather (a.k.a Thrasher). She is our maven of the Web, hops inspection and lion taming. Check out what she did this last weekend. I hope to attend the west-side version of this car show after it makes it’s way to Cali. Anyway, cool stuff, and it’s awesome to think that you could have a cup of tea from the emissions of a car!Our Hydrogen Future-
On Sunday, August 10th, I hit up a local park, Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth, Maine with a friend of mine to check out a sweet car show that was beginning a national tour that would end in California.
This wasn’t your normal Sunday afternoon vintage car show- we’re talking brand new innovative hydrogen cars! BMW, Mercedes, VW, Hyundai and others all had models and representatives to talk about the cars and explain how they work for our environment and us.
The great part about hydrogen-fueled cars is they provide three useful things: heat, electricity, and water with no toxic byproduct! Water vapor is the only substance released from the vehicles. As I listened to one of the presenters explain the process in which hydrogen and oxygen combine and create the energy to power a fuel cell for a full size car. I was amazed to also find out these cars are actually safer in situations that involve fire! Due to the placement of the fuel cells you are in less danger of a fire in the middle of your vehicle as you are with a gas-powered car. Just when you think there aren’t any better reasons for investing in a hydrogen car, imagine getting an average of 120 mpg!
Although we may still be close to 15 years from mainstream use of hydrogen vehicles, it’s definitely on our horizon. To learn more about hydrogen vehicles and how they work, please visit www.daimler.com.
Pictures and Sound - Episode 3
August 18, 2008
Why is it that nostalgia is so powerful? Home and what it does and doesn’t represent somehow come careening back into your life whether invited or not. For Luke Reynolds, he decided to invite the process into his life rather than wait for the broadside of life to hip check him. Luke said this about the experience in the video below, “I felt like I had to go back to the place that initially shaped me if I wanted to tear it all down and reinvent myself from scratch.” Don’t know about you, but we think that is a pretty awesome statement.The highroad is steeper for sure, but in the end the view is way more expansive if you take it. This can be said of all the folks involved in the debut of the band Pictures and Sound. The album rocks, and I for one have listened to it probably a hundred times already – it relates, it revels and it reincarnates emotions that we all have at one point or another. The video below is the final of three in the “making of” their debut album.
Buy their album tomorrow (august 19th). Preview some songs at myspace.
Pictures and Sound Episode 2
August 13, 2008
You know when things just click with someone? There’s never that awkward “getting to know someone” period. Well, that’s how the band Pictures and Sound came together – seamless and organic. This is the second episode of the making of their debut album. They are really an amazing group of guys, making soul driven, rockin’ music that we know you will love. You can hear a taste of their tunes at their myspace page. Stay tuned for the final episode later this week.Pictures and Sound’s first album is being release on August 19th – check it out.
Pinata Smackdown
August 6, 2008
We go to an industry trade show every six months to show off our new duds. I know that the words “trade show” don’t always inspire thoughts of fun, but our industry happens to be pretty laid back with lots of great folks to play with. So, every year we throw a party for our friends. This year, we’ve decided to do a Piñata Smackdown! Here’s how it works. Teams of two people race against another team of two people to bust open a piñata. So, what’s so special about that, you ask? Well, the stuff inside the piñata is what is what is special. Packed inside are the makings for two margaritas. Once the piñata has busted, the team has to collect the tequila and limes – kinda like kids with candy – and run over to a table to make and drink their margis before the other team. Stupid drinking game? We don’t think so, just some good, clean and creative fun. Here’s our trail run to make sure this would actually work, staged in our humble BBQ backyard at the office (our jobs are hard). Videos from the party will be posted soon.
Pictures and Sound - Episode 1
August 2, 2008
On a recent trip up to Portland, Oregon, we were hanging out at the Lizard Lounge having a glass of wine with some friends. As I sat there chatting it up with my friend Emilie Lee (watch out for this gal – she’s an amazing artist), she introduced me to Luke Reynolds. Beyond being a super sweet and genuine guy, he also happens to be an amazing artist too – music as his medium. Anyway, we totally appreciate the music he is making and his attitude towards it – one that is truly interested in sound, in the way it makes you feel and what it does for the person playing it and the person listening to it. Along with some other really talented fellows, who all happened to meet organically, they’re about to release their first album. Who is it you ask? Pictures and Sound.The album will be release August 19th. I’ve heard some tracks, in fact, hear some for yourself at myspace, I am sure you will agree that it rocks. These are some good guys, making great music – what is not to love about that.
Here’s part one in a series of three videos we will be posting leading up to the release of the album. Thanks for loving music!
Air Guitar Championships 2008
July 31, 2008
Yes, it's for real. And, yes, it's awesome! You have to check out this site www.usairguitar.com to really appreciate this organization's passion for air guitar. Until you have time to surf the site, here's a little something to get the party started [insert power chord here].
Surf's Up ... in Montana
July 21, 2008
Yes, we Toads are very lucky to live so close to so many great surf breaks. Usually, we are able to find at least a little wave to play on. Unfortunately during the summer sometimes our little slice of surf heaven turns into Lake Pacific. I guess I’m telling you this because we were all feeling sorry for our lack of surf recently, and what do I get in my inbox, but a picture from a friend out in Missoula making waves. Yes, Missoula, Montana – for those of you who are geographically challenged, Montana is not near the ocean. Just goes to show you can find surf just about anywhere if you try hard enough.
SPAM-Off - Good Clean (kinda) Family Fun
July 16, 2008
I was almost in shock, jealous even, of what I heard this Monday when talking to Lisa in the morning, catching up on the weekend’s events. She, a lovely and talented designer here at the Toad, relayed that she won first prize at a contest. What contest you ask? What else other than a SPAM-Off! The jealousy comes in not because she won a hilarious SPAM-Off, but because she does this annually with her family! I’m not sure about you, but in a world where family is less of a focus, it is so refreshing to see one having a great time together. I went so far as to tell my mom about it and she said, “why don’t we do a SPAM-Off.” I couldn’t help but think that maybe SPAM could be the ointment that cures the modern family’s worries. I hear it does wonders for your completion, why not your soul?
Anyway, the rules are these:
- Make a dish with a movie theme with SPAM as the star!
- All dishes must be prepared on site
- Three hours to prepare the dish
- BYOB, cool, table, canopy and cooking supplies
The flyer, that’s right I said flyer, is above and is worth a closer look – ‘cuz it has some pretty funny copy. I’ve also included a little slide show of the lovely Lisa and alluring Michele in their winning costumes – presentation is everything, Martha’s first creed!
Their winning dish was Arabian SPAM
Recipe - Tandoori SPAM Lettuce Wraps with Tzaziki Sauce
1) Sauté diced SPAM in pan with fresh ginger, garlic, onion, curry
2) Steam jasmine rice
3) Tzaziki Sauce- plain yogurt, diced cucumbers, fresh mint, lemon juice
4) Layer on romaine lettuce leaves, rice, SPAM, top with sauce
A Room With A View
July 9, 2008
Katina, a Toadette, went on a little business/pleasure trip to Colorado. One day in the town of Buena Vista, on the river side of the Arkansas, she came across this little interesting living room. It’s made completely out of tile! Might not be super good for snuggling up on, but the view is killer! Read More...
Crusade Against the Mundane
Welcome to the Horny Toad Community. This is where you get to tell us what Every Day Is An Adventure means to you. The best part is that you will help define what the Toad Community becomes. So let us know what you think, check out an event in your area, or just sit back and laugh a little. The idea is to have fun!
