brad nelson » tonic http://b.radnelson.com Tue, 17 Jan 2012 06:35:05 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Flying Trapeze! http://b.radnelson.com/2010/02/02/flying-trapeze/ http://b.radnelson.com/2010/02/02/flying-trapeze/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:13:06 +0000 brad http://b.radnelson.com/?p=520 Last week we did this:

It’s really fun and not terrifying (the second time). If you’re in Seattle, this place is great.

]]> http://b.radnelson.com/2010/02/02/flying-trapeze/feed/ 2 the decade from my lens http://b.radnelson.com/2010/01/17/the-decade-from-my-lens/ http://b.radnelson.com/2010/01/17/the-decade-from-my-lens/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:08:11 +0000 brad http://b.radnelson.com/?p=501 I wrote this around New Years Day and never got around to publishing … This is what the last decade looked like from my lens:

On the mind: college, hanging chad, hijacking, war, protest war, graduation, media bar, house, wedding, twitter, HOPE

Presidents: b. clinton, gore, bush, h. clinton, obama

Love: love, heartbreak, love, marriage, love, love

Jobs: barista, shift supervisor, corporate, hear music, now playing, twitter, twitter, facebook

Cats: franny, zooey

Music: miles, coltrane, phish, hyoka, wilco, flaming lips, mahler, bartok, stravinsky, mos def, the roots, dylan, radiohead, jayz, preons, phish {again}

Homes: Haggett Hall, Kenmore, 7th Ave NE, 11th Ave NE, 50th and Latona, Eastlake Ave, 27th and 68th, West Seattle

Bands: Husky Marching Band, UW Big Band, Wind Ensemble, Hyoka, The Preons

Phones: landline, nokia, samsung, motorola, nokia, palm, blackjack, iphone

Computers: iMac, iBook, powermac, hp tower, macbook, mac mini

Vehicle: toyota tercel, bicycle, ford ranger, suzuki sv650

]]> http://b.radnelson.com/2010/01/17/the-decade-from-my-lens/feed/ 1 The Starbicks VIA road trip is almost over. http://b.radnelson.com/2009/09/26/the-starbicks-via-road-trip-is-almost-over/ http://b.radnelson.com/2009/09/26/the-starbicks-via-road-trip-is-almost-over/#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:17:58 +0000 brad http://b.radnelson.com/2009/09/26/the-starbicks-via-road-trip-is-almost-over/ Tonight we’re headed to Boston. This is the last big push, ten hour drive today. Then three and a half to New York tomorrow. After Tuesday we’re all done.

This trip has been filled with so many great memories.

Here are my stats from the trip:
- 2 countries
- 17 states, 1 province (including my 140tc excursion)
- 14 days
- 3,937 miles
- 0 hotdogs

]]> http://b.radnelson.com/2009/09/26/the-starbicks-via-road-trip-is-almost-over/feed/ 2 On the Road http://b.radnelson.com/2009/09/20/on-the-road/ http://b.radnelson.com/2009/09/20/on-the-road/#comments Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:57:42 +0000 brad http://b.radnelson.com/?p=331 The_road I’ve always wanted to drive across the country. I figured it would be to either visit all the major league baseball stadiums, or to follow Phish. Never thought I would be doing it for my job. Two weeks ago I found out I’d be spending the last two weeks of September with 10 strangers filming a series of webisodes. I was worried about a couple things at the beginning:

  1. Would the other people be fun? Told myself that I can do anything for two weeks, but still … two weeks is a long time to spend with people you don’t know.
  2. I’ve never spent much time in front of the camera, would it be fun?
  3. Will I be away from the internet for too long and cause withdrawals?

The answers are turning out as follows; incredibly so, affirmative, 3g usb cards – ftw.

The first two days were spent in Seattle, Vancouver, and Bellevue. I did not feel like I was on a road trip. It was just an odd trip. The third day we made the trek to Montana, and it definitely started feeling like we were going to actually drive across the country. My original plans for road tripping involved lots of camping and couches. I’m fairing much better with couches and wifi.

For the most part, only Erin and I are on the camera, but it truly takes an army of smart dedicated people to put it together. When we started, I thought I might have to actually do some driving. Fortunately, we have four of the coolest drivers that are complete road veterans schlepping us and our coffee around. We should do an episode on the radio banter, exclusively. It’s hilarious.

Traveling with comedians is really fun.

Tomorrow I’m flying to LA to speak at 140tc, I’ll meet up with the road trip in Nebraska on Wednesday. Then it’s Chicago, Erie, Boston, and NYC.

You can follow the road trip on Twitter or watch the videos on YouTube.

]]> http://b.radnelson.com/2009/09/20/on-the-road/feed/ 1 The hectic race to nothing. http://b.radnelson.com/2009/06/07/the-hectic-race-to-nothing/ http://b.radnelson.com/2009/06/07/the-hectic-race-to-nothing/#comments Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:08:51 +0000 brad http://b.radnelson.com/?p=242 Next weekend I’m getting away for a long weekend in Tennessee. There’s a huge music festival going, and for four days I plan on wandering the grounds with no real plans, sipping beer, and watching some of the most talented bands on the planet. I’m really looking forward to getting away with no real agenda. These days, the difference between work and home has blended into no difference at all. Don’t get me wrong, I love technology. I love the fact that cell phones in many ways are as capable as computers. And I love that you can do all of this from wherever you like. The blessing is also a curse. It sweetens the time that you’re gone (with email turned off).

To those asking, “who are you going to see?” Check out the rest of the post.

Thursday June 11th, 2009

  • White RabbitsTHIS TENT6:45 PM – 7:45 PM
  • MURSTHE OTHER TENT7:15 PM – 8:15 PM
  • People Under the StairsTHE OTHER TENT10:15 PM – 11:15 PM
  • Passion PitTHIS TENT11:15 PM – 12:15 AM

Friday June 12th, 2009

  • Toubab KreweTHE OTHER TENT12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
  • GomezWHICH STAGE12:45 PM – 2:00 PM
  • Kaki KingTHIS TENT1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
  • Vieux Farka TouréTHE OTHER TENT2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • Animal CollectiveWHICH STAGE2:45 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Béla Fleck & Toumani DiabateTHE OTHER TENT3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
  • moe.SONIC STAGE4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
  • Yeah Yeah YeahsWHICH STAGE4:45 PM – 6:00 PM
  • King Sunny Adé & the African BeatsTHE OTHER TENT5:15 PM – 6:30 PM
  • Al GreenWHAT STAGE6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
  • TV on the RadioWHICH STAGE6:45 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Mt St Helens Vietnam BandCAFÉ WHERE HOSTED BY AT&T7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
  • Beastie BoysWHAT STAGE8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
  • David ByrneWHICH STAGE8:45 PM – 10:45 PM
  • PhishWHAT STAGE11:00 PM – 2:00 AM
  • Femi Kuti and the Positive ForceTHE OTHER TENT12:00 AM – 1:30 AM

Saturday June 13th, 2009

  • Alejandro EscovedoTHAT TENT12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
  • Rodrigo y GabrielaWHAT STAGE3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Gov’t MuleWHICH STAGE5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
  • WilcoWHAT STAGE6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • The DecemberistsTHIS TENT7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
  • Bruce Springsteen and the E Street BandWHAT STAGE9:00 PM – 12:30 AM
  • Nine Inch NailsWHICH STAGE1:00 AM – 3:00 AM
  • moe.THIS TENT1:00 AM – 4:00 AM
  • Ben Harper and Relentless7THE OTHER TENT1:00 AM – 3:30 AM
  • MGMTTHAT TENT2:15 AM – 3:45 AM

Sunday June 14th, 2009

  • Ted Leo and the PharmacistsTHE OTHER TENT1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
  • Citizen CopeWHICH STAGE2:15 PM – 3:30 PM
  • Brett DennenTHE OTHER TENT3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Erykah BaduWHAT STAGE3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Merle HaggardTHIS TENT5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
  • Snoop DoggWHAT STAGE6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
  • Band of HorsesWHICH STAGE6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Neko CaseTHIS TENT6:45 PM – 8:15 PM
  • PhishWHAT STAGE8:30 PM – 12:00 AM

]]> http://b.radnelson.com/2009/06/07/the-hectic-race-to-nothing/feed/ 3 chaos theory http://b.radnelson.com/2009/05/11/chaos-theory/ http://b.radnelson.com/2009/05/11/chaos-theory/#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 03:47:15 +0000 brad http://b.radnelson.com/?p=236 I’m bumming around Vancouver today for the Convergence 09 conference. This evening after getting some food I decided to take a walk onto one of the piers. The weather was nice and i thought the view would be worthwhile. While walking down the pier I turned around to watch the city. It might have been a mistake, as unbeknownst to me a flower pot was quickly emerging. I discovered the flower pot after running into it, full speed. My flailing arm knocked a rose onto the ground. I tried to play it cool. Not sure if I did.
On the way back, I noticed a young couple just yards away from the point of my stumble. She was smiling, holding the rose. It felt serendipitous. I was hoping he picked it up and said something sweet.
It made me smile.

]]> http://b.radnelson.com/2009/05/11/chaos-theory/feed/ 1 The rich in 08 http://b.radnelson.com/2009/03/05/the-rich-in-08/ http://b.radnelson.com/2009/03/05/the-rich-in-08/#comments Thu, 05 Mar 2009 08:12:53 +0000 brad http://b.radnelson.com/?p=207 Voted a lot like the 04 map. If Washington, Delaware, Minnesota, and New Mexico flopped. The poor on the other hand, voted 48-2 D. 

Five Thirty Eight takes a look

]]> http://b.radnelson.com/2009/03/05/the-rich-in-08/feed/ 0 Tough Day calls for a … beer http://b.radnelson.com/2009/02/11/tough-day-calls-for-a-beer/ http://b.radnelson.com/2009/02/11/tough-day-calls-for-a-beer/#comments Thu, 12 Feb 2009 04:27:52 +0000 brad http://b.radnelson.com/?p=188 Today was a tough day. I was spared, but many of my compatriots were not.

A couple of weeks ago I was at one of my favorite grocery stores, PCC co-op, and noticed that they had one of my absolute favorite seasonal beers, Sierra Nevada’s Big foot Barleywine Style Ale. Damn it’s good. Barleywine Ale’s are known for their high alcohol content, and this one is no slouch at 9.6%. The balance of sweetness to hoppy bitterness is divine. Like most high octane beers, it sits on your tongue for quite some time, this one has one of the most pleasant aftertastes. The sweetness if followed by this fantastic fruit taste.

I like big tastes in general; aged Indonesian coffees, Cabernet Sauvignon wines, and big bold beers like IPA’s, barleywine ale’s and winter ales. I also like loud music, motorcycles, and Jackson Pollock paintings; controlled chaos is best.

The other thing I really like about it is it has a lot of alcohol. 9.6% goes a long way.

]]> http://b.radnelson.com/2009/02/11/tough-day-calls-for-a-beer/feed/ 0 Competitive Utility-ing http://b.radnelson.com/2009/01/31/competitive-utility-ing/ http://b.radnelson.com/2009/01/31/competitive-utility-ing/#comments Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:21:06 +0000 brad http://b.radnelson.com/?p=173 I’ve been waiting to see this on my utility bills for a while. If we can tap into Americans competitive spirit, and get them to turn off their lights when they leave the room, or unplug the cell phone charger when it’s unused, we would save a lot of energy. If my bill told me I was wasteful compared to my neighbors, I would second guess my energy use. Fortunately, I live in a fairly new house, so my utilities are efficient. Plus, Seattle’s moderate climate doesn’t drive my bills up too much.

I know this would work brilliantly. 

The district had been trying for years to prod customers into using less energy with tactics like rebates for energy-saving appliances. But the traditional approaches were not meeting the energy reduction goals set by the nonprofit utility’s board.

So, in a move that has proved surprisingly effective, the district decided to tap into a time-honored American passion: keeping up with the neighbors.

Last April, it began sending out statements to 35,000 randomly selected customers, rating them on their energy use compared with that of neighbors in 100 homes of similar size that used the same heating fuel. The customers were also compared with the 20 neighbors who were especially efficient in saving energy.

]]> http://b.radnelson.com/2009/01/31/competitive-utility-ing/feed/ 0 A new day http://b.radnelson.com/2009/01/20/a-new-day/ http://b.radnelson.com/2009/01/20/a-new-day/#comments Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:49:14 +0000 brad http://b.radnelson.com/2009/01/20/a-new-day/ … And Cheney is leaving in a wheelchair!

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