Over the years I’ve created a few personal websites – this blog, a photo site, a site for sharing quote, etc – and I’ve finally done something that’s been a long time coming: I consolidated all the goodness into one super-site called HeyItsDrew.com!

On HeyItsDrew, I post in nine categories: photos, books, quotes, music, videos, adventures, ideas, projects, and friends.

I really like the new format and I think you will too.  Check it out and don’t forget to update your subscription by using the small form in the left sidebar of the new site or subscribe here now so you don’t miss out.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

[This video was shot, edited, and published from my iPhone4. Watch bigger in HD]

I recently spent a week in Colorado climbing tall things, visiting friends, and participating in Boulder Startup Week. Although I stayed in Denver, most days were spent in Boulder bouncing between various meetups which highlighted the local startup scene.

In a word, Boulder is amazing. If you’re curious about what makes Boulder so great, here’s a great post by Brad McCarty – whom I spent time with during BSW.

At the end of my Colorado trip I spent two days in Breckenridge. The town was quieter than the buzzing summer or ski seasons, but I enjoyed exploring the shops (Downstairs at Eric’s mmm) and spent an afternoon on The Colorado Trail.

Then I decided to climb something tall.

It’s funny how clueless I was about what I was getting myself into. I heard the peak referred to as a “fourteener” but I figured there were 15er’s, 16er’s, etc. Apparently there are only 14er’s. And apparently Quandary Peak is 168 feet shorter than the tallest point in Colorado. Rad.

Notice how I mentioned my eyes hurting at 7:55? Turns out it wasn’t from the elevation or dehydration. Did you know you can sunburn your eyes? Me neither.

That night I experienced some of the worst pain I’ve ever felt.

It felt about like you’d imagine (think razor blades, acid, etc etc). I couldn’t open my eyes and thought I was going blind. I nearly went to the hospital in hopes of getting some numbing eye drops, but after four brutal hours of laying perfectly still with ice on my eyes I finally fell asleep. Thankfully in the morning I could open my eyes slightly, and although it took 5 days for my vision to return to normal there seems to be no permanent damage.

• Related: Video of my climb on Oahu’s North Shore
• My favorite photo from the climb

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

I just finished reading “It this Is a Man and The Truce” by Primo Levi, an account of his time at the concentration camp at Auschwitz, and after liberation by the Russians in 1945, his long and twisted journey home to Italy.

The book is two separate volumes. The fist, “If This Is a Man” was written immediately upon Levi’s return to Turin after the war and recounts his descent to “the lowest of lows” in the death camp.  The Truce, written years later, picks up where the first leaves off – recounting his journey home and his gradual recovery and rebirth as a man.

It seems a first curious as to why someone would want to read about The Holocaust, especially when much more uplifting forms of entertainment are available with the click of a mouse, and I’ve never had the desire until a respected friend made the suggestion.

The events told are tragic beyond my comprehension, but Levi’s style is not that of anger or judgment but of factual testament. In fact, the book does not resonate with hatred, revenge, or even sadness. It is more about human relationships, resilience, and adaptation during times of absolute darkness  instead of letting oneself become overwhelmed with circumstances.

It was not depressing to read, but I noticed I could feel the weight of the book. I felt compelled to finish it (and quickly), as reading it felt like walking uphill – where the best choice is to keep walking until you’ve reached the top and can rest.

I find it amazing how much written words can impact a person. In addition to the weight of the book I also find myself feeling slightly detached from the world – from which I expect to recover within a few days. The detachment I believe comes from the emotional work required to read something which seems so far outside of our world that it could be taken for fiction, yet knowing at the same time that it is true… and happened not too long ago.

When in Munich I had the opportunity to visit the site of a concentration camp, but passed.  Now for some reason I wish I would have visited…

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The power of immediacy changes the way we interact. Understand this core concept, apply it elsewhere, and make magic happen.

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts below in the comments.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Did you ever build a tree house when you were a kid? What about a fort? Did you ever gather the neighborhood kids to play a game or have a summertime water fight?

Looking back on childhood, I noticed something interesting about the very best adventures — Each crazy adventure started with us kids sitting around feeling bored. Then, eventually, we got an idea.

You already know that summer days in the Midwest are long and sticky. Staying indoors seemed like a good idea, but almost every day my mom would eventually kick us kids out of the house (probably for her own sanity).

“Why don’t you go outside and play?”

Not a question. It was a command.

“And do what?” we would protest.

“You’ll figure something out,” she encouraged.

Reluctantly we’d put our shoes on, walk out the front door, and plop down in a rocking chair on the front porch. We’d sit for a few minutes, as if in protest, watching bees touch and go on the thirsty flowers.

Then something remarkable always happened.

After a few minutes of sulking we’d come up with an idea, an adventure, and run off to build a tree house, explore the wooded fields behind our house, or organize a game with the neighborhood kids.

There’s something about apparent “boredom” that gets your creativity going. Have you noticed?

Often freedom from distractions leads to surprising breakthroughs – whether it’s a creative way to reach new customers or deciding to build a tree house.

Challenge: This week seek out one twenty-minute opportunity to enjoy boredom.

Warning: Extra difficult for hyper-connected iPhone addicts (myself included).

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

I’m starting to weed out self-defeating habits.  Most of those habits are mindsets that weaken me; mindsets that prevent me from using my natural talents to the utmost.  In 2011, that changes.

Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.  We are meant to shine, as children do.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

- Marianne Williamson

The second sentence in that quote is my favorite.  Stop making yourself smaller so that other people will feel better about themselves by being around you!

Shine.  You will find out quickly who your real friends are by either their support or mocking of your initiative.  Those that bring you down, even if they are family, must go.

It’s time to start playing big.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Gravity is boring.  It’s always the same.  But what if it changed every day like the weather?

“Wait, better check the gravity forecast before we make plans this weekend. Oh wow, on Saturday gravity will be down to 25%!”

Extreme gravity would probably close schools and cancel sporting events.

“The basketball game this evening has been canceled due to extremely strong gravity levels up to 175%.”

Imagine how tough it would be to get the hang of basketball or golf in a world with changing gravity!

Imagine planning your activities around the gravity just like we plan around the weather now. I moved to a new apartment last weekend. Too bad I could have planned the move on a low-gravity weekend.

Would flights be grounded in high-gravity conditions? What if there were “gravity storms” where the gravity spiked up to 3 times normal? Would gravity follow the seasons? Would it vary depending on your location?

“We might not have sunny beaches, but I just love the gravity out here in the Midwest!”

What would you do on high gravity days? What fun would you have on low gravity days? Hmm…

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Are you a thrill seeker? I’ve created a very simple formula (nerd glasses: on) to calculate thrill.

The first time I went snowboarding I was terrified. Unlike skateboarding, which I’ve done for years, you cannot jump off of a snowboard. You’re strapped in for the ride. Cue panic.

Going too fast? Scream for people to get out of the way. Headed for an oak tree? Hope you like ambulance rides.

My first three hours “snowboarding” I fell down every five seconds. But snowboarding has one huge advantage over skateboarding: falling doesn’t hurt! (as much)

On a skateboard, wiping out means bruises and bloody knees. But on the slopes taking a spill isn’t so bad. You tend to sliiiide when you do down – instead of a painful thud. A padded snow suit helps too.

By the end of the day I was flying down the slopes giggling with glee (really). What helped me get the hang of snowboarding was the realization that snowboarding feels a lot more dangerous than it really is. That perceived danger is what makes it so thrilling!  This bring me to “the formula”:

A roller coaster is a great example. The chances of getting hurt on a rollercoaster are virtually zero, but in your head you chant, “I’m gonna die! I’m gonna die!”

I’ve put together a chart of various activities and their corresponding “thrill factor”.

*someone could throw a shoe at you?

What thrill have you had lately? Estimate it’s perceived danger, actual danger, and thrill factor and leave a comment below.   I’ll start (see comments).

(photo credit: flickr)

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

It’s no secret that relationships can be frustrating. When I get frustrated I ask myself “why?” and try to make it better. If I find a way to make it better, I like to share it. Maybe today I can help you avoid some frustration by sharing the two most important things I’ve learned about relationships.

Respect the Paradox

There is a paradox in loving relationships. On one hand, you want to make your partner happy. On the other hand, true happiness comes from within – meaning that it is impossible for you to make your partner happy all the time.

Unless you understand this paradox, relationships can be frustrating and seem impossible at times. In a relationship without this understanding, you might find yourself thinking thoughts like these:

• “I can’t make her happy… I’m a failure.”
• “Why can’t he cheer me up? He knows I’ve had a long day…”
• “She doesn’t make me as happy as she used to… I guess we’re just in a rut.”

In the beginning of a relationship, your partner may very well make you happy all the time. Their presence is so new and exciting that it seems to make the world brighter – and all of your problems melt away. This is often called the “honeymoon stage” of a relationship. You might even feel “one” with that person.

The reality is that you are two separate beings. Sorry if that sounds unromantic.

If you fail to respect the paradox you will come to expect the other person to make you happy. When they inevitable fail to make you happy at all times, you might start questioning their love and/or commitment. You will notice that you don’t feel “as one” like you did at the start. If you don’t understand the reality of being separate people (each responsible for your own happiness) then you will stress, question your relationship, and possibly give up – thinking that something is broken.

Putting the “self” in Self Improvement

Sometimes the solution is to focus on you.  Sound selfish? Hear me out.

In a relationship it’s easy to forget that you must focus on balancing yourself first.  The best way to start is by monitoring your inner dialogue - those thoughts that we all think silently in our head. Catch yourself when you speak to yourself in a way that weakens you by putting responsibility onto others. You are responsibility for you. Do not give it away to someone else. That’s lazy and will only lead to frustration.

Standing versus Walking

I love the following mental picture. Imagine a couple, standing face-to-face. They are gazing into one another’s eyes, lost in the pure bliss of new love.

Now imagine another couple walking hand-in-hand. They are moving forward down a path, side by side, offering encouragement and pausing to help if the other stumbles.

Most new relationships start like the first couple – standing face to face, focused only on one another.  But standing still doesn’t get you anywhere.  At some point of maturity the relationship must make the transition to walking side by side – hand in hand. For me, this is the picture of an ideal healthy relationship.

From my (long and frustrating) experience, understanding the paradox of loving relationships is vital. In a healthy relationship you desire to make your partner happy, but each person recognizes that they are responsible 100% for their own life, and they do not put the burden on their partner to fulfill them or make them feel “complete” (recipe for fail).

I found that it is also important to understand the difference between standing and walking hand-in-hand.  From my experience, knowing how to communicate and make this transition is the toughest thing to do in maturing relationships.

Obviously I don’t have relationships all figured out (just ask my girlfriend), but I hope you find this as helpful in your own relationships as I have.

What next?

What have you learned about relationships?  Others can benefit from your experience – but only if you share it.  Leaving a comment below is easy.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Welcome to the generation of live feedback – where technology enables instant social interaction and video games are more immediately rewarding than real life (and don’t forget “always on” digital entertainment).

Consider these two facts:

1. Technology is changing at a mind-numbing pace.
2. Technology drives cultural change.

The cultural change that troubles me is this: People in my generation find it extremely difficult to initiate and complete real-world, meaningful projects.

3 Simple Reasons

1. Most real-world projects are not rewarded immediately. In fact, most remain unrewarded altogether. Consider that most small businesses fail and most blogs remain unread.

2. The real-time nature of social interactions (text messages, facebook) and digital tasks (video game experience points) has conditioned us to expect a near-instant feedback cycle. However, real-world projects do not provide instant results (aside from mowing the lawn or painting a room – which I find incredibly satisfying due to their immediately aesthetic results). When the results of our efforts are ambiguous or nonexistent, we drop that effort and try something else. Specifically, something more immediately rewarding. *

3. In the current world no feedback is the same as negative feedback.** If you write a blog post and no one reads it? That’s a negative result. Should you “stick with it” (as the older generation might advise), or is that outdated advice? ***

The result? My generation gives up on new projects that do not immediately yield desired results.

What do you think?

Is this lazy or genius? Do we need to learn to “stick with it” or are we becoming experts at “optimizing our efforts to maximize results?”  I really don’t know. Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

FOOTNOTES

* “Time is of the essence” holds true here; there’s nothing satisfying about waiting longer for a reward. Fast rewards win. Reward us so we can move on to the next thing.

** To prove my own point, I’ll be disappointed if this blog doesn’t have 5 comments in the next ten minutes.

*** It’s funny, many successful people ended up successful because they “stuck with it” when they probably should have moved on. But that’s the beautiful thing about humans and our optimistic irrationality… because we often grossly over-estimate our own chances at success when trying new things, we tend to try a lot of new things. If we each fully grasped our chances of failure when trying something new (say, opening a restaurant in New York City or starting a freelance web design business) then we wouldn’t try nearly so many new things in the first place! Sure, we would fail less… but our tendency to try new things regardless of odds (or with delightfully naïve optimism – “I can beat the odds!”) is what makes us humans so creative, resilient, and ultimately beautiful.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.