2009 Resoltions/Goals

I figure if I write it down I've got a better chance

Personal:
-Get back to surfing seriously (2-3/month)
-Swim 2x a week
-Yoga 1x a week
-8 rounds of golf
-1 Trip out of the country (10 days +)
-Drink less during the week
-More salad in the diet
-Grow family relationships
-Read 20 books
-Blog once a week
-Ski 5x (Take Hunter to the snow 3x)
-Budget and Save
-Become well versed in personal finances and investing
-Learn more about wine
-Join a non-profit or volunteer group and participate monthly

Professional:
-Grow and develop client relations (12 trips to client offices)
-Grow business by 60%
-Revolutionize in store shopper behavior
-Read 10 career development books
-Improve public speaking and sales skills
-Develop an idea and write a business plan around it

Happy 2009!

Being "Busy" is so Tired

Raise your hand if you aren't busy this week? This month? This quarter? How about this year?

In a world of always on connectivity where friendships and business meetings span multiple continents, all of us in the working world are busy. If you aren't busy and you are in the working world you probably have a boring job or are in the wrong job.

Today now more than ever I invariably hear business partners, clients, friends, and family say they are always busy. Heck, I say I'm busy too and most of the time I am.

But let's be honest with ourselves, being busy is many times a tired excuse of "I don't have time for you" or "you're not important enough", possibly just "I'm lazy" or "I don't want to hear your POV".

The best people in their respective fields always have time for people. They are willing and open to listening and hearing all perspectives and points of view to enable them to make the most informed decision with the most amount of information.

Ask yourself, are you busy making yourself, your brand, your company better? Or are you just busy being busy. I am trying to ask myself this more and more as I go through my days.

Canine Cape Crusaders

Home Cookn'

I cruised over to Williams-Sonoma the other day to pick up some things for the kitchen and ended up grabbing some of their mixes. I snagged the jalapeno cheddar corn bread mix, lemon poppy bread and the vaunted Sprinkles cupcake mix. I was really disappointed in the first two, both were Williams Sonoma branded. The Sprinkles cupcake mix was pumpkin and these puppies turned out amazingly YUM!

Have a looksy with my first try at Picasa Collage (might have to click on the image to see it in full effect):

What if...?

I saw this circulating around and thought I would post it here as well

Obama/Biden vs McCain/Palin, what if things were switched around?.....think about it. Would the country's collective point of view be different? Ponder the following:

What if the Obamas had paraded five children across the stage, including a three month old infant and an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter?
What if John McCain was a former president of the Harvard Law Review? What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?
What if McCain had only married once, and Obama was a divorcee?
What if Obama was the candidate who left his first wife after a severe disfiguring car accident, when she no longer measured up to his standards?
What if Obama had met his second 2nd wife in a bar and had a long affair while he was still married?
What if Michelle Obama was the wife who not only became addicted to pain killers but also acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?
What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?
What if Obama had been a member of the Keating Five? (The Keating Five were five United States Senators accused of corruption in 1989, igniting a major political scandal as part of the larger Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s.)
What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker? What if Obama couldn't read from a TelePrompTer?
What if Obama was the one who had military experience that included discipline problems and a record of crashing seven planes?
What if Obama was the one who was known to display publicly, on many occasions, a serious anger management problem?
What if Michelle Obama's family had made their money from beer distribution?
What if the Obamas had adopted a white child?
You could easily add to this list. If these questions reflected reality, do you really believe the election numbers would be as close as they are?
This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another when there is a color difference.
Educational Background:
Barack Obama: Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude
Joseph Biden: University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science. Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

vs. John McCain: United States Naval Acade my - Class rank: 894 of 899
Sarah Palin: Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism
Education isn't everything, but this is about the two highest offices in the land as well as our standing in the world. You make the call.

Business up front, party in the back

After a stupid bet and three months of hair growth time came to end my flowing locks, but not without a mullet for one night out on the town. Let's just say I didn't have a lot of takers that night.

Here is a slide show from long to short for your visual pleasure.

Is Everyone in the Bay Area a Tri-Athlete?

I didn't start this blog to rant and rave, but each time I am not sharing a video or pictures I feel like I have am ranting about something. Well...

The more time I spend in San Francisco, as opposed to the Peninsula and S. Bay, I find I run into a lot, and I mean A LOT of triathletes. Great right, what's the big deal? The big deal is these triathletes seem to view themselves and their Tri posse as above and better than the non-runners, cyclists, and swimmers of the world.

At times not being a triathlete almost feels like smoking in SF (I don't smoke, but I know how you San Fransicans are). You are immediately looked down upon and judged when someone finds out. This active judging is really starting to frustrate me, and I have no idea why judging is going on in the first place.

You, Mr. or Mrs. triathlete, are not showing me something amazing. In fact, tri-athletes perform three of the most basic "athletic" functions, just for a long amount of time.

Running: Over 99% of the population can do this

Cycling: To be kind I will say 90% of the population can do this; the other 10% are too young, still with training wheels, or too old

Swimming: Only the extremely skilled 75% of the population is up to this feat

Yes, I understand that a triathlon is an extreme test of endurance and it takes a lot of training and dedication. I totally appreciate that. I would also never do it. Training for the three most boring "sports" (not sure if I would consider running a sport) is not my cup of tee. BUT I could do it without issue. Give me two months to train and sign me up for finishing in the top 10% of any triathalon.

But really sign me up for surfing, where some balance and shifting of body weight, stamina, and paddling skills come in handy; along with knowledge of the ocean and the weather.

Or How about Soccer? I played Division 1 in college so I feel like I can somewhat call myself an athlete. Soccer takes extreme endurance, the ability to turn, sprint, stride, and avoid the opposition with the ball on your foot. There is also a very strategic, chess-like aspect to soccer (Americans are not aware of this).

I could write a laundry list of sports here, but I am sure you get the point.

And of all the amateur athletes who participate in athletic events and activities I find tri-athletes to be the most uppity about their achievements and prowess to train and participate in the three most basic "sports".

Keep doing what you're going triathletes, let's just work on being cool...

Oh, and one more thing. I don't need to know how many miles you ran, biked or swam the other day. You are training for a triathlon so it is obviously going to be a lot.

Facebook Gangsta

Facebook Gangsta from Facebook Gangsta on Vimeo.

Thanks LaughingSquid

Brushing Hunter

If you are a Siberian Husky owner (take note if you are perspective Husky owner) you know that when spring rolls around and you are looking summer straight in the eye it's time to get out the brush and vacuum. Tis' the season for coat blowing. As such, you are practically required to give your dog a thorough brushing once, if not twice a week.

Their fur practically falls right off when you pet them, and it is no exaggeration to say you can continually pull clumps and clumps of fur directly off of their coat. I spent 45 minutes today brushing Hunter and the hair never ceases to stop coming. You can see the results for yourself. And mind you that this hair was all wadded and clumped together after it was brushed off

Decision Cupcake 2008

In San Francisco we get to enjoy Kara's cupcakes, yummy overpriced cupcakes that live in a pink boxed womb. Just recently we stopped by Kara's and picked up 20. I personally am not the biggest sweets fan, but cupcakes are always hard for me to turn down. The first Kara's cupcake I had was a caramel banana baby that was delicious.

As it turned out a friend of ours was heading up from L.A. for the weekend and we asked him to bring up some cupcakes. He brought up about 40 cupcakes. 20 or so from Sprinkles and another 20 or so from Dots.

We had an all out taste test, cutting the cupcakes into fourths and trying the same flavors of cupcake from each store. This was done for multiple flavors of cupcakes. Hands down Sprinkles was the winner. Dots was second, and the little cutesy cupcake shop so many in San Francisco swear are the best cupcakes came in a distant third.

Here is a slide show to whet your appetite (if you were judging by the box Sprinkles would come in last).

**UPDATE** I was just at Stanford Mall this past weekend and it looks like a Sprinkles will be coming to the mall in Summer 2008

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU

SIMPLY AMAZING


MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Bay 2 Breakers Video Playlist

There are 4 videos here. Sorry you have to deal with this post roll ad after each video. Not even mentioning the post roll brand since they don't deserve any additional recognition

The Privilege of the Left Lane

This past week in the Bay Area the heat has been scorching, reaching triple digits in some places. This first big heat wave always makes people more agitated than usual, especially when driving. And this certainly goes for me too as I have been very liberal with my horn usage.

There is a simple and basic understanding in driving etiquette that has had me laying on my horn now more than ever.

The left lane is the passing (fast) lane, and each subsequent lane to the right is a bit slower, until you get all the way over to the right lane which is for oncoming and exiting traffic, the slowest of all lanes.


I gained this knowledge early on in life and was lucky enough to be educated in the basics of driving by my parents. Since I turned 16 I have been conscious of this simple rule of the road.

Now more than ever do I realize not all drivers have been as fortunate to have parents (or just common sense) to educate them on this basic driving principle.

I cannot tell you how many times I find myself behind someone in the left lane with no cars in front of them and holding up a long line of traffic behind them. This act of complete unawareness while driving a car is what causes traffic...and road rage. The rule is so simple and basic, yet it seems that half the Bay Area population is unaware of it.

The left lane should be a privilege. Not all drivers should be allowed to drive in it. I propose, that at the very least, the DMV throw in a couple questions on your written driving test about the left lane. If you don't get these questions correct you are still allowed to get your drivers license, your license just has a mark on it denoting you are never allowed in the left lane, EVER! If pulled over for speeding (or driving too slow) in the left lane when banned from it the punishment is severe. I am talking about $10k+ fine, 6 months in jail, and 100 hours of community service type of punishment.

Of course I am kidding (kind of) and this is a pipe dream of mine that will never happen.

But really, it is so simple and basic to understand this concept. You should be passing cars to the right of you if you are in the left lane. And if you are in the left lane and passing people but someone is behind you going faster, pull over to the right.

I have been trying to find a real solution to this problem. I was initially having trouble as to how I would educate all of these drivers who needed this knowledge.

I can't pull you over and educate you. I can't yell out my window when going 80MPH and correct you. And I can't write a post on a blog that no one reads about the subject.

So after much thought and restless nights thinking over a solution I finally came up with one. My Horn! The horn or the lights are the only two instruments on the car that can communicate with another driving while moving at high speeds.

So if you see someone riding your bumper, blaring their horn, and possibly flashing their headlights don't get mad, understand I am trying to educate you the only way I can at that very moment.

Photoshop Express New Embeddable Player

Photoship Express is slow and a little cumbersome. Uploading, editing, and even rotating photos can be timely. But I guess that is what you get with a free product. I do like the Embedded Player as a final product though.

But what would be great is if as you added/deleted photos in the album, the player would update itself in real time. For now looks like you have to paste in new HTML each time you make a change to the album.

Now go on a look at 70 pictures of me...

Hunter needs some face time!

Hunter was acting like a super model with a wicked coke habit for some time, refusing to eat day in and day out. Now he has decided to take up chowing down on non-human food on a regular basis and dad couldn't be happier. Man I feel like an overly proud parent.


Hunter Eats! from Clayco on Vimeo.

The Ill Communication

Something has been happening to me a lot lately and I am hoping it is not a trend. People are starting to initiate contact via one medium but ask for a response via another medium. Most notably the text message asking for a phone call back. I am unwavering in my belief that the medium you are contacted in is the medium you should reply in. Which is why if you text me asking me to call, I text you right back.

Why does this matter you say? It matters because it illustrates the laziness that technology continues breed in us from a communication stand point. By no means do I feel technology as a whole makes us lazy. But today now so more than ever the lines of communication, due to the advancements in tech, have encouraged us to take up a greater amount of relationships in a much more impersonal manner. As we expand our network we become practiced in more and more impersonal relationships. As such, the new relationships we develop start to have an impact on previous personal relationships we have that extend beyond the bounds of the web. Which brings me back to my point of lazy communication and more and more people texting to ask for a phone call.

For the online world there is greater variance due to the numerous vehicles of online communication. For instance, if you email me I can email you back, or just as well send you a tweet, Facebook message, or ping you with a Gchat. And in my mind all of these are within the rules. The communication all stays within the electronic realm. And no, just because a text comes from a phone doesn't mean it is in the same realm as a call. We talking about talking vs. typing.

I have certainly received the FB message or an occasional email saying "let's catch up, give me a call." I so badly want to write back and let them know they have my number they should pick up the phone and give me a call if they so desire; I would be happy to talk.

And here is the thing. Never ever do you get the flip side of this occurring. Have you ever had someone call you and leave a message telling you to shoot them an email when you get a chance? I think not.

The whole act of typing a message to someone to request they initiate verbal contact is a simple passing of the burden.

"Hey man, I haven't talked to you in ages"

"Dude, I texted you last week and told you to give me a call"

Somehow the individual who was too lazy to call and instead chose to spend 35 seconds to send you a text has put you at fault for not keeping up in the friendship.

The Perfect Scrambld Eggs by Gordon Ramsey

This post will be followed by my own attempt

A Slice of Brillance

This should have 1M + views and I am going to do all I can to get it there

Hunter's day @ the Dog Park

Very rarely does Hunter get to stir it up with a Husky, let along three. Today he was in Husky heaven...


Hunter and the huskies at the dog park - part 1 from Clayco on Vimeo.


Hunter and the huskies at the dog park - part 2 from Clayco on Vimeo.

The Prius Gets Pimped

Making my Prius 2% cooler than it already is (I was also unaware that a car could be > 100% in the coolness factor), I decided to add some tint for the upcoming summer months. Hunter should be happy, and I am adding this as a cost created by him

Homemade Pizza

I've never made homemade pizza as I always found the task too daunting. Thanks to my good friend Sean I was able to do the easy stuff (roll the dough and lather up the pizza with ingredients) as he made the sauce and dough from scratch for us. We ended up cooking a lamb and feta pizza, 4 cheese, an all meat huge pizza (lamb, pulled pork, and ground beef), and a Salmon pizza with dill. Was some of the best pizza I have ever had, easy to do and a lot of fun. Love being able to control the exact toppings I want on my pizza. Highly recommend that if you haven't made your own pizza you give it a go.


Untitled from Clayco on Vimeo.

Recreational Hard Core Drug User Looking for TSIF

The Boyz at the Ball Game from Clayco on Vimeo.

The Match.com Chronicles - The Genesis

I have always been extremely skeptical of online dating. I always found it odd and sketchy thinking it was for people who aren't good at socializing or who were consumed with their job they had no time. A few weeks back I was debating the whole idea of online dating with my roommate. He made wonderful points as to the reasons to try dating online (if not meeting someone through friends, family, or work...where, randomly at a bar?). He sees online dating as a great way to vet a larger crowd and find someone with like interests so you are headed down the right path when you meet. While this all makes sense my gut told me, and still does, "This is B.S."

As the talk progressed it got to that point where we didn't know if it was good or bad until we tried it. We both felt strong enough in our convictions and viewpoints that we would put ourselves to work and sign-up for match.com, the paid version, for 3 months. As I explain in the video below, I am totally up to find someone via online dating and will make every effort to do just that; I just don't think it will happen.

Babes Play Guitar Hero Too

When can I get a pic of a stunning line-up for Rock Band?

The Journey through Costa Rica

Better than me writing about by trip to Costa Rica check out my video playlist when you have 15 minutes. 32 videos taken on my 15 day surf trip to the North Pacific of Costa Rica. This was the longest vacation I have ever taken, and the first time I have traveled alone out of the country (9 out of the 15 days). I certainly have a lot more places on my travel list, but Costa Rica will without a doubt be one I return to

Hunter's Hunger Strike

Hunter's Hunger Strike from Clayton Peters on Vimeo.

Been a while, but I'm baaack!

Am I back if I never really started outside of a half paragraph about the Sox/Yanks? I've got my Flip (sorry for the post roll Flip advertising; I hate it too!), and my video journalism will hopefully trump my half baked writing that contains no structure, makes little sense and uses the incorrect tense of verbs on numerous occasions. Thank gosh for auto spellcheck or it would be worse.