ClarkeGraves.com | Blog

The outrigger canoe paddle experiment has been a great success!. Three nights a week we practice and three nights a week I come home tired, and stoked. Cool cool folks combined with great culture and exercise. Our races have been cool too! We even medaled in our last race up in Marina Del Rey. Hard work paying off. The last novice race of the season is on June 27th in Mission Bay if you are interested. Speaking of things, we have our annual fundraiser in a week or two, on June 20th from 12-5pm. Spaghetti and other ono grinds, girls dancing hula, live music, lotsa talkin story, and me wearing a tribal skirt doing an ancient war dance! Come on out! Tix are 15bucks.

Work is going good. I am starting to get blind proposal requests from folks who are finding me on google etc. Up until now its been referrals etc so this is a little bit of a shift, but I am grateful for the added client opportunities.

Stef and I are in negotiations on a short sale house….the process started in January on this property. We are excited for it to work out. Its a little spanish style house with a big back yard. Only a 2/1 so we’d have to eventually add on to make it fit etc, but we are excited about it none the less. Keep good thoughts flowing.

I will update you more soon. In the meantime, send good thoughts for my buddy celso who is driving up to Alaska to fish and work in the canneries up there for the summer. Stef and I are looking forward to hanging out a lot with his fiance Jessica and his dog Loretta while he is up there working. Oh yea and two firends of mine, Genevieve and Lee are moving from SoCal to Norcal and Portland respectively. bumma, but we with them all the best.

Aloha

Walking through Target the other day, I went head first into a flashback. Not drug induced, but toy induced….How fricken cool is it that Transformers and GIJoe are back?!?!

Mom didn’t let me have war toys at home, so GI Joe were all kept at my dads house, and remind me of many many happy memories staying with him and exploring the yard with a full assualt on the cactus fields and holding my ground at the old Pepper Tree.

Transformers on the other hand I associate with mom’s place and my brother Adam. Turning ordinary furniture into bases and headquarters. Funny how toys can trigger so many fond thoughts and memories.

Here’s to future Transformer Generations and GI Joe Platoons.

Hi everyone, I hope yer all hopped up on aloha. I am doing real well these days.

Two weeks ago I went up for my annual pilgrimage to UC Davis. I missed last year because there was way too much going on and was bummed to miss my friends who I always get to see so this year, at last minute I booked a flight and made it happen. Not the cheapest route (I heard a flight to Germany would have only been another 100 bucks) but well worth it. I flew up to San Jose and got to hang with Coel Mitooka, the toddler result of when you combine a Carrie and a Joel Mitooka (I love word combos and naming your child with one is about as cool as it gets)! My Bay area trio were great hosts as we trekked up into the Davis Valley and hung out for Friday night. The following day was spent wandering around the UCD campus for the 100th Annual Picnic Day celebration. For those who are not familiar with this festivity, its a day of sun, music, cows, weener dog races, fashion shows and reuniting with friends, faculty and alumni. And of course seeing lots of bikes everywhere you look.

Halfway through the morning, my other friend Joel Burton, his wife Angela, and their canine-child Zoey (an adorable Springer Spaniel who could fan the whole town with her friendly and enthusiastic butt-wagging) joined us. Together we roamed the event, rehashing old times and talking about what we had going on in our lives. The following day, after crashing at Casa de Joel y Angela and eating great sushi and food with lots of Garlic for several meals, I headed back home to San Diego.

Looking back on this trip and all my treks to D-town, I have to note how our get togethers have evolved over the years. The first 2 or 3 annual treks up there, we’d still party like rock stars, hit the clubs we used to frequent, and party in downtown davis. Headaches and foggy vision usually followed the next day or two. The next few annual visits, we’d slowed things down a tad. We would still party it up, but usually stay in at someone’s house. Catch up, enjoy a BUNCH of Guniness, but not really go too crazy out of our comfortable confines at night. Talk of past girlfriends and raging nights of debouchery, was replaced with talk of fiance’s, wives and houses. The most recent of visits, while just as fun as any of the previous, our conversations center around beloved dogs, raising kids, and gulp…drinking a beer over sushi instead of pizza. One great night was spent sipping a lemon zinger flavored concoction and playing Pinochle (which I am now obsessed with and so grateful to have learned!!!!). I wouldn’t change a thing about the progression. I love this visit as much as any…I just felt it was worthy to point out how getting old changes a night out on the town….10 years removed from college. Yikes!

Thank you to my wonderful friends up in NorCal and their respective families who hosted me. You are why I go up. Picnic Day is just an excuse to see you…and to grow a little older (and wiser) together.

What a crazy month. The stock market posted positive results for the first time in 6 months. I fully immersed myself into a new sport and further heightened my love for the Hawaiian culture. Had some family health issues that put a scare into alot of us and reminded us again how precious life is. Glad to report those are looking ok now. Looked into a forclosure house with lots of potential and a ton of work. And, what else….oh yea, started posting on facebook some “rules to a happy life”.

For those of you who havn’t seen my happy rules, I basically have been posting each day a little blurb on things I have and continue to learn that make me smile each day. Some are serious, some are fun. All of them are sincere however and aim to give a little insight to what makes me stay positive in lif’es ups and downs. I hope to keep posting them here and there and hopefully not come across as preachy. If I do give me a quick kick to the okole (backside).

There is a spagetti lunch fndraiser the Paddling Club I am with will be hosting on April 18th if anyone wants to come, let me know to get a ticket ($15adult/$8 kids). I ‘may’ be doing a Haka (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o0pv6k37yE) so if that is incentive so be it! There will be live music, hula and grinds too. Come support us!

Speaking of live music, Da Kolohe Bruddahs are playing April 11th at Liberty Station around noon. Come see us at this fun free event. Let me know about details and I will provide. Another great band, The Weener Pigs just performed at Brick by Brick. My brother Adam (lead vocals and harmonica) brother Chris (bass and backup vocals) and other brother Chris (trumpet) are all in the band as well as some other talented and good friends. If you ever want to dance the whole night, check em out.

Yesterday was Aprl Fools day. I had a couple good gags I played on folks…convincing a buddy Jake I was moving to the east coast for two years near him (cruel actually). That a kid was on the way (ok this is downright wrong, but someone in particular phil had it coming). And another, that I was going back to work at Upper Deck (Aaron). I am sure I will get ripped next year for these, but hey, anything to get a laugh and be kolohe (mischeiveous) is ok yea?

I hope this finds everyone super great. Props to my good friend Mark Juliano on the East Coast who has become a running machine of late and makes me feel guilty for not running more but inspires me none the less. Here’s to a good April bro, and sayanara to March for you and Celina.

Aloha all,
Pineapple

Recent rules to a happy life…

• #304 “Pay attention to coincidences.”
• #305 “always have ice cream stocked in the freezer”
• #306 “you never regret saying I love you. You only regret having not said it.”
• #307 “Always carry a uke”
• #308 “Try to live each day a little different and a little better than the last.”
• #309 “‘A’ole pau ka ‘ike i ka hālau ho’okahi (Not all knowledge is exhausted by a single school)”

Hi everyone, you are probably wondering about the vague, yet oddly descriptive post title. Well, I am here to share my stoke on how the canoe paddling has been going but also talk about so many good folks losing their jobs.

We’ll start with the less then fun dialog…jobs and the economy. Upper Deck yesterday laid off another 30plus employees in San Diego, I heard another 30 in Las Vegas. The company, once at 400 just over a year and a half ago, now sits between 200-250. Yesterday was another rough one for alot of good- rather- great folks. Those who lost their jobs, and those who stayed onboard. grateful to have a job, but now working harder (offset the jobs that were eliminated) for less (10% cuts across the board). Then today, I got an I.M. from the web marketing manager at one of my best client companies. She (my contact, liaison, and I consider friend) had been laid off there with a few others.

There are so many talented people looking for work right now. And those who have jobs are miserable, working their tails off, and dealing with poor morale all around them. This recession is real. Because I know so many diversely talented folks, I am trying to formulate a way to showcase them…in hopes that even just one can land a job. I am open to any ideas or suggestions…something between a cross of craigslist and linkedin. Maybe a website where I post resumes of folks along with their job talents and personally vouch for them. Maybe those on there can also do the same for folks they know. I’m sure its not revolutionary, but maybe a more personable group approach instead of a large group approach can help. Not sure, I am just typing it over outloud…:P

On to happier stuff…I had my third practice last night for the Ikuna Koa Canoe team. I’m sold (literally cus dues aren’t cheap:P) on joining for this season. Everyone seems real cool, and the workouts are fun. Go figure, skinny little me paddling with 5 others across the bay and into the open ocean for workouts and eventually races! I bought my first paddle yesterday (The Kalo, shown to the left). I look forward to many long and rewarding paddles, and lots of new aloha being shared.

I hope you are all doing well that read this. I am trying to update more regularly.

Hiya folks. The latest installment of my adventures is that I am going to join and paddle for an outrigger canoe team! The group is called Ikuna Koa (victory, strength) and they seem pretty cool. A real focus on the hawaiian culture which is important to me, and a neat sense of ohana (family). I look forward to sending out updates for this new challenge I am undertaking. For more info on the club, visit www.ikunakoa.com.

I will be in touch!

Aloha, Clarke

Wow, time flies. 2008 was one of the most challenging years I have experienced in over 30 plus rounds. Despite all the negative things though, it was also a year of growth, challenge, and great success.

ClarkeDesign has been a wonderful journey so far. I just relaunched my professional website (www.ClarkeDesign.net) after 8 years of the previous design. It now boasts a vast client database, articles, testimonials, and a fresh lighter look.

CNET

I am planning to do my Paddle for a Cause either in May or September. Stay tuned for details on this exciting effort and journey I will be taking on.

Health-wise, Stef and I are both doing good. With a half a thyroid between the two of us, we manage to keep eachother in check quite well.

Take care everyone, I’ll try and do more posts soon!

Since the triathlon I have really neglected things around here. Sorry. I will try and contribute some more fun posts soon.

In the meantime, the big news is I would like to welcome a new addition to my family…an iphone*! thats right, I have hopped onto the modern age and have a kick butt new toy to answer calls/email/surf the web/take pix, and who knows what else!

*(tsk tsk if you thought it was anything else!)

1 week after the Tri, I am figuring out what next goal to go after, and cranking through some really fun projects with ClarkeDesign. I just came across a link, called: “The Story of Stuff“. Give it a look if you a little time for a lesson on where our stuff comes from and the impact we make.

Tomorrow is my 2 year anniversary with the lovely wife. Lets hope I don’t forget in the next 17 hours!!!
-Clarke

update: 10/7 11:13pm:The splits are posted now at Mission Bay Triathlon page.

NAME: CLARKE GRAVES - AGE: 31 - CITY: SAN DIEGO - WAVE: 5
CATEGORY: MALE 30-34 - AGE GROUP PLACE: 47/151
OVERALL RANK: 283/1458
SWIM RANK: 441 - SWIM: 0:09:36
Transition 1: 0:03:50
BIKE RANK: 550 - BIKE: 0:32:51
Transition 2: 0:01:15
RUN RANK: 69 - RUN: 0:20:30
FINISH: 1:08:02
Congrats to Sean Cody, Relay Team “Let’s Beat Sean”, Phil Starkovich who also participated and kicked uber butt!

Pictures from the bike were not taken since it was out of range from spectators and well, I was just too darn fast! I might be getting some more in the next week so I will post them too.

1. Walking the bridge to the race area…contemplating my options… 2. Sunrise on our start. 3. Piranhas in the water!!! 4. Nice hair Clarke! You better have a good excuse.

1 2
3 4

5. Clarke on the run with a pack on his tail. 6. Kick!!! 7. Finish. 8. This is Phil. He got me doing this whole thing..Thanks?
5 6
7 8

9. And there will be blood. 10. Clarke with da mamma. She never missed a race of mine in high school, and was not going to miss this one! 11. Bike holding Clarke up as he heads back to the car. 12. Recovering Clarke on the couch with phone and remotes to preempt having to get up for the rest of the day.
9 10
11 12

Final results are to be posted here, but the individual event splits are not there yet…I will be eagerly awaiting those.