I am Keith Hernandez » Uplifting

Ole To You

keith hernandez — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:31:53 +0000

A very engaging and interesting discussion on the way we look at creativity. Such a fun inspiring talk:

“It’s impossible, that’s for sure. So let’s start working.”

keith hernandez — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:40:45 +0000

Over the weekend, I watched Man On Wire, the documentary about Phillippe Petit’s breathtaking tightrope walk across the World Trade Center’s twin towers in 1974. The movie is at once an astounding heist film (his high-wire act was unannounced and very illegal) and a re-affirmation in the power of one’s passion, dreams and motivation. From the very energetic Petit:

To me, it’s really so simple, that life should be lived on the edge. You have to exercise rebellion. To refuse to tape yourself to the rules, to refuse your own success, to refuse to repeat yourself, to see every day, every year, every idea as a true challenge. Then you will live your life on the tightrope.

Watch it and you will want to really live. Any and everything that you dare thought was impossible gets slammed up against the wall by this film, which yells “Watch me!”

My 2009 Resolutions

keith hernandez — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:44:02 +0000

Ah, resolutions. Yes, they are cliche and trite, with most of them falling by the wayside less than a week into the new year. But, everyone makes them. Why? Because it is still a great way to assess where you have come and where you still want to go. Sure, if you looked at the success rate of your resolutions it would look more like Corey Patterson’s Batting Average than the win percentage of the Patriots last year, but that’s not the point. It’s the effort and the self realization that you want to change or improve that is so valuable.

So here I go self realizing. I tried to give each resolution a tangible goal, something that is direct and quantifiable rather than an abstract thought. Sometimes, however, abstract thoughts are necessary, so they slipped in. Also, most goals are weekly or monthly goals, so if I fall off once in awhile I dont have to shit can that goal, just have to start it back up the next week.

Writing them here will hopefully keep me on my toes since it is written and for all (read: no one reads this site) to see.

2009 Resolutions:

Creative:
Read 1 book a week- fiction or non-fiction
Write 5 posts on this website a week.
Write fiction for 30 minutes a day.
Take 30 minutes to brainstorm each day. Anything. Anything at all.
Bring Camera out w/ me and take more pictures – once a week.

Health:
Run 3 times a week.
Run a half marathon by April.
Run a marathon by October.
Go to the gym 3 times a week.
Eat more for breakfast and less for dinner.
Eat fruits and vegetables. Limit snacks.
Lose 3 pounds a month for 6 months. Lose 1 pound a month for 6 after.
Do 50 push-ups a day and 7-minute abs(what about 6 minute?) every day
Get outside more. One weekend day every two weeks explore NYC with long walks.
Hike whenever i have the chance.
Try Yoga seriously.

Work/Money/Finances:
Diversify my income- 2nd job? Freelancing? Dancing in the street?
Save $400 a month. Total = $4800 for the year.
Promotion: Account Manager by the end of the fiscal (July ‘09).
Get to work earlier (9am?)
Dress more professionally
Engage in more conversations with upper management.
Share visions.

Social:
Take Abbie to a new restaurant twice a month.
Long vacations every 4 months. At least one week each time.
Say yes to invitations of any sort. Just say yes.
Make lunch plans at least once a week.

Random:
Learn HTML
Be able to cook one great dish. Cook for friends.
Master one song on guitar.
Take dance lessons.
Speak Spanish fluently.
Be open to experience new activities.
Re-localize: buy fruit/vegetables from Farmer’s Market and leave processed foods alone.

I am sure I will add to this. These are the things I thought of this morning. My main goal is to be one with now and truly appreciate each second of every day to the fullest. We are here only a short time, so it is our gift to use that time to the best of its ability and the only way to to that is appreciate every moment for what it is.

La Blogotheque will kill your entire Sunday Afternoon

keith hernandez — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 22:07:15 +0000

Found these videos by Vincent Moon while tooling around on YouTube. Was so enthralled that I went to his site, La Blogotheque: The Take-Away Shows, and spent hours watching some great videos.
Basically, this guy sets up impromptu sessions with bands who are playing around Paris that night, usually taking them outside on the streets or into Cafes, sometimes sneeking onto roofs or into buildings. Cool little videos that give you inside access to how many of these bands simply love music.
Vincent Moon’s shooting style is superb. There’s a washed out, drunken feel to it that makes me come back for more. Here’s one from Brooklyn band Yeasayer that really sums up the series. Too be honest, I didn’t really like this group until I saw this clip. The pure joy they have with music and how they incorporate the entire party into singing and having a great time is infectious.

Or if you want to your face melted in a totally different way, check out this one by Zach Condon of Beirut and Kocani Orkestar. Just having a blast:

La Blogotheque: Take Away Shows