Pepperdine in Patagonia

A shout out to the crew at Patagonia for the threads that us got us through the grind of training, the intensity of game-day, and even our classiest of occasions.

Machado Deer Cabin

The MachPit rang up my cellular device earlier in the summer and pitched a weekend trip to his families deer hunting cabin in Henry Coe State Park. The pitched involved shotgun shooting, sailing, fishing, beers, chews, 4 wheeling, and bags. The trip delivered on all of these and more.

I whooped on him in the sailing, fishing, and bags competitions but he killed it in the shotgun shooting arena. Big Ups Mach, now you just gotta transfer those skills to the duck blind.

Im dying for a trip back to grow out my beard and kill stuff.

Collen Hanley

"surfing is one of the best metaphors for life"

some artists depict these metaphors in a real inspiring and raw form.

like this baller Collen Hanley.

"It's Not About the Coffee"

Currently reading a little nugget about Starbucks and its leadership principles by Howard Behar.

I am not the biggest fan of Starbucks coffee but I am a huge fan of success stories in business like that of Starbucks. The growth of Starbucks as an international culture is inspiring and eye-opening in every chapter.

Some ideas that have resonated so far...

-WEAR ONE HAT: Be clear about your values, purpose, goals. Implement them into everything you do.

-Define your passion and your strengths and goals will come more sharply into focus.

This just in the first 1/4 of the book.

I am excited to put time aside to learn and grow with the wisdom shared in this book.

THE DEVIL MAKES THREE

I haven't had a chance to give The Devil Makes Three a listen since before I left for Australia in October 2009.
I was made aware, by The Breezy, that they will be performing at this years Outside Lands Festival in SF August 14th and 15th.
The line up for this festival is turning out to produce one of the best festivals of the year, probably the best in the US.
Super excited for the 14th and 15th!

SO IN RIGHT NOW

I really like this design style that is coming back in right now. This is for a promotion for the anniversary of a local magazine in Menlo Park.

Who is the artist?

I hate it when you can't find the artist that designed an ad piece.

Not enough credit to those talented graphic specialists out there.

I am going to borrow the concept for a piece I am putting together.

Since I can't find the artist who made it- Thanks for inspiration!

Performance Water Polo

A great new program for developing young athletes mental and physical strengths for advanced water polo. Founded by the Head Coach at Pepperdine University, Performance Water Polo is leading the way in advanced camp instruction.

http://www.performancewaterpolo.com/

Sioux City Kid and Revolutionary Ramblers

The up and coming band from San Francisco has just solidified themselves as the best local band in the SF Bay Area.

Winning the Live 105 Battle of the Bands in SF, Sioux City Kid earned themselves the headline spot on the local stage at this years BFD Festival in Mountain View, CA.

I had the chance the see them last week in SF and picked up their album. Best $5 I've ever spent!

If you have not seen them; go to BFD.

If you have not heard them; go buy their new album.

If you have not heard of them...you're welcome!

Project WOO Lauches Surf 'n' Serve

Project Wave of Optimism is a non-profit surfing organization putting together Surf Trips to Nicaragua combining surfing great waves and serving the local community of Gigante. They are putting together some really impressive benefits for the cities they impact. The program allows surfers to give back to the cities for welcoming the global surfing community and sharing great waves.

I was lucky enough to get back from Australia in time to see my little brother and friends graduate from college. We heard a lot of impressive reflections but the thing that stuck with me the most was what the speaker at the Baccalaureate mass said. He challenged the graduates to always think about how they can leave a place better than when they arrived. Project Woo seems to be trying to accomplish just that in Nicaragua.

"Together, we can ensure that surfing leaves a positive footprint around the world." -projectwoo.com

Check out the site for your next surf trip.

http://www.projectwoo.org/

'Get Caned'

My experience in Australia, especially Newcastle, can only described as an experience of a lifetime. As I touched on before, it is the people whom you miss most when you leave somewhere that begins to feel like home. All the individuals and families that took me in as a 'mate' and even another son; I send 1,000 thank you's.
The Hunter Hurricanes provided an incredible experience for me throughout my journey down under. Immersing yourself into a new culture and amongst a new water polo can be very overwhelming. The Hurricanes made my assimilation amongst my teammates, coaches, and families of the club in Australia very smooth. I reflect on my time there as not just an import player for The Hurricanes but more a connection of good mates and family that I will carry for a lifetime.
As much as I was excited to get home to Malibu, I am already excited about my next trip back to Newcastle.
Go Canes!

Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk

Glenn and I completed the 1,500 or so steps up and around the Sydney Harbour Bridge last night. I am quite sure I would have skipped all touristy type activities if the folks had not come out. Interestingly, my dad and I were the only two foreigners on the climb. I was inspired to seek out some tourist attractions when I get home. I'll probably skip the 'See the Stars' in Hollywood tour but I am sure we have some top tourist attractions in LA.

The Marriott here in Circular Quay has an Executive Lounge that is my new favorite thing in Sydney. Last night we enjoyed the appetizers and open bar for 3 hours and this morning was the breakie buffet and fresh coffee.

We have been invited to Picass' house for dinner. He is a professor at the University of Sydney now but lived with mom and dad when he was studying at Stanford. I believe we are going for a traditional Indian Cuisine, something I have become a huge fan of since my time here.

It's Game day though...I have to start warming up the bar-in machine.

Muffin and Glenn-Down Under

I am happy to report a couple things from Newcastle today.

The Muffin and Glenn arrive tomorrow into Sydney and begin there short visit here. I am real excited I get to show them around Newy and especially pumped for the Hamilton Island Trip we are taking.

Secondly, we have been receiving some last minute swells in Newcastle. Tyler and I got fun waves at a spot close to 'Granny's' called Dickson Park (Dycko). I didn't have to put sunscreen on since I spent the whole afternoon covered up** Tyler on the other hand was lapping it on.

Tyler's awesome girlfriend is visiting from home now too. She loves coffee and thus is all good in my book.

Hopefully we will see an 'Arvo'(afternoon) surf session after my coffee break here at Long Bench on Darby Street.

Hurricanes Season Closer

Coming to end of another chapter on Sunday as I suit up for my final game as a Hunter Hurricane.

It has been quite some time since my last post but only because I have been intensely busy. I started working with Robbo and Bairdy as a pudding and sanding expert for their painting business R&B Painting Solutions. "If you've got paint problems, we've got solutions."

I think they should run that slogan but I have not talked them into it yet.

I realized from my time here that when you are away from your home people often want to know what it is you miss the most about home. Aside from the weekly cravings for a La Salsa 'Dabbler Platter' it is easy to say that more than anything I miss friends and family.

I know it is going to be the same when I am away from what feels like my home now in Newy.

Cronulla & Belmayne

Who would win in a fight; Fight Renyold's or a Hurricanes.

We find out tomorrow afternoon in Sydney.

Road Trip

tobias almost finished his whole 'fat bastard burger'

he quit with 1 fry left...

Road Trip

The Melbourne Aquatic Center behind 'The Polar Bear'

'inspector gadget'

Melbourne & Adelaide

We recently returned from our 4 day road trip to Melbourne and Adelaide. We left Thursday morning and arrived in Melbourne at around 1pm. We had enough time to check into the hotel, grab the best kabab of my life, and then make our way to the Melbourne Aquatic Center. The M.A.C. is home to the sweetest competition pool I have ever played in.

The Victorian Tigers(Melbourne) are a top notch team in the competition here and they proved it over the weekend. Thursday night was closer than Friday's game but both wins belonged to the Tigers the whole time. We had some great runs where we looked like a better squad but our consistency at that level is what is hurting us finishing out the game with a 'W.' It was good to chat with Brian Alexander(ucsb), he gets a lot of surf at Bell's Beach only an hour away.

After 2 tough losses in Melbourne we were off to Adelaide for 2 more games to complete our 4 game road trip. From the brief times we were able to roam the streets, I decided I really enjoy Adelaide. We were roomed in these sweet little beach side bungalows and the lucky guy I am I got to share a room with Mitch Baird. He is a 6-8 polar bear of a man.

We posted a loss the first day in Adelaide but came back with a strong win on Sunday dominating the game. Every team I have been on has had one pivotal moment in a season. That moment makes or break the success of a team in the short and long term. After our loss in Adelaide, a game we should have never given up, we decided we all want to be top competitors in the National League. The next day we came back and played some of our best polo. It was a good way to end the road trip, so it was off to the local pub for some schooners of stella with the Adelaide Jets.

Jp Racks 2 against Germany

USA defeats Germany 13-9.

http://usawaterpolo.org/SingleNews/10-02-20/USA_Men_s_National_Team_Tops_Germany_13-9.aspx?ReturnURL=%2fHome.aspx

Hurricanes: 3-1-1

We had a good win this weekend against Cronulla at home to set us up for our road trip to Melbourne and Adelaid. We leave for Melbourne on Thursday and go on a four game road trip through Sunday. I am excited to see Melbourne and experience a bit of Aus outside of Sydney and Newcastle.
My little baby brother Jp has departed for Germany with team USA for training and eventually to compete in the Volvo Cup in Hungary. He is blogging his adventures at jpmacdonell.posterous.com Check him out.

The surf has been on for the past couple of days...Finally.

National League Record

Hurricanes

2-1-1

An even score at the end of 4 quarters of play in the National League ends the game in a draw. No overtime! Our game Saturday evening was tied up at the end of the 4th quarter and as I prepared to bludge my cramping legs into 10 more minutes of polo, the rest of the players were getting out of the pool. The realization of the draw was bitter sweet; no overtime but also no winner.

A solid week of training coming up after a hilarious time out on the creep last night.

Vancouver 2010: Top Shelf Campaign

The 2010 Winter Olympics Vancouver Campaign has been amazing to watch and the story behind the scenes is even more intense.

The Design Director, Leo Obstbaum, died of natural causes in late 2009 right as his campaign was coming to fruition.

file:///Users/sambishop/Desktop/A%20Gold%20Medal%20Win-%20the%20Vancouver%202010%20Campaign.webloc

Fergus, Anne, Matt, and Alex Bennie had Tyler and I over for a massive dinner the other night. The dinner came at a perfect timing as the stock in our fridge at Granny's house has been dwindling at a rapid pace. We have been hitting the Oatmeal pretty hard for the last week or so. Not only did they have us over for dinner but they also sent us home with a full lasagna for the freezer and other essentials. At the end of the meal and much to my surprise out came the cake, candles, and beautiful rendition of 'Happy Birthday' by the dinner crew.

I was also afforded the opportunity to feed an East Coast Water Dragon that was perched behind the Bennies house after dinner. Largest lizard I have ever seen, by far.

Unfortunately there is no recent news regarding any barrels because of the very disappointing lull in swells hitting the east coast. It has been especially irritating as the lack of swell has coincided with my reading of 'Breathe' by Tim Winton. An autobiographical account of the experiences and upbringing of an inland kid who finds an addiction to attacking fear through riding waves. Awesome book suggested to me by the legend, Terry Kachel.

We have a our 3rd and 4th games coming up this weekend in Newcastle. Saturday Evening and Sunday Morning the Hurricanes will face off against the 'Kentucky Fried Chicken' team. We are 2-0 at the moment so hopefully we will be able to continue our streak to 4-0 after the weekend. --WorldWideExpress has committed to a Cap Sponsorship in support of the Hunter Hurricanes. We are very happy to add WWEX to our sponsorship family for the 2010 season.

Logo Elements

Great logos also have a great story behind how and why it was developed. I like this one for the City of Brotherly Love

http://www.logodesignlove.com/philadelphia-history-museum

Lake Macquarie solidified it's rank as the number 1 team in Australia's Country Club Water Polo League.

The Hunter Hurricanes are 2-0 in National League play.

Our home opener was Tuesday night against the University of Western Australia.

I awoke from my pleasant slumber Tuesday morning with the morning thrill of "gameday." The air was rich with a hint of salt and sulfur, I predicted rain in the near future. As the coffee was brewed and Tyler still snoring, I prepared for a day in which I vowed not to sit inside and watch "Underbelly" for 7 hours again. After a cup of my favorite home brew, my backpack was filled with the days essentials and I was cruising down the hill, by way of skate.

Fast-forwarding through hours of sipping down picolo lates and skyping various legends as Edward tedward Smith and Matthew matthew Wise I started the pre-game warm-up at Lambton Pool. Guess who walks in next... (Emilio Esteves) Thomas Jasper. A former member of the Pepperdine Waves and Western Australian Native. It was great catching up with Jasper as when he graduated I was pretty sure I was never going to see him again. I owe him so much from my college career, specifically for teaching me a game called ZOOM, SHWARTZ, PAFIGLIANO.

We won our games and Tyler and I both got some ink in the score card, a successful season opener.

Country Club Polo Tourney

The Lake Macquarie Dolphins are flipping and flopping their way into the championship game at the Annual Country Club Water Polo Tournament held in Newcastle this year. The Dolphins got off to a whale of start on Saturday morning winning the first 2 games by a heap of goals. Sunday's matches were dominated in much the same fashion as The Dolphins made their way to the Semi's.

The Country Club Tournament is one of kind in it's ability to attract serious polo during the day as well as serious good times in the evening. The Saturday night function was held at the Hamilton RSL and included stiff drinks, dance parties, and good times. Sunday morning, though most players were lacking sufficient sleep from the night before, provided a great match between The Dolphins and Woy Woy. Mitchel Baird and Daniel Robinson both gave great efforts but just could not mustard enough strength to overcome the ferocious nature of The Dolphins.

I got work off today(Monday) and tomorrow on account of Australia day, enabling me to play in the 11:30 game this afternoon. If we win, we will be swimming to the finals later in the day.

I will be back with updates after we win the Finals.

Michale throwing down a chomper at the Races. (pictured above)

Race Day was filled with high and lows. Some punters winning, and some losing. Michale had some good bets but now needs a new phone.

Blue skies and surf today...

Flipped it Again...Bam

Back in Newcastle and at it again.

Key updates for all you avid followers of BAR INS and BARRELS(mom)

-Tyler Jemmett has arrived. Recent graduate from UCLA and has decided to come out and play for the Hurricanes.

-The Campbell's have put us up in Nick's Grandma's house. A classic spot perched on the Mereweather hill in Newy.

-Got a job. It involves driving and laundry. Two things most of you know I am very fond of.

Our first game is February 2nd. I am real excited for the season to start as I will have a great opportunity to travel and see some parts of Australia I have yet to dabble into.

More updates to come as I get into this job and training again.

Mathew Richard