Day 20: In Search Of Gnar

#YourTurnChallenge was a 7-day blogging challenge started by Seth Godin's Special Projects Lead Winnie, which I was honored to take part in. And I'm gonna keep going!!! I've decided to extend the challenge to 30 days. I will blog everyday from Jan 19th until Feb 17th. Wish me luck and happy reading. 
 

In September I’m taking part in my very first downhill race. Thanks to Amanda Batty and her ProvingPossible Program. The #ProvingPossible project is an ongoing effort to inspire women all over the world to 'Prove Your Own Possible'. They're focused on helping women and girls push their limits by trying new sports to raise the level of both female progression and recognition inside of the action sports industry. This program will finance my very first downhill race entry fee. Rad, thank you.

And holy shit, I’ve got to get my ass on the bike. With my crazy work schedule it’s been hard to find time. That’s why I’ve switched things up. I’m working less and in turn making less money. This also means I’m on a pretty tight budget but if that’s what it takes to ride I’m game.

I’m also trying to get back into bike events like racing or fun rides. This helps improve my skills and involves me in bike communities. This weekend will kick off this year’s festivities with Arizona Single Speed. I know no idea what this means except that I will be borrowing my friends single speed bike (no gears) and hitting up 40 miles of singletrack in Arizona. The rumor is that the course is evil hard. Way to start off small Casey.

I was hoping to have some training time but no. I haven’t ridden 40 miles in months. My last long ride was 20 miles of some what flat paved road on my skinner tires. I think I’m gonna get my ass kicked. Okay, you’re right, I’m gonna get my ass handed to me. Bring it on. Gotta get back in the saddle some how. Plus my goal for the weekend is to just have fun, enjoy being on the bike and with a new bike community. If I finish that’s great if I don’t at least I’m getting out there and doing, not just talking about it. Wish me luck.  

Link to Amanda’s #ProvingPossible Project

http://www.amandabatty.com/#!provingpossible/cdaj

*I'd love to hear from you, have questions? Comments? Please contact me at casey [at] caseyshepparddesigns [dot] com Thank you again for reading*   

Day 19: Block That Writer

 #YourTurnChallenge was a 7-day blogging challenge started by Seth Godin's Special Projects Lead Winnie, which I was honored to take part in. And I'm gonna keep going!!! I've decided to extend the challenge to 30 days. I will blog everyday from Jan 19th until Feb 17th. Wish me luck and happy reading. 

I knew this could happen. I didn’t really think it would since my mind never really shuts off or shuts up. I thought I would totally make it 30 days in a row without succumbing to the dreadful….err…uhhhmmm…oh I can’t think of the words….ah ha…writers block!!!

Even though I find myself constantly thinking of something to write about, I’m even thinking of something right now but when I go to put it on the page I’m not motivated. I’m hoping that this is a transition that happens and once I hang on for a couple more days I’ll break through to some free flowing Pulitzer goods. So what do I do til then? Write these jabbering uninviting words to born us both to tears??? Okay let’s look at this logically. It’s what, day 17…no 18, maybe more….wow. I’m trying to focus on writing something insightful, interesting and that can hold the addition of someone like me. And everything should flow nicely together, nothing choppy. And do I know what I’m talking about or am I full of shit. Need to fact check. Then spell check. Grammar check. Edit, read and then re-read. Oh man, I’m kind of dizzy…I feel like I’ve been chasing my tail round round round round round round again. Where’s the catnip?

*I'd love to hear from you, have questions? Comments? Please contact me at casey [at] caseyshepparddesigns [dot] com Thank you again for reading*  

Day 18: Heart of the Beast

#YourTurnChallenge was a 7-day blogging challenge started by Seth Godin's Special Projects Lead Winnie, which I was honored to take part in. And I'm gonna keep going!!! I've decided to extend the challenge to 30 days. I will blog everyday from Jan 19th until Feb 17th. Wish me luck and happy reading. 

Seven years ago this St. Patrick’s Day I took on something bigger than I could have ever imagined. I became a first time dog owner and to 2 month old boxer, no less. If you aren’t familiar with the mentality of this beast than you are really missing out, they are loving, loyal, kind and hyper as hell. When people meet India they comment on how sweet she is and notice how well we get along. It wasn’t like that at the beginning. For the first six months of our relationship we couldn’t stand each other, at times loathed each other. This was just when we played in the yard. Walks, oh man…I’d have to stop and take a break so I won’t kill her. As I would sit on a park bench trying to regain my cool, India would sit far away from me doing the same. But things soon changed after we took a training class. Once we understood which roles we played, I am the human India is the dog, the bonding started. That bond has continued to strengthen over our seven years of companionship. 

 Even though Speed Racer is her favorite movie she also really digs Coming to America, what can I say this dog has taste!!!

What can I say about this crazy tiger striped clown? She’s a trail dog who loves bikes. She’s terrified of thunderstorms, loves pig ears, really wants to eat a cat, gallery goer, studio dog, people lover (she secretly thinks she’s human), bed hog, snuggle queen and  has the worst farts ever. But I gotta say I’ve never met a being with a bigger heart. This is probably why she has more friends than I do.

Best part about India, besides scaring everyone with her fierce 70 lbs. all muscle boxer frame? That she reminds me what unconditional love is all about. Reminds me to take a dance break while making breakfast. Reminds me that when I’m sick or sad or down and out that rubbing a dogs belly will fix it all.

 

Speaking of beasty love, please check out this beautiful article about how dreams, passion, dedication and love make things happen. This is my Bestia family. Enjoy.

http://lifeandthyme.com/interview/family-heart-bestia/

*I'd love to hear from you, have questions? Comments? Please contact me at casey [at] caseyshepparddesigns [dot] com Thank you again for reading*   

  

Day 17: Down to the Dirty

#YourTurnChallenge was a 7-day blogging challenge started by Seth Godin's Special Projects Lead Winnie, which I was honored to take part in. And I'm gonna keep going!!! I've decided to extend the challenge to 30 days. I will blog everyday from Jan 19th until Feb 17th. Wish me luck and happy reading.


My passion for tools, metal and wearable art is sometimes beyond my comprehension. What I do understand is after a few minutes at my studio bench there is a flick of a switch, like in mountain biking. It’s a kind of trance that takes me somewhere else. It feels like someone has taken over my hands and creates something that my mind had no idea they knew how to make. That’s how I know this is my passion and I’m addicted. Just like the bike and my community I’m unable to function properly without it. This gives me one of the greatest gifts, the gift to know that you’ve had a good day when you have a little dirt under your nails. 

*I'd love to hear from you, have questions? Comments? Please contact me at casey [at] caseyshepparddesigns [dot] com Thank you again for reading* 

Day 16: Line Crossing

#YourTurnChallenge was a 7-day blogging challenge started by Seth Godin's Special Projects Lead Winnie, which I was honored to take part in. And I'm gonna keep going!!! I've decided to extend the challenge to 30 days. I will blog everyday from Jan 19th until Feb 17th. Wish me luck and happy reading.


“Commitment is the line you must cross. It’s the difference between dreaming and doing.”

In my first year of mountain biking I came across this quote and many versions like it. The more experienced riders told me I needed to fully commit to a difficult skill or task while on the bike or I’d crash. It was that simple. I wasn’t sure if I believed them, could it really be that simple? Guess there is only one way to find out. I figured the best way to test their philosophy was on a group ride. I became anxious as we approached a steep difficult drop that I was very familiar with. Actually I had become a pro at somersaulting down it while clinging onto the bike. Okay, it’s show time. As I nervously reached the edge hands sweating, heart racing I told myself “you are going to do this, you totally have this. Commit Casey!!!” I was actually shouting this out to myself just incase I couldn’t hear my thoughts. The drop was so steep that I had to push myself back far enough so I won’t topple over the handle bars. My saddle (bike seat) was about in my chest but I wasn’t an acrobat today, I cleared it. Hellz Yeah, this commitment thing worked!! They were right. I was doing not dreaming. To this day all I have to do is commit and there are no crashes. In a way it made something hard easy. It was as if life had no choice but to succeed when in that state of mind. So how does this bike philosophy parallel with life? Does it translate? Will it have the same result? What if I crash or fail? I guess the only way to truly find out is to commit.

*I'd love to hear from you, have questions? Comments? Please contact me at casey [at] caseyshepparddesigns [dot] com Thank you again for reading*   

Day 15: Maintaining The Flow State

#YourTurnChallenge was a 7-day blogging challenge started by Seth Godin's Special Projects Lead Winnie, which I was honored to take part in. And I'm gonna keep going!!! I've decided to extend the challenge to 30 days. I will blog everyday from Jan 19th until Feb 17th. Wish me luck and happy reading.

The moment I’m at my best, the most free, in the flow and connected with the universe is when I’m doing what I do. And yesterday was one of those days. I’m collaborating with an artist who lives in Europe but it just happened that she was going to be in San Diego for a week. Hot damn. This means roadtrip. Since I only had a day I was going to take advantage of every moment. That’s right that means a trail ride. I packed up the bike and found an easy trail that was about 20 miles east of San Diego. The day was coming together. There was even a constant flow in traffic, no stopping, that’s so strange, especially for LA.

I’ve done this numerous times, packed up the bike, rode a trail and then meet up with a new artist. In a couple of months this will be my life for a year. I gotta say I was a bit nervous. What the hell am I doing? I can’t do this, can I? As my nerves and doubts kicked in I pulled up to the trail head. After a quick change from the California girly sundress to my biking outfit of baggy shorts, bike tshirt and bandana, I was ready to role. As I jumped on the bike and clipped in I was damn giddy! And after bout two minutes the usually flick of the switch happened. I was flying, peddling as fast as I could through loss dirt and gravel. Even though the trail was pretty flat there were a few kickers that I hit full speed in hopes to catch a little air. I was free. I was out of my head in nature and hanging with one of the raddest steeds ever, skidmark (my bike). When I didn’t think it could get any better the sun popped out its pretty shinny face. As I sped back to the car, I laughed as I sang out as loud as I could to Tom Petty…I’m free….free falling. Yeah universe, I feel ya.

Time to load up the bike, hit the gas station restroom which I would use to convert myself, for the last time today, into my normal chilled out artist grab with motor cycle boots…to boot.

While driving into San Diego I was feeling good, really good actually. My job at the Beast is so physical that my body always hurts. Today’s ride felt as if it kicked me back into the cyclists that I haven’t seen since I moved to LA. I’ve missed her and it was nice to have her back even if it was just for the day. I was now getting nervous to meet the artist. I really only knew her by conversing over emails for the past couple of months. But I always get a little nervous before meeting someone new, that’s normal. Plus today was a good day, I was feeling it. Venture on.

We meet on the beach. It was short and kind of awkward at first. But today was a day of planets aligning, even for the strange awkward ones. When we talked about our project the nerves started to disappear and we found ourselves geeking out. This was a blast. After a few hours I was back in the car heading home to LA. As I drove I thought about the day which seemed unrushed. Usually I feel like time is getting away from me, not today. We just worked and without any effort. I could live this day over and over again without getting frustrated or bored. I’d dig it to the point that would make Bill Murray jealous (I had to go there its Groundhogs day damnit…okay…booo). 

*I'd love to hear from you, have questions? Comments? Please contact me at casey [at] caseyshepparddesigns [dot] com Thank you again for reading*   

 

Day 14: What's In A Name?

#YourTurnChallenge was a 7-day blogging challenge started by Seth Godin's Special Projects Lead Winnie, which I was honored to take part in. And I'm gonna keep going!!! I've decided to extend the challenge to 30 days. I will blog everyday from Jan 19th until Feb 17th. Wish me luck and happy reading.

As a kid I very much disliked my name because everyone thought I was a boy. Okay, I was named after a guy, my great grandfather or was it my great great grandfather? Even though I was a tomboy I was not a boy! To add insult to injury when we traveled not one place had my name on any of their tacky souvenirs. But it looked like a girl named Candy totally scored; she was one of the lucky ones. So if I had a girls name would that change anything? Since I have a boys name did that define me? What is in a name, anyways?

Before I got India (my super rad boxer) I did some research. I was nervous about owning a dog and wanted to do it right. I had never owned a dog, a hamster once and a cat, that’s it. The hamster escaped and was never seen again, same with the cat. I didn’t want a strike three. So I turned to the pros and I listened to Caesar Millan’s book on tape. He suggested naming your animal before you meet them so you won’t define the dog by their behavior. Let’s say you have a hyper dog and you decide to call him Spaz. You have now forever associated the dog with being a Spaz so it will be a Spaz, through and through. I decided that I wanted India’s name to come from a calm centered place and since I’m really into yoga her name is a reflection of yogas birthplace. So is India defined by her name, nope, she’s a spaz!

Why all this name obsession? I’m struggling to name my project. Nothing has come out and spoken to me…well not really anyways. I’m trying to take careful thought and make sure that this project has a profound name. NastyGal is named after a super rad bad ass song, I wanna have a rad name too. But will the name define what happens with this project? Define how people view me? Do people, bands, companies become defined by their name or vise versa?  What if I choose a dumb name? Holy shit, I think I just had a Woody Allen moment. Oh crap, see, he’s even defined by his name.

My brain hurts. Too much thinking and over thinking, I think it's time to NOT think. Time to let go of the spaz, center myself and maybe have a bit of candy.

*I'd love to hear from you, have questions? Comments? Please contact me at casey [at] caseyshepparddesigns [dot] com Thank you again for reading*