As you can see, I had a little bit of everything for my Thanksgiving dinner this year! (notice my awesome plate management skills I used to ensure everything is organized correctly This photo is from a set of photos I snapped when I was back home visiting my family- you can view the full slideshow on flickr.

While in Las Vegas at the IAAPA conference, I was able to sneak some time to do some photowalking on the strip. Here are my 3 favs from the photowalk (see below). You can view the rest of my photos from Vegas on my flickr account.

While wandering the expo floor- I noticed this wonderful huge cut-out promoting a 3D version of the Wizard of Oz. Being that I’m from Kansas (and proud of it!) I thought what a great photo-op!

This “joker” I met was an interesting character- he was just wandering the strip dressed as the joker looking for tips. What I wasn’t able to capture was how true-to-the-movie his impersonation of the joker laugh was. It was so creepy to hear, it gave me goosebumps.

I recently traveled with a client of mine to attend the ‘09 IAAPA conference. Basically, it’s a huge international expo that brings together everyone from amusement parks and any entertainment venue (e.g. Chucky Cheese, Six Flags). While wandering around the expo, I noticed this fantastic photo booth that puts augmented reality into motion.

The company that developed this mentioned that this is yet to be released to the public- but it will be very soon. Check out the short video blog (above) I shot of me demoing the photo booth. I wonder if it’s possible to allow multiple people to do this type of a photo booth at the same time?

If you follow me on Twitter, you probably see my Tweets talking about Timberland’s Earthkeepers (www.earthkeeper.com), a website project that I lead from concept, design to development which launched earlier this year. Recently, it won the Gold award in the “Green” category of the Davey Awards! The contest is an international competition and has over 4,000 entries every year- so I was stoked to hear the great news of winning the gold!

I thought use a blog post entry to share with you some details about my involvement in leading this project full disclosure: this is not a paid blog post- I’m writing this on my accord.

The Timberland Earthkeepers website project was is exciting to me since the goals and mission are something I personally believe in. To help you understand- let me explain the word “Earthkeepers”. First of all, it’s not a real word- Timberland made it up. “Earth”- where we all live, plus “keeper”- a protector or guardian …when combined, basically means someone who cares about the environment.

If you want the corporate mumbo-jumbo description, here’s the official Timberland take on the Earthkeepers mission:

“We at Timberland started Earthkeepers because we love the outdoors. Making outdoor boots, shoes and gear is what we do for a living. No more outdoors means no more living. For us—or anyone else. Of course, we realize that by making our products, we’re part of the problem. We believe it’s time for companies, like ours, to take a look at how the way they do business affects the environment and do something about it. Earthkeepers is one way we’re trying to do exactly that. Our goal—inspire and engage one million Earthkeepers.”

Pretty cool huh? I think so. If you’re curious for more information, take a look around at the website for more information. There are several exciting updates and enhancements on the road map.

When I first started working on this project, I was aware of the popular environmental issues and general steps you can take to help- but I certainly wasn’t exposed to the deeper niche topics. It was is a fun education process learning about all the aspects of the eco-conscious mindset. There’s a quote that I learned that I share with others that really hits the nail on the head of why a movement like this is so powerful:

Small changes, when aggregated on a large scale, can make a big change in the world.

What’s even more interesting is the positioning of Timberland’s Earthkeepers program is seeing a retail company not only embrace this attitude- but running with it and taking actions quickly. This movement is being driven by everyone in the company, including the person at the top, their CEO, Jeff Swartz. If you’re lucky enough to hear Jeff talk, he describes so fluidly his personal passion and mission of the eco-concious mindset companies should adopt. Furthermore, he uses Twitter to affect the masses of people and/or other CEOs.

Seeing and hearing all the things Timberland has dedicated itself to is exhausting (and I’m not just saying that because they’re my client). They do everything from planting over 1 million trees worldwide, to things like Timberland’s CEO banned bottled water at all their corporate offices.

Personally, since I’ve started this project, I’ve learned so much and started to take steps of my own: I now use a reusable water bottle at work and at home, I use reusable grocery sacks, I’ve convinced our office to not buy styrofoam cups or plates, I even created an Earth Day video blog earlier this year to get the good word out …just to mention a few.

I’m really excited to be leading the Earthkeepers website development- there’s lot of exciting things happening now and lined up for the future. For example, Wyclef Jean recently was announced as our celebrity spokesperson!! Keep tabs on www.earthkeeper.com for updates.
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I took the following picture with my iPhone (above) tonight while at Allen Fieldhouse, it was the second Kansas Jayhawks basketball game of the season (my alma mater). While the picture quality isn’t great, it also can’t express the emotions I felt …going back to Allen Fieldhouse to watch a game gave me chills (hey, stick with me, this blog post isn’t about sports- I promise).

You almost feel like a kid again with the stimulating emotions that flow through you when you walk into Allen Fieldhouse. Looking around, gazing, taking the rich old history of the arena (you can almost smell it), soaking it up for everything it’s worth. And nothing can replace the excitement you get of the pre-game traditions and in-game cheers ‘n chants you yell along with the entire band + student section.

As a loyal KU grad, the experience certainly takes me back and I bask in the moment every time I’m lucky enough to attend a game. Going to tonight’s basketball game reminded me of a great quote I love to share because it rings so true:

“Experiences satisfy the soul”.

This quote can be interpreted into several meanings -but what it encapsulates, is what we all long for…

…in this world of smartphones, iPhones, g-chat, crackberrys, the Internet, HDTVs, Facebook, iPods, Wii’s …there’s a lot of “virtual” technology out there that certainly keeps us entertained. Everything is moving so fast and screaming for your attention with alerts and asking you to multi-task just to get it all done. However, with all of these electronics and virtual entertainment that exist, they can’t replace the compelling and moving experience of a great- authentic- real life experience. For me, I know going to a KU game is one way I “satisfy the soul” with an experience that I cherish.

I’ve realized on any given day the things I choose to do (work or play), for the most part, are all very carefully calculated choices. Everything has rationale, justification and is prioritized accordingly. However, I make sure to never lose sight of the fact a great experience is worth a lot. Living in the moment- devoting your full attention to things that matter most- enjoying the experience …it makes all the difference.

It’s the experience that you remember and walk away with. So regardless if you are the one providing the experience OR you’re just there to take it in yourself- just remember the weight in which it’s worth. It can mean the world to someone.
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This month, a new facility opened in the Kansas City area- one that houses the Missouri Mavericks minor league hockey team. The venue is located outside of KC in Harry Truman’s stomping grounds- Independence, Missouri.

Full Disclosure: the staff contacted me directly and invited me to visit. I was not paid or compensated for my coverage and review of the event center.

I snapped a few photos of the facilities and shot a video blog. Both of which you should check out if you’re interested to see what it’s like. Here’s my video blog tour of the building:

Here are quick facts the Independence Event Center:

• The building holds 5,800 people, with 25 private suites
• The project cost $68 million to build (Sprint Center cost $276 million)
• Tickets to a Missouri Mavericks hockey game range from $12 – $35
• Free parking
• There are actually two ice rinks: 1 in the main building, 1 in the Community Ice building
• The building is multi-purpose; it’ll also be used for concerts and other events

During my visit I was a bit surprised in what I found (both in a good and bad way). Here are my thoughts on…

…the building and overall design and architecture:
If you’re driving on i-70 the Independence Event Center is right off the highway. But you could easily miss it if you’re not careful (i did). It sorta looks like a large hotel from the outside. In regards to scale, it’s not even close to the size of the Sprint Center, Kauffman or Arrowhead. Nevertheless, it’s certainly not ugly- it’s just not what you’d expect for a hockey arena. On the inside it’s pretty standard issue, no real surprises (no Dallas Cowboys jumbo-tron if you’re wondering).

…event seating:
General admission has cloth upholstered seats. The suites are leather. Also, there is NO bad seats anywhere in the venue. Seriously. (I even walked around to try to find one) It’s so small that you’ve got a great view from anywhere. I can already tell concerts will be great in this facility.

…there’s community ice skating!
There are two buildings. One is the main event center- and the other is “Community Ice”. Annnnnnd the ice skating is CHEAP! It’s only $8 to skate (includes skate rental). In addition to that, they’ll have lessons for ice skating (adult + kids) and hockey (adult + kids) and birthday party rentals. Furthermore, area high school hockey leagues and teams will be practicing and playing games at the facility.

The “Ramsey Blogger Bottom-Line Review”:
If you caught my Tweet when I was there- it can be summed like this simple as this: fun, cheap and easy. The prices + the experience = great. I know most residents are bummed we didn’t get pro hockey, but this certainly still a great addition to the Kansas City area. Add it to the list of “things-you-take-people-to-if-they-are-from-out-of-town-and-you’re-looking-for-things-to-do” I’m already making plans to both attend a couple games and also check out the ice skating with some friends soon.

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Fall is absolutely gorgeous in Kansas City. I took these photos walking through the neighborhood on a sunny weekend afternoon. There were a few days in October and November when me and my friends just drove around to check out all the gorgeous trees around the neighborhood.

The night that Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift at the VMAs I remember writing down- “note to self: Kanye West at the VMAs would be a great Halloween costume”

If any of you remember seeing my Inspector Gadget costume from last year, you know I really enjoy dressing up for Halloween. Annnnnnnd I’m definitely not one to just throw a costume together last minute. One of the best parts of Halloween is the process of thinking -then- actually constructing (not purchasing) an original costume.

All that said, I snapped some photos at the Halloween party + shot a quick video blog of how the my hair was cut exactly like Kanye’s the night of the VMAs. Most of my friends were pretty shocked I did this- but everyone seemed to enjoy it. If you were wondering, I did also interrupt the DJ playing music at the party at one point of the night …in true Kanye West style

Here’s the video blog “behind the haircut + costume”:

Here’s some photos from the party. You can view the full high-resolution slideshow on flickr.

These photos are from this weekend- I managed to sneak in a round of golf here in Kansas City. It was a gorgeous 70 degrees (and it’s November!). Golf for me is one of my favorite ways to relax in life. It’s my decompression from the stress of business and the everyday craziness. For the most part, I’m electronics free and unplugged when I play (although I do take my camera + cell phone with me, but use them sparingly).

Both the personal challenge (you vs. the course) plus the time I’m able to spend chatting with good friends makes golf an enjoyable sport and great decompression activity.

What do you do to decompress from the stress of life? How do you unwind and reset on life?