The Adventure School » Adventurer Profile

In honor of yesterday’s NBA All-Star Game, our adventurer today is noted sportswriter Nathaniel Friedman. He is the main contributor to the blog, FreeDarko, an entertaining analysis of all things NBA. Nathaniel or Friend-of-Adventure-Friedman as we call him here in Adventureville has authored (with other FreeDarko contributers) two books; 2008′s FreeDarko Presents… The Macrophenomenal Pro Basketball Almanac and his latest work, FreeDarko Presents: The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History, released in November 2010. As we have had e-commerce on the brain around here, let me just point out that team FreeDarko is selling stunning prints from the latest book here. Personally, I think the prints would make a great gift for the basketball lover in your life or you could even hang one in the room of an infant you would like to become a basketball lover/player.

Get to know Nathaniel below as we ask him the usual questions, or if you want to get to know him in real life, make sure to head down to this FreeDarko event this week in San Francisco in support of the new book.

Shoals (Friedman’s pen name), Tom Ziller and Eric Freeman come together for a panel, moderated by McSweeney’s Eli Horrowitz and sponsored by Green Apple Books.

1. What skill do you want to learn?
I’ve always wanted to be able to play the piano.

2 Food and drink you don’t want to live without?
Carbonara and coffee. Though never together.

5 Your favorite book of the moment?
The Invention of Murder by Judith Flanders. I wish I could buy it in America.

6 Describe your dream party place.
A house by the ocean, but without any real beach.

7 What is the evil version of you like?
A know-it-all who is cruel because it’s easy to be.

8 What gives you confidence?
Finding out that my writing has changed the way people see the world.

9 Name four essential elements of a good party.
-Good music
-You have to be able to hear the person next to you, and across from you
-Jews
-Cheap beer

11 Favorite adventure supply?
Google maps.

12 Describe the best party you ever a ended.
Probably something that happened in my twenties that wasn’t nearly as fun at the time. Or my wedding.

13 Hotel room or campsite?
Hotel room. I’d take a hotel room over “home”.

15 Where is your next adventure destination?
I am very tempted to say that I treat every day as an adventure. If that doesn’t work, I have to see the doctor twice this week.
16 if you could teach a class about anything in the world ever, what would you teach?
I would like to teach a fiction workshop, even though I can’t write fiction.

17 What is your motto?
Something that wouldn’t sound right unless Barbara Stanwyck said it.

P.S. Happy President’s Day, I hope you are not working and in fact BBQing in honor of Obama or some other president that tickles your fancy.

Happy Valentine’s Day! One of our favorite photographers of those pledging their everlasting love is one Mr. James Moes. Father and Husband, this man is a lover of kids, people, weddings, dancing, cool glasses and more! We asked him all the usual questions and we hope you will get to know him better today. If you are feeling romantic . . . and who isn’t? Then you should definitely check out his website to see tons of beautiful pictures of mostly young lovers and lovey feelsations. . .

2. Food and drink you don’t want to live without?
Eggs Benedict. Gin & Tonic.

3. The scariest thing you can think of?
Losing my sanity.

4. Your favorite party supply?
A nice pair of shoes.

5. Your favorite book of the moment?

Photography book: European Fields by Hans Van Der Meer. Great landscapes / documentation of low-level beer league soccer all around Europe.

6. Describe your dream party place.
A really big multi-level treehouse.

7. What is the evil version of you like?
Absolute.

8. What gives you confidence?
Hard work.

9. Name four essential elements of a good party.
People who want to dance + a DJ who know how to mix old and new + alcohol + hot eats at a late hour. And good lighting / location.

10. What do you appreciate most about a party host?
Ability to be personal with everyone, but still able to lose oneself in the party.

11. Favorite adventure supply?
Camera. Or my son Moses.

12. Describe the best party you ever a ended.
Nearly everybody jumped in the pool with or without their clothes and then returned wet to the dance floor.

13. Hotel room or campsite?
Campsite.

14. Do you have a style icon?
Erlend Øye

15. Where is your next adventure destination?
Joshua Tree. Then, Maui.

16. If you could teach a class about anything in the world ever, what would you teach?

A survey of historical figures exemplifying profound dimensions of love, co-suffering, compassion, struggle & sacrifice, mediation, and radical peacemaking.

17. What is your motto?
The truth will set you free.

18. What is your spirit animal?
I’m still trying to translate its noise. I’ve only heard its rumble/hunger and not seen its form. If you know my animal, and I know you are skilled in this, please do tell.

Hey party people, there’s a guy you may have seen from your vantage point on a crowded dance floor, but then maybe some sweat got in your eyes because your feet weren’t stopping for anything and he was gone in a flash of a disco ball. It was probably DJ Darwin of Mad Rad fame. A long time favorite DJ of us here at The Adventure School, we’ve seen him really bring the dance magic to otherwise snoozy Seattle crowds . . . be on the look out for DJ Darwin to be motivating you far and wide for the rest of 2011. I heard (on the internet from The Stranger’s blog) that they just announced a ferosh (is it okay to say ferosh? I never have before and I just wanna try it out) Sasquatch line-up tonight aka look for Darwin at the Gorge. We asked him the usual questions. The man is a party survivalist, so gather round this here digital campfire and get to learnin’.

Moving to Seattle from Buffalo NY in 2001, Darwin immersed himself in the underground raves that were thrown every weekend at Club FX & NAF Studios. Fast forward four years, dj assisting on KEXP’s electronic music show Expansions, hundreds of drum & bass gigs later, he found his calling. A chance meeting with Terry Radjaw in 2006 and the forming of local Seattle group Mad Rad with Buffalo Madonna & P Smoov, enabled Darwin to sharpen his skills even more. In a present day dj set, your likely going to hear everything from 90′s Acid House to Tribal Guarachero from Monterrey Mexico to Kwaito from South Africa.

One of the most enterprising art instigators in Seattle is also our dream girl. Folks, please meet the indubitable Whitney Ford-Terry. She’s been tearing it up lately. Check out her official bio from her website, the empty room

“A graduate of the University of Washington’s Museology program, Whitney Ford Terry organizes lectures, screenings, workshops, and events as the program coordinator at the Henry Art Gallery. She has had the opportunity to work in a variety of non-profits and museums like MoMA PS1, KEET-TV/PBS, and The Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum. As co-curator of The Hedreen Gallery, Ford-Terry helped develop HOUSE SYSTEMS, a year long experiment in ad-hoc collaboration, free choice learning, interdisciplinary study, and endurance at Seattle University. She is also an active volunteer within the arts community and a creative consultant for Lost Sound Tapes, an independent tape and record label
based out of Seattle”.

If you are lucky you will meet this woman, up your odds by dropping by the Hedreen Gallery this Friday from 12 to 1:30pm for lunch.

Dot Dot Dot, Issue 19.
Since its conception in 2000 DDD has immatured into a jocuserious fanzine-journal-orphanage based on true stories deeply concerned with art-design-music-language-literature-architecture and uptight optipessimistic stoppy/revelatory ghostwriting by friendly spirits mapping b-sides and out-takes pushing for a resolution in bleak midwinter through late summer with local and general aesthetics wound on an ever tightening coil.

Stranded in a tiny town on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau after a monsoon washed out the road. Sharing a 4x7ft room in the back of a Chinese restaurant alongside fellow travelers, monks, stock pots, chickens, and pigs. No power. Headlamps and candles. Drinking warm beer at high altitudes. Playing cards with friends and sharing adventure stories. Best party ever according to elements listed in question 9.

Athens > Patmos > Santorini > Ephesus > Jerusalem > Cairo/Giza > Alexandria > Sorrenteno > Pompeii > Rome

16. If you could teach a class about anything in the world ever, what would you teach?

Friend of adventure, Molly Moon, has started an ice cream revolution as of late! Anyone who has tasted the sweetness of Scout Mint knows what I am talking about. You can find her any given day on Capitol Hill or in Wallingford at her Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream Shops delivering the masses from their ice creamlessness. AND NOW, she has a mobile ice cream truck hitting the mean streets and cooling down the hot city with scoops of vegan Theo Coconut Kiss and ultra creamy Balsamic Strawberry. Molly Moon’s is a great woman-owned business and Molly Moon, the woman, is a huge fan of beautiful, walkable Capitol Hill. Come meet Molly at the Mobile City event this Thursday, and get to know her more right here in her Adventurer Profile!

What skill do you want to learn?
I’d like to get better at singing and playing the guitar and piano. I’d like to learn to play the cello – and the real way to paint with watercolors. It would also be nice to know how to be a better girlfriend.
Food and drink you don’t want to live without?
Croissants and coffee (oh – and ice cream)

Lots and lots of pretty dishes — and flowers!
Your favorite book of the moment?

Describe your dream party place.
Treehouse Point, Fall City, WA. The river and trees and tree houses and a hidden stage for bands in the woods!
What is the evil version of you like?
Bossy, bitchy and big-boned!
What gives you confidence?
spreadsheets
Name four essential elements of a good party.
Hilarious guests, messy food, tasty drinks, games
What do you appreciate most about a party
host?
She or he can make seamless introductions and make everyone feel as comfortable as old friends.
Favorite adventure supply?
Rope?
Describe the best party you ever attended.
One good party was when my bestie and I threw an underwear party in college. Everyone had to put all of their clothes in a cubby at the door. Then there were strong drinks and lots of body toppings on all the end tables – chocolate sauce & whipped cream & cherries.
Hotel room or campsite?
Both!
Do you have a style icon?
Ugh. You’re making me say this out loud? Am I allowed to say Carrie Bradshaw? I’m probably more like Charlotte though. But it’s ironic, I swear!
Where is your next adventure destination?
Kailua, Hawaii
If you could teach a class about anything in
the world ever, what would you teach?
Survival skills in canoes
Your motto?
Who doesn’t love ice cream?
What is your spirit animal?
Maybe a hippo? They seem relaxed. And I do like a nice bath.

“Adventure-worthy background…let’s see…I’m a native Seattleite, 26, have a twin brother, and my sign is Cancer. I spent some time in California (school + work) before moving back to Seattle, for the weather, of course. My career path has been quite varied and a bit unconventional; more recent activities include helping Matthew Dillon and Wylie Bush open The Corson Building (where I was the Program Director) and scouting Europe for Outstanding in the Field’s first International tour. I visited 5 countries – Wales, England, Denmark, Italy and Spain – in 21 days…forced to eat about 8 meals a day. They just announced the dinners on their website, and you can troll their blog for a few adventuresome posts from the trip last January. I happen to believe that food is one of a few universal languages, and therefore particularly great at bringing people together. and that’s why i do what i do.”

Food and drink you don’t want to live without?
Food: Take a spoon and dip it into some really excellent vanilla ice cream. Then take that same spoon (with the ice cream on it) and dip it into some freshly ground peanut butter. Finally, dip the spoon into your mouth and eat. Repeat. Drink – follow the same steps but liquidize using a blender

The scariest thing you can think of?
Being locked in a room full of televisions looping olive garden or red lobster commercials

Your favorite party supply?
Freeze-dried (aka Astronaut) Ice cream – Neapolitan flavor!

Your favorite book of the moment?
Breakfast, Lunch, and Tea by Rose Carrarini

Describe your dream party place.
The northbound lanes of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, closed to traffic, on a warm late-August evening.

What is the evil version of you like?
See # 18 and then picture me hovering over a hole in the ice, waiting for a baby seal pup to emerge for a breath of fresh air.

What gives you confidence?
Remembering that everyone has their own schtick. Riiiight.

Name four essential elements of a good party.
Gallerinas, ballerinas, Campari, a sunrise

Describe the best party you ever attended.
The photo evidence has been destroyed. I hope.

Where is your next adventure destination?
Probably some farms east of the mountains.

If you could teach a class about anything in the world ever, what would you teach?
Advanced Turn of Phrase

What is your spirit animal?
Undoubtedly, the polar bear. They appear warm and fuzzy on the outside but are not to be fucked with. They are hearty creatures capable of surviving an unforgiving climate*

The world is full of adventure and it is also cooking up a huge awakening around food and land usage as our industrial agriculture systems are breaking us and the planet. The fun thing about this revolution is that doing a little bit better by the land and our bodies and our animal buds opens the door to much learning and creativity. It is our absolute pleasure to introduce some dear friends and farmers, Seth Brown and Kenya Spiegel, two of the founders of Sowing Circle Farm. These ultra-creative individuals have formed a team in life, love and farming that is extremely productive and hilarious. If you ever need to get all learned up, you might want to talk to Seth and Kenya for a couple few tips. They take an unconventional approach and have been at the forefront of small urban farms and intentional communities since you were just a little grasshopper, and by that I mean, from sometime in the early to mid-aughts (way past now and way up into the future, I imagine).

A quote from the Sowing Circle Farm facebook page:
“We have joined yards with our neighbors and formed a tiny urban farm. On our farm we have four laying ducks, one runner duckling, two goats (both due to deliver kids in June), three beehives and Seth finally got his turkey”. (Eds. note: see kids here now).

To find out more, check out their farm on the internet: Sowing Circle Farm. Or better yet, head down and participate in some workshops about preserving food, beekeeping, teas and herbs along with your favorites, ducks, rain barrel flush systems and bat boxes. Here are their answers to our adventurer profile!

What skill do you want to learn?
Archery, wild plant identification and viticulture.
Food and drink you don’t want to live without?
Juice, but not carrot, and Balls of Power and Wonder. (Peanut butter, tahini, goji berries, cacao, coconut, spirulina, millet, honey, coca powder, and maca all rolled up into a delicious little sphere.)
The scariest thing you can think of?
An angry raccoon.
Your favorite party supply?
“Happy Birthday” banner.
Your favorite book of the moment?
Gaia’s Garden by Toby Hemenway
Describe your dream party place.
Washington state ferry boat, sans cars.
What is the evil version of you like?
An eco terrorist.
What gives you confidence?
Experience.
Name four essential elements of a good party.
A Washington state ferry, The Adventure School (eds note. !!!!!!!! We love you!!!!!), costumes, and dancing
What do you appreciate most about a party
host?
Danceability and creativity.
Favorite adventure supply?
Grappling hook.
Describe the best party you ever attended.
For Seth’s 30th birthday we invited friends to bring boats for a floatilla on Vancouver Lake. It was a beautiful sunny day and we had a floating stage where a dance performance took place. Everyone was in motor-less boats and wearing all blue, except for Seth, he wore all yellow. The whole day was pretty surreal.
Hotel room or campsite?
Campsite, duh!
Do you have a style icon?
Yeah lots of them, Amelia Earhart, Frida Kahlo and these guys: (see attached photo)

Where is your next adventure destination? Deer Island, OR to hang out with some survivalist friends who live in a 30ft yurt (or Ger).
If you could teach a class about anything in the world ever, what would you teach?
The importance of self-reliance
Your motto?
If you need something find it for free, if you can’t find it, make it, if you can’t make it you don’t need it.
What is your spirit animal?
Right now as a team we’re gonna have to say eagle. (Also, it rhymes with Kenya’s last name.)

Matt Dillon, the award-winning chef behind the inspired food at Sitka & Spruce and The Corson Building is our adventurer today. He will be hosting, along with us, a very fun and totally gorgeous Bastille Day Fete this Wednesday. So, before you all have a chance to taste his oysters and get drunk with him in the name of revolution, we thought you might want to get to know Matt Dillon a little bit better. Check out his profile and go say hi to him at the party on Wednesday night at his beautiful restaurant in Georgetown, The Corson Building.

Works for whole foods, eats tomatoes in January, buys pre-made ice cream base, and plays only zydeco music in his restaurant.

Wood Fired Cooking, Loud Ass Music, Bangin’ Ass Shakin’, and, of course, Love.

Ryan Bubnis and Celias wedding on the river in Oregon last year; that shit was loud. Or Bastille Day at The Corson Building. That was loud too.

70 year-old Basque Sheepherders, Che Guevarra, Josey Wales, or Lennie from Of Mice and Men.

If you could teach a class about anything in the world ever, what would you teach?

Today’s adventurer profile is internationally recognized artist, hall of famer and boyfriend of adventure Bert Rodriguez (b. 1975 Miami, FL). Here is some info that I took from his website about him: Bert has exhibited and received commissions through many prestigious institutions all over the world. Most recently, I’LL CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN GET TO IT; his fourth solo show at Fredric Snitzer Gallery, Miami (2010), IN YOUR OWN IMAGE: THE BEST OF BERT RODRIGUEZ VOL. I; a survey show presented by the Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach, FL. (2009), WHERE YOU END AND I BEGIN; A performance based installation commissioned by the Frieze Foundation on the occasion of Frieze Art Fair, London (2008), IN THE BEGINNING…; for the Whitney Biennial, New York (2008), and A WALL I BUILT WITH MY FATHER / A MEAL I MADE WITH MY MOTHER; two site specific installations for Le Plateau, FRAC Ile de France, Paris (2008). Current projects include, getting settled into his first official studio, looking for interns, moving to Seattle for the summer starting later this month, trying to eat better including discovering the magic of juicing, and training his totally adorable dog, Wilson, to be a gentleman. So folks, please give a warm adventure welcome to Bert Rodriguez and don’t be afraid to bake him cupcakes this summer to welcome him to his new (temporary) home here in Rain City.

-Being tethered to all my friends in an outer space conga line chasing space bubble cakes floating around

What is the evil version of you like?

- practically everything that has come and will come to pass in the entire universe since the beginning of time.

-the best party I ever attended…best party I ever attended…, the party they threw when I was born. I don’t completely remember it but, the world must have thrown the biggest party ever in history. It had to have been bangin’

-my 60 year old self in the future

Where is your next adventure destination?

If you could teach a class about anything in the world ever, what would you teach?

-it would be called “think about it”. It would be a completely white room flooded with light and the walls blending into the floor and ceiling so you couldn’t tell where they began or ended. Everyday, I would bring in a different object I found and place it in the middle of this room. Everyone would get to sit around and do what the title suggests. Maybe we would talk about it?

-not sure. I have the cards but have yet to figure it out. Sounds like a good summer project. I like spiders, monkeys, puppies, and giraffes. Maybe it’s one of those. Maybe a spider monkey?

Misha West has joined The Adventure School! Wooo hooo! She has moved to Seattle from Phoenix, Arizona to become a full time adventurer here! We knew right from the start that she would be a good fit; with a background in interior design & personal shopping she is going to blog about all of your adventure lifestyle needs. AND having been a competitive figure skater for 18 years she is definitely one for keeping us on our toes! Misha is also an accomplished dancer and violinist who has volunteered in China. Long story short, this adventurer has been around the world and landed in Seattle to get the party started. She has toured the world in Disney’s High School Musical on Ice and I hear she makes a mean lasagna. Get to know Misha West below! Oh, and, send tips about the lightest backpacks, most stylish mosquito tents and other must-have adventure lifestyle gear to misha@theadventureschool.com!

What skill do you want to learn?
I’ve always regretted not being fluent in at least one other language. Since I believe that body language is the universal language, I’ve decided that I want to learn sign language!
Food and drink you don’t want to live without?
Water because I can add an assortment of things, such as a lemon wedge or even make crystal light! As for food, I could tell you the things I COULD live without but there are far too many foods that I love to list.
The scariest thing you can think of?
The conscience demise of Mother Nature!
Your favorite party supply?
Sparkles or glitter!
Your favorite book of the moment?
My ultra cool agenda book!
Describe your dream party place.
One created through brainstorming!
What is the evil version of you like?
Sleepy, hungry, & one sassy little schemer.
What gives you confidence?
That feeling you get post-overcoming an obstacle! You know…When you feel the imaginary weight lifting off your shoulders & you just want to give yourself a high five!?!
Name four essential elements of a good party.
Awesome people, tasty snacks, music, & me of course!
What do you appreciate most about a party
host?
A friendly host who’s prepared for anything & when “anything” happens it’s handled with tact & with a smile!
Favorite adventure supply?
Accessories.
Describe the best party you ever attended.
I’m convinced I have yet to attend it!
Hotel room or campsite?
Both sound good to me!
Do you have a style icon?
Ginnifer Goodwin, Ashley Olsen, Camilla Belle, & Sienna Miller
Where is your next adventure destination?
Discovering the hidden gems of Seattle!!!!
If you could teach a class about anything in
the world ever, what would you teach?
I don’t think people realize that you can learn at least one thing from everyone! So I would let them in on my little secret and then I would teach the art of color coordinating your closet…it is absolute necessity!
Your motto?
Don’t dwell on things after they’re out of your power. Just let it go. AND if it’s meant to happen, it will!
What is your spirit animal?
My “present” is the raven. I’m magical!

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