a quick update.

032526

damn, it really has been a minute. that’s on me. where were we even?

i think last time we spoke like this, i had just gotten back from a trip to a few different countries with lany. i finally got around to sharing a few of those images actually. since then i’m trying to think about what we’ve been up to. in this weird way, sometimes it all blends together from my perspective but i suppose thats just me inside my own bubble. but let’s see..

we did go to LA for a couple days to help the team bring our campaign to life for Freaks of Nature’s new “Skin Support Electrolytes” - which was a lot of fun. we shared some bts of that as well today in fact. From there, i took a redeye to NYC to work on a project with a new to me brand that we’ll talk about later.. I was back in DC for a couple days after that but while i was there (in NYC) i was able to attend a film premiere for Saucony which was really enjoyable. After that we made our way back to LA for a handful of days to activate around the LA Marathon. This was my first time watching and photographing this race and i had such a blast. It was also a chance to continue my “women of” photo series, which i just have to say is now my absolute favorite part of race day. the amount of kindness that lives in the comments section of these photos, is so refreshing and bring such a warmness to my heart. a really nice result of these as well are the amount of amazing women, i’ve had the chance to meet and learn from as well as hear their stories about race day and the impact their experience had on them. really is such a special thing to me and i look forward to it now with each race day.

After LA, we spent some more time in the district before we popped down to Neptune Florida for a few days of writing and reflecting. Not sure if youtube is your thing but i spoke a lot in this episode.. and spoke for like 9 minutes about ilypmw.

After florida, we made our way back to the district slash virginia, where we’re writing from now. we’re basically here for another 12 hours or so before hitting the road again to close out March and then April is here and before i know it we’ll be in Boston for the marathon and then Copenhagen for my own race. It’s funny ya know, it felt like it took us forever to get the year started and just a couple days ago, i took a meeting about an event in September.. time just isn’t real sometimes.

things as of late have been pretty quiet despite a lot of travel. we’ve been really trying to find every chance to dial back in other areas of our life. if not work, training or actually spending time with people who bring joy to our life, i’ve really tried not to entertain it. i’ve come find over the last few months, the difference in how i feel not only physically but emotionally when i reserve my time for things that i enjoy. i was asked recently about posting less online and one of the things i found is that i’ve been using my camera for me agian. for fun. for no other reason than to just use it. for instance i was out in LA, salu and i went out for a little hike and put together a set of images and shot some video. we used to do that years ago for fun to grow.. it was really a beautiful thing to do to just do. not to grow, not to learn, just to spend time together. i left that night feeling so happy. i think what i love about it so much is i know his past pain, he knows mine.. we’ve always had such a open dialogue as friends that it makes any desire for any sort of wall put up between us, obsolete.. those kind of friendships are so good for the soul.

a few more highlights of late were being able to watch the oscars with friends at wills house, going record shopping with Jul & Zo ahead of the la betty party.. then playing soccer together the next day.. however, the next day i ran 18 miles and felt the impact of taking a soccer ball to the knee, so much so that i have not run since and while that’s literally not ideal due to being in marathon training, we’re doing the resting now and recovery first before having to deal with it closer to marathon day.. being smart as we can basically.

all in all, the last month and change has been really nice. a lot of change has happened quietly and to be honest, i prefer it that way. i think it’s nice to just make a decision and move on and spend less time dwelling. essentially i think it’s incredibly important in life these days to be firm in your decision making. that does not mean your immune to mistakes but for me, there’s such a belief in myself that comes from connecting my heart and gut in my decision making process. between the two of them, i don’t believe i can go wrong. and yes, others may disagree, but they are neither your gut nor your heart, so why would you ever let them be your brain? ya know?

anyways.. we have a couple of exciting weeks ahead and things are for the most part going really well. we’re still taking it day by day but i’d be lying if i didn’t admit that i’m excited to see what happens next. we’ll see, i suppose.

ok.. last thing… i feel like lists have been kind of our thing so let’s go with 5 things that are making me happy lately.

1. my youtube. i know i know selfish plug but i’m really proud of the consistency. i made it a rule for myself we’d not focus on views or “growing” but rather maintain it as a sense of routine but with each new comment and subscriber, it feels like we’re getting more and more comfortable putting ourself out there.

   

2. before & after by timmy arisa - i saw one like 20 second tiktok from him and was hooked on this tune. i checked his spotify and think he had like 120 monthly listeners and i felt like i was somewhere i wasn’t supposed to know about in a good way. lol. it just is such a raw, lo-fi tune and makes my chest feel good.

   

3. movie trailers. pretty self explanatory but it feels like we’re about to have an amazing run of tv and film the next year or so and i cannot get enough of all the trailers.

4. a rewatch of homeland. i know the show is not loved by everyone but for me it really is such a special show. it also felt like it’s part of this generation of tv series that really got to be a part of the golden era of twitter and i used to really love the commentary there after each episode. shows like mad men, breaking bad.. i feel like modern days we get that with white lotus a lot.. i just really love homeland. i’m sorry.

5. again, i’m just really proud of the team i work for and with and all the hard work it took to get us to launch our new electrolyte… i often times think about how hard i think i’m working for this brand, Freaks of Nature, then i take a step back and realize all that my two main leads in Julia and Isadora do every single day and it’s just so inspiring. To have been able to call them both Boss for the last two years has been so rewarding. i am literally so grateful to be part of this team every day and cannot wait for so many more folks to try what we just released! which ok, wait.. let’s try something… screen shot the image below and DM it to me on instagram.. the first five people do so, will get a 30 pack sent to them..

well.. ok, i suppose that’s it.. we’ll try to do better next time folks!

talk soon. x.

carl.

also listening to this.