I, like many of you out there, am in the job market. There are many questions that arrise when headed down this road: “Do I have the necessary experience?”… “Will this salary support my lifestyle?”… “Could I get away with ‘dancing’ for a little while longer? You know- have some fun… pay off the school loans…” (<–What? No one else?)

But how many of you have seriously asked yourselves: “Would I be willing to relocate?”

I’ve recently asked myself this question and come to realize: No, given the choice, I would not relocate (for work or otherwise).
The state of Colorado is one of the greatest places in our country.
Sure, if given the opportunity to work our dream job in Fiji, most of us would probably jump ship. But let’s be realistic- 40k a year for a middle-management position in Mianus, CT… no thanks. I’ll keep my anus in Denver.

Some of us, however, get in ruts. We begin to think “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” A common theme in my posts to you has been finding contentment, and in continuation of that theme, I’d like to share with you 10 Reasons Colorado  is GREAT:

1. Colorado ranks as the nation’s fifth-best state for business and careers in the latest annual report by Forbes, posted November of 2011. So stick it out, job hunters!
   
2. Colorado consistently ranks in the top 10 healthiest and slimmest states in the country. There’s so much to do! Plus, walking anywhere west of Denver means going up hill.
3. Denver was named the 13th best city for singles by Forbes.com in 2009. We have the thinnest, most attractive young professionals. Look in the mirror… you’re probably getting laid tonight.
4. Boulder is the most educated city in America. Colorado is one of the most educated states. It’s everywhere online… Google it.
5. Colorado gets over 300 days of sunshine every year– the most clear-sky days of any state.
6. Denver is the top city for bicyclists according to Bicycle Magazine and the Huffington Post. One more reason we’re not fat.
   Moreover, I’d like to share: I have ridden a bicycle on both coasts and in many different states. In California you get flipped off and run off the roads. On the east coast you can’t breath from the smog or people assume you’re poor. Colorado is the only state where drivers will slow down for you and wave. Shit- in Boulder they’ll stop at a convenience store and circle back around with gatorade.
7. We’ve got Colfax. In addition to all the different aswesome “scores” you can make within a single-block radius, Colfax is the longest continuous street in America.
8. The Colorado Rockies. Sure, we’ve had some good baseball years, but I’m talking about our mountains. People from all over the world save for years and spend thousands of dollars to ski and snowboard where we do any day we fancy.
9. Colorado loves good beer and has has more breweries per capita than any other state in the U.S.
10. Denver is the sixth happiest city in the country according to market research performed by the fast-food giant McDonalds.

BONUS: COLORADO HAS YOU! The communities within this fine state are filled with healthy, intelligent, open-minded, friendly people.

 What more could you want from your home?

- Ches Sheridan Arms

Today, thousands of sites around the internet will cease operation (“go dark”) in protest of SOPA– the Stop Online Piracy Act. With the internet so integrated into our lives, anything that will drastically change it, will drastically alter our way of life as well. Because of this, I think it’s important to have some level of understanding of what the SOPA and PIPA acts are poised to do.

Now, I know you’ve all been inundated with status updates, emails, and articles talking about this potential internet game-changer. If you’re anything like me, once a certain topic starts to blow up your news feeds, you start reading around it– unconsciously dismissing it as “SPAM.” SO- I tracked down a short little video produced by the hilarious Matthew Inman over at The Oatmeal (if you aren’t familiar- The Oatmeal is a little website filled with comics and other hilarity discussing current issues).

For those of you who hate sitting down to read an article, or simply don’t have time, this is a laughable 1 1/2 minute crash course on this controversial issue:

I’ll be the first one to admit that this is an extremely partisan overview. But, isn’t that the point of something this controversial– to take a side? A strong position?

If you disagree with this video and feel SOPA/PIPA could create positive change, I implore you: Share your thoughts and point of view!!!

After all- that is what the anti-SOPA stance is all about: freedom of expression!

Below is another video that goes into much more depth. I wanted to include it for those auditory/visual learners who do have some time to get their knowledge on but don’t feel like reading another article. I also encourage further reading at http://americancensorship.org/. And be sure to check out their nifty infographic HERE.

- Ches Sheridan Arms

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PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

It’s a lot like an early Christmas Present: New Music Friday– On Wednesday!

Many of you may remember a semi-regular installment on DVLP Life called New Music Friday.We featured beats as a treat for your ears and your feet.

Well, this afternoon I sat down to write a heartfelt and meaningful awareness piece, but figured you will get your fill of “heartfelt and meaningful” at Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. So, instead, I give you e-double! :

Written Thursday by edubble

If you like hip-hop, you’ll like e-dubble. Now imagine I’m making my serious face. In 2010 he released a new track every friday as a radio freestyle and, with the exception of the the Outro, all of these songs were one of them. And all of these songs are AWESOME.

So give him a listen!

Check out his Facebook page HERE and cop the FREE download of Written Thursday.

- Ches Sheridan Arms

Several people I know in Denver, including myself,  use a bike as the main mode of transport. There’s lot of obvious benefits–it’s good for the environment, better for our health, and our calves are the envy of the town (well….probably  not the last one). It also is one of the best and long lasting options for sustainable transportation. Plus, it is just a lot of fun…. as showcased in the video Empire…

Empire is a film about people having fun riding track bikes and fixed gears in the city. The final teaser was released last year…check it out:

And for you two-wheelin’ Denverites…if you have not checked out  Loops yet, then I recommend you heading over to Crema Coffee House on a Tuesday around 7pm, and set off into the night for a 15-20 mile ride through Denver with a couple stops along the way. What could be more fun?

- Rustin Coburn

WHAT HE'S REALLY SAYING: "You're super hot, therefore I'm in love with you. Let's get married! Even though I've known you for a total of 3 days... and know nothing about you - as you aren't physically capable of communicating with me for some mysterious reason. Weird... whatever!"

I am subscribed to this obnoxiously AWESOME, young comedienne on YouTube, and just a few weeks ago, she brought up a really good point in her video, “What Disney Movies Taught Me“.

About 5 minutes in, after her initial silly commentary, she starts talking about something she clearly feels strongly about – the unrealistic plot repeatedly recycled in classic Disney films (1989 – 1999). It goes a little something like this:

1. Girl (age 15-17) has problem.
2. Girl meets boy.
3. Boy solves problem.
4. Boy and girl get married and live happily ever after. The end.

First of all … what good decisions are made between the ages of 15 and 17?

And marriage is the goal/answer/ending-prize? Well that sounds like a great message for developing minds. Young ladies of the early 9o’s and beyond: Take the shoulder pads out of those blouses and put them back in your bra where they belong! Clearly, you must wait for (or coerce) a man to marry you in order to finally live happily ever after. If you don’t, well, you might end up single, old, ugly, and evil… like Ursula.

Nonetheless, the now, twenty-something women, grew up on that business. Have you noticed the effect? We’ve all seen it – relationships used as the fix for sadness, validation, fear, money woes, boredom, etc. What’s to be done? Surely banning Disney movies isn’t the answer. Nor can 80′s/90′s Disney writers be blamed for it all.

The moral of the story is this: The world is full of so many thoughts/ideas/beliefs, it’s your job to challenge what doesn’t work for you. What happens in life to make us believe or think a certain way, at some point, stops mattering. What matters is what we do now – what we choose for ourselves.  Sometimes we forget, I can admit that there have been many times that I have, but our experience here, our life, is our choice… and no one else’s.

XX♥

Abella

WHEW! So it’s Wednesday now and the week is in mid-swing. Halloween is [finally? unfortunately? gratefully?] behind us. We continue, however, to re-live the debauchery through the posts and pictures of our online friends.

(On second thought… if they gave you Sharpie ink poisoning, pissed in your shoes, or screwed with you in any unacceptable manner while you were passed out, are they truly your friends? BUT, I digress…)

This week social media outlets have served as a fragmented storyboard– allowing us to reminisce about (or put the pieces together from) the weekend. Because this holiday is my single favorite of the year I wanted to take a couple moments to pay homage to another All Hallows Eve of epic proportions.

The first moment will be in silence… for all those lost in our inebriated states. Thank you, you sweet little brain cells. I would like to say you wont soon be forgotten– but in all honesty, I’m still using Facebook to piece together Saturday night. I can only assume you were once cordial contributors to my IQ.

The second moment will be to share the Halloween experience had by the crew over here at DVLP Life. Now, we’re not normally ones to brag, but let me tell you: we’re awesome. From epic costumes to awesome company, we did Halloween right. And now a look behind the scenes at the staff:

Rustin Coburn
Costume: Blackmail!
Props: Postage Stamp,
Photographic Memory (more dangerous than a camera)
Attended: Taxi Eurotrash Bash and
The DTC Haunted Hotel Party

Abella Balla
Costume: Dust Bunny
Props: Hot Pink Sunnies (found on floor),
Rabbit Ears,
The Keys to Every Guy Dressed as Mr. Clean’s Heart
Attended: Taxi Eurotrash Bash and
The DTC Haunted Hotel Party

Ches Arms
Costume: Tyler Durden
Props: Stunna Shades, Red Leather Jacket, Undeniable Swagger
Attended: Taxi Eurotrash Bash and
The DTC Haunted Hotel Party

Tyler Browning
Costume: Lucha Libre
(The Masked Wrestler)
Props: Leather Mask, ‘Shiver Me Timbers’ Chest Carpet, Smokin’ Blonde Sidekick
Attended: Hudson’s Wholesome Festivities and Skrillex

_________________________________________________________

Awesome?
Yeah… we know. And now I’ll open the comments section up to you!

- Tell us how you rocked the casbah this weekend!
- Vote for your favorite DVLP Life hoodrat!

Ready?! GO!

- Ches Sheridan Arms

… SHORT FILMS… anyone?

It’s like, 15 minutes, and you’re left with the same engaged/satisfied feeling as you are from a feature, you get to see the world from a different point of view, AND you just saved an hour… Brilliant!

If you have a few minutes, check out the awesome short film below to see a rad|creative approach at promoting positive and sustainable communities.
Because happy people = happy communities.

Enjoy!

XO
Abella

Tyler Browning and Rustin Coburn had a lot of fun and silly powder days at Loveland this year.
With the sun baking, our bicycles spinning and summer fun in full swing… Tyler made up this little video with a few shots from our Winter.

FRAMED is a pilot-project. Something Andi Wittmann brainstormed over the course of time and decided to go through with the idea.  With the help of cinematographer and Editor, Felix Urbauer, this soulful production was made possible.

With their busy lives and the hustle bustle a summer brings, these two managed to pull out a fascinating riderprofile. This film reached half a million views when first released. This film shows what Andi does best, and what he pictured this film to be, for so long.

FRAMED-Andi Wittmann Rider profile from Felix Urbauer on Vimeo.

song: radical face-welcome home

Falling Whistles is at it again, Join everyone for the big event, this time in Fort Collins, CO!!

Be a whistleblower for peace! The Whistler Society of Colorado State University, on behalf of Falling Whistles, is throwing a benefit concert at Hodi’s Halfnote in Old Town Fort Collins on Sunday, April 24th at 7:00 p.m.

One of Colorado’s biggest local sensations, The Heyday, will be headlining the show with a medley of their pop/rock anthems. Falling Whistles Spokesperson, Yves Muya, will be there to share his story about his childhood in the Congo and speak about his current journey to end one of the deadliest wars in the world.

Falling Whistles gives a small window into the world’s largest war. Originally just a journal written about boys sent to the frontlines of war armed with only a whistle, has now launched into a campaign for peace in the war in Congo. Falling Whistles’ simple message: make their weapons our voice. They sell vintage whistle necklaces to be worn as a sign of peace. The proceeds from these necklaces go towards the rehabilitation for those affected by the war in Congo.

The Whistler Society at Colorado State’s mission is to inform the student population of how they can make a serious difference in the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Where others see chaos, we see possibility. Where others see death, we see potential for new life. Join us on Easter Sunday night and attend an event that gives back!

Tickets are $8 and proceeds will go directly to Falling Whistles.

For more information

Event Info (e-mail):: CSUfallingwhistles@gmail.com

Falling Whistles:: www.fallingswhistles.com

Heyday:: www.theheydaymusic.com