Well not really, but I did put some of my pictures and videos from my Euro Trip this summer to the sounds of Sigur Ros’ “Hoppipola”. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out. You can also see what 7 hours of me and iMovie produces. (not too impressive!) haha
Tag Archives: pete
New K’Naan with Nas…and its a lot grittier than Wavin Flag.
K’Naan is definitely trying
shed his squeaky clean Coca Cola/World Cup/”Wavin Flag” image with some of his new tracks, and so far I like what I hear. This song, “Nothing To Lose”, is a nice little ditty featuring Nas where they draw some parallels between life in Queens and the struggles K’Naan saw growing up in Somalia. I also like K’Naan’s flow…its choppy and intentional but unique. When I talked with him at the Video Music Awards last year he was very low key and interested in the struggles different people were facing in the US and abroad. Im interested to see if he continues to use his platform to bring about awareness and incite change…I hope he does. Check out “Nothing To Lose” and let me know what you think.
Im back (again)
So apparently I do a year on, a year off, with my blog. Here’s to another year on…
Can. Not. Wait!!!
If you haven’t heard yet, on June 1 I officially start my new position as President and CEO of Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Arizona. Im honored and humbled to have the opportunity to work with the great staff, volunteers and supporters to help improve the lives of young people in the Phoenix metropolitan area. There is definitely a lot more to come on this front so stay tuned.
Please click here to see the official release announcement.
Roots
Recently Ive dug deep into ancestry.com to see how far back I can trace my family tree and I gotta say I think its something everyone should do. Start by asking your parents, grandparents and family everything you can about your relatives. The most important info is full names, birthdays, date of death and where they lived. Just with those pieces of information you can unlock a whole array of information and grow your tree. Right now I’ve got one vein of my tree going all the way back to the 1600′s in the US and Ireland even earlier. I was also able to uncover Census records and even WWII Draft cards written and signed by my great grandfather. Pretty cool.
One word to the wise, collect all the info first then go to ancestry.com and sign up for the 14 day free trial. That way you already have the info you need ready and can punch it in on day 1 so you can spend the rest of the days digging into the tree further.
One of the more prominent ancestors I have is the gentleman pictured here, General Anthony Wayne. If you live in Pennsylvania of the Ohio Valley and have a town, road or park named “Wayne”, theres a pretty good shot it was after him. This photo is of his statue in Valley Forge park where he served as Brigadier General with George Washington. Another cool fact about him is when the Batman comic book series was created, the author Bob Kane combined the historical figures Robert the Bruce and Anthony Wayne to come up with Batmans alter ego, Bruce Wayne. So I guess that makes me a relative of Batman too… 
I’m Back!
After a looooong hiatus from the blogosphere, I’m coming back with a renewed effort to share thoughts, news and other miscellany. Stay tuned….
its on!
without further ado Im excited to announce the official going away bash before i head off to DC! its going to be July 15 at Santos Party House at 100 Lafayette between Walker and White. Party starts at 7pm and will feature live performances from RCA recording artists 2AM Club and Universal Republic hit English band Your Vegas! To cover the cost of the bands will be tickets sold for just $9 and you can get them right now by clicking here.
Bring who ever you’d like and I urge you to get your tickets ASAP. As with other shows with these bands there is a good shot they will sell out if you wait til day of. I look forward to seeing you there and word to the wise…you might want to take Thursday off or at least not schedule any morning meetings
Pete
Farewell MTV and NYC!
2After almost nine years of service, Im leaving MTV just short of getting free steak knives Thats right…and not only am I leaving MTV but Im leaving good old NYC. I’ve have the pleasure and absolute honor of announcing that I have just accepted the position of Campaign Director/Chief Creative Officer for Energy Action Coalition (EAC) in Washington DC!
As most of you already know, EAC is the preeminent youth 
environmental/energy organization in North America. They were MTV’s official partner for our award winning Break The Addiction campaign around climate change and were the muscle behind the largest youth environmental conference EVER this past February when they brought over 12,000 young people to DC for their Powershift conference. EAC is a coalition of the top environmental and energy related organizations in the world and have a massive network of young people everywhere. Its going to be insane working with such an amazing organization and network of partners and I truly am humbled by this opportunity.
And now from the You Cant Run Away From Your Past file…our office is literally around the corner from the Real World DC house in DuPont Circle which begins filming shortly. Perhaps that will be a little piece of MTV nearby to ease my transition into the new neighborhood
To everyone Ive worked with over the years at MTV, its been a pleasure. I’ll be back often but before then stay tuned as there are a couple parties Im having in NYC before I go that , lets just say, will leave an indellible mark on the city in my absence…
For my friends in DC, i look forward to you helping me transition! (seriously) I’ll be moving down that way around July 17.
Please hit me up on email, Facebook (www.facebook.com/petegriffin), follow me on Twitter to stay up to speed (www.twitter.com/WhatUpPete) or leave comments on this blog post. Talk to you soon!
Pete
twit
if you are a twitter member, click here to follow me for ransom musings on culture, music, politics and climate issues that try to be funny but usually arent.
reasons not to wear flip flops while mountain biking
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