sharpballoon

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#SharpBeat 195: THREE from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

2020 Autumn Makeup Collection

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Elevate Cronulla from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

Cronulla, New South Wales, Australia

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#SharpBeat 193: Happy 40th Birthday Luke Schlink from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

A little surprise video of family and friends from near and far wishing you a Happy 40th Birthday Luke! Love you brother!! Here's to 40 more!!!!

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#SharpBeat 191: Cassie and Patrick Elopement from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

One year ago today I had the privelage of officiating the marriage of Cassie and Patrick at Diablo Lake inside the North Cascades National Park in Washington State. It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever vistited in the USA and we basically had the park to ourselves the afternoon of their elopement. We couldn't have asked for better weather nor a more beautiful, peaceful and jaw dropping place to share that moment. Cassie, Patrick and I met while I was living in the Cayman Islands roughly 5 years ago and became great friends then. It's an honor to be invited to someones wedding, but it is a true privelage to officiate one. Thank you Cassie and Patrick for the experience and congratulations to you both for creating this beautiful life that you get to share together forever.

[sharpballoon]

#SharpBeat 191: Cassie and Patrick Elopement from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

One year ago today I had the privelage of officiating the marriage of Cassie and Patrick at Diablo Lake inside the North Cascades National Park in Washington State. It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever vistited in the USA and we basically had the park to ourselves the afternoon of their elopement. We couldn't have asked for better weather nor a more beautiful, peaceful and jaw dropping place to share that moment. Cassie, Patrick and I met while I was living in the Cayman Islands roughly 5 years ago and became great friends then. It's an honor to be invited to someones wedding, but it is a true privelage to officiate one. Thank you Cassie and Patrick for the experience and congratulations to you both for creating this beautiful life that you get to share together forever.

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#SharpBeat 188: Gordo X Reggae Ric from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

"What I love about my craft is being able to be a creative independent hustler" - Reggae Ric

Gordo Scientific teamed up with Reggae Ric for an artist collaboration on the OG CAP & GTR CAP that Gordo had originally designed. This is a recap showcasing the techniques that were utilized and the artists personalities to provide insight and inspiration in their creative process.

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#SharpBeat 183: You will always be my favorite what if from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

The Caribbean is one of my favorite places in the world. My life shifted in more ways than one while I was living there for nearly 2 years. I've never lived with doubt or regret, but I think it's fun to think about how things could or would have played out -- had I allowed it.

This video is a culmination and dedication to some of the most beautiful beaches, islands and life that I had while I was living there.

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#SharpBeat 182: The Shell from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

When I lived in the Cayman Islands - we opened a bar. It was called The Conch Shell and it was open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. If you ever joined us at The Shell, please leave your best memory in the comments section below. This video is a highlight from one our last weekends in that joint.

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#SharpBeat 181: Nelly Whites Party #2 from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

2016 Render Family Reunion held Cuchara, CO and Taos, NM.

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#SharpBeat 180: I feel good from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

Four years ago I was living in the Cayman Islands. This was what an average day off looked like. Sure do miss that sunshine daydream.

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#SharpBeat 179: Life is an adventure from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

May 2015 I was living in the Cayman Islands and had an opportunity to leave the island for a month so I took off -- I planned a 10 day trip in Cuba, followed by a 10 day trip in Jamaica and then flew back to the United States for a 10 day trip to see family and friends. Towards the end of my trip I decided to go to Moab, UT and rent a Polaris RZR. I was shown a map of where to access BLM land from Moab and loaded up the RZR and took off. I drove the RZR 80 miles through canyons, waterways and the wide open desert until I came across these old wind caves off the Colorado River where I decided to set up shop and camp for the night. This trip was and will always be one of my favorites!

[sharpballoon]

#SharpBeat 179: Life is an adventure from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

May 2015 I was living in the Cayman Islands and had an opportunity to leave the island for a month so I took off -- I planned a 10 day trip in Cuba, followed by a 10 day trip in Jamaica and then flew back to the United States for a 10 day trip to see family and friends. Towards the end of my trip I decided to go to Moab, UT and rent a Polaris RZR. I was shown a map of where to access BLM land from Moab and loaded up the RZR and took off. I drove the RZR 80 miles through canyons, waterways and the wide open desert until I came across these old wind caves off the Colorado River where I decided to set up shop and camp for the night. This trip was and will always be one of my favorites!

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#SharpBeat 178: BLM from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

blacklivesmatter.com

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#SharpBeat 177: Jamaica Nice from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

5 years ago, on my first trip to Jamaica, I landed at the Kingston International Airport around 11:30 PM and approached the customs gate for clearing. The Customs Officer asked me where my final destination was.. I didn't have one. The Customs Officer recommended a local hostel/hotel in Kingston.. 'Reggae Hostel'. "Sounds great", I replied. Little did she know, she had just directed the next 10 days of this journey, which ultimately, influenced my life and everything that has happened since. I called the Reggae Hostel and made a reservation and was quickly cleared through customs. I arrived briefly after a tour through the streets of Kingston from the airport, thanks to 'Shampoo' - my taxi driver. (Yes, his name was shampoo and I still have his phone number in my contacts list. I've used him as my personal taxi every time I've been to Jamaica since). What a fucking legend he is.

I arrived just before the party bus was leaving the hostel to go to a bash in the Blue Mountains right outside of Kingston. I immediately dropped my bags and jumped on the bus. I was greeted with smiling faces, squinty eyes and a cold red stripe. Our driver dropped us at a party in the hills.. joints were passed, music was heard, vibes were shared.

The following morning back at the hostel I was grinding up some of the world renowned Blue Mountain coffee beans for a cup of coffee (from the same Blue Mountains we were hanging at last night) and enjoying the sunshine on back terrace when I met the owner who advised me about the 5 year birthday of the Reggae Hostel that was happening tonight and to get ready for a special evening.

It did not disappoint. I submerged myself 1000% into the community and culture of Jamaica that evening. The conversations and happenings were heartwarming and pure. As the gathering dismantled, there was talk of a block party in the midst of Kingston. I ventured out to explore the streets of the ROCK aka Jamaica.. the dancehall, bass thumping music shook the streets while the selector aka MC controlled the attitude, crowd and overall vibe of the scene. We danced, laughed and puffed as the sky began to lighten the streets shortly before the morning Caribbean sunshine covered the island.. Those first two nights and there after for the next 8 days were some I'll never forget. I toured the better half of the country exploring the highest peaks of the Blue Mountains and some of the most serene private beaches of this incredible Caribbean island. I met locals that I still keep in touch with to this day. I met travelers that I still keep in touch with to this day. I ate local food that I still drool over. I drank root juice with a Rastafarian man deep in the middle of the Blue Mountains that had been living off the land his entire life. I swam in the bluest of waters. I smoked the copious amounts of marijuana. I engaged with children and elders. I was welcomed with smiles and departed after hugs. I saw life from a different angle. I felt peace. I was in Jamaica. It was nice.

Point of the story is.. Jamaica Nice. I can't wait to go back. And I would love to live there for some period of time in my life.

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#SharpBeat 176: CUBA from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

I've always lived by the motto that 'life is too short to retrace your footsteps' ... in that - the world is huge, we are small and our lives our short. Therefore you should never visit the same place twice, because there is so much more to see and do in this life. I broke that motto after visiting CUBA. I've been 5 times and can't wait to go back. Mind you, the first time I visited was when I made this video - 5 years ago. It was a different Cuba then, but will always be the same Cuba forever. Imagine a place that has been basically cut off from the world and put on pause since the 1950's. When I first visited, internet was practically non existent and could only be found in luxury hotels and cost about $15 for 15 minutes with the speed of a dial up connection. Mind you, the cuban salary was roughly $30/PER MONTH. That being said, internet access was a luxury. As you could imagine, the day to day life of the cuban people was different than the rest of the world. The result of this disconnected countries everyday life was more pure than anything I had ever felt to date. No place in the world that I have ever visited compares to how I was welcomed into CUBA. The people, attitude, food, camaraderie, dancing, energy, love, friendship, greetings and over all norm is unlike anywhere in the world. The spirit that the Cuban people carry is copiously contagious and something that I can't wait to experience again. I look forward to the day that I get to revisit this beautiful country.

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#SharpBeat 175: Locals Only from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

5 years ago I took a solo trip to Jamaica to explore the beautiful country, experience the true Rastafarian culture and to hang with the community. I met a couple locals that had taken me on a day trip to a secret local watering hole that was near the Port Antonio area. We hiked up a gentle flowing river until we came across the "Blue Hole" - a swimming hole that the locals had coined. Once we jumped in, my mate, said ok - you want to see why we call this the Blue Hole? "Yea, sure", I replied and he said watch this.. He took breathe and disappeared down underneath the water line surface and didn't come back up... a few minutes pass by and he reappears. I was a bit worried, but also intrigued once I knew that he was safe. He explained that if you swim down underneath this waterfall and follow the rock face you will come up inside a cave underneath the waterfall. That passage way lead to a series of caves where we all then swam underneath to find. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences I've ever had -- swimming down into this crystal clear water into a dark passage way and up inside a cavern that was illuminated with this beautiful blue tone that reflected from the hot Caribbean sun that shined above.

Filmed & edited in May 2015.

[sharpballoon]

#SharpBeat 175: Locals Only from Sharp Balloon on Vimeo.

5 years ago I took a solo trip to Jamaica to explore the beautiful country, experience the true Rastafarian culture and to hang with the community. I met a couple locals that had taken me on a day trip to a secret local watering hole that was near the Port Antonio area. We hiked up a gentle flowing river until we came across the "Blue Hole" - a swimming hole that the locals had coined. Once we jumped in, my mate, said ok - you want to see why we call this the Blue Hole? "Yea, sure", I replied and he said watch this.. He took breathe and disappeared down underneath the water line surface and didn't come back up... a few minutes pass by and he reappears. I was a bit worried, but also intrigued once I knew that he was safe. He explained that if you swim down underneath this waterfall and follow the rock face you will come up inside a cave underneath the waterfall. That passage way lead to a series of caves where we all then swam underneath to find. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences I've ever had -- swimming down into this crystal clear water into a dark passage way and up inside a cavern that was illuminated with this beautiful blue tone that reflected from the hot Caribbean sun that shined above.

Filmed & edited in May 2015.