This video is awesome – OSU sousaphone player bashes right into the cameraman while “dotting the i” in Script Ohio this Saturday.  Pay attention when he yells “watch out!” before slamming right into the camera – if you can’t see the camera part fly off into the air, here is an image below.  Sorry about the loss this weekend OSU : (

HALFTIME is in honor of my high school biology teacher, Mr. Williams, who gave us a break every day in the middle of class by telling a cool story, or doing something funny like cramming 6 golf balls into his mouth.  Not everything has to be all serious all the time.

This time of year is always bittersweet.  Family and friends will join together in Dublin, OH on Sept. 11 for the 9th annual golf tournament to honor my brother’s life by playing one of his favorite sports.  It seems crazy to me that over 9 years have passed since Joey died.  Some days I feel like he could walk in the door any minute, while other days I forget what it was like to hear his laugh.  But one thing is for sure.  I look forward to this gathering every year because I get to unite with so many who loved him….for a great cause.  Proceeds go to The Ohio State Student Wellness Center in creating drug and alcohol awareness on campus.  If you would like to make a charitable donation (or golf!) please visit joeupshaw.org.  Soon we will be reaching the whole United States with our message of partying smart and keeping friends safe.  Joey may have died 9 years ago, but I can say with conviction that his death was not in vain.  His message is saving lives each day, and will continue to make a difference for a long time to come.

This PSA out of Wales is getting a ton of attention due to its graphic nature.  But it’s powerful and worth a look since we could all use a reminder on the dangers of texting while driving.  In the past couple months, a few more states have banned it, bringing the total to 17 states plus the District of Columbia.  And we haven’t heard the last on this.  Next month, the U.S. Department of Transportation is holding a summit to discuss all forms of distracted driving, with texting at the top of the list.  Click here for my previous post about texting while driving.

In the past decade, there has been a nearly 30% hike in the number of women arrested for drunk driving, according to a study released this week by the US Department of Transportation. However, drunk driving arrests are still dominated by men.  In 2007, 626,371 men were arrested for driving under the influence, compared to 162,493 women.  That’s almost 4 to 1.  But the devastating Diane Schuler crash last month reminds us that it’s not just men who commit crimes while drunk behind the wheel.  She drove her minivan for 2 miles going the wrong way on the Taconic State Parkway after more than 10 drinks and a large amount of marijuana – all with her 2-year-old daughter, 5-year-old son, and 3 nieces inside.  She then hit an SUV, killing 3 men and everyone inside her vehicle except her son.  Below is a terrible image from that crash, showing us the fatal consequences of very poor, drunken decisions.

Whether you are a fan of So You Think You Can Dance (like me!) or not, I think this performance will touch you.  Many of us have dealt with addiction in some way, whether it be an alcoholic in the family or maybe even a dependence of our own.  Addiction comes in many forms, and in this dance, choreographer Mia Michaels gave the role of addict to Kayla Radomski and addiction to Kupono Aweau.  Try not to watch it 500 million times : )

Check out this powerful marijuana commercial running in Australia right now.  With 20% of Victoria’s car crashes involving marijuana and 30% involving some type of illegal drug, the Transport Accident Commission set out to target recreational pot smokers.  This 1:30 spot plays out like a short film.

Here are some United States stats from the CDC site:

* Drugs other than alcohol (e.g., marijuana and cocaine) are involved in about 18% of motor vehicle driver deaths. These other drugs are generally used in combination with alcohol.
* Every day, 36 people in the United States die, and approximately 700 more are injured, in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver.  The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $51 billion.
* In 2007, over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

Okay, this is really goofy, but a friend showed me this site and I found myself getting hooked.  The object of the game is to keep this drunk guy from falling flat on his face by moving your mouse from side to side as he walks forward.  Not exactly rocket science, but not exactly easy to do either!  I played about 15 times in a row just now and got up to 42 meters.  Let me know how you do…click here for the drunk guy game.

HALFTIME is in honor of my high school biology teacher, Mr. Williams, who gave us a break every day in the middle of class by telling a cool story, or doing something funny like cramming 6 golf balls into his mouth.  Not everything has to be all serious all the time.

That’s basically what they used to say….check out these OUTLANDISH vintage cigarette ads.  Things have changed since then and looks like they are about to change again.  President Obama is supporting a new bill which would let the Food and Drug Administration regulate tobacco for the first time, which would also affect cigarette advertising, a $13 billion-a-year business.  Holy geez, these old ads are messed up to say the least.  Click here to see more ads.

Do you have 67 minutes to spare?  Nelson Mandela has spent 67 years making the world a better place.  In an effort to celebrate the legacy of South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela, 46664 and the Nelson Mandela Foundation are urging people all over the world to join them in a bid to create an official Mandela Day, which would be held on Mr Mandela’s birthday each year, July 18.  All you need to do is pledge 67 minutes of your time.  That’s not so bad is it?  What can you do to make a small difference in someone else’s life?  Go to www.mandeladay.com to get ideas on how you can give back.  I will coincidentally be in New York City this weekend, where the Mandela Day Concert is being held at Radio City Music Hall.  When I am not speaking, I spend my time as an agent for celebrity photographers, and my good friend and photographer Scott McDermott had the honor of shooting the print campaign for Mandela Day.  Click here to see some of the portraits. I am so excited that I get to volunteer my time at this amazing event!!  But when I get back to LA, I want to find a way that I can contribute back to my community all year round…I would love to hear what you plan to do to make your imprint!