Black Rock Endeavors

Improvisation:  [im-prov-is-a-shun] noun.  The act of improvising. The act of making something out of materials available, without previous planning. The creation or performance of a poem, play, music, etc., composing as one goes along. See also "MacGyver". There is no doubt that a … [Read more...]

Ask a man about his dreams or passions.  When you push beyond the sex jokes, you’re likely to get little more than a hollow stare.  At least that’s what I get when I ask guys about their pursuits and passions.   Many of them have long forsaken their boyhood dreams in order to afford the … [Read more...]

This article is by my friend Nate Nicholls. Gabe has mentioned her health problems and the lessons she’s learned from them. I have had my own set of hard times, taking care of Gabe while she’s been ill. In one sense it’s been hard taking care of her because of the things I miss out … [Read more...]

Toby: I want us to celebrate your 14th birthday by doing a real, tough adventure that no other 14-year-old boys have ever done before.  If you could choose anything, what do you want to do?  … extended pause … Elijah: I want to go on a super long bike trip.  But I don’t wanna ride on … [Read more...]

The following is from a friend who is a dad, husband, storyteller, skater, wakeboarder, etc., etc.  There's no doubt that Ben the Welder is old school, like MacGyver's Swiss Army Knife.  He's an old geezer in a young man's body, and if you read close enough you'll detect the slight smell … [Read more...]

Men are more important to our culture than just for breeding and opening jars. Even nature teaches this to us.  In less than a decade (1991-2001), 63 rhinos were killed by young hooligan male elephants in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi conservation park in South Africa.  It seems that these maturing … [Read more...]

The Adventurous & Noble Man is the working title for a book/web project I've been working on for a while. Here's a sneak peek and an invitation to join in its making. It’s been said time and again, we have enough boys … but whatever happened to all the men? There still are a number … [Read more...]

  I’ve finally gotten used to telling bedtime stories, and it’s only been three years since our boys came to live with us.  I’ve made up stories, repeated old fables, and told my own.  Without fail, I always know which stories interest them the most; all three want the gritty details … [Read more...]

Last week I flew with my boss and a few anthropologists to Kodiak Island, here inAlaska.  Our team’s intention was to invite key community leaders into a new research project to prevent pre-teens from abusing everyday legal products.  It seems that many Alaskan kids have a deviant-scientific … [Read more...]

Once a year Garrison Keillor and his Prarie Home Companion radio show put on a joke show, aptly called The Pretty Good Joke Show.  You can see them here : http://www.publicradio.org/applications/formbuilder/projects/joke_machine/joke_page.php My new favorite: Several centuries ago, the Pope … [Read more...]