Rock U Mentally

My brother Brooks and I are all for anything that positively influences the youth of today and their potential for making positive impacts in their own lives and on society, now and in the future. That future, after all, will eventually be in their hands, and with all the drive-thru mentality options available for kids these days, projects like Rock U Mentally should be treated like gold. Usually where there's an opportunity, there's also an obligation, and that's what the mastermind behind this project must've been thinking when the idea for it fell out of his head.

© ™ Rock U Mentally

'Rock U Mentally' is an educationally-driven entertainment initiative designed to teach kids about important environmental and social issues through the use of popular and engaging music. At least, that's how it all started. The concept caught on so fast with audiences that it didn't take long for the idea to evolve into a fully produced stage show, 'Rock U Mentally Live!'. The show drew capacity crowds and critical acclaim during its extended appearance at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theatre this summer in Branson, Missouri.

Rock U Mentally Live! L-R: Ken Brown, Bucky Heard, Angie Skillern, AJ Heard, Chris Skillern
Photo: © Rock U Mentally

Bucky Heard is Rock U Mentally's creator, producer and a cast member who we met nearly two decades ago, when we were fellow entertainers on board Royal Caribbean's largest cruise ships. He's been counted among our best friends since, but all bias aside, he's one of those rare combinations of multi-talented, innovatively creative, tirelessly hard-working and most of all, genuinely sincere and positive people you'd ever hope to meet. Put it this way. If either of us had daughters of marrying age, we'd have our fingers crossed they'd meet a guy like him.

Bucky always had a natural knack for surrounding himself with like-minded people, both personally and professionally, and in typical unselfish fashion, he'll be the first to share credit for this project's runaway success. Bucky's co-stars and collaborators include co-writer & musical director: Chris Skillern, choreographer & dancer: AJ Heard (Bucky's wife), dancer: Ken Brown, vocalist: Angie Skillern and graphic artist & videographer: Justin Clark. It's a no exaggeration, world-class collection of talent promoting a simple, but profound message with this project, 'Who You Are is Where it's At'.

Photo: © Rock U Mentally

We're firm believers in leveraging entertainment to educate and influence. What Bucky and the gang are doing together epitomizes how effectively that can be done. The really credible thing that comes through, though, is this isn't just about ticket sales and merchandising. They're turning this into an legitimate difference maker by integrating their efforts with hands-on community involvement and outreach, special events and the support of related causes. It's always refreshing and inspiring to watch an idea make that long-strange trip to the land of reality, and in this case, become something that can create positive change.

So spread the word about our friends and the good they're doing, and most of all, if you've got kids or know someone that does, turn them on to this. You can find out everything you need to know and show your support by visiting RockUMentally.com. For direct contact and all you social networkers out there, it's real easy to get linked up, grab the latest news, and help spread the word on their contact page.

White Shark Checks out of Monterey

Monterey Bay Aquarium Tags, Releases 5th Great White Shark After two Months on Exhibit

Randy Hamilton, vice president of husbandry for the Monterrey Bay Aquarium says, “Her health is excellent, and we learned a lot while she was with us. Based on past experience, we have every expectation that she’ll do well after release.”

Great white shark being released after two months of captivity in Monterey Bay Aquarium.
© Monterey Bay Aquarium / Randy Wilder

She had not yet reached a size where human safety or animal welfare concerns were a factor in the decision to release her, Hamilton said. Rather, the change in her behavior prompted the decision, he said.

Over Halloween weekend, she received a superficial bite wound, was observed chasing scalloped hammerhead sharks in the exhibit, and bit and injured a Galapagos shark, Hamilton said.

“We monitor the behavior of great white sharks very closely while they’re on exhibit,” he said. “When we saw a new pattern of aggressive behavior, we decided it was best to release her.”

Read Detailed Press Release

Shark Research Rumor Mill Overheating

There's been a high profile story brewing in the world of shark research and the related use of big game angling methods used to subdue mature white sharks in those efforts; first in Mexico and this week, off the coast of California. The controversy with something like this is a given. But we had a conversation yesterday with a credible source that something may have gone wrong with this operation.

There are still more questions than answers, even today, based on 'reports' circulating just beneath the surface of the mainstream. Personally, we're reserving benefit-of-the-doubt until the facts are told, but right now; the question is fast becoming who will deliver that information fist?

This case is unique with its collaboration between scientific research, unprecedented approval of study methods by various governing bodies and documentation of the operation by mainstream television and related commercial media interests.

The scrutinized delays in direct source disclosure (now being pressured by outside reporting media sources) could be a simple case of a tangled process of figuring out which tail is wagging whose dog. Either way, news, accounts, opinion, accusations, and theoretical hypothesizing in this age of communication and miscommunication travel fast and in every imaginable direction. That's a big part of the inherent problem with this.

I don't know what anyone else thinks this operation is technically required to disclose, to who or when, but my guess is it's not any of us that have been commenting so far. It's no surprise, there are some who don't support this effort, and any opportunity to poke holes in it, to them, is a good one; even if that poking is out of turn and void of verified fact. 

Requesting, or in this case, demanding disclosure isn’t a completely unreasonable thing to do, given the subject, but we should demonstrate responsibility in not letting an intriguing and controversial story get in the way of the facts.

My brother and I are the first to loudly support this type of innovative and invasive research effort, and have a pragmatic view that, sometimes, even the most well intended ambitions can result in things going a little sideways. We know firsthand, having lost a few smaller shark species of our own, while fighting the good fight. Let's face it, from deep-sea exploration to space travel and medical experimentation -- people die trying to further our collective reach.

But this is about sharks and the risky, dangerous, very expensive work of trying to act in their best interests. If there were some complications in the Farallons this week, we should all learn from it, but based on facts from those who know what actually happened, and not someone else; in other words, 'they say' not hearsay.

I don't know any of you on this expedition, personally, but will urge as if I do, that you get out -- way out in front of this. For whatever reason, there's a lot being said about an alleged incident, and from what I understand, there's more closing fast on its heels. Depending on what might have happened, disclosure may not feel good or entirely necessary right now, but I'm confident you're all more forward thinking than a lot of the suspect chatter that's been going on.

In the end, it's all less about whatever unintended mistakes or potential errors may have occurred. Most broken things can be fixed. This is more about how whatever did happen is handled. For better or for worse, we hope the record is set straight, and soon, by those who know, so we can move on.

In the meantime, while others talk and opine, with no official source statement, the rumor mill will continue to run hot, as a cat claws its way out of the bag with something in its mouth.

Regardless of what happened, but in light of all the conjecture, it would be unfortunate to see this story be the really big one that got away from you guys.

Related Article: 'Exploiting Wildlife for its Own Good'
by seanpaxton

'JOWLS' Starring the Shark Brothers

Our brother, Scott, and his better half, Paula, put this together a while back. It's pretty damn funny and watching it has some subtle therapeudic value, like squeezing a stress ball or chopping firewood at Christmas time. Thanks, you crazy kids. Love ya-Miss ya. See you soon ... your bros - sean & brooks

Featuring: Brooks as 'Cooper', Sean as 'Cody' and Scott as 'Squint'

Scott with yet another rescued pussy. He just can't say no.

Paula, Scott and a couple of their kids

Kickass Expeditionary Shark Research

'A fisherman has many dreams, and from boyhood one of mine was to own a beautiful white ship with sails like wings, and to sail into lonely tropic seas.' - Zane Grey

For the past seven years, I've been following the work of Chris Fischer. As founder of Fischer Productions and host of 'Offshore Adventures' on ESPN2, he was a standout amongst the crowded Sunday morning fishing show fodder, beginning with the series debut in 2002. The program featured plenty of the obligatory money shot fishing sequences, but it was the host and crew's long range travel to exotic locations on a custom built 72' snow white sportfishing yacht, named, 'Go Fisch', that set it apart and made it obvious to me that Fischer was a forward-looking, big thinker.

Now, with more than a dozen successful seasons under his belt, and a couple of Emmys for the mantle, he's taking that experience and leveraging it in a way that I can only describe as completely off-the-charts. Along with a highly skilled crew, the nucleus of which has been with him for years, he's embarked upon on a seven year journey around the world. For this voyage, Fischer swapped out the 72' Elliot Boatworks beauty for 128' crab fishing vessel, the 'Arctic Eagle'. At first glance, it may look like a fleet boat from 'Deadliest Catch', but it's anything but. I've done some writing for publishers of the magazine 'Destination Fish' where I first caught wind of this project. Fellow writer, Sam Eifling, was on board the 'Arctic Eagle' in San Diego and described it this way. 'It’s a ship that has been, and can go, just about anywhere in the world, with enough fuel and supplies to support fishing expeditions of ridiculous ambition'.
photo above: natgeo.com

Reading that, I immediately thought of Zane Grey and his ocean hopping adventures on board his sailing vessel, the 'Fisherman', as detailed in the real-life 1925 epic novel, 'Tales of Fishing Virgin Seas'. That book chronicled what, at the time, would be the first effort of its kind to not only fish every corner of the globe for pretty much anything with fins, but to also take opportunistic steps in documenting everything Grey and his crew would experience in words, drawings, photographs and even motion pictures. Thousands of nautical miles where chopped up, countless fish caught, and far corners explored, but of the highest value gained from that ambitious undertaking, was knowledge about the marine environment and its condition at that time.

Photo: OffShoreAdventures.tv

In that same spirit, but armed with the latest in technology and required financial and logistical support, Fischer and his crew are setting a new precedent by taking expeditionary fishing and marine research to places its never been before. Yes, indeed, they'll also be doing some of the most hellaciously insane diving, exploring and big game fishing any one could possibly fantasize about, but Fischer is also taking full advantage of an opportunity to bring back the goods. When it's all said and done, this expedition will provide a very clear picture of the planet's marine health in this first decade of a new century. Through strategic alliances with the scientific community, and mainstream media outlets, this expedition will give us all the chance to put our fingers on the pulse of Mother, Mother Ocean. One case in point, 'Expedition White Shark', the results of which will air on National Geographic’s Expedition Week, beginning November 15th, 2009.

Promo Above: NationalGeographic.com

I've been following this closely online and watched a few episode segments today with my brother, Brooks. We unanimously declare it to be some of the most amazing, even surreal footage, of one of the most abitious research efforts ever undertaken with these animals. I can't print the words we actually used to describe it because our own hands-on, close up, interactive shark research means this kind of stuff tends to get us a little wound up. Let's just say, that, with a clear objective to support long-term sustainable populations of these animals, it's what we can only refer to as kickass expeditionary shark research.

As a practical matter, the latest in big game angling technique, skill and technology are also required to conduct this elevated level of inquiry into these animals. Unlike lions or elephants in Africa that can be dosed with downers shot from the barrel of a tranquilizer gun or trapped using various methods, these are sharks. Fishing for them with a hook and line has been an accepted method of securing them for legitimate research purposes for decades. It's simply a necessary part of the process with various implements of angling being nothing more than pragmatic tools of the trade. However, if you are an angler with a fondness for larger quarry, then this kind of work will tickle a few more parts than just your scientific fancy.

A successfully tagged and documented male white shark swims off the lift platform.
Photo: NatGeo.com

While there are some that find the 'fishing' aspect of this work outrageous, repulsive and even vulgar, we can see your point. You're entitled, but it's all relative. I go back to the practicality of getting something like this done. There is just no other way to do it. Can it be stressful on the animal? No doubt. But so is mating, migrating, feeding, and surviving everyday life in the wild, at times. Watching these segments, it's clear that every necessary precaution is taken to expedite the procedure as quickly and efficiently as possible. It's as cutting-edge, innovative and professional as it gets with the primary focus being the subject animal's well-being. As for post-release mortality rates on sharks and these great whites, in particular, that case will made soon. As results of these studies by Dr. Michael Domeier and the teamwork of the Arctic Eagle's crew come in, we're optimistic that revealing feedback from tags attached to animals encountered on this campaign will further credit the great white as the supremely adapted predator that it is.

The revolutionary tracking technology utilized boasts extended battery life and satellite capabilities designed to provide up to 6 years of real time data on the movements and habits of this enigmatic species. If successful, it's exactly the kind of information that could go a long way in cracking some of the white shark's most closely guarded secret code.

Fortunately, this team acted on a vision and went through the necessary planning, logistical and financial hurdles, permitting and other red tape that I can only imagine it took to get this done right. We're glad they stuck with it and and we look forward to the data returns and more footage when the episode airs. It's validation for some of the work we've done, and inspiration for a few things we've got up our own sleeves. To the crew of the Arctic Eagle, we think what you're doing is positive and necessary, and its a hell of a lot of fun to watch you prove what can be done when cutting edge science and world class angling and animal wrangling skills come together. Keep on cracking those codes and smooth sailing for whatever lies ahead of you on this adventure of a lifetime.

Supporting Articles and Information Below

View 'Expedition Great White' Episode Segments in Chronological Order:

Supporting Articles and Information:
Monster Hunting in the New Century - by Sean Paxton
Shark Tagging & Documentation Field Guide - by Sean Paxton
Exploiting Wildlife for Its Own Good - by Sean Paxton
Florida Sport Fishing Magaznie Catch & Release Article - by Sean Paxton
The Shark Brothers & Friends Land-Based Shark Tagging Expedition
Destination Fish Article on the Arctic Eagle - by Sam Eifling
OffshoreAdventures.tv
NationalGeographic.com