On a beautiful Sunday afternoon we went to LACMA

Recently in Los Angeles the LACMA opened it's new Broad Contemporary Art Museum as "Phase 1" of the transformation of LACMA. The new building hosts all contemporary artists such as Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons as well as many emerging new artists. The building is an amazing multi level red and white design with a giant elevator backdropped by non other than Andy Warhol pop art. Architect Renzo Piano did an amazing job of not only designing a bright and modern building to house these works of art, but to also bring spectacular views of the surrounding Los Angeles hills and vistas.

Our favorite works were the Jeff Koons collection of Inflatables sculptures and paintings. The giant balloon dog sculpture is amazing. For those who might find his work to be bullshit, think again. The detail in these pieces were so perfect that if I didn't know better I would actually think he made them out of real balloons instead of steel. I even managed to sneak off a couple of shots in the gallery without getting scolded. (sorry for the bad framing on the dog)

If you are in the LA area I highly suggest checking out the exhibit.

It's Hot In The City

It's frickin Gretzky hot in LA

Baseball been beddy beddy good to me

Craig called me yesterday inviting me to the Dodgers game. Not being a big fan of baseball one might think I would not be interested. However I am a fan of ballpark dogs and beer so I was in! And not only that we were about twenty rows off the field. Being that close definitely makes the game more interesting to watch. The game itself had some exciting moments. But not as exciting as discovering that the restrooms had those new super futuristic DYSON hand dryers. Amazing! Definitely one of the highlights of the night .... oh yeah.. and the score was 6-4 for Arizona.

Here are a few things we saw and did

drank really big beers
Ate really big hot dogs
caught peanuts
listened to hecklers
crazy lee press on nails
Space age Dyson hand dryer
2 beer per person minimums
mystery fart smells

I can't wait

I am seriously excited to see the new Indiana Jones movie. I feel like a kid again. I remember camping out on the sidewalk to see this movie in the theaters when I was a kid.

Only in LA

On our way to a BBQ we stopped into a market to grab a bottle of wine. Parked in the handicapped was this Lamborhgin. Only in LA man, only in LA

G9

Kevin Zacher told me to get this camera. So I did. And I have to say this thing kicks ass! The Canon G9. Hard to acquire. 12.1 Mega pix and can even shoot RAW files. Amazing. I think you should go get one.

Lucha! Luncha!

As I was going through my hellish tax ordeal I came across a business card for a restaurant that Stacey and I went to in NYC while there on our 1 year anniversary. I thought about how much I loved this place and felt the need to spread the word. La Esquina, located right on the corner of Kenmare and Lafayette in the ever so cool SoHo. This place is sexy cool, meets luchadore underground. The best part is it is like being in Goodfellas, where you show up at the door of what looks like some taco stand ( don't let that deter you. the real goods are under the streets), are quickly and abruptly greeted by some dude with a clipboard. You tell him you have reservations ( you'll need em to get it) he then lets you in the door where you walk into some basement where upon you are greeted by yet another clipboard toting girl asking for your reservation. She then proceeds to walk you through the kitchen and into the low ceilinged restaurant. Now NYC is known for inflated prices. But this place was not that bad. The drinks are amazing , the food is incredible, and the music selection is a cool blend that runs the gambit.

I could go on and on about this place but I just recommend you go there and check it out for yourself.

New toy...err.....work tool

So I finally caved in and joined the digital revolution. After years of being a "film guy" I have since felt the pinch of needing digital photo equipment with a lot of jobs that have been coming up as of late. So hello Mr Canon 5D, goodbye empty credit card. I would have loved to get the super duper Canon 1Ds Mark III but the sting of the $8K price tag didn't sit well with my constitution let alone my broke ass. Now all I need is for the damn lenses to hurry up and get here.

Fur To Bone

The opening of artist Ryan McLennan's original paintings titled From Fur To Bone was yet another reason to leave the house in the name of culture and art. Held at the BLK/MRKT Gallery the show was a breath of fresh air from all the "skate art" I have been seeing as of late. McLennan's original paintings had a deep and what I interpreted to be a violent theme of the balance between wildlife and nature. Done within a slight playful way with Elk and Moose battling with raccoons and skunks over what would appear to be a stuffed teddy bear made of leaves.

It was refreshing to go to an art opening that wasn't so much of a fashion show and more about the art. I only wish I had the scratch to be able to buy a piece as I really loved the work. The show runs from April 5th through May 10 so I highly suggest dropping by the BLK/MRKT gallery and take a peek. Here are a few snaps of some of my favorites.

Me n' Von D

I had my last shoot with Kat today. She is awesome. Sat around all mellow and shot the shit most of the time. She showed us her Beethoven tattoo that looks like Tom Hanks. I finally thought we needed a shot together so here ya go. Finally someone who looks a little more pale than me in photos.

Being True: 22 Years of American Youth

Last night was the opening of the Emma Reeves and Aaron Rose curated Being True: 22 years of American youth. A collective group showing of photographs by the likes of Cheryl Dunn, Jason Nocito, Tim Barber, Terry Richardson and many others. Presented by NIKE at the 144 Lab on La Brea in Los Angeles. As the title of the show stated, the photography collectively gave a glimpse into the past 22 years of youth in America and street culture.

Upon our arrival a gentle giant of a door man blocked our entrance in with "the list" which of course we weren't on. after telling him we received an email from Daily Candy telling pretty much everyone in LA about the event he just let us in. Cool. The gallery was pretty small but chock full of LA hipsters all working hard to be more stylish that the person standing next to them. I think we even saw a lace headband accompanied by a Flashdance off the shoulder number.

The photography ran the gambit from a young black girl sipping water from an open fire hydrant to the OG B-Boys of NYC. Not incredibly original but some nice selections for sure. And after all it was a nice excuse to go out and see some art. After a few glasses of champagne we made our exit through the crowds out front. Andy and I agreed that with a little work and research one could most likely find free drinks every night of the week in the city of the Angeles.

Does someone hate me?

Every so often I get some new gear from the boys at Burton. It is a great perk to working with them and having the good fortune of being friends with the man himself. Now more often than not I get exactly what I request from them as far as colorway, style etc. And then today happened. I was awaiting for the arrival of a new photo pack that Blotto was having sent to me. Very stoked. But then....

I come home from running some errands and on my doorstep is a box from Burton. Christmas in spring yippee! Upon opening the box I was suddenly paranoid that I was being Punked. [ see photo ] I mean if I was using this camera pack on the slopes it could be all cool in a stick out while trying to be alternative and awesome kind of way. But rolling around some city with a pack that screams either HEY! Come steal me! Or Pin me down and mace me for looking so faggy! Didn't really suit my daily routine. Either way I just don't think I can pull it off. Needless to say I am driving over to the LA flagship store to trade it in for the standard black Zoom Pack™

But hey, I gotta say thanks to the boys at Burton for keeping me geared up every year. You guys rock! Even if you do hate me.

Portland Oregon and a slow Gin fiz

4 • 02 • 08 - PDX bound. An idea I had a while ago with Craig Champion recently began to get some wheels. Recently we asked Andy Blumberg to come on in as producer. Yesterday Andy and I did an awesome day trip up to the Portland area to speak with über company NIKE and their NIKE 6.0 department. Champ was supposed to be along for the trip but a week prior he slammed while shredding the gnar up at June Mountain and fell down went boom. A broken elbow and separated tricep muscle was the end result. Needless to say ol' swell-bow wasn't coming along only days after his surgery, so Andy and I made the trek without the Champion one.

If you haven't ever been to Portland ( then where have you been??) I highly suggest making the trip. An awesome departure from the LA vibe into a cool, mellow and friendly atmosphere of artsy/kinda hippy / chill people all seemingly riding fixed gear bikes. Andy, obviously in LOVE with the city, had our breakfast and lunch spots already picked out. The Doug Fir for breakfast. Conveniently nestled into the Jupiter Hotel. A reinvented Best Western Motel turned style boutique hotel and restaurant and bar. AWESOME service and food. I will definitely go back.

We then made our way to the NIKE campus in Beaverton. This was my first time to the 16 billion in revenues company. Can I say holy fuck? HO-LEE-FUCK! The campus is a collection of about 16 buildings surrounded by running trails, soccer fields, football fields, running tracks and interwoven with various tennis courts. Not to mention the Olympic sized pool and various basketball courts. And people were actually using these facilities when we were walking in! I think it is safe to say that NIKE employees most definitely practice what they preach.

without too much detail our meeting went as good as it could have and we left the NIKE campus elated. What to do now before our flight back to the city of Angels? Lunch? Why not? And the Ace hotel's Clyde Commons restaurant was our destination. Another cool restyled, but still fits in, boutique hotel restaurant with a KILLER Whiskey menu along with an amazing burger. A couple of pints in we were ready to go home and pass out.

Some of the things we saw and did while in Portland:

- Street people ( they seem to be everywhere)
- Powell Books. Famous store Portland seems to be known for, but we didn't have time to browse
- The sunshine. Go figure
- A ton of people on Fix Geared bikes
- Mr. Mark Welsh and wife Leigh along with their new human
- Athletic people
- Cool brick buildings

I'm totally into Asian chicks

A few months ago Stacey and I were hiking with Disco dog in Runyon Canyon when a talent scout approached us. Wanna be in a commercial? I was a little leery of it but we both said "sure" Needless to say I actually got chosen as a principle for the nationally run Propel Fit Water commercial and now you can see me and my fake Asian girlfriend on national TV. My lines got cut, [most likely due to my fine acting skills] but to be honest I am actually glad they did. You can watch the spot "Activity II" here. But make sure you don't blink, you might miss me.