PT

Rod is out, shoulder's surprisingly weak, but feeling better each day. L.I.Z. got the entire procedure of the doctor pulling out the rod on video, so I'll try to post that edit when it's done. It is nice to have full(er) range of motion, though. Taking a tee shirt off isn't a torturous process anymore. Weather's been really warm in Tahoe. Plenty of snow, but having sun and birds chirping does get me thinking of the rest of the year, and of course surfing. It's gonna be my PT.

I've been into new music that sounds like old music. Holly Golightly, specifically. And old music that's old music, like Billy Joel and some Phil Collins. Snowboarding Saves Lives!.

Ballms Over Baghdad

Is this guy serious? In light of general corporate boneheadedness these days like the whole AIG crapstorm, that the CEO of one of the strongest companies in the world makes obtuse statements like this one completely amazes me. How can anyone be a CEO of any company and justify judgements like this is beyond me. I'm not trying to instigate more MS vs. Apple talk. I'm pointing out that the basis of Ballms' statements show an level of ignorance to branding and public demand usually reserved for people called 'morons'. Of course, Ballmer is one of the wealthiest men in the world, so obviously he's doing something right that I'm not. Ballms went to business school, so to me that's an automatic strike against him off the bat. But I'm seriously wondering what he does at Microsoft besides yell and stick his tongue out.

No one attacks unless they feel threatened. That's the truth. For Microsoft who has 90% marketshare in OS to attack Apple who has less than 7% doesn't make me feel confident about MS's self-confidence. If you're the bigger person, you kinda have to act like it. Ballmer definitely doesn't do that when representing his company. His comments clearly show that he doesn't know the market. I don't just mean the computer or software market. I mean ANY market. Is the reality that a person can make public statements like the Ballms, become the CEO of a business as huge as MS, AND be one of the richest humans on the planet a manifestation of the American Dream, or a symptom of future weakness in American business?

Even though Ballms and Gates don't allow their families the simple pleasures of iPods, my pizzle's been playing Acid House Kings, and the game Katamari Damacy has been getting me all into J-Pop. The soundtrack is pure rad. Snowboarding Saves Lives!

Young Weezy

Being out of commission with an injury does suck. Good health is something many of us take for granted until we don't have it. Not being able to shred only compounds to the suckiness. On the upswing, I have more time to focus on business, and directing Automaton to where we need to be in the future. Since the Dew circus is in town, I've taken advantage of the opportunity to shmooze with industry types, and propose future movements. Who knows if any of them will take, however. In my experience, even if every aspect of a plan is thought through to the point where it's truly circular, all the numbers add up, even the contingency plans have clear contingency plans, it all comes down to how the other party feels. Part of the trick is to show the opportunities that exist during the dominant backdrop of today: the slow economy. Every situation presents different opportunities. Not better or worse, but different. But it seems to me that a lot of people just focus on 1 aspect: slow sales. I think we collectively should be focusing on horizontal growth, build a strong base, and when the economy speeds up, then turn vertical.

Another result of being injured is that I've been watching more TV, meaning Hulu. I'm pretty happy about my latest discovery, Bones, if only because the lead character might rival X-Files' Agent Scully in hotness. Honestly, the only reason I started watching Bones was 'cause I thought the lead character is hot. Bones is so hot that in the 5 episodes I've watched, I haven't even paid attention to what her character's name is. Scully was rad 'cause she was rational and wasn't afraid to pull out her gun and use it. Bones doesn't pack heat, but she does know karate, and isn't afraid to use it. She is totally socially awkward and has a funny way of speaking, but hey, it's part of the package. The last advantage Bones has is she's on TV while X-Files hasn't been on in nearly a decade. As a show, X-Files was way better. Bones's plot lines have more holes than a doughnut shop. And while X-Files put the characters into a lot of different situations, Bones just kinda deals with bones and labs. Hopefully I get the rod removed from my shoulder in 3 weeks. At that time, I'll definitely be watching less Hulu and focusing on the shred again. Looking forward to it.

Pizzle has added Josh Ritter to the mix, and Pretty Girls Make Graves.

Dia Del Mi

Well, it looks like I'm a year older today. It's been a relatively quiet day, just working at home (per usual) on the computer. Time is really warped up here. Vegas was 2 weeks ago, but felt like it was last week and a month ago at the same time. A week ago, i was broken off and going under the knife to put my 4 part clavicle back to 1 piece. In a haze of pain killers, on-snow demos, a garlic stuffed roast, and finally snowfall, I'm here now. For the last month, the weather was near summer levels, now it's dead winter again (so thankful for that!). Being on the mend is restrictive, but it's better than being broken. I have spent at least 23 hours in the house each day for the last 4. This also means i haven't had to change out of pajamas for 4 days. Big plus in my book. Music has gone way back in time. The pizzle's been streaming the likes of Marlene Dietrich and Bob Dylan.

Janvier

Good stuff happening in 09 so far. Brought on an old buddy, formerly from Ally distribution, to handle Automaton sales. Plenty of scheming has been done, and I think we have the next step in retail on lock if we can get the plan to go through. oing to Vegas next week to see if everything will pan out. 09/10 board samples are in and looking hot. In some of the down time, I decided to have a Joe Singer look-alike contest. I was the only competitor. I lost to the real Joe Singer. However, I matched the beanie, the tee, and tried to grow the 'stache but that wasn't really happening for me. That's me on the left if you couldn't tell.

Been on the Hip Hop tip lately. Some Az "Sugar Hill" and Kanye going on in the Pizzle.

Good Morning

This is one of my favorite sights to wake up to. No, no, not two norwegian nubiles, i mean snow! I could hardly fall asleep last night listening to the weather outside. Late seasons like this pretty much blow. The town is slow, resorts aren't open, and of course you can't shred without snow. It's also difficult to sell snowboards with no snow. So business better start getting back to normal! I haven't been back for 2 weeks yet and san diego seems so long ago. i do miss the surf. i do miss the friends. often i don't like missing people. why get all weird on something you can't change? waste of energy, in my opinion. Although who can really complain about nubi's, anyway?

R. Kelly and Trina have been getting down on the pod. R's just keeping it honest on "I'm a Flirt". that song's my new anthem.

Wipe That Face Off Your Face!

On the Portland trip, we learned that I cannot sell boards. That was Liz's skill set. Gris kept calling me Lion-O 'cause of the hair. Quantum of Solace shoulda been called Quantum of Awesome. Even though Daniel Craig has 2 first names, his bond is the raddest bond ever. Quantum is as good, maybe better than casino royale. It's got everything: quality action that stretches reality just enough to be entertaining, hot chicks that are smart, technology that's realistically integrated into the story, and even character development. This is the home stretch for me in San Diego. By the 1st I should be in Tahoe full time. So waves better start rolling through! And snow better start falling! Pizzle's been getting a workout with all the 10 hour car trips I've been taking. Belle & Sebastian is still ruling most of the time. They are so good.

P-Roid

P-Roid
Originally uploaded by wootang71

Back in Truckee for work. Received the new boards, shipping them out. The rain's finally turned to snow (kind of). The top of deathstar is all white. It's really cold. I guess i still have summer blood. It's nice to be back at "home". Even though now that I'm up here San Diego is getting a solid swell. If this swell knows what's good for it, it'll still be around by Thursday when i get back.

The piz has been hit with all sorts of new goodness: Lykke Li, Greens Keepers, Aphex Twin, Duffy, Chairlift (even though their song Bruises ended up being the new ipod nano song), the Kills, and Department of Eagles. Polaroid cameras are rad.

Runners Up

FMP
Originally uploaded by wootang71

Ok, what i meant with the last post about not ever liking anyone so much that i'd change my life is rooted in my observation that everything is replaceable. cold to say, but it's true. there isn't anything or anyone so valuable, unique, or important that they cannot be replaced. Look at presumably one of the most important people in the world: the president of the USA. the president is in leadership of the most overall powerful country in the world. that person should be considered important, right? well guess what, that person is replaceable. we have a vp next in line. and another person behind the vp. in my experience, i may like someone so much that i can't think of anyone else. but when that person's gone, eventually so are the feelings. and then someone else fills that spot. happens to me, happens to everyone else. if it happens once, then that's something. if it happens over and over, that's a pattern. and i see a pattern of replaceability. i can say that i've loved a girl before. but i can't say that i've ever loved a girl so much that i'd change my life, stop traveling, and maybe even stop surfing or snowboarding (painful just to think of). material gets built and broken. people come and go. economies rise and fall. the sun will come up tomorrow. probably like most people, i don't like the idea of being replaced. if i can't fulfill someone's need, they'll find someone else who can. i like attention just like the next person. but if this girl isn't giving me the attention i need, i'm gonna find one that will. which brings me full circle (in my coffee-fueled head): how can we have confidence when we know we're expendable?

for the sake of not sounding like a lump of coal, i do understand that everyone's different. that's what i like about people. my friends are my friends, and i would do a lot for them. but i know that if one day i'm not around (happens a lot), it's not like their lives are over. they'll find another friend to hang out with. 'cause i'm replaceable, too.

the piz has been doing me well lately with the lucksmiths, santogold, belle & sebastian, and even the newest rogue wave album.

#1

Just got back from wedding #3. That's a lot of weddings for me. It was a whirlwind week. Cruising from San Diego to Half Moon Bay. Taking down some sangria with Wayne at Cha Cha Cha. Getting stuck in traffic and missing buses. Rolling on Bart and rolling into the wedding group smelling like the Mission. Hanging out with Job. Haven't seen her in 9 years. She goes by Elisabeth now, no more Liz. Forgot that she rented my Mom's place sophomore year. Job is how i know Sara, the bride. I met Pam through Sara. Pam introduced Sara and Todd, the groom. Then Pam married Sara and Todd. To each other, i mean. 3 way marriages aren't legal even in California. Crashed in Bernal, then rocketed to Truckee, but not without stopping for a paella burrito with Csontos in Davis. Visited dealers. Truckee was work, packing boxes, shipping boards, and playing boom blox with joe and liz. 16 hours after arriving, i'm out to South Lake, meeting in Sac which i missed, then Mountain View. Had a couple scotches with Dewey and crashed in Monterey. Now I'm back in San Diego, and the waves have gone flat.

At least weddings are fun. Polaroids rule. Open bar always helps. Open bar + Jameson + Wootang = whiskey fingers and no memory. Maybe I'm just thinking out loud, but I'm starting to think that there might not be anyone i like so much that i'll change my life. Don't get me wrong, I like attention just like anyone else. But I realize it's not specific to anyone. I definitely understand having love for someone. But just because I love a girl doesn't mean i have to marry her. Or start a life with her. Or be with her every second of every day forever. That's just not me. I'm open to the possibility that I may by chance meet a person that changes my mind. But i'm not holding my breath. Again, just thinking out loud. Got some of The Blow, the Lucksmiths, and Erasure on the pizzle mix.

Dumper? I don't even know her!

So, Jerm, lemme guess which network is yours.
Originally uploaded by wootang71

San Diego has been crazy. Crazy busy that is. It's gotten to the point where if I have nothing to do for 30 minutes, I get bored. Moving around Carlsbad. Dealing with Automaton stuff is tough. Partly because i'm venturing into all new territory. So I have no experience doing what i'm doing. Also since the stakes are rising, so is the risk. New distribution in Russia! Gives me an excuse to visit mother Russia. At least Moscow. Japan distributor came to visit and talk shop for a week. ASR week, like any other tradeshow, is draining. Picked up a 5'6" twin fin off of Craig's. But not one of those "classic" retro ones. Got me the ...Lost RNF. Been hanging at a buddy's new restaurant. Italy has gone, but Frenchie's about to rock on up. Lego Star Wars on Wii has been taking over my life. And we have a south swell rocking up tomorrow. San Diego's been good. My taste in music has not. Listening to a crap load of Belle & Sebastian, and I can't get enough of Camera Obscura. That band reminds me of an itchy straw hammock on Koh Phangan. If you know Jerm, it's not tough to pick out which network is his.

The Rio

What's Not To Love?
Originally uploaded by wootang71

San Diego re-entry: Hood to Tahoe, rolled into the Singer compound during a bbq fiesta. Tahoe to Sacto, meetings all day, then stayed with Tim and Emily in Davis. Homecooked meals rule! Sacto to San Francisco, more meetings, cruised with Jim and Gen, hung art and drank Tommy's margaritas. SF to Palo Alto for a Cali breakfast with Ashley, Liz, and Helen. Continued on to Monterey where Dewey, Gwen, and I lurked at Pebble Beach. Saw family in LA on the way to my new digs in Carlsbad. Who thought all that driving could tire you out? But it's good to be back in SD. I had a double surf day and i'm enjoying a slight sunburn. It's rad to be back in the sun and active, especially when that activity is surfing. Although California is flat compared to Indo, I like that the paddles out are 1/50th the distance. Tis the season to get married. I have 3 weddings to attend in the next 6 weeks, so it's time to break out the big boy clothes. Gonna be a busy as f week with my cousin getting married, catching up with the homies, catching waves, and people moving away. Such is the life. Pizzle's gotten a weird mix lately picking up tunes from other's pods and comps. The range is some John Lennon solo stuff, Beatles, Nina Simone, Atmosphere, T.I., Billy Joel, Ming & Ping, Morrissey, Bob Dylan, and a dash of Elvis. This pic was seen at Saffron, one of my SD comfort food joints. Marketing geniuses. Gotta treat the tract right!