Wave Series

Join us this Friday, August 2nd, at the Pel'Meni Dumpling Tzar in Fremont for the opening of an art exhibition featuring our friend, Kyle Wilson. To be honest, I don't know the details (aside from what's on this here flyer), but I do know Kyle is cool and his art is awesome. Sold? You should be!

Off the Grid

The idea of living "off the grid" is appealing to me in many ways. Our dependence on social systems and services has left us weak and unwilling to work. Once able to provide food and certain essentials for our own families, we now look to a conglomeration of corporations and the incestuous idiots in places like Olympia to feed and fend for us. Easy, it is, living on the grid, but the long term effects of our current corporate care system are starting to show. Build a fire, field-dress a deer, grow a bunch of broccoli - all of this seems so unnatural to everyone. With so many people spending their weekends sitting in front of screens, eating food from God knows where and purchasing imported products designed not to last a lifetime. Regress we have.

Honestly, I'm not sure how I heard about Nick Rosen's book, Off the Grid: Inside the Movement for More Space, Less Government, and True Independence in Modern America. Probably picked it up somewhere and didn't set it down. Happens. Whatever the reason, Rosen's research about off-grid living is rich and rewarding. It's not a how-to guide, but more of a here's why. Offering a look into the lives of those living the disconnected dream - be it all the way undone, or just a few of the required wires - Rosen's book is broad in its appeal, providing insight and ideas for the serious and the not-sot-serious alike. So if you're at all interested in unplugging, whether you want to disappear into the woods or just reduce your dependence, I recommend you read this.

Autumn Logs

Dean Petty harvesting stoke in Nova Scotia on his Bing Silverspoon. Brought to you by Zak Bush.

Keith Novosel

I don't really know Keith Novosel... not in the traditional sense. I had heard of him, seen a few of his photos, read other interviews, etc., but we have yet to surf the same spot, or spend some time around a campfire together. And while I may not know him, Keith is an inspiring individual, a like minded logger and a fantastic photographer. Living in Oregon, Keith is able to surf spots I don't get down to that often - Pacific City in particular. And although he and his fiance (congrats, btw) recently traveled to mainland Mexico - surfing somewhere I fell in love with last winter - Keith is eager to explore other areas, expanding both his photographic and film portfolios in the process. So in an attempt to get to know Mr.Novosel a bit better, I sat down and came up with a couple of questions, to which he promptly replied. Follow the link to see what he had to say.

Parry Preparing

James Parry preparing for this weekend's Duct Tape Invitational on his new 9'6 Bing Elevator.

From the Phone - Vol.2

I can't always carry a camera. And honestly, a lot of the time I prefer not to. Able to enjoy the world around me without feeling like I should be "capturing the moment." Because sometimes the memory of a thing is greater than any image - your imagination filling in for what might be missing. I do, however, have a phone in the front pocket of my Mountain Briefcase, and it, like most phones nowadays, has a camera. A damn good one at that. But in my efforts to enjoy instead of immortalize, I fail. Often. It's called Instagram, and like a lot of social media services, it's an addiction. But for those of you unaffected by this affliction, here's a handful of photos from the last few weeks.

Coast Modern

If you've taken a look at my Tumblr, you know I'm interested in modern architecture. Perhaps it's the utilization of natural light - wide glass walls and open air spaces - incorporating a structure into its surroundings. Or perhaps it's the use of raw materials. Wood, stone and even cement. A lot of the architecture I like is asymmetrical, and yet there's a certain symmetry - rooms seamlessly connected to one another. I like other styles of architecture, but for whatever reason, the west coast modern movement really appeals to my aesthetic. So when I saw this trailer for Coast Modern, a new documentary that showcases modernist architecture from Los Angeles to Vancouver, highlighting homes that exemplify the style I am so fond of, I immediately added it to my iTunes account. Click here to learn more about the movie.

Riders of the California Surf

It's really incredible to see how far we've come. In this short (silent) film from 1947, watch people ride paipos, Ed Edgar shape a solid plank redwood surfboard, and a bit of early hot doggin' at Hermosa Beach.

Beatles, Bikes and Boards

Sir Paul McCartney played a sold out show at Safeco Field on Friday night. 45,000 people. Apparently he's popular. And while Paul played 'Hey Jude' to a swirling mass of moms and dads, us creatures of the unusual stood shoulder to shoulder, cold cans in our claws, admiring the work of quite a few craftsmen. Bikes built not to set land speed records, but to transport someones soul. And surfboards shaped in the sixties, when surfing wasn't a sport. Two Tribes sharing a space, exchanging ideas.

There were friends, and friends of friends, and even some family. There was talk of travel - breakdowns and bad days and secret surf spots down south. And while our friend Paul made parking a pain in the ass, people still showed (much appreciated, I might add). Probably because motor bikes and surfing boards feed a feeling, and if you've experienced one, you can appreciate the other. Follow the link for a few photos from Friday nights Two Tribes show, our second annual custom motorcycle and classic surfboard celebration.

The Ductumentary

Check out this trailer for The Ductumentary, a short film highlighting legendary logger, Joel Tudor, and his Duct Tape Invitational longboard contests. Directed by Graham Nash and Reagan Ritchie, the film features Joel Tudor, Alex Knost, Tyler Warren, Ryan Burch, Jared Mell and many more.

House of Balloons

What I've been listening to lately...

#TwoTribes

Just a friendly reminder that the second annual Two Tribes celebration, a custom motorcycle and classic surfboard show, will take place this evening at The Piranha Shop in downtown Seattle. Join us for an evening of single finned shenanigans and two wheeled tomfoolery. Click here for additional info.