BJM

YES. Brian Jonestown Massacre, August 21 @ Cats Cradle. Apart from Wilmington's own The Needles, this could be the best American Rock N' Roll Band of the past 25 years.


Nevertheless - Brian jonestown Massacre from shane bordoli on Vimeo.

To anyone still checking this thing, Thanks. I have been incredibly busy as of late and my travels have been limited. I took a new job inspecting Nuclear Power Plants and for the first time in 29 years I have a solid income stream.

But don't worry I am still a dirtbag, I just spent a little less than a month living out of my rental minivan to maximize my per diem. I can't seem to break my mindset, why spend money on something frivolous like a motel or a sensible meal when I can use it to hit the road. I calculated it up and I spent less than 5 dollars a day. Although I did break down once and enjoyed some great company and sushi in the middle of nowhere. All in all, I would consider it a huge success.

My last job was spent in Southern New Jersey on the Delaware River a surprisingly beautiful place. Until last summer I thought The "Garden State" was a misnomer or just great marketing by New Jersey but driving around farmland with the windows down was pretty enjoyable.

The current plan is to purchase a used Dodge Sprinter (equipped with a 5 cylinder Mercedes Benz Diesel Engine) convert it into a makeshift camper and travel around the USA this summer fly fishing and surfing the Pacific NW hopefully including Vancouver Island.

I may create a new blog to document the design and build of the Sprinter and I will link to it from this site.

Dirtbag Taylor and Jess finally made it to Hawaii this season. We all made a pact to go when we lived in Big Sur but could never put it together. I was incredibly happy for them and jealous at the same time. They were slacking on the photos but maybe we can get some on here soon. Taylor continues to rub the waves he surfed in my face. 

Here are some songs I have been into lately:

Winter OBX

Taylor, Jon and myself ran up to OBX a couple weeks back and met up with our good friend Allen.

Quick update, Taylor & Jon are on a 10 day cruise to the Bahamas aboard a Research Vessel. Taylor was able to take along a pair of swimfins and a handplane, hopefully he will find a decent reef. I am headed up to Chapel Hill tomorrow to watch Twin Shadow. (See Music video below)

Here are a few from the trip more to come:

One-Piece

www.tallowgallery.com

Dropping

My mate and Australian Dirt Bag, Alec Summers, Vail Back Country.

Gut check

We asked the captain what course
Of action he proposed to take toward
A beast so large, terrifying, and
Unpredictable. He hesitated to
Answer, and then said judiciously:
''I think I shall praise it.''
-Hass

Check out my friend Brian's blog, http://cavemanschronicles.blogspot.com/
For a story about an Hawaiian Outer Reef and a kid from Jersey.

Adam Goes from Brian Herron on Vimeo.

From Wasilla, AK. Home of Sarah Palin.


Dead Kennedy's Cover.

Nick Cave

Baja Coast

 

Took these shots from the sketchy prop glider in the first picture. The "pilot" didn't instil much confidence before we took off he offered me a shot of tequila.

Guttermouth Gets Waxed

Guttermouth played in Wilmington last week. From what I heard, they were disappointed with the venue (The Soapbox) and the turn out. (it was in the middle of week) but they haven't exactly been turning out good music in a while.

So what does this build to, a tirade by the singer about how lame surfers are and what shit surf culture is. On that note I 100% agree. But, they were the background music to every surf film that came out between '98 and '03.

Anyways, someone in the crowd threw a bar of wax on stage and it hit a band member in the face. Why the perpetrator was caring a bar of wax at 11 pm is beyond me but it sounded pretty awesome.

Baja California

Years ago my best friend, Robert (see below), and myself converted a school bus into a makeshift RV and set off to California. We landed in Mission Beach, CA and lived next to a meth cooker, called Frankenstein, who was also a part-time pimp. Anyways, we caught plenty of surf and a few friends flew out and went to Baja with us.

Here are some photos I found on an old computer. I will be uploading some actual shot of the surf and coastline over the next couple days.

Lighting the Grill atop the custom patio.

Interior Shot. Can't you just smell the opulence.

Mediocre Reef Break

Robert, gearing up to hit the bars. Later, that night he was pissed to find out this was not acceptable attire to wear at a Mexican Beach Bar.

Dirtbag Taylor.

Costa Rica's So Gay Right Now

NE Trip Take 2 / OBX Surf

Pretty slow on adding photos from the trip mainly due to the poor surf. Although a couple standouts would be : Brian posing next to his early 90's Vette or 1 of the 7 pizza slices his brother, Adam, consumed the night before he paddled from Jersey to Delaware.

May be heading up to the Outer Banks this weekend, stay tuned and enjoy footage from last year.

Surf Art?

Photo by Francois Robert. http://francoisrobertphotography.com/

Sure, its no painted asymmetrical surfboard or some weird collage put together and nailed to a piece of driftwood found while cruising through Mexico. But, they sure do evoke feeling and thought.
And that is something missing from the surf/skate media, who cram the idea that anyone who hangs heels and keeps a journal has a point of view worth exploring in print or on the web. While images like these go unnoticed and Dane Reynolds every fart is chronicled and explained as a uniquely post-modern approach to the commercialization of surfing. FUCK.

Ronnie Burns, RIP

Incredible talent and style. RIP Ronnie Burns. Will be packing for my trip to the NE tomorrow. Looks like the tropical storm has fizzled out but there is still potential for surf. Hoping the system slows and regains some strength.

Blog of the Week

Surfr: Surf Nature

The blog is run by Tony Foster, from the north island of New Zealand. Who apart from documenting tons of surfing by way of high quality shots and countless videos also runs a houseboat tour out of Whangaroa Bay. http://www.houseboatrentals.co.nz/

On top of that he is the author of Plant Heritage New Zealand, an extensive look into the flora of of New Zealand.

Look out for his post about Folly Beach, South Carolina where he was of course ticketed for illegal parking! Good Job S.Caroilna

Photo by Tom Foster

Down South

Photos of New Zealand. Hamish Mathieson
http://ramboestrada.com/

New Board, No Surf

Just picked up a 9'2" Eavey pintail. First longboard I have owned in over a year and a half. (Thanks Taylor & Jess for picking up the slack). I am a little unsure of it, the Eavey's I have ridden in the past were a little sluggish. But I can not complain too much, I picked it up for a good price and can always re-sell it.

Will be heading up to OBX, Jersey, NYC and Montauk this Wed. Looking forward to some surf and the development of TD4.

Oil in the Gulf

Oil in the Gulf