January 26, 2009 : 2:29pm
Skateboarding.

Since breaking my thumb last summer I've been fairly unmotivated to ride the skateboard. After losing the ability to pick up the kid, use a mouse or drive a car or bike...I just saw that the smallest little fall could effect my life in a big way. I'm slowly moving back toward enjoying it again as it's an important part of my life and I don't want to lose it.

This is why I loved skating back in the early 90's. Matt Hensley was my favorite skateboarder and still is (2. Natas Kaupas 3. Gonz). These four interviews (click on 'PLAN B TV and scroll down) really take me back to why I loved to skate and the creative outlet it was. When every shop in the mall has the latest shoe and all over print shirt where is the passion? The feeling of doing something against the crowd?

And this is one of the things I can't stand about skating now. OK, he has a point about Transworld in the first video, but Reynolds is just as guilty of selling garbage to kids. Baker, Deathwish and the like sell a exclusive, cliche, fashion forward shell of skateboarding to kids. I know I'm in the minority here...but these clips make me gag. And don't get me started on this one.

This is what skateboarding CAN do. Amazing.


January 21, 2009 : 10:11am
The Next Day.

"All that hate's gonna burn you up, kid." - Powers Boothe
"It keeps me warm." - C. Thomas Howell, Red Dawn

The entire time I've maintained this site George W. Bush had been President (well, technically my first blog post ever was 1/18/00, but that was on the old dot come site). From the very beginning it was easy to predict his policies and how I would react. Here's a rich, privileged born-again Texan from a family of Republicans. All of his cabinet were similar. Even before he was in office you KNEW his stance on war, the enviroment, church and state, gay rights and the like. We were polar oppisites. There was little chance of seeing any issue or event turn toward my views. I never expected a thing and because of that I was never let down.

Obama has won the office of President on the promise of change. He built his platform on ending the war, rethinking the economy, championing compassion and changing the world's perception of America.

I hope he doesn't let us all down. I'm going to stay positive and I hope he follows through and breaks the political trend. I could really use some good news.

+ Bush's Inauguaration in 2001 on CNN. Wow. A different story.

+ Not bad.


January 20, 2009 : 9:00am
Change Is Hope.

The home page I posted.


January 18, 2009 : 1:58pm
Inauguration Nation.

Draplin has some serious luck as he not only made it into DC for the week of the event but also has tickets to the big show on Tuesday. Luckily for the rest of us he keeps his site updated with fantastic photos and commentary. It will continue to be my main source of event coverage.

Also in Chocolate City for the week are the Sanders clan. My old boss from the snowboard days is walking the mall with the wife and four tweens. That might be a challenge, but a fun one. Follow their adventures here.

I'm proud to have lived in DC for six years. Certainly one of my favorite cities and I'm proud to have also grown up just south of their during my teen years. Back in 1993 I was part of the crowd the inauguration of Bill Clinton. It was a different time then with much less secruity and certainly less fanfare but it was something I'll always remember.

I wonder if they'll play this jam when Obama takes his hand off the bible (my brother and I saw George Clinton and Parliment perform this in DC but that's another story):

.


January 15, 2009 : 1:15pm
Oasis: Dig Out Your Soul In The Streets.



Everything about this concept is wonderful. Before the then release of their new album, Dig Out Your Soul, Oasis hired New York City street musicans to perform four new songs in the subway. I had heard about this idea when it was happening and now a film has been posted online documenting the process. A great idea with amazing results...marketing that is smart, interesting and original.

I'm a huge fan of the album and knowing the songs make the different versions even more interesting. So good. Plus, as always, Liam's interactions and comments are great. It's worth watching the entire film. Enjoy.


January 13, 2009 : 7:03pm
Seven Days And Counting.

On week and this eight year nightmare will be over. Disappointing to say the least. The numbers tell the story...and with 150 hours to go, I'm so damn thankful he'll be gone for good,

UPDATE: Jon Stewart says it better than I ever could.


January 11, 2009 : 4:09pm
Busted By Morrissey?

I received this email from You Tube early this morning:

"Dear neckdeepnet,

A copyright owner has claimed it owns some or all of the audio content in your video 1967 Porsche 912, Historic Highway Drive. The audio content identified in your video is Suedehead by Morrissey. We regret to inform you that your video has been blocked from playback due to a music rights issue."

Seriously? Someone in Moz's camp discovered my video and pulled rank because it, 2 minutes in, the clip fades in Suedehead for a few minutes? Unreal. Check out the video and you'll find the audio has been pulled. It's now a silent film.

"This video contains an audio track that has not been authorized by all copyright holders."

I wonder how my silly driving film was choosen to flag with so many thousands of bootleg videos posted? Should I be honored?


January 7, 2009 : 10:26am
Black Steel In The Hour Of Choas.



There is no doubt that the greatest hip-hop album of all time is Public Enemy's 'It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back'. I remember hearing it back in 1988 and being blown away. The sound, the politics, the urgency and the ideas...plus Chuck D's voice. It remains in a class by itself. I sometimes take heat for saying it, but the hip-hop of today can't hold a candle to this record (or any from the time period).

I just ran across this three part documentary on the album over at Pitchfork.tv. I was actually thought the piece could have gone into a bit more detail (social issues at the time, more on the cover, lyric details, the record's impact on other arts, etc) but it's definitely worth your time.

Part One: Beginnings
Part Two: Built From Scratch
Part Three: The Legacy


January 6, 2009 : 10:49am
Bend Question #8.

I was asked by Andy Jenkins to answer Bend Question #8 over at Bend Press. "How important is music to you and how does it inform your life?"
Click here and scroll down the right hand column for my answer.


January 5, 2009 : 3:08pm
Years Of Refusal.



The new Morrissey album, Years Of Refusal, has been leaked online (it's official release date is February 23rd) and a friend who will remain nameless has provided me with a copy.

Overall, I'm SUPER impressed. I've spun it more than a few times today and I certainly enjoy the album as a whole. A few of the songs (That's How People Grow Up, All You Need Is Me) have been kicking around for a while, but the others sound fresh and the sound overall is a more 'Southpaw' rock feel. These songs should be amazing live and I certainly hope his current tour makes it out west.

Also, I am constantly excited to hear solid songs from an artist I love plus the fact that he is still releasing music and touring is a gift in itself. Those who compare each new record to his earlier works and / or The Smiths are missing the point. I don't know of any other band or solo artist who continues to put out solid, listenable, records.

(The above image has nothing to do with the new record, I just wanted to post this photo. Moz driving and Kate Moss? Gold.)


January 1, 2009 : 9:58am
2009 Shopping List.

I figure that I should start this year with something comical. And if you haven't seen this yet...it's pretty damn good. And catchy.



Bonus: Jizz In My Pants. The new 'Dick In A Box'. Actually, I'm thinking this is even funnier.



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