Wake up with this lead poisoning

Music and design often goes hand and hand. My friend Lucas usually helps out in that department. He was kind of enough to send over This Addiction- the latest album from Chicago's finest punk rockers Alkaline Trio. I have been listening to these cats for several years now and they rarely disappoint. They will be playing at the House Of Blues, Hollywood on Feb 17, random night for a Wednesday show but live music is what it is.

Right now I am currently working on an accessory project. I guess one could say that I am stepping out of my comfort zone. I tend to get lost in the world of color so I am trying to focus my energy on tonal effects, one two three combos maximum. One size fits all!

The devil's playground

I think it is safe to assume that you guys know that I was born and raised in San Pedro (pronounced PEE-DRO for all you out of towners) but in fact I have moved around Cali here and there. In 06'/07' I lived in the LBC aka Strong Beach aka Long Beach. LB is a HUGE city that maintains a blossoming downtown district while still preserving that small neighborhood beach community feeling. Long Beach is definitely a melting pot (I can't help but think of the Bay when I use that phrase but in context LB is not as cool as SF).

Bars are bars. I have done my fair share of boozing in damn near all of them while living in Long Beach. The watering holes that are tucked away off the main drag are usually pretty cool finds. Alex's Bar is a true gem, like stepping into a mini version of hell: red painted walls, cheap drinks, horrible service but live rock and roll almost every night. This weekend Alex is celebrating his 10 year anniversary with a sick lineup of the Adolescents, Mike Watt and Riverboat Gamblers live on stage.

In these tough economic times it's great to hear that the small businessman is still alive and kicking. But then again, recession or economic boom, people will drink regardless. Cheers and I'll see you in the pit!

Rolling on 2 wheels

Rolled down to the city of Irvine today to take my kids to an amazing little place called Pretend City. A magical wonderland tucked away inside a huge warehouse, a mini city that toddlers can call their own. While I chased little man around the "pretend Ralph's" I came across a fashionably dressed male about age 35 who was wheelchair bound. Now his chair wasn't just one of those generic hospital models, we are talking custom non electrical chair with all black framework and chrome shoes. Safe to assume he had suffered a serious injury at some point in his life but his level of stoke around his wife and 2 kids is what caught my eye more than anything.

I decided to check out the Life Rolls On site after I got home. Jesse Billauer was a fellow classmate of mine while I was in my undergrad at SDSU. Jesse would show up to class in a new chair like once a week, ridiculous chrome and custom paint, I had never seen anything like it. Now don't get me wrong but his story is far more impressive than his wheelchair collection but still you gotta give the guy props for rolling in style. The LFO foundation has grown rather significantly over the years and continues to promote positive vibes for individuals who have spinal cord injury. Check out the Cord Progression show when it hits the city of Long Beach on 2/27/10.

God even sent me a package

Today I received a package from Cavotu Family artist, Adrian (of A's Rage). He is currently on an East Coast mini promo tour for his new album, hopefully dropping this summer. Check out his site for more tour information and follow his escapades on the road.

Bare your soles

The folks in Haiti have been on my mind ever since I heard news of the devastation caused by the 7.0 earthquake last Tuesday. So, with this tragedy weighing in heavy, (and after having made a monetary donation to CARE.org) I found myself wondering how the peeps over at TOMS shoes might be responding.

As you may know, TOMS was started by Blake Mycoskie back in '06. The premise, basic: for every shoe purchased, another pair would be donated to a child in need. TOMS, working in conjunction with Partners in Health, is in the process of filling an order for 30,000 pairs of shoes, all to be delivered to children of Haiti in need by the begninning of February. The guys at TOMS have it right, by "using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good." Great mission, great public works.

For more warm fuzzy reading: check out how just this past October, Element and TOMS teamed up to make the first Board-Shoe drop ever. So awesome to see how two other SoCal based companies have come together to launch their efforts in a one-to-one giving campaign. What a righteous display of collaboration.

Alva wears tight pants

The other night, I went over to a friend's place for dinner in Santa Monica. Super bummed to find out that I was only a few blocks away from this exhibit. The Skateboard: Evolution and Art show will be up through May, so even us uniformed peeps can make an appearance.

Apparently, the California Heritage Museum will have on display more than 250 boards. This is the first show of its kind to be actually pulled off in "Dog Town"- the original Santa Monica stomping grounds where 'sidewalk-surfing' began.

Click here to read this recently published LA Times article about how Skateboards are a California Art form. . . and until next time . . .

Keep it Cavotu.

Growin' on Trees

Another day, another meeting with an interested investor in all things Cavotu. It's looking like we are still firming up the business plan and working out figures, so there is a follow-up meeting scheduled for next week. It'll be great to get some real backing that will allow for me to get some serious product out.

Other meetings on the Cavotu agenda: meeting with a hat sales rep. to check out some product samples and color/fabric swatches. Puff embroidery vs. all-over print, wool vs. acrylic blends, fitted vs. flex fit -decisions, decisions.

First post

After a brief hiatus from the Cavotu game, I have decided to charge forward with a fresh campaign. I started this clothing project back in 2005 (although, I originally coined the phrase, "Cavotu," back in '92). Things were a bit different then, easier times with far less responsibility. Yeah, see, I was only twelve then, things were lookin' up, way up. It will only get better from here.

I am no stranger to this blog world but everytime I redesigned the website/switched domains I started a fresh blog without attaching the archives so on paper I guess you can call me a newbie. Thanks for reading my first post and this is the story so far.