Is it just me...

...or is society (aka people) just screwing up lately...

In the past 2 days, I have dealt with 6 different scenarios where something was wrong and it was not on my end. I was the one pointing it out, I was the one red flagging it, I was the one saying "hey hold on here"....and the 6 other people, completely separate scenarios and situations let me remind you. All 6 of them, let me repeat all 6 came back at me with the same blank stare look...identical responses.

One can't but help feel a tad bit crazy when confronted with stuff like this. No I am not just complaining, the odds of the timing of all of this is what really blows my mind. Yes, shit happens as they say but not like this, not like with this frequency...or does it? And people just don't care enough to reflect on it...just brush it off and move forward, no big deal, back to chewing on my piece of straw...

I am not an idiot but there are some people out there, not calling out any names or anything but some people out there who amaze me, amazes me how they made it this far...how many passes did you get today? I am at about negative 200, so go ahead and match me. Thumbs up!

Line up kids...line up

3 Eyed Monster

There are moments in life where you can't help but take a step back, observe and soak in as much as possible. Life is happening, people are living, people are dying. Is there really a difference between feeling dead and being dead?

I am a sucker for anything labeled "timeless"....lining up to hit the birthday piñata is one of those genuine moments. The simplest event yet it teaches the youth so much. Be patient, wait your turn as the  anticipation builds and your mind wanders about what might come bursting out once it breaks open.

Cavotuesday was originally the day when I knocked out all things Cavotu, it was my one "weekend" day to get shit done...now its a reflection day, a reminder day. This adventure continues, slow and steady.

The Hat Game

I have never been a "hat guy". I blame my childhood and the fact that I never played little league like most young dudes growing up. I can recall rocking beanies when we visited the snow but I never wore baseball hats, even refused costumes with head pieces for Halloween. My own son has issues with wearing things on his head, being that he is so fair skinned I have to force him to wear a hat when we are outdoors, he is ok with it now but I am pretty sure I never wore hats with as much regularity as him when I was 5 years old.

Here at Cavotu, we are always thinking about ways in which we can add more depth to our apparel line. Obviously this fashion game is expensive. My creative ideas are always beyond the actual budget but I can't help it. I want to dream. I want to hope. Did I say I want to dream?

In the past we have offered seasonal collections with mens tee shirts, female shirts, sweatshirts, jackets and even socks but never hats.  New Era still believes that Cavotu is too small and a few other options just never worked out until recently. Yes, I finally worked a hat deal and I am pleased to say that we will be dropping some heaters soon.

Now as much as I love the fitted hat game, it is really hard to pull off being a small fish in the industry so I went ahead with fully customized snapbacks and they came out great. My inspiration came from baseball, yes a sport that I never played yet I enjoy watching for some odd reason. Yes, I am a Dodger fan, not a bandwagon fan. I have bled blue for years but there are quite few ball clubs that I have always admired and respected, Oakland being one of them. I always show love to the Bay.... but seriously- F the Giants.

I need to surround myself with new products every day because it sure helps my motivation. Stoked on these hats!

Joe P- OG Shredder

What's a brand without a team? What's a team without fans? What's a team without a leader? What's a winner without a loser? What's coffee without caffeine? What's a berry without a straw?

Monday madness here at ground central. Usual chaos ensues, wait I stand corrected, life is indeed happening, my chaotic interpretation of it is pure opinion, purely my own.

I witnessed a gnarly car accident last night right before my eyes...the cars went crash/bang/ahh shit...I instantly left the scene, no one was hurt (physically)...like Sweet Brown said "Aint nobody got time for dat..."

Speaking of accidents....we are looking for some new riders to spread the Cavotu love..the more broken bones the better...we want our riders pushing the limits beyond impossible...the ocean is a magical place and I gladly bow down to those who have learned to master the waves with great ability...also fond of that good old fashion thing called the street/concrete, those who rock the 4 wheels on a piece of wood type of thing...HMU on the IG. Jokers need apply!

Fun socks

Random conversations with random people often spark great ideas, I know this is not some amazing world changing theory but its damn true. During one of our daily therapy sessions for my son, his therapist mentioned that her boyfriend was making some socks for his future clothing line (so Rob Kardashian of him). I was instantly tuned in, socks huh, I forgot about the socks, maybe the socks are the answer, the spark that I need to get the fire going...

I actually wear sandals like 24/7, not just any sandals but brown leather Rainbows. I am a creature of habit. I designed my first pair of Cavotu socks in 2009, had them manufactured here in the USA and never released them until November 2011 (you can read more about those HERE).

So the sock idea wheels started turning and I began the design process. Design for me equals tons of colors, starting off with random freehand drawings, then comes the markers and the color show continues from there. The final product for this round was these gems...

Still nameless and ready for some cool packaging, naked in their pure form but they will be ready for release soon...time to turn some heads....its been a while but thanks for riding with me. Cheers!

The Islands...

I over heard an older gentleman on the Hermosa Beach strand yesterday complaining to his significant other "why do we need to go to Hawaii? Especially when we have this..." The "this" he was referring to was a beautiful day on the beach, the scene was actually rather picturesque with the white sand, blue water, bikini clad females wandering about...yes Hermosa is beautiful (no pun intended) but its a far cry from Hawaii.

I have been fortunate to visit Hawaii a handful of times in my life. It truly is a magical place, I highly recommend it if you can save up because its far from cheap...but soooo worth it. Here are some classics from the past...

The constant contrast of blue vs green is all over the islands. I love it.

I was never a big fan of sweet drinks but when in Rome you can't help but order multiple umbrella drinks. This Mai Tai was mighty tasty!

Little geckos running around all over the place...

My son when he was only 11 months old. Taking a baby to Hawaii was challenging to say the least but super fun. The shirt I was wearing was a sample that never made the official cut. I still have not been able to pull the trigger on releasing a red shirt....never say never. Hint HINT

The condo we rented was literally right on the ocean, cant complain about that, every room had a killer balcony with an amazing view. In this picture I am rocking the Feint shirt in Orchid. Orchid was a tough sell, most dudes don't rock shades of purple on the regular but I have always liked this colorway more than the Tan shirt with Brown print. I was pretty stoked in this selfie, dare I say HAPPY...I need a vacation dude, sign me up, my bags are already packed.

full circle

I have been working on a writing piece for ______ and I find myself struggling. I know exactly what the F I want to say, I know exactly how I want to come across but something (ME) is getting in the way.

I went to college. I graduated from college. Yes I was a good student, damn near straight A's but always had that one B lingering in the mix. In college I wrote tons of papers, I killed at the bullshit format, convey the message, get it done type of shit.

Now as an adult, a single dad, a dude with a "unique look" as my son just said earlier....I rarely write. Sure I try to dabble in my thoughts on this blog but from my track record and my subject matter well it is like why even bother. No pressure, no expectations, no hype, no bullshit...I do it for ME. I keep the small flame, smaller than ever yet still lit.

Listening to tracks to feel inspired, to feel....its funny when I catch myself utilizing a "go to" catch phrase over and over. I have done this since I was a young child, I pick up on something and then apply it to everything. I still remember hearing "my bad" used for the first time and thinking that I would never use that ever. I still hate "my bad". But this week its "dare I say" and I don't even know where it came from but it stuck in my head and it wants to come out like after every 4th sentence. I was never this crazy. I know I know

on a sunday

I am awake and designing some tags that will be placed on the inside of something cool. I say cool with mad confidence because the reality is that I have not even seen the final product but on paper it looks rad and in my head its looks even better. There is nothing wrong with believing in the power of turning things into gold.

Saturday Night Live

Weekend nights were once something special! Now everyday/night feels the same. It's always Wednesday in my world, just another...Wednesday.

I have been running this Cavotu blog for 8 years (feels longer) and I have tried really hard to keep the swear words out. As a writer (me) or as one who appreciates writing, I am well aware that the English language is filled with thousands of eloquent descriptive words yet there are times when the F word gets the point across so well.

I over heard this female the other day dropping the F bomb in every sentence. It didn't even sound cool or tough or dare I say necessary in my opinion after piecing together the topic of her conversation. Bottom line, talking like trash is just lame so don't fucking do it.

I've been working on several different projects this past week and I am feeling super productive. I am actually making progress toward my goals which in my world is really really cool. My cheerleading team consists of two lil monsters (age 3 and 5) so I don't get a ton of "so proud" yadda yadda moments...but I'm proud. I'm clapping. I'm cheering.

I stumble across random stuff on IG...words to live by or common sense or total nonsense.

I have always been a loyalist. It's hard to just walk away. Firing up the middle finger is easy. But giving up on something you have tried soooooo hard for just sucks.


This one below always kills me, such a tough pill to swallow. How long does one suffer before they say enough is enough? I mean at some point you completely go insane, you lose yourself, nothing makes sense anymore, one can only suffer for so long...love is gnarly and hope is a motherfucker!!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Good Samaritan, I forgot to say "FUCK YOU"

Four years ago tonight I was in jail. No it wasn't my first time in the slammer but fuck I made sure it was my last. Today has been a long day to say the least. My memories of my last four years have been haunting me all day. I actually took a nap from 5:30pm to 6:30pm just so I could escape. Sleep is really the only way out. My mind is exhausted. My body is pretty much in that same boat.

Do the right thing (easier said than done).

Stay distracted (easier said than done).

Get lost in music....I can do that.

I was never a super fan but Jimmy Eat World had its moments in my life. I love/loved this track. Rad energy.

Seven Eleven

A friend of mine who recently turned 33 was telling me that 33 is considered to be a mystical number, "you know like Club 33 at Disneyland dude." I really wasn't sure what he was talking about so I did some research. Apparently the number 33 has its share of stories... Jesus performed 33 recorded miracles, Bird/Kareem/Pippen all wore the number 33 with valiance and it is also the highest degree in the Scottish rite of Freemasonry.

I have always been stoked to say my birthday was on seven eleven. I am not a big fan of the actual store though and believe or not but I never gone to 711 to get a free slurpee. I am sure someone will remind me today that I can do that.

My kids are stoked about my birthday. I easily forget how powerful birthdays are in their little eyes. The cake, the presents, the celebration of all things...ME!

I can't help but look back on this past year. Look at my accomplishments and my failures. I still have yet to do anything substantial with the brand. Sure I have a few big things in production as I type but as usual I let my head/emotions dominate most of my decisions this year.

I wrote this blog entry on my birthday last year. I am obviously a rearview mirror thinker lately. At the time, I thought I did a nice job breaking down some of my most memorable birthday moments. I was asked about my 25th birthday today and for the life of me I could not remember what I did. Our conversation was mainly about birthdays after 25 not really having much significance. I think if I was in a better mood I could have argued that they just keep getting better but now that I have kids, I truly feel the age factor, I feel time passing faster and faster.

My expectations are low. I do not foresee any gifts or any surprises. Hello 33, I hope you treat me better than 32.

Time

In the past couple years I have been taking notes, I guess you could call it a diary. I have always enjoyed writing and it just felt natural to document my thoughts and reflections. Let's face it, real therapy is expensive and never really did much for me besides drain my bank account. Someone suggested that I take up yoga (pass). Another friend suggested that I read books about peaceful topics like the art of zen (not there yet). Instead I chose the journal method, writing small entries on the daily. I am not planning on releasing any of these notes to the public, just acknowledging my overall action. Obviously the better I feel, the less I write (those days are rad). The themes are truly the only constant: heartbreak, loss, starting over, hesitation, defeat, hope, and love.

I have performed 360 degree backflips only to realize that the world around me is basically the same. I am well aware that I cannot change anyone. I am convinced that most folks just get older and never change. I am coming up on another birthday (711)...another year older (who fucking cares?)... I am also coming up on my 4th year anniversary of my sobriety (who fucking cares?) To be honest, I don't care to think about it anymore. I am not proud of my sobriety, it has not been a hard thing to do so I am not  looking for any "good job" or pat on the back. I am like an elephant, I never forget but as the time goes on I think less about it. Sure life is totally boring without substance but I have come to accept this. I never said never but timing is everything and now is not the time to be fucked up. I know a few heads who would argue that statement with me till the cows come home but at this point I will keep on keepn on.

I still have my hope. I still have my small list of "never give ups" but I am highly sensitive to where I stand lately. My list has possibly stunted my growth as a human being. I have never been the type to run with the wolf pack but the more i trip on that concept I think maybe that would have saved me from falling into this big ass hole. If everything happens for a reason then I am supposed to go thru this crap (my destiny, ugh). Lessons will be learned and mistakes will not be repeated (fingers crossed).

I was once a night owl, becoming a dad changed that, my kids are exhausting but I love them dearly.

Fuck you groundhogs day, fuck you.

Osker

I grew up on punk rock....

(side note) My previous blog entries have been totally lame. I just asked myself why I bother leaving them on here but then I answered my own thoughts. Any idiot can delete away but what idiot has the balls to post it publicly. I need to see my own reality. "Never forget"shall be my status. Anger is real. Pain is a fucking joke. I have had some really great ideas for future blog entries but I cannot seem to get into the flow of daily blogging (boring topic but a constant challenge). A valiant effort will be made towards something and/or anything. (hopefully not all lies, I am actually a horrible liar...) (fuck side notes)

So this dude aka the lead singer, Devon Williams went to high school with some dudes that I call my friends. Treatment 5 was one of those albums that I borrowed, dubbed and listened to over and over. The band, Osker actually got pretty big at one point, signing with Epitaph (which used to be a big deal but not sure if anyone cares anymore??) and touring. And like all good things, the band came to a crashing halt and died. Call it creative differences, call it drugs, booze, woman aka rock n roll but in the end it doesn't really matter. The music was good and I still enjoy listening to their music. Idle Will Kill is a great album too, super mature compared to T5 but still all good.

Taste it. You might like it.

Life

"What is happiness to you David?"

#Cavotuesday

During my prime, yes there was a time when I was on a GOOD ONE, I found myself watching the film Vanilla Sky all the time. It seems silly now but back then I was stoked on it. I have never been a super fan of Tommy Cruise, although I give him a ton of credit for some of his more classic roles over the years, maybe I am just partial towards Cameron Crowe or maybe this movie was just rad, I mean it still is rad.



Certain quotes from the film often ring in my ears at random points through out my days/nights of thinking. I think too much. I have been tripping on the happiness thing for a minute. Also Maslow's hiearachy of needs with the concept that one cannot function properly and will ultimately fail if their physiological needs are not met. These needs are breathing, food, water, sleep, sex, homeostasis, and excretion...I am pretty sure that I have the breathing one taken care of.

Yet the happiness question lingers, it is a heavy one. Happiness is never constant, never a given yet should be a priority. I am tired of saying that I am grateful, I am appreciative...I just want to say "I am happy"....but those 3 words don't quite roll off the tongue that easily.

I came across this quote earlier this week and I wrote it down over and over

"If you change nothing, nothing will change."

My problem with this is that my idea of change is some major drastic shit and that scares me. I have never been a risk taker, maybe that is part of the problem. And now when I read that last sentence over I realize that I need to come up with solutions. I need to push myself more. I have to learn a new way to play the fucking game. I hate games.

cool grey

#Cavotuesday

The theme of the week is a simple task.

Find something NEW to obsess on.

If time is precious, ok. And if this is my one shot at life, ok. Why did I get so stuck? I find myself coming full circle with everything, no really EVERYTHING. I can easily say nothing matters and then feel as if everything matters five seconds later. I feel as if I am entitled to get stuck but what bothers me the most is that I do nothing about it. Character flaws if you will, sure we all have them and I must remind myself that I still have some damn good qualities in the mix.

Let it be known I am grateful. Let it be known that I was once a completely different person. My life has changed before my eyes and I totally get the "only you can change it" idea. Retraining your brain to think differently is by far the hardest task I have had to come to terms with. No, it is not just acceptance, I will not believe that statement. The challenge of going against ones natural inclination "to do" is mind blowing. Like seriously, the whole don't think...just do...I clearly do not understand.

I will repeat this over and over...stop trying to control the things you have no control over.

I think its time...