Ideas

The weather shifted slightly today with random rain, wind and cooler temperatures. I like it. Change is great. Rain or shine, I still rock a t-shirt, shorts and sandals...what can I say? I live in California.

I am pretty excited about releasing this new apparel collection. I must say that it has been awhile since I took the brand this serious. Cavotu has been releasing random product sporadically over the past few years with no general idea or plan. Like I have said before, life happened and things got shitty but now this idea feels right, timing is everything.

Tentatively looking at Nov 12th as the release date assuming I can get all the last minute details completed. Currently brainstorming some fun contests via social media, get the good folks involved, fun stuff.

Do more of what makes you happy!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

It's nice to have nice things George

#Cavotuesday

I believe all parents spoil their children in one form or another. I have a hard time saying "no" to the people that I love the most (my kids...and yes their mother too despite it all she still holds this special place in my heart, I know I know) but I tell myself "no" all the time without any hesitation. I would never say I am a selfish person especially when I rarely do ME.

I found myself riding shotgun earlier in the homey's 5 series BMW, I couldn't help but touch the shiny wood grain dash that wrapped around the navigation screen. No this it not the first time I have been inside an expensive vehicle but once removed you tend to forget about the little details that make the car  visually appealing. I had a brief flashback of my previous BMWs when my life was "different" and I had only one mouth to feed aka ME.

I was instantly reminded of one of my favorite quotes from the movie Blow. It was the scene when George (Johnny Depp) is showing his expensive car collection to his father. All of the cars obviously were purchased with drug money yet the son just wanted his dad to be proud of his wealth/success. "It's nice to have nice things George" said the father. Simple and to the point. Nice things help to certain degree, they help define/mask reality depending on how you see things.

In the past several years I went from having a lot to having virtually nothing. I have come to appreciate material things on a new level. They really are just things, just stuff, often times totally unnecessary. But when you throw the word feelings in the mix well sometimes material things act as a buffer to over ride those feelings and help get one through another miserable hour/day/night.

My takeaway, spoil your offspring, spoil your loved ones, and don't forget to spoil yourself. They say we only get one shot at this thing called life so make it the best!

TM

pro·cras·ti·nate  (pr-krst-nt, pr-)

v. pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing, pro·cras·ti·nates

v.intr.

To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness.

v.tr.

To postpone or delay needlessly.

I have been lagging on this trademark renewal process so tonight I just knocked it out. Filed the shit myself and locked the Cavotu TM in for a couple more years. Last year the spam mail started pouring in from various renewal companies and law agencies offering their services. Then the emails started up shortly after. Everyone and their mom was asking for money aka "pay us this fee and we will do this for you" but on top of that you still have to pay the government for the flat fees as well. WTF?

I filed the Cavotu trademark on February 13, 2007 and it was officially registered on October 30, 2007. I remember that being a pretty HUGE step towards something cool/real/official/all mine bitches. Crazy to trip on how much has happened since then.  Unfortunately the brand didn't quite rocket launch into orbit like I hoped but it was definitely a smart move to lock in my "TM" because this world we live in is so DTA...like yeah totally (ha)

So I am thinking this rocket launch is finally going down. The hiatus is officially dead. Cavotu is coming out with some straight fire. Im stoked!

Please submit an image that shows how the mark and/or word is being used...

I am your Father

Today, I took my son shopping for a Halloween costume. Yes, it sure is easier to do this online but going to an actual Halloween store is a way cooler experience for the kids. When I was a young, I always struggled with the decision of choosing the right costume. They say the apple does not fall far from the tree...

When my son was a baby, I dressed him up in "cute" outfits from bumble bee to teddy bear to puppy. Two years ago he was set on being "Alpha Pig" a character from a cartoon called Super Why. I had to special order that online, but then a few days before Halloween he changed his mind so I had to beg for a refund/return. Handy Manny over ruled the pig so we had to rock that one. Last years choice was a no brainer, Venom and this year followed in the same path of black, darkness and evil aka Darth Vader. I am pretty sure the cool light saber was the factor that sealed the deal.

My daughter asked me what I was going to be, I failed to come up with a cool idea on the spot. I think I said something dumb like I'm a daddy and daddy is not dressing up this year. Their mother has dressed as a witch for the past several years, hopefully someday she will take off the costume and realize that its um April, May, June...

Sticker Attack

Regulators, mount up.

I got a few riders out today, lacing the streets with the good word.

Hey do you have what it takes to represent in your city? Looking for some dedicated high school cats with too much time on their hands. Hit me up info@cavotu.com

Subject: I want to be a Cavotu Foot Soldier

Message: Why?

Friday night

Another weekend is here, time is moving quickly, Xmas is totally around the corner...

Piecing together something special aka coming soon. I am fully focused and dedicated to keeping that ball rolling in the right direction. Also highly aware of bad vibes and must avoid all negative energy if possible.

Continue to kill kill kill.

I have been hitting the weights and working on my asshole status...the combination is physically and mentally exhausting, go mode is fun.

Today was a good day.

I jumped...

I was watching my 3 year old (she is almost 4 but technically still 3 for another month) as she danced and sang alone to beat of her own drum. First thought was damn my baby is growing up fast (sad face)...I swear in the future she will be the raddest pro surfer/beach volleyball player. Stoked on my girl! Second thought was focusing on her playfulness and endless imagination. Children are so free, filled with energy as they"just live"....I felt inspired. I too wanted to sing and dance but I am Dad and it is just not the same, so I danced/sang in my mind...the catalyst for something good brewing or so I hoped.

Today I received an email that made me smile. I actually jumped in the air like a kid after opening it. It was one of those "fuck yeah" moments. I have a nice set of teeth but unfortunately I don't run around like Mikey Taylor cheesing it up. As Eeyore as I feel, there are still things that make me happy. My latest run has been shit, hence the frown but everyday I hope and pray for a better tomorrow. Somethings gotta give, don't give up, stay strong and some other retarded nonsense is tattooed on my forehead. I have been practicing the "do more of what makes you happy" thing...I know there is way more to life then just money and stress. I miss love though, part of my puzzle that has fucked me up the most. Sure I feel love from my children but in all honesty they are kids, babies some say, toddlers is a better term, yes they love their daddy, but not the love that I miss as an adult.

"Love is gnarly" as Davey said quite simply on that day at the mushroom farm, yes it is my friend, yes it is.

America's Pastime

This last Sunday, I attended the final game of the regular season for the Los Angeles Dodgers. I am not a HUGE baseball fan in this stage in my life but I still follow the basic headlines/drama. I grew up on baseball. I never played as a kid but I was fortunate to attend hundreds of games during my childhood and teenage years because my parents always shared Dodgers season tickets with their friends/family. As an adult, I still enjoy the excitement of being in the stadium and watching the live game. But now that I am no longer drinking, trying to impress a lady and/or betting on the games...the whole sense of "fun" that I accustomed with going to the game is gone. I can't help but notice how expensive everything is and how boring the game can be during innings. I ruined it for myself. Associations are brutal, what can I say.

So the Dodgers ended up losing the game but on the bright side they still made the playoffs so their season continues. I have always enjoyed the day game experience because it is still a rarity, I would say 90% of the professional baseball games that I have attended have all been at night.

let's be honest here, I will never have enough money and enough time to justify it so I will just make it happen. Someday in the future I will plan a nice vacation getaway where I visit multiple ballparks in various cities. It will be nonstop baseball after baseball. Maybe then I will have an overpriced adult beverage in one hand, a beautiful non-bipolar female by my side and fat run line bet pending via my smart phone. Cheers to dreaming BIG. F yeah!

Cavotuesday

#Cavotuesday

Goals:

1. Blog every fucking day in October

2. Release something on 11/12/13

3. Be an asshole

4. Think positive

I have been arguing with strangers lately. I am normally the non confrontational type but what can I say, we all have our moments, our breaking points, sometimes you can't help it. Wrong place, wrong time situation. I feel like these strangers are asking for it...

I do not own a television. Some may find that to be very strange. I do not see the need for one or why I need to be connected or tied down with another bill. I have a Mac, I have an iPhone, I have the "Internet" so who needs TV? But after reading tons of social media about this final episode OMG shit greatest show ever etc...now have to look up ______ so I can be prepared for the water cooler discussions, haha, do people actual talk around the water cooler, is that real? I never understood meth heads...

Monday (Who cares?)

Stay busy. (Ok)

Stay distracted. (Ok)

Stay busy. (Didn't work)

Stay distracted. (Didn't work)

This is reality. (Sounds fake as all fake can be)


Don't think so much. (Where is the off button?)

Don't look back. (My head is glued on backwards, I never liked glue)

Don't dwell on the past. (It has shaped me, this is me now aka Crazy)

Don't feel sad. (I am fucked)

Don't feel anything. (I am really fucked)

Embrace apathy. (People really do this?)



Don't go down the path of no return. (Ah shit, I already did)

Don't lose yourself along the way. (Too late buddy, way too late)



These thoughts are going to kill you. (I believe you)

Half dead. (Half alive)

Ready to die. (Thumbs up)



And I have no idea why, but this song came into my brain when I typed "Monday..." in the subject line...I am no fan of this band, I do not own any of their music, but like I said this song came into my head...you can explain it. I am done!

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!