No-Shave Novembeard Begins

Friends and Family,

Strangers and Enemies,

Men and Women,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are gathered here today to begin the celebration of the magnificent month of No-Shave Novembeard. On the first grey morning of the first day of the month of Novembeard, each member of our legion of cyber fashionullas takes an icy shovel out into the backyard, removes a small plot of turf and soil, and softly places their razors [both electric and straightblades] into the cool damp fall soil, where they will remain for the entire month. This somber act signifies our freedom from the corporations that demand we use their products daily to shave our legs. Liberty from the companies who 'force' us to trim our mustaches, prune our armpits, buzz our sideburns, shear the hair from our backs, clip the braids from our ears and nostrils, and of course clearcut any possibility of a five o'clock shadow.

Join us this Movember, as we take back what has been stolen from us, as we rightfully reclaim our.... bla bla bla.... don't shave this month.... bla bla bla.... Novembeard is awesome and you should grow a beard or something....woo woo.....hurray hurray!  Let NO-SHAVE NOVEMBEARD begin!!

*photo treatment by thunderpants

glitter skulls!!

hope everyone had a great weekend!!

Tall Skinny Kiwi is That You?

Imagine you're in London Heathrow Airport first thing in the morning and you spot a six-foot-five inch gentlemen with a crisp white dress shirt, a 3/4 length black peacoat, a small women's sweater/jacket draped over his shoulders, light army green colored khaki's, black athletic referee socks (and shinguards?) pulled up over his pants all the way to his knees, hightop casual skate or court shoes tied loosely, a sweet fedora and of course dark shades--because the light inside the airport terminal is like staring into the blinding sun.  

This fantastic moment recently happened to a friend of mine. And the first (and correct) response he had  was:  'You know who would get a kick out of this dude's outfit?' So he snaps the photo and sends it to me. 

Thankfully I didn't hear the quiet notification of the message arriving in the middle of the night, but I was pleasantly surprised in the morning when I received it because the gentlemen in the photo might actually be a particularly incredible tall skinny kiwi friend of mine--who just so happens to be one of the blogging geniuses of our day. I've tried to confirm his wereabouts on the day this photo was taken....but as of yet have not been able to. Discussion with  mutual friends has returned mixed verdicts as to whether this is in fact who I think it is.  Either way, this is a worth fashion collaboration.  

Tall Skinny Kiwi, is that you?

P  

orange angel

Driving through Berkeley, CA on a recent day off after an amazing lunch with a hero of mine---Justin Dillon, a dude who spends his days (and nites) fighting slavery and human trafficking all around the world [www.callandresponse.com]---on a grey, almost rainy fall day where everything seems drab and boring, and this angel in orange comes floating down the street toward me, all the way brightening the monochrome feeling of a fall day in the city!

shoes of the weAK?

Ever wonder if soccer cleats, rubber boots, high heeled shoes, leg warmers, hiking boot lace holes and running shoes laces could all be combined to create one "thing"?  I sure didn't.   I presume none of you did either.  So why did Spank (a well known, fashionable shoes/clothing retailer) decide they needed to attempt something so unnecessary?  If it ain't broke - don't fix it right?  

That's all I got.  I'm still in shock.  My quest for new boots, is definitely becoming a challenge.  Maybe we could think up a name for "it". Shoe+cleat+boot+rubber+hiking+wow = Scoobingow?

 I give up.  Kind of like Spank should have done before they created this. 

 

now that's what I am talkin' about!

So, we have this street here in Vancouver, BC called Commercial drive.  It's made up of pizza joints, Italian cafes, sports pubs, expensive home furnishing stores filled with products created by local designers and artists and much more.  The joy being that you can never really be sure of what it is that you are going to stumble upon, you just know it's going to be good.

  This Friday afternoon I decided to take a stroll down it, as the surf season here on the Pacific Westcoast is just beginning (swell is best in the winter), the sun however, has just begun to sleep the next six months away and the rains have come.  Needless to say, my courage to get out into the waves disappeared this past weekend so I decided to trade my surf trip in for a weekend in the city and shopping (for boots, still).  Feeling slightly anti-social and mind-bogglingly exhausted from a hectic week at work, I walked from store to store up and down Commerical Drive, trying to convince myself that I really needed everything, however, wisely walked out empty handed, as boots were the goal and all I could find were awesome hats and toques/beanies (although I did buy the coolest beanie of the season).  

  

  I was just about to turn in for the day as I glanced up as I was walking down the street and saw the sunshine brightly (metaphorically speaking, as it was the greyest day so far this fall).  Three amigos had decided to plant themselves on the patio of a popular pub and enjoy a cocktail or two together, wearing the largest sombreros three amigos could possibly wear.  Nothing about these dudes screamed "Meixcan" or gave any reason for the casual hat choice.  Nor was the restaurant they were at Mexican OR was there any special national Holiday or occasion whatsoever for their fine choice in head attire.  Nonetheless.  They'd just decided to wear them.  To make the casual outing of spending time together as friends solid.  Sitting on an outdoor patio.  Two months post summer.  Just them. Their summer drinks. And their Mexican attire. 

Who needs the sun when you have sombreros?  Nicely chosen boys.  You made my day.

  

 

WE ARE THE RATS!

I know that we are supposed to 'scout' real life situations etc. This marvelous hair is all the rage up here in Canada, but when it came time to find someone to pose for me there was no one to be found.


I appreciated this hair style so much that I straight up stole it from another online community celebrating fashion, and freedom of style.

T.Pants

Metal Coffins #2

-If anyone can tell me what kind of car the first one is? I call it the 'anti-batmobile', as it is opposite in almost every way, minus the awesome factor


-Could it be possible that this van is deserving of the title 'Super Van'.


-Texas plates on that jeep, really that jeep drove all the way from Texas on those 'fuel efficient' tires. Even the spare tires are bigger in Texas.


In a conclusion I just wanted to share the joy I have from skateboarding, looking at cars and taking pictures!!! Maybe we could all add a little spice to our rides!

Metal Coffins #1

As you were, dont get all up in a fuss. I never meant to hurt your feelings by not loving the nike shoe post. Its gonna be ok, just a little healthy banter to get things started.

I have been spending so much time in my new hood (Railtown, Downtown East Side Vancouver), and it is apparent that the character of the folks, and their vehicles is something to be proud of. On my way out this morning to get a couple more flicks, I noticed that my car had been broken into, nothing new there. I think it is the 5th time people have broken into my black Honda in the last 3 years, shoot for the stars right! They did not take my Stereo, Headphones, CD book, Skateboard, Shoes (2 pairs almost both new), etc. They just took my little change drawer full of toonies and quarters. So i dusted off my jacked hopped on my 'not stolen' skateboard and headed into the heart of traffic and noise, to get the last 3 vehicles that I wanted to get.

def: Smart - 'driving the smallest pink car available, in a world filled with semi trucks and suv's'

def: Class - 'painting as many panels of your honda civic different neon colors'

def: Elegance - 'losing the design plot with last years bmw, and combining it with the mistakes of this years bmw'

More to come...

The Perfect Coffee Ritual Destroyed

I find coffee tastes its most best when it's picked up slowly (with the lid already taken off), lifted gently toward the lips till the dark aromatic steam rising off the top perfectly fills the nostrils. It is at this moment of transformation as I pause tenderly to stare into the future by scrunching the eyebrows into a semi-scowl whilst inhaling the dark beautiful wonder that has forever altered the coarse course of history, that I anticipate the majesty about to fill my body with life, riches, warmth and peace. As I lean forward and tilt the cup ever so slightly, I am most rudely interrupted by a deja vu moment so crystal in its clarity that I cannot procede with the finale of the perfect morning coffee ritual. The coffee abruptly returns to the table in front of me and I am left despairing at the thought of another fall/winter season of Ponchos. That's right friends, ponchos are back! Checkit.

*photo courtesy of Lynne Madden

celebrity jams - bono

At some point let's have a convo about celebrities getting away with cosmic fashion violations and such----but not today. Today we're gonna focus on the fact that Bono's pants are higher than most other pants have ever been.  Even higher than our high-waist slacker friend [ http://www.ppandhc.com/2010/08/high-waist-prophet.html ] Was this the way things were in 1987 when U2 toured America during the making of the Rattle and Hum documentary? Cause that's not what I remember from '88 (when the film was released). As shocking as it may be, as long as there's pinstripes involved I say bring it on! 

Cuffed

Being outcuffed by a friend is always a little bit embarrassing. Recently this fellow's cuffs beat my cuffs in an arm wrestling tournament 5-1.  It was a cruel beatdown, but at the end of the day there was no way to deny that his cuffs were mightier than mine.  

Cuffs have been an essential part of my repertoire in the recent past, but I've never ventured beyond the 2inch [5.08cm] realm. His  4inch cuffs caught me by surprise and I'm wondering why I have never dared to go that far. The 4incher provides a beautiful canvas--a billboard if you will--to display another of my favorite items:  colorful soccer socks. The only thing holding me back from taking the mighty step toward shorter pants and longer cuffs is the answer to the following quandry: at what point to they become capris?

shoes of our lives.... i mean week.

Nike.

Just do it.

It has been done.

Year after year.

Ole Faithful.

The shoe of champions.

The beat of our hearts.
Allowing children to run faster, and jump higher.

Mesmerizing eyes and souls (soles) since their creation.

These are just a pair of the week.

Classics.

Just for you.

Because it's Thanksgiving season.

Because I am thankful for you.

(But mostly because I am thankful for these. 

Aren't the black ones gorgeous?)

celebrity jams - han solo

I never noticed the deepness of Han Solo's Deep V before tonite. Dang that's some kinda stuck up, half witted, scruffy looking, nerf-herder. Unfortunately (or fortunately), they don't look like that when I wear em---so I don't. But you gotta respect the Man.

The puck stops here.

Just a friendly reminder to all those out there who have been patiently waiting out the baseball, golf, football, whatever substitute sport summer has to offer season…HOCKEY IS BACK TODAY !!! On opening night in the NHL I find it only appropriate as a self respecting hockey fan to write a quick little gem on one of the games greatest treasures to players and fans alike…the hockey sweater. I guess more commonly referred to as a 'jersey', the hockey sweater is a right of passage for both player and fan to own and wear to support their squad in, bars, friends houses, arenas and of course the dreaded 'visitors' arena !! Despite the thoughts of potential fights and colorful language being exchanged as rival fans sport their best to cheer on there favorite team, the one thing that remains consistent is the love of the game and how when you dawn that glorious robe of self righteousness, nothing. else. matters.

Being a fan of one of the greatest rivalries in sport known simply as the battle of Alberta, I will be cheering on my Edmonton Oilers tonight as they drop the puck on home ice looking for some sweet redemption on a somewhat sub-par season last year by kicking things off against the Calgary Flames. As I did when I took this picture, I WILL be wearing my jersey, I WILL be screaming and having a celebratory pop or two, and oh yes, I WILL be proud to be from the land of the greatest game on earth. It's good to have you back Hockey, here's to (hopefully) the next 7-8 months.

LETS GO OILERS, LETS GO !!!!!

peace,

puffy shirt.

Lizard Mullet

We've all seen the tiny dogs peeking out of the purse at the mall, cafe, church (true story), and of course the grocery store. But they usually fit into a tiny handbag, a large purse, or even the center pouch pocket of a hooded sweatshirt. 

I've never seen the Jurassic Park sized mega duffel bag to accompany a full-grown shoulder perched pet Iguana. At this point, two legitimate questions arise: 1.) What amount of growth hormones do you expect to kick in while you're out on this walk, 2) Just how long is this 'walk' going to be? 

P

[ps. love the mullet]

*photo courtesy of DavidWarkentin.

Halloween Vader

Halloween is right around the corner and here in the Northern part of the American continent people like to get dressed up and have a good time. Surely we won't all agree on the specifics of what's being celebrated---but I think we can all agree that this Hawaiian tunic-ed, Vietnam-helmeted, ribcage semi-covered, wicker-hatted, Darth Vader costume is friggin R A Double 'D'!!

*photo courtesy of Thunder Pants [i think] and our friends in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

War and Peace

Sometimes people like to wear slogans on their t-shirts. Sometimes their slogans are kind of intense. Sometimes they are not.