Bumper

Trying to paint nickel plated anything is no easy task. I scuffed and prepped that bumper to no avail. Once the rain came, the water just ripped the paint I applied to shreds.

Luckily, I have some awesome friends. Cliff Whetstone has a stainless steel line fabrication shop, in addition to a large assortment of old aviation parts. He also has a back shop that serves as a make shift toy making factory filled with all kinds of useful tools.

After removing the bumper, grinding the old paint off the bumper, removing all the hardware, and getting it ready for powder coating, Cliff and I took the raw hunk of metal to his buddy's shop just down the road.

The upside, I was getting an amazing deal on powder coating. The downside, I had to drive back to LA without a bumper in the rain.

After gingerly working my way back to west LA, the skies cleared up and the drive the next day was clear as a bell. So clear I could see the San Bernardino Mountains, roughly 60 miles away. (Typically, you can't see downtown 5 miles away so, yeah, it was that clear.)

I arrived to find Cliff had already picked up the finished bumper and I was ready to reassemble. After some creativity putting the bumper back into place, the previously shredded hunk of metal was transformed into a beautiful new matte black bumper.

Everything went together quickly and the finished product looks awesome. Next project, finding a new grill and the possibly the ball joints and tie-rod ends. Think the front end needs a little attention.

Jake's Hockey

Well I got my skates but as I mentioned previously, they needed some work. On good authority, I took them to Jakes Pro Shop in El Segundo near LAX and right around the corner from the Toyota Center.

I had the blade freshened up, purchased new foot-beds, and had the boots heated for a custom fitting. I always have problems getting my skates to feel comfortable and after discovering that I could have the inside ball punched out, well, I had it done.

After a couple tries, we dialed them in. To complete the stop, I purchased a new set of Jake's branded blade protectors. I think its important to help people out and support small shops. I love a deal as much as the next guy but service is almost, if not more, important and that's what I get when I go to Jakes.

Can't wait to test these babies out.

Skates!!

My skates came in today and I'm super pumped about it. It's funny because once I tried them on I realized 2 things: 1. I don't wear socks when I skate and 2. I desperately need to get these suckers custom fitted. Oh the PAIN.

Regardless, I'm one step closer to getting on the ice and eventually playing some hockey. Now all I need is one of those job things.

From the BLUE LINE!!!!

HO HO HOLD on a Minute

I've never been much for Christmas or any holiday for that matter. It just doesn't do it for me. Like I was explaining to a friend of mine, why give presents on 1 or 2 days when you can spread it out over the entire year. I enjoy giving stuff, much more so than receiving, and as far as the "spirit of Christmas" well I think that went away a long time ago. Oh I think its great that people enjoy themselves, get together, etc, etc., but I spent so many holidays working that I realized how important they were to other people and no so much for me. Hell, I don't even usually celebrate my own birthday....mainly because I seem to forget it due to loosing track of time. I'm not grumpy or scrooge-ie about it. Enjoy it I say. I'll fit into your festivities and make nice because its still fun when people are happy.

I guess I'm content being by myself this year, without interacting with anyone else and enjoying a stress free day. So thanks Christmas, I had a blast. I ate a great breakfast, gobbled up some pumpkin pie, spoke to my family on the phone, played some video games, took pleasure in knowing people enjoyed my pre-christmas gift giving, and enjoyed my day alone.

Next year will no doubt be totally different.

Merry Christmas Everybody.

DOUBLE RAINBOW

Yes, just like the youtube viral sensation, LA was treated to a double rainbow after 5 days of Portland like rain. SoCal is equipped for Earthquakes, Fires, and Riots, but when it rains, people loose their mind. You'd think it was raining acid the way people reacted (well actually it might be somewhat acidic but that's another story). And don't get me started with the driving. I swear, everyone slowed to a snow/ice storm pace, and being the all season driver that I am, I decided to show the already idiotic drivers of SoCal how its done.

Anyway, after the rain stopped, it was actually quite beautiful. I know the picture doesn't do the DR much justice but if you look closely off to the left of the electric pole, you can see the faint remnants of the second rainbow.

Enjoy what most of middle America (and Oregon and Washington) gets to see all the time California.

KS10

Only in SoCal, and really only in Huntington Beach will you find light-post banners that celebrate the accomplishments of a surfer. I guess when you're surf city USA, you need to represent and what better way to do so than by giving props to 10-Time World Champion Kelly Slater. He's not even from HB or SoCal for that matter (he's actually from Florida) but the surf community sticks together and when someone achieves a feat this monumental, why not put it on a light pole.

Congrats Kelly and cudos to you HB.

Reason #1 Why I love SoCal

Well actually all of California, Nevada, and I guess parts of Arizona (even though I've never been there). A SoCal staple and seriously one of the best burgers for the price: In n Out. God I love this place. The cheeseburgers, the fries, the shakes, even the Coke tastes better than anywhere else.

Heading South...

Well, Tahoe was was fun, and I'll be back (because I left my snowboard in Johnny's garage) but its time to head back home. As much as I love Tahoe, and thought it was where I wanted to live, I really think Southern California is growing on me.

US 395 is one of my favorite roads to travel and the stretch from Tahoe to Mammoth is especially awesome. Traveling through Sonora, down towards Mono Lake is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

I decided to snap some photos at Mono Lake because I rarely get a chance...even though I'll be passing through in less than a month. Regardless, I wanted to take some test photos and I think I have some awesome ideas based on my stop.

I might also add that Mammoth Lakes has become like a second home to me. Like Tahoe, I have plenty of friends who live there and the riding is awesome. Mammoth is a world onto its own and after an early season dump, conditions looked super fun.

But as much as I love to visit Tahoe and Mammoth, SoCal is becoming my home...and that's not a bad thing.

See you in January Mammoth.

The Big Chill

Today was a beautiful day in Northern California, but an even better day in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Today the University of Michigan hosted The Big Chill at The Big House against the Michigan State Spartans in an epic outdoor CCHA outdoor hockey game. Yep, I said outdoor hockey game and yes I said at The Big House. Boasting the largest capacity of any stadium in the country, the largest crowd in outdoor hockey history (113,411 to be exact) watched the Wolverines totally dominated through 3 periods of amazing outdoor college hockey with a score of 5-0.

Playing on an Olympic sized rink, the temps were perfect, the crowd was amazing, and the play (despite the score) was awesome. To make everything even more awesome-er, the Red Wings play tonight. This is one of those times when I'm stoked to be from Michigan. We're the most winningest NCAA Championship hockey state in the country and the home of the Red Wings. They don't call Detroit Hockey-town for nothing. Does it get any better as a hockey fan? I submit it does not.

Secret Spot

Well the day that lived in infamy followed an epic night of slaying at newly formed Tahoe secret spot: TVH. It's no secret that I don't really ride that much anymore, so my poison is shooting. I trucked my gear over to the secret spot and proceeded to set up my gear. Trevor and the boys dialed everything in and the set up was sick. After standing around for several hours, we got some sick shots and, ironically, the best photo of the night didn't involve any sort of riding.

Thanks guard puppy. It was all worth while.

Rusty

Its been awhile since I've actually sat down behind a kit and played. I've jammed here and there for half a song or so, but today, I put on the headphones and decided to knock the rust off. Admittedly, the first couple songs were a bit frustrating, but I started to gain my stride and it all came back.

The best part; Big O's kit is set up pretty close to how I used to set-up my kit. Everything is flat, low, and within reach. My only complaint would be the placement of his china. Its hard to hit that thing when its behind me.

It was good fun. I'll probably hit it up again tomorrow.

Just as I thought...

Over qualified. (You're gonna get that in your bigger operations.) I was definitely flattered that they were impressed with my qualifications.

Here's a little surprise Gem. Johnnie dropped this on me last night right after Big O and I finished jamming on his kit. (I hit the skins and he whaled on guitar. Its awesome when 2 drummers shred.)

More Tahoe tomorrow.

Welcome to Lake Tahoe

My travels take me to N. Lake Tahoe in search of possible employment, time with friends, and a needed change of scenery.

Southern California puts me close to so many influential companies in the action sports world. It also puts me within "no big deal" distance to some of the best MX tracks in the country. However, the job market is looking slim down here, craigslist has been a complete joke, and the action sports job board Malakye hasn't been much help either.

Now I love driving, it gets old sometimes but I truly love driving around and one of my simple pleasures on the road, other than getting diesel at a reasonable price, is stopping at truck stops (like the Flying J) to check out the assortment of flannels, cheap jackets, wolf t-shirts, and truck accessories.

I've always loved this part of the country. I mean, all you need to do is walk outside and the view says it all. The week before I arrived, Tahoe experienced record breaking snow for this time of the year; 9 feet in 5 days. CalTrans gets a bad rap but when the snow falls in Tahoe, no need to worry, CalTrans is Johnnie on the spot, and your day is unaffected.

The weather is usually good and by good I mean its either dumping or sunny. Cold doesn't really enter the vernacular however, with some record breaking early season snow, comes some unseasonably cold weather.

The Diggers are loose!

FOOD!

I'm heading to Tahoe tomorrow, so I thought today would be the perfect time to enjoy a couple home cooked meals. The day started off with an epic sausage, cheese, and egg muffin (homemade of course). I decided to skip lunch to save room for dinner; compliments of my mom's secret chili receipt.

Its not really a secret receipt and I've had it millions of times, however, with all the times I've enjoyed mom's chili, I never actually took time to prepare it myself. The awesome thing about this particular receipt is that it relies on some additional outside help. The chili is good by itself, but smother it over a bed of tater tots and American cheese (I sometime add Fritos Corn Chips to the mix) and you have yourself some great chili right there. And once your done, it feels like you're carrying a cinder block in your belly. Yeah, its that good.

Anyway, after killing some bad guys and having my ass handed to me during an XBOX live session (New Call of Duty Black Ops), we finished the night off with some pumpkin pie (not homemade but still delicious).

Tomorrow, I'll be on the road, saying good-bye to SoCal for a couple of weeks, and heading to Tahoe. I love Tahoe. I especially look forward to the change of scenery, reconnecting with my Tahoe friends, and meeting up with some people at Alpine Meadows and Sierra at Tahoe.

Sweet Dreams!!!!

Quick Trip

Went up to the storage unit to grab my snowboard gear. Of course the tote I was looking for was in the back corner, on the bottom. I also forgot to grab my snow boots. No biggie, by the time I get to Tahoe, it'll be all good.

Tomorrow, chili dinner.

Mmmmm Mmmmmm!

Black "Powder" Friday

Holding true to tradition, Roman, Brian, and I headed to the Angeles Shooting Range for some Lead Therapy. The drive north was traffic free and the driveway into the shooting range looked to be like the past few years we went on Black Friday.

This year however was different. It was packed and I mean packed. Not one open bay to shoot from, not one open table to set our gear on. It looked like it was going to be a long wait.

We had a Springfield XD .45, Glock 23 (.40 Cal), Glock 17 (9mm), a .223 Rifle with Scope, and an M5 Carbine (my personal favorite). My trigger finger was itchin'.

Killing paper targets all day is tough but we managed to do plenty of damage. Those bugger are tricky. Roman hit dead center first "2" shots. (Show off.)

Our Thanksgiving tradition is now fulfilled and I'm seriously rethinking my future purchase of a Glock 23. I think I'm gonna go with the Springfield 9mm or .45 instead and I'm still building that M5. I better get a good job soon.

Happy Shooting.