AND BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE

Fireworks are always cool, whether you remember lighting "flowers" and "snakes" as a kid in the street or lighting piccolo pete on the neighbors doorstep at 4am as long as you walk away with all your limbs and appendages in tack your all good. If your all about leaving it to the pro's, Disneyland and San Clemente pier on the fourth of July take the cake in my book. Last Sunday I was happen to figure out that my new Cannon s95 (which I love) had a fireworks setting the same night we had planned to head down to the Manhattan Beach pier to take in a great display and the camera did not disappoint. Here are some of my favorite shots...

MOVEMBER

Is everyone familiar with the term Movember? You know, that special time of year when growing a mustache is more than a bold expression of ones manhood, it's done in the name of charity. Now growing up I had two dads on LAPD, these guys were serious mustache farmers, needless to say the thought of sporting one myself just doesn't fly. Not even for a great cause, can't do it. So I figure a part in an art show with the proceeds benefiting men's health is more my speed. I wanted to do something taking inspiration from two of my favorite things, the Misfits and Andy Warhol...adding a little Movember twist of course. Here is what I came up with...

LOOK BACK AND LAUGH

Is it fitting that while I sit down to write this blog, sick as a dog in bed, that ABC Family is running the Back to the Future trilogy? Maybe? Well this past Wednesday night I felt like I to had gone back in time myself. I ventured out to one of my old go-to concert venues growing up to catch Every Time I Die play a sold out show. Now, it's been over 10 years since I've visited this place and not much has changed. The small parking lot fills up fast, which ends up creating a trail of hardcore kids walking from random parking lots all the way down to the Target 2 blocks away. The scene in front of the venue is packed with underage kids getting dropped off and meeting up with their crew as everyone lays in wait for the first three to four mediocre bands to finish before the headliner goes on.

Inside it was just like I remembered, an outside alley for the smokers to hang out, a small bar inside (serving only soft drinks and candy of course) and nothing but a small pony wall separating those that came to watch from those that came to mosh. Need something from the bar before the show?

Watching the crowd roll in I took my stance against the bar recoignising some old school familure faces and checking out the next generation of kids get set for the show. Time to rock! ETID comes out strong and doesn't dissapoint, including adding specail guest Matt Caughthran of The Bronx to sing along to one of the hits.





All in all, a great show and good times were had by all. As I walked back to the Target parking lot all I could think about was the old days. Making your way to the front of the pile, singing along at the top of your lungs and leaving looking like you just went through battle...that or an hour of hot yoga. Music and art are my true passions and it's always nice to take a glimpse into the past, even if it did make me feel as old as dirt.

C.A.V.E. ART SHOW

I know it's been a while since my last post, but I promise you all your waiting was not in vain. Friday night after work a group of good friends and I took a trip up the 405 to Venice for Randy's group show at C.A.V.E. gallery. After an amazing blue cheese burger at Hal's we headed up the street to show our support. Plenty of hip young folks casing the joint inside and out and Randy selling paintings on opening night was just icing on the cake. Check it out for yourself...





Some other pieces that caught my eye while walking the show...





Go check it out for yourself...

A PIRATES LIFE FOR ME

Having an annual pass to Disneyland rules! Being able to cruise the park snapping some photos, while enjoying a massive corn dog and going on a couple rides without worrying about making a full day of it is pure genius. This past week I indulged my inner child by hitting the park twice for "Halloween Time" Disneyland style. Here are some of my favorite shots of the classic American landmark.