NYC x VDAY BASH, BLOWOUT, BENDER!

So next week is my trade show Expose that is taking place on Friday the 13th (dear god). Directly afterwards I am moderating a panel discussion on the business of fashion. Should be a great way to kick off Fashion Week (and make a few bucks). However, the next night is when the real fun starts. Here is a flier for a party I am co-hosting with a handful of friends that is sure to make some waves in the City. All the RSVP info has been diligently removed so we don't get a mad rush of undesirables (i.e. you)...kidding.

Pics (all that are fit to print) of my entire NYC exploits will for sure be posted on the Plop in just over a week. Be sure to tune in kiddies.
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Posh Penthouse Party (not the magazine)

My boy Scott Selke invited me to a "mixer" last night his friend was throwing to try and drum up interest for the uber modern lofts he just build in West Hollywood. It was raining like a dog and people in Cali can't drive in the rain so it took over an hour to get there. When I got there the room was filled with people. We sucked back a few Peronis and had a bunch of appetizers. After that (no I didn't buy one of the $8-$1.3mm pads) we went to Cobras and Matadors for tapas. It was good until I ate lentils that had bacon in them (I'm a commie veggie).

Otherwise it was a good time. This post is boring me to tears. Please ignore this. I am hurting for content. Read more!

Punk is dead - Lux Interior of the Cramps Passes

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The Crystal (Light) Diet

So I have had two packets of Crystal Light in my cupboard for about 12 years and couldn't bring myself to either throw them out or use them. I decided, one day when I was desperate for liquid pleasure and only had water that I would actually use them. The day came.

The other day I was thirsty but not in the mood for plain water so I filled a pitcher with a packet of CL and mixed it vigorously with 2 liters of ice cold H2O. I should have been spooked by the unnatural Ferrari red coloring of the drink but I decided to move forward with the mission. I drank a glass of the chemical laced bug juice and within about 30 minutes my insides decided to revolt. This continued throughout the day and yet I still drank more of the stuff.

All you Hollywood dieters out there take heed. The best way to lose weight is to drink Crystal Light 2-3 times a day. You will spend half the day in the bathroom but I figure that by the end of the week you should be able to lose at least 8 pounds.

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Today's COOL/NOT COOL - headphones

COOL - nondescript hi-fi ear buds.

NOT COOL - oversized loud ear muff sized headphones that make you look like you are in a 1970's roller disco.

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An open letter to Quiksilver Chairman of the Board, Bob McKnight. Cut a brother in!

Bob-

I have always had a problem reading directions and taking my time with things. Since I was a kid I have suffered from instant reaction syndrome. That being said, I just got the article my girl Erin from Ca. Apparel News wrote on your recent cutbacks. I reported, from my worthless little blog, about the rumor that VF was taking DC and Nike was raiding Quik. I was the first to do so and in watching my metrics, I saw that Velcro Valley found me too. In fact, Erin called me for info on what I knew for her article.

So...I just finished reading the whole article and read this:

"One bright spot for Quiksilver came as its stock jumped 46% to $2.21 share on the hot-and-heavy speculation that it is on the brink of selling its performing DC shoe brand to VF or on the cusp of being taken over by Nike, Inc."

Being a fool and never thinking anyone will read the Plop, I didn't purchase any stock. Bob, I know you have that big house in Laguna and have plenty of loot. Can't you share in the wealth? How many millions did I just make your minions with my insider reporting? I could be wrong, but my speculation helped your share price soar when normally cuts would make it plunge. Help a brother out...or at least send me a new wetsuit (hmm I've gotten free suits from Billabong, Hurley, O'Neill and Rip Curl in the last few years but nothing from you).

Thanks,

Matt at Plop

P.S. Your daughter and I are Facebook Buddies. That should count for something right?
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The Plop is an "unnamed source"

So California Apparel News reports this week on Quiksilver's regime change and layoffs and The Plop was used as an unnamed source since I reported on the rumor of their being acquired by Nike. That being said nothing has materialized yet in the press, but Ca. Apparel News mentioned the rumor and my girl knew who to come to for some of the inside track.

Who knows...The PLOP knows! (Even if it is just hearsay.)

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Class Tradeshow Excursion/Diversion/Bro Out

So I took time out of my Expose promotion to head over the Santa Monica Civic to check out the Class Trade Show and say what's up to whoever I may know in the room. It turns out I knew quite a few people and had a great time checking out some new collections and slapping hands with old friends. I really like Class and think Jason Bates does a great job putting together a show that I hear is going to be part of ASR next time around (watch out Agenda).

Here are some pics to tell the story:


My girl Juli Shulz chilling with marketing master/entrepreneur Eddie Donaldson. They have a new start up called Good Life (www.goodlife.com) that I know is going to be hot. Thanks E.D. for the Transphusion Energy Drink.


Oh look it's JW from Derelicte Showroom (former TLFI rep) rocking the new big eyes capsule collection from Von Zipper (Billabong). Going high fashion are we VZ?


The best new denim line out...period. Postage Denim and my man A.J. representing. A.J. walked me through the tightest men's denim line out and showed me the debut of women's. I wanted him at Expose but we just couldn't make it happen. Good look A.J. and congrats on the success of Postage.



Walking around I noticed a new brand called Comune. Why I noticed them is that Braydon Szafrankski, who is friends with Erik Ellington, was on their poster. The collection is skate lifestyle brand that looks pretty tight. I walked up and started talking to this cat who just happened to be watching the link of Erik that just went up on Transworld:

http://skateboarding.transworld.net/2009/02/02/a-day-in-the-life-erik-ellington-part-1/



Finally, I randomly stopped to check out this audio/visual company from Paris called Parrot that makes some sick products. I especially liked this iPod dock/360 degree speaker set (MSRP $1600.00) designed by Phillipe Starck.

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Green Girl World x Expose = Tote Bag That Rocks!

So the tote bags for Expose have become sort of a big deal because we are one of the few shows that invests in bags that people will actually use. I just met Lori Rose of Green Girl (http://www.greengirlworld.com) to pick up the totes her company did for the Fall '09 showcase. Since most of you won't be there I thought I would share a sneak peek.

Their bags are fully reversible and are a WAY better alternative to the typical throw away totes you get at shows. I have been using totes instead of plastic bags for years (NO MORE plastic bags in my oceans please) and am probably one of the only straight guys in L.A. that shows up to Trader Joe's armed with a dozen girly print totes for my groceries. And I am proud of it. So there.

Thanks to Lori Rose, Jeff Koz and Green Girl for being a part of our showcase!!! Read more!

Old people rock...they just do.

I have never seen the Ellen Degeneres show but I do think she is pretty funny at times. Someone just posted this on Facebook and I have to laugh at it. Old people are pretty cool and always say what's on their mind.

I miss my grandma. Read more!

Free Grand Slam at Denny's Day (a free plug)

Times be hard...Denny's is offering a free Grand Slam breakie today to EVERYONE. Known for their amazing service and even better food, is it worth standing in a long ass line to get a plate of greasy ass eggs and hash browns that you could make for the price of the gas it took to get there?

If so..get on it.

(Side Note: Notice how all the guys in the soup kitchen pic lined up for free coffee and donuts all still dressed like gentlemen? They were different times indeed.)

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One more Project X meeting

Can't tell you who was at the meeting for Project X or where this private skatepark is (and who's house it is) but hopefully we got one step closer to doing the do. The meeting went well but we have to convince a few other folks who are not so sure, that this thing of ours is going to rock. We shall see but should we commence, you will be the first to know. Read more!

Erik Ellington Shoe Release Jam at The Berrics

Supra Vega x Erik Ellington

So Saturday night I rallied up the troops (myself) and headed to the secret location that is The Berrics in Downtown L.A. to celebrate the release of Supra's "Vega" Erik Ellington signature shoe. Basically they invited all the top sales kids from their best accounts to come skate with their heroes which included the likes of Erik, Theotis Beasley, Lizard King, Terry Kennedy and others. If you are a skater, this would be heaven. I didn't really fit in much but snagged a few beers from the kegerator before the line got too long and lurked about watching dudes (hundreds of them) and a few girls rip.

The man himself. Dub E about to kill a big spin.

Shane Heyl - Goat Mouf Style!

The lighting sucked early on so I couldn't get any good pics of EE...here he lands a big spin (just on the wrong side of the board)...his signature move. I got some video later on but am way too lazy to upload it to youtube and then to here so you will have to take my word for it that it was skate mayhem. About 100 kids all hopping the stairs at the same time.

The quiet before the shop help storm.

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