I even took some of them to the park

Cause you know- I love the kids.

On the first of the year Id mentioned that Captain Morgan had come home for the holidays, and I included a Hi-larious photoshopped image of a chipmunk-tarantula thing. I was lying.
But today its my distinct pleasure to announce in complete honesty that Captain Morgan has in fact finally returned from his walk about.

Truth be told I was worried about the little fella. Every time one of them disappears, my better half tells me that they probably got eaten, or that one ate the other, or some kind of terrible fate or another has befallen them.
And thats just mean.

Do you like apples?

How about these apples?
After a long absence, East Bay rock and roll heros Samiam are back and badder than ever with a new full length album as well as a few upcoming tour dates. Word has it theyll be playing in San Francisco towards the end of January.
Ill be there.
The last time I saw them they played with Chokebore and The Toadies on the Toadies first national tour in 1993 at a little place called The Berkeley Square, which is now a Scandinavian design furniture store.
At one point in the set this black homeless gutter punk with eyes like Marty Feldman and I got into a bit of a scrape and he told me in no uncertain terms that he would eat my heart.
I played it safe and turned the other cheek.
Anyhow, go here to check up on this institution of a band.

As far as the Berkeley Square goes- hows about a little trivia?
This ones a two parter. Which seminal 'grunge' band had an album cover shot there, and which long standing purveyors of feel good punk rock recorded half of a live album there?
And if youre feeling really mentally tough, what were the names of the albums?

First correct answer gets something out of the Swobo goodie box.

Speaking of the rock and/or roll, I wanted the new Soulcraft fat tired cross bike to be called TheMonsterCrossVisionQuestVirginBuster.

However as Ive previously reported, the new steed in the Soulcraft family is called 'The Dirtbomb', after Detroits favorite sons (and daughter) who have a new slab slated to be released next month. Buy it and dance your ass off.

We want to now take the opportunity to wish Tommy a happy 40th birthday, which was celebrated this weekend.
Heres to 40 more, old man.

How does everbody feel about a corespondance from our own CO;

"Some chick kept stealing the orange camo lid last night at the rock show...I called her a Hoodrat...she said that is so passé...The '08 nomenclature is either "Gutter Troll" or "Slam Piece"...I could be in love.
CO"

It sounds like a match made in Heaven.

Now for the public service portion of bummer life avoidance sent on from Sky.
In eight days, all cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketing agencies, and as required by the Federal Trade Commission, in order to do this, they had to allow a loophole with which people can take their numbers off of the list.
All you need to do is call 888-382-1222 from the phone number you wish to have removed.
Im not sure if this was just an issue for folks in California, but it never hurts to get the word out.
So there you go- dont say we never gave you nothin'.

Now, why dont you take a break from our jibberjabber and go see our friend Hollywood?

His holiday shopping post is one of only a very small handful of things that makes me want to visit Southern California.
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We totally got our art on this weekend-

And I was dressed to kill.

I particularly enjoy how the fellow in the middle of the overview shot looks as if hes tearing the poor little orange haired girl in the corner a new one, but really, if I remember correctly they were talking about pizza.

Now then, after perusing the internet for a short piece we came across this bit of news regarding our favorite Watsonvilleian framebuilder .

"I'm making these as a relief from the over analyzed, overly serious, overly snobby world of custom frame building..."

To take a break from frame building, the man builds frames.
If thats not a sign of true and utter dedication to the craft, then I dont know what is.
You know The Sticks gonna be at next months Handmade Show, and if you have plans on going, stop by his booth and say hello, but make sure to bring your step ladder if you want to give him a high five.
Youre sure to see some pretty, pretty bikes.

Like this one maybe?
And somewhere in your travels, you might come across this other one made by bad Mr. P.

My god I love that bike.

Ok, Im through with this nonsense.

Have a good Monday everybody.

Damn.