It should be more like the "the Crawl of Justice". I recently was chosen by the University of Wisconsin Police Department to be judged as to whether I am a criminal. I ran afoul of the law, during the course of an otherwise stellar Thursday night, and now have to go through the system of handling this minor non-violent incident in the hopes that I can keep my criminal record "clean".
The best apporpriation of our justice system in America today is the word, system. It is an outrageous bore for most involved that consists of 90% waiting, 5% anticipation and 5% of either jubilation or despair. I, for one, hate the waiting game.
Crimes vary in an astounding degree and punishment. I showed up for a court appearance last week. The time I was scheduled to appear was ten o'clock. I strolled in a few minutes early and scanned the people around me. I saw no less than eight men dressed in colorful clothing that one might refer to as "thugs". The rest of the mix consisted of teenage girls (people still shoplift from ShopKo?), homeless degenerates, two bikers with long silver manes and a young guy wearing khakis and an oxford sweater that just happend to be me. I think this, along with jail, was one of the few situations in which I felt a terrible sense of not belonging to the herd in any way, shape or form. But the law shows no discrimination when it comes to handling your case. Just a bit slower than the guy who was arrested before you.
I overheard quite a selection of infractions to the State of Wisconsin's legal code and came to the conclusion that a lot of crimes sound like no big deal but carry heavy penalties. A particularly grotesque elderly couple, wearing matching Packer jackets that looked as if they were rummaged from the dumpster behind A8 China, were charged with the joint theft of a gentleman's coat from a Wal-Mart. They are facing a fine of no more than $5000 and up to 14 months in a correctional facility.
Finally, after nearly two hours, my full name is called and I handle my exchange with judge as quickly and respectfully as I can. So when can I expect to be back in at the courthouse? They said they'd let me know in 4-6 weeks. Getting bad news is rough enough but when someone is intent on "surprising" you with bad news I get nauseous. But what can I do? In the face of the law, I can't front.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Famous Website Re-Design
The countdown reached zero hour and Famous has launched their new website. Overall, I dig the new layout. More flash is incorporated in browsing products. The new design coincides with the new spring line-up of Famous Stars and Straps gear. The website is more reminiscent of a European boutique's website (i.e. Lacoste) with products floating around to the whim of your mouse path, except with its staindard noir-ish layout.
The new gear is fresh to def. In recent years, the t-shirts, by far the staple of the company, have varied in their respective levels of popularity. This year, however, EVERY shirt looks like a must have. The new hoodies (just in time for warm weather right?) are absolutely sick. The styles are funky and classy at the same time and make you want to strut down the street with your hood up.
For the female independent, Famous has expanded their line to multiple needs. Famous also caters to children and as always, offers a multitude of accessories.
The re-design, I believe, is catapulting Famous into a special sphere of retailer. With limited edition drops available to anyone lucky enough to snatch it up, involves the customer and makes them feel cool in their clothes. Also, at the same time the new retail store in downtown L.A., The Fast Life, as well as Travis Barker's growing popularity give the brand mass appeal to celebrities who would also feel special if Travis gave them a limited design of a soon-to-be-released t-shirt design. And, of course, no advertising as part of a business model has never worked so well without an already proven commodity/brand/family. Travis' personal wardrobe is the most valued advertising enterprise for the company.
So please, check out the new Famous site and if you have a favorite brand of clothing with it's own website, let me know about it. There are a couple bugs in the design, as some of the sliding menus overlap a bit and require some dexterity if you want to go to a certain page; i'm sure they'll be fixed because of course: Famous don't front.
The new gear is fresh to def. In recent years, the t-shirts, by far the staple of the company, have varied in their respective levels of popularity. This year, however, EVERY shirt looks like a must have. The new hoodies (just in time for warm weather right?) are absolutely sick. The styles are funky and classy at the same time and make you want to strut down the street with your hood up.
For the female independent, Famous has expanded their line to multiple needs. Famous also caters to children and as always, offers a multitude of accessories.
The re-design, I believe, is catapulting Famous into a special sphere of retailer. With limited edition drops available to anyone lucky enough to snatch it up, involves the customer and makes them feel cool in their clothes. Also, at the same time the new retail store in downtown L.A., The Fast Life, as well as Travis Barker's growing popularity give the brand mass appeal to celebrities who would also feel special if Travis gave them a limited design of a soon-to-be-released t-shirt design. And, of course, no advertising as part of a business model has never worked so well without an already proven commodity/brand/family. Travis' personal wardrobe is the most valued advertising enterprise for the company.
So please, check out the new Famous site and if you have a favorite brand of clothing with it's own website, let me know about it. There are a couple bugs in the design, as some of the sliding menus overlap a bit and require some dexterity if you want to go to a certain page; i'm sure they'll be fixed because of course: Famous don't front.
Monday, February 25, 2008
You're a what...?
I had an intesting experience with the fairer sex saturday night that i felt like a sharing with the world, if only to get some sort of context or explanation to the situation. Before you immediately abort reading, there is nothing vulgar or disgusting in the retelling of events.
I met a girl, we'll call her Michelle*, at a party on Saturday. I spent the next hour playing coy with this blonde vixen and actually enjoying the conversation with her (while not a first, surprising nonetheless).
I work at the Edgewater hotel and had shift to set up an event at 2:30 a.m. I left Michelle and told her I'd call after I left work. By about 4;30 i had called twice to reassure her that I was in fact headed over to where she was staying. I took a Badger cab to Lathrop with two random dudes. The cab driver was from the Ukraine.
Cabbie: I hate getting pulled over by these kops here in America. I mean, c'mon I don't have a record...
Me: At least not here,
Cabbie: Good point.
Finally, I arrived at her place and went up. She said she was from out of town, Minnesota actually, and was staying at a friend's place. I immediately noticed two girls sprawled out in the living room and started to ponder my sleeping arrangements. I follow her to a room that her friend said she could use for the night. I love sympathetic friends.
Now, we start hooking up and the bomb gets dropped. "I'm a virgin.'
Huh? My immediate response is near shock. They still make you? Besides that, I was very confused that a girl from out-of-town would ask me to meet up with her later, wait til four in the morning for me to arrive and assume that I only came over for chatting.
Is it too far off-base to tell a guy that you don't do that? Or is it forward, presumptious and kind of an asshole thing to request? Seriously virgins, don't front.
*not real name
P.S. Some kind of countdown on the Famous Stars and Straps website; ends later tonight so I'll update what's dropping on the website if anything.
-Damon
I met a girl, we'll call her Michelle*, at a party on Saturday. I spent the next hour playing coy with this blonde vixen and actually enjoying the conversation with her (while not a first, surprising nonetheless).
I work at the Edgewater hotel and had shift to set up an event at 2:30 a.m. I left Michelle and told her I'd call after I left work. By about 4;30 i had called twice to reassure her that I was in fact headed over to where she was staying. I took a Badger cab to Lathrop with two random dudes. The cab driver was from the Ukraine.
Cabbie: I hate getting pulled over by these kops here in America. I mean, c'mon I don't have a record...
Me: At least not here,
Cabbie: Good point.
Finally, I arrived at her place and went up. She said she was from out of town, Minnesota actually, and was staying at a friend's place. I immediately noticed two girls sprawled out in the living room and started to ponder my sleeping arrangements. I follow her to a room that her friend said she could use for the night. I love sympathetic friends.
Now, we start hooking up and the bomb gets dropped. "I'm a virgin.'
Huh? My immediate response is near shock. They still make you? Besides that, I was very confused that a girl from out-of-town would ask me to meet up with her later, wait til four in the morning for me to arrive and assume that I only came over for chatting.
Is it too far off-base to tell a guy that you don't do that? Or is it forward, presumptious and kind of an asshole thing to request? Seriously virgins, don't front.
*not real name
P.S. Some kind of countdown on the Famous Stars and Straps website; ends later tonight so I'll update what's dropping on the website if anything.
-Damon
Monday, February 18, 2008
Rock the vote
I hate politics. For some, the strategy and competition is better than a smoke after sex but, I don't see the appeal. Recently, however, I have felt an undeniable urge for change. Famous Stars and Straps is the embodiment of independence and to some extent, questioning authority. The authority has been questioned and the majority is voicing its opinion.
It is one thing to say that someone is independent. It is entirely different to act independent. I am a very independent thinker, to the point I sometimes annoy myself. However, the base supporting independence is that one person does matter. One viewpoint can change a mind and one vote can change the nation.
I refuse to tell anyone how I or they should cast their ballot but only urge that you do. The man who is unspecific on his pizza toppings should not complain when he's eating peppers and pineapple. Please go out and vote on Tuesday and be heard. For polling and voter information head here. Don't front politics.
It is one thing to say that someone is independent. It is entirely different to act independent. I am a very independent thinker, to the point I sometimes annoy myself. However, the base supporting independence is that one person does matter. One viewpoint can change a mind and one vote can change the nation.
I refuse to tell anyone how I or they should cast their ballot but only urge that you do. The man who is unspecific on his pizza toppings should not complain when he's eating peppers and pineapple. Please go out and vote on Tuesday and be heard. For polling and voter information head here. Don't front politics.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The Pokey
A little late on this blog post; i've been terribly busy. This week I have a real beef with my management and human resources class. Now, the basics of the course involve managerial skills and how to better use those below you to get things done. The lecture period consists of the professor telling bad jokes and showing movie clips of various films. I just don't get it.
The major problem with the class, which has been voiced by many, is that it is common sense. I believe this totally. However, I think it is only common sense for a few. Many of the students in lecture, I'm sure, have not learned any skills associated with managing as they have never managed a group of people before. More to come
Lots of news from The Fast Life store in LA. Famous Stars and Straps is in the midst of a series of new drops. For those of us not in LA, the newest shirt is online here and features a very pretty girl (fellas trust me you want to click on the link). The shirt is a collaboration with FSAS and photographer Estevan Oriol; blog here. Also, February 14th, a new hoodie will be put up on the online website. More details to come! Until then, Live Fast, Die Fun and please, MHR Class: Don't Front.
The major problem with the class, which has been voiced by many, is that it is common sense. I believe this totally. However, I think it is only common sense for a few. Many of the students in lecture, I'm sure, have not learned any skills associated with managing as they have never managed a group of people before. More to come
Lots of news from The Fast Life store in LA. Famous Stars and Straps is in the midst of a series of new drops. For those of us not in LA, the newest shirt is online here and features a very pretty girl (fellas trust me you want to click on the link). The shirt is a collaboration with FSAS and photographer Estevan Oriol; blog here. Also, February 14th, a new hoodie will be put up on the online website. More details to come! Until then, Live Fast, Die Fun and please, MHR Class: Don't Front.
Monday, February 4, 2008
MouseTrap
Brand new shirt from Famous Stars and Straps, affectionately named "Mouse trap". I got mine flown in from California. I wore it out Friday night and loved the fanfare. Multiple hard-looking revelers commented on its coolness. All I could do was agree. Check out the shirt here.
As for my personal touch, school is completely consuming my life yet again. There is something downright dreary about always having a feeling that the next five minutes of your life should be spent doing something constructive rather than take another hit. The classload and overwhelming commitment necessary puts a mental strain on every day that my feet pound the pavement in the fantasyland I've come to know and adore. Badgers don't front.
As for my personal touch, school is completely consuming my life yet again. There is something downright dreary about always having a feeling that the next five minutes of your life should be spent doing something constructive rather than take another hit. The classload and overwhelming commitment necessary puts a mental strain on every day that my feet pound the pavement in the fantasyland I've come to know and adore. Badgers don't front.
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