Argentina Shoe Drop

Hey Everyone,

I had a post here a couple weeks ago explaining my trip to Argentina I'll be taking with TOMS Shoes in November. If you didn't read it, basically I'll be heading down to South America for a week to help children who, through all their joy and enthusiasm, have no shoes to wear. As per the Friends of Toms site..

Volunteers hand-place shoes on children's feet who can use them to take life-changing steps. These steps can take them to fresh water, school, and possibly protect them from life-threatening diseases.

I had to jump at the chance for this opportunity, and now I'm going to need a bit of your help.

I have a website up to help me fund raise the money required for trip, which covers everything from airfare, to hotel, to site scouting and guides, etc. $2,000 may seem like a lot, but I know that with your help we can make this happen. A little goes a long way, and hopefully many of those "littles" can add up to becoming a lot. Remember, everything donated to the site is tax-deductible.

Here's the site...

www.friendsoftoms.kintera.org/jasonfortoms

Thank you so, so much for taking the time in my interest. Please forward the donation site to everyone you know who might be interested in helping our cause, or re-post in your MySpaces and Facebooks.

The vocal support I've gotten so far has been tremendous, it's really hard to describe. My gratitude is far beyond words, I'll have to hug each and every one of you in person.

Let's make it happen.

You Waited! It's NYC Time..

Day one started obviously with our plane flight. Upon arrival to lax, we noticed that our flight had been delayed an hour to 10:50, which was good news. Time for breakfast. Let's Shooby Dooby Down to Ruby's.

Here's where we're wondering if breakfast burritos were created in the U.S. or Mexico. I say U.S., Bry says Mexico- the answer? New Mexico. We're both right, right?


The view from our booth. I could read their lips from where we were at, and one guy was saying "Why would you throw that out? I'm keeping this."


It's fitting because at the end of the Ruby's slogan is "don't be late," which we almost were because Virgin Air decided to change back to the original flight time. Lucky I caught it, or we would have been stuck.

We were both virgins to Virgin America, but after this flight we're both convinced: fly VA if at any way possible. Flying on this thing was like riding inside of your iPods best playlist. Black leather seats incased in tough, white plastic; swanky emergency spiel pamphlets with urban art, not corny 80s, robotic imagery; mood lights that made you feel you were in a nightclub; televisions for everyone, with a touch screen guide and ability to text seat to seat with other passengers (by the way, passenger 8C, who are you?); gosh, who wouldn't love this airline?



Watching PTI feature your team thousands of feet up in the air? Priceless.


After a brief M.I.A suitcase, we hauled our bags over to the JFK Airtrain which shuttled us to a sub station in Queens, where we had to switch trains three times (and haul our heavy bags up flights of stairs) to finally get to see Nichole at her pad in Brooklyn.

Walking up to her place was like walking down The Cosby Show set.


View from the roof.


Angry Woebots x Haagen Dazs







Remember that part in Ferris Bueller's Day Off where Ferris describes Cameron's house?

"The place is like a museum. It's very beautiful and very cold, and you're not allowed to touch anything"

Pretty much exactly like Nichole's place, except we could touch things.

We didn't though.

After settling in, we walked down to the neighborhood Italian Cafe, aptly named Italian Cafe, which was next to a Thai Cafe, aptly name Thai Cafe.

I don't want to slow down the rest of this page, so for the rest of this blog, CLICK HERE.

Oh and PS, it's ultra picture heavy, so make sure you check it out!

Sticker Time

Dear LA,

These will be everywhere soon. We apologize in advance. Give our regards to Melrose.

-tmj



I need somebody to Photoshop Ace's face into there.

Too Much Fun In Hollywood

By far one of the outstanding shows I've ever been to, the Megapuss/Little Joy/Entrance gig was the sweetest thing in town. Some of my favorite musicians are in the two aforementioned bands, while Entrance completely blew my mind away listening to them for the first time.

Megapuss consists of Greg Rogove, Devendra Banhart, Fabrizio Moretti, Noah Georgeson, and Rodrigo Amarante; while Little Joy is the same, plus Binki Shapiro. What made it awesome was the musical chairs they played, not only in between bands but also in between instruments. While performing as Little Joy, I think everyone played each instrument at least once. But enough talk, let's get to some pictures.

Although he broke up with Natalie Portman earlier in the day, Devendra was still in good spirits. I think.

"Let's pose in our brewskies."


First was Little Joy, with Strokes (drunk) drummer Fabrizio Moretti at guitar. Hey Fab, you didn't lose your pick. It's just on your head.


Next was MEGAPUSS, and here's Greg Rogove taking a break from drums and playing lead singer.


Did I mention that Aziz Ansari is in MEGAPUSS? And if you're careful, you better not buy your hummus from Whole Foods or he'll kill you.


Fabrizio back at drums, wearing Greg's outfit from earlier.




Rodrigo Amarante of Los Hermanos playing guitar for MEGAPUSS, but was Little Joy's lead vocalist. Dude's got some sweet moves. It's all in the knees.




Did I mention that Fabrizio was drunk out of his mind?


While I didn't get to snap any pictures of Entrance, I implore you to see them live, and at the very least check their music out. The lead singer sips hot tea as he performs, and bears a striking resemblance to Professor Trelawny.



And after an arduous ride back to the apartment, I found this written on my car.


And this...


And this.


Even Amelia wasn't spared.


Apparently some rebel Newsies came by, and on their way to sell some newspapers, they decided to tag on our cars with raggedy, old shoe shine- probably from their second jobs, because, as you know, selling newspapers all day just won't cut it when you have a family of eight to feed. Something tells me Amy is to blame.

Amy and Company- let it be known.

You're on official Bear Watch until further notice. If I were you, I'd keep a weathered eye out. You never know when I'm going to strike.

Anyway, such an awesome night. Awesome music (who doesn't like spontaneous meowing in songs?), awesome food afterwards, and potential future vengeance on a group of hooligans that look like these.



Ducks game later today with the buddies.

Life is good.

With A Heavy Heart

Sorry for the lack of posting, but there's been more important things to attend to.

It was a somber but hopeful service this morning; lots of tears and a few laughs- all to remember and celebrate the life of our friend Che. It was nice catching up with familiar faces, but bittersweet that it had to happen in that circumstance. Stay strong, Thelma and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you always.

If you knew them or not, why not venture down to the Clandestine Studios this weekend? It's going to benefit the families of Chris Baker and Che Still, so if you don't have plans (and want a tattoo) definitely make the trip to Tarzana, they're good people over there.

For My Dark Sided Friends

Especially Geoff, Candice, Cory, Nat, and Amelia. Chipotle really brings the Satan out of me.



I'm working on the NYC blog I promise! It's going to be well worth it.

I Need To Hire An Assistant

I'm so up to my ears with busy-ness, I can hardly stand it. Looking at my month-to-month calendar is like discovering this after a hard day of work.



And did I mention you're 30 minutes late to dinner with old friends only in town for one night, your gas light just came on, and you just realized you forgot the cell phone and wallet at the office. Whatever that feeling is, that's what I get when I see this stupid calendar.

Anyway, I was planning to write the NYC blog, but so many unforeseen events have happened that I'm going to have to postpone that until maybe later today or tomorrow. I'm sorry. I know I'm lagging, but there's so much to do in such little time. I need help. I need an assistant, BAD. Inquire within.

In the meantime, enjoy this.



Who frames that?

-jason

The First Of More To Come

This past Saturday was our first bicycle ride around lowly and quiet Corona, CA. To my surprise, the turnout was amazing. Met lots of fun, new people who all shared the same enthusiasm for bicycles that we here at The Mason Jar have. A big thank you to all of our co-sponsors: Johnny Pedals at The Pedal Smith Bike Shop, Soulful Commandoe, Chubby Boob, and Alan Thomas Apparel. I think it's safe to say that everyone had a great time, and we look forward to the next ride which is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 8th.

Here's a recap if you missed it...

Pre-ride, curb-hangin'.



Our friend Phil from SD showed up because I said I'd kill him if he didn't ride. He didn't, but he met me halfway and at least saw us off.



The hardware.







Pre-game warmup, with a sermon by the team chaplain.


On your marks...get set...


GO!










Tom, aka Alan Thomas, aka THE GODFATHER.


First stop, Starbucks at Dos Lagos. Check out the simultaneous hair check from Ace and Mary.



Bikes of different colors, races, religions, and makes were in attendance.


Do you have a Soulful Commandoe x New Era cap yet?


JP wishes he did. It would keep his head warm.


Taking 5.








Mary once caught a fish thisssss bigggggg.



And then we're off.


The Godfather herding the pack.


While the B(eard) leads the way like Moses with the Jews.


A view from the pace car.


Stop 2: In-N-Out. Some of the pack opted for a heartier a meal at Denny's, instead.

Heavy Hitters.


Vespa Shitters.


Survey Says: A total consumption of about four cows.


Nick, getting his Big Sexy on.


And then back to Starbucks off Ontario. Raffle time!

Natters, although bike-less, caught us in time for a bite and the subsequent raffle. Always the worker, Nat The Nails is.


It's Gabe Time.


Or is it Tony Time?


Amelia, also bike-less, showed her support by starting the ride with a checkered flag.


Joemm x Bella x Stickers.


Minus the dudes that went to Denny's.


Such a mellow group, it was impossible not to have a great time. We can't wait for the next one, so stay tuned for news here or on iefixed.com. And if you haven't yet, add us on MySpace, at myspace.com/masonjarclothing.

This ride was dedicated to our good friend Che Still who passed away in last Saturday's plane crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We'll miss you always. RIP, Che.