April 2008 Archives

IHOP is holding a contest on their website, it started at the end of March, and goes to May 31st. Enter Here. You have 250 words, and an optional picture to convince the judges that your story is:entertaining (33%), original (33%) and has an emotional impact (34%), or so says the rules. I did not yet submit an I.F.S. story as I am about to leave work, but what I found more interesting while reading the rules of the contest is that IHOP's 50th birthday is coming up on July 7, 2008, and they are holding some sort of celebration for it in New York, which the winner is flown out to be a part of, ontop of a lifetime of free pancakes.

Last weekend the World beard and moustache championships were held in Eging am, Germany. Here's some photos of our international members.

Check out some more pics here.

Esteemed Ministers,

 I can say nothing to refute the harsh comments of the MOM.  The tale he has carefully related to all of you in his most recent post is entirely true.  I have no excuse for planning my obligations so poorly as to interrupt a nearly privet surf session on a perfect sunny Sunday.  To make matters worse it is exceptionally shameful to have created such a seen on so hallowed and infamous a beach as Latigo. My actions showed a lack of testicular fortitude and I vow to make a concerted effort to redeem myself in the coming weeks.  Hopefully I will be able to win back all of your trust and respect in time to avoid receiving the CB award at our next meeting. 

The recent lack of leavened bread in my diet must be affecting my higher processing abilities, hopefully when all this matzah eating concludes next week its effects will not linger. 

Faithfully yours,

The Rebbi

This post is directed at the Rabbi of Leisure and his 'yes man'....

"Okay, so this is where you tell me all about how locals rule and yuppie insects like me shouldn't be surfing your break and all that, right? No. That would be a waste of time. We're just going to fuck you up....on the blogosphere."

True Story:

 On a sunny afternoon 4 guys (3 IFS members) struck out on a surf mission to a local spot.  This spot was actually featured quietly in the hit movie 'Point Break', including a famous 'localism' intimidation scene. 

Although this surf spot is no secret, it is a bit off the beaten track and I won't go into the etiquette and complexities of showing up at an uncrowded, quality surf break with only a few people in the water, but in short, you must be respectful and tread lightly. 

After the OC crew took a trip back to the car to fetch sun screen to prevent dry skin and rashes, we hit the water.  OC team leader quickly surfs a set wave, while OC towel boy cheers him on by hooting and hollering. "There's not enough wax on my board. This water is cold, I wish I had a better wetsuit, I usually wear booties, my feet go numb easy." were a few choice expressions from the guy you don't want talking to you in the lineup.

After more than an hour surfing in excellent conditions, our esteemed Rabbi of Leisure realizes he is late to take his 17 year old sister to the Kanye West concert in San Diego by 7pm.  A mid-lineup freak out ensues, "We've got to go! MOM! Art and Design! towel boy! we have to go RIGHT NOW!  I'm so late, oh my god, oh my god!" The Rabbi exclaims.

I reluctantly paddle for a wave and ride it to the beach where I proceeded to question the Rabbi about the seriousness of his public outburst.  (Direct Quote)  "My parents are going to be so pissed" he relayed with the utmost urgency.  "Can't you find someone else to take your sister to the Kanye West concert?  Why can't she drive herself, she's 17."  I manage to say without laughing at the reason for our immediate departure. 

At this point A&D and I were not prepared to leave a beautiful, almost empty lineup for a seemingly ridiculous errand.  After serious negotiation and justification I allow OC team towel boy to drive my car back to town so team OC can return home.  (I allow OC team towel boy to drive, since the Rabbi can't drive a car with a manual transmission.)  "We'll either get 'Competition' to give us a ride, or we'll take the bus."

Two OC 'tenderfeet' depart in a hurry, driving my car. "Utah! Get me Two!"

After a few more hours of empty, beautiful surfing conditions A&D and I are exhausted and content with bellies full of tasty waves.  30 miles from our house, "Gee I wish we had a car."

After a small walk to a bus stop, A&D and I bundle our dripping wetsuits into hobo packs and wait patiently for the Express #3 bus.  "How did you get your boards here?" the bus driver inquires.  "We drove a car here, but then someone took our car back without us." We replied.  "Someone stole your car?!" he exclaimed.  Not exactly.

We were placed in the back of the bus where our boards would fit in between the bench seat.  The driver had to ask a couple of day laborers to move to accommodate our equipment.  The picture above was taken on the bus and illustrates our frustration with our tenderfoot surf companions and also captures the beauty of public, urban surf transport.  'Viva los Dodgers!' A&D and I share a laugh on the enjoyable and peculiar bus ride back to town.  Competition picks us up at the local bus terminal and we return home.

Please understand, I post this story not as an example of why I'm cooler or better than our companions.  I post this story to highlight ridiculous behavior which fulfills the stereotype of everything you try and avoid.  When a 25 year old is begging his friend to help him, because of the threat of parental repercussions and Kanye West concerts, you have to laugh at yourself.  It's important to listen to yourself speak and make sure you sound sane. No harm intended, just a bit of comedy.

"Back off Warchild, seriously."

Today, like everyday, I'm proud to be a Trojan....   A Hershey Trojan that is.  Get your DVR ready Mesa house, cause Katie Winter is about to dominate College Jeopardy.

Today marks 75 years since the day that the Cullen-Harrison Act, which raised the legal limit in alcohol from .5%, called near-beer, to 3.2%, and was the first step towards the end of the 14-year prohibition on alcohol, was passed. And while alcohol was still relatively easy to find during Prohibition, Chicago had around 20,000 speakeasies, the new tax on alcohol bolstered our economy. Our good friends in St. Louis, Missouri are celebrating, so why don't you? Raise a toast of Adolphus tonight, or you can get out!

You can read the article over here at CNN, or read some more history here.

Just wanted to let everyone know about this Outside Lands festival in San Fran August 22 - 24th. I know it is close to our planned trip to Chi Town, but I couldn't pass up the chance to see Radiohead, Beck, and Wilco. One of my roomates and myself have purchased tickets, but it would be awesome if a few of us went to listen to some crunchy tunes and just groove.

You can check out the lineup and purchase tickets through the site here.