The Tipping Point

Bonobo - 'Eyesdown' (Machinedrum Remix)

2012-02-13T22:36:00.000-05:00

Perhaps one of my favourite producers/composers of the last couple of years, Bonobo, released an amazing album back in 2011 called Black Sands. I shared a few songs on here in the past, and it still gets a lot of rotation.

Today he released a remix album, with his music remixed by the likes of Floating Points, Arp 101, Falty DL, Mike Slott amongst others. It's outstanding, and you should give it a try. Big!

Montauk

2012-02-13T22:32:00.001-05:00

Montauk a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

This weekend I headed to Montauk with Daniella and a few friends, the aim was to try and catch a glimpse of the Aurora. Sadly it wasn't clear enough at night, but it was still beautiful, deserted, freezing cold and it offered many photographic opportunities. I want to go back again, perhaps when it is warmer and enjoy what this beautiful part of New York has to offer.

Click the image to go to the Flickr album for a small selection.

Portico Quartet

2012-01-17T22:52:00.002-05:00

East London boys doing big things. New LP drops later this week. Very excited.

Here's one of their tunes from last year - Ruins. Steady now.

Wedding Bells

2012-01-17T19:28:00.001-05:00

Untitled a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

At the weekend my Brother married the beautiful Alexandra Rae, it was an amazing day, a beautiful ceremony, incredible weather, delicious food, the company of family, friends, and of course a big old party, it was an amazing day. Click the image to go to my album of the day, I was really happy with some of the pictures.

Congratulations to the Happy Couple and may I wish them many years of marital bliss. Welcome to the family, Alex!

Much love.

Fatima - Mind

2012-01-09T11:44:00.002-05:00

Distraught that I left this off my best of 2011 list.

Distraught.

Fatima - Mind, Produced by the one and only Floating Points. Heavenly.

NYC Sunset January 8th 2012

2012-01-09T01:24:00.000-05:00

Shot from my roof tonight as the sun was setting over Manhattan.

OCCUPY WALL STREET // N15 // D17 // OCCUPY 2.0 // YOUR TIME IS NOW

2012-01-06T13:39:00.000-05:00

One of the best montages for the Movement that I have seen so far.

Too big to fail.

#Anonymous

2012-01-06T12:00:00.003-05:00

Learn more.

Sunrise, Mexico, January 1st 2012

2012-01-04T16:16:00.001-05:00

Sunrise, Mexico, January 1st. a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

To new beginnings.

Mexico - Playa Del Carmen, December 2011

2012-01-04T16:14:00.001-05:00

Mexico - Playa Del Carmen, December 2011, a set on Flickr.

Happy New Year to you all!

I hope it brings you much happiness and you fulfill whatever it is you set out for.

December was a remarkable month, we had amazing weather allowing racing, shredding and being in shorts and t shirt up until my trip to Mexico.

I had a week long visit from none other than AT himself where we laughed until it hurt, ramped the incline club skatepark, ramped the trails, smashed four lokos, hit the clubs, wined and dined with friends and laughed some more, it was a great time.

After AT had left I had one of the toughest weeks at work in a long time staying until 1am almost every night. Bad times. It did allow me to take my mornings more casually though, putting in some laps at Prospect Park, hitting Frenchies and generally feeling a bit like I was self employed, just with loads of bullshit later on in the day.

I didn't mind too much though as I knew my trip to Mexico was upcoming and I wasn't far from that light at the end of the tunnel.

Mexico was an amazing time, spending time with daniella and her very kind and welcoming family. I had a wonderful time there, getting up early every day, running on the beach, sharing breakfast, lunch and dinner with her family, being in the water for hours on end, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling amongst the coral and the fish, drinking cold coconut water from an actual coconut, visiting chichen itza and other historical sites of interest, swimming in the Carribean Sea and just not thinking much about anythin at all. It was wonderful.

I bought a sombrero and on the last day hid out on the beach selling my wares and raking up seaweed for pesos. But Daniella spotted the ginger beard and I had to come home. I really didn't want to leave, thank you Mexico, and thank you to the Arbulus.

Back in work now, but again, not long until my next trip, home, to see my family and see my Brother get married. I'm very excited for him, and know it will be a good shindig. Daniella is coming with and will meet the rest of my family. then we shall see the sights of London and all it has to offer.. well, as much as we can in 2 days.

Exciting times.

Much love to you and yours for 2012!

Joints of the Year

2011-12-23T12:08:00.000-05:00

This has been a remarkable year for music, below is a snapshot into some of my favorite tunes from this year. I'd be lost without Gilles Peterson, Benji B, Rinse FM, and incredible blogs out there that share the music, and keep me entertained!

Floating Points. Perhaps my favourite EP of the year. Beautiful music. Thank you FP!

James Blake - The man can do no wrong.

Gil Scott-Heron. what a legend. RIP. His album from this year I'm New Here, and the Jamie XX rework album We're New Here, are masterful pieces. Buy them both.

TMSV - Ridiculously heavy

Delilah. I have no words.

D Double E - On a hype ting, the D Double EP is big and heavy!

Hudson Mohawke. Satin Panthers EP. Too dope! Thunder Bay is thunderous!

Burial - Standard. Perhaps one of the deeped records of the year for me.

Lana Del Ray - Just marry me. Please.

XXXY - Dance Anthem of the summer.

Wretch 32 re-worked by the man like MJ Cole. 2 step.

Mosca. Bax/done me Wrong joint was popping!

Zomby. Bit of a mentalist, but you cannot deny the talent. Saw him play out, well, play his iTunes, mainly grime instrumentals, but it was a good experience. He did drop some bangers! His Dedication LP is pure fire.

Jamie XX and Jasmine. My goodness.

Joker and Jessie Ware doing Let it Breathe. Another woman who I would marry! Doing this thing live in the place. Magic. Makes the hair on my body stand on end. Too good. Standard place Boiler room!

SBTRKT Hands down one of the best albums of the year. Caught him live twice this year and it blew me away. Too sick!

Lunice. Hard.

There are more, of course, but this is a slection of some of the hottest cuts from this year in my opinion. Play 'em loud!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and big up yourselves! Photo joints and updates coming soon!

Gabryelle Refix // Apple - Siegalizer with a string Quartet

2011-12-05T10:37:00.001-05:00

Woah.

Woo Riddim and a String Quartet

2011-12-05T10:26:00.001-05:00

Benji B on deck dropping the Woo Riddim, alongside a String Quartet live backing, makes for a pretty special piece.

Pigeons

2011-12-04T23:15:00.001-05:00

Pigeons a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

A couple of cheeky shots from around the City on Saturday after a delicious brunch with Dani and friends. This was my favourite. Pigeons taking off after a taxi blew its horn.

Today I headed to CJ BMX with Al Cayne for the Ironman Race they hold every December. Normally it is bitterly cold, wet, and occasionally (apparently) even snowy. Today it was in the 60's, about 15 degrees C, sunny, and unseasonably warm. Proper bonkers. Loved it, just wondering where the chuff Winter is..

Trails and Flickr

2011-11-27T22:32:00.001-05:00

Untitled a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

Photos from the weekend are up on Flickr, click the image to go to the album. This is a pic shot by Al Cayne of me shredding the pump track, thanks fam!

Thanksgiving Weekend

2011-11-27T21:12:00.001-05:00

Amazing long weekend filled with beautiful Autumn weather, friends, Daniella, hiking the Appalachian Trail up to the summit of Bear Mountain, shredding the trails at Cunningham Park, training at Frenchies, roasting my first ever turkey and all the trimmings and not making a hash of it, making a new mix, seeing The Descendants Movie and absolutely loving it and not being in, near or thinking about work for 4 days. Brilliant.

Here is the sunset from Friday afternoon, I was making a mix when I noticed how red the room had become, I walked outside and was greeted with this, I grabbed my camera, headed to the roof and captured a few more images, it was astounding.

I will hopefully get my Flickr album up at some point with some of the other pictures I managed to get. The Canon 60D keeps blowing my mind.

#OWS N17 Day of Action NYC

2011-11-18T08:18:00.001-05:00

Untitled a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

Click the picture to go to the full album. This picture was shot moments after a brutal beating by Police of a young man, whose only crime was that of horseplay. The NYPD are thugs, bullies and the pack mentality is despicable. This cops face says it all, she doesn't want to be in this situation, surrounded by hundreds of peaceful, yet angry protestors, she knows what went off wasn't right. Her face tells the story better than me.

I lost faith in humankind, regained it, lost it again, but thankfully regained by the end of the 12 hour day on the streets with the Occupy Wall Street movement.

We are the 99%.

Dear Friends

2011-11-07T19:32:00.001-05:00

I have been incredibly lucky in my time here to meet and befriend some pretty amazing people, I have a beautiful girlfriend who I love to the end of the earth, some friends I know I can trust and console in at any time of day and night, friends that I know will be down for shredding at the drop of a hat, or up for an adventure, or a 14 hour drive across states to a race.

A very special friend is a man called Nik Sokol. He is perhaps the most kind-hearted, good spirited, strong, knowledgeable and infectiously funny human beings I have ever met. Yesterday, I was lucky enough to get a call from Nik who was in the neighborhood with his 2 beautiful boys, Suriyan and Tarin. I went out to meet them all and caught up before we went up to the roof and hung out, catching a beautiful sunset over the Manhattan skyline and playing a quick game of tag.

Tarin is almost a year old now, and has been through so much more than most kids his age. He was born with Down syndrome, and had many health issues that had him in Intensive Care Units for almost half of his life. Some of these units were so sterile, it meant Nik and his beautiful wife, Aruna, were without opportunity to touch or hold Tarin. I'm not a parent, so I can only imagine how difficult that must have been for them both, but their positivity and strength, was so incredibly inspiring. The enormous amount of love for this beautiful baby boy, and his own incredible strength and perseverance pulled him through.

I know very little about Down syndrome, and I suppose many of us are the same, Nik shared this website recently, and it offers a brief insight into Down syndrome. Take a moment and have a read. Awareness amongst more of us is a positive step.

I feel so lucky to have someone like Nik to call a friend, and seeing him and the boys yesterday gave me a huge lift, the love and positivity is so infectious. I'd take a bullet for him. One day, I hope I will sit back and read his autobiography.

Essex in NYC

2011-11-01T14:12:00.003-04:00

A few weeks back my main mandem from Essex came through NYC for a week of jollies. Nick 'Nen, Rich Shaw and Ricky Martin up in the place. I am blessed with some of the most amazing friends, and I never take that fir granted. It was an amazing week of hanging out, catching up, wreaking havoc and just having a good time. I loved every second.Rich made a video from the footage of the trip, and it has me grinning ear to ear.

Untitled from Rich Shaw on Vimeo.

#OWS Oakland PD

2011-10-27T17:25:00.000-04:00

Unacceptable. The actions of many police forces around the US and abroad towards #Occupy Protesters have been questionable, but this is too far. Something has to be done, officers that use these brutal, potentially life threatening tactics should be bought to justice. The US government wouldn't sit back and watch this happen in the far corners of the World, yet they seem apathetic at best about it occurring on their home soil. Disgusting.

Footage of Scott Olsen being shot by Police at Occupy Oakland from Raleigh Latham on Vimeo.

Stream : Joker's new album - The Vision.

2011-10-24T10:35:00.001-04:00

One of the most exciting producers in the last couple of years in the UK bass music scene (if that's what it's being called now..) is Joker. His production style is pretty tight, the bassline always bang hard, and the album is peppered with appearances from amazing vocalists that will make a crossover for the music into the mainstream pretty seamless. It has it all, grime, R&B, soulful vocals and some serious heaviness in the 130bpm realm.

Appalachian Trail overlooking Culver Lake

2011-10-18T16:30:00.001-04:00

Appalachian Trail overlooking Culver Lake a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

This weekend I was lucky enough to be invited along to my friends place out in the Pocono Mountains (quite how I haven't outstayed my welcome is beyond me!). My good friend Amy has a beautiful house right on Lake Wallenpaupak, its beautiful, peaceful, and so good for the soul being there. It really is one of best places on the Earth.

12 people in total and some of best banter I've had in a long time, swimming in the freezing cold lake, some water skiing, some time warming back up in the hot tub, hot toddies, open fires and a fair amount of drinking, which lead in turn to one of the funniest games of charades I have ever played. Some absolute genius role playing and some less than genius assumptions which lead to some intense belly pain from the laughter. So good. Acting out "shit hits the fan" was my high point, and I think Adam doing "Clay Davis" from the Wire was possibly the best bit of role play I have ever seen. Too funny. Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeettt.

Sunday we rose early, I took a dip in the lake to refresh my senses, a big breakfast with the Fam, and then heading out to the Appalachian Trail. We hiked a total of 10 miles, over some pretty intense terrain, I don't think any of us gave it the respect it deserved and it whooped us pretty badly! No casualties but a few twisted ankles, sore feet and knees. It was incredible up there and some of the vistas were stunning, I just wish we had all prepared a little more for it!

It was my first real hike though, and I loved it. Click the image at the top to go to the flickr page for more.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, Much Love!

Massive Attack vs Burial - Paradise Circus

2011-10-18T10:48:00.000-04:00

Absolutely glorious.. You said it Mary Anne...

Massive Attack vs Burial 'four walls'

2011-10-18T10:32:00.000-04:00

Spiders Alive...

Let This One Breathe a While..

2011-10-11T11:03:00.000-04:00

Put on some headphones, sit back and allow this one to build. Amazing.

I heard this tune on Jamie XX's Essential Mix last month, which by the way, is exceptional, and I fully recommend you listening to it. Seek and ye shall fine.

#Occupy

2011-10-11T10:58:00.000-04:00

I have been following the #OccupyWallStreet movement and subsequent occupancies that have occurred since September 17th with great interest here in the US. From the moment it began I felt compelled to read, watch and understand what it was they were about, and the goals they had set out. I have learned a great deal about the politics of this Country through channels I have begun to trust in the time I have been here, NPR, Anonymous, The Yes Men, Russia Today, Bloggers, and the Twittersphere, I look at those reports, live and direct from the streets, unedited and raw, then look at the tiny amount of news coverage this movement garners from the mainstream media and see how it is an edited, chopped up and twisted fabrication of reality to make the people on the streets seem like out of control, drug induced conspiracy theorists with no direction.

You can't trust the mainstream media here, you can't trust the newspapers, the news broadcasters or and of the channels that aren't independent from the system.

I remember my Dad making comments about the American media years ago on a family holiday to Florida, how it was all so fake, the presenters tanned, their teeth whitened, their $1000 dollar suits glistening in the studio lights, but not just the fakeness of their appearance, he meant the falseness of the news that they broadcast as well. And that stuck with me. The news outlets here will never broadcast something that could potentially hurt their investors, will never make any of the people that pay them the bank step back and stop depositing those big fat paychecks, would never step on the toes of the corporations that hold the advertisement slots in the ad breaks. It's all vested interest, and it's all bullshit.

I will continue to follow, and support the movement and continue to go down to Wall St. and speak to the protesters, see their message, hear their goals, capture and absorb their ideals and demands, they are truly free and they are the spark that could set the wheels in motion for a big change. I am a cynic, but I also believe in the power of community, and freedom of expression, and this movement is growing far beyond what the naysayers ever said it would. I think it is absolutely brilliant.

Real. Truth.

George Carlin had it right in 2005. People thought he was a loon back then, now look at everything.. Now people do care, George, I like to think you'd be proud of what is going on right now.

Big City Lights

2011-09-30T10:19:00.001-04:00

Big City Lights a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

Brooklyn Bridge, the East River, Downtown Manhattan and a photograph I am very proud of. I <3 NY.

Jane's Carousel, Looking towards the Brooklyn Bridge & Downtown Manhattan

2011-09-29T11:30:00.001-04:00

Jane's Carousel, Looking towards the Brooklyn Bridge & Downtown Manhattan a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

Last night I went to take pictures for an Architectural blog - Domus. The subject was a 1920's restored carousel that has had its internals completely gutted, updated and re-wired, and all of the original fixtures, glass, lights and mirrors restored to their former glory. It's situated right in the Brooklyn Bridge Park, a beautiful new space between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridge's. If you're in the area I suggest checking it out. The carousel is stunning, the setting is beautiful and peaceful, they have done an amazing job with the entire site, and the picture opportunities are brilliant. Click the image to go to my Flickr album and see for yourself.

The Cinematic Orchestra - 'Manhatta'

2011-09-19T14:08:00.000-04:00

Take 11 minutes of your life and set them aside for this astounding piece of old cinematography - Manhatta, paired with this astoundingly beautiful new score from The Cinematic Orchestra. I took 33 minutes.

Toddla T - 'Streets So Warm' feat. Wayne Marshall & Skream

2011-09-19T13:47:00.000-04:00

Big riddim, big video, Yes Toddlah!

WTC 1 and the North Tower Pool

2011-09-19T09:41:00.001-04:00

WTC 1 and the North Tower Pool a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

An amazing weekend which ended with a visit to the 9/11 Memorial Site with my good friend Nik Sokol and others

It was a deeply saddening experience, and incredibly humbling. To understand the scale of this place, you really must visit and stand amongst it. Not one inch of the fountains is without a name. The dead have been remembered with honour and dignity.

SBTRKT

2011-09-15T09:46:00.000-04:00

One of the best albums released this year came from SBTRKT and this is one of biggest tunes on there. It features the beautiful and amazingly talented Yukimi Nagano of Little Dragon. I caught his live DJ set a couple months in Brooklyn back which was off the chain good, and am seeing him again, doing a complete live performance, live band, the lot, in October. Very, very excited!

Lake Wallenpaupack by Moonlight

2011-09-12T22:43:00.001-04:00

Lake Wallenpaupack by Moonlight a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

<3 Click the image to go the album.

Poconos Late Summer '11

2011-09-12T22:36:00.001-04:00

Untitled a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

This last weekend I travelled to the Poconos with the wonderful Amy Leitch, Carlitos, Matt and Amanda, for another weekend of fresh water escapades. I feel so lucky to have made so many awesome friends that allow me the opportunity to travel along with them and share the dream. This weekend was no exception, the lake has cooled off considerably, since July due to the huge amount of rain the north east has received in the last month, what with hurricane Irene and tropical storm Lee. I have been lucky enough to come the lake a fair few times in the last couple of years and i have never seen it as high as this.. Amy has been coming to the lake since she was 11, and she said said the same. She is now in her thirties, I think that is saying a lot about the volume of rainfall we have had. It really is incredible. We arrived at around midnight on the friday, we all went straight into the lake, under an incredibly bright, almost full moon. Drank dark and stormys around an open fire and shot the breeze, most of the talk was filled about 9/11 it being the 10 year anniversary of the atrocity, and its always very interesting to talk to others about their experiences. It never gets any less shocking to see the images of that day, and like many events of this scale, you will always remember where you were.

Saturday was spent making food together, lake swimming from morning to night, water skiing which I eventually grasped, wake boarding (at which I completely suck at) and just diving off the boat and enjoying the beauty of freshwater. Lakes are by far my favourite type of body of water. we were blessed with superb weather a near empty lake, a golden eagle hovering overhead, and a hot tub to finish things off in. Amazing.

Saturday night after some more night swimming and a couple drinks in he hot tub, a home cooked meal (I rustled the ever English spag bol) a sit around the fire and a couple drinks before we hit the hay.. A 5am rise awaited us on the Sunday morning, off to Massachusetts, for some class 4 rapids and a whole lot of awesome.

Sunday was off the chain, serious. The drive there and and back to the city afterwards was a bit shit, but it didn't matter.. Record high water, a funny guide, myself and 4 other fantastic rafters, meant it could only be an amazing day. The class 4 stuff was unreal. It blew my mind, I absolutely love being in big water like that, immersed in freshwater that's trying it's damnedest to have you off the raft, we all worked hard and kept it upright, but a fair few close calls. So much fun, I'm thinking of trying my hand at going down in a kayak one of these days, just me, the paddle and the water. I bet there is nothing like it.

All in all, an incredible weekend, so much fun, so many laughs, good people, great weather, and so much water, what more could you want?

1920's Lawn Jazz Festival NYC

2011-09-12T22:20:00.001-04:00

Untitled a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

Click the picture to go to the album to a wonderful, totally NYC experience, I donned my slacks and braces, trimmed the moustache, and headed to Govenor's Island with some of the best people on this earth fr a big ol' mashup and jazz ting. So much fun.

It's always Pimms o' clock.. On my watch.

Dave and Laura White

2011-09-12T22:17:00.001-04:00

Untitled a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

Click the image to go to my pictures from the awesome day, and the even more fantastic night. Mash up. Big love x

LDN - SFD - LDN

2011-09-12T22:15:00.000-04:00

A couple weeks back I headed home to good old Blighty to see family, friends and catch up on the lives of those I love and miss across the pond. It was a 4 day trip, with the main reason being getting home to see one of the old 51JR massive, Dave White, (aka cockmaster) get married. I headed back Thursday morning, the alarm sounding at 3:30am to rouse me from a 3 hour sleep, I just couldn't switch off my mind and felt as though a million things still had to be done, they didn't, I'm just a moron. So up and at em I was and on my way to the airport. Traveling was a breeze, I slept a little saw 2 sweet films and ate a few hearty airplane meals, they always leave me mad gassy though, that ish isn't cool! I land and my old man met me at the a airport, so good to see him, we drove back to Essex and have a good catch up in the car. Always nice to see my Dad and catch up face to face rather than over email or a text message or the phone. After a good talk in the car and catch up I headed back to my old family home and caught up with my Mum, we talked for 2 hours into the morning and it was great,a nice cuppa and nice to have some time to ourselves. I miss her a great deal, but a planned visit out to NYC in October isn't long away at all, so that'll be wonderful.

Friday morning I awoke to the thunderous footsteps of my ister running up the stairs screaming my name, my alarm hadn't gone off! We called up the Bro and headed over to his place, after he discussed his spider problem and made me smell his festering wetsuit we headed to lakeside and to cafe rouge. So good to sit down, eat good foo, catch up with them both, laugh and talk about the upcoming wedding and recent goings on. Always a good tme with the Fam. Afterwards I headed over to my good friend Becca's tattoo shop, Jayne Doe in Hornchurch. Her work just gets better and better and it was lovely to see her doing so well with everything, she has come so far. I have decided should I ever get a tattoo, or several, the first will have to be done at the hand of Becca. Later on in the evening I headed over to my mandem Nicks joint, we smashed badboy Indian food with kestla, jon, Dave, brad, Ricky Martin, the lovely Stacey, and Rich Shaw. Such a good night, full of randomness and catching up on old times, watching some golden videos of goings on from years back and crying until it hurt. So psyched to see them all in NYC. Just a few weeks.

Saturday am, I drove to Nottinghamshire for Dave Whites wedding, met the folks, catch up with old friends from the Sheffield connect, and laugh ourselves to tears, literally, tears. I haven't laughed that hard in I don't know how long. Brilliant. Such an amazing day, wonderful people, superb food, lots of drink, the Scottish Caley dancing, and the banter. So good, awesome to speak to OC as much as we did too, I don't speak enough to my boy, so it was awesome to talk late into the night. So happy for Dave and the beautiful Laura White, the boy done good. standard.

Sunday, up and at em early doors to drive to Warren and Hannahs new lovely house up in Fulwood in Sheffield, they've done so well, it's beautiful, meet the dogs Andy and Carlito, who had a savage quiff and the slender chic cat Milo. We hung there for a minute, caught up and ate a great breakfast before heading up to the sacred ground that is Bolehills. We met john and katy and have a mad hour on the track of the gods. So psyched to shred. Sacred ground, standard. And running so sweet. Good work Sheffield fam that are doing things.

I floored it back to LDN to meet my mum and fam for dinner, delicious food and lots of catching up, it was great. Good beng together and seeing the old girl and spending more time with her. I love seeing my sister and brother they always makes me laugh, and always have a funny story to tell. Ben's wedding in January will no doubt be filled with hilarity, I cannot wait!

Sunday I took it easy in the morning, walked around my old stomping ground and realized how little I missed that place, pretty depressing to be honest. Couldn't even get a good bacon sandwich. Poor. But coming back to the house and being in the garden and working on the bike did strike a chord with me, so many good memories in that house in that garden. And it felt good not traveling, not moving, not rushing.. I miss the serenity already.

Later on I went around to Chris and Jemmas new home, and met their beautiful baby daughter Sophie. Amazing, so happy and proud of all they have achieved, I haven't seen them since their wedding day in 2008, shame on me, but it was like I'd never been away, chris and I caught up quickly and were laughing and joking like it was yesterday we left school. Such a lovely afternoon.

Afterwards I went to meet Dad for dinner with the fam, and it was good to sit down and not rush through the food, we all had a good catch up, a laugh and joke, and enjoyed the good food and company. I was feeling pretty beat by this point, but my last chance saloon still awaited to meet the legendary Patten brothers and the one and only Will Schwar, can you feel it??!

Such a funny night, laughing again until it hurt and having a couple if drinks with some of the best people in the world. I loved every moment, reminiscing, telling story's of Vegas trips, NYC living, debauchery and scandal, so funny, my stomach still hurts now.

And now I'm back, it was such a short trip home, but I saw so many people, there were more I wanted to see and I'd have loved to have seen some of them for longer but wasn't to be.. Next time for sure. it won't be long until I'm back in the uk and I plan on fitting in as much and seeing as many grinds as possible again, I love my trips home, my friends and family so much, I always look forward to the trips.

Lots to look forward too in the coming months ahead, and i feel blessed and fortunate to have all these amazing people and experiences in my life.

Big in the game!

The Art of FLIGHT - snowboarding film trailer w/Travis Rice

2011-09-08T09:02:00.000-04:00

Yo! Been so slack with updates, big one to come, as much for myself to look back on and remember these moments with and for the mandem back home and abroad to see that I'm all right and still alive!

Last night I was lucky enough to get tickets to the Art of Flight World Premiere in NYC, I don't know what I was expecting, but I definitely wasn't expecting what awaited us on our arrival, it was unreal, red carpets, dripping with media, smoking hot models on the arms of the Worlds raddest Snowboarders, Red Bull girls for days, loud music, paparazzi, it was unreal, the mood in the theater was electric, the place was so loud, the sound in that place made the floor shake and the movie blew my mind, many, many times.

This has been a huge year for action sport movies, LifeCycles, Wild Water and Art of Flight to name a handful, the cinematography, the score, the riding, are all just insane, I don't know where it will go next.

Felt so lucky to be one of the first to see this movie, and if you get a chance, get on it, it is unbeleivably epic. See the trailer below. It's a mad ting.

Aeroplane Music

2011-08-24T10:27:00.001-04:00

Off to Miami hopefully I'll get my creative juices flowing with my photobox.

I'll be listening to this as I travel, so so good.

I'll be in the UK next weekend and I cannot wait to see family and friends, although brief, it will be a rollicking good old time.

Going down with the Ship!

2011-08-03T11:50:00.000-04:00

Take me back!

Wretch 32 ft. Josh Kumra - Don't Go (MJ Cole Remix) Out 14th August

2011-08-03T09:37:00.000-04:00

Tune is TOO much. Big fan of Wretch for long, and now he is getting a lot of love, big respect. This tune is an infectious summer jam, MJ Cole on the remix of this one, the man does no wrong in my book, makes a fresh tune an absolute banger.

The Dock

2011-08-03T09:34:00.001-04:00

The Dock a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

This past weekend I headed to the Poconos with some of the best people on Earth, it was beautiful, exciting and so much fun.

after a stressful (always!) escape from the City on a Friday rush hour we headed to Amy's beautiful lake house ion the Pocono mountains, stopping off at New Jerseys number 1 diner along the route and then getting straight into the lake upon arrival, night swimming vibes! Jumping into water has an instantaneous positive effect on me, the intense week of training, working, and day to day stresses just washed away.

On the Saturday we rose at 7am to hit the lake and go for an early morning dip and water ski, there is nothing like jumping into a warm freshwater lake on a summers morning just hours after the sun has risen. So serene. We spent an hour out on the lake before coming back in and preparing breakfast, and lunch for the day, Teamwork!

We headed out to the Delaware river and picked up canoes for our group, 7 canoes in total, full of food, drink, and happy people, ready for some paddling! We paddled the 10 mile stretch with vigor and ease, we jumped from high rocks into the bottomless river, we beached up for lunch and drinks, we dove off the boat into beautifully clean, freshwater, you couldn't ask for anything better, it was amazing. Many water fights broke out along the way, many "man overboard cries" and many many happy faces, it was incredible.

Afterwards we headed back to the lake for more water and speedboats, and an amazing dinner prepared by Javier, an incredible, delicious paella served with warm fresh bread and a Carlos Sangria, my mouth is watering just thinking about it! After dinner we all headed out on to the dock to look at the stars, I could have laid there all night, we witnessed shooting star after shooting star as 2 meteor showers passed by Earth that night. Indescribable.

On Sunday, another 6am rise a morning dip in the water to wake up and then back on the road to the Lehigh river for 4 hours of white water rafting. The grade was pretty chilled but being my first time I was just psyched to be there and experiencing it, and there were a couple of pretty scary moments too! So much fun, lots of crazy rapids, and I definitely got a taste for it!

2 rivers, 1 lake, and a million smiles, what a weekend.

I really didn't want it to end, but it had to, and back to the City we all came.

One of the best weekends I have had since moving here to the US, it was just incredible, every second. The people that were on the trip, and the amazing Amy, who allowed us into her home and is perhaps the most hospitable person I have ever met. Thank you!

Now, let's gets booked onto that grade 4 white water before the summer is out!

South Park Nationals

2011-07-10T23:39:00.001-04:00

Untitled a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

Click the image to go to the album..

Super sick weekend in Pennsylvania at one of the hottest joints on the national circuit. I managed to make both the main events in my stacked out 26-34x class both days and get a 6th in each too. I'm happy with that, this place is gnar!

Much love to the Stampede family that took me and some of the other Standard Northeast Squad under there team tent and hooked us up, hugely appreciated!

Great laughs with friends, sweet weather and amazing racing. Good times.

July 4th Sunset

2011-07-05T16:29:00.000-04:00

We were treated to an amazing firework display over on the Hudson River last night for the 4th of July celebrations here in the City, but prior to those badboys being set off, Mother Nature provided us with this absolutely stunning sunset.

For me, that trumps any firework display, any day.

Hope ya'll had a sweet weekend, much love and respect.

Fire Island Independance Day Weekend

2011-07-03T14:31:00.002-04:00

Untitled a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

An amazing day at the beach with great people, great weather, a few beers, and plenty of laughs.

Happy July 4th Weekend yo!

Click the picture to go to Flickr.

Cape Cod BMX New England

2011-06-27T11:37:00.001-04:00

IMG_3616 a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

This weekend I went to Cape Cod with my boys Chad Powers and Johnny Culbreth in the White whip. We shredded bikes hard, won some laps, laughed pretty much the entire time, wreaked havoc on the MMR military base, got a lifetime ban from the Cape Cod BMX uptight TO, laughed some more, toured the cape, swam in the ocean, ate crustaceans, drank some sweet beer, met some amazing people and laughed some more, one of the best races I've been too in a while, the track was great fun, but just ran by possibly the most uptight people i have ever met in the BMX world. Such a shame.

Either way, I rode well, enjoyed myself a huge amount and got some good pictures, click the one you see to go to Flickr to view all. Much love and respect!

DC

On a High

2011-06-20T17:22:00.001-04:00

Things are all good right now, I know I haven't updated that much on here, but life is ticking along nicely, looking into a short visit back to the UK in the coming months, a session at Bolehills is to be had as well as catching up with as many of the important people in my life as I can in the short amount of time I'm there.

I want to put a couple shouts out, firstly, to the man like AT for securing a new job up in Aberdeen, making things happen and you deserve the best man, huge congratulations, so absolutely stoked for you. And to Warren and Hannah for buying a house and moving in over this past weekend, much repsect, and congrats to you both too. In other news, the man like Dave "cockmaster" White is engaged to be married and has set a date for late Summer, I'm working on being there for that one, big in the game. Congatulations to you too my man. Nuff love.

Here, everything is swell, the apartment is going well, NYC summer vibes are in full affect, hitting the some festivals, the beach, the races, keeping up with training and enjoying myself and keeping safe. This past weekend was Govenor's Ball out on Govenor's Island, a big 1 day festival, things got loose, some dance offs were had and I got a little loose and completely burnt. I'll never learn. Here's a picture from the weekend which I'm stoked on!

In the next few weeks there are some sweet thigns coming up, some big races including my numero uno, South park, also Mala, Flying Lotus, Four Tet, and SBTRKT performing in the City, and talking of which his new album drops very shortly, on his website you can stream it in it's entirety, it's wonderful.

Have this one for now too, live from Abbey Road. Amazing.

Austin Peralta - Algiers

2011-06-17T00:16:00.000-04:00

This young man astounds me, so much talent. Look him up.

Seeing him next week along with Flying Lotus and Thundercat, I am so excited.

P-Town

2011-06-07T23:22:00.000-04:00

Pottstown is one of my favourites on the national circuit, its short, fast, tech and always provides good racing in all the classes. This national was pretty huge with over 200 motos both days, loads of people came out for this one and I was loving the stacked out classes. It's always a good time at the races, catching up with my US BMX family and shooting the breeze. I managed to ride well, making mains both days and finishing 4th and 5th over the 2 days. Sundays main was a huge mess down the first straight with a couple of people being a bit naughty and cutting over, I managed to stay up somehow, but it definitely cost me a better spot in the main.. Still reppin' the flats and keeping it real..


No. 23 on the inside, flat pedal thunder! Just not as much thunder as Pat Parker on the 4 plate..

After Sundays racing we went and shredded Evan Eisenhard's trails in PA and they were super sweet, nice tech sets, lots of turns, hips and transfers, the big line was pretty sick, but wasn't quite riding, I'm hoping on getting back there and seeing what's up sooner rather than later. Thanks for having us man!

I'm planning on hitting 5 or 6 more national weekends including South Park PA, Kingston NY, Hampton VA and an ABA in SoCal if I can put the bills together as well as some locals, Feeling stoked on my bike right now!

Stay on top Fam!

TMSV - Dem a Talk

2011-06-07T23:11:00.000-04:00

This tune is tooo heavy, Mala dropped it on the XLR8r podcast last week and it was definitely one of the highlights for me a heavy tune mixed in and out of equally massive dubs.. He is playing at Cielo here in NYC in 2 weeks, Mala, on that soundsystem.. It's going to be too much! That one has been penned in for sure!

I've had a busy couple of weeks here what with moving in to the new apartment and getting settled, racing the Pottstown National which was a heavy heavy weekend, keeping up the training, shredding the trails and finally catching a break with the weather! It's been sweet here lately, and there is nothing like riding the trails in the shade of the forest on a hot summery day, it makes me happy. Next weekend there are 2 races and I'm not sure what one I'll get to as of yet, one is close, but the track is kinda weak and one is far away in Virginia Beach, which is a mission, but the track and location are amazing.. I had better decide quickly.

Stay Frosty and much love and respect to you and yours!

Gil Scott-Heron

2011-06-01T21:16:00.000-04:00

Passed away May 27th 2011. RIP.

A master of the pen, the ceremony, and the microphone He was one of the greatest composers, lyricists, producers and wordsmiths of the game. He will be greatly missed.

This taken from his latest and final album, I'm New Here. Me and the Devil.

A roof with a View.

2011-06-01T20:23:00.000-04:00

NYC summertime evening, the view from the roof. I don't see this getting old any time soon.

New Roomies!

2011-06-01T20:21:00.000-04:00

We made the move, come by and say yo, 74th South 4th Street, Brooklyn New York.

You know we got you.

Myself, Dave and Cameron. We roll heavy.

Brooklyn Fishing Trip

2011-05-15T21:18:00.002-04:00

Untitled a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

A few friends and I went out for Pete and Alex's Birthday to catch ourselves some Fluke fish, we all brought in a haul and Lana bought in the biggest, all fish were thrown back, except Lana's, which we used to feed ourselves afterward, it was absolutely delicious. Good times on the high seas!

Click the image above to go to the set.

On a hype!

2011-05-13T16:53:00.000-04:00

Things have been absolutely mad lately, combining a manic work schedule, training schedule, spending time with Daniella and the fam, hitting races and smoking clipsters, I've been on the apartment hunt, which is enough to deflate anyones mojo and leave them feeling like NYC is one big ballbreaker, setting out to weaken your soul and leave you a quivering wreck of a being, defeated by slimeball brokers, real estate fuckwits and the interminable searching of Craigslist..

But alas, we may have struck gold, we'll see tonight, but my location will be slightly further West in the middle of Williamsburg and thus I shall have to look into getting myself some full sleeve tattoos immediately if I'm ever to make any friends in the new spot. The apartment is a 3 bed joint with a decent amount of space, good windows and light and string views of the bridge and building seems great, its a brand new development, has an amazing rooftop with unobstructed views of Manhattan and the Boroughs, and me and my 2 buddies should have a jolly good time in there making it into a home and trying not to kill one another. I hope its a smooth process!

Training has been going well if intermittent but results have been okay, I wrecked last weekend in Central Jersey in my 3rd moto, I was in 2nd and I went down hard after my front tire just blew out, I smashed my hand up pretty good, my hip and completely folded my front wheel. not a good look! It was all good though as I got back up and power wheelied my bike to the finish line, one handed whilst plating the trumbone I picked up from the corner marshall.

SBC all day!

I never made it out of my semi, Chap Powers, my number one Brother on these shores took the 4th spot, I could have put him over the turn, but it was his turn to buy me dinner and the last thing I wanted was for that not to happen! Saturday night we went to Jersey Shore and hung out with Snooki and hit the tanning salon and got my hair gelled up proper nice. Not really, it was a complete shithole full of people who thought that orange skin and slick back hair was acceptable in 2011. Good laugh though.

Sunday was sweet, I perfected out of qualifying and the semi and into the main, my finger was massive and going gray but it was still attached so i am good to go! I got a good gate in the main dove into the inside of turn one and put together a strong lap to finish 3rd. I loved the track, they had really gone all out on it and made it demanding, technical and a HUGE triple into urn one put fear into many of the riders there. France has my back though and taught me not to fear it.

I have a couple of quiet weekends with no racing but tons of stuff to do with the apartment arranging, training and just riding my bike at the trails. I'm kinda looking forward to having a couple weekends off from the intensity!

My good friend Vahndi is coming to the end of his assignment so we went out with the legend that is Dave Easter, a guy I worked with over 10 years ago in the London office, hit some bars then grilled up on his rooftop, here's a couple of snaps from then, good times - We'll miss you Van! Tomorrow we will go deep sea fishing on the high seas for striped seabass and bountiful booty! I ain't even joking sun!

Dave's awful view

Verrazano-yo

The boys

Cheers to you Van!

Good times.

London's finest?

Ultimate Dog Tease

2011-05-04T23:51:00.000-04:00

I'm in love with this dog!

The maple kind?!

Nosaj Thing - Light #1

2011-05-03T15:09:00.000-04:00

I first heard this tune in James Zabilea's Essential Mix last year, and I loved it it so much I would just rewind this portion over and over.

It remains one of the best Essential Mixes I have ever heard and this tune will be one of the biggest from there. It's from quite an old Nosaj Thing album, but you could do worse than check it out. It's musical wizardry.

From Florida with Love

2011-05-02T17:23:00.000-04:00

Back in the game after a weekend away in Florida for the 2011 Gator NAtionals and I'm beat, but happy after a strong weekend of racing in the heat of Florida. I thought I'd be all right with the heat and humidity, but it came as a shock and dealing with temperatures in the early 90's both days, minimum amounts of shade and a high humidity % it was perhaps all too much for this pale ginger chap from the UK.

I flew in to Palm Beach International early on the Friday morning a 7am flight from La Guardia had me in just before 10am, I sat in the arrivals hall and built my BMX bike amongst men wearing gallons of Aramis and polishing there 7 irons before heading out for a quick 18 or something like that. I thought I had seen money, but then I had never been to Palm Beach. People are bawlin'!

I met my old buddy Hoppy who flew in from Maryland and we headed out to the hotel where we were greeted by women without bars on, sweating heavily and carrying rabbits. that's what's up with a $25 a night hotel in the hood. Thanks Tripadvisor!

Anyway, it had a pool and a bed, and a shower that smelt like the ocean, you can't buy that kind of shit.

West Palm Track - So sweet!

Danny Smith on the 2nd straight, best pic of the weekend for me.

We got our stuff together and headed to the track for practice. Florida is renowned for always having huge nationals, and also for having a heavy talent pool, often considered some of the toughest races in the national calendar, you're going up against riders that never have to worry about missing a training session for snow, ice, or other inclimate weather, so they haul ass down there. And although there was only 140 motos (the Virginia race a few weeks ago had almost 200) they were full of some fast pilots.

Practise was a lot of fun, and it helped to session the track and feel the heat and humidity in a less stressful environment than that of a race day, and try to acclimatise a little. It helped that the track was a lot of fun, super tech in places, some big jumps and loads of places to vary things up a bit. I was feeling good, my gates felt strong and the track speed was all right. I was psyched to do work on the Saturday.

Thanks Nige for this one!

After a pool session to chill and a big chicken and vegetable dinner it was time to hit the hay and get some rest in before the 6am rise to head to the track.

The pro class being lead out by Kapes on Day 2.

Saturday was a lot of fun, even though it did seem to drag out a lot, racing was fast and tight, I managed some good moto results and a ticket to the main where I finished 5th, I got a 5th in the 16+ open main too which doesn't mean anything but makes a 29 year old man on flat pedals feel good about beating some whipper snappers. Hoppy was struggling a bit to get a first straight down but ended up securing a 5th place in his class main event too.

Sunday was a treat, the racing went by much faster and I was psyched to get out and explore some of West Palm, hit the beach and the National Parks. Racing went well, I felt much better on the Sunday, my gates were pointy and first straight just seemed to come together better, I got a couple of 2nd place finishes in the motos and a ticket to the main. A solid gate coming out of 4 and shutting out the guys on my inside allowed me into the first turn in a real low position which cost me a little speed and momentum, but meant I wasn't going to get pushed up, I came out 6th but a relaxed approach down the 3rd straight pulled me into 5th and I held off the others to maintain that. I raced the 16+ open more for more track time on the Sunday so just had some fun and boosted the straights and got a 5th again. Mr Consistent.. I was happy with that.

Hoppy was suffering with his lower back after a hard weekend in the heat but put together some solid laps to finish 5th again in class and 2nd in his 30+ open event.

About to get it wet - A perfect end to a sweet weekend.

After racing was done we spent some time exploring West Palm beach, hitting the beach, getting in to the wave, the National Parks and enjoying a Cuban sandwich with a couple of beers, top banana of a weekend - Thank you Florida!

Next weekend it's a big regional event at Howell BMX in Central Jersey, they've just had a full rebuild and it looks sweet. So a week of training and preparation and catching up with Daniella and friends before shooting off again.

Much love to you and yours. Peace peace x

This Is Your Life.

2011-04-26T22:14:00.000-04:00

MED a strong MC on one of the strongest labels in the biz - Stones Throw.

Listen to the cut below real hiphop.

The album came out today, buy it, it's worth every penny.

Burfdeh!

2011-04-26T15:28:00.001-04:00

I've had a wonderful Birthday so far, I received gifts, messages, phone calls emails and cards from all the amazing people I have been blessed with in my life, it was a truly amazing day, so good to hear from people I haven't for a minute. The sun is shining, the coffee is chilled, the weeks have been going well and I had a wonderful time with my Dad in the City last week, it was a great time.

I'm in a happy place right now, and life is good. West Palm Beach in Florida this weekend for the BMX national which I am more than psyched for, gonna do work!

Much love and respect out to you and yours, thank you for dropping by and being a part of my life.

For now, bounce to this tune, its been floating around for a long time but it officially sees a release in the coming weeks. Get up on it.

Summertime B, that's what's up!

Birdy - Skinny Love

2011-04-22T16:50:00.000-04:00

She's 14.

Summer is well and truly on the way...

2011-04-14T20:15:00.000-04:00

Jamie XX - Far Nearer, will be it's soundtrack.

Much love out to all those, get in touch, I miss you.

Do Suttin'

2011-04-14T12:36:00.002-04:00

This trailer for new Video Documentary; If These Knishes Could Talk, is well worth a watch, it raises a lot of interesting points and it cracked a few smiles too. I'm looking forward to catching the full film when it comes out.

Flow-Rider

2011-04-10T21:40:00.001-04:00

Untitled a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

Today was another sweet day in Miami, time in the clear blue seas, the pool, cruising Ocean Drive, South Beach and also into the Everglades National Park where these pictures were taken, it was amazing and although I saw it with my family many years ago, it was good to see it again with a better appreciation and understanding of it all.

I don't really want to go back to NYC.

Click the picture to go to the gallery.

Much love, peace peace

I'm in Miami Bitch!

2011-04-10T21:32:00.001-04:00

Untitled a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

I hate that tune but I'm feeling this place so much.. Click the pic to get to the Day one Album Yo!

Good times with Daniella, her Sister Grace and her beautiful family.. Loved it!

I'm going to Miami...

2011-04-08T09:10:00.002-04:00

Will Smith says it better than I ever could..

Willystyle!

SBTRKT - Living Like I Do (ft Sampha)

2011-04-05T12:36:00.000-04:00

I think this might be my Summer Jam..

Young Turks are running 2011 so far!

Bolehills, all day.

2011-04-04T18:22:00.001-04:00

Bolehills, all day. a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

A photoset of the 2011 NBL Battlefield Nationals in Virginia.. This ones for the race community, but there are some gems in here, and some sweet sequences of things going down in the turns. Bam.

Standard Army North East Squad

2011-04-04T11:19:00.001-04:00

The Team from this weekends race at the Virginia Battlefield Nationals.

Locked and Loaded.

Virginia Battlefield BMX Nationals

2011-04-03T21:52:00.000-04:00

Virginia battlefield national 2011. The weekend was one of the best weekends I've had racing in so long. The weather was sweet, the track was perfectly manicured and smooth , all dirt, all day, perfect. It felt like a BMX track, no Tarmac in sight! The hill was steep, 7 straights, a pro set, tight rhythm and pretty much all downhill, I loved it. The track is also situated next to a mx track and a drag strip, banging!

Day 1 2 moto transfer ting I pulled 2 2nds a 2 in a semi from hell, I pulled a sweet gate out and a first straight to write home about, this put me in 2 which I held on to, I was pumped. Making mains in the stacked 26-24x class is no mean feat. In the main there was some serious heat in turn 1 where you could have covered us with a pillowcase, I came out clean in 5th, I pulled a move in the last turn on Kris ceech for 4th, so psyched!

Finished up with lance maguire in 1, followed by Parker in 2 and truxell in 3.

Day 2 the wind eased up, we were blessed with 20 degrees extra in the temp department, crystal blue skies and a sweet atmosphere. Practicing gates and hitting sections at sunrise is something I'll never be into though! 2 mornings of 5:30am alarms is a bitch.

On Sunday I decided to hit up the open class too, on that I perfected motos, the quarter and 2nd in the semi, in the main I wasn't sure to give it the beans or roll as class followed soon after,, but shit, we're here to race so I raced half and cruised half, I pulled a 3rd, sweet and I boosted everything. BMX all day!

Class was crazy, 2 moto transfer again and 2 2nds had me sitting pretty. Semi I pulled a 3rd, but I was super nervous, it seriously could have been a main, the other semi was a bit of a boat race! So I was so happy to transfer out. Main event time and gate 1 allocation, I hadn't been out of 1 all weekend and people were hating on it, but what you gonna do. Miraculosly, I got one of the gates of the weekend snapping hard and pulling into turn 1, I rode the pack up the turn, cranked hard out in 2, and put in a smooth lap to finish in second place, proper stoked!

This was my first race with my team the standard army north east squad, and I was so happy to be a part of it and pull 2 results out for them, good times!!

I also did it all on flats. Big in the game!

Nuff pictures to come..

Egg Harbor BMX Race

2011-03-28T22:01:00.001-04:00

Untitled a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

Click the picture to head to Flickr, I didn't take many pictures, especially not many race ones, but I grabbed a few, mainly just some bits that caught my eye. Holla!

Love out to all those.

Thank You

2011-03-24T20:18:00.000-04:00

Wow. Never thought I'd ever get as many people dropping by to check this blog thing out.. But the screenshot from below showing todays drop ins speaks volumes.

Respect!

Burial - "Street Halo" Radio Rip

2011-03-24T14:28:00.000-04:00

New Burial EP released this Monday on Hyperdub, don't sleep.

For now a radio rip from Benji B's show last night, they speak all the way over the top (obviously) but you get the idea.. Monday can't come soon enough.

The XX at SXSW Full Set Video

2011-03-23T21:44:00.000-04:00

Kick back and relax for 30 and listen and watch this.. From the SXSW Lawn Party.. The XX Full Set - It's a beaut!

Jamie Woon

2011-03-22T15:02:00.001-04:00

This week is madness but there are a few things to look forward to coming up, and the race calendar is getting fuller with each day. I'm psyched to race hard and represent standard Army's North East Squad the best I can, and I plan on doing so as much as possible on flat pedals. that's what's up.

Tonight Daniella and I are off to see Jamie Woon with EZ and Jeni, the UK electronic/post-dubstep/singer/composer whatever you want to call him. The venue is a music and arts space in Williamsburg, I pretty much know that I'll be the least coolest person in there, second to Daniella.

Have a listen, if you like it, maybe check out his new album Mirrorwriting getting released shortly!

And this, whilst I'm at it, a Burial remix of one of the first Jamie Woon songs I ever heard. wayfaring Stranger, be kind to yourself and use some good speakers and headphones.

Much love!

Highbridge Trails

2011-03-20T23:02:00.002-04:00

a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

A sweet session at Highbridge trails was had earlier today, click the picture to go visit the album!

I rode with a few shredders from the Bronx, and a couple of Cult riders, good times were had, and things popped off! I'm psyched to ride more trails this year, hit the races, and just be about BMX as much as possible.

Hope you all had a great weekend. Big love to all!

Williamsburg Bridge and de SuperMoon

2011-03-20T22:58:00.002-04:00

Williamsburg Bridge and de moon a photo by DC4416 on Flickr.

Every 18 years or so the Moon pops up after dark and enjoys an 18% size increase. To be honest, I'm sure I have seen a bigger moon than the moon I saw last night (pictured above). I captured this at the top of the Williamsburg Bridge, I had to climb atop a guardrail and over a fence to get a clear shot. It came out okay.. Just doesn't look that big!

Thom Yorke/Burial/Four Tet - Mirror

2011-03-15T23:05:00.001-04:00

This is just too much.. Taken from Floating Points Rinse FM show tonight..

Respect out to Mr Scorpio for the heads up.

Spare yourself 6 minutes for this..

2011-03-14T23:43:00.002-04:00

One of the better 6 minutes I've spent watching something off the cuff.

DARK SIDE OF THE LENS from Astray Films on Vimeo.

And you could do a ot worse than hear this, copped it on a vaentines mix a few weeks back and fell in love with it.

I had a wonderful weekend in the Pocono mountains with Daniella and my good friends, we caught the tail end of the season and got to ride some decent snow for a few hours, eat some good food around the fire, talk into the night, perform a hip hop classic in a karaoke bar filled with country western fans, discover that in PA you can still smoke in certain bars (yikes!), realise that not everwhere is as "in the loop" as the City, the DJ's CD box played tunes from as recently as 6 years ago!

I had such an amazing time, I feel so lucky to have friends that open their homes to me and allow me these amazing opportunities, thank you David! A perfect season ender.

A few of my pics:

Daniella overseeing things

Ahoy! I see a Quail!

What you lookin' at?

Stars?!

Good Times

The Crew

Nom Nom Nom

I really like this

Joiisey City

Empire State of Mind

By Daniella

All of the pictures are here (none of actual snowboarding yet though, as these are from my big camera, I have yet to copy off from my point and shoot badboy.

Now I look ahead to the BMX season starting and already I have penciled in some races that are looking pretty sweet. I want to try some new tracks this year and if I can, get out West and race in Cali and I hear Sarasota is a great race too, down in Florida, so an effort will be made to reach that one too.

Much love, be in touch.

DC x

Inspirational.

2011-03-10T14:28:00.001-05:00

I'll let the video do the talking.

Tara Llanes from Aaron Larocque on Vimeo.

Be inspired.

The End of an Era.. 5 Pointz

2011-03-09T18:45:00.002-05:00

Gutted to hear the new this week that 5 Pointz, the only legal Graffiti Art outlet in the entirety of the City, is getting a remake into a set of luxury condominiums. Which is, I'm sure you'll agree, exactly what a broke ass City needs.

This Video is pretty sweet, and Meres 1 reps 5 Pointz hard. Much Respect, and anyone that cares, go here and sign the petition. Nothing exists like this anywhere in the World, and as much as Graffiti may not be everyone's liking, it is Art at its most rugged and pure and it deserves to be showcased as such.

Your man in the field..

2011-03-08T15:41:00.001-05:00

France oh’11 Roadtrip in Review. Standard.

Picture : Rich Auden

I have shared most of the links already, but here's one more treat, one of the guys on the trip Rich Auden is an absolute don with the photobox, and he took some incredible pictures which he has shared on his Flickr, go ahead and check them out here

Nuff heads on this one, more so than I can recount, but most of the classics were there, we missed Tuffy, Charnley and the man like RB.com. But nonetheless, the group was ram-jammed. The TO’s must have felt like their tracks were being invaded by the English.. So many laughs, so many miles, so many absolute huge moments, so many people pushing their limits and sending things they perhaps wouldn’t normally have done without the vibe an the excitement of everyone on the trip pushing them to go big and make it happen.

There is something inspiring about being with friends, in the sunshine, on demanding tracks, always a winning combination.

This was year 9 for the trip, and my 7^th, next year is the Olympic Trip, the 10 year anniversary and wild horses wont stop me.

I have uploaded all the pictures to the GoodBook and also on Flickr, all the links are in the previous posts. I hope you enjoy them!

Too many moments to write about really, hopefully the pictures and the videos will do the talking, I have put a few choice cuts on here. Standout moments and riders were Abbie Taylor ramping some big stuff and making it look easy, Jonny Rankin, for pretty much everything he did/said/tobogganed. Manon for being Rad. Billy and Scott’s boundless energy, and the amazing way in which they push each other so hard. Plus Billy’s tables were just too much!! Paddy looking the best I have seen him in a few years, Moonbay for being the funniest, nicest bloke in BMX, and still being rad and smooth with it.

AT for shredding all day, and hard with it, for his flatties and for being perhaps the happiest man I know.. No one has a laugh as infectious. Always a pleasure to ride and hang with you AT, your spirit glows and always takes me to a good place, see you soon fam.

Sheldon for being mental. Neil and Pete for being the best backseat passengers I could have shared with and also pushing their limits and doing stuff I bet neither thought they would have done before the trip. Amazing guys. Rich Auden the man with the Photo skills on this one and a send it style, he went big and represented the streets on this one, so much pop! Scoobs and Joey for being the raddest couple in BMX, sending shit all day, laying it flat, La Boshe. Foster little and large for the laughs, the beers, the comedy moments and for inspiring me in other ways, your relationship is amazing and I hope I can be rad like Fozzy when I’m a Dad and older, and have a son or daughter that boosts pro sections. Amazing.

Jordan was back on it and shredding, he never let up and always pulled something out of the bag, and normally right out of the van, and all of this between telling the funniest stories that would shock a pimp. Comedy gold for sure. Jessop for his moodiness and surliness, but for being the strongest man in BMX and always going for it. Power for days.

Jay Mills is the man, he always goes for it, always smiling and always gives off the most positive vibe, I love riding with him. Tricker was back after a bad leg injury and found his feet in about 10 minutes, laying it out flat and snapping most people at Montelimar. Smithy was there and although I feel she has lost the love of racing , she loves BMX and the family that comes with it, always an absolute pleasure to ride with her, some of the best one liners in BMX. Marco came through fresh from his win at Caen, and tore it up, took a tow into the Carpentras pro section and ramped it first go, no questions, the guy hauls, always has a story, and is one of the biggest ballers of the game.

Rich Eames and my new buddy Carl Lein my new buddy repped the cruiser riders that pushed their limits and always went for it when the cameras were out of their hands and zoomed in on them, I look forward to seeing their work, and hearing their write ups in the coming weeks. Great riding with you fellas!

Greg Gilson is just amazing, one of the nicest guys I have had the pleasure to meet and one of the raddest dudes out there, he is sincere in his kindness and generosity, severe on his bike and is always smiling. He told us he looks forward to us coming to his ride with him all year, as it reminds him of what BMX should be all about, fun, and smiles. Less of the seriousness. I think that alone reflects our group, our spirit and the trips vibe.

Like I said there were too many people to mention everyone, but collectively this was an amazing trip, so many personalities, so many styles, so many different people of all ages, so many goals, but all there for the same thing – BMX.

For me, this was one of the best trips I have ever had from so many angles, it was amazing to see people I hadn’t seen in a year or more, to laugh with friends, and ride my bike in one of the greatest places on earth for BMX. I hit a lot of stuff I don’t think I would have done last year, or for a few years before that, I felt fast and strong, it was one of the most inspiring tours for me yet. Gutted its all over but I’ll re-live it though the pictures and the memories for some time yet..

Picture : Rich Auden

An amazing week, with the best company, the best riding, the weather, the welcoming French who open their tracks for 30+ people with no issues mostly. I wait all year for this trip and cannot wait for the next one. Big love to all those on the trip, or from those from trips past, you know what’s up, and thanks for the memories.

Gregvangelism

2011-03-07T15:46:00.000-05:00

As previously mentioned, Greg Gilson is somewhat of a hero of our group, but I just read on Joey's Gough's Blog a short message he forwarded to her..

"I just finish to looking the 2010 road trip Edit. Joey your work is awesome. Last year when I see that, I have a big Pleasure, and now with the 2011 edit is the same. Every year when I see your work I tell me " I make the most beautiful sport in the world " but I tell me too " this group are very Lucky to have this spirit ". "Living the dream" no, you create the dream !! For me your group is the better group ever for pass a week in every place in the world !!! And french people must be look into you. So YOU ARE MY HEROES ! ALL the person in this group are my hero. So Please come next year and all the year !!! And the south is magic only in the february !! Only when Thirty peoples come with BMX and beers bottles !!! "

Thanks for Sharing Joey, and Thank You Greg for being one of the raddest and most welcoming people I have ever met in BMX!

Roll on 2012 Olympic Tour!

Choice Cuts

2011-03-07T15:33:00.001-05:00

Photo Edition, these are some of my favourites from the trip. Check out the Flickr link in the previous post for all the shots..

scott waterhouse

AT looking crispy

Big Z

Tricker

By Rich Eames

Lifestyle

you can't give a windsock a chinese burn

Greg Gilson By Joey Gough

By Joey

By Billy Luckhurst

Carpentras by night

Tilly

Damien of Drauginaun sending the Triple

Power

Millsy

Love This

Billy Laying it Flat

Cornillion <3

Pierre laying down the ponies

tricker

By Vilma Rimsaite

snnnnaaaaap

By Billy Luckhurst

Carpentras

Lifestyle part deux

Cagnes sur Mer

BMX All Day

Drauginaun Flood Damage

Kind of Dark

Mooonbay riding into the night

Drauginaun gate Session to see out the best week of riding for I don't know how long.

Oh'11 BMX Roadtrip.

2011-03-07T14:24:00.000-05:00

The Full Photo Collection is Live right on Flickr : Oh'll

I'll go as far as to say this was one of the best trips for me on so any levels, I pushed myself and rode hard every day, I hit some stuff I don't think previously I would have, I felt strong on my bike, I laughed the hardest I think I have in years and was without injury, bike damage or travel drama. I loved every single moment of the trip, and the vibe was fantastic. It's hard to explain what the trip is like, but Gregory Gilson, a French rider out of Carpentras who we've all become quite close too said it best, we were sessioning his amazing track and riding late into the night under the floodlights, when he said to Alec and I that he looks forward to our visit every year and for him its the best time for him to ride, it reminds him of when he was younger and rode with his best friend who now lives in the North of France. The riders of his club take things very seriously and Greg is a good time rider for sure, you only have to see him ride or watch his videos on Youtube to know that. Greg summed up the roadtrip there I think, the vibe, the positivity, the fun we all have, that's what BMX is all about.

The Familia

It's expensive and exhausting for me to get there, but it is worth every single penny.

Of course it wouldn't be a France Roadtrip without the quality joey Gough web edit we've all come to know and love - great work Bestie!

Living the Dream - France 2011 from joeybmx on Vimeo.

A few choice cuts up next and I'll have a little write up ready this evening.

From the Heart of Bed Stuy

2011-02-24T11:51:00.000-05:00

Brooklyn runs hard on this one, only about a year late for me to discover it, but wow, one of the freshest hip hop joints I have heard in a long time.. Spec Boogie and Von Pea doing it. Sounds late 90's, but is from last year.. I could listen to this all day.

Spec Boogie - Bed Stuy from Boombayé on Vimeo.

One more sleep til I hit the road for France, week has been big, rode my BMX a ton, hit the sprints and plyos and it feels good, like I was never off her.. A far cry from how my bike felt last year.. 2009 was a dry year for BMX for me and it showed when I picked up my whip for the 2010 France Roadtrip. Never gonna sleep like that on my beloved again.

Going to miss the mean streets, friends and Daniella whilst I'm away, but coming back is always exciting, the novelty is far from worn thin.

Lots to look forward to this year. Big love, good things, peace peace.

Je Taime Vélo de Bicross

2011-02-22T11:31:00.000-05:00

Only a few more sleeps until I hop on a plane and get myself into the beauty of the Aix en Provence region of France and get to shred with frends on some of the best BMX tracks in Europe. Dust, sunshine, friends, big jumps, pain au chocolat, cafe du lait and smiles. I cannot wait.

In the meantime, big ups and Happy Birthday to the man like RB.com. I'll see you next week fam!

If you need some fresh music you could do a lot worse than seek out and listen to the Jamie XX Mix from 6 music fro mthe weekend, those kind peoples over at Some Kind of Awesome ripped it up onto Souncloud and I'll save you the footwork and you can listen here.

Weekend was kinda quiet, I hit the slopes of Hunter Mountain on Saturday, conditions weren't so great, lots of ice and a bitter arctic wind made the lifts pretty miserable, but my buddy Liam hooked me up a full setup and it was awesome to ride my own board and shred with those guys, I even got myself down a couple of double black diamonds, good times! They were all far more advanced than I were, but it meant I just worked hard and was never that far off. The double black runs were pretty good, not too much ice, and I even managed to get myself over a couple of kickers. Good times. I hope to to get on a board twice more this season once in Franc with RB, AT and Fera and then a trip to the Poconos on the weekend after I get back with my boy MC Dave Sivin.

The rest of the long weekend I spent with Dani and friends, hit some training up, rode my BMX, finished off my boy Johnny Pinsonnault's custom Standard 125r frame that he asked me to paint for him, and sorted out a few bits for the France trip. I can't wait for Friday!

The Fam France 2010.

See more from last year shot by RB here.

It has gotten incredibly cold back in the City here and we even got a couple of inches of snow on Sunday night - mint. The warm wouldn't last, so I'm even more psyched for escaping to the sunshine.

Most of them wait for the drop, not me I'm in straight from the top

2011-02-18T11:32:00.002-05:00

MJ Cole has been around for long, most will know him for the absolute classic, dancefloor passport tune Sincere.. which will forever be a tune I could listen to and not get bored of.

But in the coming weeks he'll release his new EP entitled -Satellite and I am so excited.. He uploaded a few clips of the tunes in one soundcloud file and it's future sounds to make you wanna smile and move.

"Satellite EP" - MJ Cole by MJ Cole

MJ Cole, you've gone and done it again! Those piano stabs on Hawaii I could listen to over and over again. Big.

Hitting up Hunter Mountain tomorrow for perhaps my last session here on the East Coast for this season, conditions look good and I'm looking forward to getting up there and filling myself with that mountain air and clearing my thoughts out.

Next week, I hop on a jet plane and head to France for the 0h'11 BMX roadtrip in the South of France with the SDS and Norwich massive (along with some extras) So excited to see you all and shred! Things couldn't be better, and yet they really could be better all at the same time.

Big love out to friends and family. All day.

From the Drop - MJ Cole & Wiley [clip] by MJ Cole

Do not feed the Bears

2011-02-14T16:16:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I went to the American Natural History Museum, and thought it fantastic. After a delicious breakfast with Dani at one of our old fave spots, Fred's on the Upper West Side we walked down to get our heads stuffed with rich history of ~~the world~~ America and assortments of bones and taxidermy and waxed giant mammals from land and sea. Not to mention headpieces from Daniella's people. It was a pretty amazing place, and it contains an enourmous collection, has many exhibitions, including the Journey to the Stars planterium which is just good vibes through and through. Cosmic.

I loved it, but my favourite exhibitions were the dinosaurs and sea mammals collection, the giant whale suspended from the ceiling was a beast, and it makes you realse how small and insignificant we are as humans (individually I mean, together we have enough manpower to basically ruin everything).

Good times and I feel enriched with knowledge.

What you looking at?

Just hangin' out.

T-Rex - Massive head, shit arms.

This crystal from a Chinese coal mine blew my mind. Now I know where the producers of superman got the idea of kryptonite from.

Simply amazing

The 10mm couldn't even get all of this Brachiosaurus

Digesting all of that rich history. Or the hot-dawg.

Evil Empire?

This ones for my man RB. He loves it.

Unified Vibes

2011-02-14T14:40:00.002-05:00

My good friend Eric (DJ Emac) is a bit of a don on the wheels of steel and he put together this mix for a fashion show he didn't invite me along to where he is DJing.

It is a beautiful mix of music in the post-dubstep range of 130-140bpm, and yeah, it works.

Going through some rough stuff right now, life deals out these things and how we deal with them affects everyone around us, I try to keep my mind clear by staying busy, training, being around good people and with music.

Enjoy.

New York City Gritty Committee

2011-02-12T18:50:00.000-05:00

Trying to keep busy and keep my mind cleared, more training, more riding, more photography, more talking with friends and family, it's never been so important.

Today I took a ride out on my BMX and it felt good to be cruising around on her, like I had never put her down, so excited for France, to shred with friends and feel the warm Sunshine of the Aix en Provence region of the South of France on my face.

I went and met friends for lunch, from Brooklyn to Manhattan, back to Brooklyn, to Queens. All over the Boro's.

I took some pictures along the way.

I have spent the day mostly listening to this man, Gil Scott-Heron, absolutely amazing, thought provoking music. Buy his latest album, I'm New Here, and then in 2 weeks buy the Jamie XX remix album it, called We're New Here..

Stay positive. x

To Be Gone Is Not Forgotten

2011-02-11T10:18:00.000-05:00

This week saw the birthday; February 7th, and the passing away; 10th of February, of J Dilla. Hands down, for me, the greatest producer of Hip Hop music and beats. Passing 5 years ago, he was eons ahead of his time, and still sounds as fresh today as he always did, the imitations are just that.

RIP Dilla.

This weekend, put some Dilla on your headset and bounce.

To my good friend Nik Sokol and family, my love and thoughts are with you all in this difficult time. All the way.

Much respect, peace peace x

Train Spotting

2011-02-10T11:55:00.001-05:00

I haven't gone as far as actually taking out my notebook and noting the car numbers just yet, but I do enjoy the rawness of the NYC Subway system, there are photo opportunities everywhere you look. I have seen some incredible pictures on the internet of the New York City Subway, and one that always stuck in my mind was this one:

A guy called Mr. Geneko on flickr took it, and although there is a subtle use of HDR which i'm not a fan of, its an amazing picture that I wish I had caught. It seems the Number 7 Train is one of the more photogenic, from the train yard where the above picture was taken in Queens, over the tall behemoth overground structures that course through Queens and then submerge beneath the East River into Manhattan.

My ride to work takes me over the Williamsburg Bridge, and its one of the more utilitarian bridges of the City, serving, pedestrians, cyclists, the JMZ subway and of course the cars.

It was a beautifully crisp morning so I took along the camera and caught a couple of pictures which I like.

Not much to report, it's been busy in work on this new project, been training hard, cooking a lot at home, and spending good times with Dani. I had a great chat with 1st mate, marine Engineer Alec Townley, which is always a pleasure, and I'm super excited for the France roadtrip in a couple of weeks with the UK BMX Fam. Good times ahead for sure.

Be swell to hear from you! x

Turn the Page, Close the Book.

2011-02-07T22:06:00.001-05:00

The first Streets tune I ever heard was Turn the Page, I was stood in Fopp, on Division Street in Sheffield, a new, independent record shop (remember those?) and over the system was this 2-step garage beat and this voice, kinda just talking, it was the first time I ever went up to the front and asked them who I was listening too, sort of stood there, transfixed a little bit, the melancholic tones, the honesty, the beat, the bass, it was amazing, I bought the CD and went home and put it on, as loud as my JVC system would allow and banged it. It did take me a while to warm to it, but once I had, it grew on me, and grew.

Today, The Streets, Mike Skinner, released his 5th and final LP Computers and Blues, and it has been a day of listening over and over to it, and I haven't even really started, it's incredible, some touches of the old style, but with less of the geezer anecdotes, and more about getting older, the responsibilities, life changing moments, but with many a tip to the old school, I shan't grow tired of this anytime soon.

Also today he released one more free tune, his final. Close the Book.

The Streets - Close The Book by Hypetrak

A melancholic banger.

Weekend was overly sick, shredding on Saturday at Windham Mountain, did my first few jumps, didn't stop all day and I loved it. Saturday night me and D hit the karaoke with some friends, I spat straight old school hip hop bars all night, and the girls went in on the ballads. Good times. Sunday was a straight up relax, I got up at 10 had breakfast with Dani, walked to work, busted it for a couple of hours (bleugh) trained, did groceries, ate, tackled my laundry and all that jazz. Later I rode back into the city to catch a free showing of this movie..

Heavy, a little bit patronising at times, but visually it was stunning, the score was amazing, and carries with it a very important message. Well worth seeing.

Never a cloud over Brooklyn.

2011-02-04T09:25:00.000-05:00

I couldn't pass up taking the camera along this morning, the weather was absolutely perfect. It's mornings like this that I wish I lived further away from work.

Today's ride in, 30% chance of ice on the path and a beautiful Winter sky.

Riding the subway on Mornings like this is for suckers.

I want MOAR!

The G train from Saturday.

No Boom-Bap. The MTA got no love.

The View from my Window, looking downtown towards the Memorial Tower (WTC Site)

Happy Friday! x

Smiles for Miles

2011-02-03T14:41:00.000-05:00

A lot to smile about lately, yesterday was Groundhog Day here in the US, which means either Bill Murray will awake to the same day over and over and over again, or that the Groundhogs of Pennsylvania will have emerged from their holes amid an ice storm, swiftly retreat back in to their burrows of warmth, and Spring will shortly arrive. we can hope.

Also it is but a few weeks until I head out to the South of France and join my BMX brethrens for a week of BMX, laughter and shredding. There is a possibility that AT and myself may venture to RB.com and Fera in La Plagne, Rhone de Alpes for a day of shredding on snowbaords too, if everything pans out, it could be a trip of a lifetime. Viva la France!

Work is going well, I have begun a new project, King Abdulah International Airport in Dubai, back on the Revit tip and looking forward to the exciting challenges ahead.

This weekend my boy Rob and myself are heading out to the Poconos for a day of riding the slopes at Camelback, a great resort about 2 hours out of the City, the conditions have been pretty brutal in the City, but it means there ought to be a ton of fresh snow over that way. So we're psyched.

Talking about things being rough in the city, my ride to work yesterday would have gone smoother had I been on ice skates rather than a push bike, never in the 10 years of commuting by bicycle have I ever seen anything like this, the Williamsburg Bridge, most of Brooklyn and less busy passages of Manhattan were covered in a thick, perfectly smooth and ruthless layer of ice. It was chaos, I should have left the bike at home. Freezing rain is no joke.

Madness, ride safe out there!

Other things that made me smile and hopefully could make you smile are the release of 2 incredible albums in the next few days, James Blake's self titled masterpiece (if the snippets I've heard are anything to go by..) and the latest offering from The Streets (who gave away a pretty incredible free mixtape here).. Personal faves are backseat barz, minding my own and cinema barz. I don't care what anyone says, Skinner is a modern day poet, deeply philosophical and not blinkered in anyway, a trap that many musicians fall into.

Why woud I be hungry for a younger year, cos i'm 19 hundred and 78 years younger than the current year.

Brilliant.

Also we get ever closer to the release of Jamie XX remix album of the great Gil Scott-Herons

And this beautifully shot, incredibly creative and enjoyable video, taken from The bikesnobs blog.

robo-rainbow from mudlevel on Vimeo.

Have an amazing weekend, don't be a stranger..

Q-Unique

2011-01-27T12:46:00.000-05:00

I slept on this, but Q-Unique (from the Arsonists and from the legendary B-Boy family Rock Steady Crew) released a new LP called Between Heaven and Hell. I bagged it last week and it runs hard! A lot of my old favourite hip-hop groups are long gone, or have decided to move on to more commercially viable sounds, but Q-Unique sticks to what he does best, grimey, true to life music about his life and his endeavors. It makes for some seriously big tunes and head nodding music.

Here's the video to one of my favourites on the LP, Crack Era.

CRACK ERA Q-UNIQUE from CDL on Vimeo.

A snowy commute

2011-01-27T12:16:00.001-05:00

I awoke this morning to the sound of cars creeping down the block, fresh snow crunching beneath their tires and wheels spinning hopelessly on the unforgiving powder. NYC received almost a foot of snow in places overnight, and the commute was going to be one of 2 things, a slog on the subway, standing amongst 100's of people, on a crammed, overly hot subway car, fighting for a strap, or slogging my way, freely but dangerously on my bike.

I chose the bike, not because I know nothing of fear, but because I can't stand the subway or the feeling of lining the pockets of any mass transit agency. Those same feelings landed me in hot water once when I started fare evading on the London Underground many moons ago and got caught one morning after a hellish commute at Tottenham Court Road by a plain clothes Detective. Fair cop Guv. But up to that point I had saved somewhere in the region of seven million pounds. The Underground was never cheap. So NYC, stop complaining about a $103 unlimited monthly metrocard, you know nothing of a poorly ran, schedule defying, and inexplicably expensive transit system!

The ride in was a lot of fun, some parts were impassable and had to walked, twice was I pitched over the bars (I landed on my feet though - phew) and several billion calories were no doubt burnt. The other wonderful thing about commuting in on a day like today is the roads were a lot emptier, I had the bridge almost completely to myself and I got to see parts of the storm untouched by anyone, and there is nothing like the sight of untouched snow.

deep enough for you?

The top deck had been relatively treated, but mostly not. The view and the emptiness made up for this.

Just relax, pedal slowly and smoothly, and you'll be fine.

I want one of these.

Prince St. Soho, January 27 2011

Prince Street and 6th, close to work. Almost there!

Photo edition!

2011-01-25T07:24:00.000-05:00

A couple of pictures I took when the last snow storm rolled through town on the Sigma 10-20mm lens. I really enjoy using it, and have been impressed so far with the results. It allows you to capture so much more, whilst still keeping pretty sharp even at the extents. I plan on getting some Cityscape shots soon from the Bridge, and from the roof of my workplace. I hope they come out as well as I hope.

East Houston

Freight

BQE

Montrose Projects

New York City's Finest

Hewes

Soho

Soho Outside of Work on Spring and 6th

Bowery

The One and Only

35 Years of Blood, Sweat and Tears

Stowe Pictorial

2011-01-24T18:40:00.001-05:00

I took along my camera with the intention of getting out into the Mountains and taking some pictures but I didn't want to stop riding for a minute, so just a couple I managed to take around the lodgings...

Next time I'm going up, I'll wrap up the camera and take it into the wilderness..

A nice Welcome...

Carlos bringing the love for Birthday boy Marcos!

Who was stoked!

Warming the loins by the fire..

7am, Stowe, Vermont. Take me back!

Never seen icicles like it.

Keep it Simple.

Golden Eagle Resort, Vermont.

Good times!