Saaaay what?

say what. Saaaaaaay whaaaat? say what. Saaaaaay whaaaaat?

MudFest...I mean BluesFest Update!

Blues Fest is awesome. Xavier. Franti. Black Keys. Ben Harper threw down a hand shake. Happy.

x Diva

Stop poking holes in my dreams with your peg leg.

Notes From the Line-Up

Anyone who has ever surfed knows that about 95% of the time you are on the water is spent either paddling to get to the waves or waiting for waves to come. So when Diva and I spend on average 2-3 hours a day "surfing," it gives us a lot of time to ponder some of the big questions in life, to invent new ideas, and to come up with a variety of hilarious anecdotes.

Lucky for us -and YOU dear reader- we now have a blog to share all of these deep, meaningful and down right witty experiences we share while waiting in the line-up.

So today's NOTE FROM THE LINE-UP is an insight on surfing: First you get the airs on the waves, and then you get the guys, and theeeen you get the money. And so the circle of life continues.

Think about it.

Countdown to Bluesfest

Well folks, with only 4 days to go until 50,000 people descend upon our little town for Bluesfest's 20th Anniversary, the vibe around town is excitement I tell you- EXCITEMENT!!

The line-up is stellar over each one of the five days. I've been checking out a lot of the band's myspace accounts and I've enjoyed them all. Some of my faves have been Tijuana Cartel, Missy Higgins and drive-By Truckers. And of course old favourites Xavier Rudd, Ben Harper, and John Butler Trio. I'm amped to see Zappa plays Zappa The Blind Boys of Alabama and to check out the local acts that will be performing throughout the weekend.

Diva and I have signed up to volunteer and have been allotted to the "media/production/catering" team. Now this either means we will be controlling VIP and backstage access as well as handling press and hanging out with artists OR handing out food to roadies and teamsters. We both choose to believe the former.

FYI- with TWO Jack spottings in the last week, I feel it's safe to assume he'll be jumping on stage at some point.

Gory Glory!

Oh happiness! We've got www.miamihighcollective.com up and running! Keep your pants on for the debute of the first issue...on second thought....nevermind....

Owning a Car is Like Being in a Committed Relationship

I remember the first time I saw her. She was sitting in the parking lot at our local surf spot and the sun was shining on her as it set in the background. I was immediately drawn to her- had to be near her, had to touch her, wanted to be in her. It was love at first sight. I barely had time to think it through before Diva and I decided we HAD to add her to our family

As some of you may or may not know, Diva and I are the proud owners of a beautiful 1978 yellow Volvo. We bought her for $700. She has many kinks, such as a front driver side door that will not open unless unlocked from the inside, a hood that will only close if you wiggle the lever, a radio that doesn't work, a window without a handle- you get the point. Despite all of her flaws, we love her with all of our hearts and I consider it these oddities that make her so special.

But it has not been all cruises to the beach with the windows down and Bob Marley jamming from the iPod speakers we have set up in the glove compartment- it has already been a test of patience and commitment. It has required learning how to compromise. It has meant acquiring new skills in how to fix problems. It means spending money that you would rather be putting towards a night out with your friends. Its the most committed relationship I've ever entered into and its teaching us a lot about life, love and yes readers- heartbreak. Because this one, well she is a heartbreaker.

Along with the good- ie. pulling up in the parking lot of your local surf spot in a sweet bright yellow car with surfboards in the back and stickers in the windows, catching everyone's attention- comes the bad. A blown tire in the parking lot requiring a $100 tow to a local mechanic and then another $90 on one new tire. An inability to start the car if she is parked on a slant, or if its raining and you only have 10 minutes to get to work, or if you are going up a hill and Jack Johnson is right beside you with his entire family...

And so possessing this dream car has brought us joy and laughter and heartache and troubles. But in the end its all worth it. Because I wouldn't trade her in for any other car on the planet. She is ours and we love her no matter what- in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, til death do us part- you get the idea. We love Jaune and nothing is going to change that. Fancy cars can come and go, but this one, she's a classic.

Although the swell seems to be picking up all over the coast Byron is still pretty medium. Which means its super fun for the likes of me, laurie and today Jack Johnson and his family. By the way, his kids are the cutest and his wife is a babe.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love Byron bay.

Tomorrow morning will be a day to head up the coast and WATCH some of the fireworks that are happening at Kirra and Burleigh. According to the good news, its tow in city up there right now. Its pumping, I'm pumped, it's all round wickedness.

FAt Freddy's Footage