San Diego

After driving 8 hours from San Diego to San Jose, via the 101, we left this morning at 6:30 and headed to Santa Cruz. We drove through the university and then to Half Moon Bay to check out Mavericks surf spot.

Not sure if we saw the wave, but I definitely spotted Jeff Clark. Clark, owner of Mavericks Surf Shop, is credited with discovering the wave.

Next stop was SFO to switch the rental car because it was making a funny noise. Driving through the city, we hit some traffic. I spotted Post st and demanded a pit stop, The Hundreds, please. I picked up the Post tee to match the hat.

Next, we headed over the Golden Gate bridge, a California icon.

Now, its off to the Redwood Forrest.

The Garlic Veggie pizza is amazing. And the beer is just as delicious. I would suggest getting there early and expect to wait to grab a table for yourself. Especially on Wednesday nights when they have 35 cent wings and mozzarella sticks.
http://www.pizzaport.com/

Amazing food with an urban, skate vibe that is so rad its intimidating at times. The service is …. ok …. but it’s part of Pokez. Truly a San Diego must.
http://www.pokezsd.com/

Insight & Black Box Distribution create US partnership

(July 15th, 2009) Insight and Black Box Distribution are proud to announce a US partnership where Insight remains focused on product design and all forms of brand marketing and Black Box handling sales and distribution of Insight in the US. The change will be effective with the delivery of the Fall ‘09 collection.

Insight will maintain its brand headquarters and showroom in Los Angeles. Brand President Jesse Faen and the marketing team will work together with Insight Sales staff there, while all other aspects of the business will shift locations and be managed from the Black Box offices in Carlsbad, CA.

“I’m excited and very confident about partnering with Black Box in the US,” said Insight President Jesse Faen. “Jamie Thomas has built an awesome brand house on core values, and I’ve got nothing but respect for him as a person, and what his team has achieved together. I’m sure their collective experience and knowledge will greatly support the Insight brand as we continue our evolution and expansion across the US market”.

“This partnership will allow both businesses to leverage each others expertise and passion to become more competitive in such a challenging retail environment,” offered Insight’s international CEO Tim Grainger. “Black Box will be responsible for the sales, distribution, and logistics for Insight branded products. The creative marketing, product design, development and production will remain the responsibility of Insight”.

Jamie Thomas, Black Box Founder and President: “I’m excited to get the chance to work with everyone at Insight. The originality and raw appeal of the brand is inspiring. This opportunity is the best-case scenario of brand diversity for Black Box” .

“The Insight brand is incredibly complimentary to our existing brands” said Frank Messmann, CEO of Black Box. “Our brands have Footwear and skateboard hardgoods as the main categories, whereas Insight’s main category is Apparel – and all the brands primarily selling through the Action Sports channel”.

Insight won SIMA’s 2008 “Breakthrough Brand of the Year” and “Best Marketing Campaign”.

for any enquiries contact: Jesse Faen – jesse@insight51.com

Hot as hell in phoenix. If you live here, you’re crazy. A low of 91. That’s like … pretty much hell right? I think so. I almost melted while walking from the plane to the boarding area to get my connecting flight to San Diego. No wonder there are so many Zonies at the beach in summer. I might be a little less rude when they cause traffic jams on Mission Blvd., but probably not.

But the rest of my trip across the country was nice and included this dinner with some great friends on cape cod. This is almost 2 lbs of straight lobster meat.