Thursday, January 31, 2008

(fun x time)+(style^2 x experience)= WISDOM

Do the Math! I was in the East last weekend with my friend. (www.xitanosmatematikos.blogspot.com)



We are and have been creating the new hip hop classics. This as underground as underground gets. Home studios, crate digging for hours upon hours, and written words to evoke emotion.



We don't do this to become great, because we already are. Fools die for want of WISDOM.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Friday, January 25, 2008

Street Fighter II Turbo

The Super Nintendo! Yes, I am taking it back to the old school. When the games were fun and not that complicated. One of my most favorite titles for the SNES is Street Fighter II Turbo (Hyper Fighting).



What characters do you use? I am down to battle anybody with anybody, it doesn't matter. Yoga flame, got it. Electric shock, easy. Flash kick, don't jump. Dragon punch, "sho-ryuken!". I got everybody's moves down except that spinning pile driver by Zangief. How the hell can you do a half circle while not getting blasted? You tell me cuz that one is damn near impossible. If you are 16 and under reading this, you have no clue on the dopeness that was the SNES.



Thanks to Lo for the kickdown. Cuz without her this wouldn't be a possibility at the crib. Next time you come over, get ready to get your game on. And since there is an abundance of games we are going to have some of the ol' skool faves here on the blog. I know you love it. And now that it has been raining for a week straight, I don't think that I'll be hitting the street spots for a while. And what better way to pass away a rainy day than some good ol Nintendo.



Street Fighter II Turbo gets a solid 3 and 3/4 Conquering Lions on the Truths And Rights scale of gaming righteousness. It is fun and it is two player, so not only can you kick the computer's ass you can fuck up one of your friends! Ain't that great?

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Marc Johnson Thrasher SOTY



Truth And Rights bring you an exclusive look at the Marc Johnson Skater Of The Year Party thrown by the good folks at Thrasher Magazine! This was so much fun, it was incredible.



First off, thanks to Karl Watson and Sam Smyth for getting me into the party. Karl and I were planning on rolling, but we couldn't find a sitter for the youths. So, as I was at the GAMH waiting outside on-line, K Dubz was behind the scene calling up Sam, who was in the hotel pregaming after a ride in the van from LA. As I was outside I see Stefan Janoski roll up with his posse. The Huf crew, Corey Duffel came out too, that dude is tizzal. Then this stretch limo pulls up and out walks Tim Gavin, Kelly Bird, Rick Howard, BA, Koston, Sam Smyth and MJ. Probably more cats too but I was on the phone with Karl when they showed up. While I was on the phone with him (no bullshit either!) Sam walks in front of me and Karl tells me to give my phone to Smyth. So this is how it went:
Me: Hey Sam, it's Karl on the phone
Sam: (Look of bewilderment) Takes the phone
Me: (How casual was that, I don't even know this guy)
Sam: I don't even know my situation yet, but if I can hook it up I will. See you in a few
Me: Thanks Karl! How random is that?
Karl: That wasn't a coincidence. Have fun my man!
Craze, huh? So, as I am waiting for Sam, some strangers roll up and ask if I was in line and I was like, "I am waiting for a friend" So, instantly the girl who asked me the question scoffs at me like I am trash and tells her friends to cut me. I didn't trip and played it cool. Afterall I didn't have a wristband and I wasn't on the list, so...This group of two couples comes up to me and asks me if LRG was a new company, because I was rocking the flyest in Lifted Research. I was like, "Nah, they've been around for a while." Then they proceeded to tell me how cool my jacket was and if I didn't get inside they'd sneak me in. Just then, Sam walks up with the golden ticket, a fucking wristband! He passed it to me on the sly and I rolled up in there with the quickness! After I got in twas madness. I look to my left and the whole freaking Girl/Chocolate posse is just chillin'. Ty was up in there. Koston was rocking a v-neck sweater and a button up. BA was wearing the fedora. Biebel was Sacto King'd out and MJ was there with a lady friend looking hella excited.



I saw that it was an open bar and then I knew I was in for a great night. My FTC heads were in the house and Ando had the photog action going down. Conor Kelly from Thrasher was pounding ales (dude, I have the Bob Digi shirt for you). And after my second round of brew all this sick shit started going down. Carroll was buying shots and beers for the masses. Paul Shier and I talked about the return of Kevin Keegan to Newcastle. John Cardiel bought me a Stella. Dennis B. and Omar were waiting for beers for days, and Valiant Thor brought the metal madness. Jeron Wilson is as cool as he looks. He was so chill when I was chatting with him. Here was our conversation (as best as I can remember)
Me: Hey Jeron
Jeron: (Stretches out hand) Sup man
Me: I don't want an autograph, or to sell you anything. I just want you guys to keep skating. Your shit is inspirational
Jeron: Oh most definately. We are going to keep skating.
Me: Tell The Gav that when he staged dived he fucked my jacket up.
Jeron: Hahaha. For sure I'll tell him

The highlight of the evening was Marc's Acceptance speech. And yes. I got that on video. Front row action. Also, Tim Gavin busted a stage dive and I was the only one to catch him. Whoa. He spilt beer all over me, but you know what, that's cool. I am not mad at cha. So, enjoy the pics and vid. Too bad you didn't roll, cuz that shit was sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Us Placers

My song of the day...enjoy


Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Showtime


Lakers Baby! At this very point in the season the Los Angeles Lakers are 1st in the Pacific Division and 1st in the Western Confrence. Tremendous team effort. Let's get em Lakers!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Blends Downtown San Diego



Straight-to-the point. Direct. Concise. These are the words that come to mind when I think of Blends Downtown San Diego. This store is about putting the emphasis on the kicks. That is the only reason to go in to the store, to come out with the hottest and most exclusive shoes that are on the market. The staircase leads you up to a pantheon of footwear. You want those exclusive Nike SB's? You want those Puma's that you only thought were in Barcelona? You want some Adidas shelltoes with the crocodile overlay? Yeah, all that exclusy niceness can be found in the heart of Downtown San Diego CA.



Personally speaking, shoes are the foundation of your whole style. G'd up from the feet up is how I see it. Why wear nice pants and have wack kicks? I see stores like this as an intergral part of the Hip Hop culture. How many B Boys do you know that rock raggedey footwear? The answer is none. And if you and yours are into kicks then make efforts to roll to Blends. Keith, is super chill and always has the hot looks coming in. This is the type of store where you go in and the staff knows what you are coming in for, they will most likely remember your size if you go in there enough.



Ahhhhh, breathe in that freshness. Too bad you are on the internet looking at the store. How about you actually get up, and go. Trust me. Whatever you think you want will be in there. Crepe sole Adidas? Check. Fusion Air Force 1's. Check. Need I say more?



BLENDS
726 Market St
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 233-6126

PSYCHO T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



A travel? Nah man, a facial. Tyler Hansbrough is a baller.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

The World's Largest TV


Panasonic drops a 150 inch (12.5 feet) plasma tv.(The one on the right, ya big dummy!) DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNNNNN son!

Saturday, January 5, 2008

AMFM San Diego


Ahhh, the skateboard shop. The pulse of the scene. The spot for the gear. The place to connect. Where we go to belong. The shop is a second home for many of us. We go there to see what's crackin', to see what's new, and to see who's who. Allow me the great pleasure of introducing AMFM San Diego to the Truths And Rights blog. On my trip to SD I made it a point to visit, and become acquainted with this shop in lovely Pacific Beach 619.

The first thing that grabs me when I step in is BEATS son! Nothing like walking into a spot and they got your song knocking. It kind of takes care of that awkward silence that can occur when there is some serious lurking going down. I was greeted with a polite "What's up?" and "Everything is 50% off right now" FA SHO! This is Cat, she be runnin' thangs up in thurr. Her and Mike, are the folks that make this whole thing work. (By the way props to vitalskate.com time to link it mayne!) Truth be known, it is nice to see the ladies get represented in business, and especially this world of skateboarding, this big sausage fest that it is!
May as well link this too amfmsandiego.com









This is what separates stores from shops. The full service shop counter! It is one thing to have boards in your store, but for me to consider it a shop you got to have one of these counters. Most of the time the kids don't know how to put their own setup together and this is the spot to get that done. I remember being a grom and not havning my own tools, the guy behind the counter was my hero cuz he could put shit together and I couldn't. Also, check the fly shop decks! Anybody can get blank wood and slap a logo on it, but AMFM is taking it up a notch and doing their own board graphics, watch out CCS!




And I KNOW cats are on top of their fashion game. So, if you want the latest and greatest in streetwear/skate fashion. COME THRU! Cuz lord knows everybody wants to look like a skater, so come get your hotness here. Orisue, 10Deep, TheHundreds, Krew, DGK, Organika, 3Sixteen, OBEY and many others. By the way, Cathy and Mike link me with the allover print OBEY shirt the white one with the black writing, I forgot to get that while I was down there...is it still half off?


This may be true or not, but this boombox is like the store mascot. I've seen it in plenty of photos, and some good looking ones at that. You know what I'm talking about. Those Zumiez (if that is even how you spell it) cats got the couch, we rock the box. I did say we didn't I? I guess that's because at AMFM they treat you like fam.
So there it is! Go there 1418 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109 Also, tell them Truths And Rights sent you.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Art Interlude

Truth And Rights presents another Art installment. If you didn't know, my house is an art gallery literally. I will be periodically posting paintings that you can purchase (email me at:jahcongo@gmail.com) Art and skatelife go hand and hand. This could be an ill matic graphic or even a series of boards...hint, hint, hint. Behold, Timeless Beauty










Artist: Tom Estess
Title: Untitled
Dimensions (unofficial): 4.5' long 2.5' wide
On canvas with acryllic paint

Art makes life beautiful. I get to see this everday before I walk out the door, maybe you could too! This has been another Truths And Rights installment of the arts. Carry on!!!!