The Revenge of the Nerds

One of the big Christmas Parties every year is the TimeBomb / NLA Distribution Party. The theme this year was jiffy markered white t shirts and Nerds. For me, this is an easy costume cause I normally dress like a nerd. So I put on a Pendelton Plaid Shirt, put tape on my already nerdy glasses and pulled my pants up, and I was done. I looked just like Takashi from Revenge of the Nerds.

The party was fun, and some girls looked really hot as nerds. Even Skam and Hector from Livestock TO was there (they didn't dress up). I kept it pretty chill with my bummed knee and all. My doctor even gave me the green light to have a few drinks on my meds.

The Nerds looked way better then the T shirt crew.

Pictures stolen from Jennilee's Facebook.

Got To Have Faith

Dreams Of Fucking An R and B Bitch.

This is my favorite Biggie track of all time. I think I first got my hands on this cut on the Best of Biggie Mixtape done by Mister Cee and had to keep rewinding this joint in my car. I used to love buying mixtapes at the local record store. Crew would walk down, pick up or rack some blank tapes at the local department store (HI BIAS always) and then we would each buy one of these mixtapes for like 15 bucks and then copy them for each other. These tapekingz joints were always fire. One thing I remember vividly, was when my boy bought the mixtape that had the Casual and Saafir freestyle batte on it, so dope.

I had this concept for this tee since season one, and we just put it on the backburner for a bit. Once the plan was set, everything fell into place nicely. Put the girls in a grid like the Midnight Marauders cover and put Biggies grill in their so people don't have to wear a shirt that says Fuck /F*CK or Bitch /B*TCH.

We left out a couple of girls from the song, we thought Raven Simone would look a little wack on the tee and we added most of our current favorites R and B gals. I really love this tee and I even love the name we gave it.

Such a dope song.

Got to Stop Playing in the Sandbox

I woke up Monday morning with my knee hurting, I didn't think much of it and went to work. I complained about it all day to my co workers and we googled knee injuries trying to figure out what I had, the consensus was gout.

I had a doctors appointment set for Tuesday for a completely seperate reason so I thought I would ask him about my knee as well. When I lifted my jeans up, his eyes lit up like something serious was going on . He took a look at it, ripped some skin off my knee cap and took a blood swab. At this point walking was difficult and he gave me the blood swab and asked me to walk it to the lab. Is this Ikea? Do I have to do the work myself. The doctor drew a circle on my leg and said if the infection passes this line then you have to call 911 and get an antibiotic IV drip. I wrote "Good Knee" on my other knee in case of amputation, your are not supposed to write "Not this Knee" because sometimes the NOT maybe covered up by your pants or gown.

It turns out I have a skin infection, called cellulitis. If I didn't see the doctor when I did things could of gotten a lot worse. I would of had to spend a long time in the hospital or the infection could of gone life threatening. I know if I didn't have a doctors appointment when I did I would not have showed up to the doctors for weeks.

Update: November 27, 2007 -walking is still difficult and last night I woke up numerous times screaming in pain.

Update: November 29, 2007 -
Nothing has passed the line however my knee is now the size of my head. With this new site, I decided to take a cab to the emergency hospital. In the cab ride, the buldge on my knee exploded and all this puss soaked my leg and ruined my jeans.

I waited in emergency for about 3 hours, and then got to see a doctor. The doctor called my General Practitioner and they talked and eventually got the lab results from my GP. Apparently, it is not cellulitis, its Staph, so now I am on some new meds. Things are looking good now, and this will be how I end this children's story.

The middle finger goes out to all these super bugs.

PELOTON - Super Champion X Finale

The popularity of the fixed gear cycling culture has been growing imensely. Companies like Wood Wood tied into the culture by sponsoring a cycling team and Undftd created a cycling related T shirt.

We really wanted to do a cycling shirt this season. My partner, Vince has a cycling background and he used to design cycling clothing for a local company. So we were super excited to talk to Super Champion about this concept.

Let me take a second to explain the graphic.

The shirt contains the Super Champion logo and their badge which were created by some friends of mine, Chris Allen and Josh of Brknhome for Super Champion.
The Finale lettering is based on the logo of the German camera company, LEICA.
The Finale in the top left is based on the Union Cycliste International logo (http://www.uci.ch/).
The five colour rainbow logo represents the world champion.

Basically, the winners of the Cycling World Championships organized by UCI receive a gold medal and the right to waer the rainbow jersey for a full year.

Peloton is the term used for cyclists that ride in a group to reduce wind drag and save energy.

Check out the Super Champion Website, it has just been updated with their new look. Definately worth checking out.

Finale Fall / Winter -

Well the new season should be out in stores shortly. So check your local retailer to see if they got the gear, if not tell them they should carry Finale. I m moving everything back to the blog format so it is easier to follow. I ll post again this weekend to explain the graphics and the inspiraction behind it.

Hypepeast has posted Finale today, and press releases have been sent out.
http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/11/finale-2007-fall-collection

One of the things I would like to do with the blog is to be transparent about Finale's actions. Hopefully, it will inspire some talented people to do their own t shirt line or clothing line.

So to recap my week.
-Boxed a bunch of shipments,
-Went to the post office numerous times.
-Filled out a ton of paperwork, NAFTA Origins, packing lists.
-Wrote a press release with the help of my communication friends
-Sent out a ton of emails.

Good Looking Out

I know I have gave respect to DG but I forgot to drop the quote they used on the tee. This quote is very similiar to the quote that I said when I saw this graphic completed.

WERD UP GUYS.

"This tee from Finale Design is too much! I'm just going to go ahead and say it's one of the illest designs we've seen in a long, long time. Clearly based on the classic Biggie track, and taking graphic inspiration from the cover art on Midnight Marauders...what more can you ask for in a t-shirt? by Finale Design. "

FLUX - Mike Relm

It seems that the closer you live to downtown Vancouver the more you prolong growing up. Many of my friends who live in the suburbs are married and with child. Went for an anniversary dinner at my friends new restraunt named FLUX in Gastown. Check it out if you are in the area.

Got on the Guestlist for Mike Relm. Good looking out my friends. The place was packed, a real good turn out. I caught him last time he was here at Richards, he puts on a real good show, good energy and the visuals added a lot of value to the show. Lots of girls at the show, some super young, some bridge and tunnel girls who had glow sticks on, some tall white peopel with tons of facial hair like they were in that movie Reign of Fire". Left early cause I was beat and the visuals were pretty similiar to the last time I saw him. All in all, if I had some Red Bull, and got there earlier I think it would of been a hype show.

Also, check my homegirl DJ Bles-sed rocking the Finale Tee. I didn't think girls would be that into the tee when we created it, but they love it. Does this mean every girl is down for girl on girl action at some point? Even the asian ones!!

URB and DG

We shipped some tees to Digital Gravel and they moved real fast, from the looks of things they moved like 40 units in less than 2 days. Respect.

Also want to show much love to URB for posting our tees on their blog. I always loved this magazine. This mag replaced The Source for me on my regular monthly purchase.

http://www.urb.com/permalink/1544/Biggie-liked-R&B-ladies....html

Ante Up

It has been a minute since I played a game of poker but it is still fun. Good to chill with friends. In the house we had Josh and Kenta from Brknhome, Mendoza from Wings and Horns, Paul from Studio B, Chris from Endeavor Snowboards and Shawn the instructor from the local school. Anyway, things were fun but I lost my cash pretty quick. I stopped myself from being the ATM and giving out money and decided not to buy in.

Anyways couldnt wait till they got out of my crib. You know how it is, once you lost sitting watching TV sucks.

SKAMdotNET

Last week SKAM from Toronto came into town. I met SKAM a few years back when we took Sole Searching out east. He was super nice to us out there and really helped the Sole Searching Crew out and helped make the event a success.

I was lucky enough to chill with Skam for a few nights while he was out here in Vancouver for the Livestock Block party. Homeboy was mad cool and much respect to him for doing his thing out in Toronto. Go check out the Livestock out in Tornoto and go peep SKAM.net.

His last day him and Virus put together a burner. Skam was so dope he even gave me a shout out on that joint. Look for the word Matt on the side of that piece.

Those east coast cats bring flavor.

RESPECT

What a Way to Go Out, Out Like a sucker

One of these fashion kids starting talking weight about peoples pictures. I never really meant for this blog to look like Ansel Adams portfolio nor did I think it was going to be submitted to art school.

Anyways, after talking to him we decided to take the gloves off and bring the rukus. So from now on, my photography and writing are going to step up.

Canon 800 IS (thats me) Vs. Samsung NV10 (thats him).

Dam art kids, just cause they can draw they think they are dope at all areas of art. Is writing an Art? I am about to show this ninja the ART OF WAR.

Little Brother

I was rapping with my homeboy Mendoza about getting a holga and adding the polaroid back to it and when he came back from Japan he brought me back this joint. So hot!!! Uses 110 film. The last time I used 110 film is when I had those long rectangular joints that looked like you remote control.

This shit is ill, it is like a spy camera.

Props to my homeboy Mendoza. By the way hes been dropping some heat on his Flickr and I am going to step up my photos now. It is on ninja!!!!!!

Military Watches

My homeboy Mendoza put me onto this shit. I love military esthetics, I especially love the badges. This Canadian company Marathon holds the contract for Canadian and USA military. These watches meet military specs, most notable features are the markers that must be able to seen at night but they cannot be dependent on the sun. These joints have a little bit of radioactive material in them so you can check your time at night. So dope.

For 100 bucks easily worth it.

www.marathonwatch.com

Magic Recap

I have made it nice, check out my Magic recap here

http://www.finaledesign.com/magic.html

Magic at Night

So this is my first Magic week, and it gets crazy. Got linked up into the Famous Stars and Straps party at Tau Beach. Way too insane. I have not been to a party this big since the mansion party on New Years. No cover, and open bar till 12 or 1, I can t remember. Right when you walk up the stairs there are hot girls saying welcome on ever corner, and then you get in and there is a pool with girls in bikinis just chilling and more girls in bikinis serving drinks. Met some good cats in from LRG and I think Little Jon was preforming later, I got way to drunk and had to bail. Thats what you get when its open bar and you are an asian that weighs 140 lbs.

Here some quick pics of the party.




























Above Cros 1 of Freestyle Session/Armory. Haven't talked to this cat in a minute, since my bboying days. He used to practice with homeboys from my crew Straight No Chaser.

















Above: Maurice of Adidas, met this cat a few years back at the Stash show when he was with Recon. He has always left a lasting impression. I really like chatting with this guy.














Above: Some gals I was rapping to at the bar, and I helped out being the photographer, my shirt must of had Jostens written all over it. So I helped them out with taking a picture with Travis Barker (Famous Stars and Straps / Blink 182).
It was nice chatting with the aussie, love them accents.

Girls like Magic

Mr David Copperfield gets some of the best ass in the world, the reason for that is girls like MAGIC. MAGIC in Las Vegas is no different. This is my first trip out to MAGIC/POOL/PROJECT and one thing I can say is dam there are a lot of girls. Checked Project in the morning today and the gals are straight fire, model looking and really hot. The girls at Magic are more like the broads you see at a import car show. I hope to check Pool tomorrow and meet with some heads there.

Also, you get a lot of magazines.

Here is a snap of the LRG shirt made for Magic.










Nico from Staple - Met this cat in NY years ago, hes mad nice. Nice it up!!! Look at that smile either he is tired of pics or hes just that nice.




I will post a grip of more pics when I get back from the ball game, USA vs Mexico.

VEGAS BABY

Arrived at Vegas. The flight was mello, I was lucking enough to get the emergency exit row so I could stretch out my legs. That extra leg room is nice, even my small japanese bow legs appreciates it. I never get to sit beside a hot broad when I fly, maybe on the way back.

Well just chillin in the hotel right now, having a beer and plan to meet up with some Aritzia broads to party the night away.

Track Suit Party

Wassup to my homies for throwing another dope jam. You guys do it right. Live DJ, liquour sales, and an amazing deck. This time it was a theme of track suits from any era. I found this dope gold joint, they were also doing some filming for Curtis Santiago's video. I was having so much fun that I only took one flick but peep it, these guys rule the house parties.

Getting Ready for Magic

Getting my bag all packed up for my trip to Vegas. I will report back with some pics.
stay tuned...

DJ AM

DJ AM - sneaker head and amazing DJ. Holding the Finale Dreams tee in Seattle.

A Good but Long Sitting

My homeboy Kenta from Brknhome sent me this link, its a real long sitting that I havent finished but check itou.

Zeitgeist - is originally a German expression that means "the spirit of the age". It describes the intellectual and cultural climate of an era.

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/

Make sure you check the links below the video for more information.

CLIPSE in NEW YORK - Live at the BBQ

Is Down with us

Live at the BBQ in New York City, August 4, 2007. featuring: Brand Nubian, Cham, Large Professor, Clipse, MIMS, Joell Ortiz and LL Cool J.

Malice from the Clipse rocking some Finale heat on stage.


One of my 90s heros, Buckshot from Black Moon. I used to listen to I Got Cha Opin for days, big ups to Duck Down.

Summer Jam Seattle - Ludacris and Jaycee

Summer Jam Seattle - Got to link up with Ludacris and his DJ Jaycee before the show. Couldn't chill long cause I had to meet up with some heads for DAFT PUNK prep. But much respect to Ludacris and Jaycee.

Here is a shot of Jaycee rocking the Finale Dreams Tee.

Pink is the New Black

My niece thinks pink is the new black, so when I went out she made my wallabees into pink wallabees using crayon. Guess I need to take them in for a clean.

Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down

We sat down for hours, thought about our favorit hip hop quotes, then mocked up our top 5 to see which one we liked the best. We finally dropped this one.

So another company is dropping the same quote for their spring 08 season. I am not calling a bite but its a big coincidence when a company drops the same underground hip hop quote as you. People from all over come up with the same shit, happens all the time in dance culture, and art. Too bad homie yours is dropping in 2008 and ours is already out there.

Transformers Heads

Wassup nerds. So if you watched the movie, and enjoyed it but also felt it missed somethings cause you are a old school head, like you were pissed that Prime had a sword that looked like Blitzwing's sword instead of his axe.

Anyways check this link out for some pics of the new animated series for Transformers.
http://enewsi.com/news.php?catid=261&itemid=11455%3E

Matt

Filipinos can dance

I used to be a bboy in my late teens. I love the culture and lived it for years, that is why we created the Prince Ken Swift shirt. One thing I noticed through my years bboying was that lots of the local and famous bboys are Filipinos. I guess dancing is in their culture.

Check this video out, it is an example how shows how Filipinos from all walks of life embrace dance in thier lifestyle.

T.R.O.Y.

Just reminiscing about the past and came onto my friends photo picture of Sole Searching. For those of you who dont know take a look at the pics. This was a fun project for me and my friends and we got to link up with a lot of cool people from Nike, adidas, NB, PF, Fila, EA, Peace mag, Staple, Uppercut, Kicksclusive, Sole Collector and more.

Check the link.

http://community.webshots.com/album/177978673DpMfrK

New Art

Art can be so expensive. I wish I made more loot but till then I will have to do what I can. Picked up the Drawings of Ed Ruscha and cut up some pages and put them in a frame. The dope part is that I can change these images whenever I get tired of them.

Here is a pick.

Another Project for me

I just saw this on slamxhype which linked the worldwide blog. I am a airmax collector, and right now they are sitting on a shelf in my living room. Eventually, I am not going to want shoes on my shelves, they will get replaced with pictures, purchases from my travels and maybe bronzed baby sneakers or something.

So I am going to make a shadow box and cut up my airmaxes and make a display like this. I ll blog it when I do. Also on my list is creating a light box, I ll show you the pics of where I am with that.

Tight Jeans = No Updates

I have been wearing my tight jeans lately. I just got a new pair of ACNEs and I got my Wranglers slimmed up. Why do you care? Cause this means I have no place to put my camera and that means no pictures for you.

I checked a few events since the last post.

Addict - She One Party
Girl Talk at Richards
LRG/ Underworld Party and PLUSH for Clinton Sparks

Various other hipster jams.

Fuck that baggy shit.

Skate or Die

This is an old picture but I now finally have a place to put it up. I remember rushing to get this Tee done for Sole Searching Toronto.

Here is my old Roskoff board I had when I was a kid, fully equiped with OJ2 wheels and german bearings and Tracker trucks.

Remember the movie Thrashin.

URP RADIO

This was a project that I was part of starting many years ago but then left to continue with The Promised Land Show. Since I have left, my man DJ Sage has been hustling, he is getting dope interviews, and plays some really good tunes.

Check out www.urpradio.podomatic.com for one of the dopest internet podcasts. For those of you who live in Vancouver, listen to CFRO 102.7fm from 10 - 12am PST.

Props to you Sage.

Better than Lego World

I remember being a kid and loving going downtown with my folks to check Woodwards to see Lego World. Dam how come my parents didn't take me to this. Its 94.3 foot high pirate ship that broke the record as the worlds largest lego construction.

The other day I saw a friend of my older sister on TV and he was the lead of the lego building group in Vancouver. Dam, they have competitions and everything.

Two things that all guys who had lego have done.
1. Built a lego gun.
2. Yelled at by their parents cause they stepped on a piece of lego. Dam that hurts.

PS I dont see the pirate ship. Whats up with all this pirate shit, there is even a high budget porno called Pirates

Rambo vs. Asano

Holy crap is this for American TV or for Japanese TV. This is more violent than Japanese movies. Watch out Miike Takashi.

Two Gun Mickey

Just got this toy I wanted. I know it is kinda old but I am happy to have it. It sits next to my King Ken. This toy is really dope so glad I got it. Enjoy the pics.

Spring Summer Pics

Tees are done, and shipped. Still some sorting to do but here are some pics of the tees.

This is not me

My friend found this for me. Made me dam happy, first Finale Sale I have seen. I have seen Sole Searching shirts go on for sale but this is the first Finale.

And it is not me or my friends making this post.

http://cgi.ebay.com/FINALE-TERA-PATRICK-Nike-tee-Sz-LRG-sb-lemar-dauley_W0QQitemZ290118412814QQihZ019QQcategoryZ15687QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This item ended at 49.99 USD. WERD

Fold and Seal

So just finished my 3 day mission of folding all these dam tees and sealing the bags. My dam back kills, and my place is inhabitable. Oh well, these tees should be shipped out of my place tomorrow.