tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:13:50 +0000The Adventures of a Startup Business in America. And Other Crap! Snowboarding Saves Lives!http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/brenton.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)Blogger349125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-7555148054193925983Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:29:00 +00002008-12-13T10:13:50.526-08:00This is one of my favorite sights to wake up to. No, no, not two norwegian nubiles, i mean snow! I could hardly fall asleep last night listening to the weather outside. Late seasons like this pretty much blow. The town is slow, resorts aren't open, and of course you can't shred without snow. It's also difficult to sell snowboards with no snow. So business better start getting back to normal! I http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/12/good-morning.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-504680198514118452Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:43:00 +00002008-11-20T09:11:58.550-08:00On the Portland trip, we learned that I cannot sell boards. That was Liz's skill set. Gris kept calling me Lion-O 'cause of the hair. Quantum of Solace shoulda been called Quantum of Awesome. Even though Daniel Craig has 2 first names, his bond is the raddest bond ever. Quantum is as good, maybe better than casino royale. It's got everything: quality action that stretches reality just enough to http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/11/wipe-that-face-off-your-face.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-34323743288483885Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:22:00 +00002008-11-03T14:26:20.242-08:00greens keepersduffylykke lichairliftaphex twinP-RoidOriginally uploaded by wootang71Back in Truckee for work. Received the new boards, shipping them out. The rain's finally turned to snow (kind of). The top of deathstar is all white. It's really cold. I guess i still have summer blood. It's nice to be back at "home". Even though now that I'm up here San Diego is getting a solid swell. If this swell knows what's good for it, it'll still be http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/11/p-roid.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-9217048285747656185Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:57:00 +00002008-10-20T21:51:33.388-07:00rogue wavebelle and sebastiansantogoldlucksmithsFMPOriginally uploaded by wootang71Ok, what i meant with the last post about not ever liking anyone so much that i'd change my life is rooted in my observation that everything is replaceable. cold to say, but it's true. there isn't anything or anyone so valuable, unique, or important that they cannot be replaced. Look at presumably one of the most important people in the world: the president of http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/10/runners-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-7954269185706952195Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:03:00 +00002008-09-30T20:28:35.048-07:00the blowerasurelucksmithsJust got back from wedding #3. That's a lot of weddings for me. It was a whirlwind week. Cruising from San Diego to Half Moon Bay. Taking down some sangria with Wayne at Cha Cha Cha. Getting stuck in traffic and missing buses. Rolling on Bart and rolling into the wedding group smelling like the Mission. Hanging out with Job. Haven't seen her in 9 years. She goes by Elisabeth now, no more Liz. http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/09/1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-1441576135306271194Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:52:00 +00002008-09-17T18:18:06.798-07:00camera obscurabelle and sebastianSo, Jerm, lemme guess which network is yours.Originally uploaded by wootang71San Diego has been crazy. Crazy busy that is. It's gotten to the point where if I have nothing to do for 30 minutes, I get bored. Moving around Carlsbad. Dealing with Automaton stuff is tough. Partly because i'm venturing into all new territory. So I have no experience doing what i'm doing. Also since the stakes are http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/09/dumper-i-don-even-know-her.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-8344437018026335082Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:59:00 +00002008-08-05T23:01:38.224-07:00bob dylanbeatlesmorrisseysan franciscoatmospherejohn lennonTahoeelvisdavissactonina simonebilly joelWhat's Not To Love?Originally uploaded by wootang71San Diego re-entry: Hood to Tahoe, rolled into the Singer compound during a bbq fiesta. Tahoe to Sacto, meetings all day, then stayed with Tim and Emily in Davis. Homecooked meals rule! Sacto to San Francisco, more meetings, cruised with Jim and Gen, hung art and drank Tommy's margaritas. SF to Palo Alto for a Cali breakfast with Ashley, Liz, andhttp://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/08/rio.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-5666853916438731032Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:24:00 +00002008-07-22T18:57:56.978-07:00san diegolos angeleshong kongTahoeThe Goonies RocksOriginally uploaded by wootang71Bangkok to Hong Kong to Los Angeles to San Diego to Tahoe to Hood... going east to west gives the best jet lag. and when i say best, i mean worst. i used to not suffer jet lag, but clearly i'm not getting any younger. "home" is a concept that i think most people understand in a different way than i do. since i've been 12, the longest consecutive http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/07/contiuum.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-8878009026098254882Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:29:00 +00002008-07-17T15:24:59.916-07:00vampire weekendI Like to LurkOriginally uploaded by wootang71When i travel, i'm fairly sure i'm a different person. close to it, at least. when i'm home in america, i focus on positive cash flow, and that's kinda soul crushing. especially since my cash flow isn't alway positive. on the road, i'm just different. it's like once i pass through immigration on the other side, my passport gets stamped and i leave http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/07/i-like-to-lurk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-7077946692893723210Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:44:00 +00002008-09-30T20:36:43.780-07:00balipoppiesindonesiaKutaOriginally uploaded by wootang71Another aspect of the se asia trip that made it so enjoyable was that i was consciously applying past lessons to enhance my travel experience. the ninja and brandon would be happy to see me independently developing and successfully implementing these tactics for happy endings. or call them guidelines, givens, or postulates. i call them good advice.1. don't get http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/07/postulates-for-positive-travels.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-4466932922703491538Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:22:00 +00002008-07-17T14:46:57.551-07:00sumbawabeachsunsetindonesiaSupernovaOriginally uploaded by wootang71The first rule of Thailand is: don't trust anyone trying to help you. The 2nd rule of Thailand is: don't trust anyone trying to help you. Sounds cold and harsh, but the reality is that in SE Asia, people will rip you off. Big if they can. It's nothing personal, it's just how street business is done. Get used to bargaining for everything. In Vietnam, http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/07/supernova.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-5688089402162150479Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:39:00 +00002008-07-06T13:02:11.472-07:00we smoke fagsdoes it offend youkoh phanganthailandKoh PhanganOriginally uploaded by wootang71Thailand was off the hook. but let's start from the beginning. Transit in se asia, in my experience, is seriously unpredictable. every single bus, train, or plane i caught was delayed, late, or changed somehow. in fact, our flight from bali to sumbawa was changed to 2 hours EARLIER. "wtf" is the correct response. 10 hour bus ride from nha trang to saigonhttp://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/07/se-asia-time.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-4979613347743726424Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:05:00 +00002008-07-02T21:07:46.455-07:00travelindonesiaipodDry DockedOriginally uploaded by wootang71outside of the normal traveler's gear, there are items i feel are necessary for comfortable travels in se asia:1. camera. just lug the thing and don't be afraid to use it.2. ipod. and i mean the large capacity ones that also play movies. on long transits, music is your best friend, especially if you can't find anyone interesting to chat up. for me, i http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/07/necessary-necessities_02.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-2051976526498343743Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:34:00 +00002008-07-01T23:46:08.380-07:00vietnamho chi minh citysaigonnha trangThe ScootsOriginally uploaded by wootang71Vietnam wasn't exactly as i expected. coming off the plane from singapore, the 1st thing that happened to me outside of the airport was i got robbed. long story involving 2 cabbies, me being tired, and all my bills being clipped together. even though they made out with about $17, it was enough of a damper for me to not trust cabbies. Strangely enough, thehttp://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/06/viet-now.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-39989766603050941Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:23:00 +00002008-07-11T12:14:00.710-07:00bon jovisuperbadsumbawaaman gatiindonesiafoodApparently He Said A Lot of ThingsOriginally uploaded by wootang71One thing I like about developing countries is that commodities have to be cheap. Commodities like food and water. I like food. A lot. Cheap food is only better. And in south east Asia, where there's a lot of not so rich people, the food is cheap and fantastic. I remember getting great eats in Vietnam for 12,000vnd, which is like http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/06/se-asia-cheap-eats.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-8172312316760847597Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:53:00 +00002008-06-29T10:15:27.972-07:00singaporesumbawabelle and sebastianindonesiaGatitoOriginally uploaded by wootang7110 days surfing sumbawa was not enough for me, but we apparently left at the right time as the swell dropped to nil. however, it seems to me that "flat" in indo just means not overhead. i had 2 awesome sessions at pipe on "flat" days. once back on bali, we stayed at a hotel that had a crazy french guy who pretty much scared us into moving to the next hotel http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/06/all-night-in-singapore.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-1454310790574337805Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:10:00 +00002008-07-09T17:48:30.514-07:00sumbawaindonesiaNow that I'm back in San Diego, i have a bit of time (and my computer) to reflect on what the hell happened in the last 6 weeks. South East Asia is unlike any place i've ever been to before. it's the little things: the bargaining, the traffic, the smells, the food, the traveling. and then there's "bigger" things like squat pots, no toilet paper, and sketchy street food. but during and after, i'm http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/06/se-asia-take-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-5798965150039600668Thu, 01 May 2008 01:26:00 +00002008-05-08T21:00:56.159-07:00notorious b.i.g.tara jane o'neilruben gonzalessugar cubesarsenio rodriguezShe and HimpixiesSoup sandwiches. Lenta! Shpoon. Awesome awesome. "I am funny". Ms. Piggy and her hospital bills. Drama-free season is out the window. Stoopid. "Short" 250 bottles of vino. Jessica tortuga. Ms. Carrot. Liz's frijoles del diablo. Natalie's driving skillz. Caught with your wiener in the cookie jar. Coconut popcorn and Superbad. The whole Japan trip. Tall tees. Green Eyes and Proof. You're a cool guyhttp://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/04/obligatory-end-of-season-brain-barf.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-3580536027593104017Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:32:00 +00002008-04-21T15:02:54.685-07:00Sam CookeMF DoomPrinceAt this point, I think i've used up almost all of my good karma*. Sure, i like doing nice things, generally for nice people, but lately, i think i've escaped enough misfortune to put me back at zero. Like NOT getting hit by some 4runner at the tahoe city wye a couple weeks ago. some oncoming 4runner decided to make a left turn INTO me. had i reached my hand out my window, i could have touched thehttp://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/04/karma-count-0.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-1239744538421152793Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:51:00 +00002008-04-16T18:10:28.212-07:00neon neondoes it offend youyeah?vhs or betaWithout a W-2 job anymore, I find that I have a lot more free time to do stuff. Like read a book. Visit shops. Snowboard all day. Plan out my year. Usually by this time of April, I've committed to post-season plans. This season, I'm lagging. I have to go somewhere. That's not even a question. And I've saved enough cash this season to do something from May to July for sure. I've toyed with the http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/04/pre-post-season-blues-and-greens.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-4440254969384621321Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:47:00 +00002008-04-01T10:26:45.610-07:00mgmtrocketmanthe spinto band and i don't just mean the hipper i took at the deathstar yesterday. cab 270 onto the 2nd box, caught something or maybe my board just stuck to the plastic. went down hard, and there's no air bags or ejection seats in shredland. i took the coping straight to the hip. the bruise is blooming in full force today. on top of that, i got some sweet rust spots on my fav hoodie (again, from the box's http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/04/something-is-wrong.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-6796185398810793206Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:25:00 +00002008-03-26T19:58:15.705-07:00Tahiti 80Elton JohnLearning is pretty cool. It's kinda nice to know that i'm progressing. I've done the regret thing. I've done the open feelings thing. Now i'm back to the keep my mouth shut thing. The question that I've been forgetting to ask myself in the couple years past, the question I used to ask myself before doing anything is now again my guide: what am i trying to accomplish? i can trust myself to be http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/03/live-and-let-die.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-8305619866162182191Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:18:00 +00002008-03-13T09:43:38.267-07:00bollywoodJapan does not want your diarrhea, so leave it at customs. You're a cool guy, right? Public baths and not showering before jumping in. Japan's rest stops are going off! Vending machine espressos. Slush walks in Yazawa. Joe's late night roof drop in Akakura. The Automaton crew mobbing the run on a night session in the middle of a snow storm. Hard beds and soft pajamas. Everything is gummi. If you http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/03/wiener-in-cookie-jar.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-4595100973186605231Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:46:00 +00002008-03-06T09:56:08.292-08:00Wow, the Japan trip came and went in a blink of an eye. It was fun for sure, but in all honesty, I wish the timing was different. If the trip was in, say, May when the season is over, I'd be way more excited. I'm having fun in Tahoe, and I didn't really wanna leave. 11 days is a lot in a mountain town and a lot can happen. I was a bit surprised Tahoe peeps even remembered me when I came back! Buthttp://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/03/home-sweet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263938.post-924258841486030316Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:47:00 +00002008-03-26T20:03:16.604-07:00In Japan. Lots of snow. Lots of wind. Wind is blowing over cars. Seriously. Had the best powder day in 2 seasons on Monday at Bandai Alts. Shredding steep fresh with Jerod and Joe P while Brent was practicing for the Nippon Open qualifiers. Heading out to Seki in Niigata today. Supposed to snow all week. Lots of traveling. Lots of snowboarding. Tough to find time to blog. Might end up in Nagano http://www.automatonsnowboard.com/2008/02/neanderthol-thoughts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the Wootang)0