Well, it didn’t take long for Instagram to be the next big thing in social/hipster media.  I have a Instagram too but it is not very active because I refuse to take self-indulgent photos.

Southern California based alternative footwear and accessory brand Gravis has launched the Gravis Instagram Photo Contest beginning March 1st and running throughout 2012.

With 1,500+ followers to date, the Gravis Instagram account continues to grow daily, making the contest a challenging and creatively captivating event. Gravis Footwear stands by maintaining fans’ interest, involving them with their team and building the brand’s cultural relevance as a whole.

Gravis Instagram Contest from Gravis Footwear on Vimeo.

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Gabi Viteri, Cilka Sadar and Rana Okada are put on display at Northstar Tahoe in this pretty cool video. I don’t know how to snowboard and I don’t plan to after my friend broke his arm hilariously. As most of you older cats know, anything of risk such as broken bones or possible death is a no-no to us.

via Burton

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Don’t be surprise that the Oregon Ducks unveiled their newest version of uniform designed by Nike for the Rose Bowl. The helmet has the duck wings on the side with the O in the back in a sleek polished black helmet. Yardbarker thinks this is a step down from last years uniform. I have to disagree. The stealth black looks very slick with the wings give the uniform a whole new look.

No wonder why Oregon is attracting some of the best recruits in the country. And before you call bullshit on my statement, ask yourself, “Have I coached high school varsity football for 5 years?” Yeah, shut up.

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Big wave surfer Nathan Fletcher from Analog Clothing is out of control on these big waves. Check out the interview with him at LA Times. It’s crazy that they don’t even realize how big it is until they are in it…. that’s what she said.

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Me, myself will not snowboard ever.  I saw my friend snap his arm while trying to be Shaun White which was hilarious, but very painful looking.  Did I tell you he was high?  Next time I start off the story, I’ll make sure I let everybody know he was high before describing the gruesome accident.  It was like his arm…. snapped!  BAHAHAH Good times!

Oh yeah, there is a contest to promote, check out the PR Moment below.

Analog’s Design Unlikely Features Contest invites creative minds to imagine a unique, custom-built snowboard feature. Whether it’s a completely new idea, or build upon something that already exists, submissions can consist of hand drawn, computer generated, napkin sketched or popsicle stick built models… whatever medium works!

Entries will be judged based on creativity, ride-ability, and build-ability. Twice a month, the top five entries will be posted on www.analogclothing.com  to be judged by the public. Semi-finalists will receive a swag package just for being a top entry.

The winner will have their dream creation built, and Analog will bring them out to the Design Unlikely Features Contest on January 7th 2012 at Big Bear Mountain Resort. They are invited to participate in the first ever contest on their winning feature.

1st Prize Includes:

• 2 Round Trip Tickets to/from Big Bear Mountain
• 2 Nights Lodging at Big Bear Mountain Resorts
• Custom built snow feature at Big Bear Mountain
• Contest centered around your creation
• Analog Outerwear Kit (Gloves, Jacket, Pants)
• Analog Clothing Package (Including: Jeans, beanie, t-shirt, flannel, fleece, backpack, and belt)

Design Unlikely Features 3 from Analog Clothing on Vimeo.

Here’s L.O. in a Nike Sportswear commercial featuring Stalley’s “Born To Win” which can be downloaded at Nike.com. The video features L.O. going back to his roots of Queens, New York. If I had L.O.’s money, I will never ever go back to the hood. The hood sucks.

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Acknowledgements: Nike

DJ Clinton Sparks is featured in the “Where Are You Running To Next” campaign. Sparks run funny, but I guess some runners are taught to swing their arms in front and to keep the hands straight to reduce drag. Nice little idea made up by runners, but I’m sure it doesn’t help that much unless you are running a marathon. Even than, I am still skeptical.

Pr Moment

You can get a 10% discount on your own pair of Custom 574′s at their microsite.

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Acknowledgements: New Balance

Arto’s Pool from Gravis Footwear on Vimeo.

Skaters are cool and I like what they do, but I want to say this, what makes my day more than anything else other than an impromptu Ménage à trois in the CSUF library with the Zeta Tau Alpha girls is a skater falling. It is hilarious! Second best was when I saw this nerd eat shit on his bike at Cal Poly. Books, pencils, and papers flying everywhere. It was carnage in a comical sense.

PR Moment

Arto Saari has been named Skater of the Year by Thrasher Magazine in the past, and is well known for his aggressive style. In addition to excelling at skateboarding, his designs for Gravis Footwear feature an amazing mix of street style and functionality. As a photographer, Arto has exhibited and shot for publications worldwide.

Analog and Gravis team athlete Arto Saari, a world-renowned professional skateboarder, footwear designer and respected photographer.

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Acknowledgements: Arto Saari

Attack of La Niña Teaser from Shelby Meinzer on Vimeo.

Matchstick Production’s Attack of La Niña is a film about something that I will never ever do, which is anything dangerous. When I see these extreme athletes twirling and maneuvering down a steep and dangerous terrain on skis, I don’t get motivated like most people do. I tend to think of ways (often hilarious) of accidental deaths that may occur. You know, you hit this ramp and you are in the air, doing twirls and 360 degree spins…. right into a tree Ala Sonny Bono. Totally badass way to go but not for me. I prefer dying on a yachting expedition in the Gulf of Italy at 115 years old after I break the oldest person in the world record.

On another note, the film is beautifully shot which gets me motivated. Maybe I’ll sum up that motivation for work tonight as a club photographer. Maybe. I just get increasingly tired of every chick posing the Kardashian way while the guy got their arms wrapped around the girl like he’s a drunken pimp. But, club people like those types of photos, and I’m getting paid pretty good for a couple hours of work. Making money off of drunken, uninteresting people. I would kill for somebody to make a face tonight and to not use the finger pointing or gang signs typical of club photography.

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Acknowledgements: Matchstick Productions

Photo credit: Peter Hapak/GQ

Did you see that ESPN article, “What if Michael Vick were white?“  According to the photoshop, I’m assuming white Vick is gay.  “Ron Mexico” is featured in this month’s GQ talking about his past and redemption on the Eagles.  Pretty cool article and worth checking out at GQ.com.

Also, I want to apologize for the lack of updates lately.  I started grad school this week and my schedule and head is still in disarray.  Good news though, I got a pretty good grasp on my schedule so everything should be back to normal.  But I still want to apologize, so I will give you a 1/4 of a bow….

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Acknowledgements: GQ

Cool Hunting Capsule Video: The Art of Flight from Cool Hunting on Vimeo.

Cool Hunting caught up with Travis Rice’s new film “The Art of Flight” where a team of snowboarders tackle different snow terrains while being filmed with the Cineflex camera.  Shots are filmed at different birds’ eye view with crisp high definition shots.  Check out more info on this coverage at Cool Hunting.

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Acknowledgements: Cool Hunting

Photo credit: Ben Watts/GQ

I don’t know about you, but I really don’t like those super V-neck shirts.  Too much chest in my opinion for a man.  Check out more of Sanchez in GQ.com.  The interview also talks about how Sanchez wanted to punch Ryan.  I think every QB wants to do that to their Head Coach.  The magazine comes out Aug. 23, 2011.  Alright now that’s out of the way, let’s talk about Fantasy Football!!!

When you are planning your strategy for the draft, my number 1 rule is to never plan the first 2 rounds.  It should be automatic and your real team develops in the mid-rounds.  Going with “I plan to draft Adrian Peterson” is just plain lazy and is all dependent on the luck of the draw unless you are in an auction draft.  Here is a couple bullet points to planning:

• Break your running backs list down into “rounds” so you can have an idea where each player may land and when you could pull the trigger on them.
• Unless you get the top 3 QB’s in the NFL, you can always pick up a reliable one later in the draft.
• WRs are a dime a dozen.  If you look at the difference between a number 1 like Andre Johnson, compare him to Desean Jackson who is number 13.  You would expect a bigger difference between the two but its really only 32 points for the season.
• TEs are overly hyped!  Yeah Antonio Gates was exceeding all WRs, but it was only one TE.
• D/ST and K should be at the end and reserved for new guys to pick far too early in the draft.

Take a look at the rules and point system and plan accordingly.  4 pts/TD compared to 6 pts/TD means for QBs is a huge difference for QBs.  Points-per-reception is a huge game changer on what players will dominate in Fantasy Football.  And most importantly, don’t be a fan of your team during the draft!

I have ran a league for 5 years now and with all that planning, sometimes it all comes down to luck.  That shouldn’t discourage you from planning because you need to get the best out of your draft and hopefully that extra effort can help you overcome the new guy whose D/ST he drafted in the 4th round because he was a fan decides to score 3 TDs.

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Acknowledgements: GQ

via Burton

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Acknowledgements: Burton

Pro skateboarding icon and DVS Shoe Company co-founder Tim Gavin (alongside friends and fellow DVS employees Jim Leatherman and Juston Tucker) has opened a new store in Long Beach, CA called PORT. With more than three decades of combined experience in the footwear and action sports apparel industry, PORT is the collective expression of the thirty-something trio’s slightly more mature, yet still fun-loving taste for fashion, friendship and hi jinx.

This group of like-minded buddies had a clear vision for their new post-skate concept shop and private label brand. Located on the city’s bustling Broadway Avenue strip, PORT houses a range of established and emerging lifestyle brands including Insight, Brixton, The Quiet Life, Clae, Fresh Jive, WOR, Chambers, Publish, Pointer, Hershel and more. It also caters to female shoppers and stocks a range of vintage women’s items. PORT offers its own private label collection consisting of T-shirts and other limited pieces including sunglasses, hats and whiskey flasks.

Be sure to check out their new online store and also like them on Facebook!

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Acknowledgements: Port

PUMA and Ducati have long collaborated to produce gear for those that embrace the riding lifestyle, including performance riding boots. To help deliver that experience, PUMA recently debuted their new video series that celebrates the joy of riding and their long term relationship with Ducati.

The final video in this seven-part series has just gone live, as it explores how motorcycles fit into the life of John Conway from the band the Bravery. John is an avid motorcycle enthusiast and often takes his Ducati on the road while touring. He also can be seen at local track events, where is hones in on his skills.

For the riders featured, just like PUMA, bikes are about more than just the ride: they’re about community, culture, and way of life. With the debut of each new video, PUMA will also be giving away gear and a bike through a national contest.  For more information on the contest, check out PUMA.com.

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Acknowledgements: PUMA, Ducati

The DJ3K was created by Jordan to celebrate Derek Jeter’s march towards 3,000 hits.  The release the Jeter Cut cleats, trainer, batting gloves, and shirt.  His initial contract he signed was replicated on a sock liners and on top of the pack.  The tongue features “I agree, Derek Jeter” signature which he used to sign the contract from high school.  Pretty dope release which is well deserving for the future Hall-of-Famer.

via Hypebeast

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Acknowledgements: Jordan

Awesome! “Wild In The Streets” is an event hosted by Emerica which drew in a couple hundreds of people to go skateboarding in Downtown L.A. for about 5 miles. I just came after seeing the towering cans of Red Bull.

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Acknowledgements: Emerica

Photo credit: Paola Kudacki/GQ

The NFL’s number one draft pick ain’t done yet!  The Carolina Panthers’ QB Cam Newton is featured in GQ’s July 2011 issue sporting stripe sweaters.  I thought stripes make you look fat but I don’t think Newton has that problem.  Check out the whole shoot and interview at GQ.com.  There is one thing about this kid, he’s going out his way to prove that he can make it in the NFL.

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Acknowledgements: GQ

Moneyball based on a book about Billy Beane who changed the way on evaluating players in baseball stars Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill. The movie is set to release September 23, 2011. Pure journalism baby!

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Acknowledgements: Moneyball

With the release coming soon for Eric Koston’s first Nike SB release, more info comes to light on the Lunar Soles space technology embedded in the shoes.  The super-light cushion is surrounded by a tough exterior which is perfect for me because I like to treat my shoes like shit while providing me super comfort…. just like a maid!

The shoes also have the very limited edition collaboration with Kobe Bryant which can be seen in the video below.  They look pretty dope.

Eric Koston Nike Shoe Release Media Day from Skateboarder Magazine on Vimeo.

via Cool Hunting and Nice Kicks