Surviving So. Cal according to AspenSpin

It was a fabulous Summer in La Jolla for Andy Party, Carmelo and the entire AspenSpin gang.  We cribbed at the Shore Colony Apartments at Windansea...which may have seen its final Summer.  If the $24 million deal goes through, 6767 Neptune Place will be knocked down to make way for luxury condos.

It ain't easy living in Southern California. Over our 5 ski-habs in San Diego,  AspenSpin has established a few simple rules for survival in So Cal.  L.A. is exempt from these rules...because it would be impossible for us to survive in L.A. for more than 3 days.

RULES for SURVIVING SO CAL.

1) STAY on the COAST.   We don't go East of the 5.  The beach is cool and breezy and there are tons of chicks in bikini's hanging around.  We never go inland...it's too hot, too crowded and you might as well be in Nebraska.  Plus fighting traffic to go inland...thats just crazy.  Alright...once in a while we go to a movie or hit the mall...but always between 10 & 2..see below.

2) 10 & 2.   ONLY DRIVE between 10am & 2pm or after 8 pm.   Actually we never like to drive in So. Cal.  It's never easy, there's a lot of freaks.   We only take the car when absolutely necessary.  The traffic is  simply unbearable, although San Diego's traffic is mild compared to L.A's.  Changing lanes can be an ordeal.   3 scariest obstacles... Seniors in BIG Caddy's, motorcycles and Asian women drivers.  Ya, dude,  Take the 5 to the 805 to the 8 to the 15...and you're there...no biggie.  

3) IF YOU GOT IT...SHOW IT. If you don't...don't.   San Diegans are an extremely healthy bunch.  Lots of people have great bodies and great tans and tons of ink.  They love to show it off.  The guys go shirtless at the drop of a hat. The ladies...oooo la la...the skimpiest bathing suits this side of Rio and the shortest short skirts i've ever seen.  Me, I know where I stand...baggies, tee's and plenty of sunscreen.

4) ALWAYS USE PROTECTION.  San Diego is really a pretty conservative city, which is surprising to most people.  Lots of loyal republicans and former military types abound.  Despite that aspect..there is a strong surf culture and a vibrant party scene.  Beaches, bodies and booze is a major part of the vibe.  The Gaslamp is like one giant bar at night.  There's plenty of skin slapping in SD.  Sluts (male & female) are throwing it out there early and often.  It's a candy store...just be careful, use protection.

5) LONG WALKS on the BEACH.   Every morning...just as the sun comes up...before anyone is around...Carmelo and I take Windansea for ourselves.    The big waves, the rock formations, the trails, the smell of the sea, the nature...its the best.  We didn't miss one day.   As an asside, the garbage left behind on our beaches is disgusting.  I got in the habit of taking a garbage bag along on our walks.  Everyday I filled it with other people's sh*t.  I despised bending down to pick up half eaten burritos in Styrofoam containers, or 12 empty bottles of Bud, or  wet socks and underwear and towels or plastic bottles or broken beach toys.  Seriously...it made me sick.  But If I didn't pick it up...the tide would come in and it would be taken out to sea by the huge rip currents.  Sunset walks on the beach became another ritual for us.  We missed a few sunsets..but not many.

6) GET a SICK BEACH CRUISER.  Every Summer I buy a new Electra Cruiser. I ride that thing everywhere and then sell it to a lucky buyer on Craig's List at the end of my stay.  It heavy and not great on uphills...but I love that bike.  During Comic Con when parking starts at $50...I throw that tank in my car...drive to Banker's Hill and park for free.  It's a nice roll downhill to convention center and 130,000 nerds.  The only rub...riding back uphill after.  

7) DIET, DIET, DIET.  Hard and fast rule, only one IN-N-OUT double-double Izzy-style per month...thats all, that's it. Also, San Diego has an incalculable number of Mexican restaurants. There is a wide disparity of offerings in this category, from the grossest of the gross to "gourmet Mexican".  One of my chicks clued me in that mexican food is not very healthy.  Really??   OK so I tried to eliminate it from my diet.  I did break down 3 times.  Don Basso in Birdrock, Oscar's in La Jolla and Juanita's in Leucadia.  It was gooooooooooood.

8) SWIM, SWIM, SWIM  Both in the Ocean and in the pool...i did a lot of it. 5 days a week.  The spectacular outdoor pool at La Jolla High School (est 1922) had never seen a cannon ball quite like Andy Party's.  La Jolla Cove is the sweetest Ocean swim in America.  Doing the body whomp at Windansea is always a blast, plus riding the boog at Del Mar or snorkling with the sand sharks at La Jolla Shores...it's all good.  

9) ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY.  

El Jet named top Private Jet Charter at World Travel Awards

El Jet 2013 World Travel Award WinnerHuge congratulations are in order for our friends at private jet charter operator; EL JET.   El Jet was recently named the winner in the category,  Leading Private Charter in North America by the prestigious World Travel Awards.

In its 20th year, The World Travel Awards (WTA) were created to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.  Known worldwide, WTA is the ultimate hallmark of quality.   Now El Jet is #1, winning the category for leading private charter in North America knocking Net Jets off the top spot for 2013.  Over 650,000 tourism professionals in 191 countries voted for the World Travel Awards this year.

Book a flight:  EL JET

El Jet took home  the distinguished WTA trophy because it offers the BEST PRICING, the lowest industry markup and the largest network of empty legs to match its distinguished clients with the best possible aircraft.   El Jet does it all and can usually get you a quote in 60 seconds.   No wonder they're #1.   El Jet adds the World Travel Award to its growing list of accolades.  El Jet has twice been named to the INC. 500 fastest growing companies in America.  El Jet is very proud of their success and prides itself on safety, reliability, honesty, ethics and fair pricing.

Flying private is the ultimate luxury, and consequently everyone knows that Aspen is a hot bed of private air travel.  The Aspen airport is only 4 miles from the slopes and El Jet can get you in an out of Aspen on your time schedule and at an affordable price.  El Jet has access to over 4000 aircraft and 15,000 airports domestically and internationally.  El Jet caters to everyone and tries to make private jet travel more accessible.  Of cource they have plenty of cleints who are celebrities, athletes, business titans and international royalty, but no one is more important than you and your family.  Whether its a family vacation, a business trip, a boys trip or girls night out... treat your self to the ultimate in travel comfort...treat yourself to El Jet.

Call or Click:  EL JET  /  888 355 3538   Winner of the 2013 World Travel Award.  

 World's fastest private jet. Cessna Citation X. Over 700 MPH.

San Diego Music Thing

Lol Tolhurst of The Cure at SDMTAs a music town, San Diego is clearly a city that wants to be heard.  America's Finest City is quickly climbing the ranks as an independent hot bed of local music.  San Diego is still in recovery mode after the recent resignation of former Mayor Bob Filner who lost his job due to "serial groping".  Irregardless of that The San Diego Music Thing just keeps getting bigger and better.

Click for Pix:  SAN DIEGO MUSIC THING

The 6th Annual San Diego Music Thing (SDMT) took place this past weekend with 150 bands, 90 speakers, 15 venues and 1 ticket.  It's part music festival, part business conference and 100% jamming. SDMT is educational as well as entertaining and the networking is off the hizzzzzzzay.  SDMT was an awesome experience and is a "must attend" event for anyone looking to get their foot in the door of the music business.  The speakers were all music industry vets (many from L.A.) with solid experience in the biz.  The artists were everywhere at SDMT...on-stage and off.  For the most part the panelists and talent were friendly and very accessible.

Despite a scheduling conflict with Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jews, AspenSpin managed to pack in about 20 shows in a 24 hour period. Are there Jews in music?  Maybe not in San diego. The performances were mostly local, up and coming bands...but their passion and desire was evident.  SDMT is a great way to break out as an artist.  Plenty of promotors, venue owners, publicists,  managers and A & R folks  and journo's were in the house.

Mike Hererra of MxPx at San Diego Music ThingClick for Pix:  SAN DIEGO MUSIC THING

A few take home points from SDMT (according to AspenSpin).

* The music business has changed drastically in the past 5 years, but talent is still the key.

* There is a HUGE disconnect between the business side and the creative side...especially at the "breaking in" stage of an artists career.   This is not a new revelation...just an observation.  Artist's who are not interested in the business aspects need to find good people they can really trust to represent them.  Finding those trustworthy types, waaaaay easier said than done.   

*Artist's have a vast array of new channels with which to control their own careers.  Production, recording , video, distribution are all easier and more affordable then ever before.   In my opinion, the DIY (do it yourself) model is the best way to get started.  But it a'int easy...and again, talent rises to the top, on paper (writing), in the studio and on stage.

*If you're doing it for the money (artists)...don't do it.  For most artists the odds of true commercial success are truly formidable.  The passion must be the driving force. Persistence, hard work and stamina are required.  Good looks won't hurt you...and an incredible voice or sick musical skills will make you.   For music business people...again, don't do it for the money...do it for the love.  I'm under the impression that high paying jobs in music are hard to come by and that music is a tough business.   So you better love it...and you better like to go out.

*You Tube is the #1 place for music...in the entire universe.

*Social Media is an incredible tool for the music industry...if done correctly using truth and authenticity. The analytics are a gold mine.  Bands need to control their own e-mail lists...because thats the only thing they can control.  Facebook fans & twitter & instagram followers do not belong to them.   Yup, it's old fashioned...but keep collecting those e-mails and phone #'s if fans are willing to give'em up. Mobile is huge...but be careful with that, not everyone wants you on their phone.

*Touring and playing gigs is still  and will remain the absolute best way to build your audience.  Also,  know your audience.  Do stuff that appeals to them.   Meet them at the shows...tell'em to bring their friends.  Word of mouth is still the best way to get your message out.

*There are a lot of hipsters in San Diego.

*Live music is still the best.  Seeing 9 bands in 8 venues in 3 hours.  Not bad.

CLICK 4 PIX :  SDMT

The Silent Comedy gets my vote for best San Diego Band. Click 4 pix.

Jessica Rabbit and her band Gram Rabbit rocked The Casbah at San Diego Music Thing. Click 4 pix.

 The Earful brought the funk to Seven Grand at San Diego Music Thing. Click 4 pix.

My Feet are KILLING Me. Full Tilt Boots

Skiing every day and partying every night in Aspen for the past 10 years has taken its toll on my feet.  As you can see in the photo below...my feet are f#*ked up.

That's why I need to win the Show Us Your Boots contest from Full Tilt Boots.   Using the original 3-Piece boot design, Full Tilt has developed a boot that is comfortable and performs at the highest level.  I entered FTB's contest to win a free pair of Full Tilt Boots....and I need your help to win.

PLEASE CLICK ON MY ENTRY.  View it.   Like it, share it, comment on it...do your thing.  Andy Party needs a new pair of boots, ASAP.  Help me to help you.

Click the link:  Show Us Your Boots

My feet hurt.. Help me win a new pair of Full Tilt Boots. Click to see my entry.

Legend of Aahhh's by Greg Stump

Everybody in skiing remembers The Blizzard of Aahhh's,  the seminal ski flick from 1988.  Perhaps the most influential ski flick of all time.  Scot Schmidt, Glen Plake and Mike Hattrup brought thier A-Game to the Alps.   Greg Stump the triple threat ski filmer (writer, director, producer) is at it again with LEGEND of AAhhh's.

Legend  of Aahhh's traces the history of the ski film genre. It's basically the evolution of ski porn.  We know Stumpy has been working on this one for a while, so we're excited to see it in its completed form.   Local Aspen legends Geoff Stump, Kim Reichelm and Chris Davenport and many other all-time greats make appearances in the new film.   Can't wait to get a copy.

Get your copy today.  Tell 'em AspenSpin sent you.

Own it now, Click : LEGEND of AAHHH's