Apr 11, 2014
I thought I was a genius originally writing this.The goal was to make the story super awesome and multiple episodes like the Green Ranger Saga, but that didn't work as well as planned.You know, that whole , "I gotta do everything else before this whole thing stops again" thingie-thing took over.So where were we? Oh yeah! Duh! Green Ranger!
So, as most of guys know, we have a shirt se llama Morpholio that is inspired by Beavis and Butthead, the Power Rangers and focuses on the White Ranger and Green Ranger. So, months ago, I hit up some people about the shirt, and didn't get a response. No big, happens all the time right? (It does).
As I'm scrambling through the event, a bud of mine named Ricky is working as are a bunch of other Sacramento locals.Ricky ALWAYS has cool celebs on his Instagram and it's like his mutant power to find the coolest people within a 3 mile radius and magically be in a photo with them (true story). So , lone behold he's at the event and guess who he's working with as security? You guessed it, Tommy, er Jason David Frank.
We talk about shoes ( both members of Sneakerheads of Sacramento) , so kicks always come up one way or another with all the shoeheads around here.He mentions the event and work or something or other after we talk about the price of the Nike Air Mags right now (Back to the future looking shoe that's crazy awesome).After such exchange, I drink two Redbull Slurpees.
After the Redbull Slurpee hit, I came back to my senses, I leave my table solo (abandoner here) , and go to the area Ricky is working with JDF.I'm not really familiar with Comic-Con , but the fans were CRAZY.So there's this area just for them to line up and get all their fav autographs.It's kind of like a registration line at other events, but the line is HUGEEEEEEEEEEEEE... so, I do my best shadow step through all the fans to the front.After a few crazy looks , I see Ricky, and toss him a shirt and poster for Tommy...nothing special right?
Maybe 3 hours go by, and Ricky comes back.Hey man, "Jason says meet him at 230"..Jason who? I don't know a Jason.. so, I exclaim just that."You don't know Jason, what was all that stuff for then?". And then it clicks..THE GREEN RANGER WANTS TO MEET MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...then I proceed to have the biggest Miss Piggy on Rollerskates Hyperventilating nerdout in the history of the world....THE WORLLLLLLLDDDD!
After breaking down 10-12 times and realizing this was indeed happening, it was about 230...(time went FAST). I then proceeded to plan to tell Tommy all of these cool things and crack a joke after making some awkward joke about disliking the Blue Ranger, or at least that's how it was planned.It didn't go that way.
I stood to the side of the booth. Tommy then looked at me. His eyes widened, he then called me over. It was like being that four year old who gets picked out of the audience to do magic with the magician, but instead I'm 200 plus pounds and my Elmo shirt is now, well, a Power Rangers one (huge upgrade right)...he then halted his line, asked me to take a picture with him and held up the poster after asking if we had anymore for him.
I honestly tried to make my joke and all that came out was "I- I - I- -IIIII'm a big fan", he nodded...and during the photo, I passed out a total of 18 times. After this, I awoke with a picture of myself blinking (yes,blinking) and a Saba in my hand that I don't remember being mine , but it had signature on it.
It was the best moment ever not involving a Slurpee or Carlton dance.
There's no words for how crazy the weekend was, it was so crazy and the people were so awesome and positive, it was just...WOW. So, I'm just trying to share the experience with you.Expect a video or extra content a different day, just felt kind of putsy for not doing it earlier.Thanks for reading the rant! -h_h-
Try Hard, Never Settle, Stay Hungry -h_h-
Apr 7, 2014
Okay,so where were we? Oh yeah, meeting the Green Ranger. Alright you may have noticed I don't say Jason David Frank when mentioning the Green Ranger.That's because that's not who he is to me.Sure, the guy does amazing stuff in the real world and is an awesome guy, but to me, that's Tommy.
It's like if Mickey Mouse decided to walk around a few decades out of your life, and someone told me that was indeed not Mickey Mouse, but Morty Mouse...it might not make a bunch of sense,at least not to a kid.So yeah, took one extra paragragh to say the same thing again: that's not Jason David Frank, that's Tommy.
To sum up Wizard World in a nutshell, it's nothing like I've ever been to.The people are super nice, no one here is trying to destroy you (common event methodology amongst neighbors) ,or steal your crap and pretend it's theirs (unmentioned part of the streetwear code) , it's just really good people.I came in actually ready to do battle initially, as generally speaking I only have those types of events and people to reference, and don't get me wrong, the fans are great, but dealing with all that mess beforehand and during while trying to work 12 hours....for days 3-5 days straight? Let's just say it leaves a bad taste in my mouth after a few years, different story for a different day.
Back to the good stuff though..everyone here was super professional and really had their stuff together.To be honest, I'm the opposite in the sense I don't really care about big booths or schmancy stuff, just making really great product and meeting nice people,almost to the point of disregard.In fact, a lot of you guys have known us to sell stuff out of trunk or a suitcase!Also a different story for a different day... back to the event.
There were people of every kind from across the country with all kinds of wares, one moment you see a button lady, another you see someone selling old comic books that you've read about being valuable, but didn't know really existed (think about Radioactive Man #1 Episode of the Simpsons) ,then you see all these cool action figures or toys you had, or remembering having some of, but you might've wanted another one to complete your set or they didn't have it at the store your Mom went to get your toys at...WHATEVER...it felt like anything you could possibly wish for was there in that building.
I got to the event early as a vendor.But,to be honest, there wasn't much time to check any of it out.You see, initially I had turned down Wizard World to go to a smaller grassroots event, and it just turned out not working out so I took a chance replying to Wizard World within a very small window.
Alex, the director, actually called me up within what couldn't have been more than 3 minutes of that email.I explained the situation, he gave me all the tools that I needed ,and accomodated us like no other. The only thing we had to do was show up.But, the problem was, all my stuff had to be under the gun to make it work.
So, when I saw all this cool stuff I mentioned, it was actually parallel parking in the middle of the street and sliding boxes around a HUGE HUGE HUGGGGGGEEE building.No dolly, no suitcases, literally shirts fresh printed and driven 90+ miles an hour from across the Bay to get to their destination. It was nuts..and I loved it.
So, really, we came in maybe an hour ahead, busted tail, set up a little cutie banner and sticker pile then got to work. I think I changed shirts three times within the first hour and while downing a Redbull Slurpee pretended that I was some weird Circus act putting everything in place.
The thing about people is they can't help but judge and see stuff like this.And it was kind of funny to see them wondering what the heck was going on with this sweaty dude reeling in boxes and unloading all this stuff. If you remember that kid at school who didn't have their homework and said he couldn't find it? I looked like that kid I'm sure, but once again, no worse than a suitcase on the street or a trunk, or wonky security run.So , to me: THIS WAS NICE!
When everything seemed packed and folded, I found a banner and hung that up with our first poster and stickers.Then the fans rolled in not a minute later....
that's it for part 2...
Try Hard, Never Settle, Stay Hungry -h_h-
Apr 6, 2014
So, yeah this is the story of a man named Larry.Who know that ...okay, okay that's lame, but let me tell you guys about Wizard World.
Basically, we've been off duty for a while and Wizard World decided to hit us up to rock out a booth at their first Sacramento event.
Truth be known, I don't know a lot about 'cons' as they call them and the only thing that was of note in my mind was A: all of my friends kept talking about it,and B: all of my friends kept talking about it AND mentioning the Green Ranger.
If you've looked around, you know darn well we're not going to miss an event with the Green Ranger.
I don't think we've ever went over what Morpholio is about, but the basis of the shirt is about going from nothing to something with a little help from your friends.
Power Rangers had a profound effect on not only my childhood, but the way I view life as a whole.You see, I didn't really find Power Rangers as interesting growing up until the addition of Tommy Oliver to the cast, the thing about him that stood out most was that he was kind of a bad guy initially,and he also could beat up the Power Rangers singlehandly without having to morph. Who the heck beats up not only one Power Ranger without morphing, but the whole crew? Between that and the bangin' ponytail, I knew that was my dude.
As memories serves me the Green Ranger had a point where he lost his powers and did the same routine of fighting to defend all of his friends while they in turn tried (in vain) to save his powers before or around the same time.
The one detail that stood out above the rest was that Tommy was a jack of all trades.Not only was this dude switching stances, beating up whoever he wanted,and defecting on a whim, but he was also shacking up with the Pink Ranger, this guy, I mean...wow.And you're wearing gold while stabbing people too?And the dagger's a flute that summons a Dragon that can fight on it's own or connect with the people he once beat up (if only..)?? No way to block that dopeness.
Nothing Was The Same
Now that we're off the imagery and "gold dusting".I'll tell you why I love Tommy Oliver, he hustled.He never really took no for answer and he didn't let the world hinder him, even when time weren't the best, he always gave his best.
I think about that with the brand.Try Hard,Never,Stay Hungry is very much in line and even inspired by that mentality.There are points where trouble can bring you to your knees, and you need to be ready for them,as they're inevitable.But like all bad times, these will cease and you might come out stronger than when you went in if you stay focused and keep pushing.
I had a point where I stopped and even when I tried to start back up, it was hard,the world didn't help and I always think about those moments where Tommy finally came back as the White Ranger, he was rewarded! Pure ivory vindication...and my sword is a talking cat with lasers he can use to either destroy you or make red dots on the wall to chase himself? Wow, that's even crazier. (PLUS I GET TO KEEP THE GOLD VEST...UNGHHHH!!!)
This thing would make even one of the Thundercats feel like a housecat
I'm nerding out trying to type all this, so consider that part 1.... for now let me leave you with this awesome picture...
So ridiculous, he can't even lose to himself.
Try Hard,Never Settle,Stay Hungry -h_h-
Apr 4, 2014
Was having a rough one. Thought this might cheer someone up.The little boy seems to have a better grasp on the world than a majority of its inhabitants.Happy Friday. -h_h-
-h_h-