"Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.."

these are the days of our lives....

So now then, since I have not updated since the end of the SIA show...I figure I'd make a mash-up out of this post and get you up to speed with what the NXTZ worker bees have been busy doing...then I will fill you in on what the Athletic Support Group has been up to as well...but I figured that you already know that the riders have been out getting it done...so..ha.

First up...SIA wrapped up nicely with an on-snow demo that took place at Winter Park, CO.  If you haven't heard already (then your living under a rock) it was cold as shit up in those hills.  Some of us lucky ones got out before hell froze over.  I do have reports saying it was -22 degrees the next day, and that my friends, it just too butt ass cold for anyone to be doing anything....but the show went on.  Flow had the set-up rolling and all kinds of shred heads were busy trying out the new goods Flow has to offer (as well as every other snow and ski company you can think of.)  It was a great time for sure....

I do have to say that Kevin Addy (NXTZ / FLOW National Sales Manger) can still hold his own and in fact, since we had a little side bet of who would win at a chinese downhill I'd have to say my man Mr. Addy just may have taken the gold right out from under my nose.....

All while the industry was busy selling things to people who buy things a little event was going on in Aspen....the X-Games.  A little birdie sent me a few pics of this event and to my surprise I have for you a glimpse of a few very special NXTZ items that I made for our friends at Nike 6.0 and Frends....yup...take a look right here......

Luke Mitrani- Frends x NXTZ

Halldor- Nike 6.0 x NXTZ

Ross "the Boss" Powers- Stratton Mt. School (SMS) x NXTZ

So their you have it folks, tried and true, made in the USA, NXTZ making it happen.

Munich Germany was next on the list (as posted earlier) and boy oh boy was that an interesting event/show.  Here is a re-cap for you...

early mornings
late nights
lots of beer
Skullcandy party was off the hook
insane Italian food
more beer
more late nights
old friends and old stories
new friends and new stories
oh ya..and more beer

Germany could very well be in the lead as the creators of the worlds best beer...this is a pretty big statement and I will go head to head with anyone who would like to challenge this statement...here, in fact is one of the best you can get (in my book, and my book runs deep)

the other one to try if you get a chance is Tegernsee Hell......

Here is what NXTZ looks like in Germany...

ok then....a quick flight back to the states (quick only because I slept for all 10 hours of it!) laundry done, kids and wife kissed and off to Japan.

The Interstyle show in Yokahoma Japan is a great little show with all the players partaking.  Here is a run-down of what goes down in Japan...

trains and more trains
small rooms that smell of cigs (but you can't smoke anywhere, but inside)
technically advanced Japan doesn't have wifi use available anywhere when I needed it
great food
great beer
bad whisky
karaoke (I think??)
early mornings or long nights, however you want to look at it?
fashion trends or fashion failure, again, however you want to look at it...but I see it as way advanced!
super crowded everywhere and anywhere
heated toilet seats everywhere
laser guided bidets that never miss the target
lots of snow
and of course---sake and fish to top it off.

Good Morning Japan-

I bought this as a joke for the boss man...and we ended up liking it!!

I also saw some of this....gotta love a good cartoon!

my longest standing Japanese friend UG!!! This man has been to hell and back with me (and the Ride crew) during many Japan visits...not this time though..he did manage to hand off 2 ice cold Kirin at 9:30 am though!!  HA

Here is a funny one...do you know Kicker Fucker Chicken?...now you do.  This cat runs it and he also has one of the greatest shops going in Japan.  Talk about bringing newness to snowboarding...he does it via his shop and introducing kids to the sport and he also does it with his fashion....please meet Toshiki!!!!

and one more....these 2 cats work at Shriro Group Japan and they are the real deal.  Old school riders who have roots as deep as any!! Big up Boys!!!

oh..I can't forget my boy Goro either!  This guy was just a kid with amazing style back in the 90's when I first started visiting Japan.  He is one hell of a guy and runs a small company called REPLANT in Japan.  Good peeps doing good things right here!

If you do happen to get the chance to head to Japan, take it.  It will open your eyes to things and ways that I am sure you have not seen or tried.  A super culture that is driven by manners and respect!! Arigato Gozaimasu Japan and Shriro Group Japan for a great trip filled with great memories and more stories to add to the book.


Onto what we do best...making shit.  NXTZ has had a great response to the line set forth and we intend to complete this with even "more better" goods for SP/SM 2012!!  Hold on to your horses folks....we're coming in hot!


-Dale