An Ode to a Visionary

As we all know, Dane is officially off the WCT. After releasing a statement two days ago, everyone has thrown there 2¢ in. So here i go.  Yes, I understand he is has never won any type of contest, ever.  I also understand that the stuff he designs for his sponsors are hideous and rarely sell. But whats his worth?  Is it worth having every cool guy in the water proclaiming his prophecy.  Is it worth having him not show up at your event because he is not feeling like surfing (a.k.a. his ribs hurt).  I say yes!  The ASP, like it or not, is really a one sided view of competition.  If it was really based on talent, we wouldn't see Adriano in the top ten.  When you put Einstein in a classroom, he was average at best.  Some people just need to chose there own channels of expression to reach their maximum talent potential.  I will not miss Dane on tour, simply for the fact that watching him on a mediocre web-cam for 30 minute heats every few months will not do justice to the amazing footage he will posting over the next five years.  As hard as the industry is trying to turn Surfing into the NFL 17 game schedule, we shouldn't forget that Surfing is a counterculture movement of expression, not a point scoring game. Cheers to Dane's successful future as progressive visionary.  I'm Tyler Brown "And that's what really grinds my gears". Read Dane's full statement HERE

P.S.- Is it just me or is Dane's chick the Yoko Ono of surfing hahaha. 
       

Building an "Empire"

Every few years or so, Hollywood will shine it's light on an Actor or Actress who really changes the game. Someone who seems to be underrated, while overshadowed by teen sensations (Beiber) and reality nobodies (Kim K).  These artists simply portray the epitome of acting.  When you see this person act, you become so entwined with their performance that you forget that person is following a script.  I'm talking Christian Bale- American Psycho, Kate Winslet- Eternal Sunshine, Heath Ledger- Batman, Leo in everything...  These performance set a presence for the career of this star.  Sad as it is, many of them don't make it as big as they should for lack of script choice (Emile Hirsch). Bringing me to my point,  Michael Pitt has set a huge presence in Hollywood over the past two years with his role in Boardwalk Empire.  One can't help but look past Steve Buscemi's stellar leading role performance to find Pitt's exquisite talent.  Mr. Darmody brought the rawness to the show.  He was powerful yet sympathetic, courageous yet so foolish; but overall he set the tone for an "Empire" of a TV series. HBO nailed it on the head for the cast selection, writers, and executive producers.  With the end of Pitt's role on Boardwalk Empire, we shall see if he can further translate his talent to the Big-screen in years to come.  I say further, simply for the fact that we have seen him in Dreamers and Last Days (in which he freakishly looks like Kurt Cobain).   I hope we see more of this guy!