Up and at ‘em at 7:30 in the a.m. It was cloudy this morning, some sort of “ocean layer” haze or something. That burned off by noon, and it was 60 degrees, sunny and beautiful in Santa Cruz, Calif.

Down here while my partners work on Giro stuff. I’m just down to hang with Bob, Richter, Kevin, Casey, Eli and new buddy Chuck, who, can hump any desk corner, wall or shelf unit near him, at any time. Impressive skill.

One thing’s for sure: We’ve been eating real good the whole time we’ve been down here. French toast in Los Gatos on our trek over the mountains from San Jose, Italian grinders downtown at Zoccoli’s, islander fare at some Tiki-themed joint where everything tasted like a goddamn Pineapple, a nice avocado omelette at the Cliff Cafe with Richter and finally, a curry Thai dish for lunch.

“Dear Mom, Eating good in Santa Cruz. Having good time. Miss you real bad. Your son, -Aaron.”

We flew out of San Jose tonight, on back up to Portland. Had a window seat and looked down on San Francisco as we passed over it, the weed fields of coastal Northern California, those redwoods, Southern Oregon’s coastal range and up into Portland, my wet home on the West Coast.

Jess came along with Goo, David and I, so that was cool to have him on our team down here.

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STILL HIGH ON LEVERENZ’ COMIX STUFF SITE, I HAD TO WONDER: You know, I never sent away for any of those 100-piece soldier sets. How come?

Still don’t have the answer to that one, but did dig this up: Comic Book Toy Soldiers!

Check out the packaging on this one: 204 Revolutionary War Soldiers.

Classic “Comic Book Flats” and, no, it can’t be….CONVOY TERROR!!!!

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AN INCREDIBLE “HISTROY OF BRANDING” LINK FROM A GUY WHO MAKES MY FAVORITE KICKS: Unimark International.

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IT’S A BIG WORLD AND THERE’S A LOT TO SEE: Start with Racing Decals & Emblems from the revved-up Truck Type super site.

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JUST BECAUSE: Trucker slang.