Before my camera got stole up I was taking a lot of photos of girls.  I even have a little Tumblr site called Nicholas Gazin’s Photos of Girls.  Recently mu obsession with photographic girls lead me to directing and editing a little commercial (shot by Chris Person) for a used clothing store in Manhattan called Metropolis (43 3rd Avenue).  That’s the commercial up above.  The song in it is “S & M Party” by Red Cross who later became better known as Redd Kross. But now I digress…

I’ve been taking photos for a while now. But I especially like to take to photos of girls. Being a man of nerdy interests I’ve hung out with a lot of people who claimed to not understand women,  or who wanted to tell me the differences between men and women as they understood them.

The straight men and gay women I’ve known who tend to claim they don’t understand women, I’ve come to find just really don’t understand people in general. They only notice their social failings with women because they want to fuck them and dominate their time/mind/lives in some way that they don’t want to with dudes.

It’s hard to say how capable people are of understanding what others feel.  Infants have no ability to feel empathy. At some point their brains develop enough that they can.  Do people gain the ability to feel empathy or are we just trained into not hitting other people because we’re afraid of getting punished?

I’ll only ever see things from behind my eyes and no one else will ever see exactly what I see. No one can eject the little Luke Skywalker action figure that is my consciousness from the X-Wing toy that is my body, and put another in it.  Sometimes it seems like all that exists is Me and Everything Else.

For me, taking photos of girls is a way of examining the things in the world that aren’t me in a way that’s entertaining and palatable to viewers. I’m not a girl and I’ll never be a girl so they represent other people for me. People like to look at pictures of girls. Girls like looking at girls, men like looking at girls and  like photographing girls.

Hayao Miyazaki had a tendency towards using little girls as protaganists in his movies. Girls can be strong and proactive but they can also cry and be vulnerable without the audience thinking that they’re wimps.

Taking photos is a fun way to interact with people and their reaction to the presence of a camera can be bery revealing.  I used to know a girl who would almost always open her mouth and put her hand on her neck whenever she saw a camera… like before it even got into photo taking range. Some girls get really upest and hate having their photos taken…I don’t really understand how that works in their minds? Maybe if I keep doing this I will someday.

I’ve run out of things to say about girls, but here are more pictures I took of girls.

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I really like Michael Cera (as do, no shit, a lot of people). But he unfortunately has had this habit of making some really terrible movies. For every Superbad, there’s three or four Year Ones. And just when you think “Well,  I guess it’s just gonna be crap like this from here on out for him” he’ll exercise some good judgment and do a movie like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. And like I said, I really like Michael Cera so if he can slip in a movie like this every few years amongst a bunch of crap, I can deal.

I’ve never read the Scott Pilgrim comics by Bryan Lee O’Malley but having read and liked enough Clowes, Tomine and Blue Monday comics I get the sense that this was probably as faithful as it could have been in recreating that unique mix of comic romance, idealism and malaise. Scott Pilgrim vs The World, directed by Edgar Write (Shawn of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) isn’t groundbreaking or monumental but it is really clever, cute, funny and most of all the sort of entertaining film that’s become synonymous with Write’s name and style. And in the end, what else could you ask for?

The story is pretty identifiable with and well, very “Emo.” Scott Pilgrim has seemingly spent his life getting his heart broken from one girl to the next, completely oblivious to the hearts he’s shattered along the way. While in one of his “woe is me” rebounds Scott find her, the girl of his dreams (literally) in the new girl in town, Ramona Flowers. He has to have her and will go to whatever lengths it takes to make her his. Those lengths of course include fight and defeating her seven dead exes (read: his and her emotional baggage). Those exes consist of five ex-boyfriends, a set of twins and of course and old lesbian flame… Ramona has a blue or pink bob, so duh! She’s obviously been bi-curious at some point.

Over the course of the film were treated to something that expertly switches from teen romance comedy to action flick without skipping a beat. The action sequences are really fun and well done, playing homage to everything from Street Fighter, Guitar Hero and DDR. And while it may get pretty corny and predictable at times, it does so while being acutely self aware of that fact… which in turn makes the film quite as funny and enjoyable as it is.

Cera has played a variation of the same character since Arrested Development and here is no different except in “that character” is written so perfectly to his abilities and personality. Cera’s alternadude quasi-cool nerd charm will hit all the right notes for those people who see a tiny (or large) bit of themselves in him. This is as close as he’s ever gotten to 80′s era John Cusack, John Hughes level of  both likability, charm and vulnerability.

While Cera is good as Scott Pilgrim, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona Flowers is that much better. I can’t speak for girls, but coming from a guys who pined for girls EXACTLY like Ramona, Winstead was so spot on in her portrayal that it was almost painful to watch at times. The too cool for you chic, the little headgames, the witty retorts… she was the complete package with manic panic hair to boot! It was the same painful and enjoyable rush as flipping through your High School yearbook.

And as good as those respective stars of this film are, what makes Scott Pilgrim so much fun are some of the supporting cast. Allison Pill as the drummer and Scott’s ex-highschool flame in his band Sex Bob-omb; Mae Whitman as the evil lesbian ex, Roxy Richter and of course Jason Schwartzman as the ultimate evil ex/record exec Gideon Gordon Graves. They were all great but it’s two in particular who really stole the show for me…

First is, Keiren Culkin in a much welcome return to making movies as Wallace Wells, Scott’s sarcastic gay roomate/bestfriend. Culkin is superb and hopefully this leads to him picking things back up where his career left them (The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys and Igby Goes Down) before he decided to go to college. Secondly was Brandon Routh, who most people will probably recognize as Superman from Bryan Singer’s snoozefest Superman Returns. This is now the second time I’ve seen Routh pick up a small supporting role and be great at it (he played Justin Long’s Boyfriend and Elizabeth Bank’s high school crush in Zack & Miri Make a Porno). Routh plays evil ex #3 who is currently the bass player/boyfriend to Scott Pilgrim’s own evil ex in her Paramore-esque band, The Clash at Demonhead (yet another video game reference). Evil ex #3, Todd Ingrim is basically an evil vegan Superman and the ensuing battle between him and Cera is one of the movie’s best and funniest sequences.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is the sort of teen movie that works across generations. I can just as easily see thirtysomethings enjoying it as did most of the fifteen year olds in attendance while I watched. It’s the perfect storm of themes that may either be ringing true now, or those you have nostalgic fondness for. There is no specific time for when the film seems to take place, but the style, hair and music is oh soooooo very late 90 which in no small part helped endear it to someone around my age.

I haven’t felt as satisfied by a movie who’s sole intention was to be entertaining since, Zombieland. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is very much in that same vein of action comedy that is cute, smart and ultimately endearing in the same way John Hughes films were. It’s totally worth the $7-$14 (depending on where you live) admission price to see.

Hopefully none of you are strangers to the face of our sweet, sweet Toilet Cobra. Who among us doesn’t recognize that trademark Rollie Fingers style moustache that he’s been sporting for a number of years now. Well my friends I came upon the Toilet Cobra’s facebook and was shocked to discover these photos.. It is with great sadness I must inform you that his majestic moustache is no more.

Like Samson, is that where he drew his power from? Can TC still wield his hipster powers and his Creepy Touch as skillfully without that trademark mustache? I guess we will all soon find out. One thing is for certain, I bet some hipster harlot put him up to doing this!

P.S. Nick you look good with just a normal mustache (third picture down).

Finally a special event where we can all interact as the extended family that we are. Thanks to Rugged Sole, one of our premium Manhattan accounts, and Toms Shoes, you will be able to personalize your own pair of Toms Shoes!

To help you out, renowned Мишка illustrators Lamour Supreme, Dennis Chow (Glamnation) and Twerps! (Мишка co-owner, Greg Rivera) will be showing you the tricks of the trade. Hell, maybe your design will even catch the eye of Toms and one day, who knows… be added it to its variety of styles?

Wednesday June 30th, 7-9pm
Rugged Sole
360 6th Avenue
New York, NY
RSVP at ruggedsole360@gmail.com

Just in time for game 7 of the NBA finals comes this new video from Diamond Rings. Some highlights include, DR running his game on the court, prancing about the locker room, and a surprising (albeit small cameo) from our bare chested pal from Fucked Up, Damian Abraham riding the bench.

I honestly have now clue if I love or loathe this video, but I know it will be making the rounds shortly to a bunch of “Goddamn it!, I fucking hate hipsters!” comments.

P.S. Buy this, modeled by our own Hipster and B-Ball enthusiast, Shark.

Today marks the day of your final journey home, and what better way to travel than in a new Lexus Hybrid CT 200h? For the next 4 months you can be privy to a project called “Dark Ride” which brings together brands from various walks of life to create an elite club which you’ll be a member of.

Imagine a Wonka-esque golden ticket. Now shut the lights. What you have in your hands is a Dark Ride card which allows you entry to a V.I.P. world where you will be entitled to all sorts of discounts and gifts. If you are the lucky recipient of one of the cards, you can discover Lexus’ dark and interactive world at the Darker Side of Green website.

Our 350 Broadway shop in Brooklyn, our Echo Park shop in Los Angeles and our Online Shop will all be a part of the project. Who knows? you might find a surprise along side your next purchase that will allow you special entrance into our epically sinister  little world. But first things first, and right now…you need to get in the car.

I know there’s at least a couple bike people on the Bloglin so I thought I would share my most recent build. I treated myself to a new frame and fork a couple weeks ago that’s finally ready for the road and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

I had my eye on the Ridley Oval since last fall but I gave up on the idea when I found out that the Canadian distributor wasn’t going to stock them this year. Much to my luck a few random Oval frames found their way to Canadian warehouse just in time for a new Spring build.

By no means were the last couple frames I was riding loose but they were nothing in comparison to the Oval’s geometry. No turning required with this bike, but rather a lot of lean. A whole lot of lean in this cup. The toe overlap is definitely providing a learning curve.

Anyone else out there with any Spring builds they want to share in the comments? Anything! Fly whips, scrapers, hooptys, whatever!

Those of you not in Los Angeles this Saturday at the big Мишка Grand Opening Night party, don’t feel too bummed. I’m not going either, but I do have some good things happening in and around Williamsburg that you all should come out to.

This clothing store, Metropolis, is having a 20th Anniversary party that goes all day. It starts at the store on 3nd Avenue and continues at Don Pedro’s. There are DJs, bands, a sale, food, prizes and that’s it. They’re giving away a silkscreen poster signed by Iggy Pop, old rock shirts and issues of Punk and Creem Magazine. Put on your pointiest Beatle boots and and wince on down to the first or second part of this. Also, I drew the poster for this thing.

Saturday February 20th, 8pm
Don Pedro
90 Manhattan Ave
Brooklyn, NY
$7 Cover

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Later, Soul Clap is happening at Glasslands. Lots of fly honeys will be there. Jonathan Toubin DJs good stuff. Plus there’s a dance contest and if you win you get a hundred bucks. I am one of the judges at this thing. Check out this Мишка blog post I put up about a past Soul Clap.  Check out the Facebook Event page for more specific details.

Saturday February 20th, Midnight
Glasslands
289 Kent Ave. (btwn S.1st and S.2nd)
Brooklyn, NY
$5 Cover

Мишка faves, Das Racist just did a session over at  Street Carnage Radio. It’s full of weed smoke, inside jokes, YouTube surfing and some chillwave. Also in case you haven’t, check out Victor’s other band Boy Crisis.

So, once again, that is:

HAM
STEAK
Bumfucked Hillbilly
Backwoods Gear
By
Yellow Corn

That’s no t-shirt, friend. A bona-fide leather. Just out of frame to the left are Donald Duck and Chip ‘n’ Dale doing some Miami Sound Machine shit with a woman dressed as a slightly dubious chinese prostitute.

Oh, yeah. I guess I should mention, I snapped this doozy while at Tokyo Disneyland last week. It was epic. Did you know that “Light Speeeeeed!” in Japanese is “Light-o Speeeeeeeeeeeed!!!!!”? Well, it is. Again: epic.

Got some more street art photos to share, as well as—hopefully—a rundown of awesome loot I tracked down while there. Until then, hang your head in shame because your leather jacket doesn’t make enough of a statement.