It was shortly before the economic crises in Iceland and a pint of beer still cost a small fortune. I’m pretty sure the budget for the production crew and myself included either beer OR food, but no chance of both. Dane had just qualified for the tour, Dan had insomnia (and yet still one of my favorite travelers) and Tim was writing his 2nd album. In the last leg of the trip we ran the risk of going off a snowy mountain plunge with no chains or guard rails. Sometimes the harder you push yourself the greater the reward.

Castles in the Sky was suppose to be accompanied by 5 separate journals made by someone from our crew, from each destination. Dan and a few others took care of Iceland, Rob whipped up Peru, Dion's from Vietnam is a little archive of art, Nathan Myers collaged one up of Africa and I finished off with India. Though the original mockups sit in a box...collecting dust...maybe one day they will find a way to release the stories they hold forever etched in the Jetstream. In the meantime enjoy the Iceland chapter. And Happy New Year from PS.

iceland journal -Click prior to view full journal
Sketches by Dylan Raasch from Years Around the Sun | Photography by Various Contributors

Don’t forget to visit Tim Curran’s website for some great music, like this song Nordic written while we were on the icy road.

Thanks to Waves for this trip down memory lane and some funny and reflective quotes from my friends, Rob, Kelly, Pat, Ross and Shane. Hard to imagine it’s been 20 years as it seems like it was yesterday. Pretty grateful for the friendships, the music and the times. Still going through some never seen archived footage.

When my wife asks me to come along and shoot video while she shoots photography, well I’d be a fool to say no. Commissioned by Lovecat Magazine, a cool model fanzine based out of New York…

Ross, Shane, Machado, Conan, Benji, Kelly,Poston and Knox.

Click here for free streaming access to Campaign 2. All you have to do is subscribe. Thank you for the many years of support…there would be no such thing as this career and Poor Specimen if not for all the people out there who watch the films.

Also our classic movie pass allocates a percentage to the Surf Resource Network’s ‘Create Your Future’ International Photography program. In 2012, SRN will bring aspiring young photographers from Liberia, Sri Lanka and Peru to the US for their own photography exhibit. As we speak they are busy making their dreams come true thanks to the donations the program has received from all over.

Happy Holidays from our family to yours.

Earlier this year my wife joined forces with the savvy entrepreneur of thelane.com, Karissa Fanning, wife of Mick.  Together with Johnny Abegg they created a short film called L’Amant for The Lane’s Dream Wedding launch. Featuring the ambient and amazing song July that has received tremendous feedback.  YL is coming to Australia for two shows and you don’t want to miss this 22 year old multi instrumentalist Trevor Powers in action.  For tickets go here (Sydney show is selling fast) and for the FB event page check here.  Spin Magazine has named The Year of Hibernation one of the best albums of the year.

Congratulations to Byron Bay local and big wave charger Kieren Perrow for taking out the 2011 Pipeline Masters.

Check out his interview in Surfer Magazine online HERE

Photo:Todd Glaser

Todd Glaser (aka Seawolf) is a fine photographer.  Check out some of his shots from our recent surf trip from Tahiti to Alaska chasing the same swell.  For more check it out here.  Movie is coming out summer of 2012.

Here’s some  behind the scenes photos from our shoot taken by Megan Diciurcio. Fun crew on a one day shoot.  Model Julie Henderson and actor Ed Westwick were great to work with as well as my Director of Photography Todd Heater  (Castles DP and nearly every other side project, no matter where it is, the Wizard will appear ) With my Evil Twin, directing partner Todd Diciurcio, we have some other projects lined up for 2012 in NY.  Check out Todd’s art below in the mix, a visual artist documenting the live performances of bands such as Guided By Voices, Edward Sharpe, Kings of Leon and Broken Social Scene.  Thanks to all who made the day happen.

Featured exclusively on Interview mag online today.

Peanut Butter Lovesicle’s new video, “Black Eyed Blues,” falls somewhere in between Jimi Hendrix, the Allman Brothers, and the Black Keys—via Whitesnake. Electric-guitar and drum-led, with psychedelic writing on the drum-set, “Black Eyed Blues” features model Julie Henderson writhing in a very tight leopard print dress with very big hair (Cindy Crawford, we’ve found a job to ease your ’80s nostalgia!). Henderson is in a smoky Brooklyn basement, rather than on the hood of a white car, but the sex appeal commensurate to the ’80s video glamazon, harkening back to a time when women who are not Lara Stone were allowed to have breasts. Ed Westwick watches Henderson forlornly in a Village People-esque white leather cap (what would Chuck Bass say?!) before starting a bar fight with a smug, stripe-wearing hipster. The video is directed by duo Evil Twin, composed of artist Todd DiCiurcio and filmmaker Taylor Steele. “Black Eyed Blues” is the band’s first new single since their debut EP,Heavy Daze, Wildcat Craze, and live album The Raucous Kitten. Luckily for us, it will not be their last; the boys of PBL (brothers Jake and Mike D’Arc and cousin Timmy Miller) have a new album in the works set to drop in March 2012.