East Coast: Not Casual

As a recent transplant to New York, I have the advantage of the outsider's keen eye, like Alexis de Tocqueville -- the frog who documented our great nation in his famous book America Is Rad.

Which brings me to my first observation of un-casual life: waiting in really long lines for food. This is something we don't do on the fairer coast -- not since the Depression, anyway. The only LA exception that comes to mind is Pink's, which any native knows is pure garbage.

Yet in my five days here, I've waited longer to patronize food establishments than in all my time on the West Coast, in lines often more crowded and uncivilized than a Chinese DMV.

Eating must be casual. After a few hours of reclining, you feel hungry, amble over to your favorite eatery, order, and savor your fare -- all without breaking a sweat. The moment you have to scheme and struggle for a meal, you regress to the life of a hunter-gatherer. A life that has nothing to do with leisure.

I'll be here to remind everyone of all the ways the east coast remains the quintessential enemy of the casual lifestyle.

Donkey + Dinghy

That title sounds like it should be dirty (and though I don't think that's really a dinghy, whatever).

In any case, while Lambo is off zooming about in his mega yacht, we recognize there are other Casual means of traversing bodies of water.

via Shawn Stussy's blog (a rather focused compendium of Casual)

How I Spent My Labor Day Weekend...

Live from the WCCC base station........

Casual K-9: Tank Top Dog...

Yes, a dog that eats avocados ranks high on the casual meter. Rad Surf Dog, well his name speaks for itself. But an often forgotten, yet extremely casual creature is the Tank Top Dog. Tank Top Dog is too professional to simply roam in the nude, yet far too casual to worry about dog sleeves. Sexy Female Lingerie Dog loves Tank Top Dog. Tank Top Dog is buff, furry, and loves sports. Now if Tank Top Dog surfs while eating avocados...and is rad...then Tank Top Dog is a legend of leisure...All hail Tank Top Dog. Stay Casul my furry friends...

The Early Rise: Controversially Casual?

Trust me, it's a sunrise.


For many, waking up early when it is not required embodies the utmost in un-casualness.

As I write this on a Saturday morning around 6:30am, I must respectfully disagree.

Time moves a bit differently when you start your day in the early hours; your part of the world in itself is trying to wake up and is in no particular rush, so just link up with it and get up together.

Surely, if one has been out enjoying the recreational activities available during the late night, the early rise may not be the best fit. The early rise is not for everyone and 'early,' like everything potentially casual, is subjective: there are no rules. My own personal workweek wake up time is now 4:30, so a weekend 6:30 rise qualifies both as sleeping in and a rather early rise: thoroughly enjoyable.

Without resorting to lowest common denominator nostalgia arguments, I'll close with the fact that the morning is the coolest part of the day. Like a beverage that has been left in the refrigerator for consumption at its coolest, the morning can be the best time to enjoy the outdoors, particularly in the often hellish climes of summer in Los Angeles.

Casual Champ: Rad Surf Dog...

Dogs eating avocados are casual. But not as casual as this pup. Nothing like pooping on the beach before "hanging ten" with friends. After a long day of carving up foam, Rad Surf Dog cracks open a Corona and grubs on some casual cat burgers. Bless you Rad Surf Dog...Bless your furry surfing soul.

Essential Accesories: Umbrellas

As far as accessories go, The Umbrella is essential to the casual lifestyle. Why seek shelter when you can carry it with you. Hot summer days? Whats better than a personal shading device? The umbrella is ready for any occasion, rain or shine. It doesn't check the weather before leaving the house because it's always prepared to provide you a leisurely environment with minimal effort. Efficiency my friends. Doing what you want, when you want with your retractable companion. Walking, Lounging, and Flying from roof tops: 3 activities that will take you to the top the casual ladder with the help of a trusty umbrella. It was made for this. Contrary to popular belief, umbrellas work wonders indoors. You never know when bright lights and fire sprinklers will try to ruin your naps. Not anymore. Versatility that folds. The umbrella will bend to your casual will. Get em while you can, these things are literally floating off the shelves.

If your umbrella happens to be disguised as a cat, even better.