Why? Man what those kids in Africa that have to walk an hour to get drinks out of a Malaria infested mud puddle don’t understand is that we Americans have to make the hard decisions; whether to snowboard at Mt Hood or South America, whether to skate the pool or the ledge or whether to surf Tahiti or Fiji. Man, they just don't know that we torture over such “hard” decisions. Seriously though, even the poor have it pretty good in America, even homeless can get water from a fountain in a park. Imagine, literally, having to walk miles to get water from a mud puddle. It changes everything; you cant go to school, many diseases are spread through water born illness and you life expectancy goes down to 39. Billabong, by working with Charity Water appreciates how good we do have it and last night tried to give something to the less fortunate. The 3rd annual Design for Humanity event raised money to help provide clean drinking water for those who do not have it. We are not just talking about throwing Arrowhead bottles from a plane either. Charity Water helps local people become self sufficient by teaching and helping them to drill wells for long term solutions. It is not a sexy charity but the basis of life is water and without it you really can not get anywhere in life. Billabong, Verizon and Samsung all contributed to the cause last night. What The event took place at the Avalon in Hollywood, CA. Basically for $40 anyone could buy a ticket and attend an art show, bikini/fashion show, with djs, celebs and a concert by Iglu & Hatley and Airborne Toxic Event. It actually was a super good time. The only regret was not getting a hotel room so I did not have to stay sober and drive 100 miles home after words, maybe next year. It really was fun enough to warrant getting loose and staying the night. There were tons of celebrities there. I am not to up on pop culture so look at the event websites to find out more. I just saw Dingo, Eddie Wall and John Stouffer from Fuel TV and that's enough for me. Lot's of beautiful people too Resources www.designforhumanity.com charitywater.org www.billabong.com

The event was sold out and people were lined up to get inside well before the doors opened at 8pm

Paparazzi and the red carpet

Dingo was definitely in the VIP line, not the general admission line

Art work by David Carson up for auction. David Carson on was one of the first art directors of Transworld Skateboarding and then went on to design fame. Like the kind of fame where my friend's wife has two books of his design work. An art show was on cue for the first part of the night with all proceeds going to Charity Water

Mr. Eddie Wall Packed house, everyone grooving to the dj just before the show starts

A few of the swimwear models

Some crazy ass designs

I dont know too much about swimwear fashion but they look nice too me The whole group for a final strut down the runway

A closer, final look at the latest in swimwear fashion

The first band up was called Iglu & Hartley. They looked like a bunch of rock and roll dudes from the 80's but they played more like European disco. At first I was thinking oh great more white rappers but they were fun

Iglu & Hartly taking euro disco to the next level. Is that Dave Hatchet singing on the right?

Next up were next alt rockers The Airborne Toxic Event

Lead singer, guitarist and really founder of The Airborne Toxic Event Mikel Jollett and bassist Noah Harmon

Lead guitarist and keyboardist Steven Chen

Anna Bulbrook and Noah Harmon jammin

Anna Bulbrook

The band and the crowd, feeling it

Across the street from the Avalon is the Capitol Records building

While in LA I stopped at Dyrdek’s. My friend wants tot help him set a world record, of course I got the brush off

Tony Alva's shop on Fairfax in Little Ethiopia