This is Jim Bailey

Jim used to make water housings for
Jacques Cousteau. He’s worked on
major films as an engineer for cameramen.
His first water housing he ever invented
became the industry standard for years.

He’s almost completely deaf, 83 years old,
and spry as a young man.

He still makes custom water housings
out of his garage in Winter Haven.

wow…..living the good life

Not that I ever thought he wouldn’t be, but now it is confirmed that he can still make you feel like a kid again. I was over at his house yesterday morning to shoot the Hyperlite guys for ’09 Catalog. The weather was weird. It was sunny, windy and rainy all at once. But, regardless, we made the most out it. Murray stated as we watched the sunrise…”This is going to be the most productive photo shoot ever.” Indeed it was. Murray is just a fun person to be around. He likes to turn the business down and the fun meter up. Here are few shots from our morning. I did some ride along shots and even gave him the camera for a few.

Oh….and to all you photo dudes that might try and take my idea of riding a wake surfer while shooting….BACK OFF. Ha. just kidding. But I have heard stories of people being extra protective over the secrecy of their shooting vessels. Don’t worry, I will never put on a pair of waterskis….ever.

I watched this movie last night. It was inspiring. It made me want to travel, explore and discover things. I am going to Nicaragua next week for a surf trip with a great friend. Maybe we just might find ourselves….

if so… send your photos to ihavefun@joshletchworth.com

here are a few submissions so far. dude, like, there’s a poster set on the line here.. send us yo shots..

here are some we like so far.. let the judging begin.

and last, but definitely not least!

remember, photos from camera phones only!

She was gone for awhile, but she had some life pumped into her this morning. The Compound is just my backyard and we named it that because….we couldn’t come up with any other creative name. Nothing special, just a nice lake with no one on it and Mr. Ben Horan’s Sea Doo resting on the bank.
Well, today…yes today she rose from the dead. Aaron Reed, Danny Hampson, Brett Little and Keith the filmer guy came over to dance on the glass. Oh and glassy it ’twas indeed.
Sorry if there are so many posts about Reed and Danny. They are good people….and good people show up in my life. And when good people show up in my life….they show up in my blog.

The band is back together and it feels so good. Thanks guys….

So we went down to the Red Sox game in Tampa last night. Myself, Benjamin (you have to say it real snotty) Kurt and Carla. We had a great time until they lost. Well, we still had fun when they lost, but all the cowbells from the fans was definitely annoying.

Going back tonight for redemption. If the Sox when….and they will….we will be tied with the Rays for the division. See ya in the ALCS Tampa.

Wow…..where do I begin? There’s so much information that we could make a NEWSLETTER.

So, the sets have been wheeled away, the lights shut off and the trash taken out. All that remains on the surf expo floors are beer-stained flyers of unattended parties and a few old souls that were traded for a tasteless slice of stardom. You’d be surprised at what people lose.
Ok, lets lighten up a bit now. Expo is always a good time. Coming face to face with the industry that makes our world go round is nice to do once a year. It marks the beginning of another season. Out with the old and in with the new. Now all those photos on old boards are useless. Ha. I am just going to jump into a highlights list from the weekend. I think that will work best.

HIGHLIGHTS:
-Getting in without having to pay some sort of Surf Expo Fee
-The Standerd Photo Booth. Yes…everyone secretly loves having their picture taken.
-All the free beer.
-Company booth. Justin Stephen’s is a BA. Very proud of him.
-Talking to Conrad and realizing how much Gregg is becoming him.
-Sitting in oN the Oakley product preview with Matty Swanson. That dude is good.
-Staying on the same floor as Reed and Jami Lane at the Peabody.
-Sitting at an amazing table during the WBM Wake Awards. Allow me to name drop: My wife, my sister wife/best friend Kristie, Aaron Reed, Jami Lane, Danny Hampson, Ben Horan and his girlfriend Jessica. Thomas was suppose to be there, but……
-WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR when i did not expect it. Kevco had some really nice things to say about me. Thanks.
-Watching Danny win right after me for Best Video part and give a very moving and emotional acceptance speech.
-Witnessing much love for one another at our table afterwards.
-Hearing Matty Swanson say “Thank you….good night!” at the end of his acceptance speech for Push Process.
-Danny Harf’s 1260. Come on man. That was f—– ridiculous.
-Drinking too much Sake at our sushi dinner.
-Tracking Hurricane Reed as it approached central Florida and then carried away by a stalling cold front. Lives were spared and the party stayed alive.
-Showing my uncle Bill around expo for the first time. The sights can be overwhelming. Lets just say that.
-Hearing TJ remind me that WBM “honored me last night”.

Well that about does it. I am sure there were more, but thats all this Monday will allow me to recall.

Enjoy some pictures to go with the words….

I knowa lot of people have ’em. Here we go. The big show. Thats just what it is….a big show. Wheel out the props and tape on your smiles.

In other news today: THE FAINT IS COMING TO ORLANDO. WHO LIKES TO DANCE?

Random photo of the day:
(This is danny performing “wake scene butterflies” in front of a sold out audience)

Matty Swanson c/o Oakley did.

We’re all looking forward to hearing what Matty has up his sleeve this year. Its Dan and I’s favorite part. In case you didn’t know, Matty IS sports marketing. In fact, i think he coined the term. His words are eloquent, his product knowledge is uncanny and his brand pride runs deeper than the Abyss. And….the last I checked….there is no bottom to an Abyss.

See ya there Matty. Tune up your vocal chords and warm your knuckles up for the bros.