Hello folks, welcome both to the Backroads and to 2010. I am to assume I am most likely the last person to welcome you to the new year, but I would like to get me greeting in all the same. The holiday was busy for me, as I am sure it was for all of you, but I am happy to be back on the Backroads, and ready to examine this fine country in all its tourist trapped, odd attractioned splendor (yes I did in fact invent a word there).
I find that I do take a bit of flak for loving the consumer driven, tourist trapped part of this fine country. Many feel it may not be genuine, I have had more than one conversation of “Do you really like that...or is it just filler for a week of your blog?”. In nearly every case, not only do I like the things I write about, I have been to the places, and own the items. However I believe that in order to love the things that I do, you have to look at the world a bit differently. It is very easy to see some of the souvenirs that I have, quickly note they are cheap, and useless and move on, figuring they are not worth ones time. Very few have any real purpose but to sit on my “adventure shelf” and remind me of my past. In my eyes that's all they have to do, I feel these items are worth ones time, if all they do is remind you of the good times, or allow a friend to let you know that even on vacation, they still care about you. However I do certainly see the negative aspects some see to this little passion of mine. In many cases, these places and these items just try too hard.
Throughout the majority of my youth, and all the way up until college I hated things that tried too hard. The world was full of screaming morons demanding attention. Bands devoid of substance and reality shows that lacked any talent whatsoever. Heck even game shows (another personal love of mine) required in most cases that you KNOW SOMETHING. Survivor never really required that level of knowledge, of anything, at all. However much like Cold War era folks I did “Learn to stop worrying” and really take a look at life in what I feel is a very different way.
We live in a country where you can in fact try too hard, and find success. I think over the years I have learned to really love that about this country. If you have a catchy tune, and just keep playing it, you will eventually stumble into the spotlight. As an example I present Neil Young covering “Pants on the Ground”. This does not always bring us high art. It is not always the best system to produce the most thought provoking literature. It is not a great way to find low fat food made with fresh local ingredients, but it is as American as McDonalds, Biz Markie and the SUV. There is a certain ascetic here in the good ol' U S of A that embraces this stuff, and I for one am willing to stand up and say “At the end of the day, I like that about us”. Like any good American I started that sentence with a preposition.
It is with this eye that I bring you this weeks item, or items as it were. The Ron Jon Surf Shop Stickers. The Ron Jon surf shop was started on the Jersey Shore in 1959. After founder Ron DiMenna found himself obsessed with surfing on fiberglass boards. After wanting to buy a custom board from California Ron's Father offered this advice “Buy three, sell two at a profit then yours will be free.” This is how the Ron Jon Surf Shop started. What can be more American, buy something you want, charge your friends one and a half times what you paid, and then yours can be free. This is the same general thinking that has made the logo a legit worldwide brand, including tons of surf shops, a grill, and a surf school. At least they stayed out of the high powered world of video games.
The back of the sticker actually says “”CONGRATULATIONS! You are now the proud owner of a Ron Jon Sticker.” Like you just won a new bike out of a cereal box. There is something about this bold statement I like. As a big fan of souvenirs rarely, if ever, do they congratulate me for picking them up.
It is for this reason that I am making the Ron Jon stickers this week items in the Great US Scavenger Hunt. There are 8 official stores in the US, and tons of licensed locations that are not surf shops, and I say if you can, pick up a sticker or two. I would say the two to shoot for are Cocoa Beach , FL “One of a kind” and New Jersey “The Original” they seem to be the major two. I can certainly say I feel Cocoa Beach is such a landmark that I did not know that New Jersey was where the company started. I can also say, this was given to me as a gift from a friends trip to Florida recently, and I feel this sticker alone, makes me want to stop in an see what the fuss is about. I certainly plan to start a small collection of Ron Jon stickers and if nothing else, give myself a cooler that tries too hard, but in a good way.
Remember if you have any questions or comments feel free to contact me either at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on Facebook. Also remember we are currently making sticker of our own, if you want any of them feel free to look back at the old blog that talked about it, or contact me and I will be glad to get one to you. Once again, thanks for reading! Tell your friends! Join the Facebook Group!
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