Fire, Fire

It's Sat morning and I am up and alert early. I just finished watching the new Zero video "Strange World". Pretty typical Zero production, lots of big rails, gaps and single shots. Not really my cup of tea as far as skating is concerned but I have to respect the gnar factor.

Yesterday I watched the 1st of the Slap Pals questions with Ricky Oyola. His answers are a true reflection of who he is as a person. No fakin here. No holding back and no side stepping. He was "the" skater I looked up to as a kid and still do to this day. I remember being at Sub Zero getting some shoes and was about to skate the 15 or so blocks to LOVE. Rick comes in says what's up to everybody in the shop, asks if I am heading to LOVE and to come skate the "route' with him. To this day it was the most amazing thing I have seen in person (although watching Chris Senn bomb Delores St in SF from the top and ollieing through the intersections was insane). He was going Mach 11 doing kick flips in traffic, ollieing double man hole covers in intersections, switch flips, and this was the warm up on the way to LOVE. Needless to say I was about a block behind the whole way just pushing to keep up, ollieing the occasional curb, manhole spot. What did that have to with watching Strange World you ask...not much.

Tonite Sandra and I are going to the Improv in Hollwood for some comedy. She got the tickets for my birthday. We both the love the Improv and stand up. Should be a great time.

Fire, Fire

Fire, Fire

Well it's been quite some time since the last time I updated this here site. As it stands not really a whole lot has happened since the last update. I finished another class and started Life Drawing. 1 class in so far. It is interesting to sit and draw a body for 5 hours at a crack. Luckily for me the instructor is super cool. He plays music and we pretty much sit around and draw.
As for the elephant still in the room...I still have no job. But I did win a battle with EDD to continue my unemployment benefits. Fuckers.

I have been sick for almost a week and a half now and am starting to get real annoyed. It is the sort of sinus infuction that lingers for days. Can only do the bare minimum of anything before I get tired. Plus the amazing the substances that creep out of me after another TB coughing fit. But on the plus side I get to walk around in a Tylenol Sinus/Dayquil haze...always a bonus.

Before I got sick I had been riding my bike a ton. Can't wait to get back on. Even thinking about picking up the board again...I always seem to be saying that but then shine it at the last minute. I think mostly due to not having a partner in crime anymore. No fun to always skate by yourself.

So here we are.

Let's end this with a few things I am feeling and some shit I ain't feeling

Shit I'm feeling

Jamie T- Sticks and Stones - so sick!
Riding my bike - when healthy of course.
All the graff I have been seeing lately.
The Philadelphia Eagles!


Shit I ain't feeling
Christmas music
Rent
Charter Communications - WORST cable company ever.
Being sick

Hopefully I can continue to update this a bit more frequently.

See ya later.

Big time news!

Well first off I have some big time news to announce. Sandra and I have decided to move to Philly next year when I am finished with school. This is big news as I am heading back to the city that shaped me and Sandra is moving to not only a new city but also all the across the country and away from her mom. I have moved like this before when I went to SF for school but this is slightly different as we need to have jobs and an apartment before heading out. When I went to SF all I had were the dorms. We all know how that turned...poorly.

I have been slacking super hard on this blog and intend to get back on it now that we have made this decision. Lately I have been getting back into skating again. I know that's all I write about pretty much but if you skate you know what it's like. I went out on Sun for awhile to push and see what kind of legs I still had. It was fun as always but slightly boring since I was by myself. Flatground can be really fun when you are playing skate with friends but by yourself it can be a bit tedious. May have to actually venture out and talk to people in order to have people to skate with. I am trying to be more friendly.

I am now into my 1st module of Illustrator in school and completed my 1st project last night. I designed 4 separate hangtags. They came out ok, not perfect but I am still learning. During the crit I was nervous but somehow I made it through relatively unscathed.

I ordered the video below a few weeks back. Definitely worth the wait. London has a really fresh scene. Rugged skaters, even ruggeder spots. Watch and enjoy. Then go skate some fucked up spots.

Hold Tight London
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArKp8cL_RLY

PJ

Wow.
That's all I can really say. That and check the last trick.


PJ Ladd Battle Commander

http://www.theberrics.com/dailyopspost.php?postid=1273

Slippin into the couch

Been slippin' on this for a minute.
School has been busy. I finished color theory and now am onto typography. I finished my 1st project and have begun the process of comping fonts. Basically freehand drawing the specific fonts only using the pica scale for measurement. Challenging to say the least.

Not much skating has been going down but I have been out riding my bike a few times. Actually just got back from a quick ride downtown and back up the beach path. On my way past downtown I stopped off at LB Fixed Gear to check out some bullhorn bars. Too pricey. Anybody have some 36cm bullhorns they want to part with cheaply? Or some old drops that I can chop? Little help people, c'mon.

Below are some of the finished projects from my color theory class plus the 1st project from typography. Any comments or criticism welcome.

Sin piece is colored pencil on paper. Drawn from picture Sandra took in the Neon graveyard in Vegas.


Needle is also from color theory. It is radiograph pen on paper. This was my favorite piece I made in the class.


Bounce - 1st project from type. Descriptive text. Pencil and pen on paper.




Enjoy this video from Ill Bill.

My Uncle - Ill Bill

Colors

Today I started my final project for color theory. We are designing skate deck graphics! I already came up with a name for my company, PLAY and have begun designing the graphics. This is right in my wheelhouse (right Sandra!). I have a bazillion ideas flying around the space between my ears. Once the designs are finished up and ready to submit for review I will post some. Even when I was younger I always loved really basic stylized board graphics and I plan on using that style through my line. Today was spent working on logo decks. So far I have 4 or 5 that look pretty good. Wish I some extra cash so I could actually produce a few of these. One day maybe...

On another not Sandra and I got some screen printing supplies and are going to start making shirts and prints at home. Look for some PLAY designs in the near future.

No youtube clips for you today. Just get out and enjoy the summer. I'm going for a bike ride.

Stick em up

Put em up, slap em up, post em up! However you want but just get em up.

See link below for examples.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/phillystreetart/pool/

That's wassup

Some additions to my list of shit I'm feeling from the other day.

La Coka Nostra - A Brand You Can Trust - bang this in the car and watch as people roll up their windows
Color Theory class - Anders!
My Ipod Touch - hell yeah!
Jamie T - to the horror of my wife...
Mixing inks - trying not to make a mess
Also Known As Vol.1 - amazing layout, amazing.
Peel - The Art of the sticker
Mac Dre/Andre Nickatina EP - see below
Going Postal - Martha Cooper's (of Subway Art fame) new book of postal graff. Super dope!


Shit I ain't feeling;

Being broke.
Driving.
Charter Communications - worst cable ever
Did I say being broke...
Mustaches
Tight pants that sag - worn by dudes. Some shit is just dumb.
My cellphone is dying and I'm broke. Did I mention that yet??
No A/C.


This list could be endless as I am known to be somewhat of a hater. But now as I get older I am trying to be more patient and understanding.

Sometimes it just comes out.

Andre Nickatina/Mac Dre - Sit Low in My Homeboy's Chevy

Where's Necrodamus???

I am back and ready to go.

Today is a celebration day. Today is the day I received my new IMac! It's spectacular. Who said not having a job could be so good. That's why they make credit cards, I say. Plus I got a free Ipod touch. So there. You cannot bring me down off this high tech cloud.

I have been pretty busy lately with my parents in one weekend and my brother in the next. Also school has been getting busier as well. Midterm....! Anywho. Enough excuses.

Here is what has me stoked lately;
My new 24" Imac
The Angels
The Phillies
Raddles (obviously)
Cooking at home
Not drinking
Arnold Palmer's - the drink
Markers


I have been playing this on repeat since I got it. Enjoy it and break something if you have to!

La Coka Nostra - Brujeria



La Coka Nostra - Bloody Sunday

Be back shortly

Got the parents in town this week and my brother was out last weekend. Not much time to get anything going. I will be back shortly though. Don't worry.

Just watch this on repeat until then.

They do it different out here

BUKET TKO - wrecking LA.

King Nicky

I know I keep it pretty east coast on this blog so I think it's time to re-introduce you to my all time favorite SF rapper Andre Nickatina formerly known as Dre Dog. When I first moved to SF I lived in the dorms at first. Across the hall next door to the Lunachick lived a couple of dudes from Fremont in the East Bay. It was through Keith and Chris that I first heard Dre Dog. From the 1st verse I was hooked. His shows are amazing and relatively infrequent but if you get the chance you should really go. Both shows I saw were dope in very different ways. The first time I saw him was on Haight St at the Boomerang. This show was his home turf and the Fillmore showed up in force. The vibe was hard but cool if you can understand that. He tore the roof off that piece of shit club for the whole show and then closed the set down with an accapella version of the Daquiry Factory. Whoa! The second time was at a frat house at UCSD. Yep a frat house, weird ass location, and a completely different crowd. But he still ripped the shit out of the place and played a bunch of old shit. So, on that note please roll a honey blunt (must be a Vega) and pump these while you reminisce about SF circa '94-'00.

Nicky Says


Baking Soda in Minnesota - Live


Crack Raider Razor


Smoke Dope and Rap - the song that got me hooked

Really..Philly...really!?!?

I saw this article on the front page of Philly.com. It is truly unbelievable what the police concentrate on when there are shootings everyday throughout the city. It is the wild west in some areas but let's chase down this guy. He does seem dangerous...right?

Artist quits graffiti but police still skulk

Really...

As promised

I am now halfway through the 1st module of school. So far so good. In honor of that modest accomplishment I have decided to suck it up and put my work out there in cyberspace.
Here are a couple pieces I have been working on at school in my drawing 101 class. I am pretty happy with the way they came out. Before taking this class I could not even draw my name. Hopefully I can keep improving and getting better.

This was a tree out in the courtyard at Platt.

Tissue box - pretty self explanatory.

1st time working with a Conte. I think it came out pretty cool.

My man Richard Pryor! Done in charcoal from a photo.

I would like to know what you think of this. Especially if you have known me before this.

Oh yeah, went skating again. Starting to feel more and more comfortable. But goddamn do my feet hurt after. May have to add another insole to the Half Cabs...old man Army!

The Familia Video

When I was still working at DVS one our sales reps opened a skate shop in Minnesnowta called Familia. He is one of the few good guys out there in the bullshit world of sales. As you know if you follow this I am a big fan of Nate Compher's skating. His shared part in this is super good. Big Ups to Adam Bovee and Familia on this release. Keep the fire burning!

Oh yeah where are my shirts man??

The Familia Video from Familia Skateshop on Vimeo.

Philly Graff Doc?

That's what I'm hearing. I hope this shit is in it.

Donski

Keep it grimy

Remember when hip hop was dope and you waited in anticipation of the new shit to drop. It has been a long time since then. I have been going back in the music vaults lately for my listening pleasure. I was Wii bowling the other with the Ipod bumping on random when Nas' NY State of Mind and The GZA Liquid Swords came on back to back. It brought me back to my days in SF when we were broke and happy to drink quarts of High Life and put in on Delores Park blunt sessions after skating all day.

Bang these in the office or at home and remember when quarts were a $1 and we still ran from the cops...

GZA - Liquid Swords - try not to get hype after this



Wu-Tang Clan - Protect Your Neck - machetes and hoodies, not shiny cars and suits



Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Pt 2 - What!



Nas - Represent - The hardest song. Still hits just as hard today. No NY State of Mind due not finding good video.

Mid terms and stuff

It is about the midway point of my first class. So far I feel like I am doing well. Next up for us is an artist statement as well as our midterm project, a critical analysis project on a specific piece. We were given a list of artist's to choose from. I picked Shepard Fairey. Not because I am a fan necessarily (although I have 2 prints), but the work he does is rooted in the "street art". My main influences are mainly artist's outside the museum's. So I am now in the process of picking a piece of his art to use for my paper. This is the 1st paper I will have written since my college thesis almost 12 years ago. Crazy.

I went skating again on Sat. Went over to Cherry Park again. This time there was a nice session going on. Some locals and and a couple of little rippers. Met up with my friends and played some SKATE and hit the ledges up a bit.
Spent the rest of Sat chilling with Sandra.
Off to work on my project.

Pencils, Charcoal and Paper

So I have been in school for about a week. All is well so far. The class is drawing 101. It is just me and 4 other students. The rest of the class is 3 ladies and a mid 40's overweight rent a cop. This is the type of guy who sounds like he always has to clear his throat when speaking. I am waiting for the day when he spits out a giant phlegm ball mid sentence. Oh yeah he is also godsquad. The professor/teacher is real helpful and patient. He is a professional fine artist along with teaching art. As of right now I am drawing at the level of a blind 2 year old but hope to continue to improve. My hand is a bit heavy and needs to be lightened up a bit. When I have something complete I will post it up for verbal abuse.

Met up with my homie Blake and skated on Sat for almost 2 hours in Cherry Park. It was great to be out. Not that I was able to do anything except push to the spot. Oh yeah I landed a front board on the ledge. That's how bad it is, I have to quantify my abilities.
Being back in school has gotten me back on a somewhat normal schedule. This has led to a surprising burst of energy and motivation. Besides skating I have been out and about in the neighborhood more than anytime in the past few months. So you will see me up and you will see my slaps. Don't sleep.

If you have the chance do yourself a favor and watch Dennis Busenitz's part in the new Adidas Euro flick Diagonal. It is Amazing! Yes with a capital A! Wow!

New begining's

As many of you who follow this blog or in "real life" know that I am about to head back to school. It has been over 10 years since the last time and I not quite sure what to even expect at this point. I am feeling a solid mixture of nerves, excitement, self doubt and more nerves. So as you would expect I have not been sleeping all that well.
I have a sneaky suspicion that once I get involved and start to go everyday the nerves will have worn away.

I am hoping to show some of my finished projects on here at some point in the future. So be on the lookout for that as well as a new site layout. I am getting bored with how it looks and want to start switching things up. Any suggestions are welcomed.

Air Max 90's are the best shoes ever!

A little bit banged up this morning from a fun night of bbqing and boozing. We had a few people over and cooked up some food and had some drinks. We had intended to get into some Wii'ng but once we started drinking that went out the window. So instead of a long post you get a couple clips of my favorite under the radar rippers.

1st up is John Kroesser - I think this part is from Few and Far Between.


Next up is Nate Compher - Minnesota ripper, Choco flow


Maybe after some food and a nap I will come back. Or not.

Accepted!

I received my official acceptance letter yesterday in the mail. Quite surprised it came so fast. Now it's real. I am going back to school. Crazy. It has been a long time coming but also a very long time since the last time I was in school.
The nerves are building as is the excitement. Here's hoping it goes according to plan.

As a slight side note I am also looking at purchasing a new computer to help me along with school. The Macbook Pro I am using now is losing steam and does not have enough power or storage to run the programs. I am enamored with the new 24" IMac. It is beautiful and has all the tools necessary for my schooling.

24" IMac


Just in case you thought I was slipping on good skate video posts, break yo self. Today is Raymond Molinar's day. Not sure what he is up to these days but I hope he is skating.

Popwar promo


Inhabitants part - stupid youtube cut the song due to Habitat not paying rights.

Healed up and ready

Back in effect for the time being. Just had to take some time to let my hand heal. Also not much has me excited enough to blog to the whole world. Or the 6 people that actually read this crap.

As many of you know I was the victim of a downturn and subsequently have been unemployed for the last 6 months. I am now on my way to enrolling in a graphic design program. I have been wanting to do this for a few years now and finally found the nerve, program, and time to do it. The school is Platt College, it is deep in LA. So if all goes well I will be in school starting the beginning of June. I am a good mix of excitement and nerves.
If anyone out there has gone through a graphic design program I would love to hear what you have to say. Good or bad. All info is appreciated.

I have had skating on my brain for the last week or so and have been watching the clip below.

Slam Skate Rats!

On the shelf

I am on the shelf for the next little bit. Be back when I can type like a normal person.



I will leave you with this clip. Keep your head up...or else.

Playoff's son!

Posting on back to back days...!!! That's crazy talk. Don't worry I'm sure I won't make a habit of it. But since I'm already here and it's the 2nd intermission of the Ducks vs Sharks playoffs I have the time.

Rode my bike downtown today to check out the Long Beach Grand Prix. Today was a practice day so they were not going full throttle. It was still sick to see them coming through the turns and then accelerating out. Lots of power. Last weekend Sandra and I rode downtown and watched some drifting. It was awesome!!!
Even though I am not much of a racer guy it is always super cool in person.

Back to normal with a quick video or two.

SPOne - courtesy of Handselecta



Friendly Fire out of Sweden - graffiti is alive and well all over the world. Don't sleep. Get up!

My skate shoes are getting dusty

Found the following couple clips.
This is what I love about graffiti, plain and simple. Get up as much as possible, however you can. COST took it to another level with Revs. ADER and KEEPS reminds me of all the time I spent on the EL going to and from LOVE. I love the way the letters look coming out from their markers. Thick, deep colors, drippy, well placed.

COST


ADER and KEEPS

Write on Everything

This is the type of clip I love. Skating needs dudes like Tim and Andy Roy to keep it honest. People who call it like they they see it. If you are acting like a douche you need to be called on it. Somebody please tell that to the next skater that wants to record a "hip-hop" record.

Tim O'Connor a sharpie and a Thrasher



His skating however speaks for itself.

Adidas welcome ad


Photosynthesis


Element World Tour


Habitat - Inhabitants

Douchebaggery in it's finest form

I know I am not the only dude that cant stand the sight of this chumps face. But now it gets even worse with the addition of the all important Lil Wayne face tat.



If you need further proof of his d-baggery here is a link to the rap album (yep you read that correctly). I bet Danny and Colin are super hyped on this dude...not at all.

Go away please.

Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

I used to dwell only in my underground hip hop world. I was buried knee deep in rare 12"'s and EP's from people nobody had ever heard of except me and the other 6 people who liked Porn Theatre Usher's. These days though I have been going way back to my earliest days of listening to music. Here are a couple of my all time favorites I could listen to at all times.
Below that is a random skate video of a dude you never heard of. You thought I wouldn't..

The Animals - House of the Rising Sun



The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter



The Who - My Generation - I think this song allowed me an open mind to punk rock and hardcore since the older generation never really knows what the kids like. Don't kid yourselves old people.



Operation Ivy - discovered a bit later when I got into skating but c'mon it's Operation Ivy. H-Street, Matt Hensley, wallet chains, 1991-1992.



Dan Drehobl - Think Video "Dedication" When I lived in SF Dan was our neighbor for few years. I've seen him do the most ridiculous shit. Switch hill bombs!

Fast Cars and Faster Girls

I am so psyched for this!



Craig McKendry - Pharmacy Video

Would you like a cup of English breakfast tea?

Along with some of the quickest feet and best switch tricks around. If the answer is yes then I would like to introduce to you another underground killer. This time though he is from the Uk. His name is Chewy Cannon. Enjoi.

Chewy Cannon - Lost and Found - Blueprint Skateboards


Chewy Cannon - Rolling Like Kings


Since there is no damn audio (thanks Youtube!!! WTF!) listen to this and go out and kick over a trashcan!
Adolescents - Kids of the Blackhole

Back in Black

Went out skating again yesterday. I was a bit sore at the start but it felt great to push around. Went back up to Cherry to see if the flat bars were out, they weren't but I still skated some flat. Got bored pretty quick as I was solo.
I think today I am going to hit a park. Time to push myself a bit I think.

Watched this a bunch yesterday before I went out.
Alex Davis - Last of The Mohican's
Heard he just got put on the Habitat squad.



Oh yeah, I also applied for a job that I think would pretty cool. More info when I have some. keep the fingers crossed for me.

Did you ever notice how bald heads suck?

Back from a 4 day playcation up in SF. Hung out with the homies, skated a bit, had some cocktails, wrote on some shit, put a ton of stickers up, smoked myself retarded and generally just had a great time. Thanks to Scott and Alysia for the accommodations and a big what up to Jeff and Dina for making the journey out to the mission to hang out. It was great to see everyone and walk around the city for a few days.
Got home and was so jazzed on skating that I went a got a new board. Set it up today and went over to Cherry Park to skate some flat. Still rusty but was able to get some things back and not kill myself. Gotta stay on the program so to speak.

Video of the day

Ross Norman - Last of the Mohicans
When I was working at Podium I sent this guy shoes through his local shop, Church of Skatan. He rips and is underground as fuck.

Comic book movie>graphic novel?

I couldn't tell you which is better as I never read either comics or graphic novels as a child. What I can tell you is "The Watchmen" was visually very cool as well as too long for a theater movie. It is pushing 3 hours. If you want a "real" review see Sandra's blog

Madness has set in

It has been quite sometime since my last post. Not really any good reason either, just general laziness. Unemployment is getting to me. I am bored and slipping into the vortex of the lazy days lifestyle. So in the past few weeks I have tried to push myself out the door and out into the "real world". Well, that is if the real world consists of my local bar, the "Lawyers, Guns and Money" graffiti art show in LA and some dinners out with Sandy and friends. It was good to be out and about. I still feel a bit guilty spending $$ without a job but fuck it. I can't be a hermit forever.

This past weekend was fun. See picture below for what can happen on a late night walk or stumble from the bar. Trip up the curb, end up smashing your hand. Start laughing until you get home and wash it out. Then curse loudly due to pain from cleaning. Wake up not being able to make a fist. Good times!



Received a long awaited package this afternoon. The Mike Giant book, the AKA Vol 1 and Every Tag Counts (straight outta Philly graff zine) along with some Illadel 18K Chrome refill paint (not pictured).



I love Giants work and the book did not disappoint. The AKA Vol 1 is "amazing". The layout is super good and it came with free shit. Who doesn't love free shit! Plus the featured artists are Futura 2000, KAWS, REAS aka Todd James along with a who's who of writers. It is one of the best put together books I have ever come across. Get this if you can!

Every Tag Counts was a zine I came across on the internet. It is the premier issue and is all Philly graff all the time. It is homemade and put together like many of the zines that I remember from when I first started skating. Really cool and it keeps me in touch with the city where I come from.

You ever listen to a song you have heard a million times and finally "hear" the lyrics? Well this just happened to me recently with the song below. This is one f'ed up song!

Excitable Boy - Warren Zevon



See you soon.

Say what you want but it won't change a thing

ENEM straight from Philly.



Fuckin Revs - OG NYC

Dreams of Children

This guy is in my favorites.

Dennis Busenitz - Promo part from when he got on Addidas



Makes me miss SF.

What does that say? It's ugly.

A short one today. My favorite handstyles. Thanks to Handselecta!



KADism!

Rainy day treats Feb09

Saw Jim Breuer last night at the Improv. Very funny.
Thanks to Daniele and Chad for the tickets!




Soy Panday - Horizons - Landscape Skateboards 2009

This guy makes me feel like pushing through the streets. Not very often I get that feeling from a non-East Coast dude. Enjoy with a crepe for extra Frenchyness...



We'll keep it French for the ender today. JB has been ripping for years now. This is a part from a Cliche vid named Freedom Fries. Watch out for the head smack....ouch!

JB Gillet - Freedom Fries - Cliche Skateboards



Now go have some red wine and foie gras.

Stay up!

write, write, write, write, write!

If you are into graf at all check out the the book below.

Autograf



It is a compilation of graf writers with their tags. Real sweet layout done by Peter Sutherland of the book/dvd Pedal and REVS ( one of my favorite writers).
Included are KAWS, KR (of Krink fame), SKUF, 323, Nato, Earsnot, etc...Check it out!

I have always loved the art of tagging and have been getting back into writing again as I have the free time. Nothing like markers on walls, and the rush you get. Also the DIY is coming out in me again. I have been making my own ink and paint as well. Fun shit!

Stay up!

Mind Field in my brain

If you have not yet watched the Alien video Mind Field you are slipping. Kalis, AVE, Jake Johnson all kill shit. The rest of the squad also hold it it down. Can't forget Heath. As well as the Dinosaur Jr songs that make me think of Memory Screen.

If all that hard skating is not your cup of tea, check out a the Scrum Tily Lush out of Ireland. Not so much of trick based video, it is more about the whole act of skating. Spots, people, surroundings, etc. There are good skaters and each part is a different city.

holy grossness

If you are bored and want to waste a few minutes at work on Mon check out this website.
www.thisiswhyyourefat.com

Be careful though you may not look at food the same way again...

Still here

I am still alive, just have not been very motivated to write anything lately. Been looking for graphic design programs to start but have had no luck. I am not paying $54K for an AS from the Art Institute since I already have a BA. I am looking for certificate programs. So if anybody knows any in the Long Beach/OC/LA area let me know. That is assuming anybody reads this.

Gino!

Saw this and was instantly psyched!




Then went and watched this.

Gino - 20 Shot Sequence



Enjoy!

Run Radley Run!

This morning I went and did something I never believed would happen when I was younger. I went to the gym...the freakin' gym. Why you ask? Because apparently a diet consisting of 7&7's and bong hits is not considered healthy. Pssst! That's what I say, except that my belly keeps growing. So I bit the bullet and went.
It wasn't actually that bad except it feels weird to ride a bike and go nowhere. Well maybe when I go next time I can try one of those weird looking ski walking contraptions. I just don't want to end up on America's Funniest Videos as the dork getting thrown from the treadmill.
Took Raddles to the dog park again today. It is his favorite thing. He shakes in the car until we get there and it's running time until he can't run anymore. He makes friends with all the dogs he can. Me too. Sorry no photos. Maybe tomorrow.

See ya.

Trolling the worldwibe web this morning I came across the video below. It is truly good to Shef back rolling. Hope he is happy and healthy.


Sean mother-f*cking Sheffey! >>



His part in Plan B's Questionable

Bangs on dudes...

This new phenomenon of dudes with bangs is just weird. I see all these "dudes" out and about with bangs. Not just bangs that cover the forehead but blown dry stylized like that guy from that one band whose lead singer goes out with Ashlee Simpson. There is no way you will ever catch me with bangs. Not that I could but even if I could it would never happen. Some shit is just lame.



Went out last night to the bar with Sandra. I went for the Cliche video premier and Sandra went to have a drink. The video was dope as Cliche videos always are. No review from me but go get it when it comes out. Its called Che. It has the whole squad and Brophy has last part. Can you say pop? Check below for proof of his snaps.

Andrew Brophy - Welcome to the DVS team video

Finally!

Potential comeback in 09?

Is it possible? Will I get my tricks back? Can I keep it up?
All to be determined but for now the 1st step has begun. It was a battle of the mind but in the end I was able to dust off the rust and get out and push around. It had been entirely too long since I have just gone skating. It was very liberating to just push with no real destination. I ended up at a public park with a little plaza type area and skated flatground and the little homemade ledges that the locals must have rigged (a pleasant surprise). It was frustrating as my confidence level is pretty low but after a few minutes I was loosened up and begun to remember some things. Not much but anything landed is good at this point.
So for now I am feeling good, although tomorrow I'm sure will be a sore morning.
Wish me luck...

On another note watch this and then think about flatground tricks done in traffic...wtf?! This guy gave me the best advice ever on the night before I moved to SF. I was in Sub Zero getting a new board for the trip and he looked me right in the eye and told me not to take any shit from anybody out there. You have to remember this was the height of people flocking to SF from all over and the vibing was rugged. It was dope that he took the time to pump me up a bit before I left. Won't ever forget that. Support TrafficSkateboards.Com!

Ricky Oyola - Sub Zero video Real Life



Ricky has always been one of my favorites. Growing up in Philly I was able to see him skate all the time. He has done the sickest shit I have ever seen in person and that was just on the way to LOVE from Sub Zero, better known as the "route". He had that shit so dialed. Mach 11 all the way. So fire one up and reminisce about a time in skating's past when it was not filmed in HD.

Yes, I am still on the internet...why do you ask?

Back when I lived in SF this was one of my favorite parts and I watched it all the time. Check out Busta Rhymes when he part of Leaders of the New School. Everything in this part works perfect together! Enjoy.

Robbie Gangemi - Zoo York's Mixtape



Not sure where he is now but the last I heard he was still doing Vehicle Skateboards. Hope it is still going.

Last one for the day but by no means an afterthought. Here is Bobby Puleo's part from the Infamous video. This is an awesome part for so many reasons. 1. he skates the spots I was skating at the time. 2. Did you see those Converse he was rockin?!?! 3. Trick selection is perfect. 4. he loves a conspiracy as do I...
Enjoy.

Bobby Puleo - The Infamous Video

I should think less...

Still unemployed.
Not really even looking for jobs anymore...not much out there and what is there bums me out. So the days start to blend together and after awhile it all seems like one long day.
This is not a plea for sympathy. Don't feel bad for me I am not the only one in this sort of position. Many, many others are in this and way worse off than myself. It is a weird position for me as I'm not sure the last time I ever had a layoff lasting this long. Decisions need to be made and stuck with. The future is here now and it is scary. So much uncertainty in the future...


I have however been diggin up some Youtube gems from my formative skating years. Today we start with Matt Hensley. From H-Street's Hokus Pokus. This was a video I must have watched 1000's of times with my friends and alone. We soaked in all of it but mainly Hensley. We dressed like him, tried his tricks, the whole nine. Enjoy and go do a no-comply!

Happy New Year to all of you!

No resolutions this year for me. Well at least no public proclamation anyway. I am a bit banged up today from last night's revelry. Thanks to Tim and Mary, and Brande for coming through and celebrating with us.
Cutting it short today but will be back soon.

ML