What is on the other side of the horizon

Today was a pretty good day. It was the 1st day of summer 2011, although it has felt like summer around here for the past month and half or so. 

Today also happened to be"official" Go Skateboarding Day. This is celebrated at events in cities around the world. Some events are sponsored by local shops and smaller companies at the local skatepark while others are supported/sponsored by larger skate (mainly shoe due financial ability) companies as well as mainstream sponsors. I personally celebrated at two local parks.

Some argue that everyday should be GSD (as it will be referred to from here on) since you are out skating everyday (yeah right) anyway and the only people who benefit from this "holiday" are companies like Vitawater, Monster, and other such entities looking for a larger share of the youth market including skate companies. Now, it is true, to a certain extent and using the argument "Where were these companies when skating was broke?" you can see that side of it but I think the young skaters and the potential future skaters are the ones who truly benefit not to mention all the old dudes who aren't trying to run from cops at real spots will have skate plazas and skateparks now. More parks, plazas, increased parental support, more awareness from city officials (in turn more skateparks) and better products are a few examples. 

I guess I just went through all that to say I like the idea of GSD but everyday is GSD to most skaters, myself included... but we will take the parks, skate plaza's and better product. Oh yeah and we still bomb hills.

I have been skating a bit more lately as well as riding the bike. Starting to feel more and more like my old self. It's funny how you can lose yourself along the way. 

Feelin' this line especially the back 180 over the sign. Big snap! Can't wait to see what else he has crackin...

Enjoy this masterpiece from Magenta Skateboards. It basically features the SF hills. Enjoy and the go bomb a hill. 

Magenta's SF Hill Street Blues from Magenta Skateboards on Vimeo.

Injured Reserve

I am back on the injured list. This time due to a ganglyon cyst on my right wrist. It has been exactly 2 weeks since the surgery and I am still pretty hurting. My hand is a bit less swollen but it hurts just typing this (insert world's smallest violin here).


The timing is pretty crappy, not that anytime is a good time for surgery, but I just finished building a nice little skate box. I have been wanting one for years and am super excited to skate it. Probably not gonna happen anytime soon with the healing process to take 4-6 weeks with stitches coming out in 10 days.

I did however go out and purchase the Real video, Since Day One. Definitely a must see! Had a nice little Percodan premiere party at the house.

Just a little update. Hopefully once the swelling goes down I can get some better content up.

For the past few years I have been really interested calligraphy and sticker making. I started making and putting up stickers a few years ago and am constantly trying to perfect my handstyle. There is no correct style, only shitty ones and good ones. Hopefully mine falls into the latter category. I however will not be posting any of mine up on this blog so I can maintain my anonymity. Laugh if you will but one of the best feelings is walking around and seeing a sticker I put up years ago still hanging out and knowing that maybe only 1 person in the world knows who created it and took the risk of putting up on public property.
I am a participant in the Bomit Sticker exchange. Pretty cool little program in which you send in a bunch of stickers and you will receive back a ton of other peoples stickers. Only have to pay for the postage. Some are handmade, alot are Obey type, marketing style stickers but it was all worth it for the Faust, Ader, and UWP (straight from Philly!) slaps. Below is a sampling from the two packs that I have received.

 More Faust love below.

Almighty style master Twist. SF's finest!

Till next time.

Newness

As you can tell I have switched up the look of the blog a bit. Nothing too craze but I felt it needed a facelift. Background art by Jose Parla. Been really feeling his stuff as well as Luca Barcellona, Jon One, and always looking at Fauster and Surer (Sure was killed in Afghanistan late last year I believe).

Has anyone else listened to the Travis Barker (I'm pretty sure a few years ago I would have never even written his name in my blog) album, Can the Drummer get Some? It is surprisingly good with guest appearances from many of your favorite rappers. Only real problem I have is that he has a song with Steve Aoki...I can't stand that dude and wish I could kick his ass to sleep. What! You thought I wasn't gonna diss that kook. Ha!

It is the end of March now and I'm completely over this extended cold we are having. To keep me looking forward I built a skate box with dad this past weekend. The liquid nails is just setting under the angle iron and the it's ready to skate. I'm not even sure when the last time I skated. Will have to start slow and get the timing and strength back in my legs. But goddamn if I'm not excited to get the 1st grind on that thing.


As always I have a few links for you check out.

Palace Skateboards - maybe the best ting in skateboarding right now. Straight outta London this small knit but super rad team just put out the clip below. Bun a zoot and watch!

Palace in NYC!                                       

Commonwealth Stacks - Reese Forbes teams up with Michael Leon to form this brand. Sick team with Dani Lebron, Cameo Wilson, Sebo Walker and Reese of course. Art direction is super duper!


Andre and Andre - Neva Seen - You thought were getting out of here without a song. This has been going hard in my brain for about a week now. Nicky T all up in your area. Mac Dre Rest in Power.

Until next time.

Real talk.

Below is a link to an interview with Bobby Puleo. Bobby rides for Traffic Skateboards, Venture and VKTM (his brand).
Not only is Bobby opinionated and blunt but he is also knee deep in conspiracy theories. Exactly what skateboarding is missing in these days of cookie cutter Billy Backlips and Scotty Skateparks training for the next XDewMaloofLeague contest. 
If you are a fan of his or you just like his skating, you should take the 5-10 minutes to read this interview. Then watch a couple of his video parts, check some classic pics (esp the switch heel flip in SF! Peep those kicks son!) and go buy his board!


Bobby Puleo interview

INFMS video part

Traffic part

The weather has shifted and autumn is in full effect.

I am still unemployed...at least Sandra got a job. She now works in a large law firm in the city. Not a great job by any means but does provide health insurance and a paycheck. Both of which are sorely needed at this time. She seems to be getting settled in to living here pretty nicely. Even has a bus pass!

Now I am running all the errands, grocery shopping, laundry and cleaning. As you can imagine it does'nt get done as well as when Sandra does it...Have not been skating at all. Totally unmotivated. I have been out on my bike some. Also have been walking the city when I have the chance.

But I have been keeping myself busy with some side projects. I have been participating in Alphabattle 2.0. It is a online typography contest where each month a different letter of the alphabet is the subject. So far I have submitted a few letters. I am working on T right now and will post when finished.

Big shout to the East Coast!

Had my first job interview today. It was for a design position at a small weekly newspaper. Turns out the job offered was putting all the ads together and laying them out. Would have been perfect except it was apart time position without a regular schedule. So in the end after we finished up the interview it was asked if I would be interested in working as a freelancer on specific projects. I told them I would most definitely be interested. Unfortunately it would not be worth it to work a part time job I would have to drive to Chester for. Oh I forgot to mention it's in a hood straight out of The Wire complete with roaming leashless pit bulls (seriously!), burned out buildings, lurkers, baseheads, and out in the open drug dealing. This was all on the same block as the offices. Chester is no joke.
It was a good experience to have the interview and go through the process again. It's been a looong time.
 
Went out for a nice bike ride with my brother and his friend Kris. We rode the bike path all around the Art Museum and back up the West River Drive (no cars allowed on Sat and Sun!). Even though it was raining the whole time it was a good ride and a nice way to end another weekend filled with vodka...

Going to the Phillies game on Sat night! Beers and baseball with friends. Good times guaranteed!

Listen to Kool Keith!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkPsYvOgTtI