Amaze'd

Not sure how this slipped past me...
Looks like SF circa 94-00. Makes me miss living up there...



Apparently made by the infamous Amaze...

Punching walls is not an option although it should be

The madness has set in and the stress level is at an all time high. We are leaving for California on Sunday and the moving truck comes tomorrow. We're in pretty good shape with our stuff being packed up but I am a worrier and until all of our stuff is in the truck and on the road I will be a stress ball. My usual coping mechanism's have been halted by myself, due to both lack of funds and the need to have a clear head dealing with all this stuff. It has been nice for a change but goddamn I may kill someone if they say the wrong thing at an inopportune time.
Even though we are in good shape packing wise it still feels like there are a ton of loose ends hanging out there. I'm getting real tired of people telling me to relax and that it will be ok. That may be the case but until you are in my shoes please shut the hell up. You are not helping.
On Sunday we begin our drive to Long Beach. Hopefully I do not lose my mind before then...

Talk to you then.

Back to the beach

What do you do when plan's fall through? What if those plan's had been made when one was not in the proper mindset/emotional state to make said decision?

a) Stay the course and hope things will work out
b) Regroup and look at all your options

The answer was b.

The decision did not come easily as we had invested a quite a lot to move out here with the full intention of staying.  Money, family stuff, money, jobs, and overall long term happiness were weighed very carefully. Pro's and cons lists were made. Sleep was lost. Stressful times. In the end SF and I weighed our options and kept coming back to one thing; moving back to Long Beach. Crazy right?!
We are both very excited and can't wait to get started on our journey back. We are in the midst of packing up everything we own for the second time in a year for another cross country move. As of today I am sitting surrounded by boxes, packing tape and bubble wrap trying to tie up any loose ends while working out what is needed when we get out to the LBC. SF was able to convince her job to allow her to telecommute which is amazing since we really need the $$ as this year was extremely difficult financially as well as emotionally for us.
We battled and battled but never seemed to be able to get proper footing here in Philly. From job leads that led nowhere to false promises of opportunities it was a constant beat down emotionally. It has taken it's toll. Somehow SF was able to motivate herself to get the dissertation monkey off her back and finish her Phd. Amazing accomplishment for anyone but for her to be able to get it done under these circumstances is beyond belief. Plus it was so good the idea of it being turned into a book is an option in the future. She also has been offered a full time teaching gig at Cal State Fullerton where she has previously been teaching. Great potential for the future as those jobs just do not come long everyday.
We were able to get an apartment in our old complex. Perfect as we loved the complex, had great neighbors and were in an amazing area of Long Beach.
There will be some challenges along the way as expected but in the end I believe we made the right decision for us to have long term happiness.
Lot's to look forward to though; Hole Mole, Cherry Park sessions, the weather, close proximity to the beach, and above all the cultural atmosphere of Long Beach. Home sweet home!

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.