November 17, 2005
The fine peeps at BlogMental have asked me to come on board. Stop by and see the new stuff I'll be doing for them, as well as reposts of work from here. You can bet they'll be plenty of lovers and haters commenting on it all too.
November 15, 2005
The Alliance:
Are women skaters being undercut in pro contests?
By Rob Brink
TransWorld Business October 2005
When Flip pro Geoff Rowley receives the same $2,000 check for showing up and not skating at this summer's X Games 11 that Elissa Steamer won for her gold medal in Women's Street—something is bit off kilter. And this year, the Games were abuzz with chatter of a supposed Women's Vert boycott due to the lackluster prize purse. As the Games went on, however, so did the Women's Vert event, which left many wondering “What happened to the boycott?”
November 14, 2005
Snow, Schmow—Let's Skate!
By Rob Brink
TransWorld Skateboarding Business June 2002
This was one one of my first articles ever published in TransWorld Skate Business (along with a few others in the same issue. It was only June 2002 but it seems like ages ago.
In the Northeast (and of course plenty of other areas of the country), we don't have the luxury of warm, sunny days year-round. At least one third of the year is less than optimal for outdoor skating, if not unbearably cold. When the days shorten and the weather gets cold, wet, and frozen, skaters aren't the only people who panic. Shops have to start pondering if the weather and drop in skate time will affect business, and if they need to shift gears to snowboards, BMX, in-line skating, or special promotions to subsidize the loss in skate sales. Not every town has a cozy, indoor skatepark nearby. And with local ordinances against skating popping up everywhere, the harsh weather, and the continual rise of skateboarding's popularity, it seems that indoor parks have never been more in demand.
November 14, 2005
Skateboarding's Steady Staple
By Saba Haider, Rob Brink and a few others I don't know.
TransWorld Skateboarding Business October 2002
Despite having fluctuated in popularity over the years, the backyard mini ramp has been steady refuge and a savior for generations of skateboarders. There's no doubt that it will always remain as such.
November 12, 2005
Just what you have been waiting for! A RobBrink.com exclusive wallpaper for your desktop! In all seriousness, this was a joke played on me by the etnies Web Department / Hot Crew, busting my balls for fanning out over Ronnie Creager at Goofy Vs. Regular. But if you really want to use it, go for it! If the "hearts" and gay humor are too much for you, you can find the original version of the wallpaper here.
November 12, 2005
Charity eBay Dunks-Custom Nike Dunks Win 30 Gs
By Rob Brink
TransWorld Skateboarding Business October 2003
Authors note:
Rumor has it that Nike bid the 30 Gs on their own eBay/Dunk auction to generate hype. Quite possible since the winning bid came from Beaverton, Oregon. Regardless of whether or not that is true, here's the article:
November 11, 2005
Packaging Excess
By Rob Brink
TransWorld Skateboarding Business January 2003
Whether it's cute, gimmicky bearing packaging, boxed wheels, toys that come with mounting hardware, complete setups in huge cardboard boxes, or aluminum-boxed truck gift sets, it's safe to say that product packaging in skateboarding has gone haywire in the last few years. But how much of it is really "necessary" and how much is simply a by-product of the consumer culture around which skateboarding thrives?
November 11, 2005
Cashing In On God
By Rob Brink
TransWorld Skateboarding Business April 2003
Imagine if Jah got a commission on all the Supernaut, IPath, and Satori goods sold? What if heaven received royalties from Zero and Manna on every Jesus, Virgin Mary, and cross graphic released? Does the Devil own stock in World Industries and 151?
November 11, 2005
Urethane Recycling: Examining what is and isn't done with wheels
By Rob Brink
TransWorld Skateboarding Business January 2003
“That's going to be a short article isn't it?”
—George Powell
You would assume that with all the technological advancements in this world, finding ways to recycle all of the materials we use to make our lives fun and exciting would be a cinch.
November 11, 2005
Wood Recycling: Can old decks be recycled?
By Rob Brink
TransWorld Skateboarding Business January 2003
The idea that wood can be recycled or reused and not hauled straight to the landfill makes sense—and it's not entirely uncommon, either. Across the country, many municipalities offer special pickup services, or recycling centers—or both—for yard waste and other wood materials, enabling wood waste to be reused in a range of ways. Applications include being ground up for mulch or landscaping materials, burned for energy, or reformed into particleboard or other wood-based products.
