"Got to, got to get it!"
November 18, 2008
"... here's a hug"
November 16, 2008
One time, maybe a year and a half ago, I was at lunch with Arto Saari and Clifford. We were casually discussing the come-up of a certain footwear mega-corporation in skateboarding and pondering the many reasons their slow-but-sure success, despite armadas of haters, became a reality. Never short on epic quotes, or metaphor for that matter, Arto blurted out, "You hate us? Here's a hug," as a part of their formula.
We had a laugh. And I'll never forget that quote, not only because of Arto's delivery, but because it's entirely true.
As of late I've been witnessing, firsthand, the same philosophy working for a certain professional skateboarder who's faced armadas of haters in the last few years. His lack of bitterness, his willingness to just move forward, have a good time and do what he sets out to do, blocking out the hate, regardless of who is around or what's going on, is actually really surprising and refreshing.
It's amazing sometimes... the things you can learn about life from skateboarding, as long as you're willing to shut up and listen to it.
"Proper"
November 16, 2008
I've been watching (and quite enjoying) the Battle at the Berrics thus far. I'm not gonna name names, but there's some people doing tricks really really proper and NOT winning and other people doing tricks way less proper and winning. So is, and has always been, the ways of S.K.A.T.E. But what's so rad about skateboarding, compared to say, other sports or activities, is the fact that a "win" isn't always a "win" in the long run.
Quote of the Week!
November 10, 2008
"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia."
-Charles M. Schulz
Harsh dust...
November 9, 2008
This photo isn't about my handsome British friend Oliver Barton. No, its about that huge, pesky dust blot in the upper right corner of the photo that's cursed me and ruined potentially decent photos of mine for the last few months. At first, I was cleaning my lenses and filters like mad. Sometimes it would appear and sometimes I would think it was gone. Then, I tried cleaning some of my camera's innards. Clearly an amateur with an expensive camera, I realized that's not...
Cell phone droppage...
November 9, 2008
One of my favorite things to witness is when someone drops their cell phone. They get sooooo bummed. Pieces go flying... battery covers and whatnot. A corner of their phone is usually all dented or scratched. Then they pick it up and inconspicuously asses damage, as to not reveal how bummed out they are about their little shit gadget being injured, or how a little phone controls their whole life, when inside they feel like punching a wall... or crying. Pay attention next time...
Weekend update: Sheckler! Loy! Darrell!
October 27, 2008
Ryan tagged the éS van up... after doing one of the gnarlier things I've ever seen done on a skateboard.
Let's see. Was out with Ryan Sheckler filming some etnies shit. Darrell Stanton rolled by too and they both got pretty raw. Totally ripping RobBrink.com team rider, David Loy, won Damn Am... and judging from DJ Wade's hour-long suite of songs and sound bytes about cocaine during the best trick contest and awards ceremony, it's safe to assume drugs are still really cool. I sincerely enjoy when my weekends are full of this much skateboarding. I don't enjoy knowing I have 9 am meetings at the office while I'm still up at 1 am doing this.
Ouch. Darrell tried some gnarly shit too, but got robbed more than a few times.
Schulte...
October 23, 2008
Justin Schulte just gave me one of the radder interviews I've ever done. One of the realest, no bullshit dudes I've ever spoken with... without the gratuitous anger or bitterness that usually accompanies "realness." Keep an eye out for it soon. In the meantime, I found this: