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.

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.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia."

-Charles M. Schulz

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 the best idea, so I brought the camera to a shop for a professional cleaning, at which time the camera guy told me it was the biggest piece of dust he's ever seen stuck to a camera's sensor. I was proud. it's nice to break new ground.

Now the dust is gone and I have no more camera dust anxiety. One less thing...

I'd be a Katy Perry groupie...

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 a phone smashes the ground near your feet. You'll see.

On a side note, I'm also a really big fan of watching someone speed into or out of a parking lot or driveway too fast and smashing/scraping the bottom of their car into the ground. It makes me laugh every time. What's the point of all this? I have no idea. People are just funny.

The one where I raved about Sheck and Darrell? Well here's Darrell warming up switch and regs. This is what some people call "throwaway."

Omar slid out, Ruben forgot a blade and Jose "taught" Omar back 360s. I like rain.