No Comply News | A Skateboard Blog

Skate or Die (Subic Bay Philippines, Late 80's)

2011-09-27T11:52:00.005-04:00

I love finding old 80s skate footage on YouTube!

Whatever the Weather

2011-09-27T10:54:00.004-04:00

Jake Donnelly & Dan Plunkett Sunday from dlxsf on Vimeo.

This is an awesome video that was posted on Skatedaily.net recently of the guys at Sunday Skate Shop in Buffalo, NY. Enjoy if you haven't seen it already.

Work, Rain, Feeling drained, Liveexercise.com

2011-09-27T10:48:00.000-04:00

For the past couple years now, I have just been feeling so drained of my energy. I'm only 37, but I'm pretty sure it has to do with my poor diet, stress, and weight gain and well, I guess getting older probably has it's part, but I bet if I can get my weight down from 210 to 170 where I was when I started skating again at 30, I would have close to that energy again. I'd like to get my weight to 150 this time so I can be at "Normal" weight on the BMI charts for my height of 5'7".

Anyhow, I haven't been skating at all lately, work has piled up like crazy at my day job and I am totally drained and burned out at my second job. The only thing I've been focusing on outside of work has been working out doing resistance training every night. I have these bands from Bodylastics.com and they offer a bunch of free live workout shows online that are awesome. I do the "Chiseled" workout show and I'm addicted, seriously. If you are interested check out Liveexercise.com. Now if I could just get my diet in check, I should start dropping pounds and I am hoping this will increase my energy so I can get out there and skate like I used to and not get so tired so easily. Wish me luck! :)

BTW, I'm not advertising for Liveexercise because they are paying me or anything (although that would be nice :) ....I just love the bands so much and the free workouts and thought I would share.

Go Skateboarding Day 2011

2011-06-27T11:54:00.001-04:00

Feeling a bit uncoordinated and out of shape this Go Skateboarding Day as you can see in the vid, but I had fun as usual....this was my desperation attempt of getting in some skateboarding on that day...edit of a 10 minute sesh in front of my house in between jobs and changing clothes. BTW...I'm riding Pig Wheel Street Cruiser 54mm 88a durometer wheels which are a super smooth ride however you definitely give up some slide ability with the softer wheels, I wish you get could have the best of both worlds somehow...you know, slide when you want slide and grip when you want grip without having to change wheels. I may have to go back to 99a...even though it is so bumpy on street, but it seemed to work best for me since I normally skate at the skatepark where it is smooth....I have some bones STF wheels, but I tend to come really close to wiping out in the bowls everytime I use those wheels...way to slippery....I also hit a wet spot with those wheels back in November and wow, worst fall I have ever had without breaking anything...I don't need that again! You know, I'm just reading my post back to myself and am hearing a younger version of myself saying "You know what Kraston, maybe you just need to learn how to lean more into your powerslides like when you were younger!" and I'm thinking "You know what younger Kraston, we didn't ride 88a's back then, we rode 97a!" and they were bigger wheels and the concrete where you lived in Nebraska was just smoother everywhere and oh yeah, you had younger legs back then that weren't so picky about terrain!" So take that! Ha! I'm thinking I'm loosin' it! :)

Happy Go Skateboarding Day 2011

2011-06-21T13:53:00.000-04:00

Ron Cofall of Hilton Head Island shreds at age 71

2011-06-20T11:25:00.000-04:00

I saw this article on this guy and had to share....the original article is at

http://www.islandpacket.com/2011/06/19/1694808/71-year-old-rolls-into-golden.html

Now, this guy is brave! He did say he skateboarded in his 30s in the 70s but that was over 40 years ago, so this guy is basically starting to skate in his 70s and that takes some guts....I mean, I worry about breaking bones now at 37, so I am overly cautious at times...I would think at 70 something, I would be even more overly cautious of my brittle bones. I mean it's different if you have been skating all your life and just haven't quit, but to pick it up as a senior citizen...wow, that takes a special something. Way to go Ron! He takes his 6 year old Grandson with him...the article says he skates most mornings and and it took him several months to get a feel for the board. Ron does have a history of extreme sports in his blood....He did motocross in his 40s and was a competitive windsurfer in his 50s.

When Ron first stepped on a board again about a year ago while at the park with his Grandson, he rolled about 10 feet and fell flat on his back....now I would think most senior citizens would never step on a board again, but Ron said to himself while watching the kids roll around the park, "I can do this!". He's had his share of spills ever since -- breaking his wrist, hitting his head so hard that he damaged a retina, needed a neck brace among other things that have required even overnight hospital stays! Ron says that getting hurt isn't a deterrent, it's just an impediment to doing what he wants. Skate or Die Ron! Keep it up! :)

YouTube removed old Monday's with Mike V episodes?

2011-06-20T10:41:00.000-04:00

So, I was checking out some pics on Mike V's website of his visit to the Berrics to skate...and I see a comment on these pics saying sorry to hear about your YouTube account being removed along with all the videos like the awesome "Monday's with Mike V" episodes. So in disbelief I go to check it out myself and can't believe it. The snapshot above is what I find. What does this mean? I'm totally confused now because it mentioned the youtube account "ogberrics" as being one of the claimants of this copywrite infringment....What!?!? ogberrics, I believe is the Berrics account which is where Mike V just went to skate recently....I don't get it? Does anyone else know what is going on here? Maybe ogberrics is going to post up all those Mike V videos on there account? I don't know, me confused. Those were some awesome videos, I used to look forward to that Monday episode religiously until they ended.

Small Feeble Grind

2011-03-29T16:46:00.001-04:00

Tested out a borrowed camcorder last week. Small feeble grind at my local park.

This is getting really old!

2011-03-29T16:28:00.000-04:00

Old Stereo Sound Agency Promo for MTV

2011-03-22T14:51:00.000-04:00

I don't know if this really is an old promo but it definitely is hilarious...especially Jon Heder's part and the energy drink thing. It was posted up on YouTube in 2006 and Jason Lee is sporting the "My Name is Earl" mustache...so we can date it by the stache. :)

Perfect Size Skatepark

2011-03-10T15:05:00.002-05:00

Commonwealth Skatepark just opened in Portland, Oregon and it looks like the perfect skatepark for me. I'm loving the size because when you fall, it's not a long way down (yeah, I know, I'm a wimp, leave me alone, I'm 36 and have jobs to keep and a mortgage to pay) and it just looks like a ton of fun! It's like a miniature version of some of those huge concrete parks you see out there in the Northwest region.

YouTube Find Keven Hamer Kickin' It Old School

2011-02-21T14:37:00.002-05:00

I was browsing You Tube for skate videos and found that this guy named Keven Hamer put together a nice old school vid of him skating this year at 38 years of age. He's got the clothes, the Gonz board, the fancy griptape pattern, the tricks, the music....very enjoyable video for all of us skaters who grew up in the 80s.

James City County Skatepark Vandals

2011-02-18T14:03:00.004-05:00

Unbelievable, the most beautiful weather we have had this winter, 77 degrees outside and sunny and what does some jerk do? Hey guys, you know what, the weather is suppose to be awesome this weekend, what do you say we spray paint "I was here" on the quarter pipe at the skate park and also something on top of the little pyramid because we know the county will close the park and we will be so awesome for screwing over everyone else who likes to skate this park. Yeah, good idea!

WHY?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
I shall refrain from what I really want to say now...

Thanks Concrete Disciples for the pic I used to show my example of the grafitti. I wish I had my camera on me.

Aldrin Garcia set Highest Ollie World Record @ 45"

2011-02-17T11:41:00.003-05:00

On February 15, 2011, Powell-Peralta Pro Aldrin Garcia sets the new highest ollie world record at 45 inches. It's unreal how he's got his legs all tweaked out like that...I mean, just look at how the side of both his shoes is laying on the board....insane! Just think about how much pop he must have generated to keep that board stuck to his feet as he elevated that high, I'm surprised his knees didn't bash himself in the head! :) The last world record for highest ollie 44.5" was set by another Powell guy, Danny Wainright in 2000. The Powell-Peralta camp must be doing Plyometrics or something over there! :)

Copers and Lappers

2011-02-15T16:28:00.000-05:00

I was browsing Jeff's Skateboard Page when I came across a post on Lappers and I got nostalgic looking for a picture on the web of a board with copers and lappers on it. But why stop there, I might as well look for a board that had all the plastic on it...Coper, Lapper, Tailguard, Noseguard, Rails, Risers, and and a nosebone. Am I forgetting anything?

Well, this is the best I could do for now...and I forgot, you can't really have a noseguard and a nosebone at the same time. :) If you've never tried grinding with a coper on concrete, you should....it's alot of fun....basically replaces the need for wax or a painted curb. :)

Williamsburg Locals VirginGrub Montage 4

2011-02-10T15:13:00.000-05:00

Back when I started skating again in 2004, when I went to the local skatepark, I would always consistently see this group of kids that were really good. They were a permanent fixture at the skatepark and I got very used to seeing them over the years, however they grew up and graduated from high school and now I only see some of them every once in awhile. Somehow back then I found them on the web at Virgingrub.net which is no longer up I think and I saw pics of them on the Antigravity skatepark website. They were the only locals that I found posting cool skate vids of themselves online and as odd as this sounds, I was a big fan of their skate pics and footage...I really enjoyed watching them progress and hone their craft....they got to be really good. Unfortunately I found out one of the guys I knew, Tommy Karafa and his friend Robbie Mccormack had passed away in a car accident in 2008 right here in Williamsburg off Centerville Rd. I found out about a year after he had passed away. My heart goes out to his friends and family who have been dealing with this tragic death over the years. This video includes footage of a local pool I was fortunate to skate at least once before it got filled with debris and also I love the beginning of the video where this dude named Anthony nollie heelflips through the front lobby of a local McDonald's! :) I think this video is either 5 years old.

Sheckler's Winning Run at Simpel Session 2011

2011-02-09T16:17:00.000-05:00

This run is just insane, check it out! Even if you aren't a fan of him, you can't deny this run is impressive!

T-Mobile Girl Carly Foulkes Skateboarding

2011-02-04T11:48:00.000-05:00

Ok, before she was the hot T-Mobile girl that reminded me of Liv Tyler...I didn't realize she was freakin awesome too! :)

Element's QUATTRO SLO MO HIGH DEF EDIT - U B STOKIFIED

2011-02-03T16:51:00.000-05:00

I was on Ricki Bedenbaugh's Keep On Pushin' blog today and he had put together an edit of some HD footage he shot for Element's latest video QUATTRO. I don't know about you but I love watching some good quality totally slow motion high definition skate footage! Go ahead, blow it up to full screen and get ready to be STOKED beyond belief!

Alien vs. Predator

2011-01-31T23:55:00.001-05:00

This Skate Mental graphic is just so wrong and so awesome at the same time!

I love the 80s

2011-01-14T15:44:00.000-05:00

This is awesome, it never gets old seeing these guys dress in there 80s fashion, get out their old decks and wheels and rip it up! I wonder if they did a street sesh at all...that's what I want to see next, the 80s street courses. Funny how back in the 80s, I'd watch tons of vert and then not be able to skate it...I still enjoyed watching it though...I always figured someday, I'd start learning how to skate a vert ramp...I still think that! :) My hero was Christian Hosoi and the only street footage of Hosoi that I had was the Streetstyle In Tempe 1986 contest.

20th Anniversary for Blind's Video Days

2011-01-07T16:24:00.001-05:00

Behind the scenes: Video Days Reunion Shoot Part 1 of 3 from Skateboarder Magazine on Vimeo.

Wow, I saw this on a website I'm not even sure how I got to (that happens very frequently). Anyhow, I was extremely stoked on seeing all these guys (Jason Lee, Guy Mariano, Mark Gonzalez, Jordan Richter and Rudy Johnson) reunite together again 20 years later in that big car with "Lowrider" playing in the background. Video Days was the last skate video I dubbed off a friend in high school in 1991. Little did I know that 1991 was pretty much it for me and skateboarding until 2004.

Airwalk PROTOTYPE is back!

2011-01-04T15:08:00.000-05:00

I should apologize for ragging on Airwalk, but they did take a different direction back in the mid 90s to go mainstream, instead of stick to their roots in skateboarding. I think if they would have stuck to skateboarding shoes, they would be one of the tops skate shoes today. By the look of things now, Airwalk looks to be headed in the right direction again! They do have a two awesome skaters on their team, one being Andy Mac, who is in my age bracket but still very much on top of his game and Tulio De Oliveira who can compete with the likes of skaters like P-Rod.

I didn't realize Airwalk started to re-introduce some of their designs from the 80s and 90s! If you check out the wikipedia entry on Airwalk. You can read about what happened to them in the mid 90s when one of their founders left the company. I see this return to their hey days as a very promising thing. It would be cool to see them in skate shops again alongside top skate shoe brands of today...I can dream! I wish I hadn't picked out the pair of Duffs and DVS's now. Maybe when I wear those out, I can get a pair of Airwalk Prototypes and a pair of Vision Street Wear Suede hightops! Sorry, now I'm having my own 80s day!

Here is some video of Tulio De Oliveira on the Dew Tour...I hope he sticks with Airwalk and can help bring it's popularity back with the youth of today.

and some footage of Andy Mac at the most recent Maloof Money Cup...I still can't believe I got to meet and watch him skate my local park back in 2006.

The Quiksilver All 80's All Day Vert Challenge 2011

2011-01-04T10:14:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile...I guess the holidays have made me lazy.... I got motivated by the return of this 80s Day promotional video that Quicksilver put out. I wish I could attend, it's going to be a blast! Check out this video with McGill referencing to a phrase he uttered in the Public Domain Video and a reference to Tony Hawk being the pizza delivery guy in the Christian Slater movie, Gleaming the Cube. You should definitely check out the whole Gleaming the Cube clip, it's funny to see them all have helmets on in the streets and check out the Airwalk shoes Christian Slater is wearing when he is holding onto the red Corvette...those shoes were so popular at the time...I still can't believe what became of Airwalk and how they didn't stay on top of their game in the skateboard shoe industry...you can find them at Payless now and I've heard they are constructed horribly.

Tron Inspired Skateboard Ramp

2010-12-22T12:23:00.001-05:00

Tron Legacy Premiere - A Light Session from ENESS on Vimeo.

I haven't seen the new movie yet, but this is pretty awesome if I say so myself. How can they land these tricks in such low light with all the crazy flashing lights on the ramp?...that is what impresses me the most! :) According to the Eness website, this is the world’s first extreme 3D projection. Each rider is wearing an iPod that has a custom app, which measures his or her air time. That app initiates the graphics while they are in the air and upon landing. Sweet!

Kilian Martin: Freestyle Skateboarding Still Alive and Well

2010-12-15T12:20:00.002-05:00

I remember in the 80s, every skateboard video you watched had elements of Street skating, Vert Skating and Freestyle skating....well, nowadays the freestyle skating seems to get left out. Rodney Mullen, the father of freestyle skating and the inventor of pretty much all the tricks that street skaters do today still skates and has shown us in his series of Almost Round 1-3 videos several years ago that he made an adjustment to his freestyle skating and pretty much merged his freestyle with street.

Well, I wasn't really looking for freestyle skating but was visiting Vision Street Wear's site our of a nostalgic feeling I had. You see, Vision Street Wear was one of the major companies for skateboards, wheels, shoes and clothes back in the 80s. Their stuff was awesome and I would still wear and skate there products today. To get a history lesson on what Vision Street Wear was like in the 70s-80s, click here. I was just thinking, somewhere in my attic is a Vision Street Wear shirt with the arms cut off and a pair of VSW shorts and I also owned a pair of grey suede Vision shoes (which are long gone) with the patented Ollie pad! So Rad! :) What is even radder is that you can still buy them today!

Anyhow, while viewing their website, I clicked on one of their team riders by the name of Kilian Martin. I checked out one of his videos and was just amazed by his skating...just awesome! I hope freestyle can make it's way back into the scene like it was in the 80s. The things these guys do are just amazing and so creative.
Check out the two videos below where Kilian combines Freestyle and street skating. The last video is more pure Freestyle skating like you would see in an 80s skate video. It's interesting to note that our modern day skateboard shape pretty much looks like a larger freestyle board with a little more rounded edges.

Part 1

Part 2

Freestyle

No Tasty waves? Try Tarp Surfing!

2010-12-14T12:00:00.002-05:00

Omar Etcheverry leading a tandem tarp surfing session.

So What do you do when you're a surfer and there just aren't any "Tasty Waves" out there? You get yourself a great big blue tarp and have your friends pull it over you while you skate through it. Instant killer waves brah! :)

This whole concept started as a joke. Some local Santa Cruz surfers just wanted to get a laugh out of there friends, so they made this video for YouTube. The video starred local Santa Cruz surfers Omar Etcheverry, Homer Henard and Maverick's alternate Nic Lamb. The video went viral and the next thing they knew, they had received over 2.5 million views and got a nomination for a People's Choice award for Favorite Viral Video Star. The three surfers now star in a new Mountain Dew commercial that is sure to make this joke a mainstream activity! :) Check out the video these guys made below and the Moutain Dew Commercial!

I got information, pictures and links to videos from this article on the sfgate.com.

Artsy Richmond Skateboard Video

2010-12-13T23:43:00.003-05:00

Ty Beall cruising Richmond, VA in Cold Stogies from Brent O'Donnell on Vimeo.

I saw this video on the Mostly Skateboarding blog and I had wanted to post it on my blog too just because I enjoyed the way it was filmed and the fact that it's filmed in Richmond is cool. I don't get out much, so I get excited about any local footage out there and I've never skated Richmond at all, so it's just very cool to see the sites that are there just an hour away from me. Maybe someday I'll get myself to Richmond to check out the DIY park.

WOW! Vallely back on Powell Peralta! No Joke!

2010-12-03T14:50:00.001-05:00

Stacy Peralta filming Mike V, 1988, Edison, NJ. Photo by Craig Stecyk.

First, check out that pic of Mike V and that kickass No Comply off the block....he was and is one of the masters of that trick. Him and Ray Barbee were my teachers when it came to No Comply's. Play, Pause, Rewind, Repeat! As if the news couldn't get any better with the Bones Brigade Documentary in the works...but now Mike Vallely has announced he is dropping everything and returning to his roots on Powell Peralta!!! This week is going down in history my friends! His website says he will be featured in the documentary as well. I wonder what will happen with his newly formed skateboard company. Ah, who cares, Mike is back with Powell Peralta....the powerhouse behind 80s skateboarding! He has truly come full circle. ---Ha, I like to research my posts while I'm typing them and well, when I opened up the Regulator Distribution company's website, I learned the answer to what will happen to By The Sword skateboards. The following is the post I read...I'm thinking some skateshops are going to be having a sale soon, what do you think?

12.03.10 //Goodbye to By The Sword
SWWWWOOOOOSSSSHHHH !! Thats the sound of a toilet flushing. Well after 6 months of working on "By the Sword" with Mike Vallely, it seems that it has come to an end. We recently recieved an email from Mikes partner with BTS telling us that he got an offer to go back to Powell Peralta and that he is taking it. We at Regulator never had a say in any of it. We just got an email and that was that. Of course we are bummed to not be working with Mike anymore but I think I am more bummed for the shops, distributors and skaters that got behind the message of BTS and supported it. In the end I am stoked for Mike. He is my friend and I only want what is best for my friends. In the meantime maybe Ill steal the "DIY Or Die" slogan?! I really liked that!
So there you go. If you still want to find some stupid skater owned bull shit, Regulatordist.com is still your place to go!
Now take that to your message boards ya queers!
Kristian Svitak
www.Regulatordist.com
1-800-Get Bent

Bones Brigade Documentary!

2010-12-02T14:42:00.000-05:00

I just got this email from Powell Peralta stating that a Bones Brigade Documentary is in the works! No freakin way! I am beyond ecstatic! This is so unreal! I worshiped these guys in my preteen and teen years and to be honest, I still do! I have music on my ipod from Bones Brigade videos and every once in awhile I'll watch a little bit of a Bones Brigade video. In 2005, I purchased the "Search For Animal Chin" special edition DVD set which included a DVD with lots of extras and of course commentary on the movie itself. It was awesome to get this insight about the making of "Animal Chin". I can't wait to learn all the interesting factoids about the Bones Brigade themselves and their experiences with skateboarding in the 80s. It's great just to see a picture of them all together discussing this project! The Powell Peralta website states

"Documentary filmmaker, Stacy Peralta in a new film with Tony Hawk, Lance Mountain, Steve Caballero, Mike McGill, Rodney Mullen, Tommy Guerrero and others will investigate the history, the team and the men to determine what is the legacy of the Bones Brigade. "Five years ago the guys got together and told me they wanted to do this. They believed they had a significant story others would want to know about. So now we're going to see.""

It also states that a coffee table book is in the works! Sweet! Did I ever mention that I have a passion for skateboarding? Well, I do, just a little bit! :) I just did an internet search on "bones brigade documentary" and it's just cool to see all the major skate sites I know talking about this within the last couple hours! I love this skateboarding community! :)

Ron Allen Spotting

2010-11-28T22:22:00.001-05:00

Remember Ron Allen from H-Street videos in the late 80s. I remember him doing some jaw dropping one foot ollies and ollie airwalks. It's not alot of footage but it's nice to see footage of old skate legends skating. I feel like we never see these old legends street skating....The last pics I've seen of Natas Kaupas, he was pulling an air out of a bowl. The last thing I saw from Tommy Guerrero was footage of him skating a mini-ramp. I do see old skate legends skating bowls and vert all the time....what is it with old street skaters, why don't wee see footage from them skating street still? I've heard Tommy G's back is jacked, so maybe it's just wear and tear from street skating that makes them stick more to transitions or maybe its just that we don't see footage but really they are out there all the time ripping up the streets and skateparks?....I don't know, but I for one am interested in footage of all those dudes I looked up too and how they are skating today.

Suspects Nabbed in Mt. Trashmore Ramp Fire from 2006

2010-11-24T15:59:00.001-05:00

Photo Credit: (Bill Tiernan / The Virginian-Pilot)

On August 16, 2006, the Mt. Trashmore skatepark or a big section of it caught on fire...from pictures it looks to be mainly the wooden bowl and anything connected to it. I was at the location sometime after the fire and I know that the vert ramp was still intact because it was separate from the park area. The park was completed rebuilt by March 2007.

From the Wavy.com article:

"On Tuesday, fire investigators said they think they have their suspects. Former Green Run High School students Alex K. Wilhelm who now lives in Richmond and Joshua Nichols who now lives in Northern Virginia were both charged."

An interesting thing about how they got a break in the case was a Police Officer who was working an unrelated case in La Vista Nebraska stumbled upon some emails from Wilhelm to a friend in Nebraska. I find this so strange since the town I grew up in and skateboarded as a child is in the area of La Vista, Nebraska. Small world, eh? The search warrant obtained by WAVY.com claims La Vista Police obtained an e-mail where Wilhelm admitted to burning down the skateboard park.

Apparently the two suspects were underneath the ramp and lit paper on fire, left it and that's how the ramp burnt down. According the article by Wavy.com, Wilhelm and Nichols face charges of burning or destroying property, and threats to bomb or damage buildings. No court date has been set.

Rodney Mullen Skated Vert Secretly

2010-11-22T21:27:00.001-05:00

This is just amazing! A Twitter post was on the Skatedaily.net website today linking to a photo on photographer Jim Goodrich's facebook page of Rodney Mullen skating vert! Apparently this was a secret that Rodney Mullen kept from his parents because they forbid him from skating vert! In the caption below the picture, it states

"Rodney Mullen in a never published photo at Sensation Basin skatepark in Gainesville. I kept this photo under wraps because his parents forbid him to skate vertical. November 1979. I thnk that's Tim Scroggs standing on the right. Hey Rodney, I hope your parents don't ground you for this. LOL"

For those of you who don't know, Rodney Mullen was the master of Freestyle skating in the 80s and invented many of the flip tricks that modern street and vert skaters perform today. I for one was stoked to be looking at Jim Goodrich's photos on facebook and reading comments from skate legends such as Z-Boys Jay Adams! It truly is amazing what kind of insight into people's lives you can get from facebook. I befriended a couple Pro Skateboarders on Facebook recently and now all these legends in the skateboarding industry are popping up in my suggested friends. Now my own dilemma is should I ask these pro skaters that have no clue who I am to be my friend just because I'm a huge fan? I want to, but at the same time, I would think that would make it a pain for them to decipher their "real" friends" from those who are just fans and really don't know them at all, ya know? Well, I guess I can just request, leave them a little message telling them what a fan I am and they can always decline if they so choose. :)

Vandalism @ James City County Skatepark

2010-11-17T11:26:00.001-05:00

Last week I was at the my local skatepark after it had been closed for several days for maintenance and some additions like a flat bar and picnic table. The county did a nice job and the paint they used on the concrete was not slippery like stuff they had used in the past, so kudos to that! Well, since then, I've heard not even a week has gone by and somebody has ripped out the flatbar...the rumor is that is was bikers. Now, when I was frequenting the park more back in 2004-2007, there were not many bikers at all at this park, rightfully so, because bikes are not allowed at the park. Well, now, you'll find tons of bikes at the park, sometimes actually outnumbering the skateboarders. I have nothing personal against bikers, but the rules of the park state no bikes and it is actually more enjoyable to skate there knowing that a bike isn't going to collide with you.

The point of this post is just for me to gripe about the grafitti and the vandalism of the park. I would think a flatbar added to the park would be a good thing for all skaters to enjoy, not something somebody would rip out. I don't get it? Also, I for one view grafitti as part of the skateboarding culture, but obviously the county does not like it, so why grafitti up the park knowing that the county will just close the park and paint over it....seems like such a waste of time on everybody's part. I know it wastes my time when I drive down to the park only to find it closed because some snot nosed kids grafittied it or ripped something out of the ground! Ok, I know, it's not fair to assume its some snot nosed kids...I suppose it may not even be skaters or bikers doing it. I don't know, just please, can't we all just respect the skatepark and be grateful we have a free place with smooth concrete to ride our skateboards at without hassle from business owners.....I know I am. For the 7 years that I skated back in the 80s to 90s in Nebraska, I didn't have a skatepark. I had the ledges and stairs at a movie theater located on military housing along with a ditch that ran between the houses that was pretty cool, the parking blocks at the local Hardees and my friends launch ramp, quarter pipe and homemade grind rail, oh and my driveway. :) It still blows me away when I realize I had a 12 year break from skateboarding back when there were no skateparks in my area except for 1 that was an hour away and only had a vert ramp and then when I turned 30 back in 2004, there are a multitude of skateparks available and from 2004 to 2006 I had been to about 4 different skateparks and skated my first pool. It's just crazy...I wish all these parks existed when I was a kid!

I meant to mention this while griping about the vandalism at my local park, but why not install surveillance cameras at the park? That way when vandalism happens, we know who to point the finger at and we can punish those who deserve punishing and maybe just maybe prevent further vandalism to occur at the park, I don't know...just a thought.

Fantasy Skateboarding Winner

2010-11-15T16:47:00.004-05:00

Photo Credit: Andy Adams/The Lufkin Daily News

Jonah Campbell, 15, won $10,000 through an online fantasy skateboarding contest, sponsored by professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and his Street League Skateboarding. Ya know, it's times like these where I really regret not entering that contest I heard about, especially when it's absolutely free to enter...*banging head on desk* :) ha!

30 Years Old @ James City County Skatepark in Williamsburg, VA

2010-11-12T02:35:00.000-05:00

So, this is the only video footage of myself skateboarding that I currently possess. I may have some old VHS footage from when I was a kid in the late 80s at my parents house in Nebraska. About a year after this video I had gotten much better by my standards. Learning Varial flips, Heelflips and noseslides and learning how to get my kickflips to look better and go higher. Of course now after a broken foot and life knocked me off my board for the last two years, now I can't even land a kickflip, but I'm getting better, I'm slowly getting noseslides back and just getting a general feeling of stability on my board again. Maybe in a little while I'll break out the camcorder again. I think I need to put a better quality camcorder on my Christmas wish list...converting tape to digital is NO fun! :)

Step Off Tricks and No Comply Variations

2010-11-11T00:43:00.000-05:00

Back in my heyday of skateboarding mid 80s to early 90s, toward the end, it seemed that all the tricks I did always consisted of some sort of No Comply Variation or a step off trick, like a step off impossible for example. Well, in this video is a guy who can land all those tricks I tried back in the day and still try now but I can only land a couple of things he shows in this video like the no comply variation at 0:40, but his looks way better! Anyways, watch his vid...it will make you want to get on your board and try these tricks for yourself.

Skater Dater (1965) - Short Vintage Skateboard Film

2010-11-09T12:25:00.001-05:00

skaterdater from zgg on Vimeo.

I stumbled upon this short vintage skateboard film...I haven't watched the whole thing yet....but just watching a little bit, I know it's going to be awesome! You can't beat that whole early California skate/surf scene! The surf guitar, the bare feet, the headstands and the sound of those steel wheels on the pavement. Plus the film was shot in Torrance and Redondo Beach, two places I remember from family vacations to Southern California while growing up in Nebraska. Oh and somebody needs to smack that lady at 3:50 in the film...you'll see what I mean!

Here is the Wiki entry if you want to know more about the film...

Skaterdater is a short film that was released in 1965. It was Produced by Marshal Backlar, and written and directed by Noel Black and was the winner of the Palme d'Or for Best Short Film at the 1966 Cannes Film Festival.[1] It was also nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Short Subject category. First prizes in international film festivals including Moscow and Venice.
The film tells a story with no dialogue. The surf rock-esque soundtrack was composed by Mike Curb and Nick Venet with Davie Allan and the Arrows playing "Skaterdater Rock" [2].
It was the first film on skateboarding. It was distributed theatrically, both domestically and internationally, by United Artists. It was reviewed extensively, including "Time Magazine".
The skateboarders were members of the neighborhood Imperial Skateboard Club from Torrance, California. Their names are Gary Hill, Gregg Carrol, Mike Mel, Bill McKaig, Gary Jennings, Bruce McKaig and Rick Anderson. Most of the action shots were taken in Torrance, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes Estates. The final shot was Averill Park in San Pedro.
-wiki

Asher Bradshaw - 6 Year Old Skateboarding Sensation

2010-11-08T14:15:00.003-05:00

This kid is so unbelievably good and he's only 6 years old! A friend of mine on facebook shared this video with me today and it just blew me away! There is an interview with him on another blog called "I Skate, Therefore I Am". Check out the article on their blog here.

Funny Early Grab Trick Tip

2010-11-05T15:35:00.006-04:00

I have no idea how I stumbled upon this site. Anyways I browsed the site and ended up on this "early grab trick tip" and since I used to do early grabs all the time off launch ramps in the 80's, I was interested and watched it even though it was for longboards, the same principle applies to regular boards though. The video is freakin' hilarious, check it out!

80's Skateboarding - Day In The Life 2 1988

2010-11-05T09:10:00.005-04:00

Somewhere at my parents house possibly lays a VHS tape with skateboarding footage of a friend and myself skating a homemade railslide made out of 2x4's and 2 pieces of PVC coping. I remember tape recording McRad music off of the Powell-Peralta video "Public Domain"....the music from the Rubber Boys segment. I had my boombox outside blasting that while we sessioned our rail. I don't know why I didn't bring the video camera out more (probably because it was my Dad's really expensive camcorder and it was HUGE) Oh yeah, now I remember why I didn't take it out often, you actually had to bring the VCR with you thus having to disconnect it from the TV and all. I should have asked my Dad to film us....I guess I just never thought I'd be where I am now reminiscing about days long gone. I hope the little footage I took then didn't get taped over or ruined somehow. :(

Anyhow, since I don't have my own footage from back then to look at now, I find myself searching YouTube for other people's old skate footage from the 80s. I have found a lot of good stuff...here is one of them I'd like to share with you all today...enjoy!

Fellow Old Skater Inspiration

2010-11-04T17:00:00.002-04:00

I stumbled upon this guys YouTube channel sometime last year I think. His story is similar to mine in which he hadn't been skating for the last 14 years and then picked it up again and we are about the same age....only difference is that he is way better than me! :) His videos inspire me! Check them out at Bandini's Channel.

Office Skate Break

2010-11-02T15:19:00.004-04:00

Great video from an Italian Skateshop called MC Skateboards! One thing I want to know is how these guys don't break a sweat! :)

Sorcery 118 Rocks!

2010-11-02T13:33:00.004-04:00

I discovered this blog a little while back when they were featured on SkateDaily.net and ever since, I have been a fan and I check it daily for new video posts. Their skating on this site is like a mixture of old and new school...or you could say like Mike V refers to skateboarding, "There is no old or new school, just skateboarding!" Their videos are just so freakin' entertaining to me. They usually are doing something goofy in the video and the music is usually some old school punk that I love. It doesn't get any better. Check Sorcery118 out if you haven't already! :)

Mike V demolishes Antigravity Skatepark in VA

2010-08-04T14:47:00.004-04:00

Well, I didn't actually get to witness this demolition take place by Mike V and crew, but luckily he put some of the footage in episode 16 of "Monday's with Mike V". I wish I would have planned better to attend this awesome display of skateboarding by these skateboarding legends. If my wife reads this post, shush, I don't need any comments about this! :) Check it out below...

No Comply News Featured on MikeVallely.com!

2010-05-27T00:39:00.000-04:00

I wanted to post this yesterday when I was the latest post on Mike Vallely's website but now I am the second thing down, but that's alright. I can't believe I got featured on his website.....so cool! Such an honor. Words cannot explain how awesome it felt to see my blog and picture of myself and Mike Vallely on his freakin' website. So unreal! So, so, so, SO UNREAL!!!! :) Yeah, I'm happy! Thanks Mike! That definitely made my day!

Bucky Lasek at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

2010-05-11T11:12:00.003-04:00

So, this Saturday while my wife and son left for a friends birthday party at the local bowling alley, I rushed around the house getting myself and daughter ready to head to the Ramp Jam at Busch Gardens here in Williamsburg. The Ramp Jam tour featured many different pro skateboarders, BMXers, and rollerbladers. The only names I knew and really cared about seeing were skateboarders Bucky Lasek and Danny Mayor. Danny is from my hometown of Omaha, NE. I was hopeing to bring a camera for pictures but understandably my wife had it for the birthday party and my son must have brought his along too. My 4 year old daughter was nice enough to offer up her Fisher Price digital camera, but If any of you have used one, you know how horrible the picture quality is, but it was very cute of her to offer. :) So, I get her and myself slathered in sun block before we head out and gather our water bottles and Busch Garden's passes. I grab my autograph board which is a blank natural wood skateboard deck that I bring with me whenever I have the chance of meeting a pro skateboarder I admire. I've got autographs from Andy Mac, Mike V, Hosoi, Sergie Ventura, Kyle Leeper, etc.

So we head out the door at 2:30pm and the Ramp Jam starts at 3:30pm. I figured plenty of time. 20 minutes to get to Busch Gardens and 40 minutes to make our way from the parking lot to the show in the park. No problem, right?

Wrong! We don't even get to the park ticket booth until 3:30pm! So we huff it through the park which seemed to take forever! Once we arrived at the Ramp Jam location by Festhaus it's already about 3:50pm. So we sit down in the grass just to hear the announcer say, "well, here's the final run folks, we apologize that we can't keep going, but the wind is just too strong."

My poor daughter whom I dragged through the park on this warm day with her face all flush from the heat. We then go stand in line for the autograph...we waited for 10-15min with no sign of anybody coming out and the line was long! I decide if my daughter is going to have any fun today, I better get her on a ride before we have to leave, so we forget about the autograph and head to whatever ride she picks which was a plane ride. She enjoys the plane ride and we begin the reverse walking marathon we did to get into the park. Poor girl! At least I rememberd to bring the water bottle!

So all that and No Ramp Jam and no autograph. At least my daughter and I got to spend some time together even though it was more like exercise time together! :) And hey, she really got to ride 3 rides at the park. The Tram from the parking lot to the park, the Plane ride, and then the Tram from the park to the parking lot! :)

Bucky was at the ramp jam on Mother's day too, but I know better than to suggest we do that on Mother's Day. I'm not that crazy! :) The Ramp Jam without Bucky, but the other guys is suppose to coninue for the next couple weekends. More info can be found here.

Jason Lee's Memphis Beat

2010-04-28T15:35:00.004-04:00

Hurray! I was pretty bummed about the cancellation of "My Name Is Earl" and am excited about our favorite skateboarder turned movie star / tv star / celebrity to be back on TV with his new show Memphis Beat on TNT. The premise behind the show sounds hilarious and right up Jason Lee's alley. IMDB give this description of the show...."A drama centered on a Memphis cop who moonlights as an Elvis impersonator and lives with his mother." It is good to have Jason Lee back...he is hilarious and I hope he still gets on his board enough to put out another skate video from Stereo Sound Agency. Tune in on June 22 to TNT, the day after GoSkateboardingDay! :)

If you are like me, you like to reminisce of the old days when hearing news of skate legends like this...so here is some Youtube vids...Jason Lee singing that stupid song in video days cracks me up everytime! :)

Blind Video Days

Blind Video Days Singing Clip

I never saw this Airwalk ad from 1995. I had hung up my skateboard in 1991 sometime and didn't pick it up again until 2004! Crazy huh?!? Anyways, check it out...it's pretty classic silly Jason Lee.

Here is Jason Lee in the Earl Mustache days throwing down a tre flip.

Privacy

2010-04-28T15:04:00.003-04:00

Okay so this has nothing to do with skateboarding, but I guess it could have to do with watching skateboarding on TV when the sun in shining onto the TV screen. :) A while back my wife purchased these wood shutters(faux wood actually) for the windows on the front of our house. They mount inside and cover just the bottom half of the windows. I think they look fantastic. I never mounted them because the task became harder than expected. So they are just kind shoved in there but it kinda serves it purpose until it falls down. Okay, let me get to the point of this post...the point is that she wanted me to take down the blinds we have in the living room since we now have the shutters and I'm thinking, wait, what about people looking into our windows through the top since the road is level with our windows so people can see right in from the street. I didn't like that notion. I'm really glad that when I tried to take the blinds down it was really hard to do and that I put it off for so long because I've come to realize another reason to keep the blinds on those windows is that you can't watch TV without a big glare on the screen during the day. Thanks goodness for my procrastinating ways! :)

Mondays with Mike V

2010-04-21T14:32:00.005-04:00

Yep, that is me with Mike V back in 2006 on his first concert tour with Revolution Mother at Relative Theory Records in Norfolk, VA. Mike Vallely has an awesome new segment called "Mondays with Mike V" where he will post a video up about various things. I watched the first one yesterday and it was awesome! I swear I can watch any video with him in it and find it entertaining. He is such an awesome guy. I was fortunate to meet him once when he first started touring with his new band Revolution Mother back in 2006. They had a concert in this old record store and it was very small and maybe 15 other people were at the concert...It was one of the best concert experiences ever! Like someone playing a personal concert in your living room or something and I was also pretty stoked because I'd been watching skate videos of him since 1987! So check out his new webshow or whatever you call it on his website mikevallely.com

Online Gaming

2010-04-21T11:58:00.004-04:00

It seems these days that when somebody says they play games on their computer, they mean that they play online games. I think the evolution of gaming online has gotten the attention of people who wouldn't normally use computers. I don't think my Mom would ever get on the computer if it weren't for an online game site she started using.

When you caught people playing games at work in the past, it was Solitaire that came with Windows. These days, you are more apt to find them on Farmville plowing there fields. Farmville is a good example of how online gaming has really blown up! You can find many other game sites like funbrain, addictinggames, teenfreearcade and far to many others to list.

My kids love Webkinz and I can see why. The virtual world and games are so much fun, you don’t want to stop playing. You can work on building your home or playing the many different arcade games. They even have a tournament area now that is basically playing multiplayer in Webkinz world. Many online gaming sites now have this feature. You can play against other people online. If you thought playing games by yourself were addicting, just wait until you play against people all over theworld!

Screaming Hand Deck

2010-04-20T16:16:00.005-04:00

I am definitely stoked on the new white 8.2" screaming hand that NHS Santa Cruz has released! I love Jim Phillips skate art and I must have this board someday...I used to doodle this graphic on all my junior high school book covers! Just awesome! About a year or two, my parents were nice enough to purchase a USB flash drive skateboard with this graphic on it...thanks again Mom and Dad! :)

Free Content For Your Website

2010-04-20T13:42:00.001-04:00

There are so many facets of blogging these days. I stumble upon something I didn’t know about everyday it seems. If only I was more savvy so I could earn big money like some internet marketers do. I hadn’t heard of an Article directory until today. Apparently article directories are available to allow amateur writers and professional internet marketers to get their articles out with the potential of being read by millions.

Article directories are also used to expand webmasters and bloggers content on their own website. In most cases, the content is free to use providing that links are retained to the source page. Sometimes these articles can help drive more traffic to your site and help your Google rank.

These directories provide a resource for those who need more content and don’t have the time to produce all of it themselves. Let’s face it, writing takes time and we all seem to never have enough time. So, if you use article directories carefully and mix in your own content with this legally borrowed content, your website or blog can benefit greatly. All in all, article directories can help your website or blog grow. I wish I would have known about these when I first started blogging.

Favorite No Comply Trick

2010-04-20T13:12:00.002-04:00

I was perusing Jeff's Skateboard Page and came across a recent pick of him no complying off a curb. I've got to say that is probably my favorite No Comply variation...there is just something about bonking your tail off the curb and your back foot sticking to the board and then successfully landing it and rolling away....I guess it is the same for all tricks but I love that trick...good job Jeff!

Four Eyed Skateboarder

2010-04-20T12:01:00.003-04:00

When I skateboarded as a kid in the mid 80s to 90s, I wore these big thick ass eye glasses because I had no other choice. As all of you know, skateboarding can cause some nasty spills and for a kid with glasses, it also meant your glasses were at risk of being broken. I remember my eye glasses flying off my face at times, but I actually have never broke a pair skateboarding. I was more likely to break them by sitting on them or sleeping with them on.

When I started skateboarding again in 2004 at the age of 30, I was wearing contacts. After a couple years of skateboarding with contacts, one day I went skateboarding with glasses on and WOW, that was quite an eye opener for me. Apparently I got used to being able to see in all directions without having to move my head as much. You see, with glasses, if you want to see clearly when looking up or down or side to side, you have to move your head to keep whatever you are looking at within your eye glasses frame. Basically, it is really hard for me now to skate with glasses on...so much that if I have to wear glasses on a particular day for whatever reason, I will not go skateboarding. It just throws me off too much.

Transworld's "And Now"

2010-04-20T11:30:00.002-04:00

I love all things skateboarding and even though I've been off my board for quite awhile now, I know I will skate again. But while I am off my board, I'm still watching skate videos whenever I get the chance. I stayed at my inlaws last weekend and they have FuelTV...I love that channel! Built to Shred is an awesome show and that channel was made for me! Ok, I'm getting sidetracked from my real reason for posting this. If you haven't seen the "And Now" video...you need too! I haven't even finished watching it and I am already so stoked about the video. So far, "And Now" deserves to win the most unique video footage of the year award! It's so insane and creative, your jaw will be dropping! No joke! Watch the clip above and see for yourself!

Gamble For Fun

2010-04-20T10:43:00.000-04:00

I remember when I was in high school, my friends and I would frequently be bored with what we normally did like go to the movies, the mall, hang out at home watching TV. We weren't drinkers or party goers so that was out of the question. Anyhow, we were always looking for something different to do and one of those things that we discovered was going to the horse races and in order to make it affordable, we didn't bet any money! We would just go to the horse races, maybe buy a coke and then sit and place fake bets on paper. It was more of a game to see who could pick the winning the horse. I wasn't at gambling age anyhow, so we weren't really missing out.

Later in life I did place my first sport bet in horse racing at the same track. I think I placed a couple bets that day and lost them all...this time I went with my parents. Unless you are going to win, I find it more fun to place fake bets! :) I guess I'm not much of a betting man. You see, with gambling, you may leave empty handed and If I'm going to spend my money, I'd rather never leave empty handed. :) Although I have to admit, slot machines are fun and the new kind are like playing video games with a small chance of winning more money! :)

I wonder if people place bets professionally on who will win skateboarding competitions like X-Games events. I'm sure it goes on, but I've never heard of it.

Skateboarding Owl

2010-03-22T11:05:00.008-04:00

Ok, I've seen many skateboarding bulldogs, but is this bird trying to show up the Hawk man?! :) As you can see in this pic, the Owl is being pulled by string, but he seems to like the ride! I've read in other stories on the internet that this Owl has learned to fly around and then land on the skateboard using that momentum to actually role on his own! Now that would be very impressive to see, but I've yet to find video footage of that on the web.

Blog Neglect

2010-01-19T09:29:00.004-05:00

Sorry to all those that check this blog for new entries. I got wrapped up in making money with PayPerPost so much, that it was the only thing keeping me blogging. They made a change awhile back to their original way of doing business and my opportunities disappeared and so did my interest in this blog. I wish I had kept plugging away because now I have lost my little Google Pagerank of 2 which helped me get the opportunities to make money at PayPerPost. Looks like I'm starting at the bottom again. Well, I plan on posting here again...I'm motivated because I looked at my sitemeter since I've been gone and well, I'm getting more hits on my site since I've stopped posting...I don't get it? Who are the 174 people visiting each week? I love having a small presence on the web...I know it's very small but over a 100 without any new posts boggles my mind!

QueenTorrent is an Excellent Torrent Search Engine

2009-11-25T02:50:00.002-05:00

The best part of Queentorrent.com is it's simple interface. All you have to do is visit the website and type in the file you are looking for just like you would in a search engine like google. Except with this search engine, you will get the list of torrents that you need without all the extra results you don't need.

With Queentorrent.com, you will have the opportunity to download lots of games, music, and films for free without the fear of downloading empty and incomplete files like with other torrent search engines. Queentorrent.com is a huge regularly updated torrent files base. Every day bots cover thousands of sites with free torrents and adds them to the database so that you have the best selection at Queentorrent.

Pro Skater Mike Vallely Gets Bad Rap

2009-11-24T16:07:00.004-05:00

I met Professional Skate Mike V back in 2006 I believe. He had just formed a new band called Revolution Mother and they kicked ass. They were performing in a Norfolk Record Shop called Relativity Records. The concert was awesome and the venue was nice and small...it was literally like watching Metallica perform in a McDonalds....that was how close everybody was! So after the concert I get a chance to pose for pictures, ask him questions and chat about skateboarding and his influence on me back in the 80s when I first saw him in a skate video. It was great and he was a really nice guy interacting with the adults and the children that were there.

So, recently he got in a brawl at an Anaheim Ducks game. From what I saw and read about it, Mike Vallely got a bad rap from this unfortunate event. Pro Hockey player Scott Niedermayer through his stick into the crowd but was trying to get it to Mike V's daughter. Instead some other guy pulls it out of I think Mike V's wife's hand. The camera gets a little wobbly after that so I can't tell who threw the first punch but you can definitely see the other guy throwing punches and Mike retaliating with a barrage of punches. I feel bad for him and I can understand if somebody was trying to take a momento that was intended for your daughter, you might want to punch somebody who tries to swipe it away...especially if they continue to try and take it away. Who knows what words were exchanged behind that glass or what sequence of events happened, but now Mike Vallely no longer blogs for the Anaheim Ducks and they have severed their relationship with Mike V. All because of some jerk trying to take a present away from his daughter that was intended for his daughter. I say way to go Mike V for standing up for your daughter.

Mantle Clocks

2009-11-24T14:38:00.004-05:00

Growing up, I don’t remember my parents having a mantle clock, but they did have a grandfather clock and I remember hearing the chimes every hour and whenever I hear a grandfather clock nowadays, it brings back a warm memory of home. We have a clock on our mantle, nothing fancy though…it was a wedding gift from target I think.

I was checking out this website 1-800-4CLOCKS.com that’s all about clocks and one of the mantle clocks caught my eye, it’s a Howard Miller Andrea Mantle Clock. Now this thing is right up my alley. I love the sloped design of the clock. It is very classy looking and it even has an antique brushed brass pendulum like a grandfather clock would have. The clock plays Westminster or Beethoven chimes and features volume control and automatic nighttime chime shut-off option. If I was ever in the market to purchase one, this would be my first choice.

1-800-4CLOCKS.com, where I found that amazing mantle clock, has very competitive prices, in fact, they guarantee the lowest price! They offer multiple payment options such as credit cards, Paypal and Google Checkout. If that wasn’t enough, you get free shipping on any orders over $100. I absolutely love that because there is nothing worse than seeing the price of what you are buying and then when you go to pay and checkout, the price gets bumped up because the online store has to add shipping still. So, be sure to check out 1-800-4CLOCKS.com if you are looking for mantle clocks, grandfather clocks or any other kind of clock.

Kyle Berard Sponsored by Penthouse Energy Drink

2009-11-23T16:53:00.003-05:00

Who even knew Penthouse magazine had an energy drink? That is just crazy! So Kyle Berard who is a local Virginia Beach Pro Skater now is required to attend at least 4 Penthouse Magazine parties a year to fullfill his duties of being sponsored by their energy drink. Oh geez, what a hard job that will be. HA! :)

If you'd like to check out his interview in the December 2009 Penthouse Magazine...Consolidated Skateboards has posted a copy here.

Generator Season

2009-11-19T16:31:00.002-05:00

I don’t know about you, but where I live, it seems like if you just look at a power line, you lose power. The weather can be beautiful outside and for some reason, the power goes out. If I had the means, I would be shopping for a generator now to prepare for the winter and possible power outages due to ice or snow weighing down the power lines or knocking down trees onto power lines.

There is a great place online to shop for these things. They carry generators for all different applications such as residential, emergency, standby, industrial, portable, trailor or mobile generators. Their sales engineers each have a minimum of ten years experience so you know you are getting quality advise when talking with them.

They recommend a Diesel Generator due to their longevity and lower operating costs. For example, an 1800 rpm water cooled Diesel Generator operates on average 20-30,000 hours before major engine maintenance is required whereas an 1800 rpm water cooled gas normally operates 6-10,000 hours because they are built on a lighter duty gasoline engine block. A Pto generator allow you to provide emergency electrical power with your tractor. They offer Pto generators from the world’s top manufacturers. So if you own a tractor, this may be a viable option for you.

County in Maryland Accepts Skate Park Graffiti as Urban Art

2009-11-19T14:13:00.003-05:00

I blogged about the topic of skatepark graffiti awhile back and debated the issue of whether or not the county I live in should just accept the graffiti as art and let it be because some of it actually brings a nice visual of color to the park which is kinda grey and dreery looking as it is. Well I stumbled upon this article where this county has decided to accept the graffiti at the skatepark as urban art and part of the skate culture! How awesome is that of them?!?! I understand the residents point that the skatepark was built too close to them as kids sometimes act stupid, vandalize and yell obscenities...I wouldn't want those idiots in my backyard either. :) But Kudos for this county on accepting the graffiti as urban art and part of skate culture....you guys rock and I hope other counties can follow in your footsteps...plus it will save you some cover up paint money! I do agree that gang signs and obscenities should be covered up, because in being a father, I sure wouldn't want my kids being exposed to that! Check out the article below...

County accepts skate park graffiti as 'urban art'
Neighbors' discontent over facility location, operation continues

By Jennifer Broadwater
jbroadwater@patuxent.com
Posted 11/19/09

(Enlarge) Gary Arthur, director of Howard County's Recreation and Parks Department, called the graffiti that covers the new skateboard section of Centennial Park "kind of urban art." The county will let the graffiti remain, except for any vulgarities or gang signs that might crop up, but several neighbors of the park have complained. (Staff photo by Nicole Martyn)
The graffiti that covers the county's first skateboard park was not planned, advertised or supervised.

But it was expected and accepted -- at least by the county.

About seven months after it opened, most of the 5,700-square-foot "skate spot" on the north end of Centennial Park, from the blacktop and ramps to the 14 plywood partitions hanging along the fence, has been "tagged" with graffiti.

The artwork includes depictions of Homer Simpson, a robot, a turtle and a bikini-clad she-devil, and tags including "666" and "Rasta shook Dem up!!!"

While some neighbors are unhappy with the artwork, and with the park in general, Gary Arthur, director of Howard County's Department of Recreation and Parks, said the graffiti was anticipated and will be tolerated.

"We knew it was going to happen," Arthur said. "Instead of constantly battling to try to keep it clean, this time we decided we would let it be if they keep it in line and as long as it's maintained and the presentation isn't vulgar."

An inspection of the Ellicott City park late last week found a handful of profanity and vulgar images among the graffiti.

Arthur said park employees check the skate spot weekly and remove vulgar graffiti. Police officers also monitor the park for after-dark activity and help the parks department identify any known gang graffiti, which also is removed, Arthur said.

Arthur noted that graffiti is part of the skater culture and said the parks department is willing to offer skateboarders "freedom of expression" at the facility, which debuted in late April.

"It's kind of urban art," Arthur said. "OK, you can express yourself on this facility. You use this facility. It's art that represents something for you and your friends."

Neighbors not pleased

But some area residents are not satisfied with the park's track record, or its urban art.

Jann Keenan, who lives near the skate spot, said her earlier misgivings about the park before it was built -- lack of enforcement of safety guidelines, failure to monitor activity, and placing it too close to homes -- all have come to pass in the form of vandalism and nighttime use.

Keenan, a mother of five, including a skateboarder, said she hopes the county will re-evaluate the skate spot and move it to a less secluded location.

"I firmly believe that the youth in our area absolutely need a skate park, but it shouldn't be in anybody's back yard," she said, adding that she felt county officials ignored residents' objections to the location, including more than 100 signatures.

"Would Mrs. Ulman (wife of County Executive Kenneth Ulman), would any County Council member, or any member of the Recreation and Parks Board, approve a skate park 300 feet from their home? I doubt it," she said. "But, if so, it's portable. It can be moved, so let's move it there."

Another area resident, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution, said graffiti is out of character for Howard County parks and tolerating it sends the wrong message to youth. The resident said noise from the park is a continual problem and would like to see better noise abatement efforts.

To address neighbors' concerns about noise, park staff planted holly trees to grow into a natural sound barrier between houses and the park, filled ramp openings with a sound-absorbing foam material and erected plywood barriers along the fence, Arthur said. He conceded that the plywood panels have not helped reduce noise, but that his department cannot currently afford to install a more sophisticated sound wall.

He added that he hopes to enclose the skate spot with fencing when his budget allows, and believes all-around fencing would lessen neighbors' worries about the facility being used after dark.

Parks, police field complaints

Arthur said he has received two complaints about the skate spot, including one from a resident who regularly walks the park trails and found the graffiti distasteful and another about trash.

Monitoring the graffiti at the skate spot does not pose any additional costs, Arthur said, since crews already carry graffiti remover, which is a part of regular maintenance efforts at all parks.

"Our park system suffers from graffiti all the time," he said.

The county police department has been called to the facility three times since it opened, according to police spokeswoman Elizabeth Schroen.

The three calls occurred in June and included reports of trespassing, disorderly conduct and a noise complaint. In two cases, officers found no one at the skate spot when they arrived. In the other case, they found youths using the park after dark, called their parents and waited for them to be picked up, Schroen said.

In June, parks officials called a meeting with skateboarders and park neighbors to discuss the problem of skaters and teens using the park at night. Centennial Park closes at dusk.

"With that kind of facility and its popularity right off the bat, it was getting noisy for the neighbors," Arthur said.

At that meeting, Arthur said, skaters were reminded of the park rules and hours, and were warned that the skate park could be taken down if it continued to be abused.

Extra park and police patrols were used over the summer, Arthur added.

Use of the skate spot has leveled off, as Arthur said he expected, dropping from 25 to 30 skaters during peak afternoon hours in May and June to five to 10 skaters during peak hours now.

Challenges and adjustments at the Centennial skate spot have not dissuaded Arthur from including the feature at other county parks when funding is available, he said. He said he considers skateboarding to be a mainstream activity that should be accommodated at public parks on par with tennis and basketball courts.

Custom Visa Gift Card for Holidays

2009-11-19T13:03:00.002-05:00

The holidays are just around the corner, do you know what you will be getting your loved ones, friends or co-workers? O, The Oprah Magazine, has featured GiftCardLab.com as the first "Design-Your-Own" Custom Photo Visa Gift Card, in the O Magazine Holiday Gift Guide, a highly anticipated annual round-up of Oprah's favorite gift ideas for the holiday season. The O Magazine's holiday "O" List, includes GiftCardLab as one of a select group of great holiday gift ideas and suggests Gift Card Lab as the great way to give the gift of freedom and personalization through custom Visa® Gift Cards, starting at $5.95. O Magazine highlights Gift Card Lab's "Ingenious Online Software that lets you use your own photos to create customized Visa Cards."

GiftCardLab.com is a unique product and website because it is a completely customizable Visa Gift Card. You can simply upload your favorite photo, image or logo on a visa gift card. The site offers thousands of great designs, plus the ability to create a unique, personal gift in minutes. And in this hard economy, Visa Gift Cards can be a great way to make the holidays a little easier for loved ones, employees and customers. They can use the card for groceries, gas or everyday essentials. I personally love receiving Gift Cards myself, so being able to customize a gift card just makes even better! When you stop by GiftCardLab.com, be sure to enter promo code “pumpkin” and you will receive a $2/ card discount. The promo code expires on 11/25, so hurry and make your purchases!

Sean Connery to play a Skateboarding Veterinarian?

2009-11-19T12:48:00.002-05:00

When I first read about this, I was trying to picture Sean Connery as a skateboarding veterinarian and I just couldn't do it! But then when I read about what this project was about...an animated feature...well, then I could totally see that. So, yes, Sean Connery is coming out of retirement to play the voice of a Skateboarding Veterinarian named Sir Billi. Connery will executive produce and supply his often imitated voice to the animated film. Both Sean Connery returning to film and the fact that he is playing the part of a skateboarder greatly interest me. A skateboarding vet is the last thing I would associate his unique voice to, but I am excited nonetheless!

Use Best Car Hire for your Car Rental Needs

2009-11-19T12:17:00.002-05:00

Best Car Hire is the premier choice for car hire and car rentals in the UK, Europe and world wide. They offer a huge inventory of cars for rent in countries all around the world at competitive prices.

Best Car Hire is able to search hundreds of car rental depots all around the world's cities, airports and railway stations to ensure that you are able to find a car to rent when you need it. Simply type the name of the Airport into the search box and click the destination you require to view the cars for hire.

They don't add a commission to the providers prices and they are even able to provide a price match guarantee. This way they can guarantee their customers the best possible rates for car rental in the UK and around Europe. They offer both luxury and budget car hire so if you want holiday car hire at a cut down cost or business car hire to make the relevant statement, renting a car through Best Car Hire will surely provide the car you need at the most competitive prices available. Leave it to Best Car Hire to find you or your company the cheapest car hire around.

Stephen Colbert Skateboards in Capital Building

2009-11-19T10:40:00.003-05:00

Stephen Colbert sat down with U.S. Representative Jackie Speier and discussed how she had married at least 50 gay couples in California. The veteran Congresswoman bravely answered Colbert's hilariously inane questions, and even took a spin on a skateboard with Colbert down the halls of the U.S. Capitol Building. Check out the video below...skip to the end if you just want to see the skateboarding footage. Colbert pushes off Mongo, but so do I sometimes. He actually balances quite well and cruises the halls of the capitol building with ease. Keep shreddin' Colbert!

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Better Know a District - California's 12th - Jackie Speier

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

U.S. Speedskating

Online Store for Sportbike and Cruisers parts

2009-11-16T17:15:00.000-05:00

If you own a sportbike or metric cruiser rider, then you will want to check out this treasure of a site I have found online. They provide top quality parts, accessories, and apparel for the modern sportbike and metric cruiser rider. If you are looking for protective gear, they are your best source for Arlen Ness and Alpinestars racing suits as well as Alpinestars racing boots. They have a wide selection of arai motorcycle helmets, hjc motorcycle helmets, AGV Motorcycle Helmets, Shark, Shoei, Nolan and more. Not to mention, they also carry the full line of Alpinestars and Icon Motorsports riding apparel, like textile and leather jackets, riding pants, and boots.

Be sure to check out their tire specials. They offer deeply discounted tire prices on most of the tires they sell. If you need a set of Michelin Power One tires, Michelin 2CT's, Dunlop Q2 Tires, or any of the Bridgestone Battlax, they are the place to go to and they can normally ship out on the same day!

If you are not sure what you need, this is a full time sportbike parts and accessories dealer, so if you have any questions, they will be around to help clear anything up about tire pressure, tire wear or anything you may have a problem with. They can be contacted by the phone number on their website or you can use the livehelp feature for immediate assistance.

DishDogz (2005)

2009-11-16T16:48:00.002-05:00

Somehow I missed this skateoboard movie that came out in 2005. It's another cheesy hollywood teen skate movie, but I have to admit, I enjoyed it. I mean, I was a dedicated 90210 fan back in the early 90s and Luke Perry played Dillon. Plus I can relate a little to this story since I wash dishes part time and I like to skate! Ha! Guess I'm a shoe in to be one of the DishDogz! Andy MacDonald, a young Ryan Sheckler and a cameo by legend Tony Alva are in the movie as well as many professional skaters as stunt doubles. I don't know, I generally like any feel good movie no matter how lame it may be. :) Check it out if you liked Gleaming the Cube or Thrashin back in the day! :)

You Need A Fridge Locker

2009-11-09T15:29:00.000-05:00

Ever need to lock up your personal stash in your fridge? www.FridgeLocker.com has the perfect solution for when you are living in a dorm or sharing an apartment. You can keep your stuff in the fridge with everybody elses without worry of your kids are friends eating your treats! Also, if you bring your lunch to work or buy a bunch of drinks that are for you and only you but you can’t trust that your co-workers will keep their grubby hands off of it, then the Fridgelocker is the perfect solution for you at work. Now you can throw your lunch in the company fridge without even writing your name on it!

Comfy Skateboard Sandals?

2009-11-09T15:28:00.002-05:00

Translia Professional Translation Services

2009-11-05T13:07:00.003-05:00

Translia is an innovative translation service. Its unique collaborative translation technologies enables hundreds and even thousands of translators to work together for delivering translations in a manner better and quicker than ever before.

Registering is free. There are no minimum word count or minimum charge requirements. That means clients can translate as many as million words and as less as one word or one sentence, saying brand name, business card, name translation, and so on.

Translia maintains the world's largest professional translator network. The outcome is the clients may get their contents translated from/to any major languages. For the same reason, all jobs are done by the translators who possess the necessary subject expertise, from business, finance to electronics and mechanics.

Translia streamlines the processes in such a manner that the clients can get translations with just a few clicks and the turnaround is shorter than any other services. For small translation jobs, clients may get finished translation on the same day or even in several hours.

Translia offers a set of unique services that help clients set appropriate price and time, choose right translators for their translation projects. Regardless you're an experienced client or buying translation service for the first time, you can get the job done smoothly.

Clients can always obtain the best prices on Translia for their translation projects. They can even get free translation – it sounds incredible but Translia provides free translation by professional translators.

Finally, but not the least, Translia guarantee 100% client satisfaction! You don't pay until you're totally satisfied.

Professional translation services are used to be expensive and slow. Only large enterprise have budget for hiring professional translators for quality translation. Now Translia is bring a revolutionary to translation industry and making quality translation affordable and available to all, including you!

Skateboarder Stabbed Himself To Keep Job

2009-11-05T10:56:00.003-05:00

This had got to be one of the most insane news stories I have ever read! Crazy! All because he ripped his pants...dude, you've got to have another pair at home or maybe you could buy another pair at the Target or if the hole wasn't too big, maybe temporarily tape it from the inside to get through your shift....but Stab yourself....that's BAD LOGIC! :)

Man Stabbed Self To Keep Job
Torn uniform pants led Blockbuster worker to hatch bizarre plan

NOVEMBER 3--Meet Aaron Siebers. The 27-year-old Denver man, a Blockbuster employee, was skateboarding yesterday afternoon when he fell and ripped his uniform pants. Due to work last night--and concerned about getting "written up" by Blockbuster superiors for not wearing his work-issued khakis--Siebers came up with a harebrained idea. Instead of just calling in sick, he stabbed himself in the leg and showed up at work claiming to have just been attacked by three Hispanic males. Siebers, who told cops he was assaulted as he walked toward the Blockbuster in Edgewater, had a deep stab wound in one leg and several other minor cuts on his face and stomach. As investigators began hunting for the assailants, they reviewed surveillance video from outside a Target store where Siebers claimed the attack occurred. The footage, however, showed no such assault. Confronted by cops, Siebers, pictured in the below mug shot, admitted that he had stabbed himself. He told investigators about the skateboarding accident, the resulting ripped pants, and how "he did not want to lose his job so he stabbed himself in the leg," according to an arrest affidavit sworn by Officer Shawna Naumann. As a result, Siebers was named in a criminal complaint charging him with filing a false report and obstructing police, both misdemeanors.

Get Your Lighting Online

2009-11-04T15:38:00.004-05:00

Go ahead and make fun of me but one of the isles I actually enjoy walking down in a hardware store with my wife is the lighting isle where they have all the different light fixtures for your home. I particularly am fond of the Artemis Ceiling Fan I found on this site....it reminds me of those big windmill farms that generate power. Something very modern about it. Don’t get me wrong, I do love the power tools isle too! (making the manly noises Tim the tool man makes—how the heck do you spell that?) Anyhow, if you too enjoy the lighting isle, you might want to check out the incredible selection and pricing you can get with an online lighting store!

Sick

2009-11-04T15:01:00.004-05:00

Anybody else sick out there? Ugh, I've got major head congestion which I finally got some relief the other day by getting some good old fashioned Pseudophedrin. My nose is still running and I think I'm coughing more now, but at least my head doesn't feel like its going to explode! :)My wife says I whine to much, but isn't when your sick the best time to whine? Oh well, now I'm just whining about how my wife says I whine to much. I guess it's just who I am! :) Maybe I should make another blog about whining. :)

Are you a T-Shirt Freak?

2009-11-04T14:45:00.001-05:00

Do you wear funny t shirts? I have to admit I have a few and they are kind of cheesy. You can always find them at different stores in the mall or when you are on vacation at some gift store. All my funny shirts were given to me by family or friends. I tend to hang on to my shirts for a long time too, and I’m just talking about T-shirts. If you are a t-shirt lover who lives in t-shirts..I recommend badideatshirts.com. They offer deep discounts and have over 1000 designs on their site! They offer men’s and women’s designs, TV and comedy shirts as well as movie t-shirts. Go check them out today.

Embarassing YouTube Skateboard videos

2009-10-30T15:51:00.000-04:00

Wow, I was reading this article about a 44 year old guy, Dale Wolf, who skateboards and snowboards on his hands and how he has a book out and a bunch of youtube videos. So I go and check out the youtube videos and wow, what a joke, the videos are such bad quality and just ridiculously trying to get attention in a very uncool way. Michael Myers Vs. Ronald McDonald for a Happy Meal? C'mon. Also what is with the continuous showing us that you are drinking Mountain Dew? You are trying too hard man! He can obviously skate on his hands well, so get a decent video camera and videotape yourself skateboarding on your hands for some ridiculous length or on terrain that would be impressive to watch because these videos suck!

Virtualization

2009-10-30T10:54:00.001-04:00

Virtualization is one of the fastest-growing technologies in mainstream Information Technology (IT) today. Market-leaders like VMware and Microsoft are pushing this growth by placing increasing focus on providing customers with the ability to consolidate servers and easily deploy development and test environments. The benefit of virtual systems technologies such as these is clearly evident - they allow businesses to improve their IT efficiency while continuing to drive down costs.

Skatepark Vandalism or Art?

2009-10-28T10:35:00.002-04:00

My local skatepark was closed a couple days ago when I stopped by to skate during my lunchbreak...the weather was perfect to where I could skate around without working up a sweat in my work clothes, but after I had opened my trunk, changed my shoes, grabbed the board outta my trunk and walk up to the fence, the gates were chain locked and a sign was hanging "Closed Due to Vandalism" I looked around and it appeared that somebody stole the launch ramp or maybe something else happened to it (that sucks) and well the usual thing I noticed was the gray paint all over the place covering graffiti which is a familiar occurrence at this skate park and it never goes unnoticed. Maybe they should hang a sign stating, Graffiti will close this park down so don't do it. I mean, hopefully anyone who enjoys skating this park would think twice about it if they knew that the next day the park would be closed and possible for a couple days. In a town with only one skatepark, we can't afford to have it be closed ever. Maybe afford is the wrong word, but you know what I mean.

Personally, I think are park could use some grafiti but not the curse words or profanity. But anything that is artistic would be great, I've seen some nice grafiti done in the park and it really did look nice, but I understand the dilemma. I mean, who is to judge what is okay graffiti and what is not? The best policy is to just not allow it. It wouldn't look good for a county run park that is FREE to use to have grafiti all over it. I know I can't stand grafiti in our town anywhere else, it makes it look like Williamsburg is turning into the slums or the hood or something.

Anyways, the argument of whether it is vandalism or art can be made, but I think we as skaters should leave the park alone and keep it clean and free of vandalism so that we can have the assurance that the park will be open for us to skate as long as the weather permits. Let's face it, when you take the time to get to the skate park only to find it is closed because other skaters thought it would be a good idea to decorate the park, well, it just plain sucks. So come on guys, take care of your park and keep it open. I'd hate to see the park close for good or start charging entrance money to pay for the cover up paint!

Rapid4me Finds what you are searching for

2009-10-27T16:59:00.002-04:00

Where do you search for movies, software, music and other files for download? You may use peer to peer software, you may use search engines. If you really want to find your downloads quick, you should use Rapidshare. Millions of different files are uploaded there every day, making rapidshare a huge database of various materials for downloading.

To aid in this search process, you will need a Rapidshare Search engine developed specifically for scouring Rapidshare. Http://rapid4me.com is one of such creations. Its database is updated every day with new rapidshare links, increasing your chances to find the latest movie, song, etc.

Sin Elgeljia R.I.P.

2009-10-27T16:37:00.004-04:00

I found out from Skatepunk.com today that Sin Elgeljia has passed away in Australia. He was the first team manager and a designer at Airwalk in the 1980's, he rode for Madrid for years, and was known for being "Vic" in a hilarious series of Airwalk ads featured in Poweredge Magazine. He later was a lead designer at Duffs. Rest in Peace.

Sin at Baldy, 1988. Photo: Waters

Higher Learning

2009-10-27T12:34:00.003-04:00

If you are graduating from High School this year, you have either already picked the college you are going to attend or you are stressing out about where you will be going off to college once you graduate. Well, how about a college that for the last 75 years has been offering engaging, special fields of study with a strong emphasis on immersive learning that is geared to your academic, personal, and professional success. Sound good? Then keep on reading!

Their programs are focused on helping you turn your passions into a career you’ll love and turning your creativity into marketable professional skills. You will be able to choose from engaging programs in Business, Culinary, Hospitality, Education and Psychology. For example, check out this culinary arts business course.

You’ll be excited to know that 97% of their 2007-2008 degree program graduates who were seeking employment found jobs in their fields within six months of graduation. They offer an immersive, hands-on approach to learning combined with career specific internships that makes their graduates very desirable to potential employers.

Whether you choose their acclaimed School of Culinary Arts, world-renowned School of Hospitality Management, innovative business schools, or well-established School of Education, you are encouraged to explore your talents, interests, and passions-and to discover a wealth of exciting opportunities. So don’t delay, apply now at this fine College Chicago has to offer.

Suicidal Tendencies Come Alive

2009-10-27T11:29:00.003-04:00

So, I was surfing around the web this morning and went to see what is going on with Suicidal Tendencies. Looks like they put together a new website at www.suicidaltendencies.com and released a new album this summer, but only on their website. I have loved Suicidal Tendencies since hearing their debut album(1983)in 1985 so I am always psyched about new material from them. I heard the new song "Come Alive" and I like it. It's not my favorite sound from them but I still like it. This is more the metal sound which most of their career was thrash metal. But the first album is my all time favorite, they were a pure punk band on that album. They did come out with another punk album on 1999's Freedumb and I enjoyed that as well. My favorite metal album from ST is Lights, Camera, Revolution from 1990. I can listen to that album and their first from front to back...all songs are awesome! I hope the new one proves to be that good. It's sad to not see Robert Trujillo with ST anymore, although he is an awesome fit with Metallica. Have a listen to their latest release....I couldn't bring myself to post the video...I don't know...It just doesn't fit the image of Suicidal Tendencies that I grew up listening to...I find it embarrassing and it takes away from the song in my opinion....so here is the song with the album cover.

Join Jacks Quest for the Best Halloween Adventure

2009-10-23T16:23:00.006-04:00

Just a couple days left for Jack’s Quest for the Best Halloween Adventures contest. Jack wants your best Halloween stories, pictures, or videos. The contest ends October 25th and the winners will be chosen by votes so don’t delay any longer…go sign up and join after reading this article and who knows, you just may be the lucky winner!

I love Halloween in Nebraska when I was a kid growing up. Now as an adult I get to enjoy it with my wife and my 2 young children. It so wonderful to see them in their cute costumes all excited about getting candy. I love it when the weather is just a bit chilly with no rain. Don’t get me wrong, I still love to dress up too. I especially enjoyed the year that I painted my face as a skull, although it didn’t go over as well as I thought it would with the kiddies…it was a little too much for them!

This year, we will all go out dressed up like the crew from Peter Pan…my daughter will be Tinkerbell, my son will be Hook, I think I’m gonna be Shmee and my wife has an alligator hat thing. It will be a blast spending time with the family on this goulish night as always!

If you love Halloween too and want to enter this contest then get a move on before it ends. Who knows, you may also do some shopping while you are there. After you sign up and enter the contest, be sure to check out the huge selection of Halloween constumes and other Halloween decorations and accessories! Support this wonderful holiday and Buy Halloween Costumes Online or in a Halloween Store Near You for next year.

Skateboarding in Schools

2009-10-23T16:16:00.004-04:00

I just love hearing news stories like the one below. It's just amazing where skateboarding has come from and the heights that it has reached today! I would have been so excited to be able to sign up for a skateboarding class in school of all places! Rock on Mountain Valley High School! Rock on!

Skateboarding Added To Maine High School's Curriculum

RUMFORD (NEWS CENTER) -- For Tom Prendergast, skateboarding in school only led to trouble. Now he is being graded on his form. "Every time we skateboarded in here, we would always get yelled at," said Prendergast. "I never thought that it would ever happen. I was really surprised when I heard that we had skateboards."

Mountain Valley High School in Rumford is the first school in Maine to offer skateboarding as an option for students to take as part of their physical education requirements. The school used grant money to buy skateboards, helmets and pads to use as part of the Skate Pass program, which helps teachers instruct kids on how to skate. The school recently built a skate park with funds they received, so educators decided to help teach kids how to skate.

"We wanted to do something so kids had an opportunity to learn to skate because we have a new skate park in town, so we figured we would bring it to them in our high school phys ed," said physical education teacher Todd Papianou. "It hits all the components of fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility for sure, and to see them down at the park, or just pushing around town, it is definitely a good cardio workout."

Students enrolled in the program appreciate the chance to try their hand at something different. "Before this, I kind of looked down to it, I didn't think that it looked like that much fun," said sophomore Heather Adley. "We got the opportunity and sat down and tried it, it is a lot more fun than it actually looks."

"It is a good opportunity to learn something like this that you don't get offered everyday," said Samantha Glover. "I tried some tricks and then I fell and I hadn't tried again and then I said, 'I want to try again,' plus I have all this gear on, so it is safe."

The program uses special boards that do not harm the gym floor, but can also be taken outside and used on the street or at the skate park. Teachers also have books to help them learn what they are about to teach their kids. "For me, it was a little bit of a challenge, a little bit outside of my comfort zone to get back on a skateboard, but it has been really positive and it has been a nice little change," said Papianou. He says the program may appeal to kids who aren't interested in sports or school and may give them a reason to still come to class.

"There are some kids who, you know, they might not excel in other areas, but all of a sudden there is something that, 'Hey, I think I can do that,' and if it is just one pick-up in there day, one up-beat thing - keeps the kid enthused about school - then I've done my job," stated Papianou. "I just want to get everybody out being active, doing something new and having fun."

Build Your Free Website Easy with hPage

2009-10-22T22:07:00.000-04:00

Have you ever built your own website with programs such as Frontpage or Dreamweaver? After you make your site with this software, what do you do next? That's when you need to take a class on website building or scour the web on how you get this website off your computer and onto the web. Well, you don't need to worry about that anymore, you don't even need to learn HTML to build your own website!

You can build a website that will be published on the web for the world to see in literally minutes! hpage.com is where it all starts. All you have to do is visit the site, register with very little information, check your email to click on a link to verify it's you and walla, you have your own website. After that, all you have to do is have fun being creative with the online tools you get to use to personalize your website. Here is a screen capture of the website I started in only a matter of minutes with minimal effort...

It´s surprisingly easy to create a hpage free website. They offer 300 MB of space, which is enough for a website with many pages and content such as pictures and videos. They have over 300 unique design templates to pick from so that your website can represent your own personal style. With hpages you can easily build a website without having any coding or design skills because all you need to do is follow instructions displayed in a small pop up window. hpage take the hard work out of the website so you can focus on the content which is the heart of your website. Make your mark on the internet today and create a free website!

Skateboard Company Helps Homeless

2009-10-22T11:52:00.002-04:00

Well, I work as a computer technician in a library during the day and for the last couple days I have overheard conversations between a couple homeless folks who have seeked refuge from the outdoors in the library. I've been noticing them more and more in the library lately and it's just such a sad thing to see. On one hand, I want to help, on the other hand, I just want to make sure I never end up on that side of the tracks. It's just so hard, plus one of the librarians said they saw the guy with his pants down in the library playing with himself, which to me signifies a possible mental problem. This is an older guy who probably doesn't have any family. I overhead that he has a high school education and the homeless lady trying to talk to him has a masters degree. I wish I was rich so that I could help them, but even then, some people just want a free ride and some people have addictions that put them on the street...theses are problems that only money cannot solve. But it really makes you think about how easily it can all slip away from you and what really scares me is that I live paycheck to paycheck and have no savings, so losing my job would be catastrophic.

Well, seeing the homeless in my town lately had gotten me thinking about a skateboard company I heard about awhile back that was geared to helping the homeless and less fortunate. They are HOBO Skate Company. This is what it states on their website....

"Because the Hobo Skate Company shares the same streets with the homeless and the less fortunate, we feel it our social responsibility to give back and help those in need. We have created the Hobo Foundation for this purpose and hope to change lives for the better. Hobo Skateboard Company will donate a percentage of all its revenue to the Hobo Foundation which will go towards this cause. In these economic times the need has never been greater."

Arrive in Style, Take a Limousine

2009-10-22T01:31:00.001-04:00

This limousine service provides transportation services to businesses, municipalities and consumers for their special occasions. Incorporated in 1996, their family-owned and operated transporation business has over 150 years in combined management experience. The CEO of the company has developed an award-winning operation dedicated to providing the highest quality 24-hour service.

They have Wedding limousine packages that include a tuxedoed chauffeur, champagne, soft drinks and water, three-hours of service and their signature red carpet service! Their professional, detail-oriented drivers are trained to give you the best service possible. They can even transport bridal parties of up to 20 and they have a mini coach and school buses available for whatever your shuttle needs may be.

Their SUV prom limousines can hold up to 20 people as well and have many more amenities than their traditional limousine. They're equipped with DVDs, Playstation 2, a 2000 watt sound system, fireplace, along with neon lighting and a laser show. Tell me that just isn't the most insane thing you've ever heard! The line of prom limousines consists of 2007 H2 Hummers, 2007 Cadillac Escalades, Activity Coaches and can accommodate prom parties of 8 to 48.

Whether it’s a bachelor or bachelorette party, their SUV limousines are equipped with all the amenities of a nightclub. Watch movies, DVDs, enjoy Playstation 2; listen to music on their 2000 watt sound system, or just sit back and watch the neon lighting and laser show in the comfort of one of their state-of-the-art SUV limousines.

On the business side, time is money and with their numerous corporate limousine options, you can literally bring the meeting with you. Their SUV limousines can hold up to 20 people. Why waste valuable time when you can continue the meeting in the limousine?! Make it a meeting to remember. Impress your clients with a state-of-the-art power point presentation, right in the comfort of the limousine. Their corporate limousine service can take people to and from a holiday gathering, bring clients to the airport or just impress. I know I'd certainly be impressed!

About the drivers....They are bonded and insured, meeting state requirements the average transportation company does not. They also operate out-of-state and exceed federal and state guidelines insuring you’re always covered. So, you can rest assured you'll be getting a safe ride in the most impressive vehicle you've ever sat in....you just might forget you are in a car! :)

Lowell Limo

Prom Limos

Boston Limo

Tony Hawk Tweets Hints About Tour

2009-10-22T01:13:00.004-04:00

Apparently Tony Hawk is tweeting out clues as to where he is traveling around to on his nationwide tour. He surprised those in Columbia, Missouri at Cosmo Park Saturday afternoon for a free taste of skating flare. Fans found out only Friday that Hawk would be at the park. Each location he attends is unknown to fans until days before he shows up. Hawk said he has more than 1.7 million twitter followers. It's a helpful public relations tool that's enabled Hawk to reach new heights with his fans. Philadelphia is the next stop on Hawk's tweets from the road tour.

Get a Payday Advance Loan up to $2,000

2009-10-21T15:27:00.004-04:00

With the current economic downturn, it has become harder and harder for the average customer to get a loan. In fact, most banks require that you have a high credit score and/or some form of collateral now, and in some cases, they aren't even lending! Well, imagine a website that can connect you to the largest network of financial loan lenders no matter what the economic outlook. That website is MoneyNowUSA.com.

The system at MoneyNowUSA automatically searches over 150 Credit Loan providers and once you apply, they connect you directly to a secure lender's site to provide instant approval on your loan. Furthermore, they work hard to protect your privacy and personal information. In fact, at MoneyNowUSA.com, they use VeriSign 128 bit encryption technology to ensure that the transfer of your data is safe.

At MoneyNowUSA, they search over 122 lenders to find the highest loan amounts. Consumers can be approved in as fast as a few minutes using their secured website. Many of their lenders can wire funds to your bank account as fast as 1 Hour! Get the money you need fast using their easy online paperless loan process.

Money Now USA offers Personal Loans up to $5,000 and Payday Advances up to $2,000. Get a Payday Advance - Payday Advances at Money Now! USA and have the money you need in your hands quickly.

Skateboard Madness

2009-10-21T14:53:00.005-04:00

Interesting how packaging and formats change over the years...I remember sometime back in the 80s probably when I first started skating seeing this old 70s looking skateboard movie come on TV after Saturday Morning Cartoons or maybe Sunday afternoon. Back then, I would watch anything with skateboarding in it and I did. I remember it being so entertaining visually with clear plexiglass halfpipes and just wierd structures that they were skating on and the short shorts and long hair and skinny boards. Apparently the film was shot over a couple years so you could see the progression skateboarding was taking during filming. Most evident is the the boards went from skinny 70s decks to wide 80s fish shaped boards. This film starred Stacy Peralta among other greats like Alan "Ollie" Gelfand (the inventor of the ollie) and Tony Alva. The opening has this awesome unforgettable claymation skateboarding sequence. If you've never seen it, go check it out! Oh and I never realized this before, but this movie is narrated by the late Phil Hartman of SNL fame...crazy stuff!

Help For Your Child Star

2009-10-20T21:36:00.003-04:00

Do you think your child has what it takes to be a star but you haven't done anything simply because you don't have a clue what to do? Maybe your child has already starred in a commercial or landed a role in Children Acting Indie films but it's all so new to you and you just don't know how to manage it all.

I've discovered a great resource for the parent whose child is embarking on a career in the entertainment industry or maybe entering a Baby Photo Contest like I first wanted to do when discovering that my baby must be the cutest baby of all!. Their mission is to empower you with the tools and information needed to successfully employ a child in the entertainment industry while also lending a healthy, positive view into the world of children in film. Through the use of a profile-based membership network and concise, yet beneficial content, their website aims to educate and connect talented minors and qualified industry professionals. They'll show you what success looks like and introduce you to a few “power parents” who have managed to steer clear of the chaos that can sometimes be associated with fame at an early age.

Formed in the year 2000, this unique resource set out to provide accurate, concise California Child Labor Law information to the entertainment community. Since that time, the demand for easily attainable employment information has increased steadily. Whether you’re a parent seeking information about a “Coogan” account, or a producer needing to know how many hours an eight-year-old can work during a school day, our goal is to provide you with the most comprehensive informational resource available for children working in the entertainment industry.

Skateboard+Keyboard=Skatekeyboard

2009-10-20T21:30:00.000-04:00

This looks to be a representation of what I do for work and what I do for fun. This is an invention of artist Tobias Leingruber. Tobias states on his website...

"Internet artists, street artists and skateboarders use public architecture in ways, the creators didn’t expect it to be used. In this sense Artzilla browser add-ons, skateboards and spray cans are the same. The Skatekeyboard will be shown, among the work of some amazing artists and friends, at the BLK River Festival in Vienna next week. I’ll be there, too"

I like it, in fact I wish I would have thought of it as its a great image or logo for a skateboard blog like mine! :) I love it as a piece of artwork as I can really relate to it.

Duplicate File Remover

2009-10-19T15:59:00.002-04:00

If you are like me, you have tons of files on your hard drive at home and at work, on flash drives in various places and when you can’t find the program you thought you had downloaded, you download it again and then end up with 2 or 3. A new Moleskinsoft program - Clone Remover has been created to fight with these duplicate files. This duplicate file finder combines the important elements such as simplicity, convenience in work, interactivity, reliability and functionality

Simplicity is felt during all work with the program from simple commands to simple decisions. Convenience in how the program works is a continuation of simplicity and Clone Remover works as any ordinary user would like it too. Interactivity, thanks to a dialogue mode user work is built in the original exchange of commands and their performance. Reliability of the program is provided with high quality of program coding which does not leave a place to any bugs and errors. Functionality is what it all boils down to when users choose a piece of software. This program realizes all functions necessary for the best duplicate file finder such as searching for duplicate files, the data filter, selection of types of duplicate files for search, searching in both standard and non standard directories, archives and network discs and keeping the results in a separate file.

The Art of Skateboarding

2009-10-19T15:46:00.002-04:00

This site is pretty amazing. If you are a skateboard collecter, this site is for you, it features a price guide as well as a restoration guide and links to many auctions. While I was browsing the site, I stumbled upon an auction for a signed vintage 1989 Alva Justin Lynch deck and the starting bid was $500.00.

Find the Best Web Hosting Service

2009-10-19T10:39:00.003-04:00

Are you looking for a new web hosting service? Web Hosting Geeks can help you by providing independent reviews of the best web hosting providers. This list consists of cheap professional web hosting services that are all under $10 a month. All webhosting plans include at least one free domain name registration and a 30 day money back guarantee. After you have used a certain web host for awhile, you can then review your web host on our site and let other webmasters know the best and the worst!

Web hosting providers on our site are ranked by the best price-value ratio. Host reliability, uptime, key features, bonus features, customer support, past and current user feedbacks, user-friendliness and hosting awards have been taken into account as well. Web Hosting Geeks also rates multiple domain hosting, green web hosting, VPS web hosting, dedicated server hosting, free domain names, free yahoo marketing and free google adwords on their website. The Web Hosting Geeks blog keeps you up to date on industry news, trends, products and discussions.

The Web Hosting Geeks Awards and Certifications are given to the best web hosts in the industry, who have proven themselves by delivering exceptional service to their customers. All of our certified website hosting providers are carefully examined by experienced webmasters to provide the service you require! So, as you can see, Web Hosting Geeks has many tools to help you choose the best web hosting service possible.

Uncle Sam Wants You To Skate

2009-10-19T09:36:00.002-04:00

Where do I sign up? :)

Gaspari Bodybuilding Supplements

2009-10-15T16:13:00.003-04:00

Gaspari Nutrion Reviews can be a great help if you are looking for help in building muscle and increasing your performance levels. They provide a great assortment of supplements to assist in muscle building and weight loss. Also, their line of protein supplements allows you to take up as much protein as possible for maximum muscle gains. If you want the best results, using stacks makes good sense. Stacks address issues in bodybuilding such as recovery, how you feel, adding muscle, burning fat and developing strength and explosive power. Whatever your goals are in bodybuilding, Gaspari Nutrition can help you achieve your goals faster and healthier. Come visit their website for more information on these powerful supplements.