This past Friday I took a bit of a spill. My knee hasn't been the same since. Trying to fight off infection, I thought the salt water would be good for it. So after being luxuriously driven to SIPZ for lunch with and by Kate, she took me to the Pacific Ocean! I let the waves crash against the wound for a half an hour. Then I watched Kate to 6 cartwheels in a row... That's the victory look.
Then things tensed up a bit and Kate ended up drawing a line in the sand. We then used that line as the net for some Battle Ball... aka paddle ball.
All of a sudden I looked up and there were two fellas playing bocci ball in the sand. What an epic idea. Don't be tied to the grass, I wanna take bocci to the beach as well.. You ever done that, NateO?
We witnessed a brother and sister making this beautiful drip castle.
After we drove back over the Coronado Bridge, Kate dropped me in North Park to meet up w/ Julien and Klich who were out filming.
Klich learned lipslides on the NP Theater ledge. It's a dream of mine!
Rancho's for a visit w/ Sundar and BOBERT Note that Julien's 1.81 pound burrito is larger than his own head.
To finish off the evening, Julien ollied his first 9 stair. and he pulled it first try. KUDOS!
Jeffrey took my gimpy self over to check out the fun at the scooter shop today... I couldn't decide which was better, so they both run. Keith is my queen! The fridge was stocked with Naked Juice. Jeffrey chugged his and was soon feeling sick..
Kristeen had us over for another pool party yesterday. The roster expanded a bit. Lexi was swimming and jumping. Wendy took a little cajoling, but got in the pool in the end.
Even Eleanor got in the pool with a little octopus deception.
I got to play my new torpedo game.
Classic Klich.
Kevin over Klich!
Relaxing after the swim.... It was shaping up to be an easy SCENE IT victory for Susan.
But somehow I managed to take my first ever SCENE IT victory with a question from Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Thanks to Kristeen for being a gracious hostess!
First things first....we got Spenser laced up tight.
Stopped by the new and improved La Mesa Skatepark, aka Dallas Park to see the two new elements there. Chris Allansworth met Spenser, Jacki and I at Bickford's ramp.
Someone get Spenser a new board already!
Chris with the ole frontside rocker.
Then Fidel Castro showed up. And finally Jason showed up but it was too dark for a photo of him. Another Dallas park session went down on the way home. We saw Klich there too!
Aaron Suski and his Volcom amigos did a demo in Bonita today so I went out and set up camp under the umbrella.
Former 5boro alumni, Brandon Westgate and Aaron Suski.
Brandon over the guard rail.
I never, ever, would have guessed I'd run into Vu at the demo.
The freshly shaved down Klich, made this, but I don't want to scoop SKATE FASTER so I'll give you a slam.
Collin Provost looked like a complete stoner, but did this amazing maneuver.
Edgar was mixing it up with the best of them.
Louie Lopez had a smile on his face the whole time and did tricks I've never comprehended. I think this is a nollie big heel disaster.
Remy was there getting solid vantage points for his shots
Darrell front blunt fakie.
No skating from Appleyard and Rune.
Westgate up on the van. UFO
Steve Clare was on the scene. Paul wasn't nearly as stressed as he appears in this photo. Note he is weilding a box cutter! The demo went smooth. Hopefully Westgate didn't get trampled at the signing at the shop by tweens that mistook him for sheckler....
Looks like bmxers screwed up the work VOX did on the 54hips.
CASH in his element. Cash trying to be a flyswatter. Cash getting mauled by the ladies.
And Jesus said, "Let there be light, and there was light!" Ran into Spenser and Jacki at Ranchos.
This was the title piece at Spenser's opening. "remember when having a mohawk meant something"
This was my favorite piece. a self portrait of Spenser and his cat.
Tap dancing is good for a few minutes of entertainment.
Bulldog riding shotgun in the sidecar. North Park.
Running myself ragged....that described the preplanning that went into this event..... There was a great turnout for vendors.... After the taco truck fed everyone, the skate obstacles came out... Gabe and Mark and Jamey and Adam were rippin it up. My buddy Mark works for Satori now and their booth was right next to us. Tosh Rice having just spun a 360 off Mark's little kicker ramp.
Traffic wasn't bad coming back. After Gabe met a client in Clairemont, we went to meet Mike B at Pokez. Look who we ran into at the door?
Ed, Deanna, and Kevin Barnett we sitting right behind us. Mike arrived and we all feasted then walked over to Spreckels. Saw Josh Harmony and his wife on the way.
It was already bustling when we arrived. Justin, Tara and Lou.
Mikendo!
Can you spot all the talent in this photo?
RIDE THE SKY is amazing. Super fun to watch and all was on time! Jamie and Matt, and Mike did terrific work.
My first view of the broken Kenny. I saw the footage, it wasn't pretty.
I think Klich was hyped on my WT concoction. One part tortilla chip, one part mashed potato, one part BBQ sauce = tasty & delicious
Chris nursing his tofurky stew.
Klich has been to France. All the kids were drinking these when he was there. My first and last Diablo Mint.
Bob got in a solid nap out in the driveway.
2 hours later, Bob is still snoozing.
Makin the gravy.
Kenny did the up the tofu real nice.
Ken out cold.
Mike, Julian, and Theo
Zawacki turned me onto the BBQ scallions. This was my first time doing it myself. I was so anxious to get them on the grill that I failed to cut the roots off!
Say what you will, the corn was tasty.
The man and his backyard.
When Dom finally showed up it was just like Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey in Dumb & Dumber, but now it was Broke & Broker!
Ali handing off the first piece of blueberry pie.
Dom debandaged and showed some gore.
Despite the blood and guts, the kid's got game!
Bob takes a look at the QP approach.
Shit happens, and so does kitty litter.
Jazz hands! Paying in Pain.
Julian shot his board out at Bob and made his spill his fine wine.
Looks like a standard lien to tail, but it's not.
I'm not sure why Ben wasn't skating?
Bob found a bird feather in the yard and just had to stick it in my hat.
Stoked as usual!
Tom brought his ladyfriend, Tracy. I was really grumpy at this point and soon pulled away and headed back to Edgemont.
Ever since June 19th the Vanagon has been stuck in Salinas, CA. She broke down on the SF bound skate mission and has been at the VW dealer getting fixed up. Her repairs were completed two weeks ago but I hadn't been able to get away to snag her until July 30th. I looked into flying to Monterey, driving up there with Klich, and the train. Since I'd never taken the train and the allure of some sweet cliffside ocean views, I opted for my first train ride.
Kate was kind and dumped me at the SD train station at 5:45am. I checked in and found my seat on board. I got into my new book right away.
I'd heard people talking about the observation car and after a bit went to investigate. Pretty sweet view. I found a chair on the OCEAN side and posted up there for the rest of the 13 hour ride.
Lots of folks were snapping pictures just like me. Had to change trains at Union Station in LA. I called Tapley Street and got no answer. I had no idea I'd be going through Simi Valley. This stop is only a few miles from the RAMOS HQ.
We only really saw the coast from about Ventura to just past Vandenberg AFB. Lots of recreational vehicles pulled up at the beach zones. After being cooped up in the train for so many hours, I sure was envious of this lone walker on a secluded beach.
Sorta reminded me of BLACK's.
Airstream convention.
We chugged along this river for about 20 minutes. Looked like it would have been sweet to tube down.
Once in the central valley, I kept hoping we were making our way back to the coast.. NOT SO>
Reflection.
The route home.
Andy from Bill's Wheels thankfully nabbed me from the train station in Salinas and drove me to the VW dealer. I got into the van and we started the journey south. I made it only about 2 hours before I pulled off and slept in the back for 4 hours. Showing a little frustration on the drive home.
Back on the road at 2:10am and ... Lola was excited to see me when I rolled up to Edgemont at 6:30am.
It was the first ride for Klich, Julian, and I. Kenny is a seasoned vet.
Don from Thomas Bikes was there.
Ran into Mark Winn....he appears to be involved in the fixgear thing.
The crowd surged as we neared dusk.
A reporter approached me and assumed Julian was my child. Not so. He's more like Klich's little boy.
Gerardo was my instigator. He's been after to me to join the ride for months. He got a G-Bag from bobert and was rocking the tunes all night!
After the cyclist death last week, I've decided to wear my helmet when riding in the city. And I have lights now too...
Julian and the fountain.
Kenny, his tele, and the fountain.
What's wrong, Julian?
Wesley looks funny to me with his facial hair concoction.
Finally after a long while, everyone started screaming, some, horns blew, and we were off. I estimate that we were in the back half of the pack. Seeing motorists reactions was classic. Most people were amazed to see a sea of bikes swarming the road. Riding down 6th from Laurel, it was flashing bike lights all the way into downtown. I am hyped on the Critical Mass.
I held traffic back at Broadway & 6th. Blair Alley sped by me on a BMX bike.
Saw Fast Eddie near the convention center. I assume he was down there for Comicon.
I was hoping to see Stormtroopers and Darth Vadar and Chewy, but I only saw this warrior.......
As the ride turned WEST on Broadway, I turned EAST and rode by POKEZ. Line out the door, so I looked for Charmaine, and continued up the hill to EDGEMONT.
I hope you all know BOB GREEN is an accomplished photographer.
He shared two of his favorite street graffiti's with me recently. It reads "working girl hero".
I couldn't decide which was better, so they both run. Keith is my queen!
The fridge was stocked with Naked Juice. Jeffrey chugged his and was soon feeling sick..
Spiked punch for the adventurous.
Back to the PROM ZONE with Erik
Turbo and Rich make quite a pair.
Keith and Kim and cookies.
Keith feigned a dunk tank shot for me.
Lexi was swimming and jumping. Wendy took a little cajoling, but got in the pool in the end.
Even Eleanor got in the pool with a little octopus deception.
I got to play my new torpedo game.
Classic Klich.
Kevin over Klich!
Relaxing after the swim....
It was shaping up to be an easy SCENE IT victory for Susan.
But somehow I managed to take my first ever SCENE IT victory with a question from Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
First things first....we got Spenser laced up tight.
Stopped by the new and improved La Mesa Skatepark, aka Dallas Park to see the two new elements there.
Chris Allansworth met Spenser, Jacki and I at Bickford's ramp.
Someone get Spenser a new board already!
Chris with the ole frontside rocker.
Then Fidel Castro showed up. And finally Jason showed up but it was too dark for a photo of him.
There was a great turnout for vendors....
After the taco truck fed everyone, the skate obstacles came out...
My buddy Mark works for Satori now and their booth was right next to us.
Tosh Rice having just spun a 360 off Mark's little kicker ramp.
Look who we ran into at the door?
Ed, Deanna, and Kevin Barnett we sitting right behind us.
Mike arrived and we all feasted then walked over to Spreckels.
Saw Josh Harmony and his wife on the way.
It was already bustling when we arrived.
Justin, Tara and Lou.
Mikendo!
Can you spot all the talent in this photo?
I got into my new book right away.
Pretty sweet view. I found a chair on the OCEAN side and posted up there for the rest of the 13 hour ride.
Lots of folks were snapping pictures just like me.
Had to change trains at Union Station in LA.
I called Tapley Street and got no answer. I had no idea I'd be going through Simi Valley. This stop is only a few miles from the RAMOS HQ.
Lots of recreational vehicles pulled up at the beach zones.
After being cooped up in the train for so many hours, I sure was envious of this lone walker on a secluded beach.
Sorta reminded me of BLACK's.
Airstream convention.
We chugged along this river for about 20 minutes. Looked like it would have been sweet to tube down.
Once in the central valley, I kept hoping we were making our way back to the coast.. NOT SO>
Reflection.
The route home.
Showing a little frustration on the drive home.
Lola was excited to see me when I rolled up to Edgemont at 6:30am.
The Vanagon, back in her spot on Edgemont.
