JOBLESS

  I am trying to get a job up here in Truckee... I applied at Sugar Bowl, the ski area up near Donner Summit.  I may apply at Northstar also.  There is always snow shovelling for hourly wages, if it ever snows.  I guess I will have to make up something to get by.  I would like to stay up here for a while; the kids are cool and the skiing looks awesome.  I REALLY NEED THIS JOB, I HOPE I GET THIS JOB.

Sunshine

    I just got to an old friends house.  Being in the company of someone you have not seen in some time is a great thing.  Slowly but surely the snow is melting off at the Truckee Skatepark.  I learned today it was built in '97, which I guess is pretty early on in the concrete park designs.  I keep hearing of more warm weather, so I think I will skateboard on until I find something else to do.                I met the kid who shovelled out the small bowl, and we cleared out another section of the bigger bowls.  Then someone else cut a small path around the whole area, so it's kinda like snowskateing, if that is even a word.  There is always someone at the park, I've noticed, at least around here.  One thing for sure, there is definitely some shredding to do on skateboards or skis, unless it doesn't snow anytime...

Truckee Skate Park

 I saw these guys at squaw valley tearing up the glades!  Ha!

    Yesterday I went to the Truckee Skate Park and after pushing the snow off to have a little spot to skate and soaking my shoes to the socks, two kids showed up to jib on snowboards.  They let me use their snow shovel, so I cleared off a large section of the street area.  Also the little bowl was clean of snow, so I started shredding... 


There is the little bowl in foreground.  All the rest of the bowls have snow in them right now, but I may shovel some more with my new friend and his 12 year-old son.  Go rip no matter the conditions!

Blacksmith

    This week I toured two different blacksmith shops.  The first was Mountain Forge in Truckee.  I met the father of the business and his son Toni.  When I shook Toni's hand I noticed the sheer strength in his grip.  It was like putting my hand around a block of wood.    http://www.mtnforge.com/    The shop had two bay doors for bringing tools and metal in.  There were three power hammers, numerous anvils, torches, and all the necesary tools for working metal.

    The other shop I went to was called Striker Forge, over in Kings Beach on Lake Tahoe. 
Jesse, who I chatted with briefly, is from Cabot Vermont, and he works alongside his friend Bernie.  Both these lads were young and friendly, and hard at work.  The Striker shop was much smaller than Mtn. Forge, but cozy, if you could call a shop with hot fires and sharp metal everywhere cozy.  http://www.strikerforge.com/
    I am hoping to get over there and tink away at something.  They said it was ok to come hang out, so I am in!

Ollie

Say Hello TO Night

    Sometimes you gotta work with what you have laying around...here, a wooden ramp propped up on a pallet with plywood to land on.

Caution

    I got a camera and took some sweet pictures of cars over the hill on snowy roads, but, I cannot download them yet.  I need some geek help.  Anyways, it is snowy up here in Tahoe and I am excited to find a way to make it work here.  I got a lead on two blacksmiths in the area, and want to check them out.  I hope to shovel snow for side money until I get a job at a ski area or something.  Or go broke.  Either way, gotta keep moving.  Later.

Lake Tahoe, CA

Lake Tahoe moon rise.

    I am getting ready to drive up to Lake Tahoe.  There is a storm approaching, and lots of snow may come with it; so I will have to see if I can make it up there tomorrow or the next day.  I was blessed with a camera from my friend, so I will be posting photos sooner than later.  I am excited to strap some planks onto my feet and shred some snow.  Yes, this skater likes to ski too.  I hope you all don't mind seeing pictures of cold mountains and white snow.  Well, I will be with you soon and bring pictures of my adventures too.  Thanks for staying with me.  One love!

Well done!

    After sipping on some hot peppermint tea I am here again, and still don't have any pictures.  Sorry, I need to buy a camera.  I skated the skate park today and hackey sacked with two young 'uns.  It is odd how I am not that kid anymore, the one who is playing and wants a good laugh out of things more than anything else.  I left the skate park full of kids still tearing it up, and down the streets the city looks quiet; probably because all the kids are at the park.  If you wanna know what I am doing tomorrow; hopefully I'll be skating...

Got to Longboard Today

    The streets of Nevada City are steep, but I still crushed a few.  I saw a police car and picked up my board, no problems.  I talked to a kid at Mekka Cafe and he said the SPD Market had some good parking lots that connected to other small businesses. Just skated in the yard yesterday on the little wooden ramp and stretch of concrete there.  Still sunny, still smiling, still skating.   

Winter in Warmth

    It has been sunny everyday here in California.  I spent my day on the beautiful river, and even jumped in a time or two.  The water felt like ice coming from the top of the mountain, and try as I might, I could not stay in longer than a moment or keep from yipping like a coyote.  This is gold country, so I decided to look around the river banks in the moss and in the silt.  I found three flecks that sparkle in the sunlight, but i know that not all that glitters is gold, so I'm skeptical as to whether it is real or fools gold, iron pyrite. 
    And last night I heard of something interesting.  Someone has been robbing banks with a skateboard as his getaway.

Skater Bandit on the Loose

FBI is asking for your help in finding a serial bank robber dubbed the "Skater Bandit"

    It is not me, just for the record.

The FBI, San Diego Sheriff's Department and the San Diego Police are asking for the public's help to find a serial bank robber dubbed the "Skater Bandit." The suspect is believed to have robbed the following banks, many of them in the North County, since April 18:

• US Bank, 190 S. Rancho Santa Fe Rd., San Marcos, CA
• Wells Fargo, 3820 Valley Centre Dr., San Diego, CA
• Union Bank of CA, 200 W. D St., Encinitas, CA
• Temecula  Valley Bank, 16469 Bernardo Center Dr., San Diego, CA
• Temecula Valley  Bank, 985 Lomas Santa Fe Dr., Solana Beach, CA
• US Bank, 2830 Via de la Valle, San Diego, CA

The latest in this string of robberies; the robbery of a Del Mar bank in broad daylight. It happened at the U.S. Bank in the 2800 block of Via De La Valle around 1:30 Monday afternoon. Just like all the other robberies, police say the suspect presented a teller with a demand note for cash then fled on foot. Police also say that the suspect did not use a weapon and no one was hurt.

The suspect is described as a young man who wears a hat, sunglasses, and gray sweater. There is a $16,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction. Anyone with information concerning these robberies is asked to contact the FBI at 858-565-1255 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

    Good luck Skater Bandit!


Peanut bowl at Hollywood Skatepark, Las Vegas.



Hello

    Got to make it quick.  The coffeshop I'm at is closing.  I just skated for a bit, and it feels good to cool off.  All that up and down and around gets you goin'!  I am taking my time through California on my way to Lake Tahoe.  There is no snow right now, so the skateboarding is in.  But the weather may change soon, so the skis can come out.  Till then, have fun, skate hard, and play fair. 

Skatepark Campaign

  Skating is good exercise.  Sometimes you need a break...

  After reading some of http://www.skateparkguide.com/ I am a little more aware of what I'm up against.  I will need an organization and dedicated members to plan, promote, design, and construct a skatepark. 
  A skatepark will most likely cost around $250,000.  That is between $20-25/square foot.  This includes design fees and services, construction materials and labor.  A typical good park is between 18,000 and 25,000 square feet, and 10,000 square feet is the absolute minimum.
  A good park has a seperate beginner section, 5,000-8,000 sq. ft., a street course, 10,000-20,000 sq. ft., and vert. 
 

Hello Russians

    Hi, I am letting you know that second to U.S. (1237 total views) is Russia (63) in following my blog, then Germany (12).  I do not speak Russian, but was wondering who you were.  Please write or comment! Thanks 
    Perhaps skating is popular in Russia or they don't have much sun, so they like looking at sunny pictures of the U.S.  
    I just wondered why, I think it's awesome that you are looking, and appreciate it.

new year

 Scrapbook making with Tasha at her mums...



  Well, here I am, faced with more time.  As if we needed anything more than the fresh air we breathe, the time to think, food and water and warmth to fend off the cold of the winter.  I am looking forward to skating more, but at the moment I am busy with other tasks; so don't run off, I will be with you.  For the New Year of the dragon, I am excited for another chance to be strong and thankful for the oppurtunity I am allowed.  Let fire and water help us in this world of chaos, and sky and earth lend its blessings to everyone. 
    THANKS: to my brother Cory for all the advice and love through my troubles,  Athey for the generous donation, my elders who love me, my brothers and friends who taught me, and to Mother and Father, who I came from.
    I plan to start research on skateparks; how to fund them, who can help contruct one, and how it will all work out.
    In the meantime, I will be nearby, but do not always have Internet access.  So please stay with me, friends, family and followers.  I am right here.

long boarding Big Sur video 1
long boarding Pacific coast video 2
bongo boy/jammin in San Francisco with Pete

    Here are some runs I made on the way up from L.A. to San Francisco.  The guitar player is Pete Mrdjenovich and I'm playing the drums.  Pete had a line of instruments and wrote songs and lyrics, which he wasn't afraid to teach me.  His apartment had a rooftop, which along with a good view of the city, was nice for stargazing.. In San Francisco, the air is cleaner, the water drinkable, and the lights pollution not so bad.

No way, thats how you 50-50?

Anthony teaching; big ideas from little skater.

Live it up!

Big Dog

  This is Kenny of 3LooseScrews skate team.

El Rio Grande

Las Vegas?  Yep

  Have a great New Year; one that is full of possibility and assured action towards a better future.  Love, life, and liberty.