Controlled Accidents Num. 7, Eastcoast to Westcoast.
So the last time I updated my blog I was deep into my Puerto Rico Trip, and had about a week to go before I went back to New York. This picture was taken the night that I went out to this hip hop Lounge. We decided to have some Mexican food and by some drinks here before going to the lounge because it was cheaper. From left to right in this photo is Ariel, Ian, and Katia. for the last week or to we stayed at Katia’s house which was like living in paradise. Pool in the backyard, and an Avocado Tree which dropped avocados to the ground every day. This was a dream to me because Avocados are my favorite. Needless to say, we ate Avocados in every meal, and sometimes they WERE the meal. It was about this time that the funds were almost fully depleted so this fruit helped out immensely in my overall survival. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH Katia and Ian for your hospitality and kindness . You saved us on soo many levels.
This picture right here was my breakfast every morning during my last weeks in Puerto Rico. Avocado, plantains, and Tea. Just looking at this picture is making my mouth water and stomach grumble. It is also having theses effects on me because I am on day 3 of the “Master Cleanse.” This is a cleanse where the only thing you consume is a drink comprised of nothing but water, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup. I have never done this for 10 days, but have had friends who have done it for 10 days and even longer. So far so good. I haven’t experienced much hunger pain (aside from what I just experienced looking at the above picture) but I have been quite agitated and irritable. Getting a 60 Dollar parking ticket today in San Francisco didn’t help that either….
Here is some of the Crew I would roll with when we skated Moisty’s Skatepark. Moisty’s is a Spark in PR that is on the top of a Mall parking lot. It is a fun park full of a bunch of local rippers. The girl skate scene in PR is pretty big too. All of the girls I have seen at the park skat just as good as the boys do, and there doesn’t even seem to be a noteable difference. Whether girl or even skateboarder, everyone seems to have fun together seemlessly.
I also got the opportunity to visit a little gallery in Old San Juan. I can’t remember the name of this artist, but he was a friend of Tato’s.
Here is another one by the same artist.
This one I think was done by a different artist, and I liked it because it reminded me of a wandering sage mountain hermit.
From Puerto Rico I went to New york to meet Tom Hyser and Julian Bah for a week of blading, autograph signing, and the Last Man Standing contest at the Brooklyn Banks. This photo and the following ones below were taken from the autograph signing that Tom, Julian, and myself attended at Blades skateshop in NY. We went there for a meet and greet to promote the new Solo Skate which comes out In January 09′.
Ray asking me some questions about blading while Tom takes photos.
Rah, Victor Callender, and John Ortiz came out to support.
Tato and Black Sam were there too. I can’t remember why Sams name is “Black Sam.” I think it was to distinguish him between Sam Grim, another legendary NYC ripper.
Here is the posse of kids that came out strapped in to their blades straight off a NYC session. Thanks for comin out!
After the autograph signing/meet and greet we went to a production after part that Ray’s boss was having. It was an open bar and there were highclass snacks as well as people. We definately looked out of place with our street clothes as well as all of our luggage. We definately stood out once we hit the dance floor as well. Here is Ray Mendez and Ariel Breakin it down.
Here is the crew gettin loco in the back of a limo on the ride back to the bronx. After price configuring, we realized it would be cheaper to all get into a limo and take it back instead of taking seperate taxi’s, so we got krunk and balled out of control…or at least acted like it.
Ariel looking proper before a night on the town.
Daveeeeee Blair gettin ready.
And Jon Ortizy lookin steezy.
The next day was the Last Man Standing Contest at the Brooklyn Banks. I had a fun time skating this contest. I did realize that I have a hard time saving my energy for the actual rounds I’m in. Usually when I get to a contest or jam session I’m so juiced that I just start skating and end up doing everything I want to do within the first 45 minutes. I ended up making it to finals doing some of the tricks in this edit, but ended up getting stuck/broke off on a full cab disaster true mizu on this box thing. After I did a disaster half cab top soul I was feeling good, but then I just got stuck on the true mizu. It sucked cas I got pretty broke off but, overall the day went good and skating was fun.
After New York I came to Atlanta for a week and a half to film Rollerblade stuff with Tom and Julian. Julian, David, and I went out to this skatepark and ended up getting some cool stuff. All three of us did some sweet lines in the bowl, and David and I got a back to back line which is in the edit above which turned out really good. Skating with David is fun because his juice levels are always high, and he brings me back to that young energy I used to feel when I was his age.
I havn’t seen any skating from Julian in a while, but I was thoroughly impressed by this edit and what I saw in person when we went skating. The gap he did over the sign was first try and the first thing he did in the day. It was crazy to see him size it up, then just go for it and lace it first try. Every clip I filmed of him he landed either first or second try. His last clip in this edit was ridiculous, especially because i have tried to do the same thing and getting to the rail from the ledge is super hard.
Here is a me doing a Royal in Atlanta. Nothing really else to say bout it aside that it was shot by Brian Sanford.
While I was in Atlanta I got to stay with Long time AOL friend and Dirty Show companion Kevin dowling and shoot some photos. Here is one we shot at one in the morning after a long night of skating downtown Atlanta. I got many great photos with Kevin, one of them which will be on the cover of the next Roller Warehouse. Check other photos out ohter sweet photos on Kevin Dowlings Blog.
Kevin had to go to a Hip Hop show to shoot some photos for his friends so I tagged along and had an amazing time. I got to meet this girl Brittany Bosco (to the left of me) who gave in my opinion the most uplifting performance of the night. Also to the left of her is Alex Goose who I met that night as well who used to rollerblade and is from DC. He actually produced Brittany’s beats, so check both of them out and support rollerbladers doing their thing up proper.
After Atlanta I flew to Long Beach and then road tripped it with my girlfriend to Norcal which is where I am writing this from right now. I am officially a resident of San Francisco and loving it aside from the parking ticket I got yesterday for 60 dollars. Having a car is sweet. Having a car in the city is not too sweet.
Here is an edit Norcal/San Jose legend Jayson Reduta just made for his design class at the Art Academy in San Francisco. As you can see he is still handling the streets even though he is not in the spotlight like he once was. To see more footage of Jayson when he was one of the best in the Bay, check out these edits.
Peace out from SF!
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