Happy New Year!

Gear

There's always cool stuff out there. Here are a few stocking stuffers I hope to find on Christmas day.

These Cons CTS are insane. Black Perf w/ black toe cap. This is the new holiday line up from Cons so you can expect to see these anywhere they sell Cons Skate.


No explaination needed. Harold Hunter ltd ed wheels from Zoo York.

Randoms-4-Sale

Christmas is just around the corner I got some randoms laying around. email me if interested or they're going up on eBay. I'll consider barters in shoes 9.5. contact info to the right>>>>

Kaws X Original Fake X Incase X Arkitip laptop/iPad carrying case & Arkitip Kaws Zine.
Limited hand numbered of 2000 units. Available only through Arkitip and sold out.
2 padded compartments inside with full zip featuring Incase/Original fake embelishments inside and out. Fits all iPads or 13" laptops.
$90



Nike Air Max 90 (white-cement gray black infrared) Dead Stock w/ original box sz9.5
$100



Shipping is $10 in the US. All transactions will be securely made via paypal and sent USPS Priority Air Mail w/ Delivery Confirmation.

A New York Thang!

A little taste of the right coast skate scene.

NYC stuff from Chandon on Vimeo.

Happy Black Friday!!

All black everything! What's better than burning off that hefty Thanksgiving dinner than walking around for hours in the buck cold for hours and hours with tons of other people. That's right ppl, Black Friday! Midnight madness for the last 3 years. Usually I'm in Vegas Thanksgiving weekend but these last 2 years I've kept it local and avoided the Thanksgiving crowd.

We headed for the Camarillo Outlet shops in Camarillo, just a half an hour outside of Los Angeles. This is the one time a year where I stock up on essentials that I don't usually buy because I hate shopping at the mall! Boxers from Banana Republic (because in my opinion they make the best boxers), gym/basketball dri-fit gear from Nike. Under garments from Ralph Lauren ( because if there is one tee that I could wear for the rest of my life, it would be these Ralph Lauren cotton crews). Cologne, and other miscellaneous items of clothing that I may not have known about because I hate the mall.
Sorry I don't have pics but I was too damn busy trying to keep up with my partner. We got there at 11:30pm to avoid the traffic and to get a secure parking spot. We left the outlets at 11:30am! Yeah, we were there for a good 12 hours. We had a meal in between all that as well! subway! It was hectic but fun. Came up on all I had to come up on that day and got home and crashed. All in all it was a great tradition and I look forward to next Thanksgiving. Peace out and have a good rest of the weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

My Favorite day on my favorite weekend with my favorite people eating my favorite foods! I've got so much to be thankful for. Trust me when I say, I'm thankful every single day and I praise God every single day for all that I have and all the things that I'm able to do with the people who love and support me beyond a questionable doubt. Be easy. Black Friday after dinner!

Syndicated

There is probably no other line of shoes that I love more than the Syndicate line from Vans. It's right down my alley and they make they always work with the best. This month I get an oldie but goodie care package from Vans Syndicate. Those Starter caps are WHAT'S UP! The white box is from Luke Meier's "Destroy Luxury" slogan and the shoe, well it speaks for itself. Super luxurious shoes, skated=destroyed. Wearing these for Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.





You know what comes after Thanksgiving dinner right? BLACK FRIDAY! Thanksgiving is absolutely my favorite weekend of the whole year. Nothing says the holidays like Midnight Madness at your local shops. hahaha.

Fuck Surfing

This is why I don't surf. Fuck Surfing w/ stick...

Me my Shark and I from Chuck Patterson on Vimeo.

Primetime Kenny, Eli, Baca, and Glifberg

During the Lakers opener/Ring Ceremony today vs the Houston Rockets I saw Kenny Anderson! Eli Reed! Sammy Baca! Rune Glifberg! Yikes. Primetime baby. What do they all have in common? Of course Converse. I don't really understand what's going on in the commercial but who the hell cares. All I got to say is Kenny Anderson and Eli Reed. That's enough. It looks like they shot in NY. Where's Pappalardo?

It still trips me out when I see skateboarding out of it's elements whether its prime time TV or movies or whatever. It makes me feel that even with the X-games and other wacky interpretations of skateboarding, it is still underground, it's still not accepted fully and it is still a way to rebel. I hope and think that skateboarding will always have that element and feel. After all, this is the reason you picked up your board and have not put it down since.

Who Still Wears SB's?

"Who still wears SB?" as I read through comments regarding the release of these Nike Dunk SB "loons". It kind of hits a nerve when people say these kind of things. I don't feel anyone is too cool for anything and to think that you're cooler than the next person will only last until what you're doing now is not so "cool" anymore.

I am personally hyped on these loons (The loon being the state bird of Minnesota). I think they have a dope colorway and will kind of revitalize the dunk game. Sample of these loons were floating around some years back but thought to be sample only. Turns out we're expecting a Holiday 2010 release. Well good, since nobody wears sb's anymore, I should'nt have trouble walking to my shop and grabbing a pair. If not, then I know somebody is still wearing sb's.

Gino Iannucci Mixtape

When skating, I consider myself the Asian Gino. huahaha. Because how a trick looks is more important than the trick itself.

Frost is Boomin!

It's nice to see another Nike skater besides P-Rod (not that I have anything against Paul) get into the spotlight that is a full on Nike commercial. Here's Frost with a stylee backside 180 shot in the middle of the night/early morn in K-Town on Wilshire blvd right next to the BCD Tofu House featuring a full on set, permits and all. That's how Nike rolls in Hollywood.
Check out the commercial featuring tons of stars, present and past. Boom!

Rx

This past weekend I took a trip to Foothill Ranch also known as Oakley country because of the HQ located there to pick up some goods aka my new prescriptions. I should have taken pictures of the compound but #1, I don't carry a camera around everywhere I go. #2, I'm a bad blogger because I take bad pictures with a bad camera ie my iPhone.

Honorable Mention

check out X-Large and a brief history lesson at X-Large
This is one of the handful of greatest clothing companies of all time. X-Large has been the real deal for a long time and have kept it going. Many of the kids born at about the time X-Large emerged don't have an idea of its impact on the clothing companies available today but let's just say they have been doing what a lot of the new jacks have been doing now since 1991. Respect.

Supreme NYC x Nike SB 94'

Another new Nike sb (or Nike as a whole) silhouette has emerged in skateboarding syle via Supreme NYC called the 94'. The name derived from the Supreme's opening year in NYC and is an homage to the styles of skate shoes that you'd find NYC skaters rockin' at the time. Supreme designer Luke Meier who overlooks all of Supreme's Nike sb collabos stated that the Nike air jordan I was a big inspiration to the new shoe (I see it more of an airwalk/etnies natas kind of thang). Keep a look out for these this upcoming holiday season only available from Supreme.

Vans Syndicate X W)taps Sk8 Mid

Thank God. Yet another collaboration from Vans syndicate and w)taps to look forward to in a classic form that is the sk8 mid. I'm stoked on this. Really. However, I wonder if they will have a few other models in the colorway. I would really love an old skool take on the w)taps syndicate. whoooooo!


On another note, I'd like to just say that some of these "fits" posts on some of these forums are gayer than gay cough!! nsb.org, because I don't even think gay kids do this shit ie. compare what you wore today from head to toe and see who wore it better. Shit that's a new level of gay. Note: I have nothing against homosexuals in any way shape or form, just straight kids conducting in homosexual activities.) I'd also like to regret for any "fits" thread I have posted on. Have a good weekend peeps.)

Dylan

So I'm up on O'Dell's epicly later'd Dylan Rieder episode and was so fascinated with this kid's skating. I remember him being a standout skateboarder when he was younger but wow has he become gnar. Dylan has rode for Adio, Vans, Nike sb but has most recently landed in the Gravis shoes with pretty much his own signature line. His new shoes look so dope but I have no freakin' idea how you would skate in them or how long they'd last.

Check out his epicly later'd and you'll get an answer on why his Alien Workshop part was very disappointing considering his ability and potential. To make up for it, Gravis has put out a solo video part with Dylan Rieder and man oh man does it make up for it. Please watch and enjoy.

My Home Shop Non Factory On Blast

This week Heel Bruise cruised through and put my home shop, Non Factory here in downtown LA on blast. Sorry I haven't done it earlier, I never considered myself that of a photographer, but these pics from Heel bruise definitely do justice. Big shout out to Tetsuya and AB, see you guys tomorrow.



Non Factory
110 S San Pedro St. Los Angeles
(213) 620-0314

Nike Zoom Eric Koston

When Eric Koston appeared on one of the first ads for Nike sb not long after leaving Lakai, I put up a post that November after noticing that one of the labels on the boxes he was carrying read "Zoom Eric Koston SB"
9 months later, pics have officially been released of the anticipated shoe. waalaah.

Talk about a hybrid. This shoe looks like it has a Zoom Tre A.D. Midsole with a bruin silhouette. Almost seems seamless with extra padding around the ankle. Simple. Most likely technologically advanced. It's going to be interesting to see how these do popularity wise and whether we will see a little friendly competition between jedi and padawan (awkward).

Vince is Pro!

Congrats to Vincent Alvarez who just turned Pro. If you've never heard of Vincent check him out here

Transworld Skate & Create 2010 Winner. Lakai

Transwold Skateboarding presents its 2010 Skate & Create Video Contest Contestants and winner!

Lakairomania (The 2010 Winner!!)


And as promised, the winner on the cover:


Sorry I didn't post the other entries from Adidas and Fallen (Etnies video posted below)as I ran out of time but you can check them out yourself at Transworld skateboarding. peace.

Mommy, he bit me!

To me biting is a big NO NO. I grew up in a community where it was very much frowned upon and I still live by those rules. I know nowadays nothing is truly original but where do you draw the line between inspiration and straight biting! I have never been a fan of the Hundreds but I respect what they do and admire their popularity/fan base from a business aspect. Chocolate was my first skateboard crew. Where do you think my loyalty lies?

Woodward China, Beijing Preview

I had to pick up my jaw off the floor when I saw this clip. Check out the outdoor park with the marble and the biggest indoor skate facility in the world.

2010 Etnies Throwback

Here's a clip from from the Etnies crew for TWS' Skate & Create. An homage to the sickest era in skateboarding with the old World Park theme. I'm sure some of the team ie Sean Malto and Tyler Bledsoe were just teeny grade skoolers during the time so it's cool to see 2010 meet 1995. Note: Even the clothing is on point.

Etnies Skate & Create 2010 from Nun Chuck on Vimeo.

Props in Amerrrca

I'm really big on stuff being made in the USA. To me, it is a sense of pride to have an American brand/product or anything in that sense be made in America. Nowadays money, quantity and profit seem to overlook quality and pride. I know shipping overseas is both more productive in quantity and inexpensive in labor. Double whammy, but why would you sacrifice your brands' integrity for the sake of the almighty buck? (that's a rhetorical Q). I don't want to get into the economical aspect of this because quite frankly I'm not an economist.
The term "They don't make em like they used to" really hits hard with me. I don't know how it was everywhere else in the states and I don't know if this matter really matters to anyone else but it does to me.
Here are some of the things that I grew up with that are disappointingly no longer made in the USA.

In the early 90's Vans Shoes decided to globalize and start mass producing vulcanized shoes in China. I remember how disappointed I was when all of a sudden my shoes that used to be made down the street in Orange were stamped made in China. Now every Vans shoe on the market is made in China.
I wish: To have one freakin' production plant here in the States and produce a subdivision of the company that makes shoes in the USA. Maybe just have all the classics be made here.


Growing up in the BMX circuit, my favorite bicycle factory, GT, decided to pack up and move from beautiful Huntington Beach, CA to China. What a sketchy confusing time that was. The aspect of the product that they were so proud of and famous for (as seen by the made in Huntington Beach USA decal that was stock on all GT BMX models from the start of the company to the mid 90's. The end of an Era. Not to mention their sister company Robinson. Why? If it's an American brand made in China, it's now a Chinese product. Yes, all shoes are Asian.



The first athletic cap manufacturer that I was introduced to was Starter, then American Needle, then New Era Cap. I first new about about New Era because they produced the official on-field caps used by the players in the MLB. Fitted 100% wool caps with cotton trim sweatband and under-brim made here in the USA. At the time New Era did not do hats for anybody else except the the MLB and it wasn't until the late 90's did we see them globalize the market with their popular onfield 59/50 cap design for other brands all over the world, not including New Era's own subdivision of fitted caps (Too many). I wonder who buys all the wack ones? because you know there are a lot of wack ones out there.
I realize that all the on-field MLB caps are still produced here in the USA but everything else is made in China. Of course there are a few exceptions here and there of US made New Eras, such as this New Era Cap with Long Beach Shoe boutique Proper that produced a line of the ever so popular 59/50 cap made in USA. Props for Proper on that one.


These are just a few notables that I've included in this post. From now on I will start a post on products/things that I'm hyped on labeled "Props in Amerrrca". My first props go out to the Proper crew in Long Beach, CA. Good job guys. Now if only everybody else would follow in your footsteps because I would rather pay the extra cash any day knowing and having a sense of pride in the "originality" of the products I have. Out.

One of These Days......

I'm seriously going to get a pair of these to skate... They look so perfect.


Either the Campus Vulcs or these Gonz'

Top Secret: Christian Hosoi X Vans Syndicates

I don't think I ever showed these to anyone but I got these Wtaps samples from 5yndicate a while back. These are called the "Bash" and is a new model that was introduced through the 5yndicate line a couple years back.

The shoe had a basketball shoe/old school high top skate board late 80's feel and silhouette to them but I didn't see these flying off the shelves. I personally do not think it's a bad looking shoe. They're really light weight and are actually really nice on the board with the cup sole.

The upcoming collaboration between Vans 5yndicate and Christian Hosoi will see the beefed up reincarnation of the "Bash". The colorways will be fresh not straying too far from Hosoi's flag of red and black and will carry out nubuck uppers and a classic Vans grippy vulcanized sole.

If the Wtaps' Bash didn't open your eyes, these will. Keep on the lookout for these because these are for sure to be a winner.

A.V.E Vans Commercial

A.V.E. "In the Cut" Commercial from OFF THE WALL SINCE 66 on Vimeo.

What's In The Box?

It's nice to get a box from Nike. Even if I'm not switch flipping 12 stairs. Big thanks to C.H.

Vans Era LX Syndicate Wtaps

The Wtaps boys are back in town and back at it with another upcoming Vans Syndicate. The Wtaps X Syndicate collaborations are and never will be bad news. I felt like a secret agent taking pics of these damn things but I couldn't resist. Too good! (all the pics were taken from my phone because this shit is top secret bitches)


It looks like this time around, the Vans Era gets treated with a little premium leather in what seems to be a Dr. Marten's motif. The yellow sport stripe around the mid-sole representing the signature Dr. Marten's stitching with the classic black and maroon colorways.


They even go as far as making the "wair-air" tag on the back of the shoes as well (if you know Docs, you know this). Classy as shit. I can't wait to see the rest of the pack and for these to release. My predictions are a holiday 2010 release on these bad boys.

This Is My Town

It's been a hot minute due to some technical difficulties that is my computer. About two weeks I think. Not too much went down but I have to get caught up on some thangs!
Last week went through the ol' Dodger Stadium to see the "Doyer's" take on SD in a 4 game series. This was actually my first Dodger game and I've talked to so many people who always remember their first Dodger game and my first would never be forgotten. We rolled in style w/ our Baseline Club Box Seats w/ Preferred parking!



Dig the view from our club box seats.


Food and drinks included so we ate like kings. Not your typical run of the mill ball park food though. It was a nice touch.

Dodger Dogs for Days.....


Andre Ethier walked up to us!


The Doyer's came through with the win and I made it official as the newest addition to the Dodger fam. I definitely had an unforgettable time. A big shout out to LA for the royal treatment.

Gino's

You know anything that has to with Gino is going to be stylish. The guy reeks it. The OG Nike Sb rider gets some with an upcoming perforated blazer sb in the first Gino dunk colorways (obsidian/midnight). Notice the midsole is not the typical blazer midsole but the midsole from the zoom harbor sb. The lighthouse in the back to representing Long Island.


The blazer would've sufficed but Nike needed to step it up a notch and do a Gino dunk. The new strapless dunk mids inspired by the black perforated dunk dubbed as the Gino II. Darkness everyone, darkness.

Maloof Cup OC Course Revealed

Here it is.

Check the OC Maloof Money Cup August 6-8 from noon-8 in Costa Mesa, CA.

Vans Draw the Line

This may not be significant at all to you but it is to me. Most people fail even to pay attention to this kind of detail but this is my favorite Vans model and I'm hyped about the minor yet significant detail. The side stripe. If by nothing else, the Vans old skool model is infamously known and identified by the white (on the black/white colorway) side stripe that is present on both the inner and outer side panels.


The last few years, the Vans old skool has been made with what in my opinion was the cheapest quality ever. Both the lining of the shoe and overall structure was poor. However, recently I have noticed a difference in the newer production of the old skools which is the skinnier side stripe! At first I thought it was a pair of the reissue 92's but turns out they are a run of the mill GR version of the Old Skool. After I picked the shoe up to examine its details, I notice the changes in the quality of the lining and midsoles. Much much better. I don't have a picture of the new production old skools but here is a sample pic of the "crappy skools" and the version of the newer production. See the difference? Of course not.