Tag-A-Long Adventures

Tag-A-Long Adventures
Originally uploaded by babageik

Good times on Saturday-before the rains came!

Jake joined me for some of Pizza ride. We met at Stanley Lane, had donut, coffee and juice and hustled (thanks Grayson) to try to stick with group. 

Out Coombsville to Avenues, we got dropped...

No worries-we chilled, looked for sallys and headed toward Atlas Peak...

Started climb up Atlas Peak, made it to just past Pet Cemetary. Kicked it on the side of the road checking out the scene, a waterfall and munching on Clif product...

Headed down for good speedy time and back across town to get some lunch and chill...

Had to be at least 20 miles, Jake's a trooper!

I tried...

So like every 4-5 years my parents get a new whip...and since the economy is in the shitter and car dealers are serving up sweet deals, my dad called yesterday to say he was heading out to look at new cars today.

I jumped at the opportunity to run interference, this was gonna be the year they didn't get a Corolla...You see they've had 5 Corollas in  a row. Five. Corollas are nice enough, but damn, try a new flavor...

You gotta understand this goes back a loooooong way. Like 1984. 

Trade in Ford Fairmont on maybe a new thing called a mini-van. My brother and I were hyped on the Toyota mini-van, we took one home overnight. No-go. My mom did not like how you basically sat on bumper.

Plan B-Alfa Romeo Milano...I tried...hard...

No go...we got a brown 1984 Plymouth Voyager...

One loss.

Time passes and Corollas start coming and going.

5 years ago we set out in earnest. No Corolla. I thought I had my dad into a new Beetle. He had history with VW. Bought new bugs in 1954, 1967, 1972, 1974. We spent time at VW. he seemed sold. Went home, told my mom a Bug was in the cards...Rejected.

They went out the next day without us and came home with...a Corolla.

Today. Headed out with them in that Corolla. But I did my time online night before. Outlined, reviewed options...Honda Civic, Honda Fit, VW Jetta TDI, Subaru Imprezza, Mazda 3 sedan...had all of them on screen when I was picked up...to Toyota dealer we went.

Drive over I mentioned VW...."nah" said my dad.

At dealer they made bee line for 09 Corollas. I had no chance.

"Peep the Rav4"...I said

My mom liked it, walked back to Corolla.

My dad, at 73 was unflappable. He was getting a Corolla. All that needed to be decided was arguing with my mom on interior and exterior color.

DAMN!

Sensing my personal loss (like it's really a loss!--it's not my car, my dad is a grown man deserving of whatever he wants...and more), I settled into making sure they got a cool(er) Corolla...pointed toward Dark Grey XLE with sat radio, bluetooth, moon roof, alloys, CD changer, power everything ... They took the bait! 

Although my mom was totally against the steering wheel stereo/phone controls..."too dangerous"... they seemed to agree and like it.

4 hours later, Corolla 6 joined the family.

No big loss, I have my own life to lead...goal is set... my used Mini or maybe Nissan Qube is like 6 months away...

Punkins, Mud and Such

Funkiest Halloween in my life...
Somehow, being the dad on a "non-dad" day eliminated me from seeing Jake trick or treat this year. He was about a block away at my relatives house though...cool.
Sweet Fighter Pilot outfit looked real good on him and I hear he had a great time.

Next year.

Raced cross on Saturday.Pouring rain. Hard as hell...
Inches deep mud on 3/4 of course
Treacherous bridges
Real fun.

Image courtesy of Luce Goods, funked up in PS by me...

On the real side... Jake and friends are the only thing keeping me in Napa...

SS and Blue Angels

Saturday was cool and crisp outside---also incredibly windy--perfect chance to hit Annadel and do a little SS'ing. Picked up Dave Pruitt (who hadn't been there in 10 years) and we headed over. Incredible ride. Met up with a SSWC helper named Chris and the three of us put in about 20 miles of prime singletrack adventure.

Felt totally woozy on descent down Lawndale, guess my bowl of oatmeal wasn't enough. Gourmet Taco Shop in Sonoma cured that.

Sunday was a long day in SF with Jake and my parents. Weird getting back on the ferry boat after a year away. For someplace that I spent almost every day for 4 years, I was a bit nostalgic. Another perfect day in SF, totally clear, warm and fun. Dragged my mom through Embarcadero and Old Levi's area in attempt to see skyscrapers. Made it to Pier 39 to have an over-priced lunch at a restaurant overlooking bay and then off to see seals (Jake was completely enamored with them). Blue Angels took second place to seals and hunt for a restroom Jake would actually use. We luckily made it on boat (last people on) and headed back to Napa-Dude.

It's nice to actually spend time with my mom and dad, and always a pleasure (one I long for more and more) to be with my son.

Pics to Flickr sooner or later (most were shot by Jake)...

BMX and Cross

This weekend was a big time affair-Jake had his BMX party with his buds on Sunday and I raced my first  cross race in like 7 years (second ever) on Saturday.

Good times were had by all!

Cross is wicked rough for me. Sunday morning found my legs and butt feeling like toast. Funny how adding a little running to your bike ride can hurt so much. I accomplished my goal of finishing and not in last place...

Sunday was the big day-Jake's B-Day at the BMX track. 

He was totally stoked to get going on it. Called me on Saturday to say he wanted to do a big ride on Sunday! 

It was incredibly cool to see him and his buds have such an incredible time at the track. No major accidents, some surprising air was caught by some and everyone had a great time. 

His mom pulled the whole affair together and it was flawless. His biggest smile came when they handed him a trophy for the event. He didn't stop talking about it all night long, and it sits next to him in bed as I type...

I love my boy!

Tons of pics on Flickr...

Sweet

Balsa Wood Glider Building...

BB Gun Target Shooting...

Dinner and Pie with PaPa and Yaya...

Helping me rake and clean up yard...

Riding bikes from college to downtown, ice cream at Ben & Jerry's, and riding back to college...

Checking out bearded dragons at Petco...

Glider flying at park...

Soapy mohawks during bath-time...

Reading about beardies and desert geckos--which one to get?---before bed-time...

Watching you sleep peacefully...

What an incredible time with my son...2 full weekend days of pure joy...

I have some pics to follow--most are in my memories.

Tuesday

How is it that such a seemingly innocuous day could become so dreaded, so despised as a Tuesday? 

It doesn't happen because of the name or place on the calendar. 

Nothing really tied to a specific date.

Why then?

For me, Tuesday pushes in my face all of my failures, all of my fears, all of my frustrations, insecurities, anger, sadness and regret. 

Tuesday mean no questions from my son. No staying up too late to read. No more drawings or dinners reciting another "story about when I was a kid..."

Tuesday is that forced smile I get at the door. The "how are you" that is as hollow as hell. 

Tuesday comes too quickly and hurts for too long. 

Tuesday reminds me that she left not just for her co-worker long ago, but "me" even before that.

Tuesday beckons me back to an empty, silent house. No longer a home. More like a shell waiting for what will be decided by a mediator by a process and not by a family. 

Tuesday is hell.

Wednesday is one step closer to Sunday...

I never knew 2.5 days could mean so much. I'll never take so many things for granted...

Dog gone

Well, my time with Kona is up as she now lives with Cari's new partner up on Redwood Road.

She was the first dog that was really in my life, and despite a kinda rough beginning (with me getting adjusted to a new puppy that ate and dug everything I seemed to be concerned about), I truly grew to love the yellow dog...

The past few weeks were something of a bonding time for her and I-going so far as to let her sleep on the bed nightly with me. It was comforting to know she was in the house and generally around.

Much like many things that were seemingly going to be a larger part of my life, she is gone and I will miss her.

Later Kona Bear.

Fathers Day

Today was pretty sweet, I saw Jake whom I no longer see most of the week and we spent some quality time together. MOrning was skink hunting on Veeder and then a trip back down the hill to home.

We were heading to lunch with my dad and family so we hooked up the Kidz Tandem Ward was letting me borrow. After a little seatpost modification, we were off. What can I say but WOW! It was so cool cruising with Jake toward downtown. We really had a blast and cousin Kaleb loved seeing us ride.

After lunch we messed around on the new river front while Kaleb chased us, then it was time to mosey to the library to check hours and when the next book sale was.

Jake had a blast riding and we'll be out on it again next weekend as we are helping with the Napa Downtown Grand Prix--a bike race benefitting his school.

I have to say, being Jake's dad is a life saver--makes everything else happening in my world (both good, bad, chosen or not) pale in comparison.

Happy Fathers day Dad, David (soon to be), Stephan,  Stevo, Kirby, Peter, Johnoss, Otto, Bumpa Bill, Grandpa Roughley...hope you all had a great one.

Vintage Car Races

A lot been going on lately. To be honest, I am at a loss for words. Blame it on the heat. Blame it on the new living situation. ...Actually no blame to assign, just re-adjustment thats hard on everyone...

Anyway, in the interest of maintaining, I have been keeping myself and Jake pretty busy. 2 weekends ago we did a marathon Daddy Day with a trip to Infineon to watch vintage car racing and then racing home to attend reptile club to show off Henrietta.

Here's some pics from Infineon and such...

Jake and I in the stands rooting on the loud cars...

Jake was rooting for this yellow racer to win...and it did!

Jake posing with one of his dream cars..a Mustang!...The other one is  a VW Bug.

More on Flickr* (Some are Jake's as he had camera duties too)

Memorial Weekend

2 different shoes pretty much sums up our ride...guess I need to pay more attention to what I grab! At least they were two different feet!

Becerra is back!

Start at 7:00-ish. End at 9:30ish...total distance—5 or so miles. Still had fun!

One of Johnoss Lambrettas...

"See that hill Prosser? I dropped you back there..." 

Johnoss schoolin' me on East Bay mtn biking and such. Lake Chabot in foreground.

Pretty interesting weekend. Sum it up quick-like;

Friday got Rich Becerra back on trails after like 7 years with a very interesting day/night ride in Angwin. 

How should I put it? Not everyone had lights, there was new folks (to biking) in our group, the usual maladay's occurred. It was a short, ride, a long time out there (mechanicals and such) and something I look forward to doing on Fridays now...

Saturday was Pizza ride in AM, got rained on a little. Next up I messed (again) with my Intense Spider's pivot bolt and despite breaking it before (while using a torque wrench to proper setting), I freakin' couldn't leave well-enough alone and proceeded to break it again — the day before a race/ride in Marin! Thankfully my "local" Intense dealer (CVC-Johnoss) is only a short 120 mile round trip away. Headed to east bay, got part and had Johnoss drag my sorry ass around Lake Chabot and up a lot of hills (on a new FSR none-the-less...those bikes ARE fast). Good times in the East Bay, I miss my Johnoss time, to bad Grady wasn't around too.

Sunday was Tamarancho Mtn Bike Race. Suckered Rich Becerra into his first race in 7 years. Met Otto out there. Rough climb (for Rich especially) to race start-essentially a 2-3 mile road ride/hill climb to start/registration. Did sport class, felt pretty good out there. Was too lackidasical on start, let most of my class go ahead on launch. Too bad it ended up a long single track climb! Stuck behind people slower than me (amazing but true). Able to pass about 5 folks and motor along pretty well. Finished 2 laps in 1:03. Mark Weir finished 3 laps in less time. I am no pro. Had fun. Beat Otto by 30 minutes (he had 2 flats) and Rich by 1 hour. It was a fun time!

Sunday evening was BBQ at Michael and Christina's house. Good eats and friends. Rode over on bikes with Curtis and Mitzi. Got to watch Curtis and Andrew install new SRAM RED bits on Michaels' bike--isn't that what BBQ's are for?

Monday was time with Jake (finally). We hung out after a good egg and bacon b-fast. Built some legos, read some books and messed around in yard. Jake's been schooled abit morethan I expected by Cari on what is going down, hard for me to really accept-but he seems to be taking it relatively well. He and I saddled up on the Kestrel and Tag-a-long to ride to Pap and Yaya's house for BBQ. Rocked the whole new bike path in Napa, pretty cool to ride without worrying about cars--look forward to it being all over town. Nice to hang at parent's house and see other family members, although it was a bit uncomfortable with Cari there and all. Gotta get more used to the situation, something that is not coming easy to me —especially given all that is going on and her relationship. Anyway, in time I guess...

Back on bike with Jake and onto more work on Stonebridge yearbook until 1AM...

What can I say? Stay busy. Try not to focus on bad/negative (I am about 65% successful right now in this endeavour). Give Jake all the loving and attention I can. Ride my brains out. Repeat.

Not too many pics, camera was here and there.

Ketchup

Jake and the Bearded Dragon at Reptile Club...we're stoked to be leading a snake hike in August!

Jake rocking Alston in the field of dreams...

Took some pics of Curtis Brazing a frame...

Super combo post...Little text. Go to my Flickr for pics.

Thanks M. Welby for the Hula song, totally reminded me of my old boss at Tesser who was always playing the ukelele joints. 

In my own music flash back, I spent last night scooping up some old Steady B and MC Ant, followed it up by blasting PE "Yo Bum Rush the Show" today...ahhh yes, my roots are in hip-hop, but now there is so much more...

Jake time

Quick post...

This past weekend was pretty cool, Saturday I got back into my Saturday Morning group ride. Really fun to see the gang and do some extra miles in beautiful weather. Ended up hitting Dry Creek with a small group and then peeling off to do Veeder with Patrick. Crazy how much difference the higher temps make, still go in about 45 miles on a beautiful day. 

Funny thing, Dry Creek to Veeder is my favorite local ride. So much so, that my identified "happy place" (as recognized with my therapist), the place where I have the most clear thoughts is out there. Anyway, I've been hitting the route up on Wednesday's with Curtis and some of the crew from Bicycle Works—usually end up descending in the dark (also fun)—to the tune of 25-35 additional miles in the middle of the week. Does a lot for my thinking and future. One benefit; it seems like I am getting a little stronger (or maybe it is more used to) the climbing out there. Whatever it is, I like it and will keep moving forward...as I have always believed, it's nice to ride with stronger people (almost everyone is over me)—helps elevate my game and keeps me breathing!

Sunday was big plans—Jake and I where gonna combine two things-a trip to Angwin to watch some of my friends race and to look for skinks. We were successful in both. Walking around the course, we were able to see everyone as they finished the race; Andrew, Curtis, Tom from Content Works, George Hope, Leslie, even Jiro from the old King days. While out on the course we were flipping rocks and logs and finally found it—the blue tailed skink! They're fast little guys and drop their tale (as this one did) in the blink of an eye. Jake was hooked and soon we had a sweet blue belly. We hiked up the super steep drop in and on the way up Jake showed his skills by catching a nice sized blue belly by himself on a fence post. Rock on! His enthusiasm and skills make me so proud!

From there we hung around the finish line chatting and watching the festivities. Jake was stoked to get a free ice cream sandwich from some real pro's from the Kona team—it paid off as we ended up waiting longer than expected before heading to lunch. Jake was just "one of the guys" at the Azteca market in St. Helena as we munched on burritos, orange rice and Boing! Peach drinks. He cracked us all up as he announced half-way through lunch that there weren't any girls! Just a simple observation of our all male-group, but funny as it also pertained to bike racing in general (although there are getting to be more ladies). 

After lunch Jake and I headed to Dry Creek road to look for some more newts and skinks. We parked and hiked along the creek where we caught a bullfrog. Jake again surprised me when he caught another blue belly all by himself. His skills are incredible and he's very responsible (gentle and careful) with the animals.

Our last stop was for a Keva Juice smoothie as it was still really hot at 6PM. We headed home for a bath and dinner before hitting the couch to read a Choose Your Own Adventure. Awesome day.

As I have said before, our family situation is going to change sooner than (I) ever hoped, but it only gives me more energy and enthusiasm to channel toward this wonderful little person.

* Sorry no Angwin pics, I had the camera on the wrong setting accidentally and they're all jacked up...

Busy, Busy...

So the focus on hanging with Jake-mo and riding more is really helping me keep my self together. The focus toward being positive and the future is making it a lot more bearable when it comes to the present issues at hand.

That being said, I will try to post about the recent adventures which include; building gnome homes, Grasshopper #3, Boggs 8 Hour race, Reptile club and more as soon as I can.

In the interest of preserving and posting images, you can head over to my Flickr page and see a bunch of photos from past couple of weeks...

The next 30-60 days are going to be the most radically different and challenging to date, bear with me if posts slow down for a bit...

...on the positive side, there's some more sally hunting to be done with Jake-mo, planning a hike for reptile club, Stonebridge yearbook and play area work, maybe Sea Beaver with Jake-mo to go check out the "scene" and to see Steve working at the Giant booth, possibly a trip to Reddin' for Lemurian, more Grassshoppers, Wednesday night rides, frisbee golf, getting the drawing for my Retrotec done (fingers crossed) and a ton of work to be done for SSWC08...like I said, staying busy is key right now. So that's what I will do.

Sunday with Jake

Lookin' cool at Alston!

Today was the second weekend of the newly designated Jake and Daddy day (as he is with Cari on Saturdays). Our adventures today were around cycling as Jake wanted to ride Alston and I needed to head around town to take some pics for SSWC08 eating, drinking and sleeping establishments.

As is normal for weekends only, Jake was up super early and ready to go. I, on the other hand, was a bit slow and sore from the ride on Saturday. The bed felt so nice, it was hard to get up! But I did and headed to make some breakfast and start our day. Jake loves eggs so that's what we had. He also loves bacon (thereby proving without a DNA test, he's my son!). I figured oh, one eggs all he'll eat. Wrong! He had two eggs and 3 strips of bacon with OJ and loved it!

We did some playing with Hotwheels and backyard sally hunting before we settled into what to do. He voted for Alston, so that's where we headed. It was really windy again today and we found ourselves being blown around out there. After some ferocious headwinds, we even opted out of riding to the gnome homes in Alston, instead we'd hook up the tag-a long and get Curtis to ride downtown to eat at Taylors and take some pics, oh yeah and get a cone at Fosters Freeze!

While at Alston I have to say, Jake ROCKS on his bike! Starts are faster and cleaner and he hauls butt out there! Of course he lays down some tremendous skids which we'll have to curtail, but even those,in the midst of what looks like a full on fishtail to crash, he pulls it out and rides on. I am so proud!

We jammed home, hooked up the tag-a-long and headed downtown. Stop one was Napa River Velo for a chain Curtis needed. While he chatted, we found the sweetest pair of Fox full-finger gloves. Now of course I am a sucker for this stuff and they fit Jake, so we got em! Next we road the RR tracks across the RR bridge to Taylors for our $30 hamburger and coke. Jake was rarin' to go so he pedaled hard as we criss-crossed downtown Napa shooting places for SSWC08 folks to drink, eat and sleep in August. The ride was capped with a delicious cone at Foster's Freeze.

Jake muggin' for the camera with his Fox gloves!

We got home and outta the wind just in time to head out to OSH to buy some balsa wood so Jake could make a rocket. Unfortunately, they did not have balsa, but Jake did get a sweet saw that he can use (with my or his mother's supervision) on his projects. Needless to say he wanted to start right now! But bath, dinner and 7:30 (ish) bed-time were close, so we agreed to design it this week and work on it Friday when I am home with him.

As our lives transition away from the traditional family, I am more than happy to spend more time one on one with my son. He is an incredible little dude that constantly amazes, and cracks me up with his humor and intelligence....in short I love him with all my heart!

A little movie from the SD450 camera while trailing Jake one-handed at Alston...

Too real

I have one more quote before I make the focus of this blog on riding and time with my son...

"The tragedies that now blacken and darken the very air of heaven for us will sink into their places in a scheme so august, so magnificent, so joyful, that we shall laugh for wonder and delight."

Authur Christopher Bacon

To all 4 of my observers/readers, what can I say? The ol' blog was my online journal, very cathartic to air out my life, both good and bad. Somehow, just putting it "out there" helps me to communicate and establish closer relationships with those I care about (sometimes, not always)...

The changes that are occurring within it now are very hard for me to deal with...ultimately I look forward to the best for all involved. In the coming year though, the focus will be a lot less personal as I relate more to a written journal, close friends and family and myself... Thanks for checkin' out what I have going on in my life, I enjoy sharing it...

Sunday's with Jake-Mo

Jake sporting the "trucker-style" hat option he told us about...

Saturday gave me a great idea, to head back to Marin and the Headlands and the Discovery Museum with Jake for our day together. I know uncle David likes to go along, so we invited him as well. Ahhh yes, "the boys"!

We packed up a bunch of food and snacks for a day of hikin', adventurin' and explorin'...things like PB&J sandos, banana chips, naan and hummus, grapes, dried cranberries, pepperoni, water and more! We definitely were not going to starve!

Our first stop was to be Cronkhite beach and a hike up to the old WW2 gun batteries sprinkled in the hills. Jake was a trooper as always as we hike in the 3/4 mile to the battery. What an incredibly large emplacement! The hills around the area are /were covered with tunnels and underground living/working for the troops that manned the guns during WW2. we kicked back and snacked while looking out to sea.

Jake really likes the Golden Gate Bridge so he was pretty stoked to learn we would be going right under it! First though was a stop at the Discovery Museum. What a cool place. Totally hands on for kids to try and do so many things. There were puzzles, word scrambles and more. Jake's favorite area was the Wave Room. Inside here there were all kinds of activities set up to show kids how waves and wind work. Jake was hooking up various figures (a boat, a dolphin) to a tether that then moved up and against a wind and back. He's so into how things work, I admire his tenacity to learn and understand exactly what is going on.

Of course there was a sweet play area outside, all framed by the GG Bridge in the background. Jake took off running around exploring. There was so much to see and do. A sweet maze/house all made out of living vines did it for me. As did the collection of sticks that kids could weave into a kid-sized birdnest. Jake played boat captain for a bit and then ran up to climb the crows nest.

A few more stops into the art rooms again opened the door to Jake's world--creating art and playing with simple sticks, rocks and natural objects. His school is all about the kinds of hands on creation the museum was showcasing. We colored some leaf block prints, played with some sandy clay substance and checked out the rooms full of rocks, twigs and logs for creating whatever their little minds can dream up.

From there we headed to a pier closer to the GG Bridge where Jake got to see people fishing for crabs wile taking in an incredible view of the city (SF). I'd say the highlight was when two sea lions/seals popped up and had Jake running back and forth to see them popping up!

Of course after all the excitement, my little trooper fell promptly asleep on the way home.

I have to say it is so incredible to watch him go about things. Trying to see it through his eyes has helped me slow myself down a lot more too. There's no need to "rush" through a day or an adventure...letting Jake take the time to really settle and enjoy the task at hand is really the best. As my life morphs into it's new shape, I am coming to grasp the true gift that was presented in the form of Jake and will continue to strive to do anything and everything I can for him...

Oh yeah, I have more pics on my Flickr page...

Sundays with Jake

Today Jake and I rocked the whole day together...it was action packed and full of fun, I look forward to my Sundays with Jake more than anything.

There were no pictures to be taken today ( weird because I try to take as many as I can everywhere), too busy...where to begin? Jake woke me up at a brisk 6:44am--somewhat rough after my ride yesterday, but after telling him 20 more minutes for about 45 minutes, we settled into our day. There was some serious Lego building-we had a car for Mousey to get into and many small pieces to find. we worked together and made it happen. Next up was some lunch, circle cut toasted PB&J sando's, grapes and milk for dipping...yummy goodness.

I had a meeting with some ladies from Jake's school, to find out how I can help with the yearbook. Best part of that plan? We were heading to Kennedy park to play on the playset and get some riding in. Jake's plan was to have the meeting while we rode our bike, but I needed to sit and chat so he hit the pavement with one of their sons (a second grader nonetheless)! After the meeting Jake and I cruised our bikes and looked for frogs, lizards and sallys (to no avail).

Next up was a trip home, some more Lego playing and then off to Reptile Club. This club meets once a month at the little nature museum near our current house and Jake is a star attraction. Joe and Jeremy lead the meeting and it usually involves some reptile or reptiles being handed around and discussed. Joe runs "Joe's Rattlesnake and Reptile Rescue" and is a great guy and Jeremy always cruises in on his bike with a cool new boa variety to share. Tonight was "cornsnakes" and a great time.

Jake and I capped the evening off at Azzurro where he downed his usual pizza (no cheese, just sauce and bread) whole, had some caesar salad and for a topper, shared a bowl of vanilla ice cream with caramel and grey sea salt. Yum...mee!

The thing that trips me out is how much and how fast my son is growing up. The early years were harder for me to identify with him as I do now, although I have loved him all the same, I wish I could have slowed down and focused more intently on him since day one. With his entire life in front of us, I make it my goal, my life mission to make sure he has all the love, support, attention and respect I can offer and more...What an incredible little person!

Fading Away

You

Entered into my life when I stopped looking

Touched me casually and I felt a spark

Where the friend and more that I never thought existed

Make me smile to myself when I think of how lucky I am

Spent every day with me since our first night together

Gave me a beautiful boy whom I cherish more than life itself

Bring an entirely new (and very challenging) perspective/eye to my world

Helped me see more and to be what I truly am

Have a heart for adventure and an eye for freedom you think you don't have

Are leaving me years before I thought it would end

SK8 or Die

Funny how I forget, but I used to skate a lot when we were younger. Jake just got some finger boards and it reminded me of summer days and evenings spent trying to perfect the ollie, dragging quarter pipes around and drooling over a trip to Skates on Haight. Jake didn't know what kind of tricks to do, so I went to YouTube and dug up The Search for Animal Chin! We watched 3/4 parts (they didn't have the fourth) and then searched around for old pics online of some decks I had...

Maybe Jake and I can build a quarter pipe and spend some time thrashing!

Search for Animal Chin!

Some decks I had:Per Welinder Street style


G&S Neil Blender

Never had the Hosoi Hammerhead, but drew so the logo so many times I can't count. I always wanted this bad boy!