Evidence CXXXVI and CXXXVII: Go Skateboarding Day

Was planning on skating something local and going to Cowtown's Go Skateboarding Day festivities -- just to see what "the kids" are up to these days. Then I got the call that morning, a trip to Tucson, a butter bowl -- and I was in. Lagged getting out the door. Stopped at a truck stop on the way down and a rocker chick in Daisy Duke's sucked on a popsicle while Court got some water. Got to Tucson, and the above is what greeted us. Since we lagged leaving, we had about 20 minutes of light. next pool we went to was full too. Then it was on to Jesse's. See below. 

Super fun, this is just the bowl. I skated the whole time so I didn't take any photos. This was a blast, thanks, killer spot for GSD. 

Part II: Hoss had the line on a good one, had photographic evidence. Got there, and, as you can see from the photo, the layer of crust contained the sourest, piss-smelling fluid under it. Retch worthy. We had to split. 

Scoped another beast. Beast is the operative word here. No hits, no runs, all errors.

Penetrators "Shopping Bag"

Writing my usual reviews for Thrasher, and although the flow of shwag from record labels that was a torrent in the 1990s has slowed to a mere trickle these days ("I'll send you a download"), a few record labels continue to send me the goods. I used to get 95% crap (that I would then trade in at the record store for shit that I actually wanted), but nowadays it's more like 50% decent stuff, from labels such as Goner, In the Red, Hozac, etc. Slovenly is one of those labels, and they continue to send me killer shit. Pete (the Sticker Guy) has done an amazing job of compiling bands from all over the globe, leaning toward garage punk and the trashier side, but really with bands that have a lot of different styles. Slovenly reissued the Penetrator's LP ("Kings of Basement Rock") which I had heard before(they're a KBD band, their stuff has been around if you knew where to look). It's a great listen, and like their contemporaries the Ramones they blend some 1960s sensibilities (including an Animals cover). Their song "#1 band in this town" was probably an accurate reflection of the Syracuse, NY scene around 1977. They also made a killer video for their song "Shopping Bag" which was apparently refused by MTV. Goddam, so close to the big time!

Evidence CXXXV: the Evidence is flimsy

Craig, Hoss and I went back to an old favorite, Big Tony. This is a fun one, large size, with killer Anthony coping. Although I found my point and shoot digital, meaning I don't have to rely on the phone, I didn't shoot any decent photos of Hoss or Craig as I was trying to make something. The sun went down, I didn't make it, and I got frustrated. Happens every once in a while. Skateboarding is still the most fun thing in the universe. Better coverage next time, I promise (and I'm gonna make that trick). 

The evidence remains.

Evidence CXXXIV: The Evidence is a swollen kidney

Took a trip back to an oldie but somewhat goodie. Been skating this one for a few years now, but it's not really high on the to-do list. That being said, it's always fun: big, wide open kidney -- "the swollen kidney" -- in a resort or nice hotel that's been shut down for a rebuild for a while. They never seem to make much progress, although we noticed new doors this time around. But they could have been put on there a year ago for all we know.

Slip the pole out of the chain link fence connector, widen the gap, and we're in. Nobody around, but nearby are tennis courts and a golf course that people use. Once we're in, we're outta sight. Minimal cleaning -- BMXers have found it and ride it. Two good pushes to get into the deep, or three if you want, slowed only by minor cancer. The trick is getting over the cool deck; it's not that big, but the trannies are a bit awkward and it sticks out more in some areas. Shallow end has a little light fixture that's cool. Best part about skating here is the laid back environment, and feeling fine to crack a brew at the end of a good session (or in the middle of one, or at the start).

Found my point-and-shoot camera after this session, so I will be able to get better low light photos. But I was more into skating than taking photos, which is how it's usually been going, so I don't stop until it's getting dark (and the phone camera doesn't work for shit).

Above: Courtman FSG. 

Swollen kidney 

The evidence remains. I made these Pool Dust stickers so that they could pass for real pool service stickers -- and they do, as proven by the filled up pools we see where people have left the sticker on the tile. In the left is a not-so-strategically-placed sticker that shouts to whoever sees it and might care: "skateboarders have been here!" I'm not one to get pissed over trivial shit like that, especially at a pool like this, but good to remember that maintaining that low profile can be a good thing.

Evidence CXXXIII: Under water

Well, all good things come to an end. Killer pool in Tempe, close to home. Got some rides in. Beautiful shape, nice coping, mellow scene. Folks were doing a ton of work to the house, but I thought they might hold off on the pool as the pump doesn't look functional (although it is all there). They might've spotted the evidence of us skating and decided to fill it, or they might just be filling it to make it a swimmer. Either way, done deal, and we're on to the next one. We'll come back to verify once or twice before completely writing it off. Chalk up another filled bowl with a Pool Dust sticker in it... 

Evidence CXXXII: Craig's Special Day!

Let's just call the other day "Craig's Special Day," because those are the only photos I got worth a damn. I've taken to calling him Craig "Gator" Regulski. I don't know if he likes that. Look at the symmetry of form above and below, as he goes over the stairs (he's a member of the Stair club for Men) and then over the light and death. Yes, light was fading. Yes, I-Phone camera's don't do well in dim light. Yes, I can't find my point and shoot. No, I didn't bring my good camera, maybe I will next time. Yes, you're an asshole for complaining. Where's your pools, man?

the evidence is dimly lit and a bit fuzzy, like my brain.

Evidence CXXXI: From Days Gone By

Stumbled across some old Evidence while going through some shit at the house (in preparation for the big move). This was the tile over the stairs at the Spider Egg bowl, a permission pool we skated for a solid 18-24 months before the owners demolished it. We had a final session on the last day, with some folks from out of town. When the skating had winded down, I took a sledgehammer to the tile by the stairs as the out-of-towners gawked at disbelief -- they didn't know that the next morning a complete demolish would begin. Below, a photo I stole from B-Rad's stream, Livi, Hoss and I at the Spider Egg. Such a fun little bowl, and I kind of squirmed when people compared it to the Round Brown Mound (which was clearly inferior, except it had real coping).

Evidence CXXX: Busted with a grin

Got the call on Saturday from Court and Dixon: they cleaned a cool deck Roman. When those three words are uttered in combination, it generally provokes nothing stronger than contempt in the mind of the pool aficionado. Sure, I've skated a few good Romans. Sure, there are a few decent cool deck pools out there. Court was claiming C+, Dixon, however, said it would be great. High profile spot, on the corner of a main street, low fence, but the gate was open and the pool was asking for it. We got in and commenced commencing. Tall deck. one side was killer, the other the tranny faded quickly to mega vert. It was grindable, so we all grinded it.

Paddock skimmer cover plate worked perfectly for the drain. 

Dickborg lays into a FSG. 

Since there was some foot traffic, and a couple kids walked by, I figured I would poke my head over the fence to make sure my car wasn't getting fucked with. I saw a dude standing there, just standing there, and it raised my suspicions. I shared them. They were shrugged off. Five minutes later we hear the female cop's voice: "How did you get in? Come out here so we can talk." She had a smile on her face, so we knew right off the bat it wouldn't be a problem. She was likely in her late 20s, and asked who the oldest person there was. That would be Hoss, at 52. We marched to the street, and she said, "I feel like I'm treating you like 16-year-olds, but can you have a seat on the curb?" It's the public display of police presence that will satisfy whoever called. We were all checking texts, sending photos, etc., while she ran our names. Of course nobody has a warrant. Another officer shows up, laughing as he gets out of the car. Dixon says he's been busted by him in the past. He says, "I think what you guys do is awesome, but you can't do it here." He asks Hoss: "What does your wife think about this?" Hoss reply? "It's a don't ask, don't tell situation." We drive away laughing, relating stories of worse busts, realizing that in terms of getting popped for skating in a backyard, we just had one of the easiest and funniest experiences of our lives.

Motorbikes!

I went over to Doug's place about 2 months ago to help him tune up his friend's CB100. That thing is a piece of work, but it was running a little rough. Checked ignition point, cleaned plug, pulled and cleaned carb, checked timing, put the tank back on and nothing. Checked for spark -- no spark. Thought that the condenser might've shorted out -- rubber on top had worn out and you could see bare metal on a wire. I had to split, wanted to get my continuity tester, so we left it at that. More than a month of phone tag, finally Doug brings it over. It sits for a few days, then Saturday I get to it. As I switch out condenser and point and gap it, I realize that there was no spark because putting on the gas tank tugged a wire loose and out of it's connector. Piece of cake, and nothing a zip tie can't fix. Bike is up and running, but needs a new chain badly -- and rear sprocket. And clutch. And... well, you get the idea. Cool little bike, though. Background: 1969 CB160, 1973 CB350F, 1972 CB350. Flight of the C-bees.

Evidence CXXIX: Quick return to the gem

So... Friday evening, time for a quick little session as the sun sets. Small crew, and as I am looking for my camera I forgot that my  board wasn't in the car when Doug showed up. Got to the pool, dropped those guys off, ran home and back, and got a few runs in. House has a new roof and all of the debris has been cleared from the yard. Gotta hope for a couple more good sessions... 

Hoss on his patented concentrated tail scrape. Low light + I-phone = not so much.