A Sunny Day in Sunnyvale

    Jayson Reduta hit me up today wanting to go blade the new San Jose skatepark, but it wasn’t open so we decided to go to Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale skatepark is pretty much the only place I skate when I am back home in San Jose. You don’t have to wear pads, I’m always the only rollerblader, and if you go early in the day, it is usually only you and a maybe 3 other people. In words Erik Baily would use, it was a pull.

Julio was also supposed to meet us there, but he had business to attend to, so it was just Jay, his girlfriend, myself, and some hession skateboarder dudes that are always there. I have only ever talked to these hession dudes maybe 2 times out of all the countless times I have come to this park. One time a dude asked stopped me and asked me what music I was listening to. I replied “Beth Gibbons…from portishead,” in which he replied “I knew it!” to one of his buddies. After that I wondered what dudes might be saying about me to each other, and what they think of me in general. It’s funny because its like I know all the skateboarders at the park, but don’t know them or talk to them. Its like a mutual agreement of some kind. Whatever it is, it is nice and I have a good time there with out getting bothered at all.  I think its because I don’t wax anything, and I don’t snake anyone. Skatepark awareness is key.

 

This is pretty much my favorite hip to launch at the park. Whenever the park is not crowded, I usually launch this hip over and over and over.  Boosting big airs never gets old. This isn’t my biggest, but it was fun none the less.  It sets you up to either launch a corner into another corner, or go to the flat/down ledge and pyramid. The pyramid is fun also, even though you can’t boost much air off it. There isn’t a picture of the pryamid in here, but it is where I learned how to do switch fakie 540’s, and fakie illusion 360’s. Illusions 360’s feel cool.

 

My beard is getting pretty burly.  The reactions I get for having a beard are always interesting. Everyone seems to think there is a reason for letting hair grow out of my face other then just that, letting hair grow out of my face. The most common question is “Growing your beard out eh?” I really have no response to this type of question, and usually reply with a half awkward response. Hair growing out of my face is a happening more then a doing. Maybe I should start thinking of cool responses like “I’ve never owned a chia pet, and I don’t want to buy one so, this is the closest thing to maybe getting one for a christmas present.” When I do let it grow, its usually never longer then a month and a half, and then when I do shave, I get a slew of new and even more nagging questions to feel awkward about.

 

This wall is very…vertical.  The bowl it is apart of is super fun. I havn’t done too much on this vert wall. In fact, out of all the times I’ve been here I’ve never done this trick. The only reason I did it this time is because I thought it would look cool. Usually i just to 270 back royals to set me up for the rest of the bowl line.  When i feel really comfortable i can get a few feet of air out of it. I have to be REALLY relaxed and comfortable to do this though, or else I will flat bottom and that is a big no no. I definately want to come back and get a legit air photo. B. Smith Lets do this!

 

This was my first mistrial attempt. It didn’t go so well as you can tell. I  did this exact fall maybe 2 more times. Being up that high with that much vert was pretty hairy. Thats all I have to say about that.

 

This launch is pretty fun when I’m not getting super squirrely. I havn’t skated this park in a while, and it usually takes me a while to get used to this launch. You have to launch into it from this bank, that can be a bit sketchy if you don’t do it right. I definately wasn’t doing it right in this photo, but thought it was a pretty cool photo even if I’m not grabbing or anything. Its like a semi running man, or just a bummy looking dude flying through the air crouching tiger style. Well not really, but. Make it what you will. The best thing I’ve ever done out of this was a switch cork 540. They rarely come out…and I don’t think anyone has seen them, but maybe you will get lucky some day.

Thanks goes out to Jayson Reduta bringing out his camera and taking these photos, as well as  always coming out to blade with me when I’m home. Sorry I’m not home more often. I enjoy every minute with you brother.  Thanks also goes out to Donny Garcia for showing up unannounced.  It was great to see you rollin around. And thanks to all the skateboarders at the skatepark for being cool…or at least letting me do my thing when I’m there without hassling me…in my face anyways.

Sorry there hasn’t been an update in forever, but there will be more coming soon. I still havn’t given an update on the Them Goods tour Julio so Graciously let me randomly Jump on…more to come soon. 

Dude, I’m totally listening to NoFx right now. Leave it alone is a great song. Anyone who grew up in the era I did knows what I’m talking about. Or anyone who was into Harvesting The Crust. I loved that Video.  My Grandma gave it to me for Christmas back in either 94 or 95. That year for christmas she also bought me a pink Cosmo T-shirt, along with 8 minifly’s.  I love you Grandma.