Heaven knows I'm miserable now

I'm currently in a dead-end committee trying to get a skatepark here in Ponca City. Today we (Megan and I) went to Kansas and I thought I'd stop in Ark City to see how wonderful this old piece of crap was holding up. This is so ridiculous I had to take some pictures. These are the kinds of things I have to bring up during every meeting I have with our group. Instead of just trying to get my point across with the actual city, I have to continuously state my case within "my own people". They bring up American Ramp Company (modular nightmare) every meeting and I'm telling them how much that stuff sucks and pushing for concrete.

Sorry to bring down the usual "good vibes" aspect of this page, but maybe someone from Ponca will see this? I did skate a sort of fun park in Winfield that I'll share with you tomorrow. It falls under the "everything is fun once" category, but they do have a fun mini ramp.

thinking about how right tonight might be

Only a limited amount of people will care about this but- Lou goes outside now. This is her trying to get the nads to go for it.

The other night we had the door open, because a non-smoker friend (Kyle E.) came over and I felt bad about the second hand smoke. Then we look over and Lou had bailed out the front door. We were freaking out.

Today she stepped off the porch and even walked in the yard a little and smelled things. 3 years old and finally decides to leave her comfy home. Yay, Lou.

Certain people I know

This whole thing wouldn't have been possible without the sweaty dude in the purple shirt...

And his beautiful wife.

I was so glad Dan came with us. Humble living legend status.

Melissa's section.

Mika Matzen and Sly Boldwarrior in front of Matzen's rad stuff.

Aaron and Kira had so much amazing stuff. Here's a small section of Aaron's.

Here's Kira's. They're killing it.

My parents came. It's pretty funny to be supportive of your adult son being in an art show.

Hey there, buddy. Trey had the big Tyson sign made and brought it all the way from Dallas.

This is Virgil's lil' section. That guy has the best stories, great photos, and is one of the funniest dudes I know.

Beans and blackheart.

"I love you, brother!" "I love you too!"

The Gambinos rule. Jon made us the best t-shirts ever.

Kyle E, Whorton, and TG.

My section. All I care about is Skateboarding and pals.

The dude from Kunek (Jesse?) bro-ing down with the Mr. Meade.

Horton and Bongload being happy. Stacy is in the corner- she's 7 months pregnant and made it out. Epic.

Georgie got a new tat. With "Murder Ink" opened up in Stillwater this dude is getting tattooes every other week.

The Gardes.

Aside from the one blow it move (playing Duran Duran)- Andy killed it dj-wise and made everyone dance.

See.

Mel and TG. Grumpy artists.

Aaron only gets drunk a few times a year, and really goes batshit when he does. Notice the fake hit of acid on his tongue? This guy runs things.

Tyson played a few songs with The Gardes as his backing band. I think I even heard a T. Rex cover.

The end was very climatic and everyone went home happy. I'm glad I got to see everyone who came out. See you next time.

The ride home was pretty interesting with Megan and Dan singing Dead Kennedys karaoke at the top of their lungs. It wasn't the best sounding thing ever, but at least it kept me awake to get us home alive.

Everything you want they got it right here in the U.S.A.

These famous dudes came to our house yesterday. Go see them tonight at Mike's College Bar in Stillwater, OK. If you blow it- I'll have pictures up in the next few days...

Paco, don't stay up all night worrying about me.

Before the days of kids asking if you were sponsored or what kind of bearings you had (what is it with kid's obsessions with bearings?)- the way one skater guaged another's cool status was asking how many boards they could ollie. Frenchy Friz is clocking in at 5 at the moment. (I like how the boards are anti-hero, krooked, and Smash- all my favorites.) Don't forget to go to this dude's art show at Mike's College Bar in Stillwater, OK on Saturday, July 21st. It's going to be good.

This is a fake group photo. I like everyone in it, but I just wanted a picture of the creepy, shirtless dude with the dog. There wasn't really any way to just throw down a portrait of him without being a jerk.

You can't beat meeting up with pals at the park on Sunday. There's always some good randoms around too.

We'll probably have some Smash decks there for sale. The price may be a little bit higher at the venue in case people just want to buy them as "art". If you're going to ride it- they'll be $30 with free grip tape like always. It's kind of unfair to non-skateboarders, but fuck 'em, right?

This is super exciting because Tyson has been in China forever and is only in the states playing a few shows. I think art will be shown by Aaron and Kira Frisby, Mika Matzen, possibly Mike Springer, and I'm putting together some photographs. I hope to see you all there. Contact Aaron through myspace if you'd like to know more details- this is his deal.

Back to another week of hanging out with this dude.

...and a gin lake too. you paddle all around it in a big canoe.

Destiny's Child.

Who knew Mike Vallelly still had an impact on kids?

Georgie with a very old Shark Bait t-shirt with the first 12 covers on it. (the cut-off sleeves were his doing.)

This is George's spot. It's one of those spots that no one else likes or will skate with him, so he knew I'd like it. We're into shitty stuff. He always gets cute and wants to take photos of you when you're trying to take photos of him. This was fun.

I told you it was HIS spot- semi layback rock to fakie. You have to ollie up a curb to hit this and pop off fakie when you come down. It's a big pain in the ass, but the simplest tricks are rewarding. Go to 9th and Duck in Stillwater, Georgie will be happy to have someone to shred this place with him.

George Kills.

Tom, the astronomer, will name a star for you.

I'm going to another meeting tomorrow to see about getting a skatepark here in Ponca City. I'm really pushing to get something resembling this.

And the complete opposite of this.....

(the top picture is Wichita, KS and this one is Newkirk, OK.) I'd never been to Wichita until today. That place is sick and made for good motivation in the quest for concrete. (wow, "quest for concrete" I'm retarded.)