When I ride my skateboard (Currently a Slave 8.0, On Indys, with spitfire Koston F1 streetburners, btw), which just happens to be quite frequently, i think. Alot.
I Think about just about everything, Including the Philisophical "road" ahead of me.
But not really the physicall road. Unless i have a specific destination, i tend to roam around streamwood/schaumburg looking for something that may or not be there. I think most clearly when I skate. It also serves as a stress reliever.
You could call it dangerous. I like it. I may stumble upon something new. A new spot maybe. I might find myself at the right place at the right time and witness something spectacular. Or maybe just the opposite. I might find myself in a tight spot. But i always find a way out. Youth Overcomes.
But I am an adult now. Does this mean I quit skateboarding, and focus on my job? Taxes? a resume? 401k?
Of course not.
I do have a job though. And it hemorages away my free time. I work around 40 hours a week based on my schedule. This leaves me only a couple hours a day to do what I want after my regular responsibilities (lightened, thank you Mom and Dad) have been taken care of. Anywhere between 4-2 hours of the time between shifts are mine to do as I please. I go skateboarding.
Those long hours help to pay for my Skateboarding "Lifestyle". The original financiers (my family) no longer have to pay for the replacement parts (decks trucks shoes bearings). The same hours also keep me from having to rely on secondhand parts. While their is absolutely nothing wrong with having second hand parts (i still have the same mixed bearings and bolts), it often leads to an uncertain future. Those hours take away alot of my free time, yet I stick to them, almost worship them for their dollar value.
Does that make me a SLAVE to money? To Capitalism?
To an extent, yes. But no more than the rest of the country.
Its what I buy with that money that makes me feel truely free. While I am trying to save for a car (Volkswagen Golf/Jetta?), there is healthy room in my "budget" for skateboarding. Skateboarding is my first Official Love (outside of family. I didnt think id have to say that, but you never know.) Skateboarding has and will always be there.
It is skateboarding that makes me free. I can go out and skate where ever i choose. If i so happen to be on private property, then its owner has the freedom to have me ejected by any means lawfull. But to just roam around on a piece of wood bolted to some trucks and wheels. Thats all i need to have as proof that once you see past all of the "Capitalism Is Evil, And So is America" bullshit, Freedom does exist.
Freedom is not just an Idea.
Freedom lives within each and every person, And is defined by the individual within the confines of the law, As well as protected by the Declaration of Independence And The Constitution of the United States Of America (The First Ammendment.)
Men Have died for my freedom.
So skate I will. I will earn my wage as well, to continue to be able to skate.
And in the pursuit of happiness, I'll try not to hinder your's.
Skateboarding is Freedom. So,
Repeat After Me: I am Free.
I'd love to tell you more, but I have to get ready for work.
It Happens.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Boston Massacre/Liberty Hell (Road Trip 2011)
Sitting in the lunchroom on friday, flipping through MY issue of The Skateboard Mag, talking about all the amazing spots and how we wished we could take a road trip to go visit different skate parks and skate spots when it hit me: Why cant we?
Those professionals arent THAT much better than us to where we CANT drive around the east coast, doing what they do. One thing is for sure, they definately have a better and bigger budget.
Current plans are only at the drawing board as of now, however they are drawn it pen. We know where we want to go, how we want to get there.
There are the uncertain variables that concern me.
But for now, heres what I have:
Sam, Randy (maybe), Yurgen (possibly), and I drive from my place (Schaumburg, IL) to (Boston, MA). That peticular leg of the trip is 1015.21 miles and would cost $155.71 (based on a 20 mpg vehicle). This would probably be a two day trip. The idea would be to camp out somewhere at night. Boston is the cradle of American independence. And from the footage i've seen, a sick place to skate.
From Boston, The next stop is Philadelphia. This adds another 300 something miles to the trip count, and brining the gas cost to $204 dollars. Philadelphia is also another landmark in American history, as well as another great place to skate.
Now lets hope the dominoes fall in the right places.
It happens
(It will)
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Schaumburg&1s=IL&1z=60193&1y=US&1l=42.0135&1g=-88.097&1v=ZIP&2c=Boston&2s=MA&2y=US&2l=42.358299&2g=-71.060303&2v=CITY#mqPgSt4
Those professionals arent THAT much better than us to where we CANT drive around the east coast, doing what they do. One thing is for sure, they definately have a better and bigger budget.
Current plans are only at the drawing board as of now, however they are drawn it pen. We know where we want to go, how we want to get there.
There are the uncertain variables that concern me.
But for now, heres what I have:
Sam, Randy (maybe), Yurgen (possibly), and I drive from my place (Schaumburg, IL) to (Boston, MA). That peticular leg of the trip is 1015.21 miles and would cost $155.71 (based on a 20 mpg vehicle). This would probably be a two day trip. The idea would be to camp out somewhere at night. Boston is the cradle of American independence. And from the footage i've seen, a sick place to skate.
From Boston, The next stop is Philadelphia. This adds another 300 something miles to the trip count, and brining the gas cost to $204 dollars. Philadelphia is also another landmark in American history, as well as another great place to skate.
Now lets hope the dominoes fall in the right places.
It happens
(It will)
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Schaumburg&1s=IL&1z=60193&1y=US&1l=42.0135&1g=-88.097&1v=ZIP&2c=Boston&2s=MA&2y=US&2l=42.358299&2g=-71.060303&2v=CITY#mqPgSt4
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Struggling to breath!
This is what happens when you find yourself roaming the vicinity with an empty SD card, full batteries, and nothing to shoot.
It happens.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
First Photoshoot.
My First Photos for my online Portfolio. Enjoy.
This is the Headstock to my Dean Vendetta. Otherwise ordinary, made awesome by a shaky hand.
This is a row of trees on my street. I like the descending effect. It also shows how, even though nature is considered unorganized, this picture shows the trees all the same uniform green.
A Sport shot of a BMW. The BMW is in focus, while the background is blurred.
This is NOT a symbolic photo. Dont take or make it anything that it isnt.
Yield to nature? I think so.
By request.
This couple saw me running behind the bushes to get this shot. They found it quite entertaining.
Same idea, different focus.
The trees are the focus, while the path leading out of shot distracts the eye, and gives a sense of curiosity.
Same shot, with the brightness and saturation turned up.
I took several pictures of this scene, with varying angles. none of them captured the length while keeping the idea of scale that i was going for as much as this one.
This shot strikes me as perverse, as the trees are interupted by the man made structures.
When it comes to shooting, nature is an easy target. Always still, yet constantly changing. Dont always get upset when something invades the shot. I found that they can give you whole new perspectives and ideas to draw upon.
It Happens.
This is the Headstock to my Dean Vendetta. Otherwise ordinary, made awesome by a shaky hand.
This is a row of trees on my street. I like the descending effect. It also shows how, even though nature is considered unorganized, this picture shows the trees all the same uniform green.
A Sport shot of a BMW. The BMW is in focus, while the background is blurred.
This is NOT a symbolic photo. Dont take or make it anything that it isnt.
Yield to nature? I think so.
By request.
This couple saw me running behind the bushes to get this shot. They found it quite entertaining.
Same idea, different focus.
The trees are the focus, while the path leading out of shot distracts the eye, and gives a sense of curiosity.
Same shot, with the brightness and saturation turned up.
I took several pictures of this scene, with varying angles. none of them captured the length while keeping the idea of scale that i was going for as much as this one.
This shot strikes me as perverse, as the trees are interupted by the man made structures.
When it comes to shooting, nature is an easy target. Always still, yet constantly changing. Dont always get upset when something invades the shot. I found that they can give you whole new perspectives and ideas to draw upon.
It Happens.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
