Weather:
It snowed and then there was more snow.

Friday night Nikki and Jenny organized a surprise party for Chad and Tony’s birthday. Before they arrived we passed the time checking out Scotty’s elbow injury.

Then we checked out Jose’s new tattoo. (I didn’t get a good photo of the whole thing but it’s rad for certain, the Chicago skyline and a skater pushing)

Gordon gave me some sweet x-mas gift suggestions for my niece.

Spencer loaded up the juke box and settled in to wait for his songs.

I told Eric he should make more art.

There was a popcorn eating contest and I won it.

Chad was surprised.

Tony was surprised.

Good birthday fun for all. An extra highfive for Jenny

and Nikki for doing the organizing and the surprising.

Saturday the snow fell hard and the roads got messy but I did make it down to Jose’s going away/the carwash minihalf benefit. Even though the weather sucked the turnout was good and the szechuan was solid. I didn’t stay that long and I know there’s some better footage of the trickery out there but for now you can enjoy this little clip.

The weather kept me from the holiday parties and I still have a ton of cards and xmas shopping to do so if I don’t see you be safe when you travel, call your friends and family, and skate when you can.

It’s a wonderful life.

Weather:
Freezing rain that turns into slickery wet ice over night making sidewalk navigation a challenge.

Last Friday I got to meet Chicago and by meeting Chicago I mean Studs Terkel. He’s getting up there in years and he told me several times (loudly) to speak up cause he didn’t hear so well. So I’m sitting next to him and getting some books signed and he couldn’t have been nicer or happier to be there. You read about some people, authors, rockstars, Barry Bonds, etc. and they’re not happy talking to people. This guy has met everyone, seriously, everyone. He’s written a stack of books. He’s had a TV show, a radio show, I think he’s been sainted by the Chicago Historical Society. But here he is, eyes twinkling, telling me that I’ll probably like the book and the New York Times gave it a good review. Outstanding! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I hope he lives forever but if he dies they should raise a flag in his honor.

On to the skateboarding. Some fellows we all know (Lou, Gordon, and Soma among others) stopped talking about it and got a spot for the winter. It’s possibly haunted.

For awhile it was kinda secret but now they are opening it up for a special send off to Jose and fundraising BBQ. Come down, bring some money, make with the radicalness. Here is the important information:
“We are having a Jose going away party/ramp fundraiser at the Carwash ramp this Saturday at 3pm. If you have not already, come down, check out the ramp and space. Have some BBQ and enjoy. Maybe drop a 20 for the cause. We are still trying to pay off the ramp and get more members and need at least 2 more keyholders. So, come on out!!
47th and Throop (behind the Carwash on Throop)
Take the Dan Ryan
Exit 47th street
End at 47th and Throop, 2-3blks past Halsted. ”

I’m going to try and make it out but there’s a pretty good chance that the 600 holiday party obligations I have on Saturday will eat up my time. I did head down on Sunday and even though my knee’s not a hundred percent I did roll around and take a few pictures.

Still life.

Alex’s grip.

Scott said he wanted to do a Such Luck trick tip but he didn’t have any good tricks so instead you get this.

Upcoming birthdays? Chad, Tony Francesconi, Nick Peterson, Shirtless Mark and Jesus.

Stunting like Evil Kneivel.