Weather: Starting to reach my winter breaking point.
This is the first time in the last 22 years where I considered not living in Chicago for the rest of my life. I’m at that point in winter where there’s nothing but dirty snow and salt on the sidewalks and one day a week it’s warm but not really warm and the rest of the time the wind punches you in the chest. In 2 or 3 weeks we should be thawed out but until then it’s pretty hard leaving the house.
Something I will leave the house for is the Party Downer’s this Thursday at the Burlington. I put together this informative flyer to encourage attendance.
Here are some things that happened from a time when winter was mild and picturesque.
Between occasional excursions to museums and the zoo I’ve mainly been at home trying to work on new projects and get organized for the spring.
There’s also been a lot of family visits but everyone is now safely back in their parts of the world.
Look for farecard shirts in the next week or two. Hand-screened, good quality Ts, reasonably priced.
Back in January a bunch of us headed down to Austin to get outside a bit.
Every year the crew is slightly different. Some of these dudes I only see during this trip every year.
It’s always an awesome group and everyone seems to have the best time ever.
Charlie and Nate have been doing these for a long time.
I think this was my 6th one.
In those 6 years I’ve learned a couple things that I’m going to share here.
These are long days with hours and hours of skating and driving to skate and more skating so get a good crew.
To get a good crew you gotta do your part and be a good traveler.
Be patient.
You’re going to end up at a park you don’t like or spot that sucks and somebodies going to want to try a trick till they make it but who cares. You’re on vacation. If you don’t like where you’re at just be a patient. There’s always another park or spot in a few hours and by then you’ll be rested and ready to rip. You can also help film or text your girlfriend and take a nap in the sun.
Don’t blow yourself out. It’s a long trip so there’s no need to try and learn miller flips right off the plane.
Planning helps. If you can make a good Google map with spots and parks you can connect the dots and find a ditch that’s down the street to hit on the way to lunch.
Know a local or if you don’t just ask one. I’ve always have great experiences being open and friendly and just asking people.
Try and remember that when you get back home and go the extra mile when someone from out town asks you. Tell them about a good street spot and where they can get some cheap tacos.
Laugh.
All the time.
Get slap happy and overtired and makes some jokes and get into some weird experiences and laugh about it till it’s hard to breathe.
Listen to the local radio. It’s fine to have an ipod for most of it but see what weirdness they got on radio. There’s not as much regional difference anymore but blasting a little pop nonsense shakes things up a bit.
Try and get a hotel with free breakfast.
The coffee won’t be great but there’s usually fruit and cereal and a bunch of weird businessmen lurking around.
There’s also usually a cutoff when they take the food away so it helps get you up and out the door.
A pool and/or hot tub are also top notch.
Eat well.
Snack often.
Overeat somewhere local at least once or twice.
Try a local beer.
Or several.
Take lots of pictures.
I think that’s it.
As you can see we did what we could.
Skated plenty of parks.
And ditches.
Filmed some stuff.
Generally had a lot of fun.
I’m already looking forward to next year.
Keep sweet crew weird!
Back home.
This is the latest and greatest and I couldn’t be happier. The first beer of 2015 features cascade, mosaic and nelson sauvin hops and kolsch yeast and in my opinion it’s the best thing I’ve brewed so far. Get some before it’s all gone.
And winter continues.
One day we will forget what cold was.