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| Q&A: Michael Brooke - Publisher, Concrete Wave Magazine (7141 Posts)
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why I am pissed.
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On 3/30/2006
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
Canada
(65.94.nnn.nnn)
The entire night, I had a splitting headache. No, I didn't land on my head...and it has nothing to do with that website that's been mentioned here. In fact, it has NOTHING to do with skateboarding whatsoever.
But maybe it does...
Here's the situation:
My kids go to a school. In my son's JK class, they discovered mould growing. When the administrators got the report, failed to notify the parents. In fact, they sat on this report for almost 4 months. It was only found out due to a leak from a concerned person.
A meeting was held last night and you can imagine, parents want heads to roll. But the administrators only apologized and spun...It was total BS - they are in direct violation of the law - since the report clearly states that you have to notify the occupants of the room that there is mould growth.
Again, it's not an issue of mould, it's the fact that they sat on this information...or worst case, didn't even bother to read the report.
It's negligence. Pure and simple negligence. For me it's about accountability and taking responsibility for your action or in this case, inaction.
I assessed what was happening at this school and got very pissed. The more I think about it, the angrier I get. These administrators are in powerful positions. They are responsible for the health and well-being of students and faculty. They get to make big decisions..and they must be accountable for their actions.
To tie this back to that website...if you're going to spew stuff (and that is your legal right - afterall, it's free speech) be prepared to be accountable to others.
Developing....
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The SkatersINC forums
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On 3/30/2006
Bud
wrote in from
United States
(68.57.nnn.nnn)
Apparently, we are all verrry gay. We are all hippies that smoke a lot of pot, too. I wasn't aware that I was stereotyped as such, someone really should've told me sooner. Am I clueless, or what...?
Someday, these kids might figure it all out. "Someday", however, seems like it's gonna be a loooooong way off.....
Y'know what, though? I wanna take a second to thank some very inspiring people I've met recently. Mike, of course- the Mag Guy. I'm not sure if everyone is aware- like the mag, or not- what a great thing he's done for us all. Of course, I hafta say that, he's sorta my boss. Just kiddin', buddy...
The guys that post on these threads, and actually say intelligent stuff... (*sigh*...)... thanks!!! I really wish more skaters were like you guys.
I had the pleasure of meeting quite a few people at ASR, that was fun. You'll never meet a guy who loves skating more than Chris Chaput, though. He is a rocket scientist trapped in a skater's body; he struck me as a tortured genius that constantly thinks about how to improve skateboards, or wheels, or whatever else needs improving. Sheer intellect, this guy- his brain seems to move at 40,000 mph. He's probably trying to figure out how to get his damned skateboard to move at 40,000 mph as I'm writing this...
There's more, but I have a point, here. I truly think that, as we all age, we get a deeper appreciation for skating. Because, some of us have lost it, and rediscovered it. Others of us, as we're getting older, increasingly fear losing it. Maybe some of us are just now discovering it a wee bit later than most of the world has- but, whatever the circumstance, everyone here seems to truly love skateboarding- in all of it's forms. And, the conversations tend to reflect that. It's inspiring- and, given our advanced ages, remarkably refreshing and new. So, thanks, everyone.
OK, now go skate.
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Look at that SkatersINC image threads
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On 3/29/2006 cappy
wrote in from
Germany
(82.83.nnn.nnn)
People skating Big Boards (in the 80s). Skating Pipes!Vert!Trans.!
Doing all the "gay" ;) grabs!
Now, when was that stuff invented?
Ahhhh, they have new pics with Smith Grinds, Kickflips, Slides, ..mom.., when was that invented?
Seems that "cool" modern Kids also still live in the Past, somebody should telll them ;)
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Moving forward
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On 3/29/2006
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
Canada
(67.70.nnn.nnn)
there are folks who don't like change...
there are folks who hate anything different.
in the past, this meant change was slow...
but thanks to the internet and other types of technology, the world has changed.
If you look at how far things have progressed, it's incredible.
we've got an army...a worldwide army...and new recruits are joining every day.
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interesting, or not.
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On 3/29/2006
Civ
wrote in from
Canada
(24.141.nnn.nnn)
have a gander at this conversation on a local shortboarding site...
http://forums.skatersinc.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12489&highlight=
pretty classic hhow backwards some people have it.
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thanks Wes
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On 3/29/2006
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
Canada
(65.94.nnn.nnn)
Wes,
hope you are well...it would appear your slalom comp was very successful. Congrats. Your point is well taken...variety is really the key issue here.
Sadly, so many folks in the skate world have been brainwashed. They get their backs up at the mention of something other than street.
Some believe it's their duty to make skateboarding about one thing: street. Everything else, they feel can go to hell.
That's what gets me going each day. The fact that SOME people want to piss all over what others truly enjoy.
This niche skate market exists: it ain't decreasing...it's INCREASING.
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Buyer's Guide 2006
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On 3/29/2006
Wesley Tucker
wrote in from
United States
(64.12.nnn.nnn)
Michael,
I hate to sound like a broken record, but I found your product guide enjoyable for one reason: it had a little variety.
I've scanned through TWS' annual guide on occassion and it's incredible boring. As we all know, it's just page after page of 30" double-kicked popsicle sticks with different pictures on the bottom. And all the trucks are Tracker or Indy knockoffs powdercoated to different colors. It's like Henry Ford's mantra intensified one million fold: you can have any color you want as long as it's black.
It's nice to see that in our "alternative niche" to mainstream skating we see lots of alternatives, different shapes, materials, philosophies, manufacturing techniques, craftsmanship and a real concern about delivering what the customer wants.
That exemplifies "old school skating" as much as anything.
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my bud Nick
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On 3/29/2006
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
Canada
(64.229.nnn.nnn)
Hey Nick,
thanks for posting. Nick is one of the best representatives of this new generation of skaters. He has tried street skateboarding, enjoyed it and moved on. It was longboarding that brought him BACK into skateboarding.
There is not much else to be said...except "what if we could bring 1 million or more Nicks back into skateboarding"
Good to hear the US mail can deliver from Niagara Falls NY to NYC in under 1 month!
Damn mail.
Damn, damn mail!
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Quiver Nation
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On 3/28/2006
Nick Pourgoutzidis
wrote in from
Canada
(72.56.nnn.nnn)
"If you've been embracing monogamy all of your life, it's difficult to change midstream and suddenly embrace polygamy, without looking like a whore." -Chris Chaput
Chris, very wise words. After being brought up in very 'popsicle stick' times, I wasn't exposed to very many aspects of skateboarding. I was taught to ollie, then to kickflip and so forth. 'Carving' was unheard of in the mainstream at that time.
Now, as Mike said, companies are trying desperately to find their "rightful" places in these sub-culture niches of skateboading, to no avail. Rightfully so. After offering the same 53mm, 85a wheels and the same 30" concaved popsicle stick for the past decade, some of these companies have actually begun to believe they deserve a spot in the 'big leagues' of longboarding.
While, on the other hand, companies like Tracker, or Powell-Peralta have been producing skateboard products for all levels of the sport, covering every aspect. All the while embracing skateboarding as a whole. From the first rattles of ceramic on pavement, to the crisp, clean, 'pop' heard worldwide today. We need more companies like THEM. Hallelujah! ;)
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Buyer's Guides have reached New York City !
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On 3/28/2006 NYC Asphalt Surfer
wrote in from
United States
(70.19.nnn.nnn)
Oh, and thanks for making the electronic .PDF versions of the Buyer's Guide available for those of us that are extremely impatient...
};o)
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Quiver Nation
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On 3/27/2006
Chris Chaput
wrote in from
United States
(66.116.nnn.nnn)
If you've been embracing monogamy all of your life, it's difficult to change midstream and suddenly embrace polygamy, without looking like a whore.
Skaters who have chosen variety and quivers (harems) all of their lives don't suffer much if and when they choose to focus on one aspect of skating, because they come from a position of having experienced everything.
Skate everything. Look around. It's all good.
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As if...
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On 3/27/2006
Bud
wrote in from
United States
(68.57.nnn.nnn)
...it's really all that difficult to make a wider skateboard than they're making right now....
Sometimes, our industry is so genius, it's almost underwhelming....
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to expand a bit..
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On 3/27/2006
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
Canada
(65.93.nnn.nnn)
Sorry, hit the enter key without finishing my complete story.
So, the squirrels are out there doing what they do best...foraging, running around, going mental. One little spies something and decides to explore. That's in their nature. The difficulty arises when this squirrel stumbles into something he's never been in before...in this case a chimney is way different than say a tree or a windowsill.
Yes, I am getting to the point...
My wife and I were concerned that the poor squirrel would be a dead squirrel - however, once daylight hit, it appears the squirrel was able to figure a way out..at least that's what I hope.
In much the same way, these skate companies (who are 100% about street) are looking at niche skateboarding. They are starting to forage around and scope things out. Some are embracing it, others are stumbling into places that are deeply unfamiliar and still others are finding themselves semi-trapped in darkness...hoping there is some light to find their way back.
It's not easy changing...especially if you've built something a certain way.
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speaking of rats...
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On 3/27/2006
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
Canada
(65.93.nnn.nnn)
I was on the phone today with Michael Sride of Octanesport. He's our UK distributor of CW and I was telling him about my problems with squirrels. Seems like the squirrels are back...only this time they are not attacking my windows, they've moved up to the chimney. In my case, they have literally fallen into the chimney!
I see this as a good metaphor for the skate folks who are looking at what's happening out there and scratching their heads.
Mike calls squirrels "rats with good pr"
This makes me laugh.
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Re: skaterats
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On 3/25/2006
Sumdumsurfer
wrote in from
United States
(71.107.nnn.nnn)
"OK sumdum, now do these sound familiar?
Pauls Liquor Store
Winchells Donuts
Mark Twain Elementary"
Paul's Liquor Store/Deli is still there. Many great memories in that place. The Winchell's Doughnuts building is now a Pizza Hut delivery only center. My friend, Robert, used to work the graveyard shift at Winchell's. MANY late night day old doughnuts wars in the back bakery room. LOL! Mark Twain school... still there and 'twas our skate playground before skateparks were built.
Sounds like you grewup in the Lakewood Village area, too. I take it that you also skated the skatepark, yes? Hit me on my e-mail, if you want. I'm over at Madrid Pro Designs in H.B.
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toooooo rrraaaadddd!!!
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On 3/25/2006
caddy
wrote in from
United States
(206.135.nnn.nnn)
nice!
very nice!
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Hawaiian Style Bowl Riding Vid
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On 3/25/2006
double_g
wrote in from
United States
(68.174.nnn.nnn)
A vid with some Hawaiian style barefoot bowl riding. Check out the guy on the boogie board.
Click here for link
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Bruce Lee RAWKS
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On 3/25/2006
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
Canada
(65.93.nnn.nnn)
enuff said
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what!
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On 3/24/2006
caddy
wrote in from
United States
(206.135.nnn.nnn)
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skaterats
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On 3/24/2006 snoball
wrote in from
United States
(65.35.nnn.nnn)
OK sumdum, now do these sound familiar?
Pauls Liquor Store
Winchells Donuts
Mark Twain Elementary
I may have to take this to email if that's ok..
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Re: Skeery
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On 3/24/2006
Sumdumsurfer
wrote in from
United States
(71.107.nnn.nnn)
Snoball, you're right... LKWD, California. 'Tis where I grew up. Yes, I did used to skate the LBCC corkscrew bridge. That's very near my house. Small world, yes?
"sumdum, you're freaking me out.
did you ever skate at LBCC? corkscrew/overpass?
Lakewood mall...you mean Lakewood, Ca or...?
( cue twilight zone music...)"
SK8/SURF 4 LIFE!
Sumdumsurfer
www.madridskateboards.com
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secret hill
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On 3/24/2006 tom t
wrote in from
Canada
(142.20.nnn.nnn)
An unbelievable hill!
Check the slalom page on this site.
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Destiny or Luck
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On 3/23/2006
Eddy Texas Outlaws
wrote in from
United States
(24.175.nnn.nnn)
Sunday at our contest The Cold Fusion Sizzler, I am thrilled just to be skating at my age, plus both of my knees are busted up pretty good, so I am elated to be skating with all my friends and some new friends from all over the country. I go against a Mississippi skating Legend Clifton Jennings in the finals. After each practice run Richy Carasco keeps giving me tips on how to make the course clean and faster, this is good kharma, his advice is working. On my final run against Cliff, I hear Lynn Kramer yell at me that Cliff has D/Qd and for me to run the course clean. I win the C-Class, on the way up the hill Lynn and Sarah Byrd give me the biggest hugs, Joe I also hugs me as well, more like squishes the life out of me. And at the end my amigo and teamate Marcos hands me my trophy. I think it was Destiny, had to be. Winning in a Contest where the winners were Chris Chaput, Richy Carasco, Joe I. Too Cool Eddy Texas Outlaws
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Random X Boardshop
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On 3/23/2006 Eric
wrote in from
United States
(71.114.nnn.nnn)
Just wanted to let everyone know that Random X Boardshop and George Orton(it's owner)are a class act with service that can't be beat. Word is the website should be up soon.
www.randomxboardshop.com
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we got something cooking...
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On 3/23/2006
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
Canada
(65.94.nnn.nnn)
Ok folks, I got something new cooking
No, it's not another book...and Larry Flynt is not buying CW.
I can't tell you just yet, but the potential of this concept could be enormous. I will know more in the next few weeks.
I can give you a clue, however.
Wouldn't it be cool to be able to read about something in CW and then see a mini-documentary about that very item.
Well, I think we can make that a reality.
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