Showing newest 8 of 22 posts from October 2008. Show older posts
Showing newest 8 of 22 posts from October 2008. Show older posts

Friday, October 31, 2008

Halloween!

Before you start reading you have to click play and listen to the song... Or just listen and read at the same time.



I would be morally remiss if I didn't mention my all time favorite holiday on here... I had these big plans to do all this shit for the blog having to do with Halloween, like carving Hybrid Sessions into a pumpkin and doing a post about my all time favorite Halloween moments, and a few other things but I got a job this week and didn't quite get around to it. Lame, I know. I'm actually pretty bummed out right now... I totally should have followed through. Shit.

I just got to thinking about all the really, really stupid shit my friends and I used to do every Halloween and it makes me wish I was back in high school. Man those were fun times, it's a miracle really we didn't get arrested. I don't want to go into any specifics but picture this inside a grocery store.... Some of my best memories.

I'll either be dressing up Angus Young or The Ultimate Warrior... probably Angus because I don't think I can feather my hair like TUW. I've already been Danzig, and Garth from Wayne's World, pretty solid choices I think. Halloween has become one of the biggest party nights of the year, especially in a college town, where trick-or-treating is replaced by trick- and- chug a beer and chicks actually try their hardest to look like complete sluts.

Not why Halloween is my favorite, but still a fun time.

I remember Halloween!!

Epicly Later'd Ethan Fowler - Episodes 5 & 6

The Ethan Fowler series concludes with episodes 5 and 6 and the last episode couldn't have been any better. Truly some one who just doesn't give a fuck. Dig it.

Episode 5 - From Stereo to Foundation


Episode 6 - Bummer High, not getting wrapped up in the industry

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The Mu-Stache: Epitome Of Awesome

Maybe you remember way back at the end of August when I was about to Love Bus it back to Colorado and mentioned The Gonz and I were having a Mu-Stache growing contest. (I like to pronounce it moo-stache) It wasn't really an official contest per say... Pretty much Jon and I were having a conversation one day and he mentioned he was growing out his stache, I had also started growing out the hair above my lip, and the unofficial, pseudo Mu-Stache contest was underway... In my mind at least.

Now, just for the record, I can't grow good facial hair. It's physically impossible. Chalk it up to bad genes, or... well, pretty much just shitty facial hair growing genes. My facial hair grows in all patchy and gross looking, like a teenager reaching that "special" age. In lieu of growing on my face, 85% of the hair that grows does so on my neck... sweet, thanks Mom and Dad.

So back to the contest... Jon (The Gonz) sent me a picture of his Stache via cell phone picture message and it was pretty impressive. I think he said he was going on like 3 or 4 weeks of growing when he sent me this:

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Jon's dirt lip


Actually, now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure he told me he had trimmed it up to this length. He said it was way long and curling at the ends and getting in his mouth and he couldn't take it anymore so he had to trim it.

He had a bit of a head start so I had my work cut out for me, let the growing begin.

Now, in case you didn't know, growing a Mu-Stache of epic proportions is no small feat. It takes months of dedication and perseverance. Especially when, as in my case, said Mu-Stache grows in all stringy and not-so-thick like. It takes a certain bread of man to sport the human equivelent of whiskers, one with an unbreakable will. Kind of like one of my best friends who has chicks crawling on him at all times but refuses to close with any of them. People look at you with disgusted looks on their faces, children run away from you in fear, babes want nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing what-so-ever to do with you, and society in general frowns upon the growing of Mu-Staches. Why? I have no idea. We are a nation built on upper-lip warmers. I mean come on, some of history's most prominent figures rocked the Stache... and did so with pride.

Albert Einstein
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Teddy Roosevelt
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Mark Twain
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The Village People
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Yosemite Sam
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Robert Goulet
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Ron Jeremy
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Ned Flanders
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Ron Burgandy
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Hulk Hogan
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Frank Zappa
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Rollie Fingers
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Burt Reynolds
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Just to name a few....

People who have never grown, or don't have the balls it takes to grow a Mu-Stahce, will never know the exhilarating and rebellious feeling that accompanies the forming of that luscious lip hair. Nothing says, "I'm really stickin' it to the man now!" like growing a Mu-Stache does. My friends endlessly ripped on me about my Stache, saying I looked like a creepy child molester. I respectfully disagreed of course, as my Mu-Stache was more along the lines of a distinguished gentleman in my opinion.

I tried a couple times to get Jon to send me more pictures of his Stache but I guess the filth got to him and he ended up shaving it off. Victory! Well, not really since I don't think he even knew we were having a contest. None-the-less, I stood strong and grew my Stache for 8 weeks and 4 days, before I couldn't stand that shit anymore and shaved it off. It was a very successful campaign though... I received a slew of compliments, even more burns and zingers, made myself look 30+ years old, had someone ask me where I bought my fake Mu-Stache, struck out too many times to count with the ladies, gave everyone a good laugh and best of all, drank a bunch of beer for free at a local bar during their Mu-Stache week. Boo ya.

Here's me and my Stache literally moments before its demise...

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Pretty sweet huh?? Yeah, of course it is.

During the time the Stache was evolving and most notably during the last couple weeks when it was looking especially filthy, I made some keen observations involving the social aspect of Mu-Stache growing. I'll preface my observations by stating a cold hard fact: 90% of women DO NOT dig the Mu-Stache. Well, I'll be a little more specific, 90% of women under the age of 30 do not dig on dudes with Mu-Staches. If any ladies happen read this, please feel free to share your opinions.

One of my good female friends talked so much shit to me during my Steez Stache '08 campaign, saying over and over how much I looked like a dirty hippie. She stated, "Look Zac, if you look like a creeper, 9 out of 10 girls are not going to want to talk to you, no matter what you have to say. Personally, I think any guy with a Mu-Stache is gross looking. Unless you're like, in your 40's and a totally hot old guy, Mu-Staches are not hot. Girls don't want to kiss a guy with a Stache either, especially not with a gross one like you're rocking there." I could only laugh at her statements, as all babes totally dig on dudes with Staches, right?... Wrong.

We decided to settle our debate by having her send out a mass text message to all her friends asking whether or not they thought Mu-Staches on guys is attractive. The message read, "A friend of mine and I are having an argument. Whats you're opinion: Mu-Staches on guys, hot or not?" I believe the message was sent to about 40 of the girls in her phone and the results were overwhelming. Every single one that responded chose the "not" option. Some even added, "omg fucking gross," "super creepy," "I would never date a guy with a Mu-Stache," "makes me wanna puke." Don't hold back now, tell me how you really feel...

Conclusion: Babes don't like Mu-Staches. During the 8 plus weeks I grew my Stache, I received one, (1), uno, compliment from a member of the female species. She was so cool and the comment she made about my Stache is the perfect segue into my social observations on Mu-Stache growing. And I quote, "Dude that Mu-Stache is so rad... Most guys are too pussy to grow one."

Fuckin' A!! I realized this after receiving comments about the Stache from guys pretty much every time I was in a social setting. It was usually, "Dude, that Stache is so awesome," or some variation of that comment. My moment of enlightenment came when I was waiting at a bar to order a drink and one guy said, "I love the Stache man, I'd grow one but I don't think I could go out in public." I laughed it off, got my beer and continued with my night, but later thought about the comment and in a moment of supreme clarity, realized why more guys don't grow Staches... As my female Mu-Stache aficionada said, most guys are just too pussy.

It all made sense now. Every guy who complimented me thought the Stache was cool and wanted to grow one, but sub-consciously, or consciously for that matter, didn't have the balls to look like a dirt bag. They saw mine and were stoked but when push came to shove, they could never grow one in fear of what people would think of them, especially, what girls would think. It's a fundamental, primitive instinct really. Impressing members of the opposite sex and reproducing, or engaging in the act of reproducing, is genetically programmed into the male DNA... it's science. When the thought of having something greatly reduce the possibility of that happening, like growing a filthy Stache will undoubtedly do, a very large percentage of men will choose NOT to look totally fucking awesome.

Growing an epic(?) Stache was easy for me really. I mean C'mon... Just look at the pictures of me. My hair is longer than most girls', I don't wash it all that often, I buy the majority of my clothes at thrift stores, I skate and snowboard, I'm into old shitty punk music, and most of all I really just don't give a shit about what people think of me...appearance wise at least. I figured if I could find a babe who was into me while I had that nasty porn Stache growing then that's the kind of girl worth holding on to.* Most importantly though, I just thought it was totally fuckin' cool.

Unfortunately for everyone, too many dudes are way too self-conscious about their appearance and fall into this category. It's sad really, once the pinnacle of reaching man-hood, the Mu-Stache is slowly becoming as elusive to faces as big-foot is to photographers. Chin-strap beards, man-icured facial hair, and whatever the fuck this is, are taking over and making more and more guys look like total, unequivocal douche bags. Something obviously needs to be done. Revolution is needed, revolt may be necessary. Men everywhere must unite and fight for our god given right to grow the hair south of our noses free of persecution and in whatever style we deem necessary. Handlebar?... Hell yes. Fu Manchu?... You know it. Walrus?... Why wouldn't you? 70's porn?... Swimming in babes. One can only dream of a world where Mu-Staches are as common and widely accepted as the spoken word... I don't know about you, but in these times of political unrest and moral despair, that's something I can most definitely take comfort in. Dig it.


*As it turns out I did not find a babe during my Mu-Stache growing. Way too awesome I guess...

Stereo Films Re-Release

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If you didn't read the words in the above image, Stereo Skateboards is re-releasing two of skateboarding's best films, A Visual Sound and Tincan Folklore, in a two-disk DVD box set. The films also include commentary by Stereo co-owners Jason Lee and Chris Pastra.

These really are two great films, you'd be smart to check em out, if you haven't already that is.

Hey weren't we talking about these two films recently? Yes, right here.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The Eastern Boarder Movie

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If you ride a snowboard, especially anywhere East of the Rocky Mountains, then you've undoubtedly heard of Eastern Boarder. If you haven't, well, then you're blowing it big time. These dudes have a sick on-line shop as well as a few locations scattered about Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

They released their first team film this year and it's a goody for sure. Best of all, you can watch it for free, right down there! If you want a hi-res version, you can get that right here but it'll take a little bit to download. Very cool film, nicely edited and GREAT music. Solid work fellas.


The Eastern Boarder Movie from Eastern Boarder on Vimeo.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

History of the Skate Shoe

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Ever wonder where those shoes you're skating in got their start? Yeah probably not... You're just trying to figure out how to get a couple more sessions out of your shredded shoes. Well, Sneaker Freaker wanted to take a closer look and dive into the history of one of skateboarding's most essential elements, the skate shoe.

The article is awesome and it's super cool to see some of the old skate shoes. If you're a skate nerd like I am and love seeing anything having to do with skateboarding's history then you'll be stoked on this for sure.  

There's two parts to the article so be sure to peep both. Dig it.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Epicly Later'd Ethan Fowler - Episodes 3 & 4

Episode 3 - Etahn heads to S.F., does drugs, and film's for Stereo's A Visual Sound


Episode 4 - Ethan gets beat up, makes music, follows up with in a part Tincan Folklore

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Northside Skate Park Grand Opening Recap & Photo Madness

Ahhh yeah! The Northside Skatepark grand opening event/party/skate contest/punk rock and metal show/what ever the fuck you want it went down on Saturday and it was so much fun. The weather was absolutely perfect, warm and sunny, and there was an awesome turn out of people to support and skate the new park. I was in photographer mode the entire day so I didn't skate all that much. Plus, my photography skills are far greater than my skating skills... But none-the-less, I had a blast. Just being around skating and watching everyone rip is enough for me, I love that shit.

I was on a solo mission all day so I wasn't able to get much video footy, but I was able to snap about 400 photos... Of which 225 turned out pretty nice. Call me Ansel Adams.

Since I have so many rad photos I'm going to post, I'll give you the Cliff Notes version of the days events. It was a pretty mellow day really, every one was just so stoked to skate the new park. Once the initial madness subsided, a few best-trick contests were held on the different features, there was live music on the quarter pipe, I got stung in the forehead by a wasp, free product was given away, a couple pros showed up to skate, There was free food and drinks, 99.9 The Point radio station came out and played some shitty soft rock music for a while, and of course, some incredible skating took place. All in all it was a pretty nice little Saturday...

On to the photos. Click any for a bigger view.

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The Market Skateshop holdin' it down

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The man, the myth, the legend. Northside construction manager and MVP Sean Kelly

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Orlando Baker & Jason Morgan are homies

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Kyle Knight-Johnson blastin huge airs all day... Grabbin' Indy here

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Xavier f/s air

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Conner Fischer 5-0 pivot

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Randy Pritchard pokin' that front rock

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Kyle Big time blunt to fakie... Here's an idea of how big time

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Installing the China banks bench

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Shane Ritter front board

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X wallie no-comply to huge air

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Conner wallie b/s 180

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Al Brunelle stale fishin' on this f/s air

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This little guy was chargin' hard all day going for a shuv on the china bank

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Oozing style with the crail side

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Shane riding some crazy bike

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Tsedeq Baker huge b/s air off the hip to the Ragdoll wall grabbin' Melon

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Hard core lurking action

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Double front rock? Ah yeah

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Orlando & Tsedeq Baker, father son doubles. Nice bail Orlando...

After some incredible skating it was time for a little musical interlude courtesy of AJ, Travis, and Kyle's currently unnamed punk band. Drums, bass, and vocals... Reminiscent of the golden era of punk.

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AJ, Kyle, Travis

After the opening act, Fort Collins locals Bill The Welder took the stage... er, quarter pipe. These guys are so fucking rad. They remind a lot of The Vandals. They played a feverish set and were all stoked on the park. The guys got pretty excited a couple times when some tricks were thrown down on, or above the coping directly in front of them. If you ever get a chance to check these guys out, I highly recommend it.

Two thirds of Bill The Welder stuck around after the set to play some Metal music with the band Fear The Vacuum and they melted faces.

It was so rad to have live music playing while everyone was skating. It made the day that much better.

Here's the only footy I got...


Bill The Welder Rocks Northside Skate Park from Zac Bryson on Vimeo.

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Bill The Welder

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X f/s air as BTW rocks out

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Dan from BTW tries to steal Sean Kelly's board

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No look solo

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Orlando Baker hand plant

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Kris and Shane from BTW

Another awesome part of the day was watching pros Ernie Torres and Jared Stoots shred. Ernie rides for Real and Jared is an am for Toy Machine. Both these Denver dwellers were killing it and were super cool.

It was weird, after watching Ernie skate on Saturday, I've seen him all over the internet and in the skate mags this week. He has a "That's My Shit" page and a two page ad for Adio in the new Thrasher and a video titled Lazy Denver Days from Adio that was posted on all the skate sites as well as a bunch of photos. Pretty rad.

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Ernie Torres back nose blunt

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Ernie front nose grid as an on-looker gets in the way of my shot... Still, I really like this photo

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Jared Stoots tail block crail grab 360 spin-a-roo

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Jared front nose blunt

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Ernie and the homies chillen'

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Product toss time

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Jason and Deputy Cody

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Nate Likewise front tail slide... Best shirt of the day award also

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Grant Garcia blunt slide

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Randy Pritchard with a nasty foot plant

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Monico Candelaria front Toyota tail slide. Monico rides for Null and is really good

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Taylor Dehart bluntin' the Toyota... I hate to say it but he didn't land this trick. He slammed into the back of the cab a couple times though. This is just too rad of a picture not to post

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Travis front board

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Taylor blasting a huge air over the Toyota. Look for big things from this kid in the future, he absolutely rips.

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This little dude had just learned to walk and was crusin' all over the place. He was shredding

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The Market god father Andy Weiss and Eric Likewise pondering life's mysteries

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Eric wall ride to fakie

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Myself and Andy

Nature paints the best pictures.

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Since the lighting was so epic at the end of the day and I was able to get a couple good shots with the sunset colors in the background, I decided to play around with the photo shop a little. Not bad...

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Holly shit that was lot of photos to post. Those were the best ones I thought but if you want to look at all 225 you can go ahead and peep those here.

The day was a big time success, a lot of people came out and skated and a good time was had by all. Let's go drink some beer!