Recently I saw a listing on eBay for a Powell-Peralta Steve Caballero Ban This reissue deck. With a little luck, I managede to win the bid at a bargain and even saved on shipping via local pickup. Measuring 9.625" x 32", the graphic was drawn by Sean Cliver. The shape looks pretty fun to ride, but I'm leaning more to hanging this on the wall. The colours really pop when seen in person.
Adding more to this post, I picked up a pair of canvas Vans Half-Cab shoes a few weeks ago. Just can't seem to get enough of Steve Caballero.
My brother, Tim, and I caught the Blue Jays game this past Wednesday against the New York Mets, who come around once every 3-4 years or so. It's always a blast to catch a live game once in a while, and the visitors from south of the border weren't a bad bunch either. Here are a bunch of random pics from the rest of the night.
The highlight of the series was the return of former Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista, who signed on with the team at the end of May.
Sadly, it was a losing effort for the home team [Final score: Mets 6, Blue Jays 3]. But the real winners were the good times. There'll definitely be more further on up the road.
I've been on some sort of a hunt of finding, or at least, recreating my first board. Since everything from the year 2000 are extinct, I went with the latter option and picked up a Birdhouse Tony Hawk deck. Measuring 8.25" x 31.875", the graphic reminds me of the video games I'd spend countless hours playing on the Sega Dreamcast.
I was very surprised to find a pair of Fury Trucks through the letgo app. Although these are very different than my original ones, the principle still remains. The components and graphic may be different, but this is as close as it'll get to owning my original skateboard from almost 20 years ago. Keep an eye on the blog for the wheels coming very soon.
Last week, Grand Trading, one of Canada's top skateboard distributors had a warehouse sale. Any time I can save on skate goods, it's a must for me to check it out. Wish I could've posted the pickups a little while ago, but it's better late than never. I also grabbed some clothing, but for now, here's the hardware.
The first decks I picked up were Quasi Skateboards decks. They have one of the best teams and heard a lot of great things about the brand. The owner also gave me a great deal if I purchased the Al Davis Genises pro model and the Proto graphic.
The second board I grabbed was an Eric Koston Numbers Edition 3 deck. He and Guy Mariano are spearheading Numbers and their graphics are a new fresh take on what's being produced. With embossed lettering and unique shapes, I'm on the fence to set this one up or hang it for display.
The last deck I bought is very unique. I've heard great things about Welcome Skateboards and was stoked to see this Ryan Lay Isobel pro model. This board is on Welcome's Stonecipher shape with an 8.625" width and squared nose and tail. Most people skate Welcome decks as cruisers, but when the time comes, it'll definitely be used for tricks [or what little tricks I can do anyways].
Interestingly enough, I met Ryan Lay [far right] at an I-Path Footwear signing back in 2009.
Much thanks to Grand Trading for also helping me saves a few bucks.
Support your local skate shop.
Posting today is a Philadelphia Warriors Wilt Chamberlain road jersey from the early 1960s. Before relocating to California, the team played their home games between Philadelphia and Hershey, PA. This post will only concentrate on the historic 1961-62 season.
This Mitchell & Ness jersey is made of polyester fabric with embroidered double layered tackle twill. Along the neck line and arm holes are red and yellow elastic material. A simple design, yet still effective. In my honest opinion, sometimes less is more.
In the 1961-62 NBA season, Wilt Chamberlain had one of the most impressive individual achievements. In an 80 game season, The Big Dipper averaged 50.4 points per game, 25.6 rebounds per game, and 48.5 minutes per game. He finished the season with 4029 total points, 2052 total rebounds, 3882 total minutes.
On 2 March 1962 in Herhsey, PA, Wilt Chamberlain performed in one of the greatest athletic performances in the history of sports. On the 76th game of the season, he scored 100 points in a single game netting 36 [out of 63] field goals and 28 [out of 32] free throws. He also gathered the usual 25 rebounds. Wilt Chamberlain would help lead the Warriors to the NBA Finals that year, but unfortunately lose the series 4-3.
"They were willing to do anything to stop me." - Wilt Chamberlain
What I love about supporting local skate shops like Hammer are the products mall stores can't provide, knowing your money goes to a local business, and the surprising items during their sales. This reissue deck is a Black Label John Cardiel. With it's unique shape and timeless graphic, it stays true to the original classic from the early 1990s.
I've had the pleasure of meeting the 1992 Thrasher SOTY on two occasions. Once last year and in 2014.
This was a pretty awesome find and glad to have came across it. The company who customs most of my jerseys also sell and this was on their online listing. It's an Oakland Raiders Randy Moss home jersey. True to their heritage, this Reebok uniform bears little to no change over the years with the standard black body with single layered silver tackle twill.
Randy Gene Moss was born on 13 Feb 1977 in Rand, West Virginia and attended Marshall University for three seasons. In 1998, he was selected 21st overall by the Minnesota Vikings. He was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year at the end of the season. In 2005, he was traded to the Oakland Raiders. Unfortunately, his stay in Oakland was short-lived and was traded to the New England Patriots in 2007, making an appearance in Super Bowl XLII.
In 2010, Randy Moss was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, but would be waived after the first game of the season and later claimed by the Tennessee Titans. He retired from pro football in the summer of 2011. However, he came out of retirement in 2012 and played a full year with the San Francisco 49ers, helping them earn the NFC Championship. At the end of the season, he officially retired a second.
On 3 February 2018, 10 days before his 41st birthday, he was elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Career Highlights
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year [1998]
6× Pro Bowl [1998–2000, 2002, 2003, 2007]
4× First-team All-Pro [1998, 2000, 2003, 2007]
5× NFL receiving touchdowns leader [1998, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2009]
Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor
NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
Most touchdown receptions in a season [23 in 2007]
Most touchdown receptions by a rookie in a season [17 in 1998]
2007 AFC Champion
2012 NFC Champion
23 receiving touchdowns in a season [NFL Record]
17 receiving touchdowns in a rookie season [NFL Record]
This is a late post from a Boxing Day pickup a few months ago. Diamond Footwear pro Brandon Biebel's signature model The All Day is a different take on technical design.
This lightweight shoe features a one piece sock fit with suede upper, mesh paneling and cupsole.
Hammer Skate Shop placed a bunch of Prime Skateboards on sale a little while ago and this was something I didn't hesitate to grab. This 8.5" Jason Lee pro model features hand screened Lance Mountain artwork with David Bowie inspiration. This is an amazing work of art.
Working at a store that sells skateboards has its ups and downs. I consider this sort of an "up" because DGK Skateboards are usually one of the most expensive brands and this had a pricepoint tag stuck onto it. It also measures 8.38" wide which is perfect for my awkward foot size.
Usually, Anti-Hero Skateboards are never on sale. But perhaps Hammer Skateboard made an exception with this Jeff Grosso Crucified board. Not exactly sure about the concept or the artist behind it. But it's a pretty neat looking graphic nonetheless.
This past Black Friday, I took advantage of Sanction Skate and Snow's sale and picked up a pair of Lakai Limited Footwear's Fremont model. Normally, shoes never come in my size at independent shops and had to take advantage of this.
It's definitely a throwback to the tech days of skate shoe glory featuring a one piece sockliner fit and cupsole. The toecap is also seamless and features a thick suede for durability. An awesome find at a great price. Support your local skate shop.
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you have all enjoyed your holiday so far. I know a post has been long overdue, but I'm back with a banger for today's entry. A little while ago, I picked up this vintage Shorty's Chad Muska deck. I remember first seeing this board in the video games during my teenhood. I call this the "Feedback" deck because he skates this 99% of the time in his Transworld Feedback part in 2000. As of now, I know longer own this. But I'm glad to see it go to another collector's hands.
Another amazing autograph signing took place in Durham Region. This time, Indigo hosted Chris Jericho's "No Is A Four Letter Word" book tour. Growing up watching WCW and WWF's Attitude Era, Chris Jericho has always been one of my favourites to watch and one of the best performers in pro wrestling. Being nervous as hell, it was a great moment to meet Y2J. He really dug the Winnipeg Jets jersey as well.
While waiting in line, I was able to read up to chapter 5. Within those pages was great storytelling and humorous entries of Chris Jericho's time on the road. Really can't wait to finish reading it.
Each signature was inscribed which has a much better personal connection. But with every book purchased, a fan is allowed another item for a signature.
Mr. Jericho also signed a copy of this WWE documentary which features Chris Jericho. Stoked he added "G.O.A.T" because he really is. Class act and overall great gentleman. Thank you, Indigo and Chris Jericho, for a memorable event.
The Vans Store up north is having a BOGO 50% off sale and that's something I needed to take advantage of. The sales team set it off by helping me find shoes with a steal of a price. Although these aren't the latest from Vans, you can never go wrong with them. The first pair are the Euclids with a seamless toe, UltraCush HD footbed, and a waffle cup outsole.
The second pair are Gilbert Crockett's first pro model shoe. Almost an exact copy of the shoe above, it features a waffle cup outsole and the UltraCush HD footbed.
