BONES BRIGADE: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY

An upcoming documentary on the crew who ruled skateboarding when I was a kid. I was too young for the Dogtown/Z-boys era, but my first "pro" skateboard was the Powell Peralta Mike McGill Skull and Snake in blue. I'm definitely looking forward to this. Screening now in select locations (in NYC on October 17, 2012), and being released digitally/home video on November 6, 2012 (available for pre-order now). Get more info here.

REVIEW: NOT JUST A GAME

A great documentary showing the inherent existence and use of politics in sports, even while sports decries politics.  Great even for non sports fans.  While I don't buy all of the arguments made in this documentary, I do appreciate Dave Zirin's arguments and explanations.  

I really recommend watching this movie (available on DVD or watch a low res version in it's entirety here).





From the official site: 

Not Just a Game: Power, Politics & American Sports
We've been told again and again that sports and politics don't mix, that games are just games and athletes should just "shut up and play." But according to Nation magazine sports editor Dave Zirin, this notion is just flat-out wrong. In Not Just a Game, the powerful new documentary based on his bestselling book The People's History of Sports in the United States, Zirin argues that far from providing merely escapist entertainment, American sports have long been at the center of some of the major political debates and struggles of our time. In a fascinating tour of the good, the bad, and the ugly of American sports culture, Zirin first traces how American sports have glamorized militarism, racism, sexism, and homophobia, then excavates a largely forgotten history of rebel athletes who stood up to power and fought for social justice beyond the field of play. The result is as deeply moving as it is exhilarating: nothing less than an alternative history of political struggle in the United States as seen through the games its people have played.

UFC 129

Why is Steven Segal getting credit for Mr. Miyagi's crane kick? #ufc129

THE SPORT OF KINGS

My major sports championship season is a few weeks away. Unlike most championships, mine starts in the beginning of the season. It's almost time for THE TRIPLE CROWN. It all starts with the Kentucky Derby (May 7, 2011 6PM), followed by the Preakness Stakes (Saturday May 21, 2011 6PM), and lastly, the Belmont Stakes (Saturday June 11, 2011 6PM).

If you want to learn how to bet on horses, check this out. I was going to explain it here, but the internet beat me to the punch.

PREPARING FOR THE APOCOLYPSE WITH CLASS: BELT

I've been going through a "I should be prepared for a unexpected event" fad as of late. Maybe it's from the impending doom of the American Dollar crashing, reading too many Every Day Carry blogs, or maybe it's the new AMC show The Walking Dead that's got me all freaked out. The problem with "being prepared" is walking around like a dork wearing tactical gear with too many pockets. I've also tried to minimize carrying my bookbag around. So when I see things that can allow me to be prepared, but defy the tactical gear look I'll post it here. Here's product Number 1, the 686 Original Snow Toolbelt. It has a built in bottle opener in the buckle, 2 prongs in the buckle made up of a flathead screwdriver and a phillipshead screwdriver, a belt loop with 3 wrenches (8mm, 10mm, and 11mm). Available in Punk Rock studded belt (Rocker Stud Snow Toolbelt) and Work friendly (Original Snow Toolbelt) versions. Get it for $40 at 686.

(Source: Cool Materials)

WHO CARES: THE DUANE PETERS STORY

A documentary (from 2005) with a shitload of skateboarding and a decent soundtrack. Tells the story Mr. Duane Peters, old school skateboard legend and punk rocker. This movie made me pine for my time as a member of the 4-wheel, 7-ply-maple militia. There's some pretty killer pool sessions that made me want to get a pool built and learn how to skate all over again...

The official(?) trailer: