Just got back from Santa Ana today, where my pops, my little sister, and I went and sat in on the sentencing of the guy that was involved in the death of the founder of TapouT, Charles "Mask" Lewis. As I sat there and the deputies brought the defendant Jeff Kirby in, I couldnt help but feel sorry for the guy. He looked beat, he looked like he was really sorry...an opinion on my part that would haunt me later as the proceedings went on. As I began to hear the friends and family of Mask start to speak, my feelings toward the defendant began to change quickly, as I heard Punkass talk about how Charles was such an inspirational figure to him, how Charles always seemed to find the good in everything, and then as he cleared his throat, barley being able to get the words out he said, "No matter what happens here today, nothing will ever bring back Charles". I looked over at my pops, and I couldnt help but notice a tear run down his face. Charles' brother, sister, and fiancee then spoke all telling wonderful stories in regard to who Charles was and how he impacted so many lives. I can tell you speaking for myself, in which I never had the privilege of meeting Mask...he inspires my family and I everyday, as we sit and watch his videos on youtube...we cant help but "BELIEVE"! All because God blessed us with Charles' brief...yet very profound life here on earth.
When the defendants family got up to speak, once again I couldnt help but feel sorry for Jeff Kirby's family, they looked as though they were really sorry for what Mr. Kirby had done to the Lewis family and friends. It wasnt until the prosecuting attorney began to speak that I really started to get an idea as to what really happend in regard to Masks' death. This guy Jeff Kirby, the defendant, had had two previous DUI's, he had been on probation before, on the night of the accident, he had left one place after drinking and went to another to continue drinking, and then on that night of the accident, Mr. Kirby was well aware that the "spacers" on his car would make the car vibrate violently at a high rate of speed!
I dont mean to talk shit, but in my opinion this guy got off easy...9 years...thats it...9 years...for the death of a man, that had such an impact on so many millions of lives. 9 years for severely injuring the passenger in Masks' car...9 years for robbing all of us...including myself from ever knowing such an inspirational figure like Mask. Well Judge Tuhey...heres to you...when Mr. Kirby gets out of prison for good behavior in the next 5 or 6 years, and he does this again...I hope it is not one of your friends or family members that he does it to, and if he does kill one of your friends or family members while driving under the influence (which he will drink and drive again)...you will only have yourself to blame!
So i was on the treadmill at the gym trying to get in a quick little 15 minutes of cardio. Everything is going great for about 12 minutes. Then this guy comes on the treadmill next to me and takes off one of his shoes! Holy S**t his feet smelled like @$$! ahahaha I wish I could have gotten a picture of him. Hes a short lil chubby dude that walks like hes Jay Cutler ahaha
Just got this in the mail! I'm not really a big reader, but I can say I'm pretty damn stoked to start reading it! X Play Nation by Alex Striler explains how the big dogs such as Volcom, Hurley, Quicksilver, Rockstar Energy, Fuel TV and X Games have impacted, influenced, and basically molded a 20 billion dollar per year Retail Action Sports Industry....definitely gonna be an inspirational read!
So that leads me to think as I'm sitting here typing... my imagination, running wild!!
I start thinking of gnarly images of Shaun White hitting 40 foot jumps off a freshly covered snow bank in Tokyo, Japan.
My boy #99 Pro 4 Racer Kyle LeDuc at a LOORS Race, during the final rounds when every lap matters, banging it out side by side with someone like Adrian Cenni or Carl Renezeder...that fierce competition, the adrenaline rush that both drivers must be experiencing as they put their driving skills to the test, tires spinning... spitting dirt as they round each corner, feeding fuel to their 800hp racing machines and pressing down on that gas pedal, with nothing on their mind but crossing that checkered flag first, with a crowd of 2,000+ adrenaline filled fans cheering them on.
Then I start to think of Danny Way. I can see him standing on the top of that mega ramp at X Games... fear is NOT a factor! Broken bones?...what does that mean?? But in his mind, as I see him, that almost free fall drop is his whole reason for being! It says who he is, it says what he's about....ADDICTED 2 RIDING!!! As he finishes out his back flip to a melon 540, the X Games crowd standing there, up out of their seats in absolute disbelief as to what they have just witnessed...man's defiance of gravity! Danny Way standing up to the forces of nature... saying "You're not going to hold me back, you can't stop me!...I am Addicted 2 Riding!!"
In conclusion, I begin to think about all the extreme sports athletes, professional as well as amateur, the casual spectator to the the avid fan, from the dirt, snow, water and street, I can't help but think what do all of these guys have in common? Its the same for each and everyone of them. Its my passion. Its what I live for day in and day out...my Addiction....Addicted 2 Riding.
Just came across this video of Shepard Fairey! Shepard Fairey is the dude who started up "Obey" clothing while working at a skate shop. Fairey is the man in my opinion! I don't know about you but if I got arrested 14 times for doing something I would probably stop doing it! But not Fairey! He believes that he's putting art all over the streets and I could not agree anymore! Keep it up Fairey you got my respect man!
Woke up around 6am for a 8am breakfast meeting in Corona Ca. Got to "Silver Dollar Pancake House" at about 7:40 definitely wanted to be early to this one! Meeting went beyond perfect and got really bad ass afterwards! Took a little drive down the street to the world famous "West Coast Customs"! Visiting this shop was amazing! These pictures don't really do it much justice,definitely wouldn't mind visiting them again!
Love this shit!! Chillen with my boy Punkass at the grand opening of his tattoo shop Lowbrow Ink!! Check this dude to the left of me, his face is pretty killer!!!
