Hello Newman
May 7
Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve posted on this darn site. I’ve been a chump. A web chump.
I’m done school, I went to Jamaica for 8 days and now I’m taking a summer class before I come home. I’m flying in on June 3rd, then I’m heading out June 22nd to the Muskoka’s for the summer. I haven’t even stepped on a skateboard since I’ve been here. SINCE JANUARY. I need skate friends when I get home. Jake? Ian? Can we skate?
April 6
I had my last class for this semester today. Now I have a few papers to write, a few exams to take, the I’m off to Jamaica for a while. I don’t think I’m coming back to Ontario this summer. I’m staying and taking more classes here in central Alberta.
I was looking through my photobooth pictures and found a good one of my beard that I grew.
This Is SPARTA
And what’s this I hear about snow in Ontario? I’m wearing shorts and I’m in Alberta. Lame
March 30
Wow. It’s been 25 days since I’ve posted anything. I suck.
But my semester is almost over and soon it’ll be the summer and I’ll have all the time in the world to put all my time into finding something to write about.
It’s getting warm and the snow is melting in central Alberta. I got so antsy the other day I cut my jeans into shorts, just to enjoy the weather more. And it worked. I appreciate Spring.
Do you what else I appreciate? I appreciate Jay King. Do you guys know Jay King? He’s the guy that owns Alcatraz Skates. He’s a real nice dude with a good heart. If you don’t know him, you should go to Alcatraz and have a talk with him. Tell him you appreciate his shop.
Another guy I appreciate is Brian Hosang. Do you guys know Brian Hosang?
He’s a graphic designer. He’s done alot of work for Alcatraz. I was browsing his work the other day on his website MonsterPilot. Check out his stuff and let him know if you like it. People appreciate being appreciated.
March 5
I was checking out that whole new “Slo-Mo-To-Regular” business on the ‘Tube and found out that I had the honour of being the 5th person the world to watch it on Youtube. I don’t think I’ve ever been one of the first 5 people to see anything on there. Is that cool? I don’t know. That’s for you to decide.
March 1
I was talking to Jake tonight. And he told me he was sewing the armpits of his cardigan. And I had just finished hanging up my cardigan in my closet.
I started thinking about it, and I have come to conclude that the cardigan is the item of clothing that’s going to be “hot” next year. Flannel’s were the item this year, obviously. But I can sense, if you will, that Krew, Volcom, Obey, amongst others are going to be throwing out some nice cardigans. We’ll see.
February 22
February 19
..this is what Chris thinks I should take up. Just because I told him I’m wearing a denim jacket.
REviseddd TPC part from matt mckeen on Vimeo.
February 18
It’s still really cold in Alberta. It’s so hard to blog about anything in this town. I can’t skate. I can’t do much. I do homework, I spend an awful lot of time keeping my room clean.
That’s a good thing to write about.
Keep you scene clean. It’s amazing how that old axiom is true. A clear space means a clear mind. I’ve never been one for keeping my scene clean and any of my friends can attest to this. But if you keep your scene tight on a daily basis, make sure your laundry is put away, vaccuum your shag, organize your things.
And keep it like that.
Hey Jay, are there any more of those shirts left?
February 8
I was wondering if I am a skateboarder. Often I’m told I’m not, or “don’t look like i skate”. I think it’s sometimes because we choose not to wear a fitted, or a shoelace belt, or a flannel, or a tall-tee, or skate a DGK, or know who’s on what team, or what skate slang is cool right now, that we’re not skateboarders. And I have absolutely nothing against steez.
But in order to be given a title, usually it’s because of something you do. You’re given the title of skateboarder because you started skateboarding. You can’t have that title taken away because of the things you DON’T do, that doesn’t make an reasonable sense. As long as you ride a skateboard, you’re a skateboarder. You know that old dude at the park wearing pads and riding a longboard around the bowl? He’s totally a skateboarder just like me and you.
February 6
Certain things have transpired. There has been a lot of shuffling around, a lot of trial and error, lots of things. But I’m at a place where I can appreciate “good”. There is a lot of bad out there. A lot of it. I have seen some of it. But we’ve all seen bad.
Of course you’re always gonna be the people who say , “Well, who’s to define what’s good or bad?”
Frederick Nietzsche, a man who’s work people love to regurgitate, was a leader in existentialism. Philosophy had become so cerebral, and mathematic, that the existentialists had to come through. There were the unpaid bills of philosophy. And although I disagree with almost everything that that man said, I can appreciate that he was genuine in his dire search for answers as to why we are here, what are we to do, and where are we going. Contrary to Nietzsche, I believe that there is a divinely implemented “natural law” to quote C.S. Lewis in all human beings, and that there is a definite good and bad.
I have this blog, on a skateboarding site. I don’t have a skateboard, and its freezing and there’s snow everywhere. There is no skate scene where I live. So here’s my plan. I’m going to post things that I have learned that have helped me. We all need help, and if I can offer help then I’m stoked. Obviously what works for me won’t work for everyone else, but I’m going to try.
I’m still a skateboarder, and I still care about skateboarding as much as the next man, well, maybe not as much as Chris Szmyr, but I’m also a human trying to figure stuff out. So we’ll see how this goes.
This might all sound weird, but I’ve just had some changes in my life lately. And I think they’re for the best. Judge a tree by the flavor of its fruit.
February 5
Im out at school and I’ve been pretty poor. In the spirit of frugality, I’ve been trying to find things that bring a decent amount of satisfaction for minimal amounts of money. Obviously the first thing that comes to mind is King Cobra, but I have decided to abstain from alcohol and drugs from here on out (which I am happy to report is going quite well, I suggest you all try it). I went to this bargain store in town and found a 2-cup teapot for 4 dollars. It’s white, and it has a tea lift (a little thing that you can pull out of the teapot with the tea bags in it so you don’t have to fish them out with your fingers). My sister got me a nice mug for Christmas that I figured I could put to use. And then I went out to buy tea. I have always liked tea, but have never really appreciated what it can do for you. I was reading through one of my mom’s old med textbooks called “Healing Power of Herbs”. It’s interesting how many ways there are to help your body in drinking the right kids of tea. If you stay away from black teas e.g. Earl Grey, english breakfast, and so on, which are loaded with caffeine, there are actually many benefits. For example, I bought a tea made by Celestial called “Sleepytime”. It contains chamomile, spearmint, lemon grass, tilia flowers, blackberry leaves, orange blossoms, hawthorn berries, and rosebuds. Now I haven’t researched the medical properties of all these things yet, but it works, I can tell you that.
Same with mint tea. Mint tea aides in digestion. So you add one bag of mint tea together with sleepytime tea, and you’re able to go to bed faster, and also keep your digestion system in track while you sleep, so you’re food doesn’t turn to fat as readily.
Drink tea. Things that are good, are good.
Was that gay of me to write?
The First Day In Forever
It’s been along time since I’ve been on here. So long, in fact, that I forgot my user name to log into to this internet site. It’s been so long that I’ve up and moved to Alberta to go to school. I’m living right beside Anthony.
He’s actually sitting beside me right now eating my pistachio nuts. He’s in his fourth year of bio-pre med. He’s a smart cookie. I’m starting another program in theology.
This is kind of a lame post for my return after a month. Oh well.
The Day Before Anthony Comes Home
Chris Szmyr. Watch out guys.
Twenty Three Days Till Christmas
Since alot of you lil jibbers are out and riding, no doubt you’re going through the trouble of building dropiins and stuff for rails.
Well here’s an early Christmas present.
November 24
Today Justin put up the second promo to his soon to be released skate video called “Super Duper”. It’s going to be premiering December 30th. I’ll put up more deets as we get closer to the date.
This ones a BANGER.
November 19
You ever have one of those conversations when you say to yourself, “I wish the entire world could have heard this.”? I had one of those with Ian Brouwer today.
Today we have a video interview with former ‘Shwa local Chris Szmyr. He moved out to Halifax a few months ago.Check it out.
November 18
November 13
Nathan Butcher said “Link me on your blooooogggggg”. VeryReally looks like its gonna be sick. Is everyone excited? Here’s a little something to tickle your pickle.
November 12
Here’s another episode of Wednesday with Bretta. I know it’s a bit late, but what do you want? The Berrics?
November 10
Here’s another short episode of “we don’t edit”. This is from a few days ago at the Bowmanville mall when I showed up a few minutes late for a game of skate. So I did this.
November 6
Here’s a series I’m starting called WE DON’T EDIT.
Its just film, in the order that it was shot, with no editing. Cause I don’t have time.
This was shot a while ago. I don’t know if you’ll like it. Who cares. Enjoy.
November 5
And now for our feature presentation.
WEDNESDAYS WITH BRETTA
haha thats dumb.
Last night Brouwer, Justin Vandergaast, Big Will and myself went out and skated. We found this sign and skated it a while. It was not what we planned on skating, but it turned out to be alot of fun.
November 3
With all the commotion and hustle and bustle of things going on in this world today, it is hard to find time to take a look at what’s going in other parts of the world. Today being the day before American elections day, we all have our eyes glued to the TV like you have yours to this screen, watching to see which person will be voted to carry the burden of representing a country like America.
But if you have been paying attention to world news, no doubt you’ve heard of the escalating food shortage in Zimbabwe. Amidst dire financial crisis, reckless inflation, and a laundry list of other socio-political problems, there is NO food in the country. And the food that the WHO (not the band, the World Health Organization) are sending over is being stolen by rebels.
I’m starting a project called “zimbabWE ARE HUNGRY”. Currently it’s an idea. But all things start as ideas right? Even this earth.
If anyone wants to help out, or has ideas please get in contact with me. hellonewman@alcatrazskates.com. We’ll see what we can do for the people of Zimbabwe. They’re beautiful people, and they don’t have food. That’s not right.
November 1
I got to skate with Ian Brouwer and Justin Vandergaast today. I haven’t seen those guys in at least a month. Busy busy busy. We skated for a bit at Eastdale.
It was a great day. We had a good skate day, caught up on what we’re all doing with our lives, and talked about dumb stuff. Then Ian had to go and fall.
Haha. Oh how I’ve missed my friends.
October 31
OctoBBUUURRRR 30
Oh LOOK! I’m back from my travels. I have been without immediate access to the interweb for about a month. I spent the first half of this month Argentina and the second half in the Adirondack mountain range in NY and Vermont. But now I am back.
Remember how I tried to grow a beard that one time and it lasted 5 days? Well I have officially not shaven for one month. Which is 25 days longer than my previous attempt. Regarde!
In recent news, when I returned home from my travels and Bujok was all “Come and snowboard on some snow and a box.” In my excitement I ran out to find out that my snowboard had been stolen out of my garage in my absence. BOOOOO. If anyone see’s a Capita Outdoor Living 154 with yellow Wu-tang stickers on it, equipped with the super excloos Union KFC bindings, then find out who has it, and punch their girlfriend in the teeth.
Oh and then bring me the board back. There might be a reward involved. And by might, I mean maybe.
Anyone remember this guy?
September 30
Tomorrow I’m flying to New York’s JFK airport, switching planes, and flying to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Here is where I am going. It’s a little place called San Salvador de Jujuy.
I’m going to building a community centre for some peeps. Should be a blast. I’ll have internet when I’m there, so I’ll post pictures.
September 14
Rachel is gonna be mad at me, but after seeing pretty much my exact dog in a pet shop with a price tag of a solid g-note, I have decided to sell him instead of giving him away. I’m selling him for 4 bills. Holla
September 11
Don’t you hate it when someone you know gets a hold of some super-exclusive swag? Like giant Wu-tang stickers? Peep the strategy.
September 8
Remember pictures of that cute little weiner dog named Charlie? He’s pissing me off. I don’t have enough time for him, I already have my sisters kids to take care of. If anyone wants him, you can have him. He’s a 20 weeks old pure-bred miniature smooth weiner dog puppy. I’ll even give you a crate and some weiner dog food. (905)925-BRET. (and yes thats actually my number)
August 26
Last night me and Szmyr, Brouwer and Vandergaast were hanging out at Rob’s park after the cops came and shut it down. We were just standing around talking about how the cops have been handing out tickets to people skating there after dark. And we looked over and the cops had replaced the 110 dollar fine with making the kids pick up garbage in the park! In skateboarder mentality I instantly thought ” Wait, I thought cops were jerks.” I guess when you’re a jerk to them, they’re a jerk to you. It might seem kinda lame, but picking up garbage is way better than asking your parents for 110 smackers to pay off a fine because you spent your own money on 11 dime bags. (Which is BAD for you anyway). Remember, those cops are just doing their job. Respect gets respect. And thanks to you dudes for cleaning up a bit.
As for the beard growing, I’m on day 3. And this is how it looks. Not that interesting now that I think about it. I’ll wait a while until its more than a shadow to update on the beard.
I’m gonna go ahead and guess any of you who ride Rob’s park have noticed that dude with the tight jeans, half cabs, and and the heart of a sailor ripping the bowl. That’s Szmyr. Christopher Szmyr to others. He’s leaving on Friday to take his pickup truck and an army surplus bag of clothes, skateboards, and Apple products out to Halifax to got to school for carpentry. He will be dearly missed around these parts. If you see him there, say hi to him. He only LOOKS like he bites. Well sometimes he does.
Here’s him getting a concussion but a few moons ago.
August 25
I have decided to grow a beard. I lack self control and have tried growing one before, and just can’t seem to do it. But this time I’m determined. I’ve quit smoking, quit doing alcohol, and now I will attempt to quit shaving. Shouldn’t be too hard right? So today is day 2. We’ll see how many days I can go. It’s like a contest, except I’m the only one who can enter, thus the only one that can win. And my prize is a sweet beard.
Even my computer keeps me motivated. Check it out.
August 24
I’m BBAACCKK….
It’s been a long time since I’ve done anything to the column. I feel bad. But I mean, did anyone even miss me? Who knows.
The reason I didn’t post this summer is because I was at a kid’s camp this summer volunteering. And no I wasn’t doing this for legal reasons. It’s just a rad place to be, with rad people, doing rad things. I did alot of different jobs. I swam in clean water, breathed clean air, quite smoking, quit drinking, and had some time to figure a few things out. Overall, it was probably the best summer I’ve had to date.
For those of you don’t know, I have acquired a puppy. His name is Charlie. He was given to me. Just yesterday he tore my expensive Roots bed sheets to shreds. Oh well. For what he lacks in disobedience he makes up for in dashing good looks.
Anyways, it’s good to be back.
June 23rd
I have been wearing shpants and flipflops for the last 4 days. Get all your hate out. Because you’re working some job in Durham region probably with little to no fulfillment. I’m driving boats, wakeskating, hanging out on the beach, and sitting in the sauna at night. So keep drinking yo’ haterade.
June 22
I am here. It’s real good.
Thursday June 9th
By this time tomorrow I’m going to be unloading all my stuff in my place just outside Port Carling in the Muskoka’s. I’m headed up north for a couple months to volunteer for the summer at a kid’s camp. I don’t know what I’m going to be doing there. I could be shoveling horse sh!t for all I know, but I’m stoked.
I don’t think I’ll be able to update the Hello Newman while I’m there, and if I can, then it won’t be very often. We’ll see how things go.
Anyway’s, I’ll see you guys mid-august.
And I’ll leave you with this.
MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.
FRIDAY THE 13TH
This time I have a legit reason that I haven’t been posting. I’ve been working at the Centre Dist. sample sale. I worked 36 hours straight, went home and slept and came back to work another 12 hour shift. Tote fun.
I slept for a few minutes on these.
June 10
Oh hey!
So did you guys go to the Alcatraz demo? Probably, cause there was a hefty group of people there. Despite the hades-like temperature, I think everyone still had a ton of fun. Should this be made a monthly event? I would should think so.
So on June 4th my nephew Reese turned 7. He has an alcatraz deck, and he can ollie and kinda ride mini. Oh and he’s also extremely hood
For those of you who are like ” When’s that footy going to be coming out from the demo?”. I saw Jason King with my own two eyes, sitting on the floor in the back of the Bowmanville shop, teaching himself how to edit film just so you guys could see it. What a sweet dude.
Hopefully you’ll think this is awesome.
June7
Today is the demo at the B-Ville park. You guys are all coming, right? I have decided despite the fact that I am not sponsored by Alcatraz, nor can I skate very well, I will be showing off my skills at the demo. So come watch me do ollie’s.
Jay and I are going to be filming too, so for all you slags who were too lazy to come out, you’ll be able to peep it later on the site. Hot hot hot.
Do I have any pictures to post? Let me look.
Oh yeah, this is Scotty from work. See how “hood” he is? Get it? (Because he’s wearing a 180 dollar Rogue Status HOODie)
See Jay, we even hang out at Alcatraz when it’s closed. CORE.
For all of you who have been checking the Berrics and seen “Butteryass Mondays” with Donovan, you saw how he was tote bummed that no one had grape cream. Incase you missed it, regard.
In response to that Donovan, instead of going through all the trouble of making your own grape ice cream, you can just go to the Mandarin in Oshawa and find some. Holla.
June 4
WAIT, WHAT?ALEX OLSON MIGHT BE ON VANS?
WHATS THAT? MO, MALTO AND ALEX OLSON ARE PRO?
To quote Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys 2, “Sh!t just got real.”
The Plan B demo was today at the Brampton park/plaza/playground/circus. That place is crazy.
The only guys that showed up were P Rod, a very blurry B Wenn, and a black lippy Decenzo.
I have more to post but I’m tired. So I’m going to go to sleep.
June 1
Jesse Jesse has been here for the weekend. As soon as he got here he slept in the most awkward position on the couch at work.
And then he fed some birds in Toronto.
If you guys ever have nothing to do, or just can’t seem to land your flip tricks one day, drive east on Taunton road until you get to that horse field. It has a sign that says ” We only eat apples and carrots”.
Jesse and I went there with some carrots and apples and kicked it with the horses for a while. After we ran out of food for them, we fed them clovers we found across the road. Jesse took horse riding lessons when he was young and told me horses love clovers and assured me we weren’t killing them or anything.
Oh and I also quit smoking this weekend. I think that’s cool. Who’s with me?
May 27
You ever see those people hanging out at the Donevan park in the parking lot, standing around smoking cigarettes and listening to Soulja Boy? They’re not actually IN the skatepark, they’re just NEAR the skatepark. I guess they’re watching us skate? I have an idea that will solve this problem. It seems as if the City of Brampton has these nifty little camera’s pointed at their new skate plaza and you can go on this website and watch what’s going on at the park. If the city of Oshawa installed one of those camera’s at the park, then all those….whatever they are, could just stay at home on their computers and see what we’re doing without causing fights and being public nuisances. See, I’m smart.
May 26
Please tell me you guys have been visiting The Berrics lately to check out “Butteryass Mondays”. That sh!t is so funny.
And for all you kids who always need to be on that “next level” sh!t, one step ahead of everyone else, tell your friends about Hopps Skateboards. Now go tell the ghetto-gown kids at the Donevan park how “next” you are.
I took some paparazzi shots of the Rob Piontek park. They’re dark and horrible quality, but I think it adds to the effect. Here, and here.
On saturday me and a few of my friends went on an adventure to the wonderful Warsaw Caves. It had been a while since I had been there, and the caves seem a bit smaller than when i was 15, but it was so much fun. Here’s a picture of Bryan leading the way. Man was that ever intense. If you guys ever have nothing to do on a nice day, I urge you to go to Warsaw. Even if you don’t want to go in the caves, its a great place for a hike.
Jeff wanted me to check this clip out, its pretty evident why. Take a look.
May 20
LEEROY JENKINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone! Stop worrying! I’m ok. No I didn’t fall off a building, or get eaten by wolves as some of you have heard. I’ve just been SO lazy.
Ok so what is new with Newman? I don’t really know.
What Jordan Bandula would have looked like if he was born a few years earlier in Great Britain?
Late night street sessions with some dudes?
Taking girly facebook pictures with Mark and Chris at work because we all had Vans on?
Playing Jenga at work with Fallen shoes?
I guess I have been pretty busy lately.
May 12
This Saturday I’m going to something in Toronto called the “Out of the Cities Rally”. It’s put on by a guy who lives in Colorado, off the grid. The government has no records of him, he grows his own food, makes his own energy, and is entirely self sufficient. I get the feeling that in the next couple of years, we call all use some of his advice. If you’re down for a gnarly time, email me for info. hellonewman@alcatrazskates.com
New Poll!
Kiley Hawes’ dog Cash or Nicolette’s dog Mouse. Which dog is cuter? YOU decide!
Here’s Google’s version of Jeff MacDonald
May 11
Well it’s Sunday. Nothing interesting ever happens on Sundays. But today I landed a crook front 360 shuv today at the Oshawa park. I was pretty amped. Are you?
Apparently Brian Vince really likes The Generals. Oh, and turtles too.
Thanks to everyone who came out and celebrate the life of Jay at the First Annual (we’re gonna do this every year dudes) “Hooray for Jay” celebration. I couldn’t stay the whole time but it was a blast when I was there. I’ll post some pic’s in a bit.
