March - June, 2008

It’s been hard to keep a journal with things in a state of flux recently. It seems like we have been awaiting the arrival of our daughter for nearly two years (well, we have in some ways), so all plans were tentative until her arrival. Here is what happened during those last months of her incubation:
 
<< Went to St. Petersburg, Russia for the Laureus Awards. Never been to Russia, but the elusive KGB secret-police allure is long-gone. The buildings and monuments remain, but the storefronts look more like European stores and deli’s as opposed to fledgling breadshops. We were lucky to have Miki V as our tour guide; he lived in St Pete during the oppressive years and was able to give us insight about many of the landmarks and customs. The most exciting part for me was buying an Ushanka hat (with ear flaps) and being offered cans of caviar by a street hustler. I wish we had time to skate, but we were only there two nights.
 
I was a guest on the new Million Dollar Password opposite Rosie O’Donnell. I prepared for this by playing the home edition with L as much as possible, but it was very discouraging when words like “daunt” appear. Rosie was good and I thought at some point she would make it to the finals every time. I managed to click with one contestant and made it to the final round., bringing her to $25,000 pretty quick. We failed at 50k because she just couldn’t get me to say “drugstore.” Her clue was “Eckerd’s” (an East Coast chain). If only she had said “Long’s,” she’d have made twice as much. At one point, Rosie wanted me to make a pact that if we blew it for someone in the big money round that we would cover their losses (up to $500,000). I told her that she was crazy and that I didn’t have a syndicated talk show to throw around that kind of money. She laughed it off, but I could tell that she was partly serious. Here is a link to her blog (that includes a video of us backstage): CLICK.

<< Took a family trip to Japan. It was something I always wanted to share with my mom, brother and sisters since my first visit. It was fun to see their faces upon first seeing sushi and dried octopus at 7-11’s, and to share barbequed squid-on-a-stick at a street vendor. The only downside was missing the Kids’ Choice Awards and finding out too late that I won the award for favorite male athlete. So I couldn’t be there to accept the award… but nothing will replace the memories of Kyoto and searching all day for the skatepark with Riley. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey that is the most fun.
 
Young Hollywood Awards. I presented the “Young Picasso” award to Kat Von D and drove home right afterwards. This has been the scenario for all visits to L.A. in recent weeks. It is too late in L’s pregnancy to make a night of it, or to shmooze afterwards. I’ve never driven so much in my life., but it’s forced me to find the best techniques to avoiding traffic on I-5 and 405.
 
 
<< Turned 40 in style with a Big Lebowski bowling bash in Las Vegas. Careful man, there’s a beverage here!
 
Went and saw Flight of the Conchords play live. They played most of the songs from their first HBO series, but their between-song banter was hilarious. Weird Al was highly visible watching from the balcony, perhaps taking cues from the future of comedy folk music. I am officially a Jemainiac and a Breterosexual.
 

Flew to Chicago to interview Tommy Carroll, an inspirational BLIND skater. No, he doesn’t ride for Blind… it’s just that he has no vision. The kid goes for it and is not afraid to fall. I was most impressed with his backside revert technique. As a ramp skater, backside reverts are one of the last things to learn because you are blind to the ramp when coming down. But then I realized that he’s ALWAYS blind to the ramp. It doesn’t make it any less dangerous though, and I am amazed at his tenacity and easygoing approach to life. Check out shredordie.com for the interview and you will no longer have an excuse NOT to skate.

<< Got a deal with T-Mobile that allowed me to design a new Sidekick – the first one with video capabilities. I’ve been using a Sidekick since the first one was released in 2003, so it a huge honor to have my name attached to the lates and greatest version. It even has a griptape and bolts design on the bottom.
 

 

 

 

 

<< June 30, 2008 we welcomed Kadence into the world. My first daughter and she looks just like her beautiful mommy. Here brothers are very excited and life will never be the same. I can’t wait.