Where the eff is my View Master?

Originally created in 1911, by Sawyers Photo Services, to view photographic postcards. They went through a period where many companies had them under the radar including the Army to help share photographic images. Ideal Toy Company purchased View-Master in 1987, boosting marketing techniques and switching to production of Kidsongs. Tyco Toys Later purchased the View Master making the success and a toy in every home.

This was my favorite toy as a child. I remember taking my VewMaster , and all of my slides that I could scavenge up from my sisters who would like to steal them from me. I would test every room and the amount of light it contained, just checking which room had the best lighting for my viewmaster slides. Not to bright and not to dark, it really needed to be just right. Yea, I was that kid.. so what.

I often brought my slides outside, and sat under the giant tree that overtook our roof with its leaves. I spent hours viewing, "Winne the Pooh", "Batman," "Barbie," and one of my favorites, "The Dinosaurs." I remember trading slides with my sisters and playing, "nice" for once. We never left the house with these, once they were in our possession and off of the store shelves, we were to excited to leave without them.

Times have quickly changed. What once amused me and brought me so much delight was quickly tossed to the side, when introduced to my four year old nephew. He too has caught on quickly to our rapid inventions. His tight grip and in depth stare was caused by the stolen attention of an, "I-Pad." He was watching his favorite intro to one of his favorite cartoons, "The Backyardagins."

I will still continue to stand in amazement at our Wide World of Technology and how rapidly it produces toys, that hold the attention for a few weeks, and then they are tossed a top a pile of has beens to new inventions, that take learning and entertainment to a new level.

New Cage

More than thankful, the lovely city of Sheboygan was given the gift of a skate park more than 6 years ago. To date, the park has not had many fixtures, or remodeling since the initial building of the skate park.

The Skate Park is an awesome addition to Sheboygan, and the youth in our community. However, with the lack of attention the park receives, caged in on the property of Kiwanis Park, has lead to further deterioration.

My nephews love going to the park, and while they shred, I clean up garbage these messy boys casually throw behind. The ledges are bent or lifting, the ramps are rusted and old, and the park is surrounded with a metal fence.

The Sheboygan Skate Park needs to seek, private or public funds to keep this environment thriving. Lack or areas to skate, often leads to public or private destruction that skateboarding causes to hand rails, or public seating or recreation areas. Skateboarding is also illegal in the roadways and many public sidewalks, making it impossible to skateboard anywhere.

Cement Skate plazas are the new ascetically pleasing, and community friendly skate parks being built in many cities around the world. It would be great to see and demolition of our current skate park, replaced with a new area for a Skate Plaza. The metal during the summer, burns in the sunlight, causing harmful injury to those who fall. Its terrible to see the kids that get hurt down there, do to the lack of funding to keep up with fixture.

On Sunday, March 16th 2012, Sheboygan's Local Skate Shop, "Revolution" will be hosting another fund raiser and park clean up in order to boost efforts in raising donations to re-build our skate park. We will have the chance to meet with the new park director and raise important issues and idea about what we can do, to keep our kids developing healthy habits, and active lifestyles.

"GONZ"

Mark Gonzales, also known as the "Gonz," is known in the skateboarding world as the pioneer of street skating, which is most popular form of skateboarding. His influences are: Rob Roskopp, George Horton, Jay Adams, Joe Lopes, Neil Blender, John Lucero, Jeff grosso, Eric Nash and Ben Schroeder.

Mark hit the scene at the ripe age of 15 years old with a "unique" style to street skating. He quickly picked up popular magazine covers like, "Thrasher" and was offered sponsorship by, "Vision Skateboards."

The "Gonz," set some records that have left landmarks, famous "skate spots." In, 1986 he cleared a major gap at Embarcadero in San Francisco. This was so major, that it will forever be known as the, "Gonz Gap." Famous for his, "front board slides," "50-50 hand rails," and "radical personality."

Mark greatly influenced skateboarding as it modernized in the early 90's. He released, "Video Days," but this time by his own company he created, Blind Skateboards. With much pressure from Santa Cruz, Alva, and Vision Skateboards to turn pro he choose Vision' later learning and feeling that Vision was to, "coorporate" and like many companies they sell out! and go where the power is. Many argue that the name Blind was an intention name in opposition of Vision. But Mark insists his inspiration came from a song by the, "Talking Heads."

Not only is this man an impeccable skater but he has also established a career as an accomplished artist, writer, painter, poet and actor. Today, Mark is keeping busy with his company and skate team, "Krooked." He also rides for Spitfire wheels, Independent Truck Company, Fourstar Clothing, and Adidas.

Thrasher Magazine has named Mark Gonzales, "the most influential skater of all time." Without this guy, it would be difficult to know where skating would be today. He has the consistent ability to change , and tap into new realms of skateboarding constantly changing the elements of skateboarding.

"i wanna be just like you"

When I enter a room, I carefully scan the area, indicating and setting up mental markers for garbage cans, tissues, clocks even escape routes in case of an emergency. I carefully select my seating, completely making personal and mental judgements based on ones appearance. Even though at times they fail me, my instincts usually lead me to where I feel I am meant to go. I have learned to trust them in courageous matters, and have learned to let go, and put my trust in the word of others.

I knew the professor, and have had many of her courses. I was able to get away with sitting at the back of the class typing every word that ever came out of her mouth. I also had to remain close to one of the only student accessible power sources. Most of the kids that occupied the seats beside me, where either the, "geniuses" that spent their class drawing a notebook filled with an anime comic story, not paying attention at all to lectures but still scoring high 90's or the kids that spent the entire class period flipping between "popula"r social network sites like, 'Facebook", "Tumblr", and "Twitter". I catch a number of "TMZ" photo uploads and re posts to either site, followed by joke, or humiliating story, most likely false but juicy in detail. Did I mention that, these are the kids I see sticking around to fail or , doing the smartest thing of all semester and dropping by the financial aid refund date.

The few that stuck around to cause their life demise, never participated in class discussions, but often interrupted with whispers and giggles. Due to my eye for, "precise location" I was at the center of conversation.

Today I found out that, "Snooki" a character from a "reality television programming show" was pregnant. The reality show takes please on the Shores of New Jersey. Sex, partying, sex, and emotional outbursts containing profanity seem to be the obvious social norms, displayed within the first fifteen minutes. Entertaining to some, a shame to me.

The next topic, more important than, the failing healthcare system in the United States was Lindsay Lohan appearance this Saturday on "SNL." They began filling each other in on Lindsay's history with drugs and alcohol. With the credibility of gossip articles like, "TMZ" these students and their attention was absorbed by the false identity's and advertisements of television programming.

I was concerned for myself, and those who would invest in energy and time into success. After all, these "glamorous" lifestyles portrayed ordinary people, "striking it rich" with their wit, charm and good looks. I was concerned and fearful of those that would buy into these, "lifestyles" meant to "entertain" us and become consumed to the point of obsession. Enough for one to mimic and idolize the actions that seem to be encouraged by most of my peers.

Really, this just pissed me off because instead of being concerned about current events that will effect our future or current political issues, they were obsessing about ordinary people who are payed to "act" and "entertain." At times I feel, we forget these are people that face the same decisions we do.

Unfortunately when the director yells, "cut" the life of a movie star is captured on an endless reel, waiting to be exposed, and waiting to be mislead.

MADE

"MADE Gallery," is located in the beautiful "windy" city of Chicago Illinois. This gallery features, glass sculpture, hot glass, pipes, bubblers, multimedia sculpture, along with wearable jewelry made of glass. Due to their highly exclusive glass pieces MADE Gallery was recognized and labeled, "Best Booth" in the "L.A. Medical Cannabis Cup" by High Times.

MADE Gallery most certainly will have something for any person with an appreciation for glass and art. These artists have turned glass into captivating imitations of mother natures creations. Glass forms that look like flowers that personally remind me of the stunner flower, many areas so intricate that they resemble the stamen and anther of the blue flower. Others use tubes, toros, rigs, and pipes to display characters from popular television shows or celebrities or just characters from their wild imagination. But many artists just have their owns styles or preferences. The picture here is a callaboartion featuring, "Bearclaw and "Ghost". This is a mask, that is paried with another just as bangin. These two are selling for 30k!

"Slinger" one of the many underground glass artists is featured at MADE and can be observed in many collections. Specaliizing in the form of borosilicate glass through the form of the pipe, Slinger has mastered an epic method and technique for us to enjoy. Popular pieces like the, "Morton Assault Girl" were not in sight. Its pretty exclusive shit, hard to get your hands on at times, many people don't want to sell or give this up from their personal collections. I DO NOT blame them.

Collaborations are the two in one. These raw artists, come together putting their special touches all in one. "Slinger" and "Snic" did a colab and came up with their special, "fifteen minutes of fame rig." Blown borosilicate glass is most def the work of slinger, and electroformed copper are most definitely is the technique that "Snic" is known for.

I couldn't help but fall in love with the work of, "Bearclaw." The dishes in his display case were to die for, but what really captures the eye is the appearance of carved wood but on glass. The "graalacello bub" was a mouthwatering treat.

All in all it was an intense night. Met a lot of real good people and had the pleasure of really checking out some rare pieces.

:.Always add to your collection.:

LipStick

This is USU Club President Jessica Nichols riding Burton's 2011Womans LipStick snowboard.

This masterpiece was released last year and has been taring up areas near you. I have been given the luxury of being able to ride this mutha sucka when ever I want to. Working in a snowboard shop certainly has its perks, but being able to test, enjoy and push this board to its limits sure is thrilling. The true reward, is being able to educate those on this amazing invention and then cruise beside them.

Although the Lipstick is a woman's specific board, there are many suitable to your particular interest in riding. The most difficulty I found when I learned was, catching an edge. Thankfully the lipstick was designed for us ladies to avoid this disaster all together. The Lipstick offers "frostbite edges," beneath the bindings the boards edges are extended out slightly for edge-hold on hard, icy conditions, which is perfect for conditions typically in the Sheboygan area. The edges are powerful when you need to make the sharp carve and easy when you don't. The frostbite edges really allow this board to be super forgiving in softer conditions.

This baby is also packed with additional heat..the, "Hi-Voltage Jumper Cables." These are ultra-light carbon stringers allow energy to push outward from your feet, toward the tip and tail. With this feature you will feel maximum flight, and really have a precise control of your board. Trust yourself ladies, you have board here made with, "Triax Fiberglass." The tapered tip and tail thickness allows the mobility your boards needs to shift weight, the response is all here. Because the Lipstick was designed with you in mind it was ran through a machine that allows it to already be broken in from Burtons lab is called the, "infinite ride." The "Flying V" feature on this board enhances playfulness and float through fresh powder. Meanwhile underneath your feet the camber zones are focused on controlling those edges to allow you have a crisp ride with power and pop!

I have only been on a board for three years, with no previous experience. With time, a little bit of cash to spend, and dedication I was able to master the skills needed to cruise and enjoy mother nature. I am certainly not going to fight her and be miserable all winter, so instead, I am using her. Snowboarding really is another sight to see and a feeling to that's good for words. . .

see you on the slopes

First Timer...

On Sunday September 19, I attended my first packer game at Lambeau Field. Even though I have lived in Wisconsin for my entire life, I never took the opportunity to experience a live football game. So I grabbed the chance by the horns and dropped $141 for a ticket in the 9th row by the 10 yard line. Was it worth it?...YES! Should you have been there?...YES! Even if you don't like football or the Packers, I think the environment is worth it. From the tailgating, to the walk up to the stadium and the walk away memories were surly made.

Let me be honest here, I am not a die hard Packer fan, or Football fanatic whatsoever. I'm not able to catch every Sunday or Monday night game. But, after this Sunday I may be tuning in more frequently.

The tailgating was quite the show. Surrounding the stadium are hundreds of people gathered in small groups, playing games, throwing around footballs, laughing , drinking and singing along to good ol' tunes. Everyone that I looked at, had a huge smile on their face and awaited greeting the next person. Large white tents are filled with people,live music and even mechanical bull riding. Feel free to ignore a few vendors with expensive merch, the one 9 feet away will have the same thing maybe more or less.

Once your rear hits your seat and the beer to your lips, all worries melt away. Jets fly across the stadium following the national anthem. As you scan the crowd, you cant help but notice, that not one seat is empty. The entire game, fans are cheering and arguing with rivals. Chants are memorized like holy scriptures. Even if you don't know them, chances are that the guy next to you is to wasted and making up their own, play along.

With a win, the exit is just as interesting as the entrance. Face paint and wild get ups are still intact and of course beer sampling all the way to the parking lot your vehicle sits. The chaos continues for hours after the game has ended. Everyone was there for one thing in common, whether you were on this end or that one, the day is well spent.