Mason Goes

Met up with Mason for an early skate sesh.  Well, early for him, around 10:00 a.m.  We got some coffee first.

Then arrived at an abandoned Edgewater park.  This place is kind of a gem, and I usually forget about it.  But it's super fun and has a lot of good obstacles.  I really like the transition here, the coping sticks out a good amount (but not too much), and you can do tricks off of the quarter-pipes into the bank, which is obviously really fun.

Mason is actively trying to better his skating, and it's working.  He was a little hesitant to skate this down rail, but after some sk-oaching, he managed a 50-50 pretty easy, then got this smith about third try.  It's rad skating with people who push themselves, and it makes you want to do the same. Mason also filmed me doing some fun tricks. So nice having the place to ourselves.

Whole Foods stop for beverages and hummus.

Visited Tony at The Denver Shop. Crushing it.

Darren showed up too.  Darren's rad, but it would have been really cool to see Paul Walsh.

We got the new 43 magazine in the shop, and I picked up a Nullozine.  Gotta support your local skate scene, keep up the good work guys.

Predator Socks

Another day in the life for Anthony Mellick at The Denver Shop...

This spot.  Lots of pushing in the heat.

I decided not to skate, but rather work on my big boy skills.  10 slices is not a problem.

While I was watching everyone skate I saw Predator pull into the gas station.  Of course he was down for a photo and to tell me his story.  I cannot quote verbatim, but here's the basics.  Before he became Predator, he was at the mall, and in the Oakley store window he found his calling.  The leather-dread helmet made by Oakley shone in the glass case, and more or less told Predator to spend his entire tax return on the helmet, despite the fact he didn't even own a motorcycle at that point.  Maximum cool points.

The up close situation.

Back at the spot, we all noticed how cool our socks were.

Darren shredding.

Zach!

Then another spot.

After skating I went to the Tattered Cover and did some re-reading for school.  Imagine Virginia Woolf's reaction to Predator.

Last Day Of Summer

Mason and I went and got some coffee to get ready for Skatecamp.

"And I realized that I've arrived..."

The locals are the best part of Wheel Park.

What is it that rappers say?  "Haters gonna hate" or "Once you got haters you know you've made it."  Either way the Shake Junt/bleeding peace sign/fuck The Denver Shop!!! griptape is a lot to wrap your mind around.

After Skatecamp was over I dumped the water on Coach Mellick.

Drenched.

Popsicle after party!

The Aurora Zoo added a new attraction.

Simba!

Typical skatecamp after party.

Then I went to dinner with my parents at a very upscale Boulder restaurant called The Black Cat.  My Dad got a gift certificate for his birthday.

After looking over the menu, my parents and I realized that we are what you would call, "Chili's People".  When and if we go out to eat, we want to be filled to the brim, and preferably would like to leave with to-go boxes because we couldn't finish.  The Black Cat isn't like Chili's in that the gourmet entrees were proportional and expensive.  Us simple folk should not dine at places like this.

My Mom and Dad trying to wrap their mind around a steak for two that came with the bone and was derived from The Black Cat's farm in Niwot.  A really cool aspect of the restaurant is they grow everything on their own farm, so it is very sustainable/Boulder-y.

See what I mean? Would this happen at Chili's?  Fancy, yes.  Elegant presentation, yes.  Upscale aura, yes.  Cheap and filling, no.  Choose your team.

Date and a Party

I went and got lunch with Shardy to catch up.  He paid for me, so it was pretty much a date.

 Dayton park!

Then I met up with Mason and got ice cream, again.

Then partied at Darren and Molly's.

Drink this!

 Natalie skates now.

 Patrick, Jake, and Molly on accident.

 Jeff with a high five for Jackie.

 I had two mini cinnamon rolls.  Delicious.

 Joey.

 Tyler Haberkorn and Cody.

 Will and Dan.

 Alex loves dogs.