This video is not nearly as annoying as I had assumed it would be, but that does not mean I’m going to buy/download/pirate Flo Rida’s Wild Ones album. I can’t believe that’s what he picked as his rap name. That’s the Goat Ramp in the top shot. – Thanks to… How did I find this?

I am predisposed to not like Jamie Thomas, I’ve heard rumors about some unethical practices, and I don’t appreciate the fact that had a big marketing campaign and skate video with the same name as my skateboard company. So, I am definitely biased. What about you? From ESPN: New Balance is the latest mainstream brand to throw its hat into the skateboard footwear market. Based out of Boston, Mass., New Balance is strongly positioned in running and other traditional categories, but has not succeeded in their previous attempts to enter the skate market with the hi-top V74 and the V45 low-top sneaker, released in 2010. Their new entry into skateboarding is called New Balance Numeric or NB#. New Balance, looking for a strong skate company to help ease their way into the market, will be manufactured and distributed by Black Box distribution of Carlsbad, Calif. Owned by professional skateboarder Jamie Thomas, Black Box currently distributes board brands Zero, Slave and Mystery, along with Insight Apparel and Fallen Footwear I swear I recently saw an episode of SNL or Portlandia where they equated New Balance shows with senior citizens. When I think of New Balance I think of nylon running shoes.…

Another skateboard stairs concept reaches reality. Though featured on Recyclart, those are clearly all new skateboards, and kind of crappy modern Kryptonics if I’m not mistaken. The metal supports are a custom fabrication. See skateboard stairs: Part 1 – Part 2 Addendum: I was looking at the Kryptonics web site, and they have a little page bragging about being around the original Burnside skatepark! There are some weird illustration/caption combos in their timeline.

Zhu Zhu pets were all the rage with the toddler crowd about two years ago, then they kind of jumped the shark and sputtered. They even tried to branch out with some ninja appeal but it didn’t seem to work because they were soon relegated to bargain bins. I caught a few minutes of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and was surprised that there was actually a Zhu Zhu Pets float. It reminded me that I had some skateboard-related Zhu Zhu pets in the hopper.

This bottle of Dylan Rieder/Thunder Trucks wine is part of an auction to benefit skater Billy Moyle who was recently paralyzed from the waste down. Actually, they’re still figuring out how to do it since eBay doesn’t allow alcohol sales. If you’re not into wine the other items range from Jason Adams art prints and Spitfire Wheels ninja stars. Say hello to Fargo.

A special deck of cards for children to play old maid with. No numbers even, just pictures.

A metal sign with the Coca Cola polar bears shredding. Streetplants on the snow, huh? I don’t know what you call that variation. It’s almost approaching a rocket-air stance. As seen on Ebay.

From Caliber Trucks, Blue Dream and Blackout addition, plus a little White Gold for the ladies, sort of. Bigger versions in the gallery at Caliber.

Toy Boarders Series 2 is out. The glass ceiling on skateboard toys has finally been broken. Welcome additions to the series of plastic army men style skateboard figures include a female skater and a filmed. Noticeably missing, the gutter punk and tight pants rocker. While I’m at it, there should be a scrounge and maybe a little kid buttboarding and getting in everyone’s way.

Franklin and friends airs in the US, too. There’s a skateboard episodode to, I’m pretty sure. These plates are not from North America though. They came from Sa ka roulé.