You can usually tell when I don’t have a lot of time to devote to updates. Old pics fron the 80’s should be the tip off. About once a year our family would visit my grandparents in Florida, usually around spring break time. These pics were taken in Clearwater in the mid to late 80’s, by my mother or possibly my sister. Enlarged with fashion commentary after the jump.

This is golden. 80’s era footage of a skate park called Ramp City on a “Good Morning America” type show localized in Cleveland. Gary Lumpkin is the man on the scene. Lord. God. King. The banter between the hosts (not to mention the accents) and low key nature of this program has the Midwest stamped all over it. The skaters are good and the reporter is a good natured goof who really does his best, unlike some. Hear terms like hodad and youngster bandied about. Listen to the hosts go from genuinely concerned for the safety of the Lumpkin to Jackass-type encouragement in one sentence. Also, check out the incredibly corny (even for that time) canned background music during the second half of the location shoot. It’s almost a riff of a Keystone Cops movie. Highly recommended, it comes from a BMX site actually. The owner was a 16 year old BMX guy, although they conspicuously don’t explain where he got the money to open the place. I almost forgot the best part. Gary calls the ramp a half-tube.

One of the lynchpins of the BMX vs. Skateboards in skateparks arguments is that BMXers are always leeching of of skateboarders efforts. Well, that’s not always true. The first half pipe I ever saw, rode, or photographed was built by BMX kids in the woods of suburban Naperville Illinois, some time around 1984-85. The skaters (all three of us) were definitely riding the coat tails of the BMX guys. More pics, bad fashion and words after the jump.

All Claus Grabke, all the time! You know we love us some Claus over here. Check out this video tour of Claus Grabke’s complete pro skateboard model history, from Titus to Madrid to Powell to Santa Cruz to Titus to Pocket Pistols. It’s narrated by the man Claus himself. In this video you’ll learn many interesting facts such as the correct pronunciation for Titus (Tee-tus not tite-us) the fact that Jerry Madrid still owes Claus some money, and of all his 80’s graphics, the Madrid board might have been the best one. Actually it’s hard to tell because the whole thing looks like it was filmed by the light of a match. The screen capture above is highly processed to make it more visible. I was going to post pics of the decks or even re-edit the video myself with superimposed shots, but they are next to impossible to find. I couldn’t find a picture of the early Titus deck anywhere on the web, but we did have a rare Powell socked away in an eBay watch. At this point I gave up. Fortunately, the audio content is enough to make the video worthwhile.

So we’ve go an eBay vibe running. Here’s an old auction I sent to Neil but he didn’t cover it because it was he forgot, or I never sent it to him in the first place. I can’t remember a thing about this other than I think it was from the U.K.. Quite an awesome starter package though. I’m a hair’s breadth away from having some Captain Radical stickers made for Skate and Annoy. I remember a lengthy discussion about this sticker, but when and where? Slightly larger pics and an additional shot after the jump.

Check out this new Bill Danforth interview over at Old Man Army. I had a bunch of his old Alva decks. The tri-tail was the best. He’s got a sort of tribute graphic out on Bill’s own American Nomad.

2007 continues red hot in February. Some really big numbers this month on some really surprising items. One I think has to be a mistake by the buyer, but more of that later. The first thing I want to say this month is I’m not a free advice column. I must get three emails a month from people looking for advice on how to sell their shit on eBay for maximum profit. Why should I help? Give me an incentive and I might, but for right now, the free advice column is CLOSED. The worst thing is, they never even say “I really like your column” or anything like that. It’s always right to business: “I’ve got a 1987 Jeff Grosso in great condition. How much can I get for it, maximum?” Fuck off.

Ok, this trick involved riding up on the other side of the railing, doing the boneless grab foot shuffle thing and jumping onto the railing, then off the railing over the cement ledges, and onto the bricks. Makes my knees hurt just looking at it. The purple asterisk is on the print. Apparently I thought this was a good one. Man, was I smooth. I mean, was I? Click the pic to see the details: A 15 pound Uncle Wiggley Argyle deck complete with bird and my skull skates painters cap sporting a Hosoi sticker on the flipped up bill. Sorry ladies, I’m taken. Circa 198.. mumble mumble. University of Illinois quad in Champaign-Urbana. That’s it for me. I’ve got to work today.

This is what I live for. This Burger King commercial from the 70’s features skaters Dan Murray and Robbie Weir. Here’s a few of the highlights: 360’s with a serving tray! The King is live action this time, no plastic mask like the current commercials feature. He rides what looks like a Duane Peters deck, as well as an early contender for the World’s Largest Skateboard. They either switch stunt doubles or reverse the shot to get frontside airs in both directions. The sound track is… so bitchin! Here’s a quote “… and burgers made just right. Afternoon delight. Out of sight!” A complete transcription and more after the jump. Now I can retire. Update: The Burger King kid speaks!

V-Day for veterans? That’s Valentine’s day for the Veterans Division of Santa Cruz Skateboards, not V-Day or VE-Day or VJ-Day. Someone at NHS needs a little help with timing press releases. After 5:00 pm Pacific time on the day of the event does not cut it. Jason Jesse signed 250 special edition skateboards with a Valentines Day graphic that have been distributed among skate shops. There’s no more when they are gone. Check out Jason’s special message after the jump. I’m predicting one will show up on eBay within a month.