If you thought you’d seen enough of Ryan Sheckler before…. Hot off the press release newswire:

MTV Networks Music Group, a division of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) and NBC Sports, a division of NBC Universal, Inc. today announced a wide ranging, strategic partnership to expand the AST (Action Sports Tour), a global, youth-focused, multimedia, action sports business that includes the AST Dew Tour, the AST Winter Dew Tour and the amateur Free Flow Tour into a global brand that spans MTV and NBC’s multiple screens… …As part of the MTV Networks/NBC Universal alliance around the AST, MTV and MTV2 will provide lifestyle programming, targeted cross-promotion, multi-platform content and distribution, consumer products licensing and merchandising to the joint venture.

With Rob and Big going off the air, I wonder who MTV will push into the spotlight to help them with marketing their new venture. Who knows, maybe they make a big push to bring back the Swatch watches. I have an empty spot in my life right now. I thought it was dissatisfaction with the status of my career, but maybe I’m just devoid of targeted cross-promotion, licensing and merchandising right now. I can hardly wait. Get the details here.

The Federal Trade Commission‘s job is “Protecting America’s Consumers.” We need some sort of commission to protect America’s skateboarders.

I was geeking out over at Gizmodo when I noticed a skateboard in a web advert for the Toyota Matrix. There’s a scene at an imaginary extreme!™ sports complex that you are invited to shake up with your mouse. If you do, everything goes haywire but the car stays glued to the road. After a bit of time everything gets shaken off screen and the ad tells you to stick to the road with available all wheel drive. Then it says “get in touch with your dark side,” which near as I can judge form the advert, must mean if there is an earthquake you should ditch your skateboard and ride BMX bikes on a half pipe.

MC should wear a Miss Skatepark Oregon sash when he skates Pier Park. This is his third appearance in a Portland based periodical skating Pier Park.

Just finished collecting the second hundred strips which you can order here

Like shooting fish in a barrel:

MF: What’s your perspective on fitness for skateboarding?
I skate a lot with my shirt off, so working out has always been important to me. I almost have as much fun working out as I do skating. And seeing your body change, and seeing yourself get bigger and more toned and cut, makes a big difference in how you feel about yourself. As of right now I’m working out three times a week and it’s fun.

Check out the full Ryan Sheckler interview as part of 2008’s 25 Fittest Guys in America in Men’s Fitness magazine. – Thanks to Larry Pescatore for the tip, but don’t ask Larry what he’s doing trolling Men’s Fitness.

From CBC News in New Brunswick, Canada

Skateboarder jailed after refusing to pay fine

A Fredericton man who refused to pay a fine for skateboarding on city streets has been taken into custody and will be sent to jail. Lee Breen, 25, was fined in the summer of 2007 after receiving several warnings. After not paying the initial $50 fine, it was increased to $100. A judge then ordered him in April to pay the fine or be sent to jail for five days.

But he’s not doing it because he’s too broke to pay the fine, he’s actually trying to make a point! He’s challenging the nuisance law under the grounds that skateboarding is not inherently dangerous and provides a environmentally friendly means of travel. About 80 people rallied outside the courthouse as he was taken into custody. Skateboarding is a crime!

– Thanks to Michael Brooke for the tip

More useless odds and ends. These guys in Massachusetts do touchy-feely performance art called “Zend” on skateboards inspired by stained glass. And speaking of hippies, the Seattle Times wants you to believe that longboarders have a higher calling. Ryan Sheckler gets nominated for a world wide sportmanship award in the action sports category, but loses to Shaun White. I guess there was no category for crying. An interesting note, a guy with the actual name of “Dick Pound” won the “Spirit of Sport” award for his work with the World Anti-Doping Agency. Sounds like spirit alright. According to the North County Times, Andy Macdonald is not a rebel, and he does have a cause. Do you need money? Why not fake getting hit by a car on your skateboard so your buddies can steal a purse while the driver makes sure you are OK? These kids in Vancouver, Washington did. What’s the next Xtreme!™ sport raging in Orange County? Racing Dodge Chargers on electric skateboards. The article “Not Just Any Old Token” does not refer to Dave Chappelle’s race, even if he is the only non-honky in the photo. Some skateboarders in Queens, New York found some humane remains and called 911, further laying to rest the teenage satanic skateboard worshipers theory. Some people don’t need to read a study to know that hurting yourself skateboarding can cost a lot of money, but some do.

There. I’ve wasted enough of my time, so go waste some of yours.

[Assorted tips – Mark Ward, Mike Estes, Poor Richard]

I know these are easy targets, but sometimes there is something to be said for executing the idea, no matter how simple it is. I like these celebrity fuckup models from Think Skateboards. On the left is the Britney Spears series, and the right is the somewhat older Jailbait series.

[Source – Sirj Skateboardiing]

Threadless is a t-shirt site that has visitors vote on what designs they will sell. My brother spotted this one and sent it my way, I couldn’t find it when I went to the site. I would have voted for it.

Poached from the Stakbot. Click to enlarge.