This is supposed to be the Ministry of the Economy building in Mexico City. It’s kind of hard to tell from this screen capture, but those supports have transition on both sides that meet in a point. Read John Aguilar says this super tight spot used to be sessioned back in the 80’s and early 90’s before there was a fence surrounding it. You can get a sense of it if you go to Google Maps and choose the street view, escept for that damned delivery truck that’s in the way at the crucial moment. I tried doing an image search for the building but came up empty handed, at least in English.

Slingz and the Sk8rstrap are two brands of strap that are designed to help you carry your skateboard instead of ride it. Slingz is more of a professional operation, with a somewhat professional looking website, while Sk8rstrap is pure amateur hour. Slingz has some funny videos, kids strapping on the skateboard inside just long enough to brush some teeth, run downstairs and walk out the front door to skate in the driveway. I think they advertised in Concrete Wave once or twice. Sk8rstrap doesn’t have much of a website. They’ve also got one of the most convoluted and arcane e-commerce setups. I dare you to try and figure out how to buy one. Note: I’m not daring you to actually buy one, just try and figure out how to do it. They’ve been in business since 2007 if you believe the copyright on the web site. Skateboard accessories… you can’t beat ’em with a, uhm, strap.

The alleged Gleaming the Cube prop that sold on eBay was a hit, so if you missed out on that you don’t have to blast a dookie, just head on over to Overstock.com where you can buy a shirt for $18.99, which doesn’t seem like much of a deal, especially since they sell for $15.99 over at the vendor’s site, Defuncte.es. Even with shipping it still comes out a couple bucks ahead. They also make one with the Rad logo from the BMX movie.

– Thanks to Andrew Wahl for the tip.

Two bits of reader mail, both from people with the intellect of a 12 year old, only one is actually from a kid and one is an adult. First up, this cartoon from Patrick, whom I think might be Grover’s nephew. The second allegedly comes from the holder of U.S. patent #5161810. For some reason he thinks I design and/or manufacture iceboards. He had this to say:

Yo Wats up with you dis-n my iceskateboard! You should first know what the heck you are talking about before you comment negatively on another design. Or at least learn how to read a patent and understand mechanisms (oh thats right I forgot, you only like the pictures). These trucks are not at all like Stoker trucks, and they in no way behave like them either. Of course, I could tell you the differences, but why bother. I made ice blades similar to yours before I made mine, And I can guarantee that your design is lame during turns comparatively.

John DeCesare
Craftek Design LLC

PS. you suk at photoshop

What’s he talking about? I compared iceboard technologies and mentioned that his 1992 patent had trucks that were reminiscent of Stroker trucks. I suk [sic] at photoshop. You suck at communication.

Sorry hipsters, your dad was the original hipster and he was killing it back in the day.

From the web site Dads: The Original Hipsters. Follow the link to get the scoop. It’s pretty funny, but even better in the context of the whole web site.

– Thanks to Greg Baller for the tip.

Above Coping Benefit skate Jam on Friday April 22nd at Ripzu in Vancouver. Official start time is 7pm. Show up and skate, maybe walk away with some schwag, and help out a good cause.

Design Boom has pictures of a sports complex in Podcetrtek, Slovenia. Even if it didn’t have some great looking banks on the outside, it’s worth checking out for it’s non-skateable architecture. Why is so much architecture in the U.S. so boring?

– Thanks to Urban Kravos for the tip

Movie prop from Gleaming the Cube was up on eBay. It’s basically a skateboard with a deck made out of solid metal. It sold for $416. Sorry to blow this out for you Neil. Get some more Christian Slater skateboard action here.