Starting at the beginning, and finishing at the end.

STF

Do you know me? Do you know of my adoration of Nick Cave?

Let me just say that it’s gigantic;

  (AP Photo/Keystone,Laurent Gillieron, File)

(AP Photo/Keystone,Laurent Gillieron, File)


Since I was thirteen I’ve been perplexed by, and enamored with the man. He is an enigma, a visionary, and a talent, the likes of which this world hasn’t before seen.

If you pay any amount of attention to his existence, then you might be aware of his family’s tragic loss when last year his fifteen year old son died after falling from a cliff.

I don’t know anything about that kind of sorrow, and it’s my sincere hope that I never do.

What I do know about is using anguish as a creative foundation, and Mr. Cave has done that not only throughout his entire career, but most recently with the release of this new single, chronicling his loss;

I have no words. It has just laid me absolutely flat.

I have to give thanks to him for sharing his grief, and I can only hope that the creative process was a cathartic one.

In news of enigmas (albeit those of a totally different feather), I recently came across the following video featuring everybody’s favorite American hardman, Boobkah Roll;

I love that guy, and am pleased as punch every time I get to cross paths with him.

Of course I’d long been aware of him before we’d initially met, but that day in particular was a special one indeed. During the summer of 1998 I was on the NORBA circuit, dingleberrying across the country and back with Hurl and the Cadillac Catera team which was comprised of Gretchen Reeves, Golden Brainard, Carl Swenson, and Chris Sheppard.

We had landed in Conyers, Georgia and the site of the 1996 Olympic mountain bike race, (which by the way has a fun little skateable ditch nearby, for anyone who might have a penchant for such a thing);
conyersditch copy
Here’s a photo I took of myself doing a little frontside grind there back then;
conyersgrind
You can tell the photo is period correct based on the fact that I’m wearing Spinergy socks.

Anyway, I was wandering around the venue, and happened upon the finish line just as the pro men’s race came to its conclusion. Bob, who was racing for Litespeed at the time, rolled up, dumped his bike, sat down on a little rise and lit a cigarette.

I stood there in slight awe, and realized at that moment, he was in fact the patron saint of dirtbag cyclists the world over.

In the time since, we’ve become friendly with one another, and though I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned this occurrence to him before, it was certainly one that holds a special place in my withered heart.

And I suppose while we’re on the topic of both past Olympic venues, as well as skateboarding in ditches, it was just a month or so ago when I penned this post discussing that which is left behind once the proverbial circus has bailed out of town.

In particular I was taken with this image of the Athens whitewater course;
funzone
In the post I also requested aid in the search of a video detailing some kids’ re-appropriation of just such a venue for their own devices.

Nobody was able to come through, but fate was on my side as just yesterday I happened to randomly stumble across the video in question;

Kids utilizing that which has been cast aside.

That is something I support wholeheartedly.

Jumping from one form of creativity to another entirely, I suppose it’s a good time to introduce (or reintroduce if you’re already familiar) with some art that doesn’t suck.

Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Annie Owens;
AnnieOwens1
Annieowens2
Annieowens3
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I’ve been following her Instagram feed for some time. To my eye, she strikes me as having a pinch of Edward Gorey, a dash of Tim Burton, a sprinkle of Al Columbia, and a few healthy dollops of her own special style, all of which combine together to make one delicious serving of art that wholly satisfies my eyeball balls.

If you’d perhaps like a piece of Annie’s work to call your own, she has a few pieces available for purchase right here.

Lastly, and because I need to make a living, I’ll make another mention that I’ve recently taken on a whole new batch of both the AHTBM/Chuey Brand KVLT caps;
KVLTcaps
As well as the AHTBM/Chuey Brand winter KVLT caps;
kvltwintercap
I can’t guarantee that they’ll look as fetching atop your dome as they do on Chlöie, but considering that Chlöie is nothing but dome, that shouldn’t come as much of a shock.

The one thing that I can guarantee however is that they will be the most comfortable, and durable cycling caps you’ve ever worn. It’s long been said that the secret to making soul food taste delicious is to prepare it with love.

I’d argue that one of the primary reasons Chuey’s caps are so incredible is due to the exact same component.

As I said, I have a big batch sitting in stock, all waiting to go to loving homes of their own. If I could, I’d wear them all at the same time everywhere I went, but that’s just not very realistic.

So here we are at the conclusion of today’s effort. We’ve covered most of the best I can dredge up regarding art, bikes, boards, and music.

All that’s left for us to do is raise our arms in a victory salute, and cross the line of the end.
newlittleskull

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9 Responses to “Starting at the beginning, and finishing at the end.”

  1. Largo September 2, 2016 at 7:10 am #

    ’93 forchristsakes. Styrofoam helmets, crap suspension, crap brakes, narrow bars, I miss those days….

  2. Andrew September 2, 2016 at 7:33 am #

    Ever see Bob Roll and Scott Kelly in the same room at the same time? Didn’t think so. Something about the 510 …

  3. tippycup September 2, 2016 at 7:52 am #

    Love the skate kids these days….little bastards have got a word for everything..

  4. Sergio September 2, 2016 at 9:04 am #

    Love love love nick cave. I can’t imagine the hole in his life heart and everything he knew but I hope with music, his family and memory of his son he will go on being an amazing artist. Bob roll I believe grew up in Pleasant Hill? He is a cool guy and regret not meeting him when I had the chance… Happy skate able ditches!

  5. Devin Curran September 2, 2016 at 10:54 am #

    Was he wearing a social distortion t shirt?

  6. Caroline Paquette September 3, 2016 at 10:03 am #

    I once saw Nick Cave at Roskilde, way too high on Amsterdam goodies to really remember much except being completely gutted and laid flat by his sound. So I do have him on rotation always, too. I didn’t know about his son. Thanks for sharing this single. I’ll wait until I feel more hopeless before listening to it.

  7. MELI September 4, 2016 at 1:01 am #

    tremendous what humans can do with that monster that comes into our lives known as grief.
    time and art, true light in moments of its absence.
    cave, what a man.

  8. ian c September 4, 2016 at 8:43 pm #

    Nick Cave movie premiere Thurs in Berk at the Rialto, I’ve got an extra ticket if ya wanna go (though we don’t know each other, duh).