Ho Chunk Sioux tribal elder, Steve Kirkwood's 95th BIRTHDAY!

Upon my return from Hong Kong, I was informed that a monumental happening would soon be taking place. My great uncle Steve Kirkwood, the eldest member of the Ho Chunk Sioux tribe of which I am part, was celebrating his 95th Birthday.
Unknown relatives from all over the country were coming to this Historic Birthday/family gathering . . . I did not want to be left out. I booked my ticket to Detroit and drove with my family to the lush and expansive state of Wisconsin. It's funny how as you get older, time with your family goes from being taken for granted to something truly cherished (even with all of the well learned and not altogether positive dynamics). The drive was really fun - we are all coffee lovers, so the cup'o'joe stops were consistent . . . the van buzzed with caffeination and good conversation.
The Birthday gathering was a surprise party, which was a total success due in part to Steve's best friend Shorty keeping the secret so well. Uncle Steve was at a total loss for words and for about the first ten minutes and just stared around the room speechless noticing all of the familiar faces, which was quite moving.
My sister and brother in-law and their new baby boy Kaj, flew out from CA as well. We met a couple dozen relatives that I had never known before - it was wonderful and heart warming.
Here are some shots of the festivities:




The mastermind behind the big surprise/reunion, Steve's son Kent


Shorty escorts Steve into the banquet room.


SURPRISE!


. . . and the meet and greet begins . . .




Jeff and Mary with their kids (my cousins) Jonathan, Matt and Katie . . . and mother, Jean



. . . more friends and family!


Larry and Deborah






Billy and Patty




My dad, "Kirk" and "Chief's" son, Bill





My sister Laura and her husband Tej introduce baby Kaj to Steve







My mom, Pam and "Chief's" daughter, Maureen


Shannon and Ahren








Steve's Birthday "party"

This is a bonus picture from Wisconsin . . . It's my mom holding my new nephew Kaj (pronounced Kai). It was so beautiful I just had to add it.




It took a while to post this entry due to my trouble remembering all of the names of the great relatives that I met for the first time . . . "friends may come and go, but life begins and ends with family" - unknown

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE KIRKWOOD!

Hong Kong: Bailey's tattoo . . . (HK part 6)

Erik Bailey got a classic Galleon on his arm while we were in Hong Kong. Next to HKitstore was a rad tattoo parlor, Star Crossed Tatoo. Ross and Juju the proprietors are from the UK and have been posted up in HK for like seven years or something. They are great people and we hung out and had some brews one night . . . good times.
Anyways, Juju is a tatooing machine a basically works 24/7. It was obvious this was the place to be so Bailey got a new piece . . .






Andrew got a piece too. He flew back after Erik and I so I don't have it to show . . . if you go to the link for Star Crossed though, I'll bet you can peep it.
Cheers!

Farewell for now Hong Kong- back in CA! (HK part 5)

It's kind of crazy that after two weeks in Hong Kong doing demos (that seemed like two months), you can just be sitting back in your own living room again.
With the exception of your memories, injuries and a room full of unpacked bags, one could argue that it never even happened . . .
Hong Kong was so amazing and so fulfilling - I am happy and totally sad to be home.
A very special thanks goes out to my new and toally awesome friend Kit at HKIT store. Kit and I got in contact about this trip just under one month before we were supposed to be doing shows, some how the fates let it be . . .





come to California soon Kit! I miss you already homeboy.






On our last demo day, some of the friends we'd made brought us some really thoughtful gifts and it was such a nice feeling to have been appreciated as much as we appreciated all of the support. Thanks for being super fans . . . we are totally flattered.


Joey Law's supercool video (THANKS!)




Creamy and Karen made me this sweet diorama with little skater figures in it and me as Batman on a skateboard (because I wore a t-shirt of Batman in a wheelchair). They also made picture books for each of us - far too kind ladies, thanks!




Nandita came to a few shows and brought family too. She was always really spirited and was a big supporter - THANKS SO MUCH!


O.K. that's about it for HK . . . I hope everyone had a good time checking out the scene!
Here are just a last couple of shots for fun -





Andrew, Erik and I doing a criss-cross dealy during the show




Some crazy 720 barrel roll thing by Bailey (the kid is nutty!)




These security guards had no love for us in the beginning . . . but I think they almost liked us in the end.

It was sad to leave Hong Kong and have such an exhilerating adventure come to an end. The one saving grace is my faith that there is always some crazy, new, unforseen experience right around the bend - which is why I remain charmed . . . I'm sure.

. . . and now a word from our Sponsors

Hong Kong's locals for ACE TRUCKS!
Do yourself a favor and ride . . . responsively!

I get by with a little help from my friends . . . (HK part 4)

This one goes out to the good friends back home that know how much I love life and skateboarding and have supported me for the last four, ten or thirty eight years. Thanks to my parents, my sisters, my wonderful Chelsa and to Jim at Real and DLX and Joey and Shrewgy at Ace trucks. I can't convey the deep gratitude that I have for this charmed life. Cheers to my WHOLE family!
Here are some pictures of the crowds - they love that I pass out stickers for the kids after the demos . . . thanks to Ace and DLX for that as well - Life is good, good, good.













Here are more pictures of us exploiting photo ops throughout HK . . .

8 demos left in Hong Kong! (HK part 3)

WOW! It's crazy to think that Andrew, Erik and I have knocked out 35 demos in the past twelve days. It's been quite an experience. You just cannot know all of the intensity both high and low that happens with this kind of a gig until you experience it first hand. For myself, it is something that I have always wanted to test myself with - HAVING to skateboard multiple times in a day as a job for an audience. As it winds down I can honestly say that I am really glad that I did it even though I maybe wouldn't take the opportunity again (I may actually be too old for this hahaha).
Someone was nice enough to create a little movie and put it on Youtube (thanks!). Andrew just found this on our break. It's got some funny randomness peep our antics -

I will throw some more videos up if we find them. Erik is not featured in this movie which is totally a shame because he really can do just about whatever he wants on the course. Stay tuned for that!
Here are some random demo photos. They are definately artsy due to the blurr factor, but it's what we got . . .



















As you can probably see, we have a pretty good time. Thanks for the support friends family and passerbys alike! Bye for now!

Time out from HK for baby celebration . . .

I would just like to announce that since December, I have become an uncle TWICE OVER! Yes both of my incredible sisters have had their first children. It is one of the most incredible things you can know the pleasure of - to see your siblings become parents and, well, just totally trip out on it. Congratulations to Andrea and Laura and our extended family!



The moms and my Aunt Jacquie hanging out.


Kaj Singh


Leona Finn
It is beyond description the way it feels to have a person new to the world look up at you and smile. What a miracle.




This is another new baby to the family . . . It's Juliana, my cousin Lea and her husband Jeffs first born. Congratulations!


Bonus baby!



This is our neighbor's baby Jadyn. She was due on the same day as my older sister's baby . . . and they both came two weeks late on the same day! Here they are meeting for the first time.

Thanks for stopping in . . . YAY BABIES!