Admittedly unrelated to branding and digital media, I can’t help but pass along this link to some of the craziest skateboarding tricks I have ever seen in my life. Pay attention to the amount of stairs these kids are jumping down.

Look MOM! No HANDS! (or helmets)

Are you looking for a fun cruiser this summer? Electra makes some of the coolest looking cruiser bikes out there. Whether you want something retro or just unique, they have something for everyone.

The picture above is my 2 year old Electra Straight 8, snapped by the train trestle on Grant’s Trail in St. Louis, Missouri.

Check out Electra bikes for yourself at electrabike.com.

M-80’s, Jumpin’ Jacks, Roman Candles, Tanks, Snakes, Bottle Rockets, Smoke Bombs, Whistlers, and of course, the best firecrackers of all – Black Cats…

Those are the fireworks that I played with 20 years ago, unsupervised, and with little respect for the directions on the packaging.

I still like a good backyard fireworks show with friends and family. Today there are so many different types to choose from and the packaging and names of some of these newer issued show stoppers are quite interesting. Some of the names are funny and are obviously named by old souls that have not come on board with the PC bandwagon. Other names are rather obvious solutions.

Whatever you do this 4th of July, remember, just because it didn’t go off, doesn’t mean it won’t, and when the box says don’t shoot it out of your hand, maybe consider it for a second before doing it anyway.

Have a Blast.

My love affair with two-wheeled motors has been rekindled. After a 10 year hiatus from riding – back then, mostly on large, chromed-out cruisers – I decided to wade back in: at the deep end of the pool.

I have always admired the lines and engineering of European bikes. Late last fall, I acquired a stock 1050 TRIUMPH Speed Triple. My father used to race for TRIUMPH in the 60’s, so i guess this was also a way to reconnect with my ace. (I miss you, buddy.)

As customization and/or personalization has become a given in the modern world, I decided I would bring a bit of the “me, me, me” flavor to my scoot. Let me tell you – wrenching on a machine and getting one’s hands dirty is far more satisfying than pecking at the keyboard or pushing a mouse.

I have restyled the S3 by powder coating the shiny bits a glorious flat black (all the way down to the kickstand) and modding the exhaust  with a polish and port followed by a ceramic coat at JET-HOT in Cali. Added to this list are a set of carbon fiber racing cans and a new mid-pipe from across the pond at TRIDENT. Now this pony is ready to rumble – literally.

Long live the liter bike…