MIA AT SIA
The noise, the glitz, the glam, the relentless high fives and shakas that are the SIA
Kelly Clarke, Nevin Schwartz and Timmy Karpinski live it up in Veg-ass. |
Vegas trade show. Rows of retailers line the convention center, while kids in military hats, shaggy black hair, denim and leather (replacing last years gold chains and doo-rags) stream by hoping to negotiate some sweet deals, free product or at least looks cool. it is, after all, snowboarding's biggest job fair.
It's like this every year. The same sweaty handshakes and what's up bros, but it's still fun. Sort of. More overwhelming, intermittently mixed with moments of fun, like skate session while waiting for the valet, or winning at the craps table. Fifteen
Peter Line sporting Royal Tennenbaums steez and some rad dude tatoos. |
minutes is enough, but instead try dealing with it for 2-6 days. As if simple interaction with every industry type from every corner of the world isn't enough, let's add Sin City debauchery. It's a place where you shouldn't be allowed unless you stay out past 3 a.m. every night while consuming numerous alcoholic beverages gotten with free drink tickets or bro-ed out of team manager's expense accounts.
The ching of slots, shouts of glory, cries of defeat and skinny girls with huge rack and tight pants only add to the experience. And of course, if you actually have a purpose at the show, don't forget to drag your ass out of bed and pretend you're not in utter pain ass you explain the unique and exciting attributes of your project (or listen to them.)
The Eastern Edge crew ventures out of Vermont. The Panther, Zimmerman and Cavan. |
If all this isn't enough, let's add the Grenade team and a full blown awards show. then let Danny win an award and see members of Transworld's staff freak out.
The real fun of Vegas though, is playing video games for hours with sales reps sporting every variety of facial hair imaginable, finding the booths with free beer and dropping one dollar bills to ever service professional in the town. And the realization that your average gold-lamay clad Vegas tourist thinks it's really weird to carry a skateboard (or snowboard) through a casino.
MIA at SIA: Veg-ass proves itself, once again.
The 2002 LBS: How to be a good journalist at the Banked Slalom.
Journal Excerpts: The ones about winter. -RC
The Olympic Rant: : Hey, we had one four years ago.
Vermont is for Skateboarders: An indoor park in Burlington. What will they think of next?
Ticos, Imperial and Spanglish: Welcome to Costa Rica.
The Blue Lodge: Where are they now?: It may be a little premature, but what the hell!
Space Odyssey: Bendini Productions premieres its latest.
Degrassi: The Next Generation: It's back and better than ever.
US Open 2001: Better late than never.
Yo Beat Midwest Skateboard Tour:3465 miles, one shop team, and a midwest that starts in Eastern Washington.
Obligatory Mt. Hood Coverage 2001: Experience the power of a new snowboard during the summer.
The Dry Erase Skateboard: New innovations in skatepark hooching.
A Simple Guide to Living in Bellingham: Only funny if it is about you.
Life Behind the Iron Curtain: Yo Beat's War correspondent David S. Bobolay reports.
Got Drunk, Went to Oregon to find Heckler and got Drunk Again: Yeah.
Slam City Jam 2001: Being some one is important, as we learn at BC's premiere skate contest.