First photo

Finally got my new camera in, and was able to go skating with it for the first time. Matt Mongeri did this front board to pop my camera's cherry (his profession is cherry popping)

Day 5 & 6 in Texas

Same things happened, woke up, had an awesome breakfast, went to Apple for a few hours where we did nothing, ate lunch, went back upstairs, said our goodbyes to Tier 2, and then left the building.

We did a little bit of shopping afterwards (sorry Zach, I couldn't find any spurs all week) and then went to the hotel. I wanted to film a spot, but kept getting kicked out. I went back a bit later, and there was an SUV in the way, and so, I went around just getting lost, and ended up running into Lucas at a Radio Shack. We later went to the grocery store, and bought 2 pounds of Filet Mignons, and some potatoes with a ton of spices, and seasonings for cooking. I did the fillets and potatoes on the BBQ next to the pool, and it was a damn good meal. After the meal, I went upstairs, got my gear together, and went to the spot...the SUV finally moved, and I was able to start filming. It took me a few tries, and luckily I didn't get kicked out, and I finally rode away 2 times (one was sketchy) so I was hyped. Grabbed my gear and went back to the hotel, and got drunk.

The next morning, we all slept in, except for me, I am always an early bloomer. Got the free breakfast, and after breakfast, decided to take a final skate around the city. Skated in different directions, getting lost, then finding my way back to the hotel. This went on for about 2 hours. Went back tot he hotel, got my shower, and packed up. We met up downstairs at anout 10:30, and went to the airport for 11. We got everything together, and decided to get something to eat. I had a burger from this place that had a super high pitch noise coming from the speakers, which people under 30 can only hear. I had the worst headache from it, and it sucked. After eating, it was a 15 minute wait until boarding started. We got on our plane, and it sucked because where Robyne and I were sitting, there was a foreign family that STANK so badly, and their kid would not shut up! Luckily that flight was only 3 and a half hours from Texas to New York.

The next flight was from New York to Buffalo, and it was a short flight, but luckily, we were no where near this foreign family, so no annoying child, or horrible smell. After landing, our limo driver was waiting for us inside, and he had the sign, kind of like how celebrities are, or you see it in movies. It felt pretty sweet!

After getting our luggage and going tot he limo, we went to the duty free, and picked up some booze, and I picked up some cigarellos. I am now addicted. 

Made it home, to find a lovely package waiting for me. My camera came in! A great ending to the Austin, Texas trip provided by Minacs. I hope to win it again!

Day 4 in Texas

Again, I didn't shoot any pics today...Just chilled through out the day at work...didn't do too much. After work, I went out skating, and came back about an hour later completely drenched in sweat...it was gross.

Anyways...it was a simple day, ended it off by meeting some cool people from around America who were staying in the same hotel, and had somewhat the same job...but only they worked for "yellowbook" which is the same thing basically as the Yellow Pages. 

I got drank a bunch of Coronas and got drunk with some good people. I can't go into the pool due to my new tattoo...but that's ok, it is well worth it.

Tomorrow is our flight back :( I love it here, and I really want to stay. Hopefully one day I can return back here, and see if I can move to Austin. It is beautiful.

In other stories...I found a somewhat large drop by our hotel at some grocery store. I plan on hitting it a bit later tonight when it isn't too busy at the grocery store, because you get booted super quick down here.

Good ol tripod will be filming it, and hopefully I will land it for some footy for the next video. See everyone either Saturday night, or on Sunday.

Day 3 in Texas

Well, today I didn't bring my camera around with me, only because I was, and am getting sick of carrying it around. I've basically already shot everything I could. So today I brought my video camera around for filming my skateboarding...a great man known as Billy T Tripod was filming my tricks. Anyway, the day started like any other. Woke up at 7:30, went to the breakfast buffet and got my usual pancakes, waffles, eggs, and of course, my 4 cups of coffee. After breakfast, I did some skating around the parking lot before "work" and within 5 minutes I was sweating beyond belief. Anyways, at work, we just did our usual thing where we wonder around, and watch the "Tier 2" agents do some work, and once they go on their breaks, we go to our computers and answer 1 or 2 emails, and then go get our lunch. Do that till 2, then go home, get everything we need from our rooms, and Don King (not the black guy with the crazy hair. The Apple Austin site manager) brought us to some crazy cave which had some very interesting caverns and little trails and stuff. To be honest, I really do wish I brought my camera and a tripod along with me, but I guess that's live and learn. Once the cave tours were done, we went to a crazy outlet mall that is just weird since there isn't a spot of dirt on the ground, infact, all of Austin is like that, it seems weird. Anyways, I am starting to get off topic. Okay, so while at this mall, I was looking for some sunglasses since I need a pair badly, but I dont want to spend more then $40, even $40 is absolutely insane to pay for sunglasses. Anyways, after searching around some stores, and Kiosks, the cheapest pair of sunglasses that appealed to me, were $110. FUCK THAT!!! haha. I will never pay that much for sunglasses. So after wondering around for a bit, I came across the Vans outlet store, where I was finally able to buy my Vans classic slip ones in black and white. They were $20 cheaper here then in Canada, so right away I picked them up. 

After the mall, we went back to our hotel room, and I decided not to go out this time, I went out skating around my hotel, and there are some really decent spots! Robyne and Lucas went out with some tier 2 agents, but I just wasn't feeling it since I can't drink in public in the states. I skated for a few hours, and my undershirt was 100% covered in sweat. I should have taken a picture of it to prove it was soaked.

Anyways, I had a quick shower then it was off to bed for Day 4 of our trip.

Day 2 in Texas - Part 4

We got our work stations set-up, but only had time to take some photos at them. Once we took some photos, we ended up "shadowing" the higher-ups, AKA Tier 2 (we go to them if we dont know the answer to an email)

Lucas at his work station

Jimmy at his work station...mine looked the same as his

Robyne at hers...

I bought this in the cafeteria...it was soaked in grease, but it was sooo friggen good

We ate it in the sun...it actually made the food hotter sine it was super warm that day

Continued in part 5

Day 2 in Texas - Part 3

They gave us a tour of the place, but as I said earlier, I'm not going to post too many photos from the tour since it's a privacy issue...but here are some cool things about working with Apple.

elevators at work...for only 2 floors....

sweet posters with dope photos on them all around the site. This one is actually one of my favourites

Here is Guy setting up my computer, and my account

Here is guy working...well, kind of working

They have a cafeteria there, with a ton of different food. It's super chill there.

Continued in part 4

Day 2 in Texas - Part 2

We showed up, and this is the Austin site. Its soo incredibly nice. I seriously want to move here, since Austin is so nice. Maybe in a few years...this way I'll be able to leave Niagara since Niagara sucks big time! I won't be posting many pics of inside the building due to privacy issues, but I will tell stories and whatnot.

Receptionist area

Yeah, they have a FULL gym in the building...This photo doesn't even show the full gym, no where near it.

Blood pressure machine...heck, you are bound to get at least 1 annoying customer that you want to kick in the nut sack

The break room...yeah, a sick pool table, pinball machine, and behind me were a bunch of vending machines

That neon light is basically from when Apple was first created...it's an antique, and it still works...if you are an Apple fan, you basically must be drooling over this pic

Continued in part 3

Day 2 in Texas - Part 1

Day 2 started out like any other day at a hotel before we went to the Austin site for Apple and whatnot. The site is about a 10 minute drive from our hotel, so we don't have to wake up too early. Plus Don King (site Manager) doesn't really mind what time we show up since he knows it's kind of a vacation, rather then a business trip.

Breakfast is free, but it's a good, hot breakfast. I had a waffle, eggs, pancakes, toast, and good ol coffee, which for some strange reason, tasted like Tim Horton's coffee.

Lucus was mowin so much food. Here he is enjoying chocolate milk, which I thought tasted horrible (and chocolate milk is my favourite drink)

Jimmy wasn't too sure on what was going on....

Robyne was in need of a smoke and ate her food fairly fast.

We arrived at our new work for the week

Continued in part 2..

Day 1 of Texas - Part 5

Ok we have now landed. we exit the plane...it is 30 fuckin degrees, and I have a hoodie, a long sleeve, a t-shirt, and jeans on...Hell yeah I'm sweating like an arabian nut sack! It is all worth it though! here are some final shots from Day 1 of our trip to Austin, Texas.

Leaving the plane....

Our luggage didn't take too long to get to us...

There are more pics, but nothing crazy. After this, we picked up our rental car, and went searching for our hotel, which took a whoping 15 minutes...nothing crazy. After checking in, we grabbed a free beer from the buffet/hotel lounge fridge, and then went to our rooms. I have a video tour of the rooms, which I will put up for tomorrow for Day 2. I'll try to keep within 3 parts. Then post all the pics on my facebook. See everyone on Sunday when we get back

Day 1 of Texas - Part 4

OK, OK, I know you're getting pissed about the parts of Day 1 only. Don't worry, I swear it won't be like this everyday...Just day 1 was busy. Anyways, this was the 4 hours flight from New York to Austin, Texas. It sucked since my camera bag wouldn't fit in the overhead bins, so I had it infront of me...No leg room turned into less leg room. My knees where killing by the end of the flight. But the flight was great...we were cruising along...hardly any turbulence. I had Cashews as my inflight snack.

This was part way through the flight...look at the next picture for the reason

Windows frosted up from being so high in the sky. So no good photo opportunities

We were almost there...we did a few "S" turns, which felt so cool

Those are full grown trees down there...I don't know who did it...the pilot didn't say much it said "LUECKE" and I don't know who or what it is

Smooth landing for sure

Part 5 has more!

Day 1 of Texas - Part 3

Finally got to board after the 50 minute delay due to the original plane having some issues...glad we weren't on that thing!

Boarding...FINALLY!

This person wasn't doing much, but she was getting paid...The American Dream

Taking off

The clouds didn't make for a good view, but there were a few open patches...it was awsome

This thing was movin'. Check the speed and altitude...check the map for location

More photos in part 4 of Day 1...sorry, I'm only doing this 5 photos at a time, because it's a pain in the ass..

Keep posted

Day 1 of Texas - Part 2

We made it to JFK airport where we transferred from our plane to another one heading for Austin, Texas. This was something new for me since I had never been on a plane before, so I just figured it would be a good thing to take a few snaps while traveling....Here's part 2 for day 1. Enjoy!

Our gate for Entering our flight, we were a bit early, so we grabbed food

There was a huge line up getting into the Terminal for all flights. We waited for about 40 minutes. They are harsh for security in NY (I wonder why)

Our flight ended up being delayed by about 45 minutes. I killed time by reading the new TWS and shooting random shots, and sitting around like Lucas and Jimmy did.

Robyne ended up walking around, but came right back after about 10 minutes

so bored waiting for the flight

Check part 3 of Day 1....(it was a very busy day!

Keep posted!

Day 1 in Texas - Part 1

This is only part 1 of the first day for our trip to Austin, Texas. There is a lot to cover since it was a busy day, so I am going to do half now, and the other half tomorrow. 

After we were picked up from our houses. The limo was sick.

Some co-workers seeing us leave from our site to the airport

Lucas, and Robyne were winners for the trip

...So was Jimmy

Thanks Keith and Greg for the Trip

Headin over the bridge to go over the boarder

Arriving at the airport

This guy had the shittiest job, you need to see it to beleive it

Getting our tickets, and dropping off our luggage

Grabbing a quick bite before our flight

Stay posted for part 2 of Day 1....(I took a lot of pics)

Gone for the week

Well, as the majority of you know, I am leaving for Austin, Texas tomorrow for a week. I'm super hyped on the trip. I'm bringing most of my gear to shoot some new locations where I've never been (total definition of a tourist) and so hopefully I will be updating my status on here every other day. I'll post some pics and whatnot when I update you on my where-abouts. Right after Texas, I head to Ottawa for a 5 day skate mission. Should be fun. 

Anyways, keep posted....

New Toys...again...

I have finally bought a new camera for myself. The main reason I bought this was for school, just so I could have something of a bit better quality. This camera doesn't do 9 frames a second...I can't afford 4G's right now...but the reason I bought it was for the full-frame. For the people who understand what I am talking about, you know, but for people who are confused, I'll tell you later.

It's a Canon 1Ds, and I didn't pay too much, so that's a blessing.

Unlike my flashes, I won't be selling my old Canon 20D, because I have already sold it.

Steez.....

It is my "professional" opinion that Nate Jolley's fakie half-cab (obviously not landed) is the steeziest picture I have ever taken. I think a lot of people would agree.

If I ever come across funny pictures such like this one or something, I will for sure post them for a good chuckle