Issue 6

As I just posted to our facebook page, I'm very pleased with the content of this issue. I'm pretty happy with my layout. I'm very disappointed in my editing. I missed so many things, and even seemed to create misspellings and problems where there were none. My apologies to anyone I accidentally screwed up. I hope you will enjoy the issue despite the flaws.

Netbook view

Here is the view of Luchaskate Magazine on a netbook. Embrace technology!

Fickle Ad

Memphis Skate Rock

Barrier Kult interview

Check out luchaskate on your netbook, notebook, or tablet here

Luchaskate 6 Presale

Okay, folks. It is get the mag printed time again. This issue has an interview with the legend, David Hackett, SharkBait Brad Hayes, my first word, and Memphis skate photography by Alexander S. It is gonna be great!

So, here is the deal. You buy a print for $3.00 and you get a magazine plus stickers and the first few of you will randomly get an extra 'zine or some random strangeness. Shipping (conus) is $1.00

Subscriptions are still going to happen, but it will probably be around X-Mas time so you can give 'em as gifts or something.

Growing the .com

I've been working on the "static" site luchaskate.com every single day lately. Sometimes no real change is visible on it, but the work is being done. One of the primary goals is to get the "Branded" section up and running. When going to print from all digital, I realized that I had to take some things out of the magazine. The first thing to go was the lengthy essay. One essay could easily take up 8 pages of 'zine sized paper. The second thing that had to go was the "Get Branded" section. It was our product review section, primarily composed of products that I got flowed or I took the plunge and bought.

The Branded link on the blog is the continuation of that Get Branded section from the 'zine. I've posted a couple of older reviews from back issues, and I'm working on new reviews. I want to make luchaskate.com as all inclusive as possible of skateboarding, so you'll see that section continue to grow as the year progresses. I reviews some Spitfire wheels tonight btw.

If you haven't yet, dont forget to go to our home page and read the new issue also!

Issue 5 online

Here it is, folks. Issue 5 is online for your reading pleasure.  If you'd like to buy a download or paper copy (and help us fund stickers, t-shirts etc...) go to the luchaskate.com website.

Luchaskate is always accepting submissions to the magazine and website. Email me at luchamag@yahoo.com to get in touch with me. We are adding product reviews to the ever-growing website. Get in touch with me! So stoked that this is blowing up as big as it is!!!

Please feel free to share the link for this 'zine on your own blogs, facebook pages, and websites. It is super easy to get the embed code or just put the link into facebook. You can read it directly from facebook! Oh, and stop by the luchaskate facebook and click like!

Web Exclusives Password

Here it is folks, the web exclusives password. With this code you'll be able to read Moscow's essay, see Jack Carlson's cell phone footage, and see more of the pictures from skate rock. Next issue, we hope to have more exclusives (or more pages in the magazine).

Neckface stuff

The password is found on the Contents page of each new issue (and this post).
Go to luchaskate.com and hit the exclusives tab at the top of the page.
It will prompt for a password.
Type in "Lucha5" (do not use the quotes).
You are now logged in for this visit. You'll have to log in again next time you want to see them.

New Issue is Available!

I just dropped off mags to Hunter at Midtown Skateshop. Go buy something from Hunter and get a copy of the magazine with your purchase!

Not in Memphis? Hunter out of copies? You can buy copies and downloads from the website. I'm so stoked that people are buying this already! We've sold more copies than I had hoped already! Thanks for your support.

Don't forget the web exclusives on luchaskate.com as well. There is an article from Moscow, more pics from Skate Rock, and Jack Carlson is our Featured Skater for this issue!

Spreading Stoke!!!

Special Thanks:

Hunter at Midtown Skateshop
Lew at Fickle Skateboards

Without those two this magazine would not have gone to print!

new issue is started/jolly roger

First off, I've started the layout on luchaskate issue 5.  It will be available at Midtown Skateshop in Memphis in mid June. It will also be available for purchase from magcloud/luchaskate.com as a download or full glossy print.  AND you'll be able to read it on issuu (which will be embedded on the website).

So...

print (free while supplies last) at Midtown Skateshop.
print (around 5 bucks) available online at magcloud
download (like a dollar) available online at magcloud
read online without downloading (but embeddable) free online from issuu

That is a lot of different options, and I'm stoked to have them all especially Midtown Skateshop! Thanks again, Hunter!

Now, I'm also stoked to get these from Chad today:

So, anybody wanna sew that rad patch on the back of my patch/cammo/cold weather jacket? Come on, I know you want to.

Anyway, I'm stoked to learn more about these guys.

Luchaskate 4

Open publication -  publishing - More europe

Wet outside. Injured again. Read. Write.

Well, this winter officially hates my body. After falling on my butt and bruising my tailbone a month ago, I hung up on the coping yesterday and jacked my knee up. So, I'm almost glad it is rainy today...it takes away the temptation to skate on an injury.

So...I'm gonna chill and read the new Sharkbait 'Zine.

Get that shiz.

If you're similarly injured or held back by the rain you can always kick back with a new book by little 'ol moi.  My new book is now available on Amazon in both paperback and kindle.  Other than one poem called "Skateboarder," it isn't a skate related book, but hey, sometimes you have to venture out a little bit from your comfort zone. Choosing an Afterlife.

The poems I thought were the best over the last five years.

I'm happy to say that there are actually people buying it!  Stoked! So, what am I doing writing poetry, anyway?  Most people that know me don't know that I went to college on a creative writing scholarship.  Later, after my freshman year, I got a performance scholarship in theatre and declared that as my major, but I kept writing.  I quit writing after I became a chef, and other than writing some articles and recipes for Memphis Health and Fitness, I didn't write for years.  Until 2008 that is...well, here is the book that I made from those poems from 2008 until now.

Don't forget the other book project next year!  Write your skate essay! Get on it while the weather is bad!

Sunday Funday

Good people to skate with, a fun Sunday session, and cupcakes.  What more could a guy ask for?  A little belated birthday celebration for me?  I was stoked.  Even got a new shirt (thanks Wrex and Kim!)!  I probably didn't show my gratitude well enough.  I was a little embarrassed with the attention.  Thank you everyone for coming out today and skating with me.

My new Old Man Army t-shirt

Last three cupcakes swimming in a sea of ciggie butts.  You can just see my truck hanger in the bottom right of the screen.

Miranda and Kris

Ed, Kim and Wrex (Mike is hidden)

Jonathan acting a fool.

I'm still addicted to learning kickflips on banks.  Next deck, I'm going with an 8.5 to see if it helps out.  Just about have 'em figured out.  I was never good at flip tricks.  I guess I'm learning to be patient. Ha!  Flat ground, I got 'em.  On a bank?  One out over every 5 right now.

I had to leave a little earlier than I wanted.  Old man wasn't feeling too well, but I had a blast as always.

West Point Grand Opening

This day was a blast despite a few minor setbacks.

1.  It suddenly became fall (for real) this weekend producing a rainy pre-opening Friday with temperatures dropping down into the 40's.  If you were sittin' you were cold.  Get up and skate!

2.  We got pulled over and Kris (I wasn't driving) got a speeding ticket right at Tupelo.

Busted!!!

3.  Somehow I got dog crap on my grip tape.

Dog Crap on my beloved Outlaw El Bandito

 4.  For some reason the people at the bbq joint we all went to after the opening didn't want me to eat which pissed me off (more than) a little bit.  Of course, as soon as I gave up, and walked away they had my food ready.  It was good.  Worth the wait?  If I weren't starving, yeah, it probably would've been.

Set backs aside, what a blast.  Little Rock was well represented, and Matt Clark hooked me up with the new issue of their 'zine, Chaos Ninja, which features a little somethin' somethin' I wrote about the bros over at Fickle (who also sponsored the grand opening, thanks Lew).

Chaos Ninja Skate 'Zine

Some of the highlights of the contest portion was seeing old dog Mike Lasiter grinding 13 pool blocks to win the longest grind contest, all the groms who learn so quickly, Zach Galinas backside tail slide revert in the deep end of the bowl (& his 10 pool block grind), and the trophies that Catfish Chad made with his own two hands.  However, I think my stoke of the day was (and I could kick myself for not getting a pic) was when Zach gave the deck he won for best trick to one of the groms who needed one. Good job, Zach. The stoke spreads.

The smile says it all.  Mike Lasiter. Long grind king.

Special thanks to all the sponsors (I know I'm gonna leave somebody out, my apologies): Silly Girl, Fickle, Assault, Dream at En Joy, Tork Trucks, Iron Horse, ATM Click, Old Man Army, Chaos Ninja and anyone else that my tired brain can't think of...

Also:  Special Thanks to the people at West Point Parks and Rec, Kim Cook for her tireless efforts, Wrex Cook who donated decks from his own collection, Catfish Chad for making the trophies (why don't I have a picture of those!!!!), and everyone who came out to make the day special.

Pat "The Rake" Rakestraw killing some Tedder's Pool Coping