Vintage Postcard of Washington’s Headquarters – Newburgh, New York

This postcard features Washington’s Headquarters, which is located in Newburgh, New York. The location became an Orange County tourist destination in 1850 and is still welcoming visitors to this day.

Historians widely agree that our nation’s former first President utilized the property from 1782 until 1783. The postcard was part of the late H.A. Decker’s personal effects.

Landis Tool Company Photo - Circa 1900s

This photo was taken outside of the Landis Tool Company sometime in the 1900s.

Based in Waynesboro at the time, the company was well known for their contribution to America’s war efforts. Consequently, in 1942 they were given the Army-Navy E flag.

One of the men in the photo is H.A. Decker. He is standing in the front row, fourth solider from the left. When he passed away in 1991, this photo was in his collection.

April is National Poetry Month

It’s National Poetry Month. So, I’ve decided to dust off the books and pull out some of the poems that I’ve had published over the years. Here are two that appeared in the book, Gift of Words:

“Fences”

Loneliness
Is a Rod
Iron
Fence looming
In shadowy
Silence…Ominous
Against
The boundary lines
Of human souls……


“Rackets”

Homo Sapiens like used
Gum cling
To leather soles…
And love
A cheap, plastic,
Disposable razor,
Lies with human hearts…..
Shatters and strewn
Like egg shells
Rotting in garbage….
Parents, once coffee filters,
Kept bitter grinds
From tender lips…
Once
Now children
Like racquet balls
Smash against
Walls….no parents,
Just rackets……

Author’s Note: Gift of Words was published in 1990 by Suwannee Poetry.

Reprint of Interview with Mike Manzoori (Film Maker & Pro Skater)

This is a reprint of an interview that I did with Mike Manzoori. It originally appeared on Yahoo! Sports but all publishing rights now belong to me.

Over the years skate film maker and former pro skateboarder Mike Manzoori has been adept at capturing the essence of both skateboarding and the skaters themselves. Manzoori has been the force behind several skate films including his most recent one entitled “Aimless.” I was able to catch up with him this week to discuss skate film making, his career and the advice he’d give to aspiring skate film makers. Here’s what Manzoori had to say:

Gonzalez: Over the years how many skate films have you made?

Manzoori: I think nine or 10 full length and countless shorts for the web and other commercials/promos.

Gonzalez: Where was “Aimless” filmed and what is the name of the song/artist used in the soundtrack?

Manzoori: It was filmed in, and around, downtown Los Angeles for two main reasons. The first reason was for the efficiency of production, reducing any unnecessary driving time and carbon footprint. The second reason was because it’s where I live so I know the locations well and like to live vicariously through younger skaters whose skills are so far beyond mine. I was having a hard time licensing the music I originally wanted, so I scored the music for the film.

Gonzalez: Wow, I didn’t realize that. I liked the music a lot, it really added to the film. How long did it take you to create the film from inception to finished product?

Manzoori: It was created specifically for an art show in Paris at the La Gaite Art Museum. I had a few months leading into it to lay the foundations of the plan. The gallery has a lot of high tech options for displaying digital arts and I chose to work with their super panoramic projection system. Once I locked down the plan it was one week of shooting and three weeks for editing.

Gonzalez: What is your favorite film, skate or otherwise, and why?

Manzoori: I like it when people take some risks and try new things. Often it can take a long time for people to realize the genius. A perfect example of this is “2001 Space Odyssey.” I don’t think the audience really knew what hit them the first time. If you haven’t ruffled a few feathers then you probably haven’t tried to push yourself or your work, right?

Gonzalez: Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with that statement. When it comes to filmmaking equipment, what cameras and lens do you prefer?

Manzoori: I am guilty of being a bit of a nerd when it comes to trying new cameras, but really it’s whatever is appropriate for the situation. It could be Super 8 or Point and Shoot or a Red Camera – it all depends on the vibe you want to achieve.

Gonzalez: When you are heading out for a day of filming what are five essential items you always take with you?

Manzoori: A camera, batteries, film/memory cards, a skateboard and a tripod.

Gonzalez: What camera equipment would you recommend to an aspiring skate filmmaker?

Manzoori: These days the technology is progressing so fast. I guess whatever fits your budget really. Better equipment is nice, but not essential. If the content is compelling enough you could make an amazing film with a cell phone these days.

Gonzalez: What words of advice would you offer aspiring film makers in regards to capturing the perfect skateboarding action shot?

Manzoori: There’s no one right way but there’s a lot of wrong ways to capture skateboarding. Traditionally you have just a few seconds of screen time in which to present the action. Obviously it helps to be a skateboarder to have a true understanding of what the emphasis should be. So I suppose a creative composition that can tell that story and enhance the action is the goal.

Gonzalez: How has independent film making changed since you first immersed yourself in it?

Manzoori: The main difference these days is the affordability of equipment. You can produce some pretty high end results for relatively cheap; which of course means more people are producing junk than ever before, but more importantly the next Scorsese will hopefully be able to realize his or her potential.

Gonzalez: Do you think that today’s skate films add to the general public’s misconception about the nature of skaters and skateboarding or detract from it?

Manzoori: I think that the general public has a growing understanding of skateboarding and its culture. Skate films are a little more accessible to people who don’t skate then they used to be, skate videos, games and television contests are everywhere. The increased awareness of skateboarding is for the most part a good thing. However, when its presentation is via people who have no care or clue about skateboarding then the image too often gets warped, distorted and can be negative in the eyes of core skaters.

Gonzalez: In the course of your lifetime you have undoubtedly worked with many different skaters. Is there a particular skater that you have not worked with yet but would like too? If so, who is it and why that person?

Manzoori: John Cardiel is one of the most incredible skaters and an inspiration to everyone who has half a clue who he is. I did interview him once and just that was an honor and very memorable.

Gonzalez: What emerging trends are you seeing in independent film making?

Manzoori: Probably the most visible is the recent introduction of DSLR Cameras into the filmmaking world, mainly because they tend to have a distinctive look to them.

Gonzalez: Thus far, what has been the most memorable moment of your film making career?

Manzoori: I feel so incredibly lucky to have witnessed most of the world’s best skateboarders and some of the world’s best BMX riders during some of their finest moments. It accumulates into one big blurred memory. I couldn’t pin point one moment or situation.

Gonzalez: Please tell us the story of how you first became involved with etnies.

Manzoori: I was a pro skater when I was younger and used to be on the etnies team. That was back in 1993 and by about 1999 I was spending more time behind the camera then in front of it and have been a part of the etnies family ever since.

Gonzalez: Do you still skateboard? If so, how often and what are some of your favorite skate spots?

Manzoori: I try to skate as often as possible. My ramp at home is really fun and Stockwell Skatepark in London will always have a place in my heart.

Gonzalez: Do you share etnies’ passion for the environment and sustainable living?

Manzoori: Of course, doesn’t everyone these days? It’s overdue that we all have to do our part; this situation is pretty much out of control. People got to chill on their frivolous use of precious resources. Mother Nature will prevail regardless of whether people want to start living in harmony with her, so we might need to really rethink a few things.

Gonzalez: Are there any other social causes that you are passionate about? If so what are they and how are you involved with those causes?

Manzoori: There are so many issues that need attention. My wife, Sharon, and I have a real soft spot for helping animals. So rescuing, fostering and generally supporting animal causes are something that is going on constantly at my house. People like to separate themselves from animals as though we are somehow better or more important.

Gonzalez: Let’s change directions a bit. If you could cook and have dinner with five famous people, living or dead, who would you choose, what meal would you make and why?

Manzoori: Lenny Bruce, Stanley Kubrick, Noam Chomsky, Larry David and Lou Reed. Nothing fancy, just veggie bangers and mash.

Gonzalez: If could only be remembered for one thing in this life, what would you want that thing to be?

Manzoori: Wow, Heavy. I don’t know really. No big ambitions, just trying to have a good time without bothering anyone else.

U.S. Monitor Amphitrite Postcard Circa 1895 to 1925

This postcard of the U.S. Monitor Amphitrite was once the property of the late H.A. Decker.

The ship was part of a series of vessels which were in commission from 1891 to 1919. This particular one was commissioned in the spring of 1895 at the bequest of former U.S. President, Ulysses S. Grant. It was built by Harlan and Hollingsworth, which was based in the State of Delaware.

Oddly enough, the ship spent time before both the Spanish-American War and World War I sailing through the waters off of the coast of Brunswick, Georgia. In addition, it was used after WW I as a boutique hotel, novelty restaurant and government housing. It went through a series of decommissions and recommissions until 1952. At that time, it was put out of service permanently.

S.S. Olympic Postcard Circa 1900s

As you can tell by looking closely, this postcard features the White Star Line’s ship, the S.S Olympic. The postcard once belonged to the late H.A. Decker, whose family has ties to Ireland. Perhaps not surprisingly, the Olympic-class vessel was built in Belfast by Harland and Wolff for the White Star Line. It was completed in the early summer of 1911 and set sail that June. It proudly remained in service until 1935.

Reprint of Ryan Sheckler Interview

Reprint of My Yahoo! Sports Interview with Pro Skateboarder Ryan Sheckler

22 year old pro skateboarder Ryan “Shecks” Sheckler truly needs no introduction to skate fans or to many other Americans for that matter. That’s because in addition to skateboarding he has graced the television screen with his MTV show The Life of Ryan, the big screen as the character Mick Donnelly in the 2010 film Tooth Fairy, raised countless funds for charity and has been the subject of many teenage girls’ pining. This year has kept him extremely busy skateboarding, competing in the Street League Series, raising funds for Autism, filming as well as releasing a new sneaker with etnies. It was hard to catch up with him, but I was finally able to do so this week. Here’s what Shecks had to say about his life, his new sneakers and what he’s got planned in the near future.

Gonzalez: What was it like growing in San Clemente?

Sheckler: Growing up in San Clemente was chill. There were so many kids on my street that skated and a school and cool skate spots close by. We spent most of our time skating from spot to spot and filming each other.

Gonzalez: Between being a pro skateboarder, having your own show on MTV, being on stage with the likes of Lil’ Wayne and acting in major motion pictures you have had quite an interesting career path. Is there another sport or job that you would be interested in adding to your resume?

Sheckler: My life path has been a blessing and a great learning experience. Skateboarding is my passion and I don’t see that changing. When I’m not skating, I love to surf. I’m open to the new experiences and opportunities.

Gonzalez: You have been skateboarding since you were, as they say, “knee high to a grasshopper.” With that said, how has the sport changed since then for you personally and as a whole? Do you think that those changes have added or subtracted from the sport?

Sheckler: For me, skateboarding is a lifestyle. I really don’t know anything different. My life revolves around skating. If I wasn’t a professional skateboarder, I’d still be skating every day. Skateboarding seems a bit more mainstream and accepted than when I was growing up in San Clemente. I think this is partially due to the popularity of the X Games, Dew Tour and Street League.

Gonzalez: What are your thoughts on adding skateboarding to the Olympic line up?

Sheckler: I can see vert skating and the Mega ramp, for sure. Just like winter Olympics has snowboarding half pipe.

Gonzalez: How long have you been with etnies?

Sheckler: I’ve been part of the etnies team since I was a little kid, just eight years old. I turned pro at 13. Then etnies gave me my own shoe at 15. At the time I was the youngest pro to design and receive a signature shoe, which was really awesome.

Gonzalez: I know that you just released a new shoe with them. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about the shoe?

Sheckler: My new etnies shoe is the Sheckler 5. This is my fifth pro model shoe with etnies and its another one I’m proud of because not only were we able to design it to look cool and fit my personal style, but it features this new technology to come out of the STI (Sole Technology Institute) Lab called STI Fusion. Basically STI Fusion makes the shoes lighter and more durable, which are really important things to have in a skate shoe.

Gonzalez: Specifically, what inspired you to come up with the design and how much control do you typically have over the design process?

Sheckler: Basically I was looking for a comfortable shoe that looked good and had the technology in them that makes them better to skate in than your non-technical shoe. When I heard about the STI Fusion technology that Sole Technology was working on that no other shoe company had ever done before, I wanted my shoe to have it. I worked with the etnies designers in featuring STI Fusion, designing what the shoe looked like, including the mid-top and side panel design, and incorporating the colors I like in a shoe. The etnies design team is great because they keep me involved throughout the entire design process from sketches to the final product and I get to give my input and choose what I want.

Gonzalez: Do you have any other products or videos releasing soon? If so, what is being released and when?

Sheckler: Late this year, my sixth pro model shoe is being released. The etnies Sheckler 6 takes everything I love about the Sheckler 5 but puts it in a low top rather than a mid top and still has the STI Fusion technology in it. I’m excited for everyone to check it out!

Gonzalez: This year you have given skate fans some amazing performances at both the Street League stops and the X Games 17. Surely being able to unleash such tricks requires hard work and practice. I have to ask, how often do you practice?

Sheckler: I skate all the time. Some weeks I get to skate every day, some weeks I’m traveling so I skate less, but I always have my board with me. You never know when you’ll come across a killer spot.

Gonzalez: What has been the most challenging task you have ever undertaken, either personally or professionally, and how did you approach it?

Sheckler: It was challenging when I injured my foot two years ago and was off my board for almost eight months. I did rehab, every day and was so glad when the doctor finally took the pins out and cleared me to skate, again.

Gonzalez: What accomplishment, personal or professional, are you most proud of and why?

Sheckler: I’m really proud of our foundation and the money we’ve been able to raise and donate in the past 4 years.

Gonzalez: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the sport?

Sheckler: Whatever sport you choose, do it because you love it, and don’t expect to be an expert first thing. It takes time to do well at anything, but if you love it, you’ll stick with it.

Gonzalez: What competitions are you planning on participating in this fall?

Sheckler: I don’t have any plans to compete until next Spring, I’m focusing on my Plan B video part right now.

Gonzalez: What’s next for you personally? Where do you see yourself in the next five to 10 years?

Sheckler: Right now I’m just focused on skating.

Gonzalez: Let’s talk a bit about the Sheckler Foundation, specifically the Passion Project. What is it and how may skate fans become involved with the project?

Sheckler: We started the foundation four years ago so that we could focus our efforts on giving back. Our passion project, “Be the Change”, developed out of this. We saw how passionate our followers were and wanted to be able to give them a voice in creating real sustainable change in their communities. Our plan is to educate, equip and empower through our website and social network. We will preview our plan next month and officially launch it January 2012. More information is available on the foundation’s website.

Gonzalez: What other social causes are you passionate about and why?

Sheckler: I love working with autistic children. The little girl across the street had autism, when I was growing up. I would watch her struggle with things that we just take for granted and it was always so awesome to see her accomplish a task or learn something new. To this day, I always smile when I think of Juliette!

Gonzalez: What person do you most admire, living or dead?

Sheckler: Jesus Christ.

Gonzalez: If you could only be remembered for one thing what would it be and why?

Sheckler: That I was light hearted and gave everyone a chance.

Throw Back Thursday - Photo of Eiffel Tower Circa 1900s.

In honor of Throwback Thursday, here is a photo of the Eiffel Tower. The photo once belonged to the late Howard A. Decker. He enlisted on December 9, 1942 and served in WWII as a Private (Branch Immaterial Warrant Office). The photo was taken during his time in the service.

To learn more about the Eiffel Tower, check out this History Channel video.

Reprint of Pierre-Andre Senizergues Interview

The following is a reprint of my interview with Pierre-Andre Senizergues, Founder and CEO of Sole Technology (etnies). The interview originally appeared on Yahoo! Sports several years ago. When the Yahoo! CN shut down, all publishing rights reverted back to me.

My Interview with Pierre-Andre Senizergues

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate” - Carl Jung


Some people live unconscious lives. Like jetsam on the ocean of society, they go with the flow harboring only what is popular at the moment without regard for self authenticity. Founder and CEO of Sole Technology, etnies parent company, Pierre-Andre Senizergues is not one of those people. He lives an authentic life as one of those rare people that make their own wake; determined to leave the world better than he found it. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing him on his company’s 25th anniversary, his motivations and his plans for the future. Here is what I learned:


Gonzalez: For the new action sports fans please explain the history of the etnies brands as it relates to skateboarding and action sports in general?


Senizergues: Established in 1986, etnies is the first skateboarder-owned and operated global action sports footwear and apparel company. In the early days in France, the skate community was very small and we were like a tribe that skated together. The name etnies comes from the word “ethnic” which was inspired by skateboarding as a tribe.

From the beginning, etnies approached things from a skate perspective as we were the only footwear company that came from skateboarders for skateboarders. We created the first pro model skate shoe, and we’ve pioneered technological advances that have changed the face of skateboard footwear forever.

In the early half of the millennium, we took that commitment for technological innovation a step further by creating the Sole Technology Institute, which is the first and only biomechanics lab dedicated to studying the impacts of skateboarding on the body.

Today, we remain a leading action sports company committed to creating products that provide the most style, comfort and protection possible. etnies stays true to who we are by sponsoring world class skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, moto x, BMX and auto teams and we continue to remain dedicated by giving back to each of these communities.


Gonzalez: The Skate Study House, Sole Technology Institute, a carbon neutral sneaker collection and now the PAS House. Clearly you are a man who is as passionate about environmental sustainability issues as much as you are about skateboarding. Please share with me how these two passions started and merged into one.


Senizergues: To do what we love to do, we need clean air to skate, clean water to surf and we need snow to snowboard. It’s natural that the passion that I have for action sports would drive my passion to protect our planet – as it is our only playground.

The first half of etnies existence, I was busy skating and building a company. Over 10 years ago, I had a few very impactful moments where I realized that with the success of etnies, I was also simultaneously creating a very large footprint on the environment. I knew I needed to make a change.

There’s no magic formula as to how you arrive to where we’re at today with having a goal to become carbon neutral as a company by 2020, you just have to put one foot in front of the other and keep true to a vision.


Gonzalez: I also understand that you are passionate about humanitarian issues such as combating homelessness. Are you currently working on any humanitarian related projects and if so would you share with us what they are?


Senizergues: We’ve been working with the Los Angeles Mission for over 13 years giving out more than 30,000 shoes to the homeless. We also are involved in disaster relief as things like the Japan Earthquake, Hurricane Katrina and other disasters impact people. However, our biggest social cause right now is our efforts to help reforest the world.

For us, there’s no better way to celebrate the future than by planting a rainforest in Costa Rica through etnies’ new Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree project. For every pair of Jameson 2 Eco shoes sold, etnies will plant one tree in what will become the new rainforest. We’re on track to plant 35,000 trees on the Maleku reserve in northern Costa Rica this year.

The Maleku are an indigenous tribe with a way of life that revolves around the forest, and they are rightfully known as the guardians of the forest. For more than 150 years, the Maleku have had to fight for their trees that were depleted due to cattle farming and a horrible rubber-tree war, which led to a massacre, and nearly wiped out their tribe.

The United Nations has sanctioned their land as a biological corridor to be restored and the international organization has officially marked 2011 as the “Year of the Forest” globally. The Maleku just need help obtaining the trees to reach their goal of reforesting the lands they live off of. That’s where the etnies Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree project comes in. It’s been an exciting project and one that we plan to keep going on for years to come.


Gonzalez: What will become of the PAS House once the anniversary celebrations are over and do you have any plans for building such an incredible, skateable home in any other countries?


Senizergues: We’re still in the process of deciding what the next steps will be. There’s been quite a bit of interest for it to travel around and so we’ll see what the future brings. We’re just excited at the response that it is creating.


Gonzalez: How long and difficult a process was it to create the PAS House from conceptualization to realization?


Senizergues: I started on this concept about 10 years ago as I wanted to build an entirely skateable house in a canyon that I have in Malibu. I worked with a few friends on the project, including the current designer, Gil Le Bon Delapointe. We kept running into issues with the Coastal Commission before we could even break ground and if you can believe it, we’re still trying to get permits and approval.

Finally, when we heard about the La Gaite opportunity, I decided that it was time to bring a smaller version of the bigger concept to life to help inspire people on how skateboarding can influence the future of how we live. The results have been so great and it’s been such a fulfilling project!!


Gonzalez: Looking back at the past 25 years how would you say the action sports industry has changed as a whole and what role do you envision for your company and its subsidiaries within it for the next 25?


Senizergues: The most significant change is that it is so much bigger! More and more people are able to enjoy skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, BMX and moto x and with that comes more opportunity. The downside to the growth is that large companies who don’t live and breathe what we do have come in from the outside and are taking over big chunks of the market.

When no authenticity exists, compromises are made by these players and sometimes in the wrong areas. When I look to how I envision what the NEXT 25 years holds for etnies and the other brands under Sole Technology, I know that our number one goal is to remain true to our roots. We will continue to operate first as skateboarders and with that our decisions will be guided by our passion.

Passion is what fuels great innovation. The future truly is about how technology and the environment will impact our world. I’m confident that we’ll remain a major part of how this takes shape for the future of action sports.


Gonzalez: Would you be willing to give skateboarding fans a hint of what products they can look forward to your company releasing this summer?


Senizergues: Since we’re focusing the entire year on our celebration of the NEXT 25, we’ve continuing our efforts on two initiatives that represent the future through innovation with technology and the environment. One of the most popular projects this year that I mentioned earlier has been our Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree project, which is still happening.

For every pair of etnies Jameson 2 Eco shoes purchased, one tree will be planted. The second initiative addresses a combination of both technology and environment. For more than 100 years, vulcanized shoe construction has remained the same … until now.

Through our Sole Technology Institute (STI), we set out to break the vulcanized mold and created STI Fusion, a new cold-fusion technology that ultimately produces a better skate shoe: more durable, lighter weight, more comfortable and flexible, better performance and much better for the environment to make. etnies debuted STI Fusion technology in Ryan Sheckler’s fifth pro model shoe, the Sheckler 5, released June 2011 and available all throughout the summer and fall.


Gonzalez: What person do you most admire (living or dead) and why?


Senizergues: My mom. She’s turning 20 X 4 this year!! For being 80 years old, she sure has quite a bit of energy. She and my Dad always taught me how to work hard, follow my dreams, value relationships and be passionate for what I stand for – I owe everything that I’ve accomplished to her. My family is a source of support and inspiration. I’m one lucky guy!


Gonzalez: If you could only be remembered for one thing what would it be and why?


Senizergues: I would love to be remembered for being a catalyst for bringing people together to make a difference. etnies is about coming together as a tribe of skateboarders to make a difference in skateboarding. With the environment and the projects that I’ve been involved in, it’s been about inspiring people to come together and do something to lighten their footprint on the planet. Both areas are important to me and if am remembered for helping bring more people into these big tribes, then that would mean I’ve accomplished something important.

LinkedIn

Hi All, Now that Yahoo! CN has shut down, the links to many of my work samples are dead. To see what I have been up to lately, please follow up with me on LinkedIn instead. Thanks!