“What did you do last weekend?”

Rode a Segway, went Green for a few hours, skated the plaza and saw a band play their debut and farewell show at the same time including their hit single WEBER LIVES.

Let’s start from the beginning. . . .

Saturday started off early with a demo at the America On Wheels Museum.  If you’re scratching your head wondering what I’m talking about then let me explain unless you’ve already clicked the link and visited their website.  The AOWM is a pretty amazing place in Allentown that documents the history of all things on wheels. . . . and there’s a nice set of stairs out front.

The demo came up after  the idea was thrown around that they should do a display on the history of the skateboard last Summer.  After a few enthusiastic phone calls we talked about the display and then didn’t hear from the museum until this Summer.  We got invited to do a skateboard demo at their 3rd Annual Road Jamboree so I figured why not to do them a favor and get the ball rolling on the skate exhibit again.

Had a pretty small crew and an even smaller space to work with for the “demo” . . . . Oh, and the area we were supposed to skate in was going to be surround by 100 rare vintage cars.  But like skaters always do, we made the best of an “ehhhhh” situation and figured out how to have a good time.  Thanks again to all the heads that came out to skate and Big Bill for helping move ramps.

I’m definitely not a “into” cars. . . anymore.  When I was a freshman in high school all my older friends had Hondas and Acuras that were lowered to the ground with rims and upgraded the exhaust, headers and talked about V-Tech engines.  I didn’t have a car so I thought it was rad.  I rolled around in their lowered cars that went “Rrrrrrrrrooooooooor” thinking I was the coolest.  But that’s besides the point, I got my drivers license and drove around in a Toyota Camry with the paint peeling off.  These were not those kinds of cars anyway.  These cars were classic American muscle . . . like Herby the Love Bug.

There were also old school Mack Trucks on display, vintage fire trucks and Segway demonstrations.  They weren’t letting us test drive any of the cars so screw it- why not ride the Segway.  You always see them and you know you’re curious- don’t front.

Let me be the first say it plainly:  Segways are awesome.  Walking is lame.  If it wasn’t for skating, I’d be rolling on one of those 2 wheeled, $3000 contraptions.  They’re the closest we’ll probably get to a magic carpet.

Not a bad way to spend the morning.  Thanks to Linda, Alison and Liz for having us out.  If you’re ever in Allentown with some time to kill, check out the Wheels On America Museum and yes, we will be setting up a “History of the Skateboard” mini exhibit there soon.

Headed back to Southside Bethlehem and see what was going on with Saturday’s 2nd event, Loopapalooza. Loopapalooza was an event held all over both the north and southside downtown areas with lots of live music, food, drinking, sales and bus going in a loop to take you to all the excitement.

Alison from Eskandalo helped set up the GO Green stop next to her salon and Homebase.  The street was closed of for bands, demonstrations on recycling and vendors who all “Go Green” while making food, creating jewelery and screenprinting too.  I felt the good vibes flowing as soon as I heard the first bongo beat.

I dipped out of the ‘Palooza and headed to the skateplaza to continue shredding.  What can I say, it’s always a good time at the plaza even if you’re weaving in and out of kids on scooters, big wheels and Rip Sticks.  Dustin and Sig didn’t seem to have any problem dodging kiddies.

I’m not sure how into music you are.  If you’ve been listening to the radio, watching MTV, went on iTunes lately or saw that Subway commercial then you’ve probably heard heard Muscle Revolution.  You know that song “Weber Lives.” Yeah, that one.  So sick right.

It just so happens your favorite band’s favorite band, Muscle Revolution is from right here in the 610.  Homebase employee Billy Kurtz and local skaters Cliff, Jarrett and Benji make up Muscle Revolution and they had the debut and farewell show at The Burners on Saturday night.  They also released their demo CD, “Muscle Revolution’s Greatest Hits.”  It was a big deal as you can see from the line around the building.

I don’t really know who these other bands were- I heard some were from Australia.  Yeah, Muscle Revolution is HUGE “down under” that’s why they traveled all this way to play the show with them.  They probably listen to “Weber Lives” while boxes kanagroos and climbing trees in the outback to find koalas or whatever it is they do in the backwards swirling toilet world of theirs.

Bad American did a solid job of killing it.  We all kind of lost our minds when they played.  I got a wedgie at some point, Zosky got knocked out by a 20 gallon trashcan and some Aussie took a size 12 Vans to the face.  It was all in good fun.  You might want to check Max’s Blog for photos eventually.

After getting some air we headed to Sotto’s for a going away party for D-Block.  Derek’s been down with Homebase since the very beginning.  Him, Kyle Keeler, Juan, Jimmy Caldwell and a few others were our first crew of lurkers.  They’d hang out all day outside the old shop on those orange chairs and play endless games of S.K.A.T.E. in the alley.  Derek eventually started working at the shop and the rest is history.  These kids . . . they grow up so fast.

What better way to say goodbye to your homie than a karaoke performance of the “Humpty Dance” from Phil Ballins and an impromptu freestlye when he got tired of spitting Humpty’s rhymes.  EPIC.

You’re only on the other side of the state but we’re going to miss having you around D.  Thanks for always holding Homebase down and being a loyal friend.  Best of luck in Pittsburgh.