It’s been a while sense I’ve posted something on here. So here’s some random photos I’ve taken. Some from my time in Kansas and others from my time back in Atlanta.

Stephen “Venner” Criger Interview

Frontboard in an abandon car dealership

Name: Stephen Criger
Age: 18
Sponsors: BC skateshop
Nickname: Venner

Grinder pop out

Everyone calls you Venner, how did that name come about? 

When I was like 12 or 13 I met Chris Thiessen, and he decided I didn’t look like a Stephen, so he took the endings of my name (assuming my name was spelling with a v) steVEN crigER, Venner, I don’t know, it obviously stuck haha.

People also call you “Man Child” right? Why is that? 

I guess i’ve been big for my age haha

Whenever I hang out with you the strange occurrence always happen. You let out this loud animal like yell called “Yettie”.  Tell me about this Yettie yell that lingers inside of you?

It’s wild. it bums people out too haha 

Let’s hear about one of the gnarlest yetties you’ve ever done.

Long story short, we were in Chicago, it was 4 AM, I had just got done pissing all over this chick’s bathroom. Then I let the yettie rip hahah I got kicked out shortly after that.

Nollie backside 5-0

What how is filming for Chris Thessian’s new video Meanwhile going?

It’s been so fun man! We’ve gone on trips to Chicago, California, and New York. We’ve been skating more than ever while we’re home. I’m really psyched on how everything’s going.

Venner wallrides while Chris films 

Is it any different than filming for Chris’s last video Scarlet Fever?

Big time! That was Chris’s first video he’s ever done. Meanwhile looks more professionally done i guess. it’s hard to explain, i guess you’ll just have to see for yourself.

Straight up wallie over this thing

Are you pushing your self harder for this video?

Yeah for sure. Especially lately and it’s taking a toll on me. I’ve been hurt on and off for the past 4 months and taken some pretty harsh slams. I’m actually typing this mostly left handed right now because yesterday I got completely broke off and fucked my wrist up super bad haha.

Close shave 5-0

You’ve done a lot for someone so young, tell me about the cross country trip you went on last summer with your friend. Let’s hear some sketchy things you did.

Yeah that trip was so fun! It was just me and friend Davis and we just camped out or slept in the car the whole time. While we were in portland my friend Scott took us up to this river in the mountains and we were jumping off cliffs all day. I ended up landing on a rock from about 30 feet up and destroyed my heel. But the sketchiest thing we did for sure was picking up this hitchhiker in Wyoming. His name was Paulie and he was out of it. He rode with us for almost 3 hours, just telling the most insane stories about doing meth with the sheriffs out there, he told us how he wanted to kill his old boss because he threw away his favorite tape measure, and told us about his friend in California that we should to meet up with to buy drugs from. He said the guy was homeless and he doesn’t speak, but he’d listen to us and get us what we need hahaha. He said he had Youtube videos up and we found them. It’s just him talking about ridiculous shit. Search “crazypaulie” hahaha!

Nollie full cab over some plants

What is your favorite things about Atlanta?

My friends that live here! It doesn’t get too cold in the winter too, that’s a plus.

Do you think you’ll ever move out of Georgia?

Probably. I’m planning on moving to New York next summer, but i think I’ll end up coming back here. Atlanta’s sick.

Polejam on a straight pole down the little drop

What’s your favorite thing about skateboarding in Atlanta?

Most of the dudes that skate here are rad, and plus there’s a ton of spots. There are always new spots to be found, it just takes some lurking. 

What is another state that you really like skateboarding wise?

New York is really sick, and I like Kansas because Ryan Lovell lives there. That dude fuckin rips!!!

Any last words?

YEEEAAAA!

Ollie out to wallride

Venner’s Scarlet Fever video part. Videography: Chris Thiessen

[flashvideo filename=http://bonsfoe.onstreammedia.com/origin/bonnier_twskate/videos/2008/vennerscarletfeverpart.flv /]

Rhett Freeman Interview

Backlip across and into the bank

Name:
Rhett Freeman
Age:
Prehistoric
Sponsors:
Ambush, Destructo

What’s your favorite things about atlanta?
I love the endless unexplored sprawl of atlanta. You can pretty much just pick any old little town off the map drive there.. and find something really unique and often frustrating to skate. I also like how you can be in the city and five minutes down the road be in the woods in what seems to be the middle of nowhere. 

How is filming going for Chris Thiessen’s new video Meanwhile?
Dude its been a blast. The group of guys that are a part of it are amazing.. super positive and very versatile and just truly legit dudes. We have been taking fun trips and exploring all over Georgia finding awesome new stuff to skate. It doesn’t hurt that Chris is the most motivated dude that films and who is down to go just about anywhere you want to go, including the hood. His filming is amazing and im glad he puts up with my relentless pathetic attempts at spots. But really overall its going really good.. i think people are going to be really stoked on how it turns out.

Fakie frontside flip into the bank

Tell me about these nasty text messages I hear about that you send out?
It started with me and Venner really. I had this harsh job where i was up at like six am sitting in traffic on my way to work…bored out of my mind. So i would sit there and think of the most vile things I could think of to send to him. I mean honestly there is nothing better than picturing someone trying to respond to the things I send them. And often even better is their responses back… However they could never compare to what my mind thought up. If i recall you received several of my little beauties. 

What do the words “say buster” mean?
“SAY BUSTA”, ‘HEY HUSSLA” “AY MAN”, “YO PLAYA” just to name a few, is some form of communication that takes place in the Atlanta area. I mean alot of times when I hear some of the things being yelled in the city.. I do not think its coming from humans.. but to my surprise when I look.. I see people. Im no scientist, but i think that its some kind of language amongst the bums of the city. But when you hear it you can be rest assured that the next thing out of the things mouth will be… “Let me get a dolla man”. We came up with a plan by just beating them to the “say hussla”, This seems to be working as a repellant for beggars. 

Backside 180 over bush and into parking lot

What do you think about the manchild aka Venner?
I think he is a big baby. No, but what do i really think? If he could just put the weed down for a minute.. I would say he has some potential. No but really, that kid is gnarly! I have never seen someone take the beatings that kid has and keep on going. I mean he may shed a tear or two in the process but homeboy gets it done.

Who is my favorite person to skate with in Atlanta?
Chris Theissen, He is so positive that its gross.. but i like it.

Wallie off the ATM and over the sidewalk

You lived in California for awhile, how was that?

Living in california was great.. I moved around alot, San Diego, Thousand oaks, Huntington beach so i got a good taste of all parts of southern california. I cant decide if the cost of living got the best of me or it was good old home sickness. But I am way glad to be back in the south.

Frontside wallride

Future plans?
Work, Skate, Travel, Hangout, continue to send filthy texts.

Last words?
SAY HUTLA!!!!

Ollie out to manual 

Video by: Chris Thiessen

[flashvideo filename=http://bonsfoe.onstreammedia.com/origin/bonnier_twskate/videos/2008/rhettttedit1.flv /]

I spent that last week in Atlanta moving out of my apartment. Kinda blew it on blog photos but here’s what my week was like.

Right when I got off the plane Garrett was ready to party.

Good ol APT

Garrett and I kickin it. Garrett’s yelling through some paper.

Travis getting gnarly while Chris chills and films.

Chris doesn’t care about the story drop below him. He’s just all smiles!

Can Man in the city.

Chris’s sick sticker on his car. 

Ryan perpin the spot.

Travis about to get his handrail on.

Chris, Venner, and Can Man. Venner’s probably complaining about something. 

Chris probably just made fun of Venner.

Can Man was driving around with his dirty laundry in his back seat. 

Chris and Can Man.

Chris.

Chris checkin the footage on the VX1000 massive LCD screen.

On the strugs.

Ryan got so close to this backside 360. Did this same thing about 5 times.

Venner perpin some spot. I guess he got wrecked a few days later trying it.

Can Man at the spot.

Travis Glover and Ryan Fitch beat from a hard day of skating. 

Destroyed. 

That’s it for my week in Atlanta. Probably weird going from point and shot to SLR shots but whatever. 

I don’t know if this is normal for other people but the park I went to tonight was nuts. Here’s the line up…

Skatepark next to 4 basketball and volley ball courts.
The skatepark was filled with lingering football carrying jocks.
Sluttly dressed 13 year old girls and very outspoken sexualy frustrated boys smoking cigerets and making passes at eachother.
Grandparents hanging out by the bowls watching their grandkid slowly bike a foot up the tranny.
Waist high drug dealing 12 year olds.
Lastly a man standing in the middle of the park reading the bible aloud.

And to top it all off my buddy Garrett ate a lot of shit on this rail and couldn’t breath for a few minutes.

So check out these photos of this epic park. Ah I love Georgia!

I’m heading back to Atlanta to move out of my apartment. I’m about to become an official California resident. I’ll keep posting during my stay in HOTlanta.