MAIL DROP.

Condemn as wrong all ding dongs, king kongs and songs of thong at: Mail Drop c/o THRASHER PO Box 884570 San Francisco, CA 94188-4570

SKATE MORE STUDY LESS

Thank you Thrasher heads. My Matt Field issue (October 2001) came in the mail a couple days ago and has bumped my GPA up in US History. But first, it is seriously one of the sickest mags. Look at Field's veins! Anyway. Splendid throughout. In class we had to write a biography on an American President of our choosing. Perfect timing. I did LBJ, and wrote about all the facts mentioned in the photo article. And then I got the best grade in the class (don't worry I cited Thrasher as a reference). Fuck the internet, fuck encyclopedias. Thrasher is the only resource I need.

Joseph McNary

Linden, AL

LBJ means "Lovin" Blow Jobs." T-ed

LIP SERVICE 

Just wanted to say that your mag rules. I just ran out of my subscription and it sucks, but am renewing soon. Ha, ha--I wanted to say that I hope that Thrasher doesn't turn into Transworld Skateboarding. I don't know if you've picked up a copy of it lately but it's like a fucking book! Go to your local supermarket and find that and Vogue--there is not much difference. Ads, ads, ads--Nike, Milk, Pepsi and the list goes on and on. I just pray to God that I will not open a Thrasher one day and there is a make-up ad right next to a Vans ad. That would really suck; hope you take my advice and not sell out too much (selling out is cool to a point).

PS: You should make a Graff Art section and put up pics of artwork done by readers. You could sell out a little more for the expenses. I enclosed some flicks to help you start. Thanks.

Shaun McCallum

Boulder, CO

Vans ads don't have hot models. T-ed

STRAIGHT JACKET FITS

When writing "Mutation Conspiracy" (September '01), I bet you wanted people to react. That's what I want to do! First, you must know that I do think a lot like you when you speak of pipes, pyramids, frontside airs, cash, and the internet. I don't want to go into long explanations, but as a matter of fact, I don't have a credit card, cell phone, PC; not even a TV set. I subscribed to Thrasher because it was the only magazine that I found worth it; good pictures, good reading. On the other hand, you guys are sometimes wrong. I don't know about the moon landing but I think people have really landed there. As for the Mutation Conspiracy, it made me remember a cousin of mine who got hooked in the '70s by the "Raellians," a hard sect whose founding belief was that Jesus was the son of the Virgin Mary and an alien. He did go build landing sites for "flying holy saucers" with his own money (and his parents' money too). Now he is an unable adult, with clinical state schizophrenia.

Fred Salvan

Nice, France

lam the only god. T-ed

SHORT SIDE

I've been skating for a solid two years and I have a story to share with the readers of this mag. Two years ago, I picked up my first board; a Blind with beautiful sticky grip. I had just watched my first video, Fulfill The Dream, and I was ready for anything. I pushed and felt the tight trucks we all have rocked at one time. Put my right foot on the tail, left in the middle like I'd seen the real skaters do. Crouched...came up and tried to get all four wheels up off the ground. It was hard to tell, so I told one of my buds to lay on the cement to check the height.

Skateboarding is supposed to be a pleasant experience and I see many kids busting themselves to the max. If they don't land a trick, they'll throw their board and punch walls. These kids need to learn to respect the almighty skate device. Even if you're the angriest you've ever been and have been trying the same trick for hours, remember how your first board felt and how disappointed you were when you messed up the graphic. Just have love for the board and it will give you love in return. Skating is a gift.

Kyle T.

Ravine, WI

Not a gift, a curse. T-ed

AIR FORCE

Is it just me or are skate shoes getting uglier and uglier? They are looking like hi-tech basketball shoes compared to simple skate shoes. Shoe like the D3 2001 and the Stevie Williams shoe are downright ugly (no offense to Stevie or Dave). I say the simpler the shoe, the better. For example, the MJ's are the cleanest, non-hi-tech shoe around, besides the Accel. I don't want to be the little shit who is complaining all the time so I will stop there. I just wanted to make a point. Wear what shoes you want, but don't look ugly.

Ross McIntire

Menlo Park, CA

PRINT THIS

First off, I love your mag; it's great! I grew up reading it and have loved every issue I get my hands on. I'm writing to see if I can get some inside information. I'm about two years from graduating with a double degree in International Business and Spanish. When I graduate, I want to find the "perfect" job. I envy all the pros who get to do what they love to do, everyday. I think that's the dream of everybody--to work at a place you love, not somewhere that's just a place to kill eight hours of your day and then live from paycheck to paycheck.

Since I love skateboarding and have done it my whole life, I want to remain active in it and keep it alive, especially in underdeveloped countries. What I want to know is if there are any American skate companies that are currently active in international business down south, with countries such as El Salvador, Chile, Argentina? Sure, I could probably end up getting a job with GMC as a production manager in Panama, but I would love to work for an American skateboarding company and see them thrive in the south as they do up north. I've done a lot of research with several international companies but I have had a hard time finding information about our American skateboarding companies. Could you please inform me with detailed information with company names, websites, addresses, books and mags on skateboarding companies that plan on or are setting up distributions, skateparks and shops in Central or South America? Thank you very much.

Patrick Clayton

Boise, ID

My dreams? That's my business. T-ed

BEER GOGGLES 

OK, here's the deal. This is pissing me off. All these skaters in here are like, "I'm a Piss Drunk," and it's stupid because that ruins the point of skating. I mean, I'm not too smart but I'm not stupid enough to go out drinking and smoking crack and thinking I'm cool. I mean, some drunks just drove by and screamed out stupid drunk talk. No offense to skaters like Jim Greco and crew, but, oh well. Another thing that's stupid is good skaters like Koston and Markovich bein' all "Ooh, I'm cool because I've got a sponsor from a sunglass company. I'm gay, blah, blah, blah..." (no offense to them). Oh well, what can I do? Anyway, I'm Audi. Skate and destroy, y'all.

Alex Moyer

Clearbrook, MN

COPS AND ROBBERS

All I have to say is fuck surf shops who totally shit on the skate culture by running to the man when someone steals something. I fucking despise cops and so should every other skater and surfer. If you don't, you are a pussy.

Chuck Reith

Fairfax, VA

Maybe next time they'll cut off your fingers instead. T-ed.