Diary of a mad man

Eulogy for my Father John C. Opilla

2011-03-08T11:32:00.000-08:00

It's been one year since we lost him and it still hurts like it just happened today. I want to thank all my true friends and everyone who has followed me/supported my career for standing with my family through this most difficult year.

First on behalf of my family, I would like to thank you all for being here. Your presence here is a reflection of the love My Father had for all of us.

We share a common bond through his love, each of us playing our own harmonious melody in the orchestra of his life.

Life for my father began in a small town in the Coal mining region of North Eastern PA,

Youngest Son to Micheal and Elizabeth Opilla/ born (August 1944) in the waining days of WWII, just ahead of the Baby Boomers generation.
My Granddad was the eldest of 9 children, forced to leave school with a 6th grade education to work to support his Mother, brothers and sisters, but that did not deter him from seeking knowledge, he was a self made man who started off selling vegetables from a horse drawn cart, and eventually would build a permanent store in the basement of the new family home on Park St. in Freeland PA/
But He had larger dreams for his sons. Both would go on to be the first in the family to attend and graduate college. prior to his time in college my father was given an huge opportunity to attend college prep school at MMI(Mining and Mechanical Institute) where he developed life long friendships and a love for the arts through music and photography - this connection he shared with my mother.
he used this passion for photography,working freelance for local newspapers, in camera stores-along with support from my grandparents store- put self through college.
upon graduation from Penn State in 1966 our Nation was once again at war and my father was faced with a choice to go to war on his terms or on theirs... his true nature as pacifist he despised war, but as in all adverse situations in his life he embraced the experience and learned a lot of lessons in those 5 years he would carry with him for the rest of his life.
His true love for is country was parleyed into his contributions to the offices he worked in during his 39years of service in the Federal Government with the National Security Agency.
Service he was very proud of. He told a story from his retirement lunch when one of his bosses came over to him and said "Of all the years you have been here I have never seen you once have a bad day here at NSA" and that's how my father lived his life both in and out of the office, never once did he have a bad day.

Not Born in Annapolis, he spent the bulk of his life in this town.
He chose to raise his family here, in Annapolis.
took a chance on a transitional neighborhood. strong traditional values, like the small town he grew up in, neighbors looking out for eachother, which led him with other homeowners in the late 1980's to found the Presidents Hill Community Association.
He fought for the betterment of his community... when things recently set back he showed up to the board meeting for the first time in over a decade, determined to reform the institution he helped to found. And it was at that last meeting he spoke to us of history. a history that all of us who grew up around him will carry with us forever in our memories and stories.

More than just active in his neighborhood my father was a Generous Patron of the Arts, Serving in the past on the Board of the Annapolis Opera and tirelesly dedicated to the Annapolis Symphony most recently hosting a reception here at Maryland Hall February 27th. He had been campaigning for the establishment of a New Theater for Performing Arts that would compliment the programs at Maryland Hall and Help to boost the local economy and establish our community as the arts and cultural center of the state Capital.

He cared about his City at large, working with and donating not only his money but his time and hard work to campaigns of candidates from Democratic and Republican parties over the years.

Not just in politics, but in life, my Father judged people solely on the basis of their character and never on outside appearances.

Truly lived the tenements,

In My Life my father was the living example of what it was for me to be a man.
Living Honestly and with Integrety,
He taught me to solve my problems using Logic,
and to live a Balanced life, to treat all people Fair and on the same Level, to always work hard, and at all times be Patience, which can be summed up in to one word that reflected how my father felt for this world each and every morning when he would wake up and that is the same word and feeling that has given us such sorrow over his passing and that's the one true and everlasting word - love
My Father LOVED LIFE and he lived it to the fullest, sharing his
blessings with each and every one of us every day of his life,
THIS is his gift teaching me how to LOVE, so proud to be an Opilla, so proud to be his son.

I stand here today .... of this strong heritage through my father greatness, the sum my Parents Love.

I love you DAD.

thank you,my father loves you all

The Times They are a Changin'

2010-04-21T16:11:00.000-07:00

Skatistan the Movie Official Site

2010-04-12T09:46:00.000-07:00

/http://www.skateistanthemovie.com/ even though the audio's busted it's still dope.

Teta's new Ad in Lowcard

2010-04-09T06:54:00.000-07:00

My Boy's like to Party All The Time

2010-04-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

New Shreddage And P.A.T.T. from RealFilms East Coast on Vimeo.

Tiger and Morgan

2010-04-08T10:18:00.001-07:00

Much more believable than the Nike version.

Clean Sheets

2010-04-07T06:29:00.000-07:00

Such a great youtube find, the Descendents live in their prime!

Global Warming/Climate Change- Call it what you want, it's happening right now

2010-04-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

Senator Inhofe a month ago you said there was no Global Warming, please explain why it's 90 degrees in the first week of April?

John Fruciante Dying Song

2010-04-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

You should watch Brown Bunny, it's a good movie/great soundtrack.

Opening Day

2010-04-05T11:45:00.000-07:00

Stoked to see the President throwing out the opening pitch at the Nationals game.

80's Sky Stalking

2010-04-05T08:09:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do this so bad when I first saw this as a kid and now I can thanks to Google!

Space Stalking

2010-04-05T08:03:00.000-07:00

Damn Good! Friday

2010-04-02T19:14:00.003-07:00

NWOBHM

2010-04-02T19:06:00.000-07:00

I'm on a mission watching all the New Wave of British Heavy Metal videos I can find on Youtube.

New Lowcard Site!

2010-04-02T14:35:00.000-07:00

Opening the new site with a clip from Baltimore's Vu Skateshop!

Promo?

2010-04-01T16:53:00.001-07:00

Sevenfold's Chris Williams and Colin Ransom in the mix.

April's Fools

2010-04-01T16:44:00.000-07:00

http://www.lowcardmag.com/

American Misfits Trailer

2010-04-01T16:21:00.000-07:00

American Misfits season 3 promo 1 from 2HeadedHorse on Vimeo.

Repping a Born Ugly T and skating the Ridge in Baltimore...

Born Ugly Site

2010-03-31T10:20:00.000-07:00

Got a nice upgrade, I love the Hawk twitter skull!

Skate Animation

2010-03-31T06:54:00.000-07:00

Skateboardanimation from Tilles Singer on Vimeo.

Been seeing this across the skateboard media, so hyped this is what I would be doing if I was in film school.

Twitpic's

2010-03-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a sample of the greatness I've been posting on Sevenfold's Twitter.

Bethlehem Skateplaza Needs Votes Now!

2010-03-30T08:37:00.000-07:00

About 1 day left to vote for this Refresh Project, then you should go drink a Coke!

Stoner Park, Santa Monica CA

2010-03-30T07:53:00.000-07:00

Ben sent in this pic of the concrete in progress out in Santa Monica, word is he'll be making an appearance on the east coast with a homey and I'm sure they'll be doing some filming.

[Sublimited] skateboards made in china post

2010-03-26T10:50:00.000-07:00

Khoi sent me this link for this timeless post over at [SUBLIMITED]

Skateboard Backflip EXTREME!

2010-03-26T10:14:00.001-07:00

Via our friends at Typical Culture, this guy looks like he's the Modern Josh Kasper, look for a bLind pro model for him next year and then never hear from him again.

Zach Lyons 25 on Skateboarder

2010-03-26T04:25:00.000-07:00

Pier 7 Update

2010-03-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

Sent in from our field office in San Francisco

An Open Letter to Skatepark of Baltimore

2010-03-25T08:27:00.000-07:00

Fantastik friche from flo cityzenprod on Vimeo.

You send me a link with this, now please shift your mission to getting the city of Baltimore to build one of these little alley size plaza's in every neighborhood they wouldn't be in peoples way and would take the skaters out of the business areas = Mission Accomplished.

SPRING

2010-03-25T07:51:00.001-07:00

Khoi's been up in Philly, he sent me this clip his homey Nick filmed and edited North of the Mason Dixon.

Jaws

2010-03-24T07:56:00.001-07:00

New Shark Shirts by Matt Taylor get it before it gets you!

Friar Gabriel Skates Again

2010-03-23T23:26:00.001-07:00

Every other Christian skater out there is half assing it compared to Friar Gabriel

The Get By

2010-03-23T09:44:00.001-07:00

The Get By

Sleigh Bells: Ring Ring

2010-03-22T18:59:00.001-07:00

Dig the Death Traitors Sticker up on the Microphone.

Sk858 Reggea Style

2010-03-22T18:54:00.001-07:00

Found this montage on youtube with Caleb Orton repping Sevenfold

SK801-SOJO part 2

2010-03-22T18:40:00.001-07:00

I"m a sucker for anything edited to Guided by Voices

HR & McRad this Friday @ Ruintown

2010-03-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

3 Rideshop's "DAYUM!" Promo #3

2010-03-18T09:27:00.001-07:00

Premier's Saturday at the Senator in Baltimore.

They Live!

2010-03-18T09:24:00.002-07:00

"THIS MACHINE KILLS FASCISTS" PROMO 1

2010-03-18T09:24:00.001-07:00

Wanted to do a Woody Guthrie style deck with this title, hit us up kids if you want to do a colab.

Forever Dedicated to the Greatest Man I ever knew

2010-03-09T08:24:00.000-08:00

Thank you Dad! I will LOVE and MISS you every day for the rest of my life!

5 Random Cel Shots

2010-03-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

Mmm Bacon!

2010-03-08T11:38:00.000-08:00

Born Ugly Issue 5 Out Now!

2010-03-05T12:34:00.000-08:00

New Born Ugly with Caleb's latest ad.
Available online now, print issues arriving soon in select skate shops.

Blunts N Crooks

2010-03-05T07:14:00.000-08:00

Homey John Johnson's been blogging about his times in Greensboro NC.

My Snarky Comment

2010-03-05T05:40:00.000-08:00

Here is why people who don't skate want skateboarding in the Olympics.

Richmond, VA Needs a Public Skatepark - Trailer

2010-03-03T07:48:00.001-08:00

Via Born Ugly, the skaters of Richmond deserve a world class free concrete park! Check out http://www.imaginechimbo.org/

Cruz 3rd & Army

2010-03-03T07:13:00.000-08:00

Cruz Skateshop anniversary party this Saturday featuring a contest at 3rd & Army and the world premier of their shop video "Cruz San Francisco"

Skateboard Olympics!

2010-03-02T09:23:00.000-08:00

Jean-Michel Basquiat : The Radiant Child-- TRAILER

2010-03-02T09:19:00.001-08:00

Harvest by haroshi

2010-03-02T09:09:00.000-08:00

This takes recycling old boards to the next level.

Sofaking presents: A Begginers Mind

2010-03-01T08:08:00.001-08:00

Beginner's Mind -- Part 1 from Conor Provenzano on Vimeo.

Beginner's Mind -- Part 2 from Conor Provenzano on Vimeo.

Beginner's Mind -- Part 3 from Conor Provenzano on Vimeo.

Utah skateboarding awesomeness featuring Sevefold's Adam Dorobiala!

Starting off March like a Ninja

2010-03-01T07:58:00.001-08:00

Die Antwoord - Enter The Ninja (Official)

New Caleb Part Podcast!

2010-02-26T08:24:00.000-08:00

Subscribe to Sevenfold Skateboards Podcast on itunes and automatically get new videos like Caleb's Part from the Weast Infection video!

New Sevenfold Stickers!

2010-02-26T08:11:00.000-08:00

High quality vinyl Bar Logo stickers just arrived in awesome Retro colors: Pink, Purple, and Teal! Now shipping free with all orders!

Slovakia Advances to Medal Round

2010-02-25T08:22:00.000-08:00

This was another amazing game in what has been an incredible tournament so far, in my opinion the best since they started having the pro's play in the Olympics. The Post and NHL.com have good stories about the game.

If you see Colin Don't Buy him a beer

2010-02-24T07:13:00.000-08:00

Cause he's not 21 yet. Happy Birthday Homey!

D-Streets

2010-02-24T06:30:00.000-08:00

The New Grind Teaser from mrmarkshelton on Vimeo.

Darren Harpers got a pic in the new Transworld and The New Grind Trailer out this month!

Parktage

2010-02-24T04:54:00.001-08:00

Look for Sevenfolders Colin Ransom & Chris Williams in the mix.

Beyond Motown

2010-02-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

Inspired by reading the Death is... review on Typical Culture.

MC5 have been called so many different things equating them to being the grandfathers of punk. One of my favorite lines they were a 70's band in the 60's. The Motor City 5's first album with their biggest hit Kick Out the Jams was boycotted by major department stores because of the lyrics Kick Out the Jams Motherfuckers! The band took out full page ads in some newspapers saying Fuck You to the chain who wouldn't carry their albums, but the record company's balked when the chains threatened to drop all the label's records and dropped the MC5. They made a couple albums after but never got the backing they had from their first album. They had all kinds of other crazy moments like being one of the only bands that actually played outside the 1968 democratic convention before it all erupted. Politically charged lyrics and associations. Most importantly they made great music with a passion you can feel.
I imagine Detroit 35+ years ago was probably a little like some of the stuff we are going through right now and these bands play what we are feeling.

Road Rash

2010-02-22T10:56:00.000-08:00

Chris Teta will be taking it easy this week, recovering from this switch hill bomb, heal up quick!

Celebrity Tool Academy

2010-02-22T10:50:00.000-08:00

I came up with this great new Reality Show idea this weekend. Get the Governors from New York and South Carolina, and maybe a special guest appearance from former President Clinton...

Happy Birthday Kyle!

2010-02-19T08:40:00.000-08:00

Sevenfold's original merchant of style hits the 30 year milestone! Let's skate soon homey!

Caleb's SF Screen Shot

2010-02-19T08:34:00.000-08:00

Caleb, Panda and a few of their homey's are just heading back to Salt Lake from a couple weeks in the California sun.

Slovakia Defeats Russia!

2010-02-19T08:21:00.000-08:00

Paging Jake Rupp

2010-02-18T09:54:00.000-08:00

Pit Crew mentioned this Chrome Ball post of Mr. Rupp's photos. I dug up this last mini ramp clip at SOC from almost exactly 2 years ago. Jake please phone your homey's.

New Adam Dorobiala Interview!

2010-02-17T09:16:00.000-08:00

"I feel like kids just get dropped off and don’t really take the time to learn how to even push their boards. They see the X-Games and play the video games that just make them want to learn tricks and not the basics."
Read the full interview.

Skatepark of Baltimore Makeover

2010-02-17T08:34:00.000-08:00

They just upgraded their site in a major way.

"It's Celebration Time Bitches!"

2010-02-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

A HUGE BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT! to
Sevenfold sales Rep Khoi Nguyen

SK-HBO

2010-02-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

The new HBO series How to Make it in America dropped this weekend with an interesting Skate under story, word is Eric Koston and Gino Ianucci are going to have cameos in future episodes.

Talking 'bout Fight Club

2010-02-16T04:50:00.000-08:00

There's a good article on McSweeney's

Total War and Total Effort

2010-02-15T08:24:00.000-08:00

Here is an excerpt from FDR's Fireside Chat April 28, 1942. Almost 70 years ago the whole world was at War. Our way of life was at stake. Has the world changed or have we changed? We face a similar plight today, but the dynamic has changed. Are we are no longer a Nation of Individuals working towards the greater good? Have we become a neighborhood of tiny Nations working for individual greed? Would the media and Corporations ever embrace a sacrifice like this today if it were coming from the President?

Tyler Price Hype Trailer

2010-02-15T08:20:00.000-08:00

Keith Hufnagel in FTC's "Penal Code 100A"

2010-02-15T07:42:00.001-08:00

I was talking to Teta about this part today...

Buy, Buy American Pie

2010-02-15T07:26:00.001-08:00

My Dad's guest post for the month of February

Lowcard Product Review

2010-02-12T12:42:00.000-08:00

Incase you're snowed in and the mailman hasn't brought your prescription yet, here's the SevenfoldxDeathTraitors review.

Chris McDonald Blog

2010-02-12T12:36:00.000-08:00

Sevenfold Spring 2010

2010-02-10T13:47:00.000-08:00

Double Double-sided Ledge Photos

2010-02-10T07:22:00.000-08:00

Post22 - Issue 20

2010-02-09T07:29:00.001-08:00

Adam Dorobiala Photos

2010-02-09T05:39:00.000-08:00

Adam checked in with mini ramp pic rocking the proper wood with a Script logo and a recent shot of him rocking the new Director Hat.

Bad Brains - "At the Movies" (Live - 1979)

2010-02-09T05:17:00.001-08:00

Some OG footage!

Pretty Much the Worst Idea Ever

2010-02-09T04:32:00.000-08:00

Imagine scraping the burn remains from an old grill and put it into a gumball, whoever thought of this idea should be forced to eat these everyday for the rest of their life.

DoaMM's Recomendation!

2010-02-08T08:49:00.000-08:00

I've been test driving the brown Field Beanie, and it has become my favorite, the go to beanie I look for before heading out. Simple straight cut skull hugging fit with the classic bar logo.

Look Like You Know What You Are Doing

2010-02-08T08:42:00.000-08:00

I've been rocking the grey Tactical Beanie since they came in, super stretchy warm acrylic. Gives the appearance of a skilled worker even if you are completely clueless.

5 panels, 8 colors, All Good!

2010-02-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

I'm so stoked on the new Sevenfold Director Hats, I'm still rocking the first script logo one from back in the day on life support.

F* a Snowflake!

2010-02-05T11:20:00.000-08:00

Jerkstore

2010-02-05T10:10:00.001-08:00

I had a little incident today that reminded me of this.

http://thejerkstore.com/

GVC Nano Teaser

2010-02-05T08:35:00.000-08:00

Nano clips featuring Colin Ransom, Chris Williams and Chris Teta from the filming sesh we had at GVC.

Annapolis Skate Contest 2009

2010-02-04T13:31:00.001-08:00

Footage from the Advanced Jam at my Annual Fall Skate Contest in Annapolis. Filmed by Dara Taylor, edited by myself and Chris Blose. You hear me on the MIC, and the beats are local by DJ TEC and 2120.

Perv Sun

2010-02-04T05:09:00.000-08:00

One more creepy reason not to ever step foot in one of these stores.

Die Antwoord - Zef Side.

2010-02-04T02:37:00.001-08:00

Some next level shit.

Suicidal Tendencies - Possessed to Skate official clip

2010-02-03T07:51:00.001-08:00

Caleb's Dean's List Trailer

2010-02-03T04:20:00.000-08:00

Click the photo to watch his trailer, Dean's List video is out now!

Thrashin' Part 7

2010-02-02T09:51:00.001-08:00

Speaking of the Joust scene...

Thrashin' Trailer

2010-02-02T09:45:00.001-08:00

I used to live down the street from the ditch where they shot the joust scene, I thought about this movie everytime I would hike up to that spot.

Gleaming the Cube (1989) Trailer

2010-02-02T09:40:00.001-08:00

I want to watch this again just to see Tony Hawk driving the Pizza Hut Truck.

Caleb's New Ad in Lowcard

2010-02-02T03:20:00.000-08:00

Starting off the '10 season proper in Lowcard issue #32.

Lowcard Video Out Now

2010-02-02T01:51:00.000-08:00

piss'n in the wind lowcard video trailer #2 from westside skateshop on Vimeo.

A Huge Blast from the past

2010-02-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

I was looking for some Teta Suenos throw away clips when I came across this gem from the bonus section of the WHAT!? video. This clip is so serious it needs to be seen again and on it's own. As far as I know nobody's done that gap before or since. Big proppers to Sevenfold's big Poppa Blose!

Family Foto

2010-02-01T09:50:00.000-08:00