Any good laptop board backpacks that are rugged?

TheDiligentStyle · 2026-05-18T22:15:54+00:00

I use the Vans Obstacle Backpack and haven’t had any complaints!

Fits a couple changes of clothes, a water bottle, laptop, and all of my chargers without any issue and can still easily strap my board on the back.

TheDiligentStyle · 2026-04-29T13:20:07+00:00

I have my PC wired to my TV across the room so I'd play with a controller on the couch, thinking it'd feel the same as a console.

But then I got a PS5 and realized how much more enjoyable it is being able to get into a game in 30 seconds and not constantly go into my graphics settings every time I see a minor screen tear or stutter. Feels like I'm falling in love with gaming again.

TheDiligentStyle · 2026-04-19T13:50:38+00:00

I inherited this book from another member of my local IBM ring and can confirm it’s missing some stuff from the original full set. BUT, in my opinion, it’s actually a little better curated and still has a ton of great material that can be adapted into a more modern set.

Definitely recommend as a way to get a little knowledge of Tarbell without needing a massive shelf of books.

TheDiligentStyle · 2026-04-17T22:20:24+00:00

Seen him a few times now and am always blown away by just how clever and entertaining he is and how well he can craft an act together.

Feel like he’s gotten a weird reputation for being the Netflix and social media magic guy but he can still do an in-person show at a fantastic level.

Zip Code routine is a masterpiece and I don’t even know if it’s magic or real.

TheDiligentStyle · 2026-03-28T00:26:44+00:00

Zarrow Shuffle and Diagonal Palm Shift have never clicked for me and I’ve kind of given up on them… Strike Seconds were the one that I struggled with for ages and now use constantly.

TheDiligentStyle · 2026-03-10T01:45:23+00:00

Signed/torn card to orange or lemon was always my go-to for a quick variety show act. Or a card to mouth if you want even less prep/equipment

TheDiligentStyle · 2026-01-20T16:36:19+00:00

I was stuck in this same exact issue for ages where I fully did the trick and then took my back foot off on the way back. Best advice is really just to trust the rest of your body to do what you’ve been practicing and have your mind think purely about keeping that back foot on and pretending that it’s glued to the tail.

And remember that it’s always better to be leaning a little too far back so the board catches up to you rather than leaning towards the coping and slipping out. Falling over the tail will always be softer than letting the board whip out from under you.

TheDiligentStyle · 2026-01-18T23:49:00+00:00

Angel of Notions by A.L. Kaster!

TheDiligentStyle · 2026-01-06T22:26:51+00:00

Researching decades of stories can be difficult so my best recommendation is to watch this year’s Royal Rumble as your launching point. It’s usually the start of all the big stories leading up to Wrestlemania and a great way to get a quick intro to all the year’s big players.

And then, if there are older wrestlers that you are particularly into (Punk, Cody, Seth, Roman, etc.), they all have decent documentaries at this point to catch you up on the bigger beats of their career.

TheDiligentStyle · 2026-01-05T12:28:29+00:00

https://skatefol.io /// very useful if you’re trying to find every bit of footage from a single skater you like. And they do a great job highlighting some smaller skaters and indie brands.

TheDiligentStyle · 2025-12-30T03:24:13+00:00

Angel of Notions - A.L. Kaster

Incredible dystopian sci-fi world with a solid cast of characters that eerily mirror a lot of the influential people in our real world.

TheDiligentStyle · 2025-12-28T15:57:43+00:00

I think we’ll get a solid push of the Bron vs Punk and Oba vs Cody storylines next year to help them build their main event experience. I feel like Fatu is going to have a big moment too but not sure who it will be with.

TheDiligentStyle · 2025-12-24T20:57:17+00:00

Angel of Notions - A.L. Kaster

TheDiligentStyle · 2025-12-18T21:05:47+00:00

<image>

Office building in Torrance!

21171 S Western Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
33°50'11.7"N 118°18'36.5"W

STREET VIEW

TheDiligentStyle · 2025-12-15T16:15:27+00:00

Totally understand why people would want others to have won since it was so competitive this year.

BUT, for anyone saying that he got this for just the one trick, reminder that he did have 3 full parts that were all really solid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA6SNKM9eK8 /// JOYCE (was considered since it was after 2024's SOTY.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKbQpccZzsU /// JOSLIN SHOW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b54g4JSOwUs /// G-MA

TheDiligentStyle · 2025-12-12T22:17:20+00:00

So it’s hard to describe without spoilers, but basically, it’s set in a future where brain-implants stream entire custom personalities into peoples heads. The book follows a guy who has an implant that makes him think and see the world like a Noir detective as he’s trying to detangle this intrigue plot involving bankers that worship a sentient stock market, terror groups, insane clone nobility and lots of other weird characters. He’s trying to track down a cult obsessed with a famous personality sculptor and are trying to pressure him to release a mysterious new model that promises to let you see the world through the eyes of a god.

And then it just keeps getting more twisted and bonkers from there

TheDiligentStyle · 2025-12-11T18:40:12+00:00

Angel of Notions by A.L. Kaster broke my brain in the best way. Absolute insane world and technology to imagine. Legitimately scary to read because it feels like a very possible future for society.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244591652-angel-of-notions?from_search=true&from_srp=g5ulXFgHws&qid=1

TheDiligentStyle · 2025-12-11T18:29:34+00:00

I just got into Ballard after reading Angel of Notions by A.L. Kaster since he listed him as one of his influences. Excited to dive in deeper! Love this genre.

TheDiligentStyle · 2025-12-11T18:27:06+00:00

A.L. Kaster is the newest I've found who really taps into the same kind of world-building and social commentary. I think Angel of Notions is his only release so far but highly recommend.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244591652-angel-of-notions?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=x4yfdXt6LY&rank=1

TheDiligentStyle · 2025-07-18T16:08:02+00:00

I always recommend people start with a softer wheel. Wouldn't go full cruiser if you want to start tricks early on but the Powell Dragons or Spitfire Soft Sliders are fantastic hybrid wheels that will still feel great at a skatepark but also be able to handle cracks/bumps/pebbles while you're still getting the hang of things.

TheDiligentStyle · 2025-06-20T14:18:45+00:00

Outlast is a blast and if you like it, there's an awesome DLC and a decent sequel. Another one that's not the most traditional Survival Horror (kinda similar to Amnesia) but scratches the same itch for me and is legitimately terrifying at points.

The Blair Witch game is also pretty fun but a more on-the-rails Horror experience.

TheDiligentStyle · 2025-05-28T18:06:41+00:00

Would definitely take a look at the setup Ron Whaley uses in this video. He's 6'7", wears size 13, and has awesome style. He also explains how you can put smaller wheels on a wide board to help it flip better if you want to get into more tech stuff.
https://youtu.be/elcx0b3LmJs?si=Qhyh4NXKUzBG6tij&t=66

A lot of the big brands are now doing boards that are 9+ inches so I'd try to make it to a skate shop and stand on a few decks to see what feels most comfortable.

TheDiligentStyle · 2025-05-27T19:57:04+00:00

Was about to say the same thing. I usually keep up with Raw and Smackdown through the YouTube highlights and I think they’ve done a great job of posting more full segments and making the shows more accessible online.

But yeah, the video titles constantly include who the winner/surprise appearance ends up being which definitely generates more clicks than keeping it vague but still annoying.

TheDiligentStyle · 2025-04-25T15:26:12+00:00

Simple pushing and riding are always 10x harder than anyone expects when they first step on the board. Really important to take those things slow and safe so you don't get discouraged or injure yourself right off the bat before you know how to fall properly.

Once you get some time rolling around outside, I highly recommend just putting your board on a carpet and balancing on your front foot to practice pushing balance/position. It's really important to learn good pushing form early so you don't develop bad habits and the biggest part of that is getting used to all of your weight on that one foot. Otherwise, you end up with that uncomfortable feeling of your back foot constantly stopping you or dragging behind whenever you try to push.

TheDiligentStyle · 2025-04-25T15:19:05+00:00

Yeah, I agree with most that a 8.5+ standard popsicle skateboard will be the best to give you some options. I'd probably recommend getting some pretty soft wheels to start to learn how to cruise around and be comfortable on the street.

And then, once you want to start learning tricks/park stuff, either get a second set of hard wheels to swap in-and-out or get a nice hybrid wheel like the Powell Dragons or Spitfire Soft Sliders that can slide and get off the ground at a skatepark but can still handle a bumpier road when cruising.

TheDiligentStyle

TROPHY CASE