Another Year Older

I'm one year closer to forty.  In fact, counting each day as one step closer, I have a mere 364 more steps until I stand on the big 4-0.

It was a time of reflection for me as I celebrated my 39th birthday at the local park.  I thought about all the years I've skated.  I thought about all the people I've met, the spots I've had the pleasure of hitting, and all the joy and joyous frustration skateboarding has given me.

As a teen, skateboarding gave me a place to focus my energy and aggression. My family moved from Nebraska to Oklahoma to Arkansas (to yet another town in Arkansas) within three years.  In each town I turned to my skateboard.  My skateboard was my best friend, and my gateway to new friends.

As the years passed by, I thought of quitting.  I tried other sports from cycling to martial arts. No other activity could reach my soul the way skating did.  Why would I give that up?

As an adult, skateboarding has continued to be a focus for me.  Getting divorced?  I'm going for a skate.  Broke?  Going skating.  Lonely?  Yep, I'm gonna skate.  I'm going to hop on my board, and lose every single problem in my life for a couple hours on this thing other people think is a toy.  Other than my family, skateboards and the act of riding a skateboard has been the constant in my life.

Don't try to tell me I'm too old, and that a skateboard is a toy.  This piece of wood, metal and urethane has kept me from getting old.  It has reached down to the core of who I am and touched my soul.

Thank you, skateboarding.

To my distance skating friends, look for distance skating to become a topic on here once again.  I've felt the need for a good 20 mile ride again.

West Point Grand Opening

This day was a blast despite a few minor setbacks.

1.  It suddenly became fall (for real) this weekend producing a rainy pre-opening Friday with temperatures dropping down into the 40's.  If you were sittin' you were cold.  Get up and skate!

2.  We got pulled over and Kris (I wasn't driving) got a speeding ticket right at Tupelo.

Busted!!!

3.  Somehow I got dog crap on my grip tape.

Dog Crap on my beloved Outlaw El Bandito

 4.  For some reason the people at the bbq joint we all went to after the opening didn't want me to eat which pissed me off (more than) a little bit.  Of course, as soon as I gave up, and walked away they had my food ready.  It was good.  Worth the wait?  If I weren't starving, yeah, it probably would've been.

Set backs aside, what a blast.  Little Rock was well represented, and Matt Clark hooked me up with the new issue of their 'zine, Chaos Ninja, which features a little somethin' somethin' I wrote about the bros over at Fickle (who also sponsored the grand opening, thanks Lew).

Chaos Ninja Skate 'Zine

Some of the highlights of the contest portion was seeing old dog Mike Lasiter grinding 13 pool blocks to win the longest grind contest, all the groms who learn so quickly, Zach Galinas backside tail slide revert in the deep end of the bowl (& his 10 pool block grind), and the trophies that Catfish Chad made with his own two hands.  However, I think my stoke of the day was (and I could kick myself for not getting a pic) was when Zach gave the deck he won for best trick to one of the groms who needed one. Good job, Zach. The stoke spreads.

The smile says it all.  Mike Lasiter. Long grind king.

Special thanks to all the sponsors (I know I'm gonna leave somebody out, my apologies): Silly Girl, Fickle, Assault, Dream at En Joy, Tork Trucks, Iron Horse, ATM Click, Old Man Army, Chaos Ninja and anyone else that my tired brain can't think of...

Also:  Special Thanks to the people at West Point Parks and Rec, Kim Cook for her tireless efforts, Wrex Cook who donated decks from his own collection, Catfish Chad for making the trophies (why don't I have a picture of those!!!!), and everyone who came out to make the day special.

Pat "The Rake" Rakestraw killing some Tedder's Pool Coping

The Gay Ocean

I spent a little time this morning washing clothes ('cause they stankin') and reading through my favorite blogs.

The first to mention is, "The Gay Ocean."  This is a good friend and contributor to luchaskate mag.  A must read.

The second to mention is Jeff's Skateboard Blog.  Always fresh content from a person who loves skateboarding.

Greenline Push Ride June 21, 2011

Skateboarding has been an integral part of my life for over 30 years. I've never considered it a sport, but more of an act of expression of self. Here is a video of our Greenline Push Ride from June 21, 2011