The Raddest Day Ever.

   Today was my Ferris Beuller day haha I've been working so damn much; and I've been spending so much time with my family; I hadn't had a chance to actually skate in a LONG time. Add in some Michigan winter weather; and you're looking at one bummed dude.

   Fortunately, I was able to get up to Modern Skate Park on last Saturday for a solo session. I hadn't skated in months... but I hadn't skated Modern in almost 2 years!! I threw my blades and my board and my helmet in the trunk, and headed out.

   ..Got there and forgot my skate shoes tho (had on winter boots for the snow) so I could only blade. Don't get me wrong, I had a great session. I was the only one on blades.. but it was cool. Got some of the younger kids interested in blading, and got some kudos from the boarders. Still, I was really bummed that I forgot my shoes. I was curious to see how I would do on the board at Modern. I hadn't even stood on one in a month or so due to work..

   Well, today was the day. I took a personal day from work, and got some errands done in the morning. Had a good breakfast, did some work around the house, and then headed up to the park for the 3pm session. Got there a bit early and headed to the pro shop.

   I've been wanting to expand my board selection a bit. I've gone thru a few different decks, but still been ridin the same wheels and trucks from last spring. I had some nice new bearings, but I was interested in getting a set-up made for miniramps and park skating. Went with an 8.5" and some big soft 56mm wheels and some ceramic bearings.

All I can say is: holy shit.

   Pardon my french but Holy fkn Shit this is what a skateboard is suppose to feel like!! The wider deck, mixed with the bigger wheels and smoother bearings... I was cruisin in a way that I've never cruised before!! I finally had my AH-HA moment!! It all clicked!

   THIS was concrete surfing. THIS was what a line felt like! Don't get me wrong!! I've flown around on blades hundreds of times! I've floated. I've skated lines in vert and street. But this... was unlike anything I've ever felt before. It was close to meditation. I had an empty park... and beautiful new board... and I was coasting!!!! I was riding transitions and pockets like I've never done before! Wall ride style! I was airing the banks, doing powerslides, manuals, it was amazing! I skated the mini ramp, the vert ramp, a clover bowl; and all over the street course. I couldn't even pick a spot to stay still I just cruised around from area to area.

   Today was destined to be a good day, regardless. Anytime at the skate park, off work; is a good time. Anytime you get a new deck or a new pair of skates... its destined to be good. But today was different. Today, the switch went off. The lightbulb popped. Today, I was skateboarding. Before today, I was pushing around in my driveway... popping ollies and shuvits. But today, I was a true park shark!! I'm so geeked for the future months to come! I'm so motivated and ready to progress more than ever! 

#ThankYouSkateboarding

With A Purpose

   In all honesty, when I created this blog... I wasn't sure what my "goal" or objective was. I'm sure not trying to get sponsored lol And I'm not really trying to play the retail game with tshirts and skateboard decks (haha That's an uphill battle!) but I knew I wanted to do SOMETHING.

   I've always been agnostic atheist.. growing up, etc. I've always been interested in the idea of faith and spirituality. I've always investigated it. But it was nothing that struck me particularly.

   Here I am now, almost 30 years old; and I still don't claim to have it all figured out. Recently, though.. I've been really searching. And something placed the word in my ears. The thought in my head. Something has told me; "do this."    ....and so, I will. I might as well.

   That brings me to where I am today. Writing a blog whose (I hope) ends justify it's means. For now, these just seem like silly words. Incoherent sentences and private thoughts. But I know, one day, my message will reach somebodys heart. I've been writing for almost a year now. The website, also a year old. And I'm just now seeing it pull itself together.

   It's a great feeling!

   This past year (well, the past 7 years really lol) I've been battling some shit in my personal life. For a while, I used skating as an escape. A way to get away from my responsible adult reality haha But recently, I've actually tried binding my personal life and my passion for skating. I've used it as a tool. And in the process, I've really developed exactly what I want this site to be

   It further proves everything I've been thinking. It's just like working on a new trick, or a new line. You need to first envision it. See it's completion. Then you start analyzing the mechanics of it, and you start planning how you can make it work. Before my very eyes, this idea has taken life And is growing and living with me! It's evolved so much in the past 10 months; and I'm beyond excited to see where it continues!

   Thank you ALL for the help, inspiration, and support. As always, any and all feedback is greatly appreciated. Any suggestions, or questions. And, as always; I hope these little blog entries find you in your time of need. I hope to lend you all the same help, inspiration, and support that you have given me! Let's work together & keep the shred alive

Finding An Endless Summer

   Sheeesh; it's been a long time!! As previously stated, I started a new job last summer. More pay, with more hours and more responsibility. As great as it is for my career, it also hindered my ability to skate everyday. I had a nice routine of 2-3 hours a day after work. I was also immobile last summer, which has since changed! I'm looking forward to a spring/summer of nonstop skating in 2015! I plan on pushing myself to my physical and mental limits

   Regardless of my concrete time, I've been laying a lot of other foundation for this website and the SkateLife organization. 2015 will be an amazing year; for me, and for this company! The site is almost done, and will be up and online by February! Teeshirts, stickers, and other merchandise will be printed soon, too! But that barely begins to describe what I plan on doing..

   It's hard to balance working a full-time (60+ hours a week) job, and being a full-time single parent. Add to that, being a home owner and volunteer in the community. It's almost impossible to find time to skate each day. But, it's so important to me, I do. I spent the fall (and early winter) of 2014 skating as much as I could. Even if I caught a few hours of nice weather, warm enough to hoody up and throw on my blades and hit the p-rail for awhile in the driveway.. or lace up some kicks and go skateboard around the block a few times when I go out to get the mail. As long as I stay at it!! I'm also working on some indoor designs I plan on creating. These would help me exercise and practice certain tricks when the weather doesn't permit going outside. Not to mention my newly purchased year's membership at the local indoor skatepark ;] I think I'm gonna be set for awhile!! No Excuses!

More New Tricks!!!

   After yesterday's embarrassing attempt at a powerslide; I spent today making a list of tricks I wanted to learn (and nursing my wounds haha) I can't believe it's the first day of Fall already!! I've had such an amazing summer... and it dawned on me that my deadline for my 2nd progress video is coming up QUICK! I've been working so much, I've barely had time to film :[

   I got home today, determined to stick something new. I've been working on a tricks, but haven't had a real break-thru since learning the 50-50 and the boardslide. I want more flip tricks!! BUT, I watched an awesome Scott Stevens edit that really inspired me. It reminded me that, not everybody hucks flip tricks down stairsets; and that there are tons of different ways to skate and have fun. It's exactly what I needed to see :)

   After warming up (and feeling good I might add) I decided to skate my mini. It's been awhile. I can drop in from 5-0 and 50-50, but coming up the ramp; all I can do still is kick turns and fakie rocks. I'm getting a lot more consistent and confident with them, but I still wanted to do more. I remember seeing my buddy do nose stalls and figured I'd give em a try...

   Hallelujah, I got it on the first time! And it felt GOOD, too! After working em some more, I started taking a foot off and adding some flair to em ;] then decided to try fakie tail stalls. ALSO STUCK IT FIRST TRY! It was just the boost of juice I needed! I spent the rest of the afternoon working them both back and fourth. Felt great

Things Got Sketchy

   I had a small window of time to skate today... decided to take advantage. As soon as I got warmed up, it started sprinkling. I was bummed, but determined to stick it out as long as possible. I was feeling pretty good; so I figured I would try a powerslide for the first time. I figured the light mist would make it easier to slide.

   I go up to the top of the small slope infront of my house. Wet blacktop. Too much speed. Twisted my hips and got 90 degrees... slide for 3 (or so) feet; and got hurled off my board. Had enough time in the air to think about how much it was going to hurt :[

   Let's just say; I got a nice case of the road rash and pulp palms. As I laid their in the middle of the street; bruised hip and bruised ego... the rain picked up. I dragged myself back to the house and decided to chill for the rest of the day hahaha Maybe next time!!

Yeah I Do Both

   After taking a few days to rollerblade; I jumped back on the board. Felt weird as hell at first.. but after an hour or so of the basics, I warmed right back up. The entire experience was really eye opening. I fell back in love with blading; but I was also anxious to get back to skateboarding. Infact, I'm proud to say that I DO BOTH! In a world where most people feel the need to separate and segregate the two sports... I find harmony knowing that I can do (and enjoy doing) both! I want to keep it that way ;]

   Ordered some new frames for my Deshis. I have 3 pair, and I always have to rotate out the one pair of frames I have. I think this will a) keep them in better shape by leaving the frames on each skate instead of constantly putting them on and off.. and b) breathe some new fresh life into my blades. Hopefully, it'll make em all last another year too!! I'm excited to see how they look when I put em all together. Might make we wanna blade more ;]

First Time All Summer..

   I've been working 60+ hrs a week; and it's really bummed me out haha!! I haven't been able to skate nearly enough. AAAAAND; I realized that I haven't even bladed this entire summer. Not even once!! It was a crazy (and kinda sad) thought. A year ago, I would have been so stoked to skate my mini ramp with my blades. Hell; I build a PVC p-rail in March with plans of blading all summer. . . . and then skateboarding happened.

   It made me go home, and lace up my Deshis ;]

   To say it felt weird would be an understatement. I assumed my newfound board skills would add to my talent on the blades. But, it was awkward. It felt unnatural. It took about an hour or so; but then I was back to my usual self :) 

   I made a list of tricks to learn on my quarter pipe. Aside from skateparks, I never really had a chance to skate transition on blades. And even when I did; I usually stuck to street. SO, I took this as an opportunity to broaden my abilities on the skates. 

   As expected, the new tricks came to me pretty quickly. The whole experience really reiterated the fact that blading is much easier. That's not a BAD thing (not to me, atleast!) I still had a blast!! And plus, I've been rollerblading my entire life! But it was noticeably simple to stick tricks that I've never done before. And it felt good to learn some new stuff on the blades