Filming For The 1st Time

   So; I decided to finally film and edit my first "progress" video. 90 days on a skateboard. I haven't GONE PRO yet, hahaa!! But; I've had a lot of fun and I've come a long way!!! I've learned a few new tricks. I've gotten better. And more than anything; I can only imagine how good I'll be in one year

   Putting together this video; has me real excited to start stacking clips and putting together lines. Finding hidden spots. Pushing myself. Making an actual "edit"

   These past 90 days have been some of the best. It's like dating a woman you know you're going to marry. Weather, injury, nothing will stop me in my pursuit of getting better. Broken boards; bruised shins; scrapped palms. Bloody elbows and knees. Skateboarding is now something that I eat, sleep, shit, and breathe.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

New Bag Of Tricks

   My hardwork and dedication is definitely paying off! I've been able to get a deep scoop, allowing me to rotate the board for treflips and 360 shuvits!! I still haven't landed one yet, but I can feel it getting closer!

   I've also been messing around with boneless 180s! The techniques of footplants are certainly weird and awkward (at first) but I've been able to really hone them in!! To me, footplants look so stylish, and I think they're getting me more comfortable with putting my foot down, which will help me towards doing no-complies!

   I haven't started grinding yet, but I've been practicing doing ollies into 50-50s on a 10' ledge. From the 50-50 position, I started doing ollies off and rolling away. Then, just the other day, I started doing FS shuvits off!! From flatground, FS shuvs feel very awkward still. But, coming off the extra height of the ledge; FS shuvs feel perfect!!

   Not to mention, I've been working on my ollies from all positions. I can ollie and fakie ollie with ease; but I've started doing switch ollies and (for the first time ever) yesterday I was poppin' nollies!! It's like completely RE-learning how to ollie hahah But I know with a little bit of practice and persistence, I'll be throwin' em like nothing!!

   I'm pretty proud of my new bag of tricks; and I'm excited to see what a few more months will learn me! Hardwork and Dedication, definitely pays off!!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

   It's been extra wet these past few days. Huge bummer! Luckily, I have a covered awning on my driveway, so I can always practice my fliptricks. Still not quite the same :/

   There's something special about the feeling you get when riding as fast as possible. The breeze. The sound of your wheels on the ground. It's freedom.

   I just want to ride.

Go Skateboarding Day '14

   365 days ago, June 21st would have meant nothing to me. First day of summer, maybe? Or 9 days before my birthday... but that's about it. Just another Saturday. But since beginning my adventure in skateboarding, I started hearing about 6/21 as "Go Skateboarding Day"

   I was really interested in the idea of uniting skaters, and celebrating this incredible sport. Skating with friends; skating with strangers... beginners and pros alike; coming together to do what we love, and appreciate beautiful weather. It's symbolic. It's meaningful. It's worldwide.

   Last year, I had made plans to go camping on the weekend of the 21st. So, unfortunately, I couldn't attend the grand opening of the new A2 skatepark in nearby Ann Arbor, MI. Tony Hawk and Andy McDonald were scheduled to be there; and I'm sure it would have been awesome! However, I was still excited to rent a cabin with my family. And as you could guess, I brought my skateboard with me :)

   Lucky enough, the cabin we rented was at the dead-end of a paved street. I woke up Saturday morning, stretched a little bit; and laced up my DCs. It wasn't much, but I got to spend a little over an hour skateboarding in the fresh air. Beaches across the street. Tree canopies overhead. The wind in my hair and the sunshine on my shoulders.

   I even got my 4 year old daughter on the board for a little bit! 

   All in all, it was an awesome way to usher in my newfound love for skateboarding. Now that I know about June 21st and it's significance; I'm sure that next year's "holiday" will be full of shred!! I still can't complain about my first Go Skateboarding Day

Stylish

   I've been watching a lot of videos that capture the pure style and finesse of skateboarding. Lots of guys may not throw the BIGGEST or most TECHNICAL tricks; but they ooze style. Their tricks are creative, inventive, and entertaining to watch. The types of tricks that make you pause, rewind, and rewatch them over and over and over again.

   Sometimes, you can't even understand WHAT or HOW they're doing what they're doing!!

   I've been trying to learn a lot of these types of tricks. I'm fascinated by them! Today, I worked and worked and (finally) got ollie sex-change down. It's a cool, simple little trick.. but it's a lot of fun to do; and it looks really interesting when it's done right.

   It's a great example of FUN skateboarding. You don't need to huck your body down 12 stairs, or throw nollie double flips to have FUN!! Just go out, and ride! That's what it's all about

Landing Your First

   Two younger kids rolled by my house today on their skateboards. They said they've been watching me skate every day, and they were wondering if I could "help them out"

   I explained to them that I, myself, am just now learning... but offered them to stay and skate with me. It felt nice knowing I was inspiring somebody else to try. As we all know, if you never START... you'll never SKATE. It all begins with the desire to begin. To go out there, and TRY.

   By the end of the day, I had helped one of them get his first ollie!! His excitement reminded me of MY first time popping an ollie. The feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment! It was completely gratifying to be apart of that experience. I invited them to stop by whenever to skate; and hope they do!

Who Do You Skate For

   I've come to realize that I'm solely skating for myself. That's what skating is all about. That's what makes it beautiful. It's a reflection of one's true ambitions. Your personal style. Your drive. How far you will push yourself?? How far will you push your skating???

   I've set a few goals for myself for this summer. (1) I want to be able to kickflip. (2) I want to be able to do a 50-50 grind. (3) I want to be able to boardslide. (4) I want to learn how to do a no-comply. And finally, (5) I want to feel comfortable riding switch. I know that the ONLY person who can push myself to accomplish these things; is ME. So; I know in my heart; I will.

   Without goals; without dreams... we wonder this World aimlessly. I feel like, a lot of skaters reach a point of comfort, and they quit pushing themselves. They settle for what they have. Me? As long as I am physically capable; I will continue to push myself.

Can't We All Just Get Along

   This week has been frustrating for me. Not, skating wise... but with the community itself. Over the past few years; I really re-submerged myself in the local blade scene. I met a ton of kickass people; amateurs and pros alike. I've traveled out of state for comps; and supported the local skaters as best as I could. With that being said; I'm pissed.

   It seems like none of them understand my desire to learn how to skateboard. Infact, I'd go as far to say that some of them completely disagree with it. And honestly, that's okay. I can live with that.

   Needless to say, I was super excited for the X-Games this year. In the past few years, I haven't been able to full enjoy them. I'm not sure WHY blading isn't included anymore; but it was the reason that I wasn't too interested. But now that I've started skateboarding; I was anxious to watch the pros throw down on the street course and vert ramp.

   My excitement turned to anger when I saw all the X-Games bashing pop up on my Facebook timeline. I can completely understand my fellow bladers' frustrations... but does that really entitle them to belittle the entire event? Just because THEIR sport isn't involved???

   At first, I tread gently, trying to start a conversation about WHY blading wasn't in the Games, and HOW we could change that. But it was only met with childish, ignorant remarks. Banter.

   I could feel the resentment. And I could even sympathize with it. I understood. But my point is (and always was) Let's use that passion and energy to get blading BACK IN the X-Games, instead of shitting on all the other athletes and their respected sports. Lets fight the GOOD fight; not just bicker amongst ourselves!!

   Stepping on the outside of the blading community has already taught me a LOT. I've gained a whole new perspective of the sport itself, and the major players within. I see folks complaining about the lack of professionalism. The lack of future or career. I see pro skaters, publicly trashing their skate companies for non-payment. I see businesses closing. I see comps shrinking. And over all, I see attitudes getting shittier and shittier. And for what???

   I may not have all the answers. I may not know all the extensive history of skateboarding vs rollerblading. I've never claimed to!! BUT I DO KNOW THIS! Skateboarding is fun. Blading is fun. They're both physically and mentally challenging. They're both full of talented individuals who put their body on the line to progress and evolve their sport.

   So, why can't we all just Grow up, Shut Up, and Skate this World together?!

   That's the way it SHOULD be.

Passing The Torch

   The neighborhood kids are really starting to enjoy my skating; which is awesome. They come down and watch. Ask me questions. Cheer me on. And when I finally land something I've been working on; they celebrate like I was Tony Hawk! It puts the biggest smile on my face.

   I've committed myself to skating for (atleast) 2 hours a day; every day. I want to show them that it takes practice. It takes dedication to do this. I explain to them that I'm just starting... and that falling is apart of the process. I explain to them that it's hard... And it hurts when you fall... But it's all worth it!

   I remember when I was 8 or 9 years old.. I started blading because the older neighborhood kids bladed. One of them had a huge funbox that they would set up in their driveway; and all summer they would skate. And me and my friends would go and watch them (in awe)

   Eventually, one of the older kids gave me a pair of his blades that he outgrew. That day changed my life. No longer was I WATCHING; I started SKATING. 

   From that day on; I was a skater.

   I built my own ramps and rails. I saved my allowance and bought my own skates. I got better.

   Whenever these young kids watch me skateboarding; I'm reminded of my 9 year old self. I'm reminded of how influential those older skaters were on my Life; and I take great responsibility for fulfilling that role for these kids.

   Who knows; maybe one day; they will be reflecting back on how they would watch me, and how my skating changed THEIR life.

Riding Switch

   After days and days of falling; I've finally got frontside 180 ollies!! It was a battle; but I'm really starting to appreciate that. Making small adjustments; shifting my weight; my foot position... until it all clicks together and WORKS. It's the best feeling in the World

   Now; for a whole new battle. Riding switch!!!!

Nothing Is Impossible

   The one thing I love about skateboarding is the different styles... and the idea of developing my own. I watch a lot of edits and clips of skaters all across the world; young and old; new school and old school. And the one thing that stands out in my mind is the individuality. Even if they're doing the exact same trick; their STYLE redefines the trick and gives it it's own flair.

   It's amazing

   I wonder where MY style will fall into play. I'd like to strive for a good balance of park and street skating. I want to learn mini-ramps, and transitions. I want to be technically SOUND; but also incorporate a lot of oldschool; unorthodox style too. With that being said; I know that I can only control so much of my style. A lot of it will develop on it's own. And, with that being said, I'm excited to watch myself skate a year from now. Two years from now.

   It's what pushes me to continue. To learn. To try new things.

   With this sport; Nothing is impossible.