Proper Session!

   I had a buddy come over today to skate. He's much better than me at skating, so it was cool to roll around and pick up some tips. He definitely broke in the new mini ramp, too! Blunt stalls, smith stalls, little airs... it was gnarly to watch! 

   Then we moved out into the street and busted out the flatbar. After a little instruction, and a few attempts; I got a FS boardslide!! It felts so good!! That means I can check BOTH grinds off my list of tricks I wanted to learn this summer :D which is an amazing feeling. I'm gonna spend the rest of the season really honing them in; but it's nice to know that I can stick a 50-50 and a boardslide... the two essential skateboard grinds! Getting close to no-complies, too. I'm pretty stoked about that; I can't lie!!!

  Video footage coming soon ;] stay tuned. . .

Raise The Bar (teaser)

   Progress Video vol#2: "Raise The Bar" teaser - http://youtu.be/wosUVOsZk2Y 

   I've been so busy with work; that I haven't had a chance to skate as much as I want to!! BUT, I'm still working on my second progress video. This is a little preview of some new(er) tricks. I hope to finish filming and editing by the end of September ;] 

   ..until then-

Fakie Rock-n-Rollin

   I can't stress enough, how much I love this quarterpipe. It's so well-built; and it's the perfect size! I've already got some basic tricks down (fakie rock & FS/BS kick turns) but I can already tell it has the potential to teach me a LOT!

   I've started a new job; and it's REALLY eating into my "skate 3 hours a day" time hahah but I've got responsibilities to prioritize. Either way; I'm having fun and learning tons. I'm so glad I decided to try skateboarding this summer. It's been one hell of an experience!

Fade To Black

   Soooo; my tail chipped last night. Soooo; I went and got a new deck today ;-D

   Nothing beats that New Deck feel!!! I went up to the local shop and wanted to try an Element deck... ended up copping that Nyjah Huston black on black board. Had to threw in some new bearings too; so I'm rollin' on butter. First time on Grizzly Griptape too... so I'll let you know what I think of it after a few good days of skatin'

Thrifty Thrasher ! ! !

    I am beyond geeked right now! After days and days of day dreaming about building a DIY; I finally decided I would make a little mini quarter pipe somewhere. I knew of tons of plans online... and material costs seemed somewhat affordable ($150-$200) ...then it dawned on me!! 

I SHOULD CHECK CRAIGSLIST AGAIN! lol

   Imagine my amazement when I found a 2ft x 4ft mini quarter, posted hours earlier, listed at $40 delivered! I could hardly contain myself; I've wanted something like this since I bladed as a kid. I was so blessed to, again, struck pure gold on Craigslist. The timing. The location. The condition. The price?! Both, this, and the flatbar I bought 2 weeks ago for $20; as exactly what I could have ever asked for. I have no excuse for not getting as good as I can personally get.

God works in mysterious ways.

Wind, Rain, And Ankle Pain

   Slapped my ankles a few good times today. I was trying to fakie 360 shuvit, and I just completely lost sight of the board. Griptape kissed the ball of my lead foot.

   I stretch it out a bit, and "walk it off" and try again, this time just a fakie shuv. SMACKED MY OTHER ANKLE!! It was a pretty ironic experience, but uncool. Had to laugh at myself

   Before ya know it; the rain rolls in. It's been like this all week...

I've Got Options

   When I first started this little adventure into skateboarding; it all began with nice smooth black top. Flat ground. I got a board, and wanted to learn them darn fancy flip tricks haha!! It seemed like an easy way to, "put the board down and cruise around and do some kickflips real quick" lol well that's how it started, and it's now an addiction.

   It didn't take long before I gathered up some cinder blocks from the backyard, and laid out a little manny pad off to the side of my driveway. And, just like that. There it way. Obstacle #1

   Obstacle #2 and #3 were a natural progression. Got a few bricks? Stack 'em up and ollie over! Four more bricks, and a 2x4? That's a perfect hurdle to hippy-jump thru! Just add some additional bricks as needed (and they're easy to store)

   Obstacle #4 was a flatbar. I knew I wanted a rail, but I already had a PVC round rail. It's perfect for blades; but not too suitable for the board. This had me thinking about round vs square; and rail vs ledge. As soon as I decided on fabricating a transportable flatbar; I found one online and had it delivered that day!!! It felt amazing to see it all out together.

   I've been working on some 50-50s; which has been gratifying to say the least! My first grind ever on a skateboard. It has opened a huge door of opportunities for me, just having a little rail like this to practice with. Not a lot of people are fortunate enough to have ONE; let alone all the different little homemade obstacles I have to skate right outside my front door

   The last time I skated the new rail was pretty punishing... "I think I'll just work some flip tricks and practice manuals today.." haha Feels blessed to know I've got options

My First 50-50 ! ! !

   Today, was a good day! I woke up, determined to grind my new rail!! I made breakfast; had some coffee... did some errands around the house..... and then got ready to thrash.

   I figured I'd begin by hanging the rail off the side of my driveway, into the grass. I set the board on the rail; and started running and jumping onto it. The balance was WAY harder than I imagined it'd be... even considering I've bladed for 10+ years! After 5 or 6 fails; I finally had the hang of it. I could slide the entire length of the rail and land in the grass.

   Next, I figured I would do the same thing, but in the driveway.. so I could get the feeling of riding off the rail and rolling away. I nosebombed the first few times, but finally got the hang of it. I was exploding with happiness! I knew right then at that moment; I would do my first 50-50 today. There was nothing stopping me!!

   At this point; the rail was already starting to feel a little sticky. Granted, I wasn't riding up to it with any real speed.. but I didn't wanna risk getting caught up. Sooo; I did something kinda ballsy and waxed the rail up a little bit. Not a LOT; juuust a little ;-]

   I started off 3 pushes away from the rail. Way too much speed haha! So then I started with only one push..... not enough. I had to find the right balance between necessary speed, and beginner's precaution. And then; it was time to fall. A lot.

   I'm glad I put my wrist guards on; and I'm glad I know "how" to fall properly; and I'm glad I have the agility and balance to "catch" myself.... because, honestly, a few times could have been pretty bad. To say "it's hard" would be an insulting understatement. I've always respected the skill it takes to skateboard.... but today; I learned a hard lesson in humility.

   ANY time you see somebody grind on a skateboard; take your hats off to them and show them some kudos. Until you've tried; you'll NEVER comprehend how difficult it is. You need to truly say "fk it" and commit to doing the sketchiest thing you've ever done before. Period. Looking back, it BLOWS MY MIND to think about the level of skill it takes to pull off some of the tricks you see these guys doing. And not even in "perfect" skatepark settings; but down the gnarliest ledges and handrails that you wouldn't even want to stand on with your sneakers!

   It's crazy! ! !

   BACK TO THE STORY, THO! I tired and tried, and fell, and Got back up; and tired some more. I got reeeal close a few times. I slipped out a couple dozen times. I got a little hurt. And then... finally... I ollied up; felt that metal on metal, rode it out; and when I felt my wheels hit that pavement I knew I had done it! I could type and type and try and explain how good it felt; but it's an indescribable feeling! It's like nothing I've ever done before.

   Gratifying; to say the least.

   I kept skating for the rest of the day. I fell a few more times. I got hurt some more hah But I landed a few more 50-50s. All in all, it was an incredible day! This little flatbar rail was an awesome purchase, and awesome investment. I'm so geeked to work it into my repertoire, and I'm excited to see what kinds of grinds I'll be doing by the end of this year. 

   Hallelujah, skateboarding!

One Man's Trash

   We've all heard the expression before! It's true, too!! The irony of today is; I started the morning off by watching some clips that Richie Jackson posted on his facebook page. It was him trickin' off random trash near a dumpster, with the caption: "Please keep throwing stuff like this away." haha I loved it!

   Later in the day, I was thinking about building a metal flatbar to start learning some grinds on. I already have a real nice 12' long PVC p-rail, but I made it for my blades. I'm pretty sure the metal trucks of a skateboard would crack that PVC after one or two sessions. 

   I drew some plans up, and started estimating material costs... and then the lightbulb in my head went off!! Whynot try and find a USED rail?! I called up to all the Play-It-Again Sports stores in my area (a used sporting goods retailer) but none of the three stores had any. I'm not gonna lie, I was kinda bummed. I figured it was worth a shot...

   Then the lightbulb went off again! WHAT ABOUT CRAIGSLIST?!?

   Would you believe it?? Not only was there one for sale; but it was less than 5 minutes away from where I live; and it was posted less than 5 hours ago! It felt like a blessing!! I responded to the ad, and was instantly contacted back!! We made arrangements to meet after I got off work

   Perhaps the greatest part of all: I just got this 6ft long (barely) used flatbar rail; which retail online for $130; for the low low price of $20!!! YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT!!!

   I advise everybody to check out Craigslist for similar things. I've never bought something off that site before; but I am certainly a believer now! I'm so excited to try it out tmrw

   What a treasure!