Dreamin', Flyin', Playin', Tryin'

There is one single thing that has been consuming my every free waking thought these days:

Could a board be more perfect for me?

There's nothing wrong with the one I'm riding, only that it's trucks, wheels, bearings are all rusty and dirty as shit, it has no speed and belongs to someone I...well. It needs to be replaced. Enter Ganesh. Exquisitely shown off by Sector 9. They make them good 'ol boards. No, he should not be so close to the ground. But I silently protested him on the modern day tube top. I actually don't mind him on my earth-friendly, planet-conscious piece of transportation, ESPECIALLY when he's the Remover of All Obstacles. Leaves, sticks, beer can rings be damned. Pardon my Hindi.

Save your money for the things that matter, kids.

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scary but awesome poster by wwf

I am of the opinion that we can help this planet along, one-car-off-the-road at a time, and I have volunteered to be one of those cars. I just want to see what it's like to train to where I need, and skateboard to the train. 100% fuel efficient journey. Zero emissions.

I test out the route on my buddy's Longboard tonight. I mentally prep for the journey. We're talking major flubbing, falling, tripping and looking stupid potential. He's not around, and it's my first REAL time out in public, on the streets, without him there, all by myself and with no safety around...

But it's important to me, so I go. I want to time it out on a day when I don't really need to be there on a schedule. So I can relax.

I start to make my way onto the pavement. Setting down this giant piece of wood. I feel like a little kid with a toboggan, setting it in line just right. Wiggling my ducktail excitedly, wanting to see who's watching. Nobody.

***

I'm surprised by how well I can carve around the grass and curvy paths when I need to. Manholes and cracks come, but we've mastered those. With these fatty wheels, I glide and cruise longer than usual, and it feels stupendous, right Biggie? There is quite a bit of kicking that's needed, but I fly by the BMW dealership, 99cent store, and reach the silly Teriyaki Grill sooner than expected! It's working! It's shaving minutes off the journey!

The curbs are still the challenge. I don't want to fall off, and I'm afraid of going down with the slopes. So I stop at every curb and pick up the board, cross the street like a safe little Ped, and continue on the other side. About 10 times. That's where I probably lose my advantage. But then there's a good downhill and I hang on. I only jump off when I need to brake! Cuz that's how I brake!

I get there in 13 minutes! It takes 20 to walk there. I'm impressed and f around in a nearby park. Trying out new things with the curb. I finally get the guts to follow the slope off a curb and go with it. That's what it is...you just go with it.

Doing that alone today was like a rite of passage. Slow speed, beginner status, safe riding and curb fear aside, I STILL get a shout out from a fellow experienced skater. He whizzes by, this cute half-Mexican shaved headed skater, tossing me a line. "Race you!" Hehehe. It's one of those rare days where being a girl has an advantage. But boy, anything you can do, I know I'm just a kick behind.