Roller Skating

[Beth]

Anyone else remember the "ladies choice" skate? That was so much pressure, at the time.

Oh yes. Usually I'd wind up skating with some guy who was shorter than me, awkwardly holding his sweaty hand, praying he didn't try to kiss me or something. I think they're was pressure on both sides, and no one really had fun. It was like slow dancing in middle school. Torture, but we were required to do it.

[Stan]

 Buy a helmet that has been Snell approved, the ANSI standard is a joke based on the manufacturer doing their own testing. This could save your life. Clearly, Emily is trying to kill you.

[iAmBaronVonTito]

Anyone else remember the "ladies choice" skate? That was so much pressure, at the time.

Oh yes. Usually I'd wind up skating with some guy who was shorter than me, awkwardly holding his sweaty hand, praying he didn't try to kiss me or something. I think they're was pressure on both sides, and no one really had fun. It was like slow dancing in middle school. Torture, but we were required to do it.

my practice anthem is Total Eclipse of the Heart, formerly of "couples only" skate fame. 

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

Rollberblading is really fucking hard.  I've been skateboarding for over 20 years, and last summer I found a discarded pair of rollberblades my size and thought, how hard can it be?  Impossible, as it turns out.  Can't be done.

[Gregory]

C'mon Jason, skateboarders don't go anywhere near fruit boots.

[AllisonLeGnome]

Wasn't rollerblading created to replicate the experience of ice skating on land? In my limited experience with both, actual ice skating is much easier and more fun.

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

It's true, Gregory, and I'll tell you why: fruit boots can't be made to work.  It's just not possible.  Ice skating, as well as being more fun, is also possible.

[yesno]

I used to go roller skating with my dad every Saturday.

He was really freaking good.  This dorky accountant skating backwards and stuff.  I learned how to go really fast but I was only ever able to stop by crashing into things.  The "crashing into things" method of stopping, I also used when roller skating on pavement which is much, much, much harder than in a rink.

Wear elbow pads, and fall onto them.  If you fall on your hands you might break your wrist.

I hear Big Wheels are making a comeback in Brooklyn.

[iAmBaronVonTito]

I learned how to go really fast but I was only ever able to stop by crashing into things.  The "crashing into things" method of stopping, I also used when roller skating on pavement which is much, much, much harder than in a rink.

Wear elbow pads, and fall onto them.  If you fall on your hands you might break your wrist.

i hear you, yesno.  i've never felt comfortable using rubber front stoppers as brakes; "crashing into things" is the most preferred method of stopping for me.  im a lifer.  not to mention, when it comes to falling, i aim to fall on my face and not on my hands.  i don't want a broken wrist. 

[Martin]

"Crashing into things face first" is the story of my life.

Am I the only one that's impressed by J-Gro's 20+ years on a board? Last time I went skateboarding I broke my arm.

[iAmBaronVonTito]

"Crashing into things face first" is the story of my life.

Am I the only one that's impressed by J-Gro's 20+ years on a board? Last time I went skateboarding I broke my arm.

listen, im impressed by a lot of things that JG does.

[Fido]

I love rollerblading too. I don't care how stupid or cool I look (mostly stupid) -- life is short, you might as well act as stupid as you can and have fun.  I should probably consider rollerskating also.

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

Aw, you guys are sweet.  Let me let you in on a little secret.  The key to skating for 22 years is never knowing how to do anything much beyond not falling off.  My skating buddy is my 6 year old neighbor, which makes me feel better about both my lack of skill and my potential midlife crisis.  I have broken my right wrist twice, though, once on a snowboard.

[Beth]

Aw, you guys are sweet.  Let me let you in on a little secret.  The key to skating for 22 years is never knowing how to do anything much beyond not falling off.  My skating buddy is my 6 year old neighbor, which makes me feel better about both my lack of skill and my potential midlife crisis.  I have broken my right wrist twice, though, once on a snowboard.

This is true. My boyfriend has broken his leg twice on a skateboard, both times on half-pipes. Now he just cruises when he rides one.

[iAmBaronVonTito]

the only thing i can do on a skateboard is start at the top of a hill and roll down without falling, listing lazily from side to side.  i dont know how to stop without falling off and cant comprehend the principles involved in propelling myself forward.

but i do know how to use a broom as a baton.