beginnings

Where does an idea to do something stupid come from?

When does an idle thought or a daydream transform into a real event?

I suppose I must have imagined myself gliding across the road on a skateboard. I was probably graceful and fluid in my movements like a real skater. I doubt if I was doing 'tricks' though.

Whatever the details, I don't think I imagined twisted ankles, wrenched knees that randomly click and swollen hips that are a dark shade of purple. My imagining were accordingly inaccurate, or at least incomplete.

I bought a skateboard, my first, about two months ago at the end of August 2009. It cost me fifteen Australian dollars.

That afternoon I took it to a small ramp that I have since learned is called a 'mini-ramp' - a completely innaccurate description. For anyone interested, it is in Annandale at Jubillee Park. The ramp has two curved sections on each side and a flat section in the middle. The sides are concave, a bit like a wave just before it breaks.

I didn't try and drop in that day. In fact, I could hardly stand up on the board without falling over. I had a little push around until some real skaters came along. Then I hid. Still, I had started, and, stangely, I was ecstatic.