There’s this great article on inlineplanet.com by Naomi Grigg that discusses the rise of freestyle skating in the U.S. She says:

“I honestly think it’s going to have the same effect on skating in the U.S. as it has every where else. It’s going to grow like a rash, inspiring people into skating that would never have before considered it. It will create a whole new advert for skating in the U.S., combining socially acceptable with cool.’

This is contrary to my belief, but I seriously hope it happens. Cause you can�t really understand the feeling unless you try it. Naomi describes it better than me when she says it’s “like new love to a teenager.” And she’s so right … the first time I did the Crazy (video) it totally felt like that. I never wanted to stop. I’ve settled down a little, but there were nights when I was skating in the parking lot at 1:30 AM with the cops asking what the hell I was doing out on skates at that time of night. (and thank goodness they didn’t notice the open container)
I also really like the intro to her article because I have this conversation at least twice a week with people. (I think half of them still think I’m a skateboarder)

“So what are you into then?”
Me? I’m a skater.
“Oh, cool. I used to skateboard once.”
No. The other kind of skating … with skates.
“Oh! Ice skating! … You know, I think it’s amazing what they can do.”
No. I’m an inline skater.
“A what?”
A rollerblader.
“Oh, cool. So you do tricks?”
Yeah.
“Like rails and stuff?”
I skate ramps, yeah, but … I’m really a freestyler.
“Oh cool … um … what�s that?”
And there it is. I’m stumped. It happens every damned time.

Yeah. Me too.