Scared Skately

Since the Olympics, I've had an urge to pick up skateboarding. Lucky enough to be gifted one through Freecycle two months ago, it sat in our closet and mocked me in my dreams. I was envisioning being able to do cool tricks with snowboards and practice in the summer sun with a skateboard.

Well today I tried it out. I bit the bullet and took it outside, a nice sunny day with neighbours moving furniture, walkers and strollers going by, taking their children and pets out for a turn...

Honestly, why can't people stay inside so they are unable to watch me make a fool of myself, hm? That's all I ask. Go away, eyeballs. ("Shut up brain or I'll stab you with a q-tip!")

So yes, I was completely self-conscious -- me, easily 20 years older than when I first tried one out as a child, and paddling about on the little board like I could barely swim. Not embarrassing exactly, but I feel like I should be more adept at it from the get-go. Those boys make it look so easy! They're like, what, five years old? C'mon feet, do your thing! Keep your balance!

Sigh. There's only one thing to do to get this out of my system... Practice.