I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you. And for that I’d also like to apologize. I’ll blame a foggy combo of selfishness and a low-vibe personality. Maybe some social ineptitudes, too. My bad.
Anyway, thanks, and I’m sorry for not saying thanks before now.
Sorry.
Thanks.
Again.
We good?
Ishod Wair eats immeasurable metropolitan canyons for breakfast. Kicky crooks. Photo: Ryan Flynn
’Cause honestly, I’ve neglected to bring much revolutionary gnar to the skateboard riding table, lo these many years. That’s never going to change and I feel just terrible about it. I wouldn’t blame you if you were pissed.
Instead of spinning 540s or clearing immeasurable metropolitan canyons, I’ve pretty much lagged behind a few thousand light years and cherry-picked the easiest and most accessible—taking full advantage of your styles, your tricks, your sensations, and emulating them within my limited abilities. Thanks, man. Sorry, man. Yeah, man.
Pat Wilkins gets a running start for throwing down. Photo: Groundman
It’s been my fortunate pleasure to’ve been able to learn from skateboarding without adding much, if any, of my own design. Instead, I’ve only had to follow your examples. I know this, I’m grateful for this, and I humbly bow my head.
Like I said up there, thanks.
But hey, while I’m at it, I have a little favor to ask you.
Can you just continue getting better and better, pretty much on the same path you’ve been on for over 50 years, and pile up the newness and greatness and innovation-ness, breaking new ground each and every single day until the end of it all?
I hope I’m not asking too much.
Chris Pastras sets examples better than our own. Three flip from way downtown. Photo: Sean Peterson
It’s not that I don’t ’preesh what you’ve done for me in the past, it’s that I just need something to continue to lead the way on all fronts, you know? I like to always follow an example better than my own.
I’m not worried, per se, but sometimes, especially lately, when I sit here in the backseat, I see the recycled and the undone and the obvious taking the leading role and it makes me want to fling rotten tomatoes, and ever since that shoulder dislocation in Denver I can’t throw very hard.
Original attraction. Jeff Phillips kicks a hole in the sky for the future laggers and lovers. Photo: Grant Brittain
So, please, I’m begging you, I don’t care how you do it, just keep attracting the originals, the arteeests, the weirdos, the genetic freaks, and the supremely bouncy and balanced. But it’s not just for me, do it for the future followers and laggers and lovers of skateboarding.
Without us, I’m sure you’d be fine, but without you, we—and the rest of this whole sorry mess—are nothing.
Thanks again.
I’ll take my answer off the air.
Listen to Pat Wilkins’ We Wear The Mask Playlist.
