The Past is The Past

I have been thinking this more and more lately....how much energy is wasted thinking about what's already been, trying to climb out of a past that only exists because I keep repeating it in my mind. In other words, not living out and making new the present moment. Look at MySpace, I challenge you to go delete one photo from your album...which you are present in. Believe me, you'll get a feeling like, but I don't want to forget that. Why, because your past is part of you. That's all good, just make sure it's not keeping you there.

I came across what was supposed to be the introduction article on Dirt City Zine...taking us into 2008. I never posted it for some reason, but as I reread it, it took me back to where I was in January, mentally and physically. A good fresh place, and obviously done with age 22, happy to be 23. On the otherhand, it made me realize, how unproductive it would have been to linger in the past, because now I don't remember what was so horrid about 22, though at the time was significant enough to bring up in an article. So, here it is.

>>>>>For me, the hardest thing about writing, well writing from experience, has always been that I might offend someone, or that the someone who has inspired this certain piece will know it is he/she. I guess honesty can be harder than I think sometimes.

Last week I was riding high, not to mention, I was reading a book on Jim Morrison and Linda Ashcroft’s platonic relationship…so naturally I was subconsciously taking on his state of mind through the week. At anyrate, I hit a plateau on Thursday night, when I was told I had not seen enough of the real world to understand, the darker sides of this life. Now, this is not the first I have been told this by an elder peer. I used to think there was some truth to it back then, but now that I have reached the same age as they were when they told me this, and still have the same approach to life, and have been through a heck of a lot in seven years, I am not so sure. Still, I have not abandoned the observation.

At any rate, this plateau got me thinking that I was doing something wrong. Is my outlook on life naïve; unsympathetic to the rest of the world? Is life just waiting to have its fun with me, and take me down Elm Street? Has my hand in life been that much luckier? And even more so, I began to think, well, how do I become a better person, if so.

So, I began to think of how I related to the friends and family members in my life and their problems, and them to me. I began to think the ways in which they treated me, that made me feel better, or lifted me up. The things that stuck out to me were acceptance and sympathizing or relating, to make me feel I was not alone. And, the second, which came from my parents, was honesty. Now if I had to choose between receiving sympathy or honesty, which would I choose? Both are acts of love, both were needed, and both were selfless.

Though, the latter is hardest. For you fear the risk of losing someone’s admiration, because you just told him or her everything that was wrong. Your only hope is that truth shows through in the end. That down the road they realize they needed an honest look at themselves; to have the gun under the bun; to get the ass moving in the right direction. I was obviously taking my sweet time; sympathizing a little too much with my situation.

So, we come to a cross-road. Without the sympathetic stories of being age 22, my sister had afforded me at the time, I wouldn’t have any hair left. And, more importantly, been able to help others down the road, by shedding humor in our dilapidated, but hopeful, human states.

My sister showed me that tables turn; my parents taught me to help myself; my friends told me, you can lean on us. So, as 2007 comes to a close, I’d like to think I have learned a few valuable lessons. That in the end truth prevails. And secondly, that we are all in this together…no matter what the card reads.

On that note, I’d like to add, that there comes a point in helping someone that we can choose to perform an act of selfless love (expecting nothing in return).
If you can take an honest look at yourself and intensions, and can find an act of help selfless, then I applaud you. I applaud you, because I have found that it is harder to let go of someone that you help, because of an inevitable bond that builds through invested time and open wounds. So, when it is time to let go, it is hard to keep the act selfless, wanting to still be needed and have this temporary companionship. But, life is fleeting and so are the people in it, so take advantage of every moment and friends, and their wonderful company while you can.

Peering out over the ocean, we sat on the coquina wall of the Daytona Bandshell. My friend so perfectly asked, “What would you do with this picture?” Looking back, I probably should have ripped off my clothes, run to the sea, and flagged him to go skinny dipping, feeling the rush of adrenaline and new birth. But, I didn’t. Instead, I said, “Hmm..good question.” As if I expected the answer to float out of the clouds, if I stared long enough.

So, as you’re riding your days out, periodically ask yourself, “If I had this new moment in time (which, yes, you do), what would I make of it?”

Need Something to do this Sat. Night?

See you there!

The Essence of Dirt City

If You have not read this article originally written for Hurley.com It has been posted on http://www.bnqt.com/article.php?id=8144. (Banquet Action Television Network).

Click the Title to read.

The Red Tail Recap

Photos_ Duce Smith

Visualize This:

Bank ramp down to a fun box up to a grind box, over a gold, 1974 VW bug, to a 6ft quarter-pipe (crammed with skaters on a small deck). Then, shot over to boost a hip ramp (or by-pass it via the grind box), back to another bank ramp, to ollie the gap back to your start, or continue back to the otherside of the hip ramp for some lip tricks.....smooooth.


For some reason when you've got something new and fresh to skate infront of you, the sweltering, summer sun of Florida takes a back seat. The skaters lasted all day long, serving as consistent entertainment for the spectators last weekend. Yup, lasting longer, than the wakeboarders who got air blasted, and drenched in a 50 ft long pool every run.

Anyway, between the local possee and skaters cruisin through for the weekend, there was a good mix of styles and tricks: Jeckari, the Woodward bros, Tommy, Eric, Stacie, Adam, Devin... (my memory stops here). All put out for a good contest Saturday and best trick Sunday.

Mad thanks to the man-power behind DK Ramps, Dug Ketterman and Erik Brubaker, who worked hard to build and maintain, so everyone could sk8. I know what they're thinking,Heck, it better be good, cuz we're sk8in too. That's just one benefit of having builders that sk8.

Thanks to Amy from Salon 230 for donating her services, and freshening up people with free haircuts at our booth Saturday and Sunday!! Wank also kindly donated an event tent to Dirt City Missions at the days end. Thanks! Furthermore, DK Ramps is now the keeper of the ramp set-up you skated last wknd, so I know more events are in store. And, thanks to Ducer for being out there taking photos, otherwise, you would have truly had to visualize!

A Game Called Life.

A Game Called Life.

“Never sacrifice a passion, but rather make sacrifices for it.”

There comes a time in life when a sacrifice has to be made, and usually it is to keep a roof over head, the electric on, gas in the car, and a few apples in the fridge (the necessities). The sacrifice I’m talking about is most likely your passion, putting it off to the side in order to make a living (ya know the thing you spend doing 40 hours a week, every week of your life!). If you don’t have the luxury of paying your way through life, well, you only have one choice, to find another way to get there. First I suggest, finding a job or appreciating the one you have, because it is your bread and butter; secondly, discover your resources (the biggest one- is yourself); thirdly, start sacrificing time to get where you want to be; and, oh yeah, hang in there.

Now, anyone that knows me knows I always have something going. It’s a blessing and a curse to have non-stop creative inspiration and ideas. A blessing when there is a direction, a curse when it is every which way. I sort of see my life as jambalaya…before it’s a dish. I always had an idea of what I wanted to do, but it never quite came together until I collaborated with a few friends and started Dirt City. But once I did, things rolled, and because I have sacrificed for personal projects and endeavors before, I had a bit of wisdom and much new found wisdom this time. So, in another words, I guess you can say, nothing is ever wasted. Here are a few that stick out at the moment.

The old wisdom was how to actually enjoy a project. I used to focus so much on the goal, that I missed the whole journey. I also took others and myself too seriously. Now I see the beauty in working as a whole, when others come together to make something happen, it can be a really good time.

The newly found wisdom came with my first investment…. ha ha. I put a few things on the credit card, and well, lets just say my dad helped me out. Granted it was around $600.00, but I also had some dental work, I didn’t exactly have $2,000.00 set aside for (my insurance pulled a fast one…glad I’m seeing that come out of the pay check every month).

The credit card makes us live beyond our means in an untimely fashion. Of course, it does have its benefits, like when you can’t afford a necessity, or just need to buy a little time for a payment. But, now, what I try is this, if I need more money to invest, well, that means my standard of living goes down (ex. a few more roommates, no new clothes, eating out less, riding my bike to work, picking up an extra job on the wknd…)

At anyrate, in these last 8 months (when Dirt City Zine came together) I would not trade a moment. As for the team- Aly, Erik, Dug, and I- even better. We are making ideas manifest on virtually nothing, because we share a passion, to give, make things happen, and share life with others- true to ourselves- straight up. Needless to say, we don’t know all the blessings and lessons that are in store for us, but we have learned to love this game called Life. So, Dirt City Zine- now also Dirt City Missions, Inc., is proof if you need it, to never sacrifice a passion, but rather make sacrifices for it.

DIRT CITY ALL WEEKEND- STOP BY and SCORE!

Don't miss this killer event. And come by the Dirt City/DK booths for a free hair cut! Local stylists from Salon 230, Amy Behrens and Sophia Conway, are ready for you! DK Ramps will be putting together a sic skate course and contest. Tons of other companies have fun stuff planned for you too!

Time: 3pm- 2:30am (Sat. and Sun.)
Skate registration starts at noon; practice 1pm-3pm
S10.00 admission; 15.00 for 2 days

Daytona Night Life