People are generally assholes. I base that on my thirty-eight years of life experience, where easily ninety percent of human interaction has been either neutral, or varying degrees of overtly negative. But maybe a handful of times in my life, I've actually had an affirming, pleasant exchange with another person.

I was out an hour or so ago on my skates, where a woman stopped her car, rolled down her window, and beckoned me over: "Sir! I need to tell you something!" As it turns out, I've become a "constant story" in her household, as they've watched me progress from a total beginner just last summer, to being "very skilled and super confident" as she said I am today. This, of course, immediately after I'd almost totally wiped while practicing my speed skating strokes-- a point which I modestly emphasized, with a laugh!

It was a very brief conversation, but it felt great to hear a neutral, total stranger confirm to me that I'm on the right track, and that all of my hard work on the skates is paying dividends.

My other big breakthrough was discovering this guy about a week ago. That video in particular answered my question regarding what I want my personal school choice to be: urban freestyle. It's "Jet Set Radio" in real life-- minus the graffiti of course. Every time I skate now I'm immitating Bill Stoppard. Right now I'm working on hopping onto and off of sidewalks and other elevated surfaces-- it's kind of scary, and I did a real number on my right knee a few days ago, but I'm making progress.