switch day

Because of things that aren't related to skating, the day started shittily.  It got better. Visibility was .07 km due to PM2.5. I know because I checked on google maps to see which buildings I can see from the balcony. I took a backpack of frozen water bottles up to 圓山 and made it through most of the afternoon, despite the heat. Fatigue set in before I got quite as far out on the bicycle path as I wanted, but I got a series of new switch tricks, so I was pleased with myself.
I'll say this for Taiwanese people, they really recognize effort, and worship anyone who is trying hard. I went for broke at the granite benches, and gathered a group of strangers who stopped to watch. Some were old, some were children, some where inbetween. They stared with that uniquely asian expression that I still can't read. It's totally blank, totally without emotion, but for westerners, it comes across as pure hate. I'm still not used to people staring at me like that. In america, someone would have definitely called the cops on me.
I slammed and they all made a sound. I got up, and one of them shouted "GO , GO," in English. I'm not good at skating, but I might be the first person they've ever seen skating. I like to think that when I landed it, it was the best trick at least one of them has ever seen. Nevermind that it was switch and hideously ugly. I gave out some high fives. By the time I made it, it felt like my skateboard had an extra pair of trucks attached to it. I couldn't walk without stubbing my toe and stumbling. I normally skate flatground tricks all the way home, but after I made that one, I pushed back with out even an ollie or manual. Fatigue is awesome the mental wellbeing.
If it's been a bad month, I suggest making a list of little tricks you've never done, and going out and doing them. This shit cheered me up. Checking off skate check lists is my antidepressant.

From the top of 圓山's bridge, it's a downhill run back home. Halfway back, I stocked up on TB at the 7. I cracked one open and crossed the street, and suddenly my pushing leg got a brutal cramp in the hip socket. Since I had already beered up,  I posted at the green stairs, which is a shitty skatespot for a beautiful evening, but a great one when it's raining and I don't feel like going far from home. I couldn't push anymore, or even walk, so I drank beers and watched the traffic and listened the cicadas when the lights turned red. It's wasn't hot anymore. I got buzzed. People stared at me. I wish my 15 year old self could have walked by and seen me. I don't know what I would have thought.

I stayed there for a while, and nothing seemed to change. It feels like that moment was permanent, and I can go back to it later; five minutes skate up the road and I'll be buzzed and tired and listening to Gucci and Migos and the traffic and the bugs and feeling like going to florida in a late 1980s childhood.