On the Prowl for New Spots...

Back to rollerblading for a quick second...

but does anyone out there actively hunt for new spots?  I understand the passive approach - you pass by something and think hey that wasn't there before, I'll skate it later. I mean pack your bag and skates, and roam around searching for new locales.  Not for the sake of a photo opp or filming the hot clip of the week, but just for the sake of skating something new? (Don't get me wrong, I'm all for clip hunting and snapping that fresh spot with my lens.)

It got me thinking yesterday that my friends and I passed over 2 spots to skate a tried and true spot.  Albeit the first spot was completely unwaxed, and was a gap to waist high ledge that spans a 10 ft dirt patch...and the second spot in Hollywood was nice sans the homeless buy napping at the end of the ledge. But, something Abel said struck a cord..We only have a set time out, and he wants to do is skate and not look over our shoulders for cops while brick rubbing a new spot.  He has a point. I was busted in Glendale some time ago for rubbing down a ledge (not the act, but we have the rub on us) and had the cops interrogate me and threaten to take me in for vandalism. But it's Glendale. They have nothing better to do. Not a fun way to spend my night.

But the allure of finding a new spot, working it, and making it your own is just too hard to pass up.  I love roaming around and looking for new new challanges.  Oftentimes I can't skate what I see due to my own inabilities, but that doesn't mean I can't think and dream.

I don't mind pulling over and glancing over a potential spot with a jeweler's eye and an artist's imagination. I don't even mind finessing a spot with brick rub, what's left of the wax in the car, the industrial push broom that sleeps in the car along with some rags.  The end result is a brand-spanking new spot we didn't have before.  And that's just satisfying on so many levels. That is, until I get hurt and ask myself why I bothered fixing the spot up. haha.

I'm the sort of person that likes to meander and roam for new pasture.  Maybe I spent too much time as a nomad in college between two countries (American and England), what might as well be two state (nor cal and so cal), and searching for what little spots there were in Santa Cruz.. I know I like new terrain and testing my tricks in uncharted waters.  It's a great feeling to know your skills transfer over past your traditional local spots.  The tried and trues.

Now the question I pose is who out there likes looking for new spots?  If so, why?  What do you look for?  And...for all my LA-Long Beach friends, care to share any of your finds? hah.

It's a Friday folks, spread the love!