Myself and Steve ( I miss you!) were up our local pathetic hangout dustbowl last year, and out of the blue he turned around and asked if I had ever thought its weird how we hang out with kids half our age. He then went on to tell me about having Stacy in his car, and Stacy seeing all his friends walking around. Up until that point, I had never really thought about it.
Actually, thats a lie. I had, but never in the terms Steve was suggesting. I suppose, firstly, I don't really see them as young people, but rather young skateboarders. There is a distinction there, but how to explain it is hard. Perhaps, when having a skateboard tucked under my arm, I turn to an 'Us and Them' mentality. The public simply merge into either being in the way or about to get in the way. Nothing else really comes into it.
The public perception of this can't really be positive, but then again I am a 26 year old single male walking around with what is perceived to be a toy under my arm... not much really matters after that.
I know when I started skating at the age of twelve, my parents first voiced concern at me riding in cars of twenty year olds. This, however, soon turned to a must from my parents, once they realised that a) they weren't pissed, b) they weren't too weird and c) they actually looked out for me. If I had a pound for every time i was bought home with a busted ankle/wrist/head by someone twice my age I would....well, have about six quid, but thats not the point. I grew up too fast, yes, but I also had a great deal of protection that would not have been their otherwise, and I honestly think some of the situations I got myself into as a younger man would have perhaps not turned out in my favor.
So, here's to you young ones. Don't try to hard, because as soon as your up, we will push you back down. But right down inside, we love you, because basically, we are the same.
