Starting doing something you’ve never done before? Getting back into something you used to do? Is it fun and exciting? Is it challenging?
I recently starting to learn roller skating (quad skating). It is so thrilling! I can’t do a lot yet, I can barely stop, can’t skate backwards, and definitely no transitions. I can skate forward, scissor, scooter push, and I am getting tight with turns.
I take classes on the weekends, which are an hour, and then I skate 3 more hours in the regular session.
I am inching my way through the fundamentals, and I am not falling as often as I did just a week ago. I am wearing a helmet, because I care about my head, but I have become comfortable enough to take it off since it is not required, just wrist guards.
I own my own skates, Riedell R3s with Sonar Caymans (indoors), and Sketchers 4 Wheelers (outdoors), which I modified by replacing the plastic plates and trucks with Sure-Grip Super X. Now they are not so scary.
ALSO! I just got my first skate board! I walked into a local skate shop I had no idea existed until someone mentioned it, and only went in to see what offerings they had for roller skates so I would not have to order online. They got wheels and bearings, plus tools and protective gear, which is all I need and expected.
I walked out with an 8.5 Real deck (recycled), Ventura trucks, Slime Balls 78a wheels, Bones Reds bearings, and black tape. Assembly was free in-house and the dude got it together under 10.
I have yet to ride it, but I learned there is a skate park near me, so I have a lot to look forward to!
Edit: fixed details
Yes, and to make that cotton paper, I’ll be manufacturing a Hollander Beater to turn the cotton into pulp. That one I’m quite excited for.
Had to look up what a Hollander Beater, and it is mesmerizing! This is an incredible project. I have seen videos on bespoke papermaking, but it has been awhile with the details.
It is awesome that you are making all the tooling yourself. That is inspiring.