So there's always been a few places that I just feel out of place in namely Computer stores and Hardware stores- thanks to my son I've been introduced to a few more lately. Hot Topic clothing/accessories/weird items store and most recently the skate park. Which was such a bizarre experience that I have to blog about it.
My son has recently picked up aggressive blading, and he has some friends that do the same as well as some skateboarding /bmx biking. They practice at a local school sometimes and some various places that they have found, but as you may know, skateboarders and such aren't always appreciated in parking lots (although if everything is closed, I don't know what the big deal is ) Anyhow, we finally made time in the schedule to take him to the skate park. He was going to get some equipment for his skates, (a friend gave him a used pair when he got new ones), then spend some time skating.
Let me say too, that initially it is was going to be his Dad taking him skating, but he was on call and ended up with 5 calls to do- which means Mom is left to the task ( of course I had to take Jayna to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. first) So after Chuck E Cheeses we come home, Andrew gets his skates and we head off. I just knew the name of the street the skate park was on, and the area of the street I was thinking of is, umm, well is a nicer area than where we ended up. Being disoriented, I about got crashed into by a bus, yes my fault, I think it was pulled over picking up a passenger and I didn't realize it, so I turned in front of it about the time it started to move forward.
We arrive at the park, the parking lot is full, so I had to park on the side of the road. First thing to notice - a police car is sitting out front. Hmm... We go through registration/waiver signing and he goes off to buy the needed gear. I was kind of clueless here, but he seemed to know somewhat what he needed, and a slew of friends were around. The lady is asking if we have an allen wrench- huh? But Andrew pulls one out of his bag. It took awhile, but between him and his friends they got him ready to skate. That leaves me to take in the atmosphere.
It was so bizarre- I was tempted to take pictures of the kids there, but thought that might be a bit creepy. Thus I refrained. I really wondered if some of them were dressed up for Halloween or something, but in the end, I don't know that they were. So here were some of my visuals for the night: the girl with gold and black tight and small stretch pants with red slipper like things,and a red sweat shirt (was she trying to be an elf??), the girl with a tiara and a fancy, short, dress worn with fish net like hose with big holes in them, there was actually someone in a "gumby" costume who was skateboarding, plenty of people with piercings and very black hair, neon pants.... So beyond the clothes I was also priveleged to see people making out- I thought the one couple were lesbian, but in the end, I think I figured out that one of them was a boy. There were probably hundreds of kids there- you can pay to skate, or you can pay $5 to hang out and listen to the bands. Truly the people participating in the sports didn't seem to be so weird, and were busy participating in their sport, not other "activities"
So the bands were awful- and I'm sitting there and I hear the one band member say this is a song about something that happened to me when I was 16- losing my virginity and it's called "Losing It" crowd cheers! Are you kidding me!! So as you can tell the whole experience was a bit overwhelming to this mom. For all of those kids there-how many parents??? About 5- myself and a few other moms sitting around reading books, maybe a Dad here or there. I wonder how many parents even have any idea what kind of atmosphere they are dropping their kids off into. Andrew has a friend that was dropped off there around 1 in the afternoon and was there when we left around 9:30. Not the kind of place I would want my child to be for that long unattended- even if kids are good and there to skate- too much of an ugly atmosphere.
Will we go again? I'm not saying we won't- I'm sure Andrew wants to. But we may avoid the band nights- and in the mean time I'm off to research other options- I'm afraid there may not be many. And yes, although it's a place I felt uncomfortable in- I'm still glad I was there for two reasons- one it was important for my son to have someone to take him to the skate park, and two just so I'm aware of what it is like.
And so it goes...
Reading now- "Banker to the Poor" (again!) by Muhammad Yunnus- excellent read, I've choosen it for book club next month.
