NOSIA
Then my attention was grabbed by a soft rattling noise coming from the top of
the hill. I could finally understand the Doppler Effect and principle of sound as it was being
demonstrated here. As the rattle drew nearer, I became aware of its source. I saw that it was
a skateboarder (an odd one at that) coming towards me at tremendous speed. As he drew
closer, I saw him pop repetitive ollies and tweak a couple of stand-up slides. I could also see
who it was on the skate.
Yes, there I was, guiding my skate down the hill. I stopped dropping boxes (it seemed
pointless anyway) and watched myself carve gracefully down the hill. The rattling grew to
a roar. "Scobey!" I yelled to myself, hoping to catch my attention. No response. "Hey Scobey!"
I yelled again, even louder. Still no reply. Then I heard a soft voice beside me saying. "He
can't hear you, you know. He's skateboarding quite loudly." I paid no mind to the voice and
made one last futile attempt to gain my attention. "Over here!" I exclaimed, jumping up and
down and waving my arms. "He can't hear you," the voice mocked in a self-righteous tone.
I was a bit peeved by the oration and turned to see who was bothering me. I whirl-
ed around only to find me standing there. I stared at myself for a moment (not realizing the
relevance at all), then I looked down at myself cutting along the street. I looked up again
and said to myself, "I must really be deep in thought, 'cause I can't even hear me." I nodded
in concurrence and we both looked down at me. I thrust a 180° shove-it to fakie slappy fifty.
fifty into an inverse Smith grind of sorts off the curb
Rather abruptly I came to a sliding halt, instantly scattering all those little white
balls and leaving a mark on James Arnez. We gazed down, feeling a bit awkward, then I
looked up at myselves and said, "Oh, hi Scobey. Hi Scobey" We all smiled. Then I pumped
twice and continued down the hill.
After that, I thought quietly to myself, "Well, it's been a pleasant day," and went
back to dropping sugar boxes on James.
Left: Carabeth Burnside busts a
Houston handplant. Photo: Luke Ogden.
Above: Unidentified power slider looks
ahead to a wide patch of opportunity
Photo Dave Omer