Getting a Grip (Tape)

Skateboard Update:

I haven't applied grip tape to a skateboard before, so I thought I'd practice on my beater board before I tried to regrip the Sector 9 deck. 

I decided to apply tape that had a design on it rather than just standard black. Finding grip tape with an appropriate image proved difficult. Many of the designs feature drugs, women's bodies, and/or profanity. I understand I'm not in the target audience for skating accessories. No skateboard designer ever slapped their pen on the table said, "There! This should appeal to a middle aged man in the Midwest!"

I picked a skull image since Halloween is coming. I'm not sure if the skull is a reference to something else, but Charlotte thinks it looks cool. That's good enough for me.

I watched several sketchy YouTube videos about applying grip tape. I finally decided to follow this guy's advice ---> Link. He seemed trustworthy, and his teeth are very white. 

The clear grip tape mutes the Sector 9 logo, but the tape will keep Charlotte from sliding off the deck when she rides it. I suppose that's more important...

I'm using the larger wheels that were on Char's short-longboard. They should work for now.

The Sector 9 board has come a long way since it left Davis, California (don't eat the sugar cookies when you visit ---> link.) I'm pleased with how the skateboard came out, and I'm glad I took a chance on it.

Mini update -10/29/18: I scored some different Sector Nine wheels for a reasonable price on eBay. I really like the ride and look. I think this project is done.

Just Fortunate to be Here

We attended Char's music program last night. The theme was based on the book The Day the Crayons Quit.

When Char's class walked onstage, a mother near me commented, "These kids look huge!"

I recorded my favorite part of the program, but for some reason the video is a useless black. I'll have to describe it. While she was singing, Char took one second to look me in the eye and scowl. Then she went right back to singing with an innocent face. It's now our family joke, and she pulled it off flawlessly.

She gave me the same look while singing in church last Sunday. She makes the face right at the end of this short video. You can see it on my phone, but sometimes the blog cuts video clips short.

Each grade performed a 15 minute set. When the second graders began singing "You are my Sunshine," a preschooler sitting behind us sang along note for note. When it was done, she said, "Hmmmpt. That's my song!"

The program ended with the third graders singing "True Colors." Thematically, that's a great song choice. Also, this version is on the Trolls soundtrack that we listen to in my car, so hearing Char sing it felt personal.

This is the last time Charlotte will be part of this program. Next year she'll be in the 4th and 5th grade program. That makes me a little sad. It could be worse. I know parents who are near my age, and they are already starring at an empty nest.

So, my melancholy is brief. Instead of worrying about what we are leaving behind, I focus on looking forward to what is ahead. In reality, I'm just fortunate to be here.

Losing My Grip (Tape)

I’ll share a skateboard story in honor of this morning's groundbreaking of the $3.5 million Lauridsen Skatepark in downtown Des Moines. 

This has to be one of the wettest Octobers that I can remember. But when the sidewalks are actually dry, Char and I have been having fun with our skateboards.

Not one to leave things alone, I've been updating our short-longboards with used parts found on eBay. We both got a "new" set of longboard wheels from this package deal.

I also bought these Randal longboard trucks for my board.

I spotted this Sector 9 longboard while searching for "used longboard trucks." These pictures were taken from the seller's eBay listing.

This small section of exposed wood made me suspect that there might be a nice skateboard lurking underneath the filthy grip tape. I started to smell a project.

The bottom of the deck didn't have too much road rash.

Those smudges appear to be paint that could be cleaned off.

The Gull Wing Sidewinder trucks tipped the scales. They were worth the money even if the deck was a bust. I made an offer that was $10 lower than the asking price, and it was accepted. The longboard arrived from California on Saturday, and I got right to work.

The grimy grip tape slowly peeled off after heating it in sections with a hair dryer. Yes, I have a hair dryer in my garage. Doesn't everyone? I then had to remove all the adhesive left on the board. It was a sticky mess. Time to get the Goo Gone.

I'd like to say that the glue came off with a quick wipe, but that wasn't the case. It took over an hour to get the goo gone. But it was worth all that elbow grease.

A Magic Eraser pad dipped in isopropyl alcohol removed a lot of junk from the bottom and sides of the deck. You have use a light touch when using the magic eraser. You can remove the artwork if you press too hard or work in one area too long.  

It's not perfect, but the bottom does look nicer.

I smoothed out some of the pavement scratches on the trucks' hangers with 400 grit sandpaper and metal polish. That wasn't necessary, but I already had the sandpaper and polish, so why not? My labor is free. I also swapped the original wheels with the ones I just replaced on my other skateboard. 

Before:

After:

There is quite a contast between the old grip tape and the cleaned deck.

The board is now too slick for Char to ride as it is. She would slide right off while going around a corner. I have some new, clear grip tape arriving in the mail today, so I will see how that goes.

Projects like this are so much fun.

Going Green

Whew. It's Forest Friday, and I'm glad this theme week is done. These dress up days are fun, but they put some pressure on the parents. Putting an outfit or costume together takes more time than you would think.

Put Your Hair in the Air

It's Troll (Hair) Thursday!

Daphne did a great job of getting Char trollin' this morning.

I surprised Char by playing this golden oldie on the way to school. 

Char told me as she got of the car, "Trolls was a pretty big movie wasn't it? I mean, it wasn't as big as Frozen, but it was still pretty big."

I took Char to Trolls two years ago. Ahh, the memories: link

I need to stretch more often...

... sitting on a classroom floor is hard to do.

Today is "Wish Upon a Star Wednesday," and Charlotte had to wear yellow again to represent the third grade.

More importantly, it was also "Bring Your Parents to School Day." Daphne and I joined Charlotte at Karen Acres from 8:15 to 9:30.

The morning began in the gym to see what Char has been doing in P.E. She is demonstrating spider ball push ups here.

"If you take a picture Dad, I'm throwing this ball at you." (Both of those things happened.)

Slap hand push ups.

Soccer skills.

Next was the classroom session in Mrs. Gilbert's room (Char's 3rd grade teacher). The writing station was our first stop. We randomly flipped pages in the prompt book and ended up with, "Write a scary story about... a monkey... that never does what it should."

Charlotte's story was about a scary monkey who wore a leopard mask. Daphne wrote about a monkey who sneaked out onto the roof at night and was blown away by a storm.

Here's my story:

     "Max the monkey would not play, or swing, or eat bananas. All he wanted to do was stand outside your window and watch you sleep.
     And he had a knife."

Charlotte shook with laughter when she heard my story.  She showed the story to Mrs. Gilbert. Mrs. Gilbert did not shake with laughter.

The fluency test checks how many words you can read in a minute. "Ready? Go!"

The math program on the computer presents mathematical problems in a fun carnival setting. I wish this existed when I was in 3rd grade.

I didn't take any pictures of the music session with Mrs. Emry Becker. She had the students perform for the parent audience, but Char was across the room, and I couldn't see her well. 

I did get a couple of pictures of Char's class projects.

Charlotte, I hope you follow your own advice. Being kind is one of the most important things you can be. It is true that some people think they can go very far in this world by being not kind. The problem is that they eventually end up where they do not want to be.

Tall Tale Tuesday

Char wanted to dress up as one of the three little pigs. I suspect there will be two other pigs on the playground as well.

Mom did a great job making the nose and ears. Char picked out her pink outfit. My job was to get Char, the nose, and the ears inside the school intact and dry from the rain.

Life is a team effort.

Ummm... Yeah, Okay.

I'll be honest. I have no idea why today is Mythical Monday at Karen Acres Elementary.

All I know is that Charlotte needed to bring a bag of pennies to school, and she wanted to dress like a fox.

On days like these, I just go with the flow.

I Took Her Seat

This morning I told Charlotte that there was a suprise waiting for her in the car. She looked in the back seat and then looked back at me with a puzzled expression, "I don't get it."

"That's right," I replied.

"What?"

"The booster seat. You don't get it anymore."

Her face lit up. "No more booster seat?! That's so cool!" Char jumped in the car and luxuriated in the open space.

The Iowa Child Restraint Law states that a seat belt alone is not appropriate for a child six or younger. Char is eight years old, and it feels like it's the right time. 

Charlotte laughed as we pulled out of the driveway, "Hey, Dad! I remember when I was five in kindergarten, and you had just given me the booster seat. I bragged to everyone at school that I had one. Do you remember that?"

"Yes. I remember that." Back then I was lamenting how much she had grown. 

Some things do not change. 

August 11, 2015: "Getting a Boost"

Char moved out of her "baby seat" and into her "booster seat" on Sunday. She is really excited about the change, and Char has asked more than once, "Do I look like big girl, now?" I have to say yes. 

Honestly, it is a bit of a shock to look over my shoulder and see how much she has grown. 

 But what she doesn't know is when I look at her in the back seat, I also see this.

And my chest tightens.

A Nice Way to Start the Week

I attended West Lyon Elementary through 3rd grade. My dad was my principal and my mom was the speech therapist. When my parents had to work at school on the weekends, my sister and I would get to play in the gym with the scooters (remember them?), balls, and sometimes Dad would even pull out the trampoline out for us.

We'd also get to go into the teachers' lounge to drink a pop before we left. I'd go for a Mountain Dew. I always got a kick out of this guy on the bottle.

It was cool having your parents work at your school. You got to see them during the day, and after school you got to do stuff that other kids couldn't. 

Although she can sit on a skateboard, I've been trying to build Charlotte's confidence for riding her scooter. I thought the school grounds would be a good place for Char to practice. 

After struggling with the scooter for 15 minutes, Char wanted to check out my classroom. It didn't take long for her to start drawing on the white board. She giggled, "I'm so lucky my parents are teachers."

This greeted me on Monday morning.

I think I'm the lucky one.