I was going to avoid this thread because I guess I figured it had all been gone over before, but its gone for some many pages I thought I should check it out. Wow, some interesting discussion is going on, and as a teacher I thought I would jump in as well (also have a few pairs of "girl pants" in my wardrobe so I will comment on that as well).
First of all, back to Bulldogs first statement. I was standing next to him when that kid walked up, he is one of my students, and a good kid. Ya, its weird, but ya have to get past some of the goofy stuff they do. I applaud some deviation from the Abercrombie polos and AE crap. Its nice getting a little difference in there, Lord knows I don't want a bunch of clones walking around the halls of our school. On top of that, our town is blue collar, but people think they are a little better then really are. Stereotyping, and being very untolerant of others seems to be the trend of our town, bred by the older people and trickling into the youth.
This is the very problem with why we don't have a skatepark. People stereotype the type of kids that would go to such a place. They would wear black, and chains, and do drugs, and probably kill people. Its such a joke. For every kid that come close to that description there are a ton of yuppyish kids with popped collars and baggy jeans getting dropped off in their parents Cadi that will use the park. Are they brats, heck ya, do they swear and are disrespectful, for sure. I've been working on this project for 6 years (to get the park in our town) and I still get disrespected by the kids. At their age its actually not even a part of their mental makeup to understand doing things for others. THey are also used to being babied by their parents and getting everything handed to them, why would they expect anything different.
To switch gears on this rant for a moment, we are also digging public trails in the next town over. I spend tons of time, even taking a personal day to work on them. When I leave the little kids come out and run over the jumps, fill the small ones in so they can ride over them, and generally destroy the place. Any trail builder knows the feelings that I feel towards these kids. You suggest they pick up a shovel and help and they laugh. They really feel that the jumps just appear for their pleasure, no effort needs to be taken on their part to maintain them. Of course this is why they don't feel bad when they drag a pedal or tear up a landing. If they had helped they would be more understanding. Two days ago a kid rode over some new stuff I had just built after I told him not to, I was ready to level the kid with my shovel, but the only one getting in trouble would be me for behaving in such a manner.
So why continue to do things for kids? Well, first of all, those jumps and that skatepark are places for ME to ride. Not to be selfish, but I want them. I'm willing to endure some pain so that I don't have to drive 30min or more away to get my fix. I've always been one of a few in my town to take riding seriously, and again, people that do can understand this mentality. If its just something you do on occasion why would you feel any allegiance or interest to improve the situation for yourself, let alone other people. But again, that goes back to that kid mentality that everything will be done for you. Thats why I work harder at the trails digging, or working with the city to get a park built, because I know better then to expect that from those around me.
The other reason I put up with the kids is because some times you get those bright moments with the youth of our nation (a main reason I still teach). At that benifit for the skatepark I was sitting next to a kid on the demo park deck and he commented how riding the ramps was way more fun then sitting at home playing video games like he normally does on weekends. Heck ya we need a park, these kids need something to do. I watched a lot of kids hang out, enjoy themselves, and be free from repression for what they do (skating is actually banned in our DT). For all the kids I heard swearing or being disrespectful I saw a twenty that were being just fine, why would I let a couple bad eggs ruin my drive. Same with at my trails. I threw out my shovel line (come help!) to a couple kids one day and they actually did. Monday I had a couple little guys who just wanted to help, well, go stamp that dirt down. Awesome, they hung with us and actually took part in making the trails. They were so excited to be able to ride afterwards, they appreciated what they (and we) had done. Like I said, that helps fuel me on.
Lastly, there are a group of feshmen boys that have been coming to the trails a lot. They huck themselves off the jumps and give it their all. They crash, they bleed, and they also help us build. Its awesome seeing guys starting out, and its also cool to be apart of that. We teach them how to jump and then we get to see them blossom. If I had mentors when I was that young I would be sooo much better now. Its kinda nice to provide that "service".
Anyway. I'm sitting in a classroom right now with my worst class. They are mouthy, they are loud, and they are definitely disrespectful. Do I just let them walk all over me? Do give up because their parents have? Do I give up because I don't want to be the "bad guy" even though I'm the only person in their lives that stands up to them? No. Of course not. Sorry to go off on a tangent, but this whole thing bugs me, kids as well as adults. Lets not point fingers of who is to blame for kids behavior, just take an active role to correct it. On top of that, instead of getting worked up cuz a kid has a pair of tight pants on or makeup lets be a little bit more mature and consider what kind of person he is.
And as for the jeans thing, if you can rock them and like them, awesome. If you prefer baggy Levis, sweet. Go ride your bike how you like. A lot of BMXers hate on guys that ride MTBs, seems like a lot of MTBers are hating on guys with tight pants. People are different, thats a sweet little thing called free will that God gave us (not pressing my faith on anyone, just what I believe). I think we all know the past of discrimination, why don't we try to improve things and be a bit more excepting and open minded.
Done.
could not have been used better.<one of the best photos ever>
I dont get the reference. Then again, i don't watch basketball.
If you didn't laugh at that picture then you're dead inside.No Zach, I don't expect you to read it. Nobody said you had to open the thread or do anything for that matter. I guess the least I would expect from another adult is not to act in such an immature fashion about not wanting to read something. Congrats on losing my respect, I guess I thought you were better then that.
Gayer than freeridekid in a bikini. Not only do you not get the knee freedom of shorts, you get the pantless effect of dirt in your shoes when digging.capris? Gayer than girls jeans? But functionally better?
Perhaps. Oh well, carry on with the pants...^^ Yea T1, I feel you that you have a passion for riding. I have an obsession I think...
But really the thread is for discussion about pants, as sad as it is...
I know I said it's sad and yes I read a couple pages, I'm gonna wash the stink off in a minute.
BTW I read your entire post and it should've been made into it's own thread.
Yeah what's he gonna do?I think Nietzsche is flipping out over the horse you guys are beating.
you nailed it man. i'm glad you're a teacher, we need more of them like you.. . . . Done.
only difference being, if you are wearing really tight pants, the world can see yours.opinions are like assholes, everyone has one.
until they go down on you and get a whiff of your swamp crotch and promptly fill your lap with vomit.i think a majority of people hate tight pants and talk sh*t on them because they don't have the stunning physique required to properly rock them. i get compliments on my legs from women regularly. girls dig em too. good combo
you're just now realizing this?! Go out and buy yourself a flat brimmed hat right now!sweet! 101 posts about clothes. biking is a fashion show
Shlt........you have no idea.biking is a fashion show
AI is my hero.To plagiarizer a famous Allen Iverson quote
"It's easy to sum it up if you're just talking about pants. We're sitting here, and I'm supposed to be online checking out cool bike shizz, and we're talking about pants. I mean listen, we're sitting here talking about pants, not a frame, not a set of jumps, not a steezy ass picture, but we're talking about pants.
pro class? sh*t son just look at expert, and sport, and even beginner....Shlt........you have no idea.
Go look at the pro dh class some day.
seriously, when i go to the races I am pretty much the only guy racing in jeans and a t shirt, everyone else has expensive matching gear,pro class? sh*t son just look at expert, and sport, and even beginner....
if these kids spent half the time practicing as they do picking out a matching race kit with a matching bike, maybe there'd be better US representation in the UCI...
When I used to race, I would intentionally dress DOWN. I wore mis-matched socks, shorts that said CREST (toothpaste) on them, and a jersey I found at goodwill for a buck. I used to love hearing people whisper **** about me, and then blow them away on the course. Very satisfying!pro class? sh*t son just look at expert, and sport, and even beginner....
if these kids spent half the time practicing as they do picking out a matching race kit with a matching bike, maybe there'd be better US representation in the UCI...
which, in itself, is a statement.riding in tight pants isn't a statement, just a personal preference.
I don't know what i'm gonna do now. Intraweb respect is all that gets me out of bed everyday.Congrats on losing my respect, I guess I thought you were better then that.
I don't know what i'm gonna do now.
you kinda nervous soundin', startin' to get me all pissed off...I don't know what i'm gonna do now. Intraweb respect is all that gets me out of bed everyday.