Declaration of Independents: Snowboarding, Skateboarding & Music--An Intersection of Cultures

Aloha All, I hope all you Canadian skaters out there enjoy this book. I know I do! Why, you ask? Cause I am in it! No joke. That's right, my name is Eric Franks (AKA The Disabled Skater). I still skate 7 years after the photo, and interview. It was by far, one of the best days of my life... The picture of me holding my REAL Keith Hufanegal Deck, standing in my walker (four-wheeled type contraption) was taken at Yuba City Skatepark, in Yuba City, California (U.S.A.), in April, of 98. I was there with my mom, (Lynne) and my two good friends: Jason and Gerald Lifur. As it happened, I was just cruising around, and, Sonny Mayiugba (aka SM) noticed me, and came up to me asking, "do you mind if I take some pictures of you skating, and do an interview..." of course, I said yes! But, he also had to ask my mom. (cause I was under age at the time) Anyway, he actually took a pic of me skating up the side of a pyramid (at the park). The pic of me on the ramp was not published in the DOI? (For whatever reason). The pic of me actually skating is found in the magazine though. I think you can still get a copy of the issue via www.heckler.com or possibly EBAY, if they don't send you one? (for whatever reason)Anyway, after about 20 minutes, he said, " look for yourself in next month's issue." Which was the actual magazine of Heckler. It was May 1998's issue (AKA The Simple Issue) Issue # 26 . I was so stoked, when later in May, I went to a skate shop called Zumiez, and found a copy. Then, about a year ago, one of my friends, who owns a skateshop in California, called Unity, told me I was in this book! Then he went and showed me. Since then I have autographed a half dozen copies! I don't know how easy it is to get a copy in Canada? But in the U.S. you have to usually order it. I had to. Heckler never sent me any copy of the mag, or book. Lastly, all the other skaters, snowboarders, bands, many of whom I looked up to (and still do) are awsomely profiled in this book, such as Metallica, Ian Mackaye of Minor Threat (R.I.P.) and the still together, Fugazi, also appearances by: Green Day, Public Enemy, Tony Hawk, Tony Alva, Jay Adams, Duane Peters (of the band: U.S. Bombs) Steve Caballero, Christian Hasoi, and tons more! As always, keep on doing what you love, and do it the best you can. Live to skate Until next time, eh!Yours truly in everything skating, love, unity, and Canadian,Eric N. Franks (The Disabled Skater)AKA: The Canarican (Canadian American) (I Will be someday)