Handshakes and Smiles

It’s no surprise to anyone that knows me very well that I have a fondness for nostalgia and things from my past. I have always been a collector and tend archive memories. I enjoy having pieces of my own history and being able to look at them years down the line. Coming back to skateboarding has got me to open many old boxes and look at where it is I’ve come from. One thing I have noticed by looking thru those many photographs and clippings is how accessible the heroes in my life have been. I’ve been able to meet punk rock icons like Ian MacKaye and Henry Rollins..skateboard legends like Tony Hawk, Lance Mountain and Mike Vallely.

Today I had the chance to meet another one of my heroes, granted it did take a little coaxing from Beth to get me out the door to go. So at 4:30 we set off for the Delmar Loop and Vintage Vinyl. Flogging Molly were set to do an in-store signing before tonight’s show at The Pageant. So there I was standing with hipster teens and twenty something’s waiting for the band to arrive…My ‘Hokus Pokus’ DVD in hand I lined up.

To some, the guy with the accordion is just one of the many members of the band. To me he will always be an OG member of the H-Street Skateboards team. Matt Hensley was one of the many young gun skaters that legitimized street skating in the late 80’s early 90’s. His video segments in ‘Shackle me not’ and ‘Hokus Pokus’ were studied by myself and my friends for hours.  His mastery of the ‘No Comply’ is still something to behold. To be honest I bought my first pair of Doc Martin’s because of Matt had done for a wheel ad that Matt had done.  Heck, he is also the main reason behind my decision to pick up a chain wallet as a 15yr old, something I still use today. So getting a chance to say thanks for the inspiration seemed fitting.

As I approached the end of the line I decided to bypass a few of the fellas and walk straight over to Hensley. I walked over extended my DVD and said “I’m not sure if the get to sign these much but…” He stopped and immediately stuck out his hand and gave a firm handshake and said “no, not very often” and smiled. He almost seemed taken back a bit and humbled. I told him thanks and he signed my DVD as Beth snapped a few pics. I’m sure I had a smile ear to ear, he smiled and gave me another hand shake as he thanked me again for bringing it by.  I know it’s a silly thing to get a handshake and autograph… But it sure made me feel like a kid again and that’s worth it’s weight in gold some days. Thanks to Matt for being so humble, gracious and an inspiration.