Front Board.

Nollie Flip Crooks.

Backside Flip.

Clair Chang

Growing up in an Italian household, fully rooted in Roman Catholicism, the saying and pious reminder to, “Always Count Your Blessings,” has forever been embedded in that often stubborn, shit-filled head of mine. I have never wholeheartedly been able to “Count My Blessings” in the traditional sense–while collectively breaking-down and appreciating all of the pleasant and truly good things that have come, gone and will forever stay in my life. I am a classic example of the drifting asshole that perpetually takes everything for granted, forgetting the great things in my world and focusing on the trite unpleasantness that somehow take precedent over anything and everything else. I’m a bit of a prick. However, it saddens me to say that a lot of times it takes tragic moments or real-life horror stories in order for me to truly appreciate what it is I have. Clair Chang’s story is one of violence, heartbreak and utter senselessness. If no other emotion but shock can come of reading Clair’s story, step back and take a second to think about how in only a moments time, everything can be taken from you–both that which is good and bad. Do yourself a favor, don’t be an asshole like me. Count your blessings. Hopefully when we cross paths someday and I’ll be able to learn something from you. “Two of my buddies ran after the car and got the license plates of the dudes who shot us. It was three guys and two had guns and shot at us. Their other friend I guess got scared and ratted his friends out like, ‘My friends just shot a couple people at the mall.’” It turns out that the dudes with the guns worked security at an old age home and they were given guns to carry on the job. Both guys who shot are currently in jail and are awaiting the criminal case date to begin. One is being charged with first degree murder and the other is catching a manslaughter charge. “He’s getting a first degree charge because he went to the car to get his gun, so it’s premeditated,” says Chang.
After five months and a shitload of physical therapy, Clair was back skating again. “I was back on the board. It took about a month to get everything back for skating. Now I feel good, pretty much 100 percent, just skating,” he says. At the moment, Clair is studying general ed at a community college, skating as much as he can, getting flowed from DC and riding for Transistions Boardshop. “I never thought I’d get shot, it just happened. It wasn’t supposed to happen,” he says. “Right now I’m just trying to do something with skating and see what happens.”
Skate everyday, hump as much as physically possible, experiment with substances and eat greasy, heart stopping food…cause you never know when shit’s gonna pop off.