A Dedication

M. B.

The Ruffing brothers set an example of protecting something valuable to us kids, such as the BMX tracks we built and the empty pools we found. Of course, we never asked permission to use the properties. They knew we would lose it if we did stupid things like vandalizing it, lighting fireworks, or drawing attention to the neighbors and cops. Many kids looked up to Mike and Steve for doing this and still talk about it to this day.

When music was changing, we got into the alternative and had to fight for it. We were always harassed by the squares who rejected the change in over-produced, lame-sounding songs that got heavy airplay for years. This carried over to punk gigs that the squares would also attend to start brawls. Mike and Steve made friends with a gang in Hollywood that always showed up in big numbers at the gigs. They could also go to a pay phone and call up reinforcements if needed. They recognized us skating in the same pools and skateparks as they did. If they were not around when we got outnumbered and challenged to a fight, Mike and his smooth talking would defuse the situation for the moment as we made our escape.