Paul Zitzer: "there was a giant hot dog chasing us". (Heads_Zitzer).

You know Paul, a lot of pro skaters are thinking about car rims and that new 50 Cent disk, why is it that you spend your free time working on a skateboarder's union?

Technically Mike, it's not a union, it is an organization. It's called UPSA, the United Professional Skateboarder's Association. Its main goals are to hook up pros where they're sorely lacking, like health insurance and representation as far as skateboarding on TV and in contests. We'd like a little bit of say in that. You know what I mean? We're just trying to get organized so when people show up and say, "Hey, we're throwing this contest and it's going to be on TV and whether you show up or whoever, some sketchy dudes, we're going to put it out there like, 'hey, this is skateboarding!'" So we're trying to have some say in that.

Tell me how you would pitch UPSA to Ali Boulala.

Well, it's in everyone's interest. If you're a pro skateboarder and you want pro skateboarding to stay pro skateboarding and not turn into some circus act, it's in your best interest to have a say in it. I'd tell him, "Ali, join up and maybe next time you break your leg you'll have some decent insurance."

What's the best part of being a professional vert skater in 2003?

I guess it's the same as in 1993: getting to travel around and see cool stuff. I guess there's not that many good parts of being a vert skater in 2003.

What about the air time?

Air time is always good. Bigger transitions equal bigger airs, man.

What about all these sweet ramps everywhere?

That's true. We've got good weather and good halfpipes. There's probably five to eight good halfpipes you could skate in any given day in the Southern California area. That's pretty awesome. Can't complain.

What's the most frustrating part of being a professional vert skater in 2003?

For me, it's that it seems easier to go mainstream than to stay 'core, or whatever you want to call it. It's hard to get in the magazines, but it's pretty easy to get paid to go do a demo at a state fair. That's kind of rotten, you know?

You'd rather do it the old-fashioned way?

Yeah. Vert skaters back in the day were the real pros. Now it's a little different. That can be frustrating.

What was the first skate video you ever appeared in?

That would be the New Deal Useless Wooden Toys video. That was in 1991. It was an interesting part and my claim to fame is that I was skating with a Rebel Flag in the background.

How much did that cost?

The Rebel Flag? I wouldn't know. It wasn't my ramp. I was only visiting. I didn't put the flag up.

It had a big impact. I've heard Sal Barbier make allusion to that flag just in the last couple years.

People were up in arms about it, back in the day. I found out later that Sal and Alphonso thought that I was some skinhead kid. Still, I hear about it to this day. So I suggest that you always be aware of what's in the background of your video part.

What's been the jankiest demo situation you've ever been in?

I'll try to make it short. Mike Frazier and I flew to France to do a demo in the mountains at a snowboard contest. We flew all day and all night and got there and had to drive four hours into the mountains. We had total jet lag and got out of the car straight onto the ramp. There were thousands of people and the demo was starting. The sun was kind of going down. It was freezing, below 30 degrees. There was wind whipping across the ramp. There were cheerleaders jumping around on the platform. There was a guy rapping, freestyle on the deck. It was in French but we could hear our names being thrown into the mix. There was a giant hot dog chasing us around spraying Orangina on us. You know that orange drink? And there was a laser show on the ramp so it looked like the ramp was moving because of the lasers moving all around.

How much did you get for that?

I think it was about $2000.

What did you think of Terry Kennedy's recent vert photo in the mag?

It's great to see the kids really starting to take to the vert. They're obviously skating it a lot now.

What's the worst graphic you ever had?

It was a Birdhouse graphic. It was a germ driving a car. It was absolutely awful.

Would you rather go on a cross-country car trip with Jeremy Klein, or ollie the leap of faith?

I think I'll try my luck at the leap.

Who's your favorite Anti-Hero?

Peter Hewitt.

Favorite Pissdrunk?

It has to be Reynolds.

Professional longboarder?

Big Air Budro.

If you were putting together the ultimate skateboard team, who would be on it and why?

Well first I'd put on Tom Penny, because he's the best ever. Then I'd put Tony Hawk on, 'cause he's big time. I'd put Gino on the team for style points. And then we're gonna have to go with Turtle Boy, 'cause he's really putting it down.

So far the van ride's looking a little weird.

Yeah. Then I'd probably round it out with Nate Sherwood, just to keep it interesting.

Sounds good. I would have gone for Koston, but that's just me.

Yeah. Your team would probably do better than mine.