First, a group of 5-8 guys from Ohio were visiting
the park and fucking killing it!!! I do not know what it is
about Ohio but everyone I meet from there skates big and hauls
ass! Our pal, "Ohio" Paul actually knew them and was from their
crew ("The Drunks" or something like that?!?!). Small world.
Ohio Ripper
The $32 Drop-in Challenge
The second event most all day a local bum had been
trying to get money from any and every one. Finally, some kids
offer him $10 bucks to drop in on the vert ramp. Others hear
about this "challenge for the challenged" and soon
the bet is up to $32. The guy was actually trying it. Some of
us older folks were yelling for him not to try it and just come
down before he hurt himself. He sat up on coping with the deck
out for a long while but did finally try it. He lucked up and
leaned back enough that he pretty much just slid down the ramp
in his back. He gave up after that .thank God.
Much of the fun and hijinxs occurred
out in the parking lot. We had set up a tailgate camp out there. From
time to time, we would take breaks, gather out there for beers and
just shoot the shit on a nice day. We met another group parked by
us that had made the trip from Memphis turned out it was the
"Drain Fairy" and his crew!!!! Really cool group. We all
had a lot of fun out there watching out for cops while drinking adult
beverages.
TGM invents "eXtreme Tailgating"
Phil (Smithgrind) Hosey takes a break
End of the day
As the day wore on, we all soon wore
out. It was near dark anyways. We made plans to pack up, hit the hotel,
clean up and gather for an AoS-fest dinner! Somehow, the dinner decision
went fairly well...we all decided on a Tex Mex place the hotel suggested.
Good food and good times! With the beers from earlier in the day and
the beers from dinner, everyone was ready for a big blowout night
on the town! (since rain was forecasted for Sunday and most people
were travelling home anyways) After dinner, we found a magical place
called Godfather's....some folks call them "gentlemen's
clubs", we called it "home" for the night. What happened
in there, stays in there...but let's just say fun was had by all!
No one lost their money but some lost their minds (rule #1, never
fall for a stripper!). Even with several warnings, somehow we manged
not to get thrown out, but we did close the place. We all returned
via cab ride to the hotel and continued drinking there. Eventually,
folks began to drop off like flies.
At the hotel before dinner
Dinner on the town!
Last men standing....5:45 am The Green Monkey and Jamie LeMay
Sunday, everyone got up, packed and kinda went
their separate ways. Due to weather, some decided to head a bit north
and try an indoor park. I had to travel home to get ready to fly off
the next day back to my real job. Just that fast, the first ever AoS-fest
had ended....but it will not be the last!
Thanks so much to all who attended and made it the fun time it was
for all. I really look forward to the next to come and the next after
those as they grow larger and larger....but a small group of us will
be able to say "I was there when it all began". =)
Think you have some information of interest to the Art of Skateboarding members and visitors? Know some obscure fact related to skateboard collecting that you would like to share with the common folks? Well, drop us a line and let us hear about it!