Los Angeles, day three.

So I went to sleep at around 4 and woke up at 9. Was I hung over? No. Not even close. It's not that hard to wake up feeling normal after a long night of debauchery, the key is full-blown hydration and some serious mental attitude. If you WANT to not feel like shit the next day, you can, it's pretty simple yet most people don't care to take the necessary precautions. They just get fucked up and then go home and pass out. That's all fine and dandy if you're not planning on doing jack shit the next day and you don't care whether you have a massive headache or not, but when I'm on vacation I try to make the most out of each day, especially when there's the possibility of skating some new shit that I've never skated before. I take it upon myself to crack the whip on people that are less motivated, and this is where the skate nazi business comes from I guess. The others involved in this weekend were rightfully still asleep when I left my hotel at about 9:45, so I kicked it in Hollywood for a minute to check out some tourist shit on the boulevard until 10:30. That was the magic hour, and by magic hour I mean that it is the time of day that In-N-Out Burger opens for business.


Pulled a Houdini on the walk of fame.


There it is. Thought I'd never find it.


Open at 10:30, I'm in there at 10:35 for a pre-lunch snack.


In-N-Out is right across the street from this place, I guess a few big deal tricks have gone down on campus or something. A full-on Hollywood skateboard spot right there in Hollywood, what a concept.


Back up to Atiba's to crack the fucking whip, already! Chad, I'm shuttin' down the studio, yo.


Rob was in posted up in his usual spot. He got a pass, he had some other business to attend to. Mainly, chilling.


Teebs wasn't exactly up and at 'em.


So he plugged in for some shred time.


Then he gave us a lengthy EA Skate demonstration. C'mon dude, pass the controller. Puff, puff, give!


Let's go get some chicken and waffles up in this bitch already.


It's not artsy, it's just a shitty camera.


Okay, I'm full. Let's go skating already.


I'm full too, and I guess we could go skating instead of playing guitar hero.

So we rolled out of Roscoe's and went down to L.A. High to meet up with Jordan and the professor Andy Henrie. Those dudes went as deep as anybody the night before but I was super psyched that they reported for duty on time and were ready to shred. L.A. High has some fun shit, most noticably the brick banks in the front of the school that are in so many videos. I didn't realize that the famous rail inside the campus had been removed, and I also didn't know that this was the same place with the blue ledge spot in the back outside the AQUATIC SPORTS building that have been in countless videos over the years as well. On top of all that, there is a series of tennis courts waaay in the back that have banks all over, some even banks to curb type of shit! This was our favorite part of the school, even though Atiba told us that no one cares to go back there, we were all about it.


Andy liened to tail the fuck out of that thing.


Jordan ollied up to nose, slid a for a bit and then rolled down the bank.


Those dudes ripped it so hard they had to cop a squat and chill for a minute.


Flatground SKATE battles. Watch out for Ako and Atiba, fucking flatground sharks.


I'm serious, those dudes straight up go for blood, you kook it, you're dead.

After we got our fill of L.A. High, we headed into downtown Los Angeles, specifically Japantown. Jordan wanted to take us to this brick volcano transition thingamajig that's been in a bunch of videos, most recently First and Hope. But on the way down there, Jordan called up the homie Chong and told him to meet us. SUPER stoked to see the Chonger again! He moved away from Hawaii like 5 months ago, and getting the chance to kick it with him during our short stay was pretty fucking rad. The dude is straight up comedy as always and he rips just as hard as ever. He was totally amped and psyched to see us, and he totally made the session so much fun. Fuck yeah, Chong.


Let..me..see..that Chong!


Thaaat Chonnng!


That Chong, Chong, Chong, Chong, Chong!


These dudes were fucking LIFTED, troop!


I was just happy to be the meat in a serious stoner sandwich.


In between dodging Japanese tourists, Chad slid this "backu rip" and came in regular as well as revert. Sugoi, ne?


Jordy pulled this five-o to to rub a dub fakie stylee, bwoooyyyy!


Chong bluntslid, blunted.


Then he did a little dance on this slanted thing...


Rolled in on it...


And then rolled right into crooked grind and came out forward.


The peanut gallery was stoked, and the session was over.

We broke out back to Atiba's for some serious EA Skate sessions on the PS3. Atiba even called one of the game designers on the phone for some secret tips. THEN, the fucking dude even came over to the crib and gave us a full-on demo! The designer of the fucking game killed it, naturally, and it was actually really fun to sit there and watch the guy play. Does that sound dorky enough for you? Then we posse'd up and headed out to dinner at the Universal City walk or whatever the fuck it's called. Some gigantic mall with a bunch of crazy shit.


There was a whole store completely devoted to the Oakland Raiders. Normally, I would have shit myself with glee and went on a serious shopping bender but the silver and black have been so shitty for so long already, it's kind of hard to get psyched about rocking the gear anymore. Still, there was some heavy shit in there.


There was a Hard Rock there with a massive guitar. It wasn't plugged into a huge PS3 and a big ass HDTV, so we didn't really care.

We had to wake up super early the next day to get our flight back home, so we pretty much just ate dinner and broke out. No wild Hollywood Saturday night for us. we were kinda cooked you could say. The whole trip was a mega blast and if you have the means to take a weekend skate adventure away from Hawaii anytime soon, I highly recommend taking one in Los Angeles. Lots of cool shit to skate and fuck what you heard, the people there are super nice too. Thanks to everyone who kicked it with us and extended serious hospitality our way. Come out to Hawaii anytime and you'll get the same from us, and you know this! ALOHA, my friends, aloha.

Los Angeles, day two.

Second day in town, Friday the 16th. It's fucking go time! The Lakai timer is practically running down to zero and the most heavily anticipated video in the history of skateboarding is premiering on this night, but first we have to head down to nearby Torrance and handle some biz at the Girl/Chocolate headquarters. First things first, I have to run up the hill to Atiba Jefferson's stately manor and roust Rob and Chad out of bed.

I got Carmelo to help me wake this lazy mug the fuck up.


Melo was also instrumental in getting Chad motivated as well.


I guess we have time for a little Guitar Hero though.


Chad prepares to shred.


I know a couple things about rocking the fuck out.


Chad was killing it so hard I threw horns.


Atiba used to rock a straight mop on top.


Atiba named his dog after this dude he took a cover shot of.


Atiba took this picture in Hawaii last month. The ball Kobe is holding is down in the basement of APB, we should go shoot some hoop with it over at the park.


Finally made it to Girl. Braddah Rip was cutting some going away party cake. It was also Megans's birthday, double the festivus.


This is what Jordan gets to skate everyday on his lunch break if he so desires.


I went straight for the Rick Howard tribute launch off the quarter to wallride.


Ran into some Uprise dudes from Chicago. This kid works at St. Alfred's and happens to be roommates with our homie the one and only Big Daddy Chane Lokester. I forgot the dude's name but he ollied the flat gap at speed and went way the fuck straight up on this frontside wallride. The whole Uprise crew killed it! Big ups to Uriah and the whole squad. Even their filmer ripped shit.


Rob skated for a bit and then kicked it.


Rip and Chad, tomodachis together again.


Jordan DeOliveira, king of the warehouse throws shakas.


Back in the Hollywood hills, Mark Razo was getting his guitar shred on for real.


Pre-premiere mini sesh going down.


Atiba rocks the home court advantage.


Carlyon waits his turn in the grotto.

After a perfect sunset session on Atiba's kick ass mini spine ramp, we got cleaned up and then rolled out to the premiere in style. Yeah, me Chad and Rob piled into my rental, which was basically a go-kart, and followed Atiba's Caddy to the campus of UCLA, where the video was to be shown at Royce Hall. Upon arrival, it was made clear to us and everyone else that cameras would most definitely not be allowed in the theater, and I for sure didn't want to risk it so I left the digi in the car and we made our way to the spot for the reception and some free beverages. After a few drinks, the lights flickered, giving the signal for people to make their way to their seats, and everyone was super amped for the video to finally get underway. The theater was packed to the gills with everyone who was anyone in the skate industry, you name 'em, they were there and ready to feast their eyes on history. Once the timer ran down to zero, the crowd went apeshit and the video began shortly thereafter. The intro was nothing short of mind-blowing and like nothing you've ever seen, trust me, the shit is amazing. As far as the video, it was waaaaay too much to comprehend, a complete and total sensory overload. All I can tell you is Mikemo had first part, and Marc Johnson ended it with a three song epic part. Everything else in between was a fucking incredible blur, and I can't wait to own this on DVD so I can rewind and analyze all the shit I forgot. Anyway, after the video, the entire theater reconvened on Hollywood Boulevard at some club where the after party was happening. Normally I HATE pictures of people partying out in clubs, but this shit right here, nigga? This shit right here? This shit right here, nigga? This shit was DEF! Now bear witness to some party blog bullshit! Fuck me.


Couple of Jager bombs and Chad's like straight up crimson!


Rob and Atiba on fire.


Jordan, no mask, heating up.


Jordan, masked, sizzling.


Jerald Anzai throws shaka, and the masked man is now burnt to a crisp.


Now the mask is on the other foot, son!


Manny was in rare form, no surprise there.


Chad and Atiba posed with this dude, I think he was like in the video or something? Shit, what's his name again?


There's that guy again with Atiba and the professor Andy Henrie! He looks a little intoxicated, I guess he had the right to celebrate though.


Rob and Matt Milligan reminisced about the New Deal glory days.


Chad bro'd down with Scuba Steve, Spanky, and Mike Taylor.


While Rob held it down with Morford and the Rippa.


I got reacquainted with Anzai.


And the savage professor Andy Henrie.


Couple of shoe nerds right here. Chad politickin' with Hunter from Nike.


Ako, Razo, Atiba, Carlyon, Jordy, full-scale bro-down.


Atiba's wife Marcie in black, the most gracious hostess ever with her homegirls.


Rip loves to throw up the shaka any time, any place.


Rob, Chad, and the sweaty Russian himself, Dmitry Elyaskavich.


Andy and Manny, en fuego.


Jeff and Chad, red-faced bandits.


The mask is off, but the party face remains the same. Jordan, killing it.


Nick Diamond unveiled the ultra-limited and soon to be released aloha print Ace truck. Could this be the first collabo truck project?


Jordan got down with Habitat's Raymond Molinar.


Atiba, Ako, and Lee Dupont, completely shitfaced and ready to break stuff.


Hammered at the late night Mexican food spot, killing it.


And I do mean killing it.


Jordan still had it together enough to drop me off at the parking lot where I left the rental. Made it back to the hotel in time to crash out at four in the morning, everyone's supposed to posse up for a big skate session on Saturday. Will it happen? Check back later for day three.