I don't know what's more amazing, the Supreme/Paperstream collabo or the Deer bathroom graffiti.

Douceur de vivre

This past summer I had the pleasure of going to Paris. I had been before, but never had a trip quite like this one. I went to meet my friend Chris and his friends from New Jersey/Philly, most of whom I didn't know. I kept asking Chris: "Are you sure it's cool if I stay there?" Chris's friends had rented a small apartment in the 19th district and he said I could stay, but I was a bit nervous because I hadn't met any of the other guys. I mean, If I was paying hundreds of Euros for a one bedroom flat in Paris, and I had already packed in ten other of my close friends, I would be a bit apprehensive about letting another person I didn't know cram in the apartment for a week. I was hoping they wouldn't be too bummed at me for staying on the floor. There definitely was the potential for me to receive some vibes, but I suppose I'd just have to wait and see.

So one warm night in June I boarded the Eurostar for the quick trip from London to Paris. When i arrived, I called Chris to see where to go and he said I could meet him at the Jourdain metro stop. Twenty minutes later I arrived, nerves intact I walked up the metro steps. There to meet me was not only Chris, but loads of his other friends. Everyone was friendly and nice, they seemed happy to have me! I don't know what I was worried about. It was a short skate to the apartment and soon I met everyone else. I was amazed how everyone there went by a nickname; B-Dougs, Rew, Trivs, Hern, McDougal, Jeb, Slippy Guns, Brengar, Loco, Stinky Baby Jones, Rosa, etc. It makes it easier to remember people I suppose, but sometimes you refer to nicknames so much, you can forget the person's real name! Bottom line was, everyone was really cool, they were "safe" as they might say around here.

The apartment was packed no doubt, sleeping bags and air mattresses covered all available bits of the floor; I slept in the kitchen. Showers were every other day, and thats if you were lucky. But no one really cared, all we did was skate every day, explore Paris, and drink ourselves to sleep with cheap French wine at night!
It was oddly comfortable hanging out with so many Americans, It had been awhile. Living in the UK, I'm not surrounded by very many. We all shared a common ignorance of the French language(except Jeb) and a zealousness for the Parisian way of life.

That trip to Paris last June was one of the best times of my life. It was an escape back to youthfulness that seems to be slowly slipping away. Baguettes, Cafe au laits, University spot, museum at sunset, strap it up, and pan au chocolats are just a sampling of all the memorable times. Meeting so many new friends, finding and skating such amazing skatespots, and genuinely having an amazing experience.......thats what i'll remember that summer in Paris for.

So fellas, summer 2009, what you sayin? Lets do it again!








































































































































































































































"Philly is Jersey!" - B. Dougs

Halloween?

I missed Halloween in 2008. Well, I suppose I was around, I just didn’t go out. Instead I was busy at home writing a news-based feature for my Features class. No parties, trick-or-treating, or costumes for me this year. Not all too different really from my Halloween 2007. In 2007, I was feeling sick, so I decided to stay in whilst all my friends bombarded me with texts about the night’s ongoing festivities.
Growing up in America, Halloween meant very much to me. I have fond memories as a child of going trick-or-treating with friends and carving out pumpkins to make Jack-o-lanterns. But the best thing was getting that huge sack of candy after trolling around the neighbourhood all night! Even as I grew older, I might have not gone from house to house asking for candy, but I did dress up and go to parties. I suppose what I’m trying to convey is, Halloween was a big thing for me in America.
Here in the UK, I feel Halloween has lost a bit of its allure. Or maybe that’s not it; maybe it’s just a different atmosphere here. I don’t mind if I don’t go out here on October 31st; as a child, that stance would be unthinkable! I do remember one Halloween from my youth that I did miss though. I must have been around seven years of age. My mother had helped me with acquiring a camouflage G.I. Joe costume, it was makeshift, but I was happy with it. Much to my dismay, I had come down with a fever that late October afternoon. My mom said; “If the fever goes down Will, then you can go out.” Six o’clock went by, and I thought maybe I’d be okay by seven. Seven o’clock went by, I still had a fever, but I thought maybe I could still catch a few hours of trick-or-treating. We checked every hour, but I was still around 100 degrees, the fever never went down.
I remember being so sad I missed Halloween. I had my costume ready and everything. I was so jealous of my younger sister who got to go out around the neighbourhood for a few hours with my dad. It seemed so cruel for a seven year-old to miss Halloween. But that was then and this is now. The last time I was out for Halloween was in San Francisco in 2006; it was a memorable night. For some odd reason I didn’t mind missing the last two Halloweens, perhaps I’m getting old, or perhaps I am just content with my American Halloweens of years past.

Here are some pictures from Halloween in San Francisco in 2006; the last time I went 'out'.

Breakfast

All too often in our busy lives we seem to skip that morning meal. But how good is it when you can sit down and enjoy a nice hot breakfast?!

Farewell Brabs!

Artist, Skateboarder, and good friend Paul Brabenec has left the Big Smoke for the sunnier shores of Australia. Good luck over there buddy, you'll be missed!


































I don't think we've seen the last of this guy though.......rest assured, he'll be back!