That Farmer's Market fruit paid off. I wish I had the rest of my bag of oranges right now... Oh well.
Well, my weekend rocked. Since Nate Linscott is living in Ca. over the summer he rode down with me to Sam's house. We got there on Friday afternoon. When we walked in I met Ryan Thomas for the first time. He's so cool! I really liked looking through his sketch book. Unfortunately he had to leave that same night. But luckily there was a session before he had to go. Nate, Chris, Bryan, Sam, and Ryan. Awesome. We got some Mexican food and homemade horchata. Soon afterwards Ryan had to go to the airport shortly before Aaron arrived. There was a run-in with a large stationary object then we went outside to play 4-square. After the first game (to 15 I think,) we played a game to 50 while Aaron and Nate kicked. I won both games.

Chris was a close 2nd- not in points, but because of his slick style and wicked spikes.
Saturday Chad came out. He's always really fun to be around. There was filming, shred, and lots of chilling by/in a pool. It was slightly humid and so hot outside. I had forgotten what real weather feels like. The other guys did their own stuff at Sam's and I spent the night at Ted's awesome cabin. Walking the
Sunday we climbed up the rocks next to the awesome waterfalls and saw the orchids.

After I went back to Sam's, Sam, Nate, and I played some 3-square, then some 4-square once Chris showed up. Don't worry, Bryan. We only played for five or so minutes once Chris got there, just to finish the game. I won. Sam stayed home to finish the Worlds video while Bryan, Chris, Nate, and I went to kick at Venice Beach- "Famous oceanside freakshow: As far as all-around entertainment value, it's hard to beat this place. This is mainly due to the fact that it is inhabited by fire jugglers, weight lifters, self-proclaimed prophets, and other colorful folks. This is indeed the home of Muscle Beach, intense basketball pick-up games, legends of Jim Morrison and more mediocre food and cheap goods than you'll ever need. Parking can be a nightmare, and the area has a bad reputation for crime, especially after dark." It was so fun. There were adult size rings for adults to swing on and ropes for people to climb, skateboarders and roller skaters all around, beatboxers competing nearby, and a wall that people were spray painting, all very close to where we kicked. Nate, Bryan, and Chris all played really well. Bryan's style is as smooth as ever; just so enjoyable to watch. And Chris was doing a bunch of clipper moves which looked really natural. I also saw my first 100 contact run in person (as far as I know). I think part of the credit for that run goes to the paint fumes which we had been breathing the whole time we were there. Sunset on the beach was really nice. After that, we went up on a hill to see LA from above and just hang out. We played bottle cap snapping games and Chris walked a tight rope (sort of). Afterwards, Nate had his first In-N-Out Burger. Bryan and Chris went to their own houses for the night. Sam, Nate and I were bored at about 1am so we started kicking in Sam's room. I think the mini-session lasted an hour and a half, but I could be a off on my times. Today Nate and I left and as you might have read in Sam's blog, I left a chunk of Rice Krispies treats at Sam's instead of remembering to bring it with me. I had grabbed them on the way out because I was looking forward to them as the road trip snack, but I put them down for some stupid reason before leaving Sam's place.
It was fun getting home on Monday because Nate and I went to the cheap ride night at the Boardwalk. $.65 each ride, each hot dog (the skimpiest I've ever seen sold), and each Pepsi.
This morning my cat struck again and left another footbagger bloody.
Since I'm off work this weekend, I'm going to try to spend Saturday in the city with the SF crew and Nate then come back and play with the net people here on Sunday, but we'll see what the city folk's plans are. If I can't do net this week I'm fine with that. I want to go to Stanford again soon but maybe Jeremy and Amelia will want to come with once they're here, so maybe I'll find out then decide when I'm going.
I always feel like there's something I miss when I write blog posts. Maybe I'll just repost some of this tomorrow to make up for that feeling.
Edit: Oh, Farzon and other SC people who might be reading this, Jason and his crew are throwing an outdoor day party on 8-21 which is a Sunday so I'd really like it if we could all have a session on that day. I'm pretty sure there'll be a parking lot or
something so we can kick near the bumping music they'll be spinning. I might work until 12 noon, but most likely I'll be off. Either way we should make something happen in the afternoon. Please plan ahead.

"I contend we are both atheists, I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."
Emily Kulczyk