Weeks of staying in the same location, it's easier to get into the repetitive groove of skating, eating and sleeping. So when someone throws a cog into the wheels of the finely tuned machine, its quite disturbing, but almost refreshing. These were our cogs:

/// THE COGS
     Hags and Bags are getting more comfortable with us, and have been able to talk to us freely, lets just say a little TOO freely. Providing you with an example, I will need to give a pre-situation description.
     Mike, at a heartbeat can get very hyper and exaggerate any story completely out of proportion. So sometimes, since he wasn't able to skate daily because of cast and medicine, he would stay home with the girls, Hags and Bags. We would return and exchange daily stories about our days, Marty and mine being "We skated this, or skated that".
     But Mike always had something new and different, especially when he mentioned that Hags and Bags offered him sexual treats.

     Not wanting to assume anything outrageous, one night this myth became a legend. I was the last to come into our room, having no idea what I had walked into. I could have sworn it was a lion's den, me being the luscious piece of lamb meat! "Mike, you can sleep with me?"
     I gasped utterly petrified; Hags proved these infamous offers I had hoped to never pierce my ears! Only with extremely quick thinking, I avoided the dreaded proposal by answering a separate question, and directing my attention in Marty and Mikes conversation! Each second felt like an hour, as if you were 6, jumping off the diving board for the first time. Patting myself on the back, I was Scot-free. She was immersed in the other conversation. My coy detour worked. I exhaled with relief, as I had single handedly miraculously dodged the fatal atomic bomb blast.
     But if history proves any guide, Marty fires from his secluded top bunk, "Hey, Mike did you answer her question?" I prepared and cringed, because I was in Nagasaki, right under the target for the second strike. Here it comes, and there was no stopping it.
"Mike, can you come in my bed with me?"
     Without a good excuse like Marty, who had the girlfriend retort, my only comeback was "Uhh, Noooo."

I know this must not sound hard for the females reading this, but let me assure you a man never hears this sort of proposition, unlike their gender opposites who probably rejects such solicitations more often then deleting daily Spam.
     Still shook up from being on the spot, I fade way into my corner, wishing my headphones would cover not only my ears but also my entire apparently desirable body.
     Just writing this is giving me nightmares, so lets just end this situation with; we all continued to refuse more offers from Hags, until she got very disappointed and attempted to kill herself. (no joke) Ever since, it has been awkward, or almost a repulse feeling toward this woman, with our luck I would hope to never happen again but not so fast.

     Sleeping one peaceful night at a time only god knows when, I turn and find a black shadow looming over me. To scared for words, I mentally scream. Talk about Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, I discover it's Bags, drunk and crawling around our bedroom in the dark. She pats me on the head and gives me kisses on the cheek, and also to Marty who is on the bunk bed above me. That's pretty coordinated for a blind drunk girl. Though maybe I'm mistaken, Spain is an incredibly friendly place, and I shouldn't take it to heart, right? All these sexual comments, and random stalking are part of their culture, and I should accept it with open arms among other limbs. You doubting, would be the correct action, because my exaggeration, is as thick as molasses!

/// CAST-A-WAY
     Being almost 4 to 5 weeks into the trip the skate talk is generally the same, amazing spots, great times, and no bust, other words a dream come true! Disgusted from flying half way across the world to sleep, we rescheduled our time, from getting up at around 2pm, to 9am. Marty is coming strong with his video part for my new video "the Filmbot Files", due out middle 2004, plug plug. Mike is smoking more then usual, and drinking nightly, which actually seems quite usual. Along with this, Mike is always commenting about struggling for money, wrist hurting and wanting to see his girlfriend back in the states. This is a fine start to display the rash thinking that Mike does�

     Eating dinner at the dining room table, Mike comes storming out with complaints of this cast needs to come off. His reasons being if it were off, he would be able to move it and nurse it to health, which caused confusion at least in my mind. Unmotherly we reply, "If you think it would help" and he assures us that it's the necessary thing to do.
     Now remember this was the same person who brought only $400.00 for the entire 6 week trip in Europe. Directly at the dinner table he grabs the tip of his cast near his fingers and pulls as hard as he can. After about 5 minutes of grunts and groans, our giggles died down and we recommended using scissors. His eyes light up, but continued because it was almost fully removed. Once the cast was gone, he held his arm upright to analyze it, a loud continuous sigh comes out," AHHHHH-OOOUUUCHHH".

     This wasn't a comedy act, but it should have been, because within maybe 10 seconds of binding-freedom, he said regretfully in a low monotone voice, "I shouldn't have taken that off."
     Marty and I found it completely hilarious, then Marty informs me that he just finished putting down two 40oz of beer, which only added to the laughter. Mike was laughing along and didn't look mad, but he might have been to cover his pain.

/// BUTT WHY
     The following night Ruby invited us for a night on the town, and joining us was her roommate, whom we didn't meet previously because she was entertained in her room with her "arrangement". Jen was a loving soul, quick, witty and immersed in her career. Directly from Pennsylvania and almost 28, she was older then us and I proceeded to let her know every moment I got. Secretly, within hours of meeting her, I was infatuated. But anyone could have noticed that, because I am notorious for never washing dishes at home, but washed an every dish just to hang with her.
     One night, Mike unknowingly assisted me by being completely drunk and falling asleep on the couch, leaving me no room to sleep. Jen nonchalantly said," I guess your sleeping with me" already in her pajamas, and brushing her teeth.
     "Yes", I gave a hidden fist shake, anticipating what my mind could barely fathom. And let me tell you, that night was so exciting, and I didn't get a wink of sleep, heh heh. But it's mainly because I was tense and nervous, and couldn't close my eyes. With hopes to get jiggy with some random stranger, I ended up waking up with a new great friend. Rats!

/// BRING YOUR HAGS AND PACK YOUR BAGS!
     So with our main intents to get to the airports early knowing what kind of mess-ups we are, leaving at an extra early time, we make all the appropriate stops.
Cigarettes - Check, Drinks - Check, Luggage - Check. OK, now onward to the Metro.
     Figuring out the train situations was simple in comparison to the ordeal we had to handle when we found out that our fight left 2 hours earlier then we had planned. Apparently to the dim-witted organizer of this trip, that being me, I had told the rest of the lemmings that our flight left at 10.00pm or so, when in actuality it arrived in Paris at 10. So imagine our surprise when we arrive at the airport only to find out fucking flight had left without the 3 most important passengers aboard.

     Quick thinking and rational is what got us through this night. With complete worries that we might miss our flight home from Paris to LA, I rushed over to EASYJET, a euro version of Southwest, which is a puddle jumper airline. Gets you from here to there, when you are too lazy to drive. Speaking to the already stressed pretty gal behind the glass window, I explained my story and situation, "my stupid friends made me miss the flight blab blab"
     The details of the story didn't pertain to her, so I wanted to make it quick and simple. Feeling a bit rushed she told me the only connecting flight to Paris leaves in 5 minutes, so I made the executive decision. 1000$ later and we were on our way.

     During our 8-hour layover in Luxon London, possibly the most boring city in all of Europe, I brought a friend with me to the airport. You might have met him, and probably for sure met his brother Jack. Well Jim Beam, and I, plus the others had a great time drinking the night away, with games of Hangman, and as shitty as it sounds it actually worked. Before you know it we were on our way to Paris, and I am not really just saying that as a catch phrase. As you well know, you are not allowed to have any kind of electronic device playing as the plane is taking off. So as I sit with my head against the window ready to doze off, the stewardess cautions me to make sure my music is off. As I confirm her request, I blink which might have been a longer blink then normal. As I open my eyes again, she is cautioning me again if my music is off. Feeling kinda irritated about being asked twice in 5 minutes, I unbuckle my seat belt to stand up, only to get thrown back into my seat, because we had hit the ground from our landing. So recapping what I had witnessed. She asked me before we took off; I blinked� then asked me again, then landed. 50 min blinks are not usual with me, but in this case I can see why.

     The flight coming home had entire aisles open, where Marty, Mike and I draped our legs, and weary bodies. No comments from anyone, I would go as far to say that we might have been the only ones on this goddamn plane! We could have run around naked and pillaged the enormous vertical lunch boxes on wheels. If this sounds somewhat random it's because it probably is, and dreaming when you are 1 and a half days unrested can make someone hallucinate.

     Home sweet home, we get off the plane and rush to the nearest exit. Overjoyed with arriving to America, we completely forgot we were still in Houston, and had one more connection to make. 4 flights and LAX never looked so good. Even the Slim Shady replica in the corner talking on his cell phone make me glad I was home. My pops told me to just give him a holla when we were in, and he would come and get us. Now I live about 10 minutes from the airport and being the night before Thanksgiving.. I mean nothing can really take long. Can it ? 1 and half hours later, we get into my fathers car, with nothing to say. We just wanted to get home to our beds, girlfriends, and well� our beds.

     I don't believe I even saw Mike get out of the car, the moment I turned my head and then looked up, I already saw him driving off. For as thirsty has he was, he would have left his luggage at the airport, just to get home. Oozing into a deep sleep I feel satisfied that my trip to Europe was pleasant and enjoyable. I think we are talking about doing it again, early next year. But this time its really gonna be MY vacation!

Bags might have had stripper training.

Marty ponders on if he should take on HAGS.

Basically Bad Ass

3 Boys, One room, Priceless

Again, a picture of the gems

Nights can definatly get boring

From all of us, to all of you

For all of us who went on this trip we want to thanks:
Ruby and Jen, Love Eneroth and Loic @ Antiz Skateboards. Tim @ DVS Shoes, Pat Lawlor, Ruby and Jen, Rudy @ Royal Trucks, Shantel, Brian @ Osiris Shoes, Dave @ Salvation, Brandon @ Freedom, Erik @ Swiss Bearings and Chet @ Darkstar Wheels