Well, I’m back. Back from my little escape from reality. What reality  Reality to you might be drinking beers all day and skating with your friends where ever at anytime and trust me that used to be my reality too. Then responsibility creeped up on me out of nowhere and the next thing you know I appreciate every minute I get of free time. But enough of that. So I just spent two weeks in the North West skateboarding with friends, composing photographs, drinking cold super fun happy time sodas at warm lakes and just pretty much living it up as much as I can because I know shit is going to hit the fan as soon as child number two pops out. Not that it’s a bad thing but things are going to get a little more interesting.  I mean, I wont even have a free hand for a beer. I’m going to be double fisted with babies. Well not really. I Cant really call my 2 year old a baby anymore. She just said fuck the other day when I said fuck outload at a email I was mad about. It was pretty awesome. And to explain what I was saying a few sentences ago. I can’t really call it a boy or a girl either since we haven’t found out what we are having. I’m pretty excited about that too. But I can say we because that was my sperm that went into my lady’s egg. (hopefully) That would be crazy if the kid came out black or Hispanic or something. Well enough of the babbling. Here’s the first party of my two week adult six grade camp trip to Portland, Washington, Windell’s, and the Oregon Coast. Enjoy. At least I know I did…

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

San Diego, California ( that’s where I live ) is rimmed with seventy miles of beaches that I for some reason don’t give a shit about. You cant imagine how excited I was to be seeing this view as I left on my flight to Portland. Good riddance brocal! Hello Oregon!

THIS GUY AGAIN!

There is nothing better then listening to Larry on his cell phone for 25 min while we wait to depart. The flight attendants had to ask this dildo head 3 times to turn off his phone. Some serious conversation about selling a house that couldn’t wait I guess.

One last look at the brodozer capitol of the world. San Diego, California.

OOOOOOOOH! Happy Feet!

If you didn’t know I’m pretty big time these days. Seriously I’m important. I’m Big as a potato on toothpicks. You know,  i’ve been hanging out with some top profile skateboarders since I blew up and well I heard some crazy stuff a few weeks ago. I wasn’t suppose to tell anyone about this because it’s some kind of inside secret but I cant keep my mouth shut. I have to flap the info I was told about on how the “top” pros stay on top of their game. You think these guys are just handed those Monster Energy drink contracts? Hell no! You  have to get an edge on the competition. And this is it. So after a hard day of training on the ramp or working on your soul bowl semi final contest run don’t forget your happy feet socks. Great for those bunions that form from knee sliding all day.

Northern California

I took a couple of hits of acid before I got on the plane. Wow! Look at the trippy patterns!

Seriously though. Do you like this kind of stuff. Because I do and maybe it’s who I surround myself with but they like this kind of stuff too. I just had to mention that.

TRUE PEOPLE

I used to love flying. Then I became a photo goon and have this photo bag that is also my carry-on that really sucks donkey balls to have. Is that a good visual for you? I don’t know about you but who the hell checks camera gear? So most of the time, if I have the choice I fly South West airlines ( yeah free plug for South West… Now wheres my free airline ticket?) because they have open seating. For the most part the open seating saves me because I am able to get to the back of the plane and disassemble my bag so it fits in the upper compartment. Well for some reason on this flight I was one of the last people to board and it was a packed flight. I love how the douche bags sit on the aisle seat so no one will sit next to them. This nice couple on the other hand weren’t like that. When I got to the back of the plane and said out loud, “Ok who wants to sit next to me?” these two laughed and said they didn’t mind. Everyone else on the other hand just stared. I forgot life is so serious. Heaven forbid you get uncomfortable in your little comfort bubble.

Lucky Me

When the drink orders came by on the flight I was informed that adult beverages can no longer be ordered with cash. Maybe it was the devastating heart wrenching sad look on my face or me ordering cranberry juice but the nice lady I mentioned beforehand offered me a coupon for a free drink. And not just any drink. Those tickets were good for alcohol too! She actually  gave me a few to make sure I had one for the plane ride home. How cool is that!?  She was having a rum and coke so I joined her and ordered one myself. Her husband heckled saying she never offers him any of those free drink coupons. I guess being one of the last people to board the plane can sometimes have it’s benifits… Thanks again Ed and Sue.

Some mountains outside of S.F.

Sperm Lake

I had a transfer flight/layover in Oakland, California because direct flights are expensive and I am broke as fuck. But the layover wasn’t too bad. Actually gave me some time to write some editorial ranting and waste my few dollars on airport beverages. I’m a sucker for that beer and shot deal everytime. Not really a deal. but you get the point.

Wu Weller and his Lady Tracy

These two made this trip possible for me. Without them I don’t know what I would of done. Maybe piled out at Burnside for two weeks? Jamie picked me up at the airport and from that point these two extraordinary individuals hooked it up for the entire trip. Jamie hyped me up to fly up to P-Town and Tracy was down to just cruz where ever whenever when Jamie was too busy working. He’s been keeping himself busy making Windell’s the fun place it is to skate these days. So if you have skated there and like it give the crazy leprechaun the thanks that is needed. Homeboy has been creating some rad shit up there for years. Skateboarding wise that is. It’s definitely not your cookie cutter standard bullshit  you are probably used to skating. Speaking of bs, I dunno about you but I don’t know many girls that can truly hang and just drink beer and skateboard all day. Like actually like it. With out being lame about it. What I’m trying to say is that it’s rare to find a girl that skates that isn’t a bulldike or a sk8 jock. Thanks again Jamie and Tracy.

Bummer high

Not even in Portland for an hour and I break my baseplate doing a slappy on a plastic parking curb. Yeah, it was plastic. I guess no skating the first day for me which actually means no skate photos for you for this post. Instead we hit the river. Dont be too mad… Skating is coming soon.

NO COMPLAINTS…

After breaking the baseplate and it being 90 degree’s out maybe it was a blessing in disguise to take the first day easy. It’s not like I had any complaints going to the local river with some cold ones.

The Skateboarders Religion

Where’s the skate photos? They are coming… Just trying to build up the story. You know. Show you the process of what goes on. Kinda like that reality TV show stuff everyone seems to love.  Have a good weekend. -Brooks

Photos/words by: Brooks Fritz

Being that it’s Halloween today I figured this would be the appropriate story to do this week. Here’s a day of skating from not to long ago in San Diego with Drew Dezort & Kristian Svitak. Two guys on 1031 skateboards… and whats 1031? Well its the date of Halloween, which is today. Super spooky huh? Well actually Drew doesn’t ride for them any more and 1031 is Kristian’s deal. So technically he doesn’t ride for them, he owns them or it. But yet at the same time he does ride for them, considering he has a pro model. But who can fire him? I guess he fires himself then huh? Does that make sense?

When I got the call the day before these guys told me they wanted to start skating early and of course I didn’t believe them. Who skates early? I figured when they said early they were really meaning sometime early afternoon. They weren’t kidding though. We got down to SD in no time and Drew was doing this smith 180 before McDonald’s stop serving breakfast.

When most people can barely roll off the curb or better yet roll out of bed Drew was doing this.

Sometimes you think you might be able to skate for a while with out getting kicked out being that its the weekend and all. But these days there are no good days. We ended up getting kicked out of the school with the rail Drew was skating pretty quickly by a basketball coach so we went across the street to the other school where this thing is. You probably have seen it before. It’s been hit by the big dawgs. Here’s Kristian doing something I’m not familiar with. Maybe it’s an Ohio thing?

Drew was trying to board slide then pop out and roll down the bank then launch off the end. He almost had it then those good ol police had to show up and be nosey. If you don’t know police really don’t like people who skateboard in San Diego.  Sorry I didn’t bother taking a photo of the cops….. Kinda over risking my gear being taken for evidence for a photo of  a piggy.

After getting kicked out 2 spots all before noon we went a grabbed some brunch. Yeah I said it. Brunch. So after brunch we headed to our 3rd spot of the day at this marble ledge. It’s as they say “super hella buttery yo!” Here’s Drew with a nose grind.

I’ll be honest. It took Kristian a little while to pull this back lip. He definitately went to work on this one. His boss should be proud. Wait that is his boss.

Angle 2 of the backside marble butterslide by Kristan Svitak.

After the marble butter ledge session we headed to the final spot of the day. The Duff Man made this spot known with a pop shuv 50-50 on the round bar. So when we rolled up I was thinking something was going to go down on the rail. Nope, Kristian spots a weird one and takes a line from the roof. Shit was rough, like gravel from your aquarium. I was thinking the board might stop right away but it actually worked out with no problem. We called it an early day and I made it home in time for a evening fishing session. Pretty much cant comlain.

And that was my day with 1031 but not on 10/31. But today is 10/31 and there you have it. Have a good weekend. Watch out for razor blades in your candy. Skate something new. see ya next week. - Brooks