It was, as the song goes, about time for a party at my house.
Lindsay was celebrating the last birthday of her 20's, and anytime I have a
chance to host an event with my friends, a half pipe, a keg, a dj, a lounge
show, a tricycle race, and tiki torches, I get excited.
My brother Jon had sent me the tune that accompanied the famous tricycle race
in 'Revenge of the Nerds', and that was all it took.  I told everyone to buy fancy,
expensive tricycles, and when the time came, I blared that song from my garage
at full blast, on repeat, and us racers lined up for the battle.  

The rules were simple: it was a four-lap race, and after each lap, every
competitor had to chug a full beer.  Those racers using regular-sized skateboards
had to lie on their stomach.
Everyone strapped on their safety gear and lined up for the start.
A hot redhead counted down and waved the flag (err...a cosmo) and the race was on!
What we had failed to realize is that the brand of dark keg beer we had chosen was
particularly difficult and unpleasant to chug.  

As the laps wore on, fatigue and full stomachs full of frothy, foamy beer started to take
a toll on the racers.  
After four grueling laps, Gute was declared the winner.  Shane took second place, and I won the
bronze medal.  I had really planned on trying to win, so it was a bit of a disappointment.  Team
Velardo beat Team Frampton on this day, but I guess if I were to lose to anyone, I'm glad it was them.
Congrats Gute.  You win another beer!


Then, everyone started throwing up.  
Well, me mostly.
Thanks for hosing everything down Cornelius.
With the race finally over, we moved into the garage for some half pipe action.
I'm glad to report that no one broke their femur bone on
this day, although Scott Newell was in attendance.

I tried dropping in on my mini-skateboard, but it was hard.
Everyone gave me shit for not landing it, but I only had 3
tries before it broke.

Also, can I just point out that in the below photo, I am
dropping in with one leg, fully committed, on a
skateboard no bigger than my foot?  Fuck you haters!
See that look in my eyes?  That's fear.
Next, we all retreated to the back patio and inside the house, where we enjoyed a hip-hop
set by DJ Peak-A-Boo (Justin), as well as Lindsay's birthday cake.
Fernando wanted a go on the beer bong.  I told him, "Just open wide, relax your throat
muscles, and be prepared for a stomach full of fluid."
Next, a special treat was in store for the entire party.  Trailblazing loungecore pioneer
Dexter Roberts Jr. dropped by for his final performance before hanging up the mic and
retiring forever.

It's been a whirlwind ride for Dexter (Harbor City's #1 punk/lounge act).  Some
highlight shows include Punk Nite @ Ricky Gene's bar, Jason Dahlin's wedding, the
Halloween bash at Mal's Bar in Los Angeles (with Margate), and some great house
parties.  Both Lindsay Dennis and Dave Fleming joined Dexter onstage (coffee table)
to sing along.  Linds also sang 'Mother' by Danzig, it was great.

Thanks for the memories Dexter.  You'll always be remembered.
After that...well, after that everyone just started getting really fucked up.
Much later, after most had gone home, Gute, Kyle, and Landis rigged up a piece
of 1/4th-inch plywood to go from my workbench to my ramp.

You had to be there to see it, but when Mark fell through my workbench I was
laughing so hard I couldn't breathe.
And that was pretty much it.  Thanks to Fernando for most of these photos
(although I don't understand how he's in so many if he was taking them), thanks
to Gute for picking up the keg for me, thanks to Justin for bringing both tunes and
drinks, and thanks to everyone for coming.

It was really fuckin' easy to post these photos up to this site.  I should do this
kind of thing more often.

Adios until next time...