It started with a shit and ended with a clip.

Skate trips have a romantic way of putting you in touch with places you may never have ventured to otherwise. Even if the first spot you hit is someone’s bathroom. Skate trips invite you to meet new people, skate new spots, and drink more beers. Some skate trips turn out to be quite shitty, but it’s always in the telling of it after that you remember the golden moments. I’m not saying Albany was shitty, while it did begin that way. I’m just saying you never know how sick the trip is until you’re already headed out of town, back on the same smelly toilet you spend most of your time on anyway. But shit, since I’m back on the toilet I may as well try and remember a few golden moments Albany offered us…

(Sean begins talking out loud to himself on the shitter) 

“Albany was sick ! …. Why was Albany sick? Well…

We hung out at Seasons skate shop a whole bunch.

We skated a really nice plaza.

There was an erotic themed bathroom in the house we stayed at. 

Everyone got a clip. 

There was a dope breakfast joint. 

Mimsy the dog. 

We practiced liquid yoga in front of the skate shop with CB and Eamonn.

There were more than enough calzones to go around. 

Smokes flowed plentifully. 

Eamonn brought beers to the plaza for the homies.

We got a chance to get out of a COVID-controlled NYC. 

I actually got to wear a hoodie.

Oh and one night I ate three dinners.”

*wipes ass* 

“Fuck sounds like we had a pretty good time….”

*washes hands for 20 seconds with hot water and soap* 

“Wonder what Zach’s gonna write?……” 

-Sean

Sean might be left with smellier reflections, but when I look back on our trip to Albany one thought in particular comes to mind. Sure I could write about sexy bathrooms, the ominous skyline that looked like it was straight out of an ‘80s dystopian film, or a Garfield onesie being worn by a grown adult. But none of these recollections stick out as clearly as the memory of the figure who would become our self-proclaimed guardian angel.

Lovingly deemed “OG” by Tom, our protector was a wise old man on the street who became an everyday figure during our short stay in the Capital District. Offering everything from unsolicited advice on life to knowledge of where to get the cheapest brews, OG was crucial to a successful trip. Our first encounter with this entity was shortly after arriving in town. Initially he could be heard panhandling along and getting into shouting matches with passerbys for several blocks, but when he approached us sitting outside eating pizza he simply said hello with a smile before continuing his banter with the fine citizens of Albany.

Thinking nothing of it, it only struck us as predestined when we saw him the next morning as we prepared to set out on a day full of skating. “Uh oh, here they come. You boys stay out of trouble now, ya hear?” was his warning, and feeling strangely rejuvenated after his unwarranted advice we proceeded to spend our day stacking clips, photos, and most importantly good times. Ranging anytime from the early morning breakfast mission to a late night beer run, this Merlin-like figure popped up everywhere as if to announce our presence. Even as we left the city, I could’ve sworn I saw the shadowy outline of a hunched over old man silently waving goodbye as we exited onto the highway and back towards Brooklyn.

If you’re ever walking down Lark Street keep an eye out for the legend that is OG. You won’t regret bumping into him.

-Zach