Ben’s 21st!

Ben Graham is sort of like the child I never wanted. I helped him move to Portland (well, let him stay at my house) and showed him the ropes. Introduced him to the Dude Barn dudes (indirectly) and now he is a thriving member of Portland society. And last night was the momentus occasion of the little guy’s 21st birthday.

His big brother Ian came into town for it, and I took him skateboarding yesterday in lovely cold, rainy Portland. We check out the new Department street course– better, but still not my favorite — and then hit up Burnside. It was the typical scene when we got there, a few kids pushing mongo in the flat, and then some drunk dudes came and started yelling at them. Since they weren’t skating we had the place to ourselves. It was fun-ish. Yougi killed it.

I was going to go home and shower, but when I brought the guys back to Ben’s, he was like, lets go to the bar! So we ended up at Vendetta, which is a rad place, with a big patio, good food and cheap beer. Definitely backing it. From here I can tell the story in pictures…

The brothers Graham

This happened a few times.

See, here is it again.

Someone bought Yougi a shot. he was pumped. That is until…

AFTER

He was a good sport about it though.

A few rounds of shuffleboard

A bitter defeat

And it was off to First Thursday with more drinking along with way. Yougi learned to say “drink and drive.”

I don’t think he really “got” the art though

He bought a shirt.

I know I’ve sort of deviated from Ben’s birthday at this point, but he was definitely too drunk to remember anyway. We found out Yougi leaves in 4 days, which is sad and Brandon tried to get me to marry his for citizenship. I thought about it, but then decided it might be weird. Then I went home.