By Beauty Damned

Old Friends

My friend Travis happened to be in town this week. He owns part of a skate shoe company called Ipath and he was here for a trade show. I haven't seen him in about three years.

We used to hang out in Ashland, Oregon. He was a part of the whole skater group/culture there and I will always note him as being that laid back guy who never got too out of control and you could always have a good conversation with. I was so happy to see him.

A bunch of us went out (me and about six of his guy friends) to Tortilla Flats and had a few shots of tequila and some great food. The waitress gave us free shots and gave me an extra for being the only girl with a big group of guys. She was cute.

When I was a teenager I used to work (albeit casually) for a company called Soopkich'n. They are now defunct, but back then they were the ONLY thing. They were featured in Vogue Magazine for their snowboard apparel. The best waterproof gear in the business. Better than Burton. They were a little lackadaisical when it came to the money aspects and when production got moved to China, the quality of the product greatly deteriorated and they ended up selling the company I think. Sad.

Soopkich'n was a culture on its own. It was a tightnit group of skaters and snowboarders and there was nobody more admired (and resented by some) in the small town of Ashland. Their line of clothing permeated that town and it became like a trademark to the youthful scene. That's where I met Travis. Among the chaos. The constant partying and recklessness. He was a staple, like me. One more face in the mix and the social scene, but someone that I always felt comfortable with and happy to run in to. Now he is still in the business and doing better than ever. I'm so glad he called me while he was in NY.

I'm going to visit my family back home in a little over a month, so I'll be happy to see him again soon...You know a true friend when you have moved 3,000 miles from everything you have ever known and that friend pops up to see you. It's a nice reminder that I am thought of and remembered by some despite all that distance that can cause estrangement, not to mention all of the bullshit that many of us endured living in Ashland. I've decided that growing up in Ashland is a traumatic experience, and most people should probably seek therapy...I know I could probably use it. But there's also a lot of people and things that I still miss.

Posted by Maria at July 21, 2003 11:10 PM | TrackBack