Metro Tour!

Ok so this is way over due and the videos to go along with it are even further over due! But here it is, here is how my time on the Metro tour went:

The night I left for the trip, I managed to get 1.5 hours of sleep ... I can never sleep before a big day. This is beyond annoying. I woke up at 2am. Loaded a youtube video, then left Cincinnati by 3am. First stop was Herndon Virginia, more specifically Josh "Enminem" Katz's house. I stopped in Maryland and slept at a rest stop for almost 2 hours. That rocked ... kinda. But after a long, zombie-ish drive I arrived around 2pm.

It was raining ... of course. In my life it rains at least 50% of the time. Always. Everywhere. Even inside my own house. Rain all the time.

I met up with Metro, Chris McNugget, and Company at Josh's house. Josh got home from school soon after and we spent the rest of the day filming in a hurry. We filmed at Josh's house for WWR18, and we literally only had time for two takes, then we were gone. We skated at an indoor skatepark in Baltimore called Charm City. We sat in traffic forever, both there and back. We headed back to the Katz's residence where Josh's parents were nice enough to cook dinner for everyone.

What felt like the fastest day ever was of course now over. We left Virginia and got a hotel in Maryland. The next day was amazing. So amazing. It was raining in Maryland unfortunately, so we headed up to Philly. It's the third time I've skated this city in the last year and I seriously don't get tired of it!

We started with FDR, one of our country's more popular skateparks. It was a lot of fun. Chris and Ratface killed it! I had fun skating a little bank thing with Daniel Dubois. After FDR, we skated the spot that almost killed my kidney's. I tried to get ReVenge but I was skating new shoes and I just didn't have control of my board for flip tricks that day. Bummer. Ryan Young was trying a very insane front board to 10 foot drop. He almost had it but broke his board. I got to have a pretty rocking convo with Brett Novak too, who if you haven't heard of him he's a very talented videographer/artist ... a better way to describe him is a video Jedi. Seriously, youtube "Kilian Martin" and watch those skate videos. They are beautiful.

Next up was Love Park. This place is normally a super bust but we were lucky enough to skate a full session. It is arguably the most famous skate spot of my generation, possibly of all time. I got a few whatever tricks and Ratface did something pretty crazy that I can't speak of! After Love, we hit up Pats for their world famous Cheesesteaks, and we were on the road.

The next day we got a late start and drove to New Jersey and ended up staying in the Jersey Shore ... yeah that Jersey Shore. We basically drove all of this day.

We woke up the next day and Chris Mcnugget helped me film a few quick Falling Skateboard clips on the Jersey Shore boardwalk. We got two falls then got kicked out by a very unhappy bike cop who had already talked to quite a few of us about not having skateboards there. I had no idea, I apologized, ate some Italian sausage on the boardwalk, and we were off to Hackensack New Jersey where we met up with a Zach and Stephen and their friends. I tried some hippie jump off of some stairs, over a saw horse and took quite a few slams, eventually lost a section of my thumb and called it quits.

We went to Zach's house, celebrated his Birthday with his family who were awesome. We chatted with them, ate the pizza they got for us and had an all around great time. We then took off to the big city. For the first time in my life, I was in New York City. And it was insane. It didn't feel real.

We woke up the next day and it was such a day. Unfortunately I was super sore from the hippie jump so I didn't get to do much skating. We took the subway from Brooklyn to Manhattan, skated two famous skate spots, ate New York pizza, and got to visit Ground Zero just hours before 9/11/11. That too felt surreal.

After the long New York day I had to head back toward Ohio. I said my goodbyes, which wasn't too sad because I knew the guys would be visiting me in Columbus only days later.

I stopped in Scranton Pennsylvania to sleep over night. I was so psyched. I know that the TV show The Office wasn't filmed there but it's definitely set in Scranton. So I woke up the next day, and checked out a lot of the places that they talked about in The Office and finally continued on my journey home.

After a very fast 5 days, I got home and had a mellow night with the girlfriend. I have no idea if anyone actually read all that, haha, but I hope it wasn't too boring. I had an absolute blast on tour. All the footage from it will be up soon!

I just wanted to thank everyone: Joel, Daniel, Ratface, Chris, Darren, Travis, Ryan, Garick, and Brett: It was awesome to meet all of you guys and I can't wait to have a round two!

So I'm done, here are mass pictures and a quick video from the tour. Later blog readers! - Andy

Being from Cincinnati ... this is a new one.

Enminem gets interviewed!

Pats = Best cheesesteaks ever!

WaWa should be the only convenient store in the entire country. Best place ever.

Some of the best burgers in America. Thank you George Allen for the heads up!

New York City. It's a shame I didn't get to get some good pics of the city.

Chris stole my guitar at every spot. He can play pretty good though!

This pigeon had to be sick, which is unfortunate. But he would have let me pick him up I'm pretty sure. I shot this about an inch away from him!

My first time in the subway. pretty cool.

This better be used in a ReVenge ad some day.

The two beams of light from Ground Zero. We were there the last time they went out ... I think.

Yeah the mall at Steamtown has a Dunder Mifflin store! haha it rocks!

This look familiar?

Ah Rainy Columbus, this is what I got home to. Of course.

The blog post before the big blog post!

Ok so I have sucked at updating this thing lately, and I have a big one coming; talking about my time on tour with Metro.

First I just wanted to talk about the insanity that has been my life. I've basically gotten ReVenge up and going, finally. In fact, the ReVenge decks are in Cincinnati right now! I'm going to pick them up tomorrow and am very excited. They're gonna be online to sell within the next week. Here is a sneak peak of the deck graphics ...

Please Note! - This deck the colors will actually be switched! It will be a red deck with a white graphic.

I definitely have some new graphics in mind, for both shirts and decks.

It's kind of hard to think outside of ReVenge and skating right now, because my life is non stop work on the ReVenge/Skating world. So in my small free time, I've been watching the Office with Brittany. It's her first time watching the series, so that's exciting.

Also, there has been way too much good food around me. I'm going to have to go on a diet. Seriously this last week, I've had Philly cheeseteaks FROM Philly (Pats!), Italian Sausage from the Jersey Shore, White Mana - one of the best burgers in the country from North Jersey, and New York style Pizza from downtown Manhattan! I've been living large. Oh and not too mention that Brittany's mom cooks me the best food ever when I'm in Cincy.

Being too busy to skate doesn't help this. It's serious diet time for me! Wish me luck.

Anyway, this is just a quick reminder that I am alive. I will have a big tour post full of pics and maybe a bonus video clip. In the mean time, check out this amazing animal clip!

I own my own company!/Goodbye Cincinnati!

Hello blogheads. It's been awhile since I've updated. So I probably have a lot of rambling to do.

First off, I moved up to Columbus ... it's weird. I've always lived in Cincinnati. I miss the city already. No fear though, I'm going to drive down on a weekly basis to skate, hang out, and film with the ReVenge guys and visit family and friends of course. So, I shouldn't get that homesick.

I moved in with my girlfriend Brittany and her friend and her boyfriend. It's a really nice townhome and I set up the best ReVenge Command Center in the basement. Wait until you see it in my "cribs" video in the near future, haha. I am only here one year then it's back to Cincy.

At the same time I've been trying to get ReVenge going and it's an annoyingly slow process! I did receive my official LLC paper from the state of Ohio, and I got my federal tax ID number. So I officially own ReVenge Skateboards LLC. Heck. Yes.

Shirts have arrived, I just have to get them online and for sale. Stickers are on their way as well. But the wood press that I want to print ReVenge decks isn't so great at responding to emails. Annoying. Here are what the stickers are going to look like!

Annnddddddddd here are some pics of the lady and I at the Columbus Zoo

Brittany looking pretty with a goat.

Me looking gangsta with a goat

This polar bear is bummed that Brittany was in a protective bubble!

I thought that the look on this bald eagles face was pretty funny.


Alright, well that's about it for now. I have some more stuff coming ... I always do. As I go I must refer all of you guys to a TV show. I recently got into "Better of Ted" it's on netflix, streaming. Go watch it! It's really funny! Here's a promo vid for it. Later guys!

Too busy to update!

Yeah so read the title of this post. I've sucked at having time for anything. I've been actively trying to get ReVenge started up as a company (I just sent in my LLC application today) and I'm trying to get ready for my move up to Columbus in a couple weeks. All while trying to find time to skate and film videos. ... oh yeah, I guess I haven't really told anyone this yet. I'm moving up to columbus Ohio for about a year, then after that, I'll back down here to Cincinnati. I will be down here in Cincinnati 2 days a week at least during the next year so I can film and skate for Revenge. So no worries, it won't be super different.

Speaking of ReVenge! Check out these shirt mock ups! These will be ready to buy online in a couple weeks, give or take.

How good do those look!? The ReVenge decks will unfortunately take a little longer to get. But regardless, I'm excited!

So tonight I have a video job, I get to film a play for the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, then I get to rush back home to pick up Brittany, then we're off to see the final Harry Potter movie. I'm sad for it to end but extremely excited to finally see the finale. I think this is gonna be the best one!

After the movie I get to come home, sleep for a few hours, wake up then drive 4 hours north to Cleveland where the casting call for The Avengers is taking place. Here's to hoping that I get a part!

Ok well I have to go, I was just doing this real fast to remind you guys I'm alive here in the blog world! And now it's picture time!

The lady and I took a day and went up to Cedar Point, it was amazing!

Brittany is staring up at the The Top Thrill Dragster! Ride this ride if you get a chance ... in the front seat!

Hands down one of my favorite photos I've taken; cute dog, sunset, beautiful girl. Perfect.

This is Joey, Brittany's parent's dog, with my old Tie on. He rocks.

Joey again, more accessories!

Duncan, my mom's dog. Yeah I have a thing with dressing up dogs apparently. Either way, these pics rock!

He's a lady killer!

Vacation Pics like wut!

So I went to Myrtle Beach last week. It was the first time I have ever visited the Atlantic and it was a great time! I have mass pictures and 2 videos below. Life on the beach was seriously perfect. I didn't get to skate unfortunately but the girlfriend and I stayed busy doing things with her family; laying on the beach or by a pool, floating on lazy rivers, feeding ducks and geese, visiting random attractions on the strip, catching fish with our bare hands, buying the brightest flashlights in the world to find things on the beach at night, the list could go on and on. It was a blast. It went by way too fast. I could have used another week, but I'm still happy to get back to work ... and I have lots of it. Way too much actually.

So I'm gonna post these pictures and then attack my large stack of work though. Life is about to be super busy but good. I have a solid plan for ReVenge and lots of fun videos coming out this summer! Later guys!

The lady and I on our way to Mideval Times.

We checked out Ripley's Believe it or not Museum. I like turtles.

This all started with Brittany giving herself sand shoes, then I decided to give her a sand skateboard ... 5050ing a flat bar. Heck yes.

I built an awesome looking alligator head and arms, but the tide came in and killed it before I could get my phone to take a picture. ... here is what was left by the time I got there.

The girlfriend and I before the Mideval Times show. Gangster.

I thought this was a pretty cool shot. No one was driving apparently.

This is my favorite photo I've ever taken. I'm totally making this into a fake movie poster.

We built a sand city, I made this elegant bridge at the back of the city. I should be an architect, I know,

Here's our sand city - The Almighty Ruins of McGumby

I love this girl!

R.I.P. Dinosaurs with Guns

Ok so Memorial Day weekend was long and very chaotic. Brittany and I had a handful of graduation parties to attend and then we had a Memorial Day celebration at my grandma's. In our little spare time at the end of each day we were playing a game called Dokapon Kingdom, which is basically a mix between Mario Party and a RPG. The game rocks!

We did get a chance to visit Kings Island after the weekend and they close at 8 currently? What is that!? In our short time there we walked through the "Dinosaurs Alive" exhibit. Aka the worlds largest animatronic dinosaur exhibit. The animatronics are kind of lame but some of the dinosaurs were really impressive. I have a couple pics below.

Anyone who really knows me, knows that I've always had a thing for dinosaurs. I'm eagerly waiting for hollywood to restart the Jurassic Park series. But hands down the dinosaur thing I miss the most is Dino Riders!

When I was really young there were these toys/cartoon series all about these humans that battle each other with dinosaurs that they mount guns on ... To a 5 year old, nothing is cooler. Heck 22 years later there is still nothing cooler! They don't make cartoons like they used to. Check out this video of the old Dino Riders toys!



Put this in your Easter Basket Krulos!

So in another week I'm off to Myrtle Beech with Brittany and her family. I've never been there and furthermore It's been about 15 years since I've had a simple vacation. I'm beyond excited. I'll have mass pics and some videos from the adventure I'm sure. I'm off to work now. Hope everyone's summer is off to a good start. Pics below, later! - Andy

Me looking weird in front of a Dilophosaurus

Brittany looking cute in front of a Dilophosaurus

T-Rex up close!

T-Rex full size. I'm so going to have a pet T-Rex one day.

The girl and I in front of the greatest coaster ever ... even though they keep putting more and more brakes on this thing. It should be a crime to slow this ride down.

Cutest Cat Vid Ever!

Ok so before I even say anything, watch how ridiculously cute this is ...



How adorable is that? Thanks to Amanda Bell for posting that. New awesome animal videos are always appreciated.

Ok so this weekend I get to go to array of Graduation parties with my girlfriend's family. I'm trying to get some time to go see The Hangover II even though I heard it is practically an exact copy of the original. Still, I can't imagine Zach Gilifinakis will let me down.

This week ahead of me is looking bad though, work alllll week. I'd really like a day to go get on my board again, but my schedule isn't looking too promising. I'll find a way I guess. I'd like to film the TR show Episode 2 as well. (I'll link the first episode below if you haven't seen it) I have it all mapped out in my head so it shouldn't be that hard to film.

Oh! and I totally found out that part of The Avengers is going to be filmed here in Cincinnati. I'm going to find out when and do whatever I can to try to make it as an extra in that movie! I'm gonna email the entire production, cause a ruckus on youtube, I don't care! I'm a huge fan of Marvel's movies and I at least have to try, right? Does that sound crazy?

So was this a super pointless update? I think so. Ah well, I need to start using this more, that's why I did it. You got to see a super cute cat video so you can't complain too much! Later guys - Andy

Here's that TR show!

Philadelphia, Dying, and other Extreme Sports

(PICS at the end)

Ok so my life is pretty good at exploding when I least want it to. And it totally has lately. It's been all over the place.

2 weeks ago I was heading to Philadelphia to film a pilot for a TV show my skate team and I were planning on pitching to some networks later this year. We get there and the first day is absolutely perfect.

We started our first day in Philly by meeting up with Kerry Getz, a professional skateboarder whom I have been watching skate since I was 14. He's practically a legend. The park we skated with him was great and he turned out to be a really nice guy. The team and I all got some great footage then we grabbed lunch with Mr. Getz afterwards. However the day didn't stop there, we then traveled to downtown Philly and ended up at Love park. Which if you don't know, is probably the most famous skate spot of all time. Unfortunately the city of Philadelphia does whatever they can to prevent to skateboarders from skating there nowadays. This landmark of the skate community is scheduled to be torn down within the coming years. We all said screw it and skated anyway, we all got a trick filmed and we got out without getting hassled. I can't even describe how crazy it felt to be skating there. I felt like I was 16 again, completely excited and so pumped just to be rolling at a spot I've been watching on videos, TV, and even playing in video games for most of my life. Afterwards we ate at Pat's and had the worlds greatest cheesesteak. Went back to the Hotel, Talked to Brittany, then turned in for the night. It was literally the perfect day, we couldn't have asked for any better.

The next day - not so perfect.

We started the day at the Philly 3 block. The entire trip I had one trick in mind; a 360 double flip down the 3 block. I began trying it and was coming so close. The session got lengthy and I didn't quit ... not for a long time. I jumped down this gap for 2 and a half hours, over and over again, not taking a break once.

I finally gave up, completely drained, barely able to move, acting delirious. That night I stayed up until 8am throwing up on the hour. My lower back hurt. It was horrible, worst night ever. Next day it rained and the gang went to FDR. I was feeling so bad I couldn't even really film. The other guys shredded fairly well though. I zombied around the entire day and threw up several times. The last day of the trip arrived and it was still raining. So we packed up and headed home.

I slept for 13 hours when I got back to Cincinnati and the next day my lower back/kidney area was still feeling bad. So I finally let my stubbornness go and went to the ER like Brittany and a few others had been telling me to do all along.

Not only were my kidneys bad, they were really bad. They were at a creatine level of 7 ... the normal level is 1 or less. 7 means you should be on dialysis and if it worsens it meant I would need a kidney transplant. This is bad. This is how people get sick and die.

So they admitted me. The doctors refused to believe that I could have done this to my kidneys solely through physical abuse. They were sure that I had an underlining kidney disease that I hadn't known about. They also told me that there was little chance that my kidneys would simply rebound and get better. ... Well they did a biopsy on me (they stuck a needle in me and clipped a small piece of my kidney to study it) and the biopsy result came up with nothing.

Over the next few days in the hospital, while literally doing nothing but sleeping and talking to my family members and friends, my creatine level started dropping significantly. The doctors finally admitted that I must have done it myself (although they tried to blame it on a small amount of Advil I had taken) They also said that they had never seen or even heard of anyone damaging their kidneys to the degree that I had.

So I got out of the hospital 5 days later. My kidneys were healing themselves and were almost back to normal. I'm very lucky. And apparently very durable.

Brittany (who lives in Columbus, almost 2 hours north of Cincy) had called off work for 4 days and had rushed down to Cincy to take care of me. I spent the next few days resting and being lazy.

I'm finally back in the swing of things, making videos, working, being productive, and it feels great. I'm not quite back on my board yet, but that will come soon. I just have to be careful now.

So that's my huge story. I wanna thank all of my family; Mom, Dad, Stephanie, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Meg, Aunt Mary, Uncle Dave, and uncle Bill, my good friends; Joe Meehan, Wes and his wife Alex, and my amazing girlfriend Brittany and her parents. Thanks for all coming to visit me. I love you all!

Sorry for the super lengthy post. I don't know if anyone will even read all of this. I Just felt like I should probably put this big of an event in my life into writing. I'll have some goofy fun stuff on here soon. Here are pics from everything you just read! Take it easy guys! - Andy

P.S. Girlfriend's Mom's Jello is awesome too ... it's up there with the Jelly beans.

Ninja was hiding in my bag the night before we left.

Jace fingerboarding some taco bell trash rails. He was psyched.

Alex ate this for breakfast; Chocolate pancakes with chocolate ice cream. Seriously who does that?

Holy heck Pats. ... and the FX7.

Wes and his wife Alex brought their dog, Phoebe on the trip. She skates all the time.

The 3 block hates my kidneys.

I took this pic of tyler and I am thinking of sending it to Guinness Book of World Records for best photo ever taken with a cell phone ... ok maybe it's not that good but I was psyched on it.

Wes standing on FDR ... totally copping my style too!

And Hospital!

Me and Joey like wut.