On the Road - Tom, Randy and J.D.

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

This past weekend, I found myself on an Amtrak train from L.A to San Diego. I brought a book to read thinking it would be nice to just chill, not worry about I-5 traffic and watch the Pacific Ocean go by outside the right-hand windows. That scenario lasted from Union Station to Fullerton, the first stop, where Tom, Randy and J.D. got on board.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

I heard the three get on board (pretty hard to not hear them actually) and strike up conversation with a middle-aged woman who said she was a retired U.S. Marshall. During the conversation I saw one of the guys was wearing a tee shirt for the Funhouse, a punk venue in Seattle owned by friend Brian Foss of KEXP's Sonic Reducer show. When he walked by I asked him about it and we started talking about music, girlfriends, mutual friends in Seattle and everything in between. His name was Tom and he kind of looked like Jesus—holding a Bud Light.

Then Randy walked up and punched Tom in the side.

Randy is tattooed just about everywhere—arms, chest, knuckles, throat... uh... eyelid. And the stories written on his body didn't even come close to the one's he told me over the three beers he drank. Funny guy. Even funnier when he chose to wake up J.D., the third of the three who was asleep in his seat, by dropping trou and giving him a mushroom stamp. Of course, he did this while Tom recorded it on his cell phone, and before the conductor came through to check tickets.

J.D. woke up, then promptly punched Randy in the balls. While Randy squirmed around the center aisle, Tom walked up and poured beer down his ass crack.

I completely forgot about my book or the damn Pacific Ocean.

Once we got to San Diego, where by the way, they were to "see some chicks," I asked for a portrait of all three. They happily obliged, but not before asking a young lady passerby to join. She was all smiles. Something that happens a lot around these three guys I'd imagine.

If, against all odds you happen to find the card I gave you and see this, it was nice meeting you guys.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony