The Art of Comparisons and Returning to Earth

So, to better serve you focus on what my mind is delivering you today, follow along closely. In deep conversations, or actually, in brief verbal swaps as well, we try to better understand, or "relate" to the other person(s) by instantly trying to recall a subject or situation (etc) that seems similar to what is being discussed.

I find this very interesting, but very common among many people I associate with. There is nothing wrong with this one bit, assuming its most likely an action being used in a positive way. Its just my weird mind running again, but I tend to notice more and more when engaged with a conversation with another human being.

For example : "Today, I was on my way to work when aliens came from the sky and abducted me and removed my brain from my head and slipped me a suppository while I was still conscious and didn't feel a thing!" I would respond "Yeah, it sounds like what happens to a lot of tattoo guys nowadays when the IRS catches them." I suppose I enjoy them more so due to the fact I love the challenge (every now and then) of trying to think of a really normal situation when compared to an off the wall situation, or the other way around as well. Those of you who are around me time to time probably realize that now that you have read this if you haven't already.

Other than that, I also wanted to share that I recently received as a gift, a 'Flip' camcorder. My brothers hate me already! Be sure to look for videos, especially weekly. I am in the works of trying to get a weekly video update of my brothers and I, you will not help but laugh at a thing or two when listening to our dialouge, thats just the way we are.

Also, be sure to look for updates next week between December 15-22nd. I will be doing a guest spot at the world famous Nathan Kostechko's Tattoo Studio in China Town, Los Angeles. His studio is called Coil Tattoo Studio. He is one of the best tattoo artists (artists in general) in the world, and has been one of my idols since I ever heard of tattoos. Also in the works is a couple of collaboration pieces of art from Eukarezt and myself, fun stuff.

Remember kids, when you die, you go back to earth!

*haha...you can laugh now, dont be so serious

Brace yourself for this one.....

I feel like being a super hero sometimes, and wish I could be part of a super hero team, similar to X-men, or heroes or something I guess, but I think it would just be sick! I cant stop thinking of this subject. Like I wish I could randomly just start fighting a villain (or a hero) and have the most epic battle ever! Like exchanging punches and the watching the missing ones land on a building and knock out a chunk of concrete! Or like bodyslamming the other superhuman on the ground and creating a small crater. My point is, I have many more specific ideas and plots and what not, so why should I not try writing a screen play, or a short/medium story? I've always wanted to write a book, possibly an autobiography and sell it to Hollywood.

Some of you might not think so, but my past has been pretty crazy, and interesting in the very least. Not to mention those of you who are part of my life now, know the weird, odd, bizarre, random, just crazy things that happen now. If anyone has ever REALLY put thought into actually being a superhero that some how pertains to their life in anyway, (for example.....Ralph the plumber probably has a fantasy to be Zaliction the Oceanic liquid manipulator!) Tell me! I am seriously going to write this thing.

The sum of it all and the vision of result and realization

Ups, downs, not knowing left from right, the past few weeks have been pretty crazy. My brothers and I have always been crazy busy, especially lately with the man cave. But overall, I have been just zeroing in on all of my capabilities of tattooing, getting ready for my first convention, tattoolapalooza in san diego. We were able to get a banner ready, and the rest of what we needed, but it all did seem last minute, which was most likely my fault.

Then the moment we had all waited for finally arrived......the weekend of tattoolapalooza. I was definitely nervous as hell, but knew I had something to show the world in person. Living and tattooing in Hawaii, Ive come to find out, that its a really, really small world here. I mean the world is a small world or where ever you go, but once you have that, then its even smaller here in Hawaii. As far as tattoos for serious tattoo collectors here in Hawaii, the most is usually polynesian, japanese art, some portraiture, and a truck load of traditional and neo traditional tattoos.....and they are all beautiful and there is nothing wrong with that at all. I love all of them, and they all have their great value and show beauty in its own works, but thats just not where my heart is. If you look at my work, its not in any of those categories.

Over everything, I just usually call my work surrealism. Some call it modern new school, some will actually call it cartoon realism, etc, etc. I believe what ever its called, it has an organic flow to it, whether its the flow of the design or the color transitions and layering. And other than people who just really like how the colors look, people here in Hawaii really dont seem to take an interest in it, especially since its not to trendy here. Which is fine, because its their body, so to his own. But just being at the convention, I felt like my style of work was way more in demand, and actually had met a lot of people who are in the same style of work! I was really stoked. There were actually people who have seen my work before from other places besides Hawaii, which just blew my mind away, and I was really excited about that.

And of course, there were many people who I knew and heard of. I mean many. Including the great Nate Kostechko. I was super grateful to have met him. He is a really great person, I got to hang out with him, and was so lucky, even got tattoo'd by him. He is truly one of my idols and I was not believing I was actually getting work from him. After talking to him and hanging out, I plan on guest spotting at his shop, coil tattoo studio, before the new year, I will keep an update out on that, so stay tuned.

Other than that, I also recieved a dope tattoo from my brother on my thigh, Im super stoked on it, its a hilarious idea. And of course, I got to do one of my own personal creations, and believe its one of the best tattoos I have ever done. I will have it posted soon. I got to do it on my brother which is really awesome because I love to tattoo people I know.

Overall, this weekend was a real eye opener, I got to make some really good friends, saw a different world of tattooing outside of Hawaii, and got to make plans for some really cool guest spots. I am one happy camper right now...................and Im not Jonah Hill!!!!!!

time not to be afraid......for it is coming...

When change occurs, what would your reaction be? Depends on what the change is? Does it not? Lately, the main change in my life has been pretty much positive. I have been even more of a father to my son, and not just by spending more time with him, but by actually fulfilling one of his wishes! Literally one of his wishes. I wanted to join a basketball camp, and one day I heard him actually praying to you know who, if he could let him do so. It was a bit pricey, but what price can you put on a dream? So I gave him his wish and he was the happiest little boy on earth, and I was the happiest father on earth, then something happened that had not happened for a long time....I actually felt proud of myself. Proud of myself for doing something for the most important person in the world to me, and actually doing it right!

Another dream has been slowly taking place, one that is what I'm constantly thinking about, besides family.....my career. I love tattooing, and I feel that tattooing is finally loving me back. I have been constantly booked recently and not just by walk-ins, even though I am grateful for them the same. If I could, I would honestly tattoo all the time, and do it for free and live under a rock and hunt and gather for my food. Unfortunately I have to provide, but would not have it any other way since its for my son. But tattooing is what I love to do, and some people say its just because I have been tattooing for such a short time, that it will ware off as the years pass by and I will not want to do it as much and will not be as eager. I agree if I got to a comfortable spot in my career and had no more drive to push myself, to test my brain and create a new bar setting. I will not be like that, sure, I may need a rest from time to time, but this is who I am. This is why I do it. Why would I let that change? is it possible that it has a lot to do with self confidence? or maybe even a sense of failure.

This will not be me. I live, eat, breathe, bleed, sweat, and shit this stuff. I will let no man dictate or try to convince me that they know my future. I may have other endeavors or hobbies, or simple interests, but tattooing is me. I am not blessed with thousands of dollars to buy whatever I want when I want it, I am not blessed with great looks to please any ones eye that I wish, but I am blessed with heart, hard work, and sincerity, and I continue to make things happen with those three things, including many other suits, everyday. I fear an obstacle is coming, and coming soon. I am truly one to believe in karma, and do try to think about my actions and words before I execute them. I feel that I must assess this before it manifests into something inevitable.

Man is truly complex, but yet simple......its what our situations and feelings manipulate us to do. I take a new stand at everyday starting tomorrow, I must do what I have to do to intercept this forthcoming obstacle, but what sacrifices will I have to make......

As Time Does its Part....

Well, the past few weeks have definitely been quite a roller coaster and have even kept me away from the computer more than I would like to admit....but besides time, a lot of the blame has to go with my thoughts and how they made me feel. I have really had a lot on my mind and it became difficult to dodge. Then all of a sudden, I thought I was on a verge of a mental, emotional breakdown, a little blue bird showed up to my surprise, and eased my mind, and showed me to take my thoughts and problems, one at a time, even if I had to write them down. From taking care of a child being able to go to private school, to being an understanding son, trying to make the best effort I can as a people person, not disappointing my friends, and lastly but not least, using the energy and will power I have left to tap into my soul when I arrive at work to do what I know best.

Its easy to spread the mind thin, but that is where the real gauging of the parameters take place, as far as the decisions beginning. I have always found way to find the light before, no matter any situation, and especially lately due to words of others who believe I do have the latter in front of me! This is my duty and mine alone at this moment, to just keep breaking walls and paying no attention to petty obstacles and popularity games. I was right before, what goes around, comes around, so I must be as honorable, modest, and truthful as possible. Im grabbing my destiny by the horns and showing it that I make my own future, my own fate, and must have faith in myself in doing so....

A Spark...

The beginning of today looked a lot like other days....until I finally got hit with a new wave of creativity. After acting on this wave, I started to get a little stoked on what the next couple of weeks could hold. But all it took was one simple look in the mirror, and I started to realize that there are even more things I am slacking on (besides my looks). I do not hold the same conviction I used to host with me on things, even the glances I deliver.

When I was in California this past summer, or even while I was on the warped tour, I had a certain conviction of thoughts and actions, that I realized I had lost, only today I realized it. Could it also be that my biggest battle is with myself? that this whole time I'm actually keeping myself down? My best friends help me, even other friends try to diagnose, but I believe I must defeat myself before I can defeat my obstacles that stand in the way of my own personal goal and others expectations. Man this life is just crazy, if I was anyone else, they would of committed suicide, so I must be strong...

Well....

My first time using Blogger, and I have to say this is actually going to be interesting. I had a pretty good day, but a real busy past couple of weeks. I am currently working at tattoolicious here in Honolulu, Hawaii. I always struggle to do great tattoos, I'm always trying to out do myself from the last time. But it all still seems like its not good enough.

I know that getting better takes time, but I pushed myself super hard this past year, have been told that I do amazing work, but still get treated like its ok. My best friend is very good, and has a lot of admirers. It seems like right now nobody really admires my work. Maybe its time to do I did a year ago, and take myself off the map, and train once again, or maybe I shouldnt care about the lime light and just chase my skill and do my original plans, and be a hermit again, not like Im going to have a girlfriend soon, or anything of that sort. I dont know, its really hard especially when theres such high expectations of me, and then I feel like I let them down, and not even seen anymore. This sucks.....