As 2009 comes to a close, I find myself listening to this song again.
Lastnight, I was last to bed and this morning, I’m first to rise. Gotta get to this lengthly “to do” list I’ve got going on that doesn’t hesitate to accumulate more things on it that require my attention as minutes pass.

Funny how spending time and paying attention both equate to a denomination of expenditure.

“all the street lights, glowing, happen to be just like moments, passing in front of me so i hopped in the cab and i paid my fare, see i know my destination, but i’m just not there”

Well, I hope everybody enjoyed their Christmas, regardless of how it was spent.

Because of the lagging cold I had, I wasn’t able to get tattooed by Chino, which sucks, because I’ve been itching like loca to get tattooed! We made up for the time with catching up though, which has been pretty rare because we’ve both been so busy doin’ the damn thang. My tiger back piece is steadily making it’s way to inevitable completion, so in essence, I suppose you could say I’m (l)earning my stripes in patience. Oh, the lessons we learn. I hadn’t even realized that 2010 is the year of the Tiger.

Am I ever looking forward to really making things pop in the coming new year.

I’m shopping around for new tattoo machines too. I’ve got my eye on some frame styles I’d like to try out, maybe get builders to do me something up with a lil bit of a custom touch. I’m jonesing (ha!) for a Water’s Model 6, a Rogers J frame, and a Jensen The Special frame. In terms of configurations, I would love to get more black &grey shaders, probably another color packer and maybe one more fine liner.

My sneaker obsession has officially evolved into a tattoo machine addiction.

Speaking of sneakers, what were your Christmas kicks?
Officially, mine were my all time favorite Air Jordan’s, other than the II’s and the XXIII’s: the infamous flu shoe, an urban cultural symbol for resilience and determination, the beautiful black and white AJ XXII’s.

Below are flicks of what I worked blasted out on Christmas Eve. Dude was from Japan, visiting Toronto wanting two polynesian pieces to commemorate his visit and include his G’s initials, and didn’t speak a word of English. It’s moments like that where language barriers really frustrate me. Despite that day being one in which we did not have one of the Japanese counter girls in, him and I were able to find a way to communicate so that we understood each other. Konichiwa and arigato gozaimasu, friend!

Peep the following things that’ve been keeping me busy lately:

Congratulations to my homegirl Karolina and her hubby Eddie, who are expecting little Kaya any minute now. Their little prince is probably dropping right now! My lottery date was the 21st of December, how’s that for close?

Christmas is around the corner. Be safe, everyone.

Sunday afternoon was consumed by illin with my homie Jae. We wandered along the krife river accompanied by brewed cups of tea and laid down some vinyl pon de decks. Here’s one of three photos I have of this ghost I call my homeboy.

He wondered what my reaction to the track below would be. I’m a sucker for strings and brass just as much as I am drums and bass. When Lady Miri hits up the ‘one more chance’ steeze, I just about died, like ‘oh no she di’nt.’ Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

So, apparently there’s a lingerie football league. Hmm.
I guess I’m in the wrong sport.
I have yet to preview a game, but I’m very much looking forward to it.
Where’s Toronto’s team at?

For the Christmas Season, I’m offering 10% off new tattoos from December 21st to January 3rd. Certain restrictions apply, but if you’re remotely interested or know somebody who is that would love a new tattoo for Christmas, definitely get ahold of me here, and we’ll set something up.

I have a feeling this holiday break is going to fly past me and be over in the blink of an eye. I have a lot of xmas shopping to do, and it’ll probably all come together last minute as it usually does. Too much of what I do in life is controlled and strategically calculated, while I’m also a fan of a little organized chaos here and there, so it’s nice to not have everything already done.

My cold is waning through its death rattle, thank goodness. There’s snow on the ground, however, and now that it’s past the freezing mark, my mental keeps taking me back to the sunny skies and palm tree lined streets of Cali. I tried my best to enjoy three days stuck at home alone in front of the tv making my way through a pile of movies I’ve neglected thus far because I haven’t had the time to watch them, but relaxing like that for me has become so foreign. Today, I’m antsy and have cabin fever, so I’m trying to organize my day so that I can do everything I need to efficiently before I go into work for my second last shift. While Mikka is getting her hustle on to the max by working seven days a week, that leaves me with having to take care of most of the home and errands business. It’s time to get my game back one. Those three days were nice and all, but I’m meant to be a busy body.

Tonight is UKC Toronto Funky @Toi Bar up in Lil Italy. It’s Plain English’s birthday jam, so I’m feeling rather compelled to go, despite knowing that I probably shouldn’t. Last weekend I went drinking for the first time since August, and went out and got successfully tipsy both nights. That’s another contributing factor to the cold I have now. Saturday during the day, I’m kickin it with my homegirl, Erin, who I haven’t seen in forever because she’s in her first year at U of T and grinding away at those credits with consistency. She made it through her first batch of midterm exams and finals and I’m hella proud of her. Sunday during the day, I’m kickin it with my homeboy Jaelen, which I can’t even come close to expressing how happy I am about that.

Carl stopped by Wednesday night to get more done on his dragon. It’s looking great and the chest panel section is all done, so it’s time to move onto the arm section of his half sleeve.

The science is: The Universe is Always unfolding as it should.
wordplay for the day: presents/presence.

Is everybody hyped for their holiday season?
Check out our big ass tree: