Heaven Only Knows

I've always fathomed about owning a loft somewheres in New York City but then again, there are only a select few who don't. The Sartorialist has grown to be one of the Empire State's most renowned bloggers and photographers alongside Johnathan Mannion and 13th Witness (in my eyes at least). I've seen his blog before, thought his work was cool, but I was never awed by it all until I saw some of the process. He's good, and he's got my utmost respect, I like people like him.

I also really like the Tart Optical Arnel frames he's wearing in the Tortoise colour. James Dean and Johnny Depp loved wearing those. They're around $200 a pop, including shipping, and I've got a bit of a glasses collection growing. These are definitely on the list.



What I like most about his work is that he doesn't care about the technicality of things, he just watches people and has a cadence to his process. A lot of people I know have pricey cameras, with the hopes of making a career out of it, the good thing is that they probably will make a career out of it. But, I really like the work of people that just do it. Not for Facebook comments, Flickr comments or Deviant Art spotlights - just to take photos for themselves.

Ay, there's the rub!

As famous as Levi Maestro is getting these days, I can't deny how cool its been to watch this guy transition from the very first episodes of his show to where he is now working with industry heavy hitters. I'm one of those guys that begins to dislike things once they've grown incredibly popular (not for everything) but I felt that way with the MaestroKnows internet show.

He took a few months break, but as much of a hype beast I truly am, I still respect some good video work and the presence of some good people. Peep the latest episode, and what I think is the absolute best jam by Geto Boys.

Bedford-Stuyvesant Stand up

Now, I'm sure you folks have already seen this video blow up all over the media the past 48 hours. I was pretty amazed to hear such a great voice from the "Homeless man with a golden voice" as everyone has been putting it. There are a few people that remain impressed, but unimpressed at the same time (you guys are haters).

I really almost teared a little at around midnight when I first saw this guy choke up when he said he prayed to see his 92 year old Mother. Mind you, the woman is 90 years old and seems tough enough to still give her son a lickin' for succumbing to alcohol and drugs. It's never an easy thing to let go and a few people in my family still lose the battle, it's not fun, I've been around them since I was a kid.

Nothing but love for this story, except for the rude Morning Show hosts. Sit the fuck down and show this man some respect, he grew up in BedStuy.

Here in the Lair

Trying to upstart your own brand is a maze, and I went through a hell of one in 2010. I think I tried to upstart at least three different projects in the span of a single year and when you start doing that, its about time you take a break, or at least do something different. So the plan right now is to go incognito for the second time this year and work on some traditional art first, then put my other graphic work second to it. 

I think way too many kids are trying to make their own brands that they forget about practicing the fundamental forms of art first. Maybe that's why there are so many upstart brands that don't blow up overnight, all their designs look exactly the same. But enough of my streetwear ranting and listen to this jam by Theophilus London. He's got a few good jams, he usually just hypes songs up rather than raps (which he's not half bad at).

Having a room like this would be real nice to go incognito in. A man can dream, only for a while. So here are those Theophilus jams I was talking about. The first one is a remix of Whitney Houston's classic that would probably make half our moms act a fool and start singing along like no tomorrow.

I want you is a remix/cover of the Marvin Gaye original of "I Want You". Theophilus is doing a good job of bringing back some classic jams into the mix, and teams up with New York hunny, Va$htie, in directing a music video for this track.



And, if you're wondering what has happened to Lindsey Lohan. She recently was released from rehab a few days ago. I think she was admitted into rehab soon after filming this Yu Tsai directed music video for Theophilus London. It's littered with chain smoking, loose American Apparel tanks and a guest appearance by Lohan's right nipple. I think they were really fucking during filming. She would.

Not to mention, this private Lindsey Lohan party looks pretty bunk. I'd rather party with my Grandma, not because she's less boring than Lindsey's party (she is) but because at least at my Grandma's party she'd have some food and drinks laying around and show some hospitality. Lindsey.. well, she's got a few LOOKBOOK.NU users blacked out in her hotel room. Party.

There you have it folks

I've always wondered if thats what true love looks like. Just playing, relax. So I've been reading a couple books lately: Palo Alto by James Franco, The Tao of Wu by the one and only Rza, and Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. These have been one of the things that have been keeping me crept up inside my bed, exploring the written marvels of enlightenment, isolation and self-exploration. And, no, I'm not self-exploring myself by sticking foreign objects in holes. 

I've also enjoyed some old classics like Lost in Translation, just to put me in a deeper state of thinking. I don't see friends too often, nor do I plan to, just laying low until I can get everything back on track in my life (that doesn't include the entire Burglars Clothing following that I built over 2 years). I mean that with the least offence to my former partners as possible, but its time to man up and work for myself. 

I liked the 2003 Scarlett Johansson, she looked very natural in that film. Especially dem booeyz in dem pantiez. I've seen a few hunnies I graduated with, without make-up and sweet nectar of the Gods is it hilarious. There was also this break down of how you shouldn't trust some girls and presented a step-by-step make-up application photo stream of a girl looking pretty roughed up, to pretty cute. I'll post it on the blog someday. 

.. at least Scarlett doesn't look like Katy Perry without make-up. Poor Katy. Go Russell. Lost in Translation took getting used to, I had to wrap my mind around how imperfect this perfect love match was in the film. I have to re-watch it.

I haven't exactly made a list of resolutions yet, but I know for sure that I want to get back into road cycling, get back to oil painting and sketching, complete a half-marathon (I used to be a pretty avid distance runner) and somehow shoot my name back into the limelight. Maybe, not necessarily with clothing/graphic design, but I'm not rejecting the idea either. 

Right now, I'm just riding the waves and treating everyday like a holiday, because they are. Now, if you don't know, I really love soul music and anything my grandparents grew up listening to or loved. I was raised in a household with 4 other women in my life, wasn't a bad thing, sure taught me how to pick out good soul music and below is one of my favourite Christmas jams. With, a little remix from Rza himself.

Don't answer the door

This is the face I make when I see some boobies, or just hear a real classic tune that becomes an instant favourite. It's monday morning and I'm wide awake. Just got back from a cruise with my homie Zac, got some late-night grub, chatted and listened to some of his good music. Our food raided by some two drunk bartenders downtown, one of them is apparently doing amateur night at Diamond's tomorrow night. She did have a nice pair, of eyes. I like eyes, and breasts.

The techno I was listening to was dope, but I usually only listen to that when I'm at a club. Otherwise, I'd listen to tracks as follows, peep the never ending realness. 

Ya'll don't know what some B.B. means to me, it's some heavy shit to me and I love it. I've got to get a B.B. vinyl for myself - maybe I'll do that tomorrow, perhaps peep Treehouse Records and Blackbyrd. But, for the meantime, I'll try and lull myself to sleep with a little Misfits and more blues.

For all you Edmontonians lurking this unpopular blog, Born Ruffians are coming to Edmonton once more on March 17 to hopefully do a show with Bend Sinister too. Tickets are $18 and should be worth every penny, moshing, hipster-jitter and balloons included.

Misfits UK

Found out about this show a week ago. I'm only a few episodes in but I really like it. UK television shows are actually way different from the North American shows I watch. I like it. Also been hearing some pretty good things about that show, Skins, but have yet to peep an episode. Misfits sounds better though.

Edit.. So I just recently finished the two seasons of Misfits. The show really caught me by surprise at the first, wasn't too sure what to make of the Irish-Cockney-British accent mumbo-jumbo, but it really turned out to be a pleasantly offensive and interesting show. Definitely recommend if you have time to spare.

How to get your boxing day swagga

Can't start your day without a good cup of joe and home cooked breakfast. I'd suggest getting your bake on with the OG.. money launderer, Martha Stewart. But in all seriousness, I'd most probably start my boxing day off with a really strong breakfast with some black tea or coffee, accompanied with an overpriced but worth-every-penny breakfast at iHop, Cora's or Muggn'z here in Edmonton.

But if you don't go for breakfast or wait in line at a streetwear shops boxing day line-up, and have decided to bake in the morning.. then it is almost necessary you link up with a fellow homeboy, go out for a greasy bite to eat at a burger joint and hit up the liquor store to stock up for the evening. At this point, I'd probably be at Delux Burger Bar, Fatburger or trying to lug down a McGangBang from McDonald's. My drinks of choice would probably be Jameson Irish Whiskey or Crown Royale, topped off with a few bottles of Newcastle English Ale, Red Stripe, Fruli or Konig Ludwig. Ya'll should be catching up on each others life, whilst freshening up for a wild night ahead. 

Enjoying each others company, its time you two folk get ready for a night of super boxing day swagga and organize some means of transportation to the club/pub/bar/concert/pussy fest. Ain't no chance in hell that you'll be drinking and driving, cause that is dumb shit son. By this time, you should have a homie drive you, bus ticket or cab fare (or ya mom's driving you to the club to get ya grind on). And, if you're really on the grind (as all the young blokes like to say) then maybe you should walk, crawl, bum-scooch or masturbate your way to the club. I hear the sweat you release attracts women.

Lo and behold, is the time to celebrate the post-Christmas life and enjoy the good company and engage in antics forever to be remembered until the New Year. Somedays, your boxing day celebrations will land you at a friend's crib, in their bed, sleeping on their floor, bathtub or.. on the Q-Train ass naked hauling yourself back to Brooklyn. But wherever boxing day celebrations take you, Happy Holidays brother man.

Once you wake up and get a royal lickin' from your Grandma, you lay low and eat the breakfast she so graciously cooks for you, give yourself 4 days to recover by watching television shows and illegally downloaded movies, only to do it wackier and better on NYE.