What just happened here…

Unbeknownst to me (I forgot), I had an appointment today. Indeed, this one will be amazing when healed. The lines may not look it due to swelling and arm contours, but they’re straight. Cascadia love. Once again, thanks to Matt at Wicked Ways Tattoos in San Antonio, Texas.

I’ve gotten quite an awesome response elsewhere on Reddit, CascadiaNow!, and Twitter. Sometimes the world wide web still amazes.

Figured to add a couple notes. At this point I’ve got more than a few tattoos I’d say. This is the first that aimed to “line” over an entire circumference, a detail I completely disrespected beforehand. One line would’ve been tough enough as you’d probably only want it parallel to the ground. Four parallel lines, however, is another story. Elementary geometry, perhaps. We needed to compensate for the difference in circumference at the different points of my wrists, even if only under an inch. From top line to bottom line was a difference of about an inch. I had my ideas how to get the lines perfect, but I’m not the artist who has to work with those lines, only the clown who has to live with them. This is one of the many times where having a legit tattoo artist comes in handy. 
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Tattooed Thoughts

We’re now into the fourth month of 2013 and I’ve yet to et any new work done; unsat at best. Ideas have been brewing far too long. Now I’ve got a stockpile of more than a few small to very large projects to think about. Birthday week will knock one off, just not sure which one nor where just yet. 

I took the photos below in 2009. I’d like to get my artist’s take and let him work with it. There’s a very specific design I have in my head I’ve seen before applied to other pieces of art and tattoos but I don’t know what it’s called and cannot find examples. Not certain I’ll be able to articulate what it is to him though. Somewhat like pictures formed by geometrical shapes, almost stained glass-like, but not exactly. Take that, apply it to some of the highlights of Mount Rainier… that probably reads ridiculous. The other, perhaps more realistic idea is using the Tacoma skyline, a pic I also took in ‘09. [One or the other, not both] This is where a legitimate artist’s opinion comes in handy.

My other ideas involve some Pictish symbols (probably what I’ll get done this week), Cascadia flag, and a horror/movie theme, although that one I’ve only just begun to conceptualize.

Side note: Far be it from me to criticize anyone, but some folks get some wild shit tattooed on their body. Tattoos are generally very personal, but I fail to see any utility or meaning behind a cat’s bunghole, Charlie Sheen, or Snooky-with-black eye faces. Ehh, to each their own, just funny to think about.

Today was somewhat of a laid back, relaxing day. I was up early to watch the Celtic match. We grabbed some breakfast from our local veg joint by the house. I hit the trail for a bit where I saw a dead armadillo (dead or alive scares the shit out of me re: leprosy), a dead possum, two very large vultures (not near the corpses), and a very large owl who was interested in my movements. The latter I’ve seen before but never this close and never his/her face. It looked at me and moved its head around a branch to get a better vantage point, then flew off. A most beautiful creature and definitely a highlight of my trail running thus far. There’s a mansion I run behind who’s animal collection never ceases to amaze. They have quite a few peacocks, which I’ve seen before, but today there were probably five or six very large llamas. Legit? Who knows, but today they were very interested in a lady walking by with her dog. Not in a timid manner, however, rather they looked as if, given the opportunity, they’d prefer to make a quick lunch out of the little guy. —> My thoughts go in many directions on the trails, folks.

I was able to also watch this documentary, “Occupied Cascadia”. The official outline starts as follows: “Occupied Cascadia is a journalistic and expressionistic documentary film which explores the emerging understanding of bioregionalism within the lands and waters of the Northeast Pacific Rim.” It was a beautiful film, informative, and was thought provoking, which in my opinion are marks of a good documentary. I don’t know that it had much of anything to do with what we associate “occupy” with now, as far as the movement goes. While I’m not spiritual, I can appreciate the utility of why they outline certain themes, especially for learning and passing knowledge through spoken word. Otherwise, I can mostly do without anything astrology save for entertainment. The only other criticism I had is that there are many legitimate condemnations of our current state (on many topics), however, some did not offer solutions. For instance, at one point a couple folks admonish solar panels, windmills, and other “clean” energy source options we currently have at our disposal. Indeed, what they said is true, there are harms associated with everything, but at this time where we are the “lesser of all evils” approach is perhaps the best alternative. Otherwise I’m not sure what the argument is, live without power? Utopian to some but it’s just not based in reality. Overall it was a very good documentary and containing multiple topics I hope research further. 

I don’t look at marijuana as a human right, or a civil right, or even in the same venue as gay marriage. This is a public health issue. There are significant health concerns around marijuana from all the science, not ideology. I don’t see the legalization of drugs and making them widely available as a good thing, and I don’t think locking everyone up is a good thing either.
Resident dickhead U.S. drug czar Gil Kerlikowske | Maclean’s | He explains why we will continue to see federal enforcement in Colorado and Washington despite laws passed legalizing marijuana. State’s rights, right!?

Furthermore, I’d like this guy to produce one, just one piece of “science” that backs this statement up. What a complete load of bullshit.

Seasonal affective disorder | PubMed Health

This sounds about right, save for the extremes. It’s going to be past 80° tomorrow. The a/c is on in January. I’d guess most folks probably disrespect how much this messes with my head. This is normal terminology for places like Seattle where it rains a lot (although, Seattle’s all I want) or north Alaska where it’s dark for a month. Bot for one, at least, it’s Texas. It’s a shame because in most other environments on Earth, I would do nearly anything for mid-70s weather. The fact is that 100 is looming but a couple months away. I need winter; I need cold. If I believed in hell, I imagine it would be damned close to south Texas. 

At least there’s plenty of NHL on the tele right now. 

Dinosaur Jr. played a full set at Seattle’s mighty KEXP back in 2011. Henry Rollins interviewed them afterwards. This is good and you should watch it.

I was going to post their video “Pierce the Morning Rain” but instead found this on the tag… even better. Dinosaur Jr. playing live, being interviewed by Henry Rollins, all on KEXP in Seattle. Sounds like I’m making this shit up…

Low Hums | Annamoose
Finally one online I can share! So this is the band my awesome cousin plays with in Seattle. She’s a hero of mine and quite literally fucking rocks. Check her out here on their bio page. I listened to this performance live last month. It was aired on the KUGS 98.3 site. Of course this song is badass alone, but with her bass lines and vocals makes it that much better. Cheers to my cuz Heather! Love you tons!!!

Source: SoundCloud / lowhums

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