Bring the Pax

One of the greatest joys of my life is seeing people I care about making moves towards fullfilling their dreams.

The 757 is a breeding ground for talent. Be it musicians, athletes, there is no denying the amount of talent that comes from this area.

There is this great movement of artists popping up in this area. The one thing I love about the 757 (Va beach esp) is that it is so diverse, and you have no choice but to be cultured. I'm not saying everybody is on that, but it def. shows in the music, and styles of locals.

Coming up next week my pal Keanan a.k.a Micah Money, will be performing at Shakas (aka Ohanas) down @ the strip on Jan. 13, 2010.

read his blog The Giant Heart

RSVP for BringThePax

he is on my list of "people who get It"

X-Mas List

I make a X-mas list EVERY YEAR, no exceptions!
I have noticed however that as I get older it becomes harder and harder to make a list that has reasonably obtainable items on it.

Here is my REAL Christmas list:

} $100,000.00

} A nice condo in the D.C. metro area

} A job lined up ( in the D.C. metro area) for after I graduate in May

} A turntable with USB so I can transfer my (growing) record collection to my computer, but still listen to them via the record player

} Apple desk top computer (for the storing of all my music, photos, videos, and the alike--then I can use it for creating items for work, if need be)

} PC laptop

} A Keytar

wear that deck around yo' neck

This summer I had to opportunity to meet Nick Gallegos-Artist. Nick Gallegos is from Virginia Beach, and has been creating art since about 1982--his company is called Dos Manos.

At the Artisans in the Park art show (hosted by Va Beach Parks & Rec), Gallegos had some of his most popular items for sale--recycled skateboard deck jewelry, belt buckles, and key chains.

He uses old decks donated to him by skaters in the area (he'll make you a free piece in exchange for your deck!) to create unique & sturdy jewelry.

I've noticed that skate culture is coming back HEAVY in the beach. During the summer you can see people ollie-ing all over the strip, kick-pushin to Mt. Trashmore's skate park, or just skating around on the streets. I'm going to put the re-birth of skate culture on

1.)Hip Hop--Lupe, The Pack (got my Vans on...)

2.) The Ice Cream Skate Team & Pharrell--Pharrell is from Va Beach, Kevin Booker & Cato Williams (Pharrells brother) both went to Green Run HS, and are on the skate team

3.) MTV---Life of Ryan, Rob & Big (and TK being on that one show with the Jackass guys)

Back to the topic at hand...

Nick Gallegos (Dos Manos) makes all types of artwork using post-consumer products, as well as other mediums. I thought the recycled deck jewelry was the coolest.

Check out his page

I'm Sky High

I'm a fan of DJ Benzi, some of my favorite mixes are the product of Benzi's mastering.

Sky High is a collection of Kanye West remixes by DJ Benzi, Plain Pat, Cookin' Soul, Kickdrums, A-trak...etc etc. Love them all. Another mix I love is by ?uestlove, he re-did Pharrell's solo album, In My Mind, and it is so...cool. That's the only word for it, cool.


Download Sky High

Boo Ritson

spotted this on DAZEDdigital.com


Boo Ritson uses live models, paint, and imagination to make these amazing prints. After reading the article by Evan Goodfellow on DAZEDdigital, I decided to google some more images by Ritson. It's really cool! You should check it out, and read the article here www.dazeddigital.com

mmm mmm Candy for Kleptos

I became a fan of Holly Weerd a few years ago, and was pleasantly surprised to find Candy for Kleptos.

Do your mp3 player a favor and download this.

Def. riding music.

Download:

http://usershare.net/2qh4e8vukeek

read a book

My New Years Resolution for 2009 was to read a total of 2 books. I know 2 seems like a low number, but I'd really wasn't reading for pleasure, and it was taking me forever to actually finish a book.

Here's what I've read thus far...



A Piece of Cake :: Cupcake Brown

Intense memoir about the life of Cupcake Brown-- drug addict, child prostitute, turned lawyer. It's gritty, but a good read.

1984 :: George Orwell

This is a classic. If you're into conspiracy and Big Brother, then you will enjoy this book. It took me TWO years to finish it; I think I am the only person within 100 miles that felt like it was a chore to read (at times).


The Jump Off :: Doug Dixon

My friend gave me this book, with little to no explanation about the foolishness I was about to read. The main character flies off the handle over something EXTREMELY ridiculous. You have to read it to get the full effect. This book has some classic lingo though, "booty just jigglin'!"


Rules for a Pretty Woman :: Suzette Francis


Another book passed on to me from a friend. This book tells the story of a women who deals with the complexities of love. If you are looking for a book that will provide a platform for self reflection, this is a good one.


Push :: Sapphire


This book is getting A LOT of attention right now due to the much talked about movie Precious. This is one of the most upsetting books I've read in a long time. The story of Precious is told through her own words--completely botched spelling/grammer and all. Its a quick read, the book is pretty short, but unbelievably powerful. I suggest you read this.




New Moon :: Stephanie Meyers


After seeing New Moon in theaters I felt the overwhelming urge to actually read the books. My sister loaned me Twilight and New Moon. I stared off reading Twilight, but I got bored. I think it was because I'd already seen the film, and had the general idea about what was going on--the movie wasn't all that great either :- /


New Moon was much more entertaining. What's better than star-crossed lovers and literally hot werewolves? (ok, maybe a being able to do magic, but...)



Snuff :: Chuck Palahniuk


SMH. Chuck Palahniuk is a very strange man. Snuff is a humorous account of a adult-movie star, who is attempting to break a world record...laying down.








I hope you're feeling inspired, and will go pick up a book one of these days