The Convention

On Saturday I attended Chicago Illinos 2012 Tattoo Arts Convention at The Crowne Plaza Hotel. The convention was scheduled all weekend long, and I was lucky to be able to attend for the day. We headed out early and set out for Chicago.

The trip there was great. There wasn't to much construction, we didn't get lost, and we didn't have cash to pay the tolls... so I'll just expect something in the mail! Parking was insane. Everywhere we looked, vehicles were being rerouted to new areas. We managed to find parking about two blocks away in a different hotels parking garage. We followed the crowds of people and headed into the convention.

The valet area was overtaken by a mixture of smokers. As I glanced the area I noticed stereotypical subcultures, you know, those with torn, and thrashed jeans, Mohawks, fishnets and boots. I noticed Moms and Dads that threw on their, "Harley Gear" and headed out to the convention with their kids for the day. Pin-up style models and other tattooed models roamed the isles advertising shops. I saw teens and many in their early twenties, getting their bodies started on, "new ink."

We payed twenty dollars and entered the convention. My eyes were up down and all around eventually crossing all together. There were so many forms of art to take in all at once. It was not my first convention, but it easy to not the differences from city to city. Hundreds of people walked the hotel displaying art on their personal bodies. Artists had booths dedicated to their work. Sketch books layed on tables in front of booths, along with t-shirts, stickers and business cards.

As we walked along, I noticed that many of these artists had traveled many miles to attend this convention. Many artists were eager to talk, hear ideas and listen to feedback. Many shared personal stories and even stories of the craziest tattoos they have given. We heard many stories about the previous night after parties and promises of even crazier hours to come. Over the loud speaker, the announcer Called for, " ONLY SINGLE CURVY PIN UP MODELS TO BE USED AS MODELS FOR ARTIST!" We all laughed, continued on.

We had finally ran into, Jason Angst' booth. He was in the process of doing a piece on a mans leg along with another artist that was helping him. Time is so valuable at conventions, many go in hopes of getting dream tattoos by artists they do not have the ability to see often. Many request pieces that require much time from artist and money from the customer as well as energy to sit through long hours.

We came back a little while after while Jason finished up his patient customer who sat six hours for his leg piece. To finish up a half sleeve with specific detail we sat four hours. Many different artists have their own rates. Jason was a friend, and a well-known artist who is generous to those who support his work.

While Justin sat, I talked with Jasons wife, who has piercings anywhere there was skin, and her skin, was an almost full canvas her husband had taken advantage of. All of her pieces were carefully, mastered with many hours of work to support it.

Walking through the booths, I was able to see many tattoo artists in action. Amy Nicoletto from LA Ink was tattooing at the show along with Megan Massacre, and Chris Torres, from New York Ink.

I left super excited, and filled with many ideas to finish up my sleeve. I was very impressed with the work that Jason Angst had done on Justin and am looking forward for him to start on mine.

I most definitely recommend that you people get up, and get influenced by some creative work at conventions. Don't get a tattoo, that's not what m saying, but to experience many different forms of live art is worth the while.

Always an Adventure...

On days off of work, I can't help but consume my minutes and hours with excitement or adventure. Whether indoors or out, I always seemed to find something new to try or see. My patient loved one sits and stares as I ramble and change subject after subject about the possibilities that our day offers. My morning ritual consists of waking up, and really giving a solid twenty minutes to just lye there and brainstorm the possibilities.

The night before, I had watched a preview of the re-release of Titanic. It was specially going to be featured in 3-D and IMAX theaters. I flashed back to my 6th grade field trip to the Milwaukee Museum. I was mesmerized by the exhibits like, "The Old Streets of Milwaukee." Most of all, I was amazed and captivated by, The Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater. "That's it!" Followed by the, "Oh Please Please Can we go?" Yes, like a child, he could see the excitement in my eyes, and of course he couldn't help but gave in to my extreme joy from my childhood memories.

I jumped online to make sure the place existed. The website revealed a new addition to the IMAX Dome Theater, The Daniel M. Soref Planetarium. The Planetarium had a new projection system that creates enhanced 3-D animations, which produce planets, stars that highlight constellations, that can be seen throughout the dome theater. A live tour is even included, which gives an overview of the current night sky.

We loaded up with snacks upon arival and tickets for, "Cleopatras Universe" and "Born to Be Wild." The Dome Theater is lit up with bright blues and greens, and the background of the giant dome is a stary night. Choosing our seats was difficult with a line of people trailing us, the decision needed to be quick. We headed up the steps, and then into a row, just a glance down made me a little dizzy. The seating was specially arranged and designed to give full effect to the dome screen, making all of the rows seem really steep.

All of a sudden, the lighting became dim, and a sun setting took place. A voice took over, Brian our tour guide, explained the evening sky, and moon phase. He pointed out constellations, planets, and added special effects like sounds and shooting stars. It was awesome and much better than the 6th grade.

Cleopatras Universe amazed me every single step of the way into history and into ancient ruins. Her power and intelligence intrigued and fascinated me. Although the loss of battle against Actium lead to her suicide, Cleopatra the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt was a significant period in history that is still studied today.

As people left after the first showing, we stayed in our seats and awated the next film, "Born to Be Wild." This documantry about orphaned orangutans and elephants really captured my heart. The people that travel to great lengths to protect and raise these endangered animals really touched my heart. The special effects, music and scenery was amazing. In forty five minutes it was as if I traveled to Kenya, Africa and through the jungle. It was as we were along the entire lifetime, from the birth and rescue to the release back into the wild, their home. Watching the heroic rescues of baby elephants being hunted and rehabilitated completely changed the mood from the educational movie before.

My new experience back at, The Milwaukee Museum was well worth it! I really encourage a walk though of the exhibits themselves and an extraordinary movie experience at the Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater and Panitarium.

Murder or Self Defense?

Masses of people gather and hold demonstrations outside of The Department of Justice in Newark, Washington. Many wear a "hoodie" or "hooded sweatshirt" to resemble or depict the ensemble that Trayvon Martin was wearing the evening of February 26, when he was shot and killed by a 28 year old male, who was a resident of a home nearby. George Zimmerman was also a neighborhood watch volunteer, and had called police to report Tryvon as well as his "suspicious" behavior. Trayvon Martin a was a 17 year old African American boy walking home from a convenient store, to the home of his father's fiancee in a gated community.

Police records, police and cellular phone conversations and witness accounts the following brief overview of the evening of February 26.George Zimmerman makes the police phone call to report what he believes is, "suspicious behavior." Trayvon begins to run and is pursued by George Zimmerman, after the dispatcher, he is and has been on the phone with told him, "We don't need you to do that." After losing sight of Trayvon, phone records show that around that time, Martin was on the phone with his girlfriend. Who has made public statements, that she heard someone ask Martin what he was doing and Martin asking why he was being followed. An altercation is occurring and the connection goes dead. Witness' in the area have come forward to say, at one point the man with the "red shirt" was on the ground being attacked. The man in the, "red shirt" is identified as George Zimmerman, later in police reports as well as surveillance. Other stories, from neighbors and people in the area, report hearing Trayvons screams, and calls for help. Neighbors heard a gun shot at which now more phone call pour in to report, gun shots and screams.

When police arrived, the teenager was unarmed and carrying a small about of money, a bag of candy and a beverage. George Zimmerman tells police he shot Trayvon Martin in self-defense. George Zimmerman has not been charged, due to the "stand your ground law, enacted in 2005. The law allows people to use deadly force to defend themselves anywhere they feel reasonable fear of death or serious injury. Currently this case was been turned over to the state attorney.

Many have called Zimmerman a racist, and have formed petition and are gathering and rallying all over the united states to defend the injustice and murder of Trayvon Martin. Although family has come to defend Zimmerman, and states that he is half Hispanic and has a multiracial family. 911 phone calls released portray a different picture, of an aggressive man, who uses racial slurs to describe the individual, and indicates that his attire alone, promoted questionable behavior. George Zimmerman has stated that he was attacked by Trayvon Martin, and that Trayvon attempted to disarm him, when in self defense, he fought back and shot him. Reports say that Zimmerman is bleeding on the back of the head and his nose, and that there is blood on his clothes and visible. Surveillance images show, no signs of blood or an injured or hurt Zimmerman. Sanford Po ice Chief Bill Lee has announced that he will temporarily step down as head of the department after being criticized for the was he has handled the shooting and death of Trayvon Martin.

Everyday it seems my opinion changes on who is at fault for the murder of Trayvon Martin.

I truly believe we all are. The events throughout history have caused immense damage to our people of every race and ethnicity. The advantage we have taken of each other for personal gain in history has shown us gruesome realities of those who suffered as slaves, or prisoners. When it began exactly can I point the situation first began, I cannot. But I can refuse to participate in the bullshit of "today" to continue to influence or produce stereotypes toward human beings as less intelligent, or as criminals or a any characteristic that is degrading or demeaning. I refuse to by the rap CD, that encourages drug use, unprotected sex, violence, murders or death upon anyone or anything. I will not watch movies that help portray criminals in large cities, as, "young, black males in hooded sweatshirts and baggy jeans." I will not, be alarmed or question the behavior of a minority in a "quiet or upscale" neighborhood.

I do however understand the other side of my point of view. I recognize it and respect it. We have all experienced situations or scenarios that have lead us to our current standing opinions. However, he death of Trayvon Martin was Perseid. The Life of Trayvon Martin was taken away by a man who thought to quickly about protecting himself with deadly force out of fear, of an unknown individual who wore a style of dress, that prompted safety concerns.

Where the eff is my View Master?

Originally created in 1911, by Sawyers Photo Services, to view photographic postcards. They went through a period where many companies had them under the radar including the Army to help share photographic images. Ideal Toy Company purchased View-Master in 1987, boosting marketing techniques and switching to production of Kidsongs. Tyco Toys Later purchased the View Master making the success and a toy in every home.

This was my favorite toy as a child. I remember taking my VewMaster , and all of my slides that I could scavenge up from my sisters who would like to steal them from me. I would test every room and the amount of light it contained, just checking which room had the best lighting for my viewmaster slides. Not to bright and not to dark, it really needed to be just right. Yea, I was that kid.. so what.

I often brought my slides outside, and sat under the giant tree that overtook our roof with its leaves. I spent hours viewing, "Winne the Pooh", "Batman," "Barbie," and one of my favorites, "The Dinosaurs." I remember trading slides with my sisters and playing, "nice" for once. We never left the house with these, once they were in our possession and off of the store shelves, we were to excited to leave without them.

Times have quickly changed. What once amused me and brought me so much delight was quickly tossed to the side, when introduced to my four year old nephew. He too has caught on quickly to our rapid inventions. His tight grip and in depth stare was caused by the stolen attention of an, "I-Pad." He was watching his favorite intro to one of his favorite cartoons, "The Backyardagins."

I will still continue to stand in amazement at our Wide World of Technology and how rapidly it produces toys, that hold the attention for a few weeks, and then they are tossed a top a pile of has beens to new inventions, that take learning and entertainment to a new level.

New Cage

More than thankful, the lovely city of Sheboygan was given the gift of a skate park more than 6 years ago. To date, the park has not had many fixtures, or remodeling since the initial building of the skate park.

The Skate Park is an awesome addition to Sheboygan, and the youth in our community. However, with the lack of attention the park receives, caged in on the property of Kiwanis Park, has lead to further deterioration.

My nephews love going to the park, and while they shred, I clean up garbage these messy boys casually throw behind. The ledges are bent or lifting, the ramps are rusted and old, and the park is surrounded with a metal fence.

The Sheboygan Skate Park needs to seek, private or public funds to keep this environment thriving. Lack or areas to skate, often leads to public or private destruction that skateboarding causes to hand rails, or public seating or recreation areas. Skateboarding is also illegal in the roadways and many public sidewalks, making it impossible to skateboard anywhere.

Cement Skate plazas are the new ascetically pleasing, and community friendly skate parks being built in many cities around the world. It would be great to see and demolition of our current skate park, replaced with a new area for a Skate Plaza. The metal during the summer, burns in the sunlight, causing harmful injury to those who fall. Its terrible to see the kids that get hurt down there, do to the lack of funding to keep up with fixture.

On Sunday, March 16th 2012, Sheboygan's Local Skate Shop, "Revolution" will be hosting another fund raiser and park clean up in order to boost efforts in raising donations to re-build our skate park. We will have the chance to meet with the new park director and raise important issues and idea about what we can do, to keep our kids developing healthy habits, and active lifestyles.

"GONZ"

Mark Gonzales, also known as the "Gonz," is known in the skateboarding world as the pioneer of street skating, which is most popular form of skateboarding. His influences are: Rob Roskopp, George Horton, Jay Adams, Joe Lopes, Neil Blender, John Lucero, Jeff grosso, Eric Nash and Ben Schroeder.

Mark hit the scene at the ripe age of 15 years old with a "unique" style to street skating. He quickly picked up popular magazine covers like, "Thrasher" and was offered sponsorship by, "Vision Skateboards."

The "Gonz," set some records that have left landmarks, famous "skate spots." In, 1986 he cleared a major gap at Embarcadero in San Francisco. This was so major, that it will forever be known as the, "Gonz Gap." Famous for his, "front board slides," "50-50 hand rails," and "radical personality."

Mark greatly influenced skateboarding as it modernized in the early 90's. He released, "Video Days," but this time by his own company he created, Blind Skateboards. With much pressure from Santa Cruz, Alva, and Vision Skateboards to turn pro he choose Vision' later learning and feeling that Vision was to, "coorporate" and like many companies they sell out! and go where the power is. Many argue that the name Blind was an intention name in opposition of Vision. But Mark insists his inspiration came from a song by the, "Talking Heads."

Not only is this man an impeccable skater but he has also established a career as an accomplished artist, writer, painter, poet and actor. Today, Mark is keeping busy with his company and skate team, "Krooked." He also rides for Spitfire wheels, Independent Truck Company, Fourstar Clothing, and Adidas.

Thrasher Magazine has named Mark Gonzales, "the most influential skater of all time." Without this guy, it would be difficult to know where skating would be today. He has the consistent ability to change , and tap into new realms of skateboarding constantly changing the elements of skateboarding.

"i wanna be just like you"

When I enter a room, I carefully scan the area, indicating and setting up mental markers for garbage cans, tissues, clocks even escape routes in case of an emergency. I carefully select my seating, completely making personal and mental judgements based on ones appearance. Even though at times they fail me, my instincts usually lead me to where I feel I am meant to go. I have learned to trust them in courageous matters, and have learned to let go, and put my trust in the word of others.

I knew the professor, and have had many of her courses. I was able to get away with sitting at the back of the class typing every word that ever came out of her mouth. I also had to remain close to one of the only student accessible power sources. Most of the kids that occupied the seats beside me, where either the, "geniuses" that spent their class drawing a notebook filled with an anime comic story, not paying attention at all to lectures but still scoring high 90's or the kids that spent the entire class period flipping between "popula"r social network sites like, 'Facebook", "Tumblr", and "Twitter". I catch a number of "TMZ" photo uploads and re posts to either site, followed by joke, or humiliating story, most likely false but juicy in detail. Did I mention that, these are the kids I see sticking around to fail or , doing the smartest thing of all semester and dropping by the financial aid refund date.

The few that stuck around to cause their life demise, never participated in class discussions, but often interrupted with whispers and giggles. Due to my eye for, "precise location" I was at the center of conversation.

Today I found out that, "Snooki" a character from a "reality television programming show" was pregnant. The reality show takes please on the Shores of New Jersey. Sex, partying, sex, and emotional outbursts containing profanity seem to be the obvious social norms, displayed within the first fifteen minutes. Entertaining to some, a shame to me.

The next topic, more important than, the failing healthcare system in the United States was Lindsay Lohan appearance this Saturday on "SNL." They began filling each other in on Lindsay's history with drugs and alcohol. With the credibility of gossip articles like, "TMZ" these students and their attention was absorbed by the false identity's and advertisements of television programming.

I was concerned for myself, and those who would invest in energy and time into success. After all, these "glamorous" lifestyles portrayed ordinary people, "striking it rich" with their wit, charm and good looks. I was concerned and fearful of those that would buy into these, "lifestyles" meant to "entertain" us and become consumed to the point of obsession. Enough for one to mimic and idolize the actions that seem to be encouraged by most of my peers.

Really, this just pissed me off because instead of being concerned about current events that will effect our future or current political issues, they were obsessing about ordinary people who are payed to "act" and "entertain." At times I feel, we forget these are people that face the same decisions we do.

Unfortunately when the director yells, "cut" the life of a movie star is captured on an endless reel, waiting to be exposed, and waiting to be mislead.