First Things First
I mentioned in the last newsletter that I’m looking at producing a show soon. That’s moving forward so keep your eyes open for that. It’s coming. Before then, I wanted to offer a look at a couple of pieces that will be in the show that are only available to subscribers early. These won’t be on Instagram until the show and WILL NOT be listed on the website either. So this is truly early access.
I completed both of these before I took my winter break and I couldn’t wait (Literally. I have issues.) to share them with you all. If you like, email me for pricing. Otherwise see these and others in the show… I’m hoping for march!
“Issa” (2020). 24x36 spray paint and acrylic on canvas
“Chadwick II” (2020) 24x30 spray paint and acrylic on canvas
What Else? Oh Yea, It’s a New Year.
You what life currently is as a progressive Millennial crossing into the new year? It’s this person and that person offering “guides” and “practices” that will help one find and set their goals in meaningful ways. I can’t hate, as I know many people who do them, but I also can’t help but feel like a four hour long exercise designed to help me set goals is time I could better spend. Even if it's not better spent, it’s still WORK. For me that doesn’t go as well as it does for others.
I basically do two things now. First, I set goals all damn year. As I reach one milestone, I get clear focus as to what the next one is. Mine aren’t always based on a yearly metric, but they are clear and my thought about them isn’t so much “goals,” but destinations instead. I KNOW I will reach these milestones in time. For this year, I set a goal to sell “X” amount of art, start broadcasting basketball games, and vacation in Hawaii for Christmas. This was before a world changing pandemic, so the Hawaii part didn’t happen, but the art part did, and I did get my first broadcast opportunity (I couldn’t take it as I was in isolation after arriving in Canada).. I’m very fucking thankful for that. And I’m thankful to those who helped me reach those goals. Very fucking thankful.
The other thing I do at the new year is decide what I’m not taking with me into the new year. It’s a fun process as it becomes a mix of a year in review, jokes, and introspection. If you need another “practice” this one takes like 5 minutes and it’s surprisingly thorough. Here’s my list for 2020:
Things I’m done with in 2021
Facebook arguments
Twitter arguments
IG Arguments
Kyrie Irving
Xbox
Overworking
Underperforming
Molly from Insecure
Covid
Jokes about Covid
Seriously. Comedians. Stop with Covid content.
Using carts on golf courses (walk more, Rod)
Uber Eats-ing an entire meal at midnight just because I don’t know how to handle marijuana
Not using a ring light for zoom
Expecting anything Kid Cudi does to be like his first album
Painting the same old shit
Not innovating
Not improving
Not congratulating the homies for being dope
Joe Exotic
Chastising people who are TRYING
Not trying
Keeping my needs to myself
Being smug (Leonard thinks I’m smug)
Waiting for shit to come my way
Wonder Woman 84
Explaining shit to white women
Explaining shit to white dudes
Kanye West
Doing shit simply because I can’t say no
Kicking it with dumb people
Expecting my mom to ‘get’ me
Drinking out of non-dope glasses
The cops who killed Breonna Taylor
Good cops
Grapes from anywhere besides Whole Foods
Expecting UCB to come back
Trying to convince people how dope Bronski Beat is
Not taking advantage of the tax code
Swinging over the top
Huntington Beach
Laguna Beach
Newport Beach
The Michael Jordan brand of leadership
Hating on LaVar Ball
Star Wars.
Reboots
For real can we get some new fucking stories?
“Party” friends
Almond Milk. I’m all oat.
Hulu
Tory Lanez
Hollywood and Vine
That’s About All, Folks.
If you like, you can check out “Joshua Tree” and “Lockdown Freestyle” on my IGTV page to relive the pandemic that was. If not, I don’t blame you.