1:49 AM

Ten minutes to 2:00 AM...

February 14th, Valentine's Day, go figure.

Listening to Tyler, The Creator's 2015 album Cherry Bomb. F*****G YOUNG.

So here I am trying to set up my new website over on Wix, and just coming to terms with how little I actually know, but that's why we learn. I have to figure this stuff out fast though, I need to start creating some products and artwork to actually sell and such. But also get the site going and looking as nice as I can, it will be my online portfolio after all, especially if I am trying to look for work and such.

PERFECT feat. Kali Uchis.

I have a lot of work ahead of me, and the worst thought is I am not going to see a dime from it until I finish and put it all out there. Don't know how long I am going to be able to the part timer work, the boredom is sin and it bugs me being away from the things I want to like practice my artwork, improve or learn a new skill and applying it to my own work. F**k this system.

SMUCKERS feat Kanye West & Lil Wayne.

This will all make sense in the end.

Artificial Sunlight...

So I want to write an update on my mental health, which I feel is important to do on a day to day or at least a week to week basis. Trust me on this, doing a blog or a vlog to stay in check with yourself is one of the many ways to stay on top. I look at my own demons, my own depression, as a constant and never ending fight, I feel like it's something that will never "go away" so I am not going to bother with that idea. That being said I will constantly do my best to beat this and control it, not let it control me and dictate my head space. So I just wanted to talk a few points, for you friends and for future me if I ever get lost.

So I guess the first thing to talk about is the passing of Linkin Park's front man Chester Bennington. I think a lot of us can relate when I say that LP was our language when we were teens, and granted my music choices have changed over the years and I didn't really hear a lot of their new albums and projects in recent years. But when I tell you Hybrid Theory, Meteora, Reanimation and slightly even though my big brother, Fern swears that it was the worst thing ever, Minutes to Midnight. His death is absolutely tragic, especially considering the family and loved ones he leaves behind, and the many of us who grew up with his voice as ours. Yeah, it was angst but when you are a teen, your confused, pissed and lost in the worst kind of way. I hope Chester finds peace and love in the next world. To everyone one of us who has dealt with suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety or any kind of mental health troubles; now as always we need to take care of one and other, fight as one. 

So if I had to make a suggestions on the best Linkin Park songs, I would say to check out this Spotify playlist I made just for the occasion, here. My personal favourite might be Numb. I always felt a certain pressure growing up to live up to expectations from my old man that I felt I could never do, feeling like a disappointment most of the times. I know now, that what my dad wants most from me is to be a hard working and honest man, everything else is second to that. And yeah, every single day I do my best to be the best me I can be. 

These days have been weird for me, work is there but lately been feeling underwhelmed, if that makes sense. I just want more, the hours this summer have been abysmal at best, so I am in desperate need of more hours and money. But just more from my day to day job as well. Some say I need to be patient, I am still in school for this very reason, to get a degree and get a better job. But I still feel like I can do better. I don't want to seem ungrateful for my current job at Starbucks, the company does a lot of good for it's employees, but I think I just need more. So I think as soon as I get back I will be looking into another part time job, split the time between the jobs and by the new year part ways with the company. I will always remember the experience, and Brewgatory will be there for me to tell many and many of not only my stories but the the stories of the many incredible people I've had the chance to work with. 

Well that's all the time for today, I have to save my thoughts for tomorrow as well. I've also been meaning to try and update my Magic: The Gathering blog, but I find it rather difficult to place thoughts into words when comes to MTG, hell I have a hard time finalising a lot of my Commander decks, how I am going to write about them? But I want to hear back from you reader, what are your favourite Linkin Park tracks? How are you doing these days? Leave a comment below and let's start a conversation here. Thanks again for the read and until then, keep chasing the storm! 

Rap Nub...

So I kinda shit you not, you know how I said I've been really restless and going kind of crazy. Well tonight and again I kid you not, I have decided to try my hand at remembering Eminem's Rap God. Why? Well why not? I mean this is a statement kind of song, and damn it's one hell of a great track to be honest. And hey coming from a Pansexual dude, I know he says "fag" a lot in this song but since it's technically used as an insult to other rappers and this album is a throwback to an album that came out in 2001, when the world was still kind of homophobic, I am willing to give it a little bit of a break. It's an awful word to use but the character of Slim Shady is supposed to be the worst kind of guy on the planet; drunk driving, drug abuse and kills his wife. Not exactly a guy you want to invite to the office holiday parties.

I remember having Sketch (or as you may know him as Maddsketch) play this track in his car. Man I couldn't believe the speed on this track and how sharp his tongue is on this track. He insults and slaps everyone in the face in one track, all the while making references to his inspirations and heroes and even make a few notable comic book related references. How could you not love it? 

So that leads me to tonight, I am listening to this track while reading the lyrics and trying to get the timing and the words right. Not easy though. It's the way he says the words and the speed he is speaking at as well. But I will say this, it's a crazy little exercise that's for sure! Anywho got to get some rest before tomorrow, I got a Starbucks shifts, then over to the print shop, a local comic book launch party and a very special get together with friends for some wine and Mario Kart 8! And remember to keep locked here on this blog, going to try and post as much as I can, a way to help guide my mind. Keep chasing the storm!

...or in this case, why be a wind when you can be a storm. 

We Can Cry Now...

I mean where do we even start now in days. Here in Canada we got a double wammy shit show and it's not even taking place out of Sunnyvale trailer park. In Ottawa, we got PM Harper trying to clean his hands up of irresponsible spending and in Toronto we got the main event ass clown himself, Rob Ford, giving night show hosts a field as far as opening act jokes go. But I wanted to bring light to a terrible situation that took place in Argentina this past weekend, and it involves no other then Canada's own little turd pop star, Justin Bieber. This taken directly from the Alan Cross blog...

"When someone throws their national flag at you onstage, it's expected that you as a performer who cares of your fans will show some deference and respect.  Every single time I've seen this happen, the performer picks up the flag, holds it for everyone to see, waves it once or twice and either hangs it over the drums/amps or carefully bundles it off to a roadie who takes it offstage. It's only polite.

Not Justin Bieber, though.

At Saturday's show in Buenos Aires, two Argentine flags were tossed onstage.  Instead of being respective and appreciative, he used them as rags, sweeping them aside with his feet and then with a mic stand.

Just so you know, Biebs, insulting the Argentine flag carries a penalty of four years in jail."

This really pissed me off, and I can't help but feel bad for Argentina, no country deserves that kind of disrespect. I can't until this kids limelight runs out, it can't be soon enough.

In better Canadian music news, D.O.A is releasing a new DVD and are looking for help from you. D.O.A are an awesome punk band out of Vancouver and they have been thrashing and crashing about for sometime now. If you are looking for the classic and authentic kind of punk sound, look no further then these guys, if you have yet to hear about them give them a listen. Below I am going to place to links, one to their campaign page for the DVD and the second to the magazine Absolute Underground, in issue 9 it contains an interview with D.O.A done by quite an awesome interviewer if I would say so myself. But definitely check these guys out...

• D.O.A DVD Pledge
• Absolute Underground 

I just had to share this news with you guys, both good and bad news on the Canadian music scene. I got a lot of work on my hands in the next few days as I get ready for a show out in Ottawa, so keep tuned here for more posts and updates. If you have any question or comments, by all means, drop a line. Keep chasing the storm!  

Sat-Off-Day

Is there anything greater than a day off? I doubt it, it's one of life's little pleasure but you do need to work for it. And well, technically I was doing some work today in form of my art work. I started off the morning pretty late, but hey, I had a really late night so it evens itself out. I decided to sort my video game collection, trying to organize it, I managed to finish sorting my PlayStation 2 games, and that took some time. Although I look at this shelf unit and I realize I need to get one that lets me see all the games, that way it makes it easier to find. You never know when I'll get the craving to play some NHL 2k4 or some Person 3 FES. The crazy thing was though, sorting through my games I realized that there are still some games for the PS2 that I still need to get for my collection, off the top of my head a game I really felt like playing the other day was the first Kingdom Hearts. I had a lot of fun with that game and say what you will, but I really enjoyed it. That and I guess I still need the World Heroes Collection, although I doubt I'd play that much. I didn't get to sorting my GameCube, Xbox, Wii and Xbox 360 games, but that will be for another day. This also reminds me I need to get around to getting a PS3 and a HD tv, I mean it's about time I would say.

As I am writing this I am looking through some covers and remixes of different songs, and apparently a big thing is rock covers of pop songs. It's strange at first but like any catchy pop song, it eventually grows on you. I really enjoyed a cover to Bad Romance and Last Friday Night, but it's definitely not for everyone, it's very bizarre combination. But please suggest to me good remix channels if you got any or sites for that matter, I love all shapes and forms of music, so lay it out on me.

Also today I got to work on a few more sketch cards, but I will posting these on the Spent Pencils Facebook page and on the IDR blog, so be sure to follow those and check them out. But remember to leave me any request for a character and I will do my best to do it up. But Yeah, it's time to scan these up, so I will see over on the next page. Also I gotta work tomorrow early so I best get myself a little of sleep...well maybe a few hours.

Later Slackers!