Pirates and motorcycle gangs, outlaws and animals of men.

I've been plastering my walls with inspiration men and I'm reading about dastardly devils. The Boston Celtics Big Three stand tall and proud on the cover of sports illustrated above my bed and on my bedside table are two books; Hunter S. Thompson's non-fiction masterpiece recounting the Hell's Angels and "The Republic of Pirates" by Colin Woodard; a historically accurate account of the golden age of piracy (the one that Johnny Depp is supposedly in; not the current state of piracy that involves machine guns, human cargo and other massively sketchy things).

As a young man in the midst of his own fruitful career, I seem to be having a duelistic persona influenced by these two different groups. At work, I try to see myself as Kevin Garrnett. The guy who is just going to work his ass off and not think about tomorrow ... just think about getting the job done.

And at home I'm seeing myself as the Hell's Angel; scratching away at sketches and paintings.

I'm working on a children's book with David Sears. We're going to pitch it to publishers once the sketches are completed and the text is fully realized.

Once I put it all in writing, I feel like life is just where it aught to be. I've had some unpleasantries at work along with some misunderstandings ... but now, starting on my 4th week there, I feel like I can get the job done and pump out quality product (as long as my computer can keep up ... I hate load time!).

And even if it doesn't go too well and come March they give me the boot, I can always return home to my parent's studio where I can keep building my portfolio which is becoming more and more defined.

New York City is cold today. It was a good day spent indoors ... When I look at what I got done today drawing I feel I lacked a bit, but it was also laundry day and a list of other tasks were in front of me. Plus, I was recovering from Mission of Burma from last night. Why did they have to be SO LOUD?

I leave you with a sketch of Mr. Sear's proposed idea. I'm pretty proud of this one ... my personal work seems to be going somewhere pleasant.

And when the world goes to shit, at least I always have Biggie on the ipod. Hell, I have an ipod shuffle. I live like a king.

Peace and love,
Jack