Houston Streets, Texas Eats

What can I say? My brother has knack for trying all kinds of foods from any restaurant no matter how big or small. So when he took me to one of his new "obsessions" the "curbside restaurant" commonly referred to as the taco truck. I was kind of hesitant at first but it turned out to be pretty damn good.

I love Buc-ee’s!

Thanks to a conversation with Mike Remix, Carlos (Oven Fresh Dreams), and Jerry, I had a taste for some Beaver Nuggets. So as soon I got a chance, my brother and I drove to Buc'-ee's. For those who don't know what Buc'-ee's is, it's a travel stop chain located mainly in south Texas. It's of like a mix of a gas station, market, jerky store combined into one.

Now Buc'-ees is an experience all on its own. I don't know what it is exactly the attraction is, maybe its the Beaver logo; the Southern Charm; big bulletin boards spread across one to five mile radius; or maybe...just maybe it their best feature, “the world's cleanest restrooms.” Whatever it is I don't care I just want my damn Beaver Nuggets and my shirt.







...and Yes I did say t-shirt.

Moment of Clarity

Focus is important, it's so easy so get distracted by mundane tasks. Everyday we start the day off by Checking email, answering email, checking Facebook, updating Twitter, text messaging, attending "Meetings to Nowhere", watching TV, clicking the refresh button on our email, and then repeating the task till the end of the day.

Occasionally I get caught up in this cycle and get off track. However last night I got a reminder to stay focused... from a screwdriver.... Yes, a screwdriver. Once again the universe has way of putting things back into perspective.



Carpe Diem.
Back to the Grind. :)

Do you remember the Talkboy?

When I was young I loved gag and prank toys. Like ones you could order from the back of the comic books. There would be literally hundreds of items to pick from. Even though this wasn't a mail order item, One of my favorites items was the Talkboy for Home Alone 2. It was one of the funniest toys I ever had. I must of made hundreds of prank phone calls with this crafty device.

Cruisin' down the block

Taking a stroll down the block always yields some inspiration.

Lucky Stars

Anything can act as inspiration to an action, a story, or a simple memory. Whether it be a Polaroid that takes you back in time or a smell that reminds you of me-maw's cooking. It’s pretty magical if you ask me. Life is pretty magical. Let’s not take this magical life for granted.

"Pardon me, do you have any Grits?

Stop in the store, or buy it online.

Southern Hospitality

Growing up in Houston, I've notice that almost in every neighborhood has a plethora of Bar-B-Q trucks and taco trucks. in matter of fact in some areas (especially where I live) you can't even go 2 blocks without seeing one on a corner.

So while driving this morning, I passed by one of these "mobile restaurants" named " The Crackling Hut." Decorated with hand painted slogans, I couldn't resist turning around and shooting a couple of pictures.





While taking pictures, I was approach by the local "Maintenance man" nicknamed "Cowboy". He just wanted to see what I doing. After I told him that I admired the hut and that I was documenting it. He opened right up and gave me way more information than I wanted know about making crackling, about the club next door, his neighbors, the youth today and his stance on the world right now.





Which by the way he summed up very easily as, " It's all the same ole shit."

Maybe that was " Too Much Information" for me or maybe... just maybe... talking to people is something Cowboy loves to do.


Now don't that just butter your grits.

The old ways are dead.

Its been almost a year since I began making Grits shirts. So far its been a exciting and enlightening journey. But occasionaly I run into naysayers that tell me “Welcome to the new world.” or "That sounds nice, but it’s unrealistic." when talking about my ideas.

Have you ever heard that before?

It’s meant as a sarcastic remark about what someone else has said or is doing.

Well if you ever had that feeling you are not alone. And I say in response, "Ignore them", The Unremarkably Average. Avoid them at all cost. They cling to what was rather than what is. They believe and actively defend “the way things used to be” even if your memory is hazy about when that actually was. They feel threatened by new ideas.

So avoid the unremarkably average person. They can't help you. They are extinct, they are extinction.

Don't worry about finding inspiration. It comes eventually.

Inspiration precedes the desire to create, not the other way around. As a artist our greatest challenge is capture our moments of inspiration. I guess this is why my work area looks like this.

Stickers?

Coming soon to a wall near you.

Beat Street

After a long Mother’s Day I decided to take a walk downtown and take pictures and maybe find some inspiration for future Grits shirt designs. Surprisingly, there was lots of signs of life for a Sunday evening. Even more than the usual crowd of people hanging at bars and clubs and, of course, the seemingly ever present homeless.







Being alone, especially in middle of the night, tends to make you more aware of what is happening around you. As I was busy taking pictures, I began to notice that some Asian dude was following me. Every I would make a right turn, he would make the same right turn. I’d turn right. He’d turn right. I decided to switch it up and make a left. Sure enough, he made the left, too.





So I figured I was going to have to make a stand. Better that I decided to do it before he did. Besides, I had a knife in my back pocket in case things went south. I decided to just stop dead in my tracks and start taking pictures. He kept going, walking past me for about 6 more feet and then he turned around.

“Are you a student?” he asked in a very thick Chinese accent.

I looked back and said “NOoooo, I am just a person who likes to take pictures.”

“Oh, ok I am a student at U of H just walking around downtown. I thought that you were a student. I not from this country I am from China. I’m afraid of getting robbed. Is it okay to walk with you so I won’t.... get robbed?” he asked a little nervously.

Why did he decide to ask me, I wondered. Why not the nice, happy Hispanic couple that we’d both just passed on Main street? Instead he chose the black man with long locks in the middle of the night, mind you. (Apparently I wasn’t as a menacing looking as I thought.)

But I said, “ok.” Then I introduced myself and asked him his name. I couldn’t really understand what he said through his heavy Chinese accent. So let’s just call him David.

That’s where my journey with David began. Here are a couple of pictures from that night.









Most of our conversation consisted of him pointing out buildings and me telling him what goes on there.

But then as we’d almost reached the Theatre District the conversation took an awkward turn.

David: I don’t want to offend you but, can I ask you a question?

Me: Shoot

David: Is prostitution legal here?

Me (perplexed): No, of course not.

David: So, If you got caught… Do you know the penalty?

Me: I don’t know…. Why? Are you trying to find a prostitute?

David: (silent)

We continued to walk in awkward silence for another block.

So I start to try and figure out how I’m going to shake David. Apparently, he has other reasons why he’s walking around downtown tonight.

Then, just as we approach an intersection, David turned to me and said he had to go catch the bus.

Much relieved I said, “Ok.”

We shook hands and he went off into the night.

Houston Palestine Film Festival 2010 KICK-OFF PARTY!!

Last night was the Kick off party on the rooftop of Khon's in Midtown for the Houston Palestine Film Festival 2010. Winner of 2009 ‘Best Film Festival’ in Houston Press. Every year Houstonians come out to enjoy the festival. It’s a pretty fun and enlightening experience, if you’ve never been, you definitely need to come out.







Checkout their website for the film lineup HERE.

"The Qualities of Light" Series ft. Augustine Kofie

From their site:
In the first installment of The Qualities of Light, we would like to share a glimpse into the life of esteemed Los Angeles artist Augustine Kofie. Taking a hands on approach to everything he does, Augustine is masterfully building his unique repertoire and catalog of astounding work. We were given access to capture Kofie in his element as he shares with us some of the primary components of his creative ambition.

Visit

Nice Kicks X Simply Complicated Party in ATX

Big ups to Simply Complicated Apparel for the dope party in Austin. For those that who missed out the Nice Kicks X Simply Complicated Party in ATX. Here is what y'all missed.

Remix Label

I'm late posting this up but, Thanks to Mike Remix and the folks at RemixLabel, we got some shine in this week's blog. As you can imagine, we’re feeling good about this & what we’re doing!



Check their blog to the latest in streetwear in Houston Here: http://www.remixlabel.com

Exit Through The Gift Shop Houston Debut

For anyone who loves street art this is defeinelty a must see.
Join Shoot. Edit. Sleep. & Aerosol Warfare Friday May 7th for the Houston premier of the highly anticipated documentary, “Exit Through the Gift Shop”! Directed by the U.K.’s notorious street artist, BANKSY, this film is a Must See for any and all Street Art enthusiasts!

The Film makes its debut Friday May 7th at River Oaks Theater, 2009 West Gray, HOU, TX 77019. Show times for Fri 7th * Sat 8th are 1:00, 3:10, 5:15, 7:30, & 9:40 with a special late night run at 11:45 each night! For directions, ticket prices and additional theater information, you can contact River Oaks Theater recording line at: 713-866-8881.


But wait, there’s more!

Come early and check out the teaser clip of Shoot. Edit. Sleep.’s documentary, “Stick’em Up”, which will run 10 minutes before the 7:30 showing, Friday only!