A good day.

It's getting easier and easier to enjoy every single day.

Sure, I get a little down every now and again.

Sometimes more often than I'd like.

But I'm happier than I've been in a long time.

Thanks, Life.

OH... today makes 1 year and 3 months liberated from tobacco.

Finally making a move.

So it's been long enough. Almost a year since I've started the blog... and a very long hiatus from it... and almost 12 years strong with a big ass tramp stamp right above my cute little tooshie... or is it tooshy?

I decided to pop my head into Stranded Tattoo (www.strandedtattoo.info) here in Savannah to see James Lemons per my buddy Geoff's advice. It was a great experience and while I had barely a clue what I wanted to cover it up, it was a great educational experience.

And I guess it's a good thing that I felt comfortable in the shop and speaking to James. I imagine that the relationship between the tattooist and the tattooee should be a good one and I felt easy peasy there.

So I was sent on a mission to find images in the style of what I want to accomplish. I had a few in mind already but I've been scouring the net to find more.

Here are a couple of friends of mine I haven't spoken to in a while, but I'm sure I could ask for a little help or use some of their images for the project.

Charles Clary: http://percusiveart.blogspot.com/
Matt Hebermehl http://www.hebermehl.com/

A couple of tattoo artists I've been drooling over.

Amanda Wachob: http://www.amandawachobtattoo.com/
Yann Black: http://www.yourmeatismine.com/

I'll post more regularly of everything more often and get the chipin account reset so people can start making donations again.

chris

Dating.

Since my major break up a couple of years ago, I haven't really had much luck in this department. I've had many short lived relationships, some that had some influence, good and bad, and most that were flashed by so quickly they're not even worth mentioning. I've dated girls way out of my league physically, some quite intellectual, some I suspect have yet to be diagnosed with Azberger Syndrome, and then there are those that just have that one little thing on their face you just can't stop looking at.

It's almost comical the lack of prospective partners for me out there and really, it's my impossible-to-meet standards. I've even reached the point of joining an online dating site... without much luck there either.

Recently, I dated a girl that was very dynamic, ambitious, and easy to like. There were things I didn't like but overlooked. She was beautiful, intelligent, and knew how to cook... and run electrical cable... and build things... and kickbox.

"Wow! You have done SO much with your life and you're still so young! What's so next?!"

"I'm going to go to school for virus engineering."

"I'm sorry?"

"For biological warfare."

Now, I love to kid... and I thought at first that she was. I even asked her about it again on the second date. Yes, a second date.... and the last.

I should have called her to let her know we should just be friends, but, as many others know, I'm notorious for not calling people back when I'm supposed to.... in fact, I should really call a friend back that tried to reach me a month ago.

Other dates? I went on a blind date with a girl that had about 30 pairs of shoes on display... those were her summer shoes.

"Yeah, those sneakers aren't even supposed to be there."

"Why?"

"I wouldn't be caught dead wearing those unless I'm in my exercise outfit."

Jesus christ....

There was one girl who I was absolutely in love with. It was short-lived, but perfect for those brief moments.

I even quit smoking for her. A week later she broke up with me because she was pregnant with her ex-boyfriend's child. Go figure.

Finding a girl that fits my standards isn't a priority currently. I'm having fun meeting new people and learning about new subjects I otherwise wouldn't go out of my way to learn about.

I'll keep you guys posted if there are any major changes.

Peace.

chris

Here we go again...

I gave up on the blog before when my heart wasn't really in it, but writing about the significant changes in my life was more therapeutic that I realized.

For those of you that don't know about this project, it's just a big stick to poke fun at me and my absolutely ridiculous tattoo that I've had since I turned 18. I'm 29 now and still have this embarrassing tramp stamp... hence, TrampStampRevamp.

I guess I never made it much of a priority to remove it. And I've certainly never been in financially able to fund a big cover-up. I always wondered...actually, I still wonder... how so many people are able to afford such extravagant body art. I've seen some of the most beautiful artwork on people begging for change in front of a Starbuck's. Or living out of their car. Or working in a drive-thru.

And then there was me... just as financially irresponsible... just as naive... just as immature. Only, I used my money to go out to eat. Or to buy useless stuff because I thought it would make life easier... or better... or just different. Or I worked less to decrease stress... only to find more stress in financial instability.

And now... I'm still just as broke.

I'm still a little confused about life.

But I figure if I'm going to make the kind of changes that I've been making, I might as well make it a priority to change this thing on my lower back.

chris.

Under Construction

I'm rearranging the room.

Be back soon.

-chris