United We Stand.

Tonight was an experience that I will not forget for a long time. As you know by now I am Union Pipefitter, and our contract is up on May 1st. Well, we had a special union meeting tonight in which the heads of our union would present to the members the contract that the companies are offering us for the next 3 years. Needless to say in this economic time they were going to try and kick us while we are down, we have had some unemployment in our local and they figured they could use that as a leveridging tool to take money from us, or take overtime pay etc etc.. So they present to us a bogus contract in which they want to take 1.50 an hour from us and do away with our double time and take car fare etc etc.. This is the part that I will not forget and it's why I admire unions and what they are based on. We all know there has been corruption and bad union politics, but what I witnessed tonight was reassuring for me to know that unions are for one thing only, and that is the working people. A vote was put into motion on the floor those in favor of the striking against the contract say i.....The whole room said i, those in favor of the contract say no......you could have heard a pin drop, then the room erupted in applause. It felt good to be able to have a voice and backing to say "I think not" to the companies that want to make millions and millions yet short change us a few dollars an hour and take money from our pensions and benefits. Mind you when we strike there is no pay, so we chose to stand together and take a financial loss and show the companies that they can't just treat us like they want, we have power too. So when jobs across the city aren't getting don, and they are losing money, maybe they will rethink their petty change that they want to take. The percentage of union labor in this country is about 17% last time i checked, and that is scary. the reason it's scary is for the fact that a union sets a standard for american living, so that people not union can base their pay off of it, and so on and so forth, with no standards businesses and corporations will cheat you down and pay you next to nothing and you have no backing to help you fight for what you rightfully deserve. With all the illegal aliens working in our country the standard is decreasing rapidly, I take nothing from those people they have come here and they want to work and provide for their families back home, I understand their motives, and admire their work ethics, but at the same time yours and my jobs are being filled with the workers who will gladly work for next to nothing and not get benefits, or retirement funds. I'm not trying to make this a union rant, it just felt good to be a part of something that fought back against everything I been seeing on the news for the past year, jobs cut, jobs lost, bankrupt this bankrupt that. My union leader said it best these companies aren't gonna fix the economy by taking a measly 1.50 an hour from us, and we aren't giving it up... I know unions aren't for everyone, and people have different views on them, but it has been good to me and my family, for years, providing, good wages, healthcare, and a secure retirement.
Unions...The people that brought you the weekend!

Union Sitout!

Back in the Tatoosdays.....

On sunday took a little trip over to the Seaport museum's sailor tattoo exhibit. It was pretty neat to see some of the artifacts that they had on display and read the history behind them. The gallery was far from mind blowing, and miles from from being amazing, but it was a nice little showing of different people and times that have influenced modern day tattooing. I am into history of all sorts of counter cultures, they fascinate me, my friends and I spend endless nights on street corners sharing stories and tales of these sort. Well without any further a due and more of my 2 lincolns.....

Get traditionalized by Johhny Gues from Olde City Electric Tattoo...

It hurts my heart too....its a news report for some but a reality for others..

Philly eddie flash....

Sailor Eddie flash.....



is golden....

When men were men...

Old time flash that still is relevant in todays tattooing, there were a lot of tattoo flash paintings from 1890 and 1900 that still to todays standards are awesome.

Gather round' cause this young laddy is getting a tatty.....

The lost art of advertising.


poke e man..

Street signage hand painted.

Sailor Den...

Viva americana!

Pretty cool to see these guys at it again..

Harley davidsunday!

Today Den, and I rode in Lucky Charm Choppers 6th annual strip poker run, and it was a bitchin' time! I didnt take any pics but i'm sure they will pop up online soon enough and i will grab a few and post them. The weather was great and it was cool to ride with a massive group of people the sound alone was amazing... heres a few pics that I find interesting, and inspirational of the freedom that a motorcycle makes you feel!







I was hipped to this guy today...600 pound motorcycle mind you.

Sillyness....

goodbye to a friend.....

Hmmm.. Sad day in Philadelphia sports history, As a young lad growing up in the philadelphia area, and being a Phillies fan as early on as one could be, I was introduced to the voice of Harry Kalas. It was during the Mike Schmidt era, and at that time he was hitting a lot of home runs, and I just remember hearing Harry in that trademark voice " And that ball is outttttta here, Michael Jack Schmidt." Last season was a dream come true for so many of us, and it was one of the greatest days of my life to see the Phils win the world series, and My friends and I would mimic Harry for weeks after... He was such a fan himself, and his love and passion for the game was a perfect match for the city of Philadelphia. Rest In Peace to A Philadelphia Sports icon, thanks for the great memories, and make sure you show Ashburn that ring when you get to heaven.

This kicked off the greatest sports memory of my life!

sunday school...

The poverty stricken youths of Sau Paolo, Brazil will be noticed!

stewed, screwed, and tatoosday...

blast from the past..

So, one of my best friends father used to be a great fighter in Philadelphia thru the 70's and we had always heard the stories from him, and our parents, and anyone from this area about what a great fighter he was. Well in the year 2009 he decided he was going to step back into the ring and give it another shot. Celebrity boxing extended an offer to him, and for the first time, my friends and I got to see the "Broomall bomber" Knock someone out live with our own eyes. It was amazing, He is 65 years old, but the youthful bliss in his eyes was that of a young fighter coming through the ranks. One of the coolest times My friends and I have ever spent together. It was like our own personal ROCKY!

Stolen x 2

Stole this off some guys who stole it off some other guys...None the less awesome skateboard tricking!

Go to this...

Cool art show on friday Tim Diet and many others......
Brewster Projects and HanaLeigh Productions are proud to present: *Art From
the Pavement Up
*Art From the Pavement Up is a compilation of art from young and old artists
who found their inspiration from experience, travel and the streets.

The show will feature the following artists:

*Jean-Michel Basquiat
Banksy
robert rauschenberg
steve kauffman
jim dine
rascal
Tim Diet
Robert S.L Waltzer *
*Gordon Stevenson
William Robbins
Shira Yudkoff
t.f. dutchman
Nteligent
Distort
Komar
Loser
Then
*
Please join us for art, drinks sponsored by 42 below Vodka, and good music.

See you there!

-Brewster Projects and HanaLeigh Productions

*Date: Friday, April 3, 2009
Time: 6:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: I. Brewster Gallery
Street: 1824 Chestnut Street
City/Town: Philadelphia, PA
Phone: 6102028847