Scritch and Scratch

MMA fighter, vegetarian, triathlete, Nick Diaz is a straight quote machine. He doesn’t mince words or thoughts. Here’s some (edited) gems from a recent interview from the OC Register. (*Note, Scritch was right, the sketch was better. Upgrade coming soon in the near future.)

And everybody wants to be sportsmen and that type of thing where everybody shakes hands and everybody is great friends and whatever. And that’s great. There are people out there doing a great job making it look like a non-violent sport. That’s not my job. My job is warfare. I’m over here to (expletive) kill.

But until then, if I’m signed to fight you I don’t (expletive) like you and I hate you’re (expletive) guts and we’re fighting until we’re cool. We’re not cool until I win or I lose and we can settle this.

I don’t make that much money, so I don’t get to buy nice things. I can’t afford new (expletive) shoes. I can’t retire now if I wanted to. I gotta keep fighting.

I’m trying to fight every … I’m trying to fight (Hayato) Sakurai, I’m trying to fight K.J. Noons, I’m trying to fight Anderson Silva, I’m trying to fight everybody. I’m trying to fight Georges (expletive) St. (expletive) Pierre. I’m trying to fight … I didn’t mean to call Georges a (expletive), but I ain’t got no problem getting there and fighting the best people in the world. Georges is a nice guy. I’m trying to fight Jon Fitch, I’m trying to fight Takanori Gomi, I’m trying to (expletive) everybody up. (Expletive) this (expletive). This is (expletive) gangster (expletive) warfare. I don’t give a (expletive). You know what I mean?

“I’m here to fight. I’m not trying to be a movie star. I’m not trying to wear a (expletive) suit like K.J. Noons. I’ll save my money to buy some (expletive) weed. You know what I mean? I’m trying to enhance the quality of my living. That’s the same reason why I will fight people, I will get high, because that’s a higher quality of life. You know what I mean? I don’t (expletive) do drugs and I don’t do no (expletive). You know what I mean? I’m trying to enhance the quality of my living. Whatever is going to do that. I’m not down for (expletive) chemicals. You know what I mean? I’m down for whatever is going to do it. If fighting and whatever else I do and saying (expletive) you, and being able to do that and still make money, you know, sounding ignorant.

I gotta work my (butt) off. Right now, it’s all work time. It’s not happy life time.

“That’s pretty much it. I didn’t want to go on and rant and rave about everything “I’m ready to go and I’m not afraid to lose. I can handle losing as long as I get my chance. As long as I don’t lose because I’m scared, and I ain’t scared. I’m ready to fight.

Think it and do it…

WOW!!
I’m feeling really great. After about a good week of rest from the gym I decided to run hard, completing 3 miles in 26 minutes and 18 seconds! So I figured I should be able to shave off the 18 seconds and go for 26 minutes. I failed! I didn’t reach my goal. I ran 3 miles in 25 minutes and 38 seconds!!

So a 3-mile 25 minutes run is very possible! With serious dedication, and a disciplined-structured diet, I should be able to run 3 miles in 24 minutes. A consistent 8-minute mile!!! I will always try to increase my speed, but I’ll be satisfied with an 8-min pace or better. Cross training always helps, I’ll have to focus on strengthening my mid-section because the flab does not help. It’s a small goal, but I’m pumped and excited! The cardiovascular exercise is great and really makes you feel good.

I’m going to have fun with this quick character. Click the “I RUN NY” Tag to view older cheesy fun drawings like the one below.

I’m really loving this design. It’s not complete, but so far so good. I wasn’t really inspired to do anything, so I forced myself to create. Inspiration through action usually works for me.

Double-head bands, straight late 90’s flavor with some bling!

Entertainment Weekly has an interesting article on the lack of diversity on the upcoming season of new television sitcoms and dramas. They even went as far as to chart diversity on TV by each major network. The article discusses American television history as early as 1999 when the NAACP made a public outcry concerning the lack of diversity and basic insider television industry diversity politics. Another contentious racial issue for people to ponder, here’s my quick 2-cent commentary.

It’s 2008, at this point audiences are savvy enough to realize when certain characters are thrown into a show to appease a particular group. Those characters usually are one-dimensional and stick out like a sore thumb. This is the strategy television executives have been employing for quite a while. Amazingly some people viewed Jennifer Hudson’s inclusion in the Sex and the City film as an accomplishment.

” . . . that’s usually how upstart networks become viable, they target an underserved audience-which is usually African-American, Latino, and [other] minorities-so they can get some numbers. Then once they become a little bit more financially viable, they move into mainstream programming. That’s what Fox did. That’s what UPN did. That’s what the WB did. So that audience tends to get handed off to the next upstart network. It’s like a relay race and we’re the baton.”

I thought this strategy was obvious, yet people complain when their shows get canceled in favor of more mainstream programs.

It’s 2008, I could really care less about the lack of diversity. Why? Because there’s always the DIY route. They point to Tyler Perry as an example but NAACP’s Executive Director of Hollywood Bureau adds that “everybody doesn’t have the financial wherewithal to be able to play the game at the level that Tyler Perry’s playing it.” Then everybody needs to learn a thing or two from Perry’s playbook. Outside of Tyler Perry there’s David E. Talbert, Robert Townsend, the Wayans (Keenan, Marlon & Shawn), Will Smith, and freaking Ice Cube.

Although television is a very powerful and accessible medium, I just don’t see how people are complaining and not taking advantage of the technology that exist to create their own programs. Is Bollywood waiting for the latest all-white American import to arrive? Has anyone taken notice of the burgeoning humorous African and Caribbean DVD’s hitting the streets?? I know there are many Puerto Rican and Dominican videos on the market.

‘The first thing the diversity rep should do is fire the guy who hired him!” he says. ”You see that white guy sitting next to you? Fire him and hire a black guy! You see that white lady down at the end of the hall? Fire her and hire a Latina lady! That’s how you do it.

Television networks employ high-level VP Diversity Reps who’s sole purpose is to remind their fellow co-workers to employee minorities in programs and behind the scenes. Two things, if I were white, I would be pissed. If a Diversity Rep intends to fire me, just because . . . I would file a lawsuit for discrimination. As a non-white, I would simply abandon ship and pave my own way. It’s 2008, and you have to remind people how to color American television, then something is wrong. Fortunately there are so many avenues for ambitious, forward-thinking people in the business. Solution: just go indie and create your own programs or read a book. Personally I can’t really listen to people complain about the images on television, when you can practically program what you watch at home with all the options available.

I don’t watch Family Guy, so I probably won’t watch the Cleveland Brown’s spin off show. The fact that he’s voiced by a white actor really doesn’t help. It really doesn’t it. I don’t care for the character design either so I hooked up his lips and ears. On with the Simpsons.

Does the lack of color on television cause any alarm or are you too busy watching cable and downloading movies for free?

Considering the job description, wouldn’t you want a meaningful, fulfilling job like a “Diversity Representative?”

Source: SPECIAL REPORT: Diversity in Entertainment: Why Is TV So White?

A drawing I did in 02′ its so silly. I was surprised I did it that recently.

You know I been thinking. Its about time I stepped it up a notch.

Click for the Larger Image
I just thought of a background for it…

This is based on some old-school graffiti aesthetics blended with something new. More flavor coming soon, including more fun painted work. This piece will be upgraded soon and in full color.

Are the sneakers fierce or what? I think its time to begin designing sneakers that will make the Sneaker Fiends Unite!