I got back from Europe on May 2. On May 4, I flew to Las Vegas for a Racket magazine party. It was a one-night show and release party for their new issue.

I was so jetlagged the morning I left that I was pretty useless. I landed in Vegas, and realized I had left all the drawings for the show at home. Duh. So, I met my buddy Justin at the airport, told him the bad news, went to an art supply store, got some paper and markers and stuff, went to the show location, and got to work on 10 brand new pieces for the show, which opened about 6 hours later. About an hour into working, I get a call from my brother-in-law, Josh. In my jetlagged haze, I forgot he was flying out from Albuquerque to meet me. I told him my predicament, and he picked up the drawings from my dad, who was waiting at my house for the hand-off. Josh's plane was due to arrive at 5. The show started at 6. Perfect, except his plane was delayed. We hung empty frames over the wall of throw-ups I hooked up. A few folks trickled into the space early and scratched their heads in confusion. Josh arrived at 7. We threw the drawings in the frames in minutes and got them back on the wall. Phew! It was bananas. Funny thing is, I casually finished 2 of the drawings I started that afternoon and showed them with the stuff from home. They were the only two that sold...

Hangover food, Las Vegas style.

My girlfriend Megan came back from El Salvador. She left the Peace Corps 6 months early because she kept getting mugged. I'm glad she's back. Be warned. El Salvador is dangerous. I'm glad I don't have to go back down there to visit her. My heart goes out to the volunteers still down there trying to help.

I would recommend that every American look into what happened in El Salvador in the 1980s. Our gov't supported El Salvador's obviously corrupt gov't, instead of the rebels who had no choice but to rise up against their oppressors. Many of the Salvo refugees from the war ended up in Los Angeles. The children of these refugees were confronted with LA's gangs, and they organized into the Mara Salvatrucha gang. When convicted, these gang members are sent back to El Salvador. So now these guys, who were trained by veteran gangbangers on American soil, are running the streets of El Salvador. It looks like it's going to get worse before it gets any better down there.

Based on my experiences down there, I'd say our gov't really fucked over the citizens of El Salvador, for at least the last 30 years. I can totally understand why they might hold some hostlities towards the American volunteers there, even if it's just because they're easy money.

On Megan's first day back in the relative safety of New Mexico, we went to the petroglyph park on the west side of Albuquerque. Petroglyphs are graffiti markings made by the natives about 300 years ago. They're super cool.

We had a great view of the Sandia mountains which border the east side of town. Gorgeous.

My friends John and Fanny were in town last weekend getting tattoo'd and seeing the sights. Fanny scored at the local thriftstores and the flea market.

She also went home with this butterfly.

The roses in my neighborhood have bloomed...

With each new season, and moment, comes change. Nothing is born. Nothing dies. Everything just changes, eternally.

A lot has changed in my life recently. I got my girlfriend back, I signed a 15 year contract with REBEL8, and I sold my share of the local tattoo shop. I'm officially retired from tattooing. Fanny and John got the last tattoos of my professional career. I'm moving on to new things. I'm very happy about the recent changes. I'm simplifying my life for the better.

Right now is the best time of my life. Hope you all feel the same.

(No comments please.)