Those That Unlikes The Rest

As unsurprisingly always, I haven't been updating this blogsite for almost the past month. October has been such a packed month that I haven't had at least 2 full days of rest. My sleeping pattern had gotten fucked up and also I find myself still averaging 110 miles a day while driving. Fuel consumption wise, I know that's nothing since I drive a Prius, but shit, I'm somewhere stuck in traffic everyday. Also I'm at LAX picking up people every five days and that is one of the busiest days for me. Its weird cause everytime my assigned airport day approaches, it felt like I was just at the Airport the previous day. In this taxicab job, time goes by VERY quick. Again, I'm only doing this as a side job for now while I'm still focused on photography.

Speaking of LAX, there was shooting incident that just happened over there a few hours ago today as they reported a TSA employee was shot dead at the Virgin America terminal inside the airport. Then all kinds of shit broke lose as the FAA had to ground arriving flights and evacuate passengers who were about to board on their flights to start their weekend vacation or whatever business travels they have to do. I had to mention this cause again, I'm always at that airport every week picking up people (or dropping them off sometimes) and I even typed about my dispute with one of the security there last year.

The Los Angeles International Airport is one the biggest and most important airports in this country, if not the world. Its a gateway entry to the United States for those coming from various countries around the world. In the eight and a half months of picking up customers from there, I got more appreciated at LAX as much as I use to dislike going there before I started driving taxicabs. I've met all kinds of different people from many different states and countries. Hell, I've driven people who have never been to the United States before and I'm one of the first people that they encounter in this country. I've had some who don't even speak a word of English which was very challenging. But to have an incident like the one that just happened there earlier is the very last headline you do not want to hear. From reading the updated news (from various different sources), they said that the bloke just started firing at the security checkpoint and as I'm typing this, the announced that the shooter himself was killed.

It really sucks to hear and discuss about this. Everywhere you go, there's always some type of person that unexpectedly crashes the party and destroys the fun for no unanswered reason. There's all kinds of different people out there, with different personalities. Some desperately want attention while there are some that do not want to be bothered. I was planning on creating a blogpost this past week, but this shit just unexpectedly happened and I wanted to bring it up. Thankfully, I'm not working at the Airport today, yet, that shit blows if I was assigned to work there today.

Aside from all that, I haven't been writing or uploading photos on Facebook too much. I still have hundreds of images that I planned to share on there, but it just that I need to find the right time to work on them due to my crazy schedule. Working on photos to scan, retouch, process, edit and upload takes up so much time. There are time when it even takes me a full day just to work on one event. So keep a lookout for those photographs. I'm also mostly on Instagram and Twitter alot more, so stay in touch with me on those two social networks and please leave some supportive feedback, which is great.

Twitter: @justforsneaks
Instagram: @justforsneaks07

I'm planning on creating two more instagram profiles and a possibility of returning to Tumblr again just to showcase and promote my work. Stay tuned for that as I discuss that later this month. Since its now November, there's gonna be at least 3 different birthdays everyday and corporate companies are gonna push the shit out of manipulating.... I mean promoting and flooding everyone with the "holiday spirit". I don't even wanna talk about the holidays right now, cause as seriously dull as it sounds, I have work that needs to be finished so that I can take my own holiday break.

I'll end this post here. I have to go take the little brother's Ford Taurus to get it serviced right now. Thanks for your time reading this and have a fun, safe November.

That Was Yesterday

Today is almost over, including the month of May heading into June. Since is almost tomorrow as I'm typing this on May 31, I'll talk about what I did yesterday since I feel like sharing it... in one liners.

- that Thursday started with a phone call from one of my good friends as I woke up (thanks Carol)

-I never ever like to discuss about the people I pick up and give lifts to, but I had a interesting talk, with a Jewish doctor that I picked up, about how everything has changed in certain parts of the Valley and some of the businesses that got affected by the recession.

-Took a customer from Sherman Oaks to Santa Ana, which was the most expensive ride I've ever gotten so far in the three months I've been doing this... and the bloke paid in cash.

-Drove a few miles to Newport Beach and had a basic, interesting lunch at the Yardhouse in Fashion Island for the second time since December 2011.

-Went to the Apple Store at the same mall (which has a very high ceiling) and copped me a Belkin anti-glare screen protector and a Nike case for my iPhone 5.

-Cruised on the Pacific Coast Highway (speed limit was 60 MPH) and stopped at one of the beaches in Huntington Beach to take some quick photos.

-took the 710 Freeway straight up to Alhambra from Long Beach with some stop and go traffic every now and then.

-Since I was in that area, I drove up Fair Oaks Ave and decided to check out the Phil Jackson Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success book signing that was taking place at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, which isn't that far.

-Found a open parking space next to the Target on Colorado and Oak Knoll Avenue (which is uncommonly rare in downtown Pasadena) and its just very close to the bookstore

-I though the books were sold out when I got there 30 minutes after Phil Jackson started signing, but the store had several in stock, and I bought one since they said that I can still get it signed.

-The line was long, but that shit moved VERY QUICKLY. The whole experience and meeting the Zen Master was short and fast as he signed my book.

-The store originally prohibited photography of Phil Jackson signing his book, but at the last minute, Vroman's Bookstore management were loose and cool about it, so I took only three photographs of Coach Jackson and left.

-Jetted onto the 210 Freeway back home to find that my sisters came over to spend a few days at my pops' house, which is not bad.

-Had a deep discussion with the siblings and reflected on how far we gotten so far in our lives.

-Made some phone calls to catch up on some of my other homegirls who I haven't heard from in a while to finish up the day.

-and I didn't even have to use an AK.


I wish everyday was like this all the time, but time eventually moves on. Tomorrow, my cousin graduates from Loyola High School, and he is the youngest in my immediate family. I remember when it was at least 5 years ago that him and my other cousins and siblings were starting high school, but they are all now almost half way through with their under graduate college life. Show how fast time has gone through. Another thing tomorrow (or today if you're just reading this after having another overrated hangover from the night before) is that Primitive will be launching not only their Summer '13 collection , but they also have a brand new website with focuses on the Primitive Apparel brand and lifestyle. Going to be interesting to see what surprises that they have this summer, as always. Here's the link Primitive Apparel

Thanks for your time reading this and have a great month of June without the gloom.

Spoiled Beginnings

I've said this almost 4 years ago on MySpace as well as on here a few times and I'll say it again. Everyone is very busy nowadays.

I'm not tripping, but seriously, everyone I know is either doing stuff that take up so much of their time and their schedules are even booked up a few weeks in advance. Its not just everyone that's busy, but I'm even way more busier than before, which is why I haven't been updating this blogsite in the past month. Not that I haven't lost interest in typing, but its just I haven't found the time to work on this.

Its been already three months since I've been driving taxicabs around the San Fernando Valley. Everyday, I've been doing it for 12 hours a day, driving an average of 100 miles at least for seven days a week, and getting paid everyday. Then I get about 8 hours of sleep and two hours doing stuff with the family, so there for I have about two hours of free time, which is mostly spent on checking on Facebook, instagram and my Bank accounts. Typing on this site for me requires some energy and thought, but for losing 20 hours of your time day after day, you just don't feel like spilling out some words like I used to, cause I wasn't working as much then as I am now. My favorite blogger/celebrity jeweler Ben Baller has to put his blog on the brakes last week cause he has to focus on his wife Nicolette Lacson and his son as well as other personal business. At first I was upset cause I would always look forward to reading his blogs for inspiration and amusement for the past 5 years, but in all seriousness, I respect his decision to no longer updating on his personal life and wish him the best in his life.

Like I said in the past, May is one of the busiest months of the year. Alot has happened and it's not done yet. One of my cousins (the youngest in my immediate family) will be graduating from Loyola High School in Los Angeles next week and my homeboy Eric will be linking his life with his fiancee Jessica  in their wedding ceremony this Saturday. Also, my good friend Katie Galvez gave birth to a wonderful newborn girl a two and a half weeks ago. I was there to visit her 24 hours after her new daughter was born and that was a very unique, interesting moment on that Saturday. It was the first time since my youngest was born 19 years ago that I've ever seen a fresh young baby just straight out her mothers stomach. It made me think alot of life and how precious and fragile it is. I give my absolute best to Katie and Rudy for their new addition to their lives.

So yeah, I just thought I spill a little update on what's been going on with me so far. Even though not too many people keep up with their blogs cause of other important matters in their lives, I'll still continue to write on here and upload some photography for those who like to read this shit whenever I get the chance  Finally, I copped the iPhone 5 yesterday (wasn't cheap, but whatever). Was impressed with my cousins iPhone 4s when I was with him last week so it made me go out and get one for my self, but only the latest model. Its gonna take a while to get adjusted to it for expect your news feeds on Twitter and instagram to be flodded with photos and random statues that get tossed around in my mind. I didn't take that many photos yet, but here's two I took so far.

Lastly, here is my current lock screen capture featuring Lisa Ann (who I've met last year). The Hundreds isn't the only thing that's Huge. 

Anyway, thanks for your time reading this. I'll have some interesting stuff in the works, so stay in touch with me on instagram @justforsneaks07.

Driving Wild In April, Fool.

I really wish the world champions San Francisco Giants coming to town to play against the Los Angeles Dodgers on opening day today would be a big April Fools joke by commissioner Bud Selig. I rather have us play any other team this today aside from those motherfuckers.

I say that cause 1.) I really don't like the Giants. 2) The last these fucks play us on opening day.... I'll leave you to figure that out since that incident overshadowed the Dodgers season, and 3.) There's gonna be more cops than fans at the Stadium, so it looks like Magic Johnson and the rest of the Guggenheim owners are paying off the LAPD to make sure no foolishness happens, despite today.

But this season should be a good one. The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox are coming here for the first time in about three to four years since we don't play them that much and I have two vouchers to go to almost any Dodger game I want this season, yet I still haven't claim them. Looking forward to going back to the Ravine again this year.

As far a the month of March, I'm kinda glad its over. Aside from turning 25, that month has been awful for sneaker releases. The only decent pair of shoes that dropped in March was the Air Jordan XIII retro "He Got Game" edition,cause it was the same colorway that was featured in the film He Got Game since Spike Lee, who directed the film, is also an Air Jordan enthusiast. The month of March also went by quickly. Maybe its cause I've been working everyday.

Now getting into Easter Sunday yesterday, alot of places were closed. I had to take a foreign couple from the Beverly Garland hotel in the North Hollywood/Studio City border to the Santa Monica Pier which I got 60 bucks for that trip. Went I got back to the Valley, I stopped by at Mulberry Street Pizzeria in Encino to get some lunch there. As I walked in, I saw Jay Leno inside with some other bloke to my surprise. He had a old 1920's style car parked in front of the restaurant on Ventura Boulevard. It was my first time seeing him in person, but I didn't talk to him or ask to take a photo of and with him. I lost respect for Leno, aside from his knowledge of automobiles which is the only thing cool about him, after 2009 when NBC (the ones who deserved the blame) decide to bring him back to host The Tonight Show again after his successor Conan O'Brien got screwed over by the network.Otherwise, if that shit never happened, then I would've left Mulberry Street Pizzeria with Jay Leno's picture and autograph. I mentioned it before in one of my previous blogs, so check that out. Anyway, he left with his friend and when he started his car, the exhaust was loud as hell. Nobody went crazy after him, cause he was just a regular person to me.

Later on that night, I made a unannounced visit to my homegirl Amber's place to spend Easter Sunday with her and her family since I was there last Easter as well. We chilled, talked with her friends and her family members and I took some photos of her niece and nephews for them. Many thanks again to Amber, Clarisa and Alex for the hospitality as always. Here are some of the photos I took last night.

When I left to go back to my pops' house, my brother's car, which is a 2001 Ford Taurus if that matters, that I was driving all of a sudden stopped running. I was scared as fuck thinking that it had something to do with the starter cause it wouldn't ignite, and the Taurus just reached 190,000 miles. The car stopped at a neighborhood street near Roxford and San Fernando Road in Sylmar. I was ready to use my emergency savings to call a tow truck to tow it to my other place in Sylmar but then I decided to walk to the Chevron on Encinitas and Roxford about 3/4 of a mile away from where I was at and fortunately, my brother had a 2 gallon gasoline tank in the back of his car. So I walked over to the Chevron, fill up the 2 gallon tank and walked back to pour some gasoline in the car. When I started it, it then started running like normal, which was weird cause the gas reserve on empty light didn't show when I was driving and it wasn't completely on Empty in the dashboard. With the car driving now, I drove to another Chevron in Granada Hills and paid 50 bucks to fill that shit up to a full tank of gas. I guess pretty much fate decided to do some kind of practical, unorthodox April Fools prank, even thought it was a few hours early, but its all good though. 

Well, that does it for this update. Thanks for your time reading this and go Doyers.