LosLifeRuiner.com

Here’s a fun tattoo I just did on corndog. Made my day.

It’s been 17 years today since my Dad died.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about him. It’s weird to wonder how things would had been if he was still around. Which directions I would had taken in life. Where I would had lived and people I would, and wouldn’t had met. The lessons I would had learned.

I can only cherish the few memories and photos I still have. A few paintings he did, and articles of clothing.

I’m not angry for him choosing the life he did, or blame G-d for letting him die so young, leaving 2 children, and another 3 weeks before she was born. I’m sad, but not mad. Sad that my little sisters never had a decent father figure they could be close to, to learn how dads should be. How men should treat women, and what to tolerate. I’m sad that my moms life instantly became most mothers nightmares. Having to raise 3 children alone.

If anything, I’ve learned to be much more thankful for what I have. I’m thankful for my beautiful mother. The bravest woman I’ve ever met. Working to the bone for her children, and filling in my fathers shoes as best as she knew how. Teaching me the lessons a dad should. I’m thankful for my 2 amazing sisters my dad had. All bearing so much of my father differently. I’m so blessed to have each one of them in my life. Im so proud of both of you. You guys are so brave, and strong. And my youngest 1/2 sister. Helping raising her helped make me who I am, and showed me that there are so many more blessings to come when we think there can be no more. My beautiful little niece. She’s a miracle and blessing in my life.

And my grandparents. There aren’t enough words to describe how much I love them, and appreciate them. For taken us all in, and encouraging my mom everyday. For working longer and harder to make things a little more comfortable and never asking for anything. For showing us what family means. My grandmother, always making a lesson out of everything, and keeping us laughing when our eyes would swell with tears. My grandpa. The only real father figure I’ve ever had. A real man. teaching me to work hard, for everything I want and need. For building my 1st bike with me from scratch. And picking me up from school everyday. For being the dad I never had.

So again, I’m not angry. I love the moments i remember of my dad. I’m content the few that they are. If it wasn’t for those changes, I would not have one friend in my life that I have today. I wouldn’t have been into the music that molded me. I wouldn’t had traveled across country as I did. I would have my 1/2 sister. I wouldn’t had become so close to my grandparents, my mom, and especially my sisters. I wouldn’t had been opened to tattooing as I did, and I wouldn’t have ended up in the best shop in the world. I wouldn’t have met my beautiful, and amazing girlfriend, nor her family.

I’ve learned to take what life has given me. The kind of man I want to be, and the kind of man I’ll never be. I’ll learn from his mistakes and make the best of it.

Cherish every moment you have with your loved ones. Things, may be different, but someone has a plan. Whether it happens or not is up to us.

Carlos Rafael Ocegueda May 15th 1960 – March 7th 1993

So on Wednesday I shot some photos of my friend Melissa. It was a nice day out, and was looking forward to this shoot all week.

We had to ditch our 1st location due to mud from previous weather conditions, but we found a couple awesome spots. The 1st spot was actually found on our way from leaving the muddy one. We pull over, and find a nice little spot to trail trough. We walked through the bush, and over some barbed wire, then quickly find out we are surrounded by poison oak! But Melissa was a tough cookie, and decided to shoot anyways, and they turned out great.

The later of the shots were from a location she picked out, and a great one at the least! A nice hike, and amazing view. Thanks Melissa.

Click on the photo to visit the set on Flickr please feel free to leave comments on there, I need the criticism!

…If you’re wondering about the watermark, I decided to make a domain just for photos. The link just takes you to my photo page on here, but its a lot nicer to advertise it separately from tattoo work, and paintings

Here are some fun tattoos I’ve been working on this month so far. All these photos are from my iPhone. I’ll be posting some better photos from my cameras, once these are finished.

On my little sister, 1st sitting:

A fun ship, 1st sitting:

Some hot babe:

A fun tattoo on my friend Aaron:

A fun 1/2 sleeve, 2nd sitting:

“Your eyes are fixed on his garden
And your ears are turned into His playfulness.
Become a honeybee and collect His abundance,
Or dangle yourself from His date palm.

The horizon is a bow for His arrow
And the water flows by his design.
If you are straight, you’ll be an arrow;
But move sideways, and you’re just a crab.”

- Rumi
“time for the lovers”

Don’t waste your lips on words I’ve heard before
Kiss my tired head.
And each letter written wastes your hand, young man
Come and lead me to your bed
You gave me hope that I’d not lost her
And then thought it rather strange to see me smile-
as I don’t do too much smiling these days.

She put on happiness like a loose dress
Over pain I’ll never know
“So the peace you had,” she says,
“I must confess, I’m glad to see it go.”
We’re two white roses lying frozen just outside his door
I’ve made you so happy and so sad,
But which should I be more sorry for?

Come kiss my face goodbye,
that space below my eye and above my cheek
Cause I’m faint and fading fast, I see a darkness
And I shall be released.
I’ll pass like a fever from this body,
And softly slip into his hands
I tried to love you and I failed,
But I have another plan.

My Lord, how long to sing this song?
And my Lord, how muchmore of this pretending to be strong?
When she stands before your throne
Dressed in beauty not her own
All soft and small, you’ll hear her call
“you brought me here, now take me home.”

-Silencer – mewithoutYou

- oh the comfort in music

What do you think?

So last night I finally finished a painting I’ve been working on. Prints are for sale, $25 including shipping worldwide. (PRESALE PRICE IS $15 FOR A LIMITED TIME)

click on the image to purchase

So for hween weekend, Hayley and I drove up to San Jose. Thursday we drove up for the Bloodwork book release from the guys at Analog Tattoo in San Jose. The book is amazing, 67 sleeves from 30 different artists. I love the dramatic lighting. A lot of my photography has very dramatic lighting, even my portfolio photos of tattoos. Just seems a little different than the typical tile in the background.

The book release was fun. We got to run into a bunch of friends, but the drive was long and tiring so we crashed early. My friend Brittney was kind enough to open up her new house to us. Such a awesome place she had in a rad location in SJ.

Friday was the 1st day of the convention. It started a little later than usual. The line up was great, and was moved to a larger part of the convention center than in previous years. Picked up some awesome prints for the new station, and coozies for apple juice lol. Later that night we payed a little visit to the Vegetarian House. Great food, totally a cult….

Saturday was Halloween. We took the train to San Fran because the Bay Bridge was still closed and rumors of ungodly traffic convinced us that the train was the way to go. We hungout in downtown SF for a while and did some people watching and picked up some last minute costumes. From there we took the Bart to Berkley. Met up with David and his friends and had a fun night a show with a bunch of bands covering songs all night in costumes. Good show and rad little venue. I miss rad shows like that. Sadly theres only huge shows down here, and a lot of good bands dont play music because they love it anymore, everyones looking for the easiest way to make big bucks. o well…

Sunday we headed home. On the way down we stopped in Santa Cruz. Honestly, I love that city. So beautiful. Mountains, trees, beach, and a lot of rad places to eat. We ate at Saturn Cafe and hungout with Mandi and Ari for a bit. Then Hayley and I hung out at West Cliff. Awesome homes and scenery there.

Then the long ride home.

Here are some photos of the trip. Click on this one to see the whole set from the weekend.

This weekend was fun. Here’s a quick pic of our costumes. I’ll post more photos soon