Tales of the Tatts – Shanice

My first tattoo that I got about 2 years ago is of my mom’s name (L.Rowe). I know it’s a typical, cliché tattoo that everyone gets nowadays. I originally got this when my mom was sick and  was also going through a lot of stress with me and also financially. I also got it because I knew she wouldn’t be AS mad that I got a tattoo of her name lol. I look at it differently now; I use it as a symbol (sort of reminder) that my mother is one of the few people who will have my back permanently (which is why it’s conveniently placed on my upper back). I remind myself every time I am mad at her and every time we fight, that indeed she is still the phenomenal woman who inspired me to originally get this tattoo. Something I’ll never regret for as long as I’m alive.

My second tattoo that I got on my lower stomach, I got it in my second language, French. It says ‘’L’amour n’est pas promis,’’ which is translated to, ‘’Love isn’t a promise.’’ I got this about a year and a half ago, once again it seems like a basic teenage bitter girl tattoo, but there’s also a story behind it. I got this also as a reminder. In my day and age, it seems like searching for that significant someone is SO important, it sometimes distorts your vision on what is really important. I got this to remind me that I shouldn’t go searching for something that isn’t promised, and also not to get discouraged if I don’t achieve this utopia of love with a significant other. Like everything else in life, it isn’t a promise.  If it’s meant to happen, it’ll find its way to me.

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Bestseller or a Dumpster? – Vent XXXII

Recently, I wrote a post about why I blog (it was posted by my dear friend, Mirna of yugopinionated.com) and it got me to thinking about my life, because I mentioned that I wanted to inspire others to strive for their dreams and make them a reality.

I believe that everyone has a story to tell, and somewhere out there, people will want to read it: The trials and tribulations, the rough patches, the hurdles that we overcome; all of that isn’t just for the sake of our own misery; there’s always a reason for things to happen – always.

“I take a sip of Hennessy and then get pissy drunk
I ain’t a drinker, I’m a thinker, call it what you want
But if you turn your back, know that you just missed your chance
To witness the realest shit that’s ever been known to men” – Kendrick Lamar - Faith

People need to understand that you’re here for a reason. The beginning of your story started before you were able to process thoughts and capture images into your head through the vision of your eyes. I’m a strong believer of things being planned out for you before they happen, but you just have to run your own race and for some, the finish line for success comes sooner than later, but the problem is that people are worried too much about what other people are doing in their lives, that it takes away from their focus. In track, it’s illegal to leave your lane and merge into someone else’s. You have to stay in your lane, and have tunnel vision. There’s only one light at the end of the tunnel, so stop worrying about the fact that so and so is making this amount of money and whatnot. What is it that you’re doing that you don’t see yourself at THEIR level? Make it happen for yourself that the people you’re looking at in envy, turn around and look at you with respect because they see that you’re determined to win.

Not everyone is made for great achievement in life (sad to say, but it’s the truth). Someone out there is comfortable living in government housing living paycheque to paycheque because they feel that there is nothing better for them. That is natural for some, a nightmare for many. To dwell at the bottom isn’t a life that anyone should look forward to, but at the same time, everyone has a different level of success. Whether you want to be the best teacher at your school and help create other brilliant minds for the future, or you want to be the head of a Fortune 500 business, all things are possible, but you have to stick to the script and stay in your lane. You can’t drift and get caught up in the shadow of someone else’s life. What life is that? It isn’t yours, and sometimes chasing a dream that isn’t meant for you is worse than failure, because it’s fabricated, it’s a carbon copy, and simply put: it’s disastrous.

I know people who have goals and they question themselves if they can accomplish them. Why question? Why not have the confidence within you to win? Do you not want better for yourself? Do you always want to be mediocre? I doubt that you do, because it makes no sense to be sewer water aka the bottom of the bottom. Soar above the clouds, let your stories come to life, because when it’s all said and done, there’s a story to be read. How do you want to be remembered? At the bottom of a dumpster, or the top of the best-sellers?

That’s My Word & It STiXX

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Throwback Video of the Day – No Diggity – Blackstreet x Dr. Dre x Queen Pen

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Why Do I Blog? A Series: Stixx

Reblogged from yugopinionated:

The first person I asked to tell me why they blog was @MR_STiXX who is the creator of thestixxclusiveblog.

Now let me tell you something about Stixx. He’s actually my black soul mate but less skanky. No, it’s true. We’re both only children, we’re both tall, both HUGE NFL fans, we both finished a diploma in some variation of Journalism/Communication/TV at Mohawk College…..oh, and we’re both brilliant.

Read more… 620 more words

Well damn. This was beautiful
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Tales of the Tatts – Chelsea

This is my second tattoo; this one means so much more – I think that’s why I hardly hurt.

image

Carnation Flower: I’m a January baby, so my mommy gets me Carnation flowers for my birthday. Probably the only flower I can tolerate.

Treble/Bass Clef Heart:  Music is REALLY big in my family. The heart represents my bond with each of my family (and extended family) members through music. Influences: Reggae – my dad; 60s, 70s, 80s pop/soul/r&b- my mom; 80s, 90’s hip-hop- my older sister; Dance/Electronic/Alt Rock- my older brother. My iPod would sound like absolute shit if they didn’t educate me.

Music on the Staff: The first two bars of Beethoven’s Fur Elise. When I was in my mom’s belly my older sister played it – apparently that calmed me down in there. I haven’t played the piano in years, but I would practice this song for hours!

The Dates: I put my parents birthdays above and below the staff because I’m really proud of them. They’ve stuck by me through a ridiculous amount of foolishness when I was growing up and continue to do so. Also, I obviously wouldn’t exist if they didn’t.

TATTOO ARTIST PLUG: Van The Tattoo Man spent over an hour drawing this out! TDOT INK, Yonge & Wellesley. @TattoosandPussy

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Genesis 4:9: Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”. He said, “I do not know, am I my brother’s keeper?”

On December 8th 2008 I was studying for my final exams in the library. While I was studying I was getting numerous phone calls from my mom and other siblings asking if I had heard from my younger brother Stanley. I said, “No I’m studying, doesn’t he always come home late?”. Long story short, by midnight he was found dead at a location where he was hanging out with friends.

I’ve always wanted a tattoo since I was 16 years old, but I was in the same predicament as Stixx: not knowing what I wanted and where I would put the tattoo. In 2010, the second anniversary of my brother’s death, I decided to get my first tattoo. I decided to choose the quote, ” I am my brothers keeper” and place it on my foot.

The significance of the location of my tattoo, my foot was to represent my favourite poem, “Footprints in the Sand” by Mary Stevenson. Here is a quote, “The Lord replied, the times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you.” Now every time I look down at my foot I know there is only one set of footprints because now he is in a better place, watching over me and carrying me through life like a guardian angel.

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(New Music) Around My Way [Freedom Ain't Free] – Lupe Fiasco

NEW LUPE FIASCO! THANK YOU GOD!

Lupe Fiasco, if you remember, gave the world Lasers…THE WORLD DIDN’T LIKE THAT, AND NEITHER DID MY iTUNES MONEY TO BUY THE DAMN ALBUM! He took the more techno/dubstep style and it disappointed a lot of fans, like myself. Then he gave us ‘Friend of the People.’ More dubstep, more politically driven lyrics, but that’s his style so I won’t knock it.

NOW! With Food & Liquor 2 about to come out this year, he gives us the first single, and it’s good to have him over some soul samples. Sampling the ever popular ‘T.R.O.Y,’ he returns back to his roots and delivers a great song. IT’S DEFINITELY A REFRESHER!! Enjoy it.

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