Reppin’ The Brand

July 19, 2023 I was planning to attend the Summer Mixer for the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. So I took the opportunity to wear one of the shirts that I now sell, this specific shirt I helped design. It is one of my feature pieces for my attempt to penetrate the rock merchandise market.

Prior to attending the Mixer, I was very happy to meet for a few drinks with our great friend Sherry and Melissa, whom I have featured in a few past posts. It was simply a few hours of chatting, laughing, enjoying each others’ company!

Then I headed downtown as the Mixer was held in a venue right on the river on a beautiful summer evening. Really, not much of a story. I saw a few friends, made a few new one and had a lovely evening, after which I did a little photoshoot prior to getting cleaned up. I simply loved my outfit and was proud of my jersey, even if no one asked about it.

I failed to get any real good pictures of my new flats, but believe me, they are awesome and incredibly comfortable.

Pick up a pair here!

This was the end of a few weeks in which I got out easily the fewest amount of times since this all really started in 2015. In many ways, this pleases me. When I do get out now, it becomes special, a treat, like this post and yesterday’s post.

In other ways, I am grinding myself into exhaustion. All of my various business ventures are demanding more and more time. The need to both invest time and money. All make sense to continue as there are two factors driving this: bills to pay and the fact that the businesses I love (my apparel lines) are getting serious traction but have very long lead times until real success can be achieved. And the job really generating my revenue is also sucking up time and money, but is paying the bills right now. I know here many think I live an idyllic life. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, I am blessed beyond words with a fabulous family, great friends on both my male and female sides, I have a roof over my head and food in my ever-expanding stomach (it won’t be too long before you see me floating overhead with “Goodyear” tattooed on my side).

As my peers are retiring, I grind and grind and grind. All because I fucked up over 20 years ago. How come I have to be accountable for my actions (which I deserve) and many just skate on everything? I don’t wish to complain, but I use this platform as my diary, good and bad. Just a place to get something off of my chest and share with others whom I at least share “this”, whatever “this” is for you.

Do me a favor today: count your blessings! Excuse me but I have to get back to work……..