Living in an apartment in Boston generally means a couple things; room-mates and cheap living (minus rent.) Ikea has found a special place in my heart, I would be more than happy to furnish all my living needs with their furniture.

Week of March 21, 2010.

This video is very truthful to the demeanor of the people of Skowhegan, Maine. The entire side of my mothers family grew up in Skowhegan, almost all of them held a job when they were young working in a shoe factory. My aunt worked in the New Balance factory for over 15 years. Needles to say, I grew up in New Balance footwear. Of course at the time I didn’t appreciate the fact that I was wearing a shoe completely constructed in the United States, all I wanted to wear was Nike (foolish.) I didn’t understand the time and effort put into the shoes, but I never doubted the quality of the craftsmanship.

De La Soul = great hip-hop music since 1987.

De La has been one of my favorites groups since I was introduced to their debut album 3 Feet High and Rising in 1989. I remember looking at the track listing on the cassette cover and being wowed by the 24 tracks. At the time it looked like a double album! It was a great time in music for me. I could go from the aggressive & political Public Enemy to the super serious Rakim to the other side of the spectrum with DLS without changing the channel off of YO! MTV Raps.

They have been one of most consistent hip-hop groups of all time and not only managed to stay relevant and valuable in music but have found a new wave of energy partnering with the likes of Nike SB for the infamous De La Dunks, Frank 151 and Kid Robot on the newly released figures. The Plugs have been influencing the influencer set since the beginning — even if it took others a while to figure out where the influence originated from.

I had the pleasure to meet the guys at a recent show near Boston and realized that they were what I expected– down to earth.

With 20 years worth in albums I can honestly say I pumped the last album Grind Date as if I had discovered the new next thing. Still original, still powerful and still one of the best to do it.

Big shout to my man Pos!! See you next time you’re in town fam!

Big shout to my man Kent over at Detroit’s premier designer toy shop Lift for taking care of me. When ever you’re in the “D” please run by Royal Oak and check them out. Tell him the Butcher sent you!

Lift
228 W Fourth St.
Royal Oak, MI 48067
www.LiftDetroit.com

While up in Toronto with Canada Goose, I had the opportunity to walk their production floor. There is something about seeing the process of something being made that gives you a greater appreciation for the product.

It’s that time of the year, the time when I couldn’t be happier with the sudden change in temperature. If it were a realistic possibility I would eat a meal cooked on a charcoal grill every single day, but sadly it’s not as easy to achieve while living in New England during some of the colder months. With the start of this amazing new weather I, along with all my room-mates, have taken full advantage of our backyard, grill, and bocce-ball set.

I plan to make this “Week In Photos” a regular occurrence, what better way than photos and video to document my every day surroundings.

Week of March 14, 2010.

Over the past 15 days or so I have been celebrating my birthday. Thankfully I have these pics so I was able to recall the blur that most people have come to know as March.

With the illest doorman in Boston, Alex Bossi, and Deon Point

Point throwing it up.

With Africa, and Aubrey O’Day

2015

Cheers Motherfucker!!!

Deon Point and Brew Live Crew New Jersey Chapter Pres, Tyler Tufty

Frankie of 6ONE7… The Kings of Boston Nightlife

DP and P. Doubling down as always.

Young Fresh. The sex on the beach slayer

The PS3 Division of MA$$. Bird and DP.

A big thank you to those pictured above, as well as the many more that were not caught on film, for making my birthday a memorable one, by making me barely remember March.

While up in Toronto I had the pleasure of hitting a Maple Leafs hockey game. I’ve never much been a fan of hockey but the game in person is intense. I witnessed more fights for no reason than right before my parents got divorced when I was in 3rd grade.

Canada Goose rolled out the red carpet with a private suite filled with food & spirits, great seats and a lesson in the sport Curling (awww Canada).

Big thanks to Dani, Paul, Kevin and Spencer for the good time.

The Canada Goose sponsored coat check in the Platinum Club area

Players fight in hockey. Wait till I tell the hood…

Leafs get the win

Hand forged steel, the old fashioned way. Heated in a coal forge, and hand hammered on a 130 year old anvil. Rustic and sturdy. The opener is coated with a light coat of beeswax to preserve the appearance. The bottle opener is about 2-3/4″ long and is on a 22″ chain. Handmade in the USA.

Caring for your opener.:Over time with frequent handling your bottle opener will develop a dark and light contrast that will give it much more character. It should not rust if handled regularly. If you decide to store it for a long period of time you may want to consider applying a light coat of olive oil or canola oil (whatever oil is handy will work). If for some reason you get a buildup of rust just use some steel wool to polish it to it’s natural finish.

Basically what the “Caring for your opener” section tells me is that in order to keep the bottle opener necklace looking like it should you got to drink up. A constant reminder dangling from your neck telling you DBAP!

I had the opportunity to travel to Toronto to visit Canada Goose to work on our upcoming collaborative capsule for Concepts. It was my first time in Canada and it was what everyone says it is– beautiful.

It’s easy to forget that your actually in another country because the city of Toronto looks pretty “American” with the major differences being polite people, clean streets, no car horns being abused and the occasional French signage.  Ok so its the total opposite of the States.

Canada Goose has been in business since 1957 as a manufacturer of outerwear for the most extreme climates.  Their legendary coats and jackets could be seen from the ice of the Arctic to the streets of Cambridge (especially Brattle St.). I had the chance to visit the company and manufacturing plant and in the process gaining a greater understanding and appreciation for their process and product.

Had a chance to check out what CG has cooked up for fall / winter 2010.

Here is a preview of the Lance Mackey Constable. Lance Mackey is a world champion dog musher and is considered “The World’s Toughest Athlete”. You ever have to walk from the corner store in the freezing cold holding a gallon of milk? Not even close to what he has to endure!! Oh yeah, he is a Goose Person!

Here is an exclusive peek at the new Yuki Matsuda Collection which has focused on using wools and tweeds which features the Canada Goose disk patch in Yuki’s black and red embroidery. There are 3 pieces in this collection in multiple colorways and will only be sold at best shops globally—- like ours. Amazing.

A few upcoming accessories

The Canada Goose team were amazing hosts and even took the kid to see a Toronto Maple Leafs game. I know for a FACT that I was the only Hispanic in the arena and possibly the city—that’s ok though. My mom would tell me that it made me special… then laugh as she walked away.

Pictures on the way!