A World Without You

Easter is spelled T-r-a-u-m-a

2010-03-24T13:35:00.001-07:00

This smells strangely like my childhood...

Don't Play With Your Food?

2010-01-13T12:08:00.000-08:00

Ahh, Breakfast. That supposedly neccessary component to start your day off right so that you don't in fact come into the office so hungry and disgruntled at life that you casually pump round after round into surrounding coworkers with your AK47 (that surprising fits into your Mary Poppins sized purse). Now normally, I would simply opt for my usual B-fast of caffeine and lines of cocaine, but waffles always seem to hit a sweet and nostalgic spot in my heart...especially when done tetris style!

So tell Mom to go fuck herself, turn on the waffle iron, and go ahead and play with your food!

Bring Back Mix Tapes...

2010-01-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

...and more things like this please!

Hooked Up

2009-11-11T22:43:00.000-08:00

Winter is the perfect time to break out your crochet skills.

And if you happen to be a little scarf heavy...you can always put it to use in other ways!

Craft-Cock

Reading Come To Life

2009-10-21T13:41:00.000-07:00

How ridiculously amazing is this?

Shutterbug

2009-10-03T01:28:00.000-07:00

Blake Ryan Lewis

Photographer & Fellow "Beer Cardinal"

Check Out:

BLAKEOGRAPHY

Things I Don't Want to Live Without

2009-10-02T01:44:00.000-07:00

So here's a sampling of the simple things that have been making me smile lately.

Fun Portraitographyness

2009-09-26T00:26:00.000-07:00

Brown Horse

His portraits make me laugh.

She's at It Again

2009-09-24T00:42:00.000-07:00

A few photos...

And something just for fun.

(Although this really looks nothing like a cereal box)

Green Street, Brooklyn

2009-09-24T00:36:00.000-07:00

Rooftop View of Downtown New York

Click Image To Enlarge

Your Inner Cowgirl

2009-09-17T19:10:00.001-07:00

Best Hair Styling Accessory '09

Gun & Holster BLOWDRYER.

Yee-Haw!

Because I Can't Sleep

2009-09-06T01:13:00.000-07:00

I need to make things. These are two things I made.

Want to make more things. Enjoy.

You Vs. Mother Nature

2009-09-02T23:21:00.000-07:00

I love holistic living.

The more organic or green something generally is, the more likely it is that I'm about I fall in love with it. Anything vegan and cruelty-free is an automatic win! I decided recently to let a little more natural goodness into my life. My goal over the next few weeks is to rid myself of as many toxins as humanly possible. Frankly the antibiotics, artificial sweeteners, dairy, GMOs, pesticide laced produce, over-caffeinated beverages, etc. really don't make me jump for joy. If anything, I believe them to be an overwhelming cause for fatigue, anemia, illness and general mood disorders.

So I hit the grocery store armed with good intentions and left with a bag full of my favorite "feel good" items. If you haven't tried any of these, then I suggest you hit the health food store asap.

Five grain tempeh
dried mango
almond milk
organic avocados
baby spinach
lemon herb tofu
celery
almond butter
eggplant hummus

Excited to be going back to my vegan roots. But don't worry. I haven't committed myself to a hippy life of dreadlocks and poetry readings...at least not yet.

I Only Made This

2009-09-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

To make myself laugh...it worked! Take that photoshop!

Ladies N Gents We're Floating In Space

2009-09-01T00:20:00.000-07:00

(I couldn't resist)

This is a small glimpse at the world through my eyes.

And all of it's 'pretty little things'.

In Seventeen Days

2009-09-01T00:09:00.000-07:00

This is where you'll find me...

...this is where i found myself.

I think I'm starting to wear a hole in these plane tickets.

Fashunned.

2009-08-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

I put together this outfit out for Krystin today at work.

And a bargain at only $2,000.00!!!

Sunday Funday

2009-08-30T21:07:00.000-07:00

my typical weekend

bookstore

swimming & playtime

Advice On Spending Your Allowance

2009-08-30T15:02:00.000-07:00

Magazines Worth Your $5 Bill

If that's too steep at least click on the links and check out some cool art(icles)

JUXTAPOZ

"Art & Culture Magazine"

CMYK

"Inspiring Visual Communication"

HI*FRUCTOSE

"Under the Counter Culture"

No Whining. Only Wining.

2009-08-29T22:10:00.000-07:00

Saturday night

Eighty-one degrees

Wine & night swimming

photostiched

2009-08-29T20:59:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I know it's not a new concept...but there is so much fun to be had with this photostitching business.

This Food Is For The Dogs

2009-08-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

It started with a craving for something slightly salty and ended in complete disgust and utter disappointment. Against all of my better judgement, while staring into the abyss of chips, popcorns and pretzels that line the snack wall at the quickmart, I opted for a bag of Combos. Before you get upset with my decision, first let me preface that I had not until today tried these haneous things, and blame my willingness to sample such an obvious snack-flop on a soon to be ex-friend of mine who has now ruined my taste buds and love for trying new things.

At the cash register, I pulled out my slightly creased dollar in exchange for my salty treat and left the change before making my exit and walk back to work. Upon opening the bag my nostrils were filled with the overwhelming aroma of artificially flavored filling that, upon inspection, looked much like play-do. Still not wanting to preemptively judge I popped a single combo into my mouth and waited for the taste explosion to happen. Wrong. Imagine the face that a baby makes when you try feeding it vegetables. Multiply that by at least ten and that will almost capture the look of horror that lined my face. The only thought going through my head besides "get this sh*t out of my mouth" was "this sh*t tastes like dog food". I took a slight detour on my walk back to work to pass by the dumpster and rid myself of these things and headed back to my office to do some research. I am now convinced that these two products are either one in the same, or at least made in the same factory:

Combos = Snausages = Combos

With nothing left to do but sulk snack-free, a friend of mine and I decided to start a list of things to do with Combos that do not involve eating them.

(Or them being anywhere in the vacinity of a human mouth)

THE COMBO LIST

Use them as packing peanuts for shipping
Use as toe-seperators when painting toenails
Feed to pet (assuming you hate your pet)
Give to your enemy
Use as alternative to mace or pepper spray
Laxative substitute
Birth control (Your breath will ensure no one will want to sleep with you)

Please let me know if you can think of anything else and snackers beware!

Walking On The Ceiling

2009-08-27T13:54:00.001-07:00

It took one phone call to make my heart ache.

It took one look at the splattered blood to become physically weak.

It took one hour in the hospital before I became truly scared.

It took one glimpse of the wounds to make me sick.

It took one "I love you" to make me cry.

It took one selfish act to turn my world upside down.

* * * * *

Now all I want is one miracle to help save a life.

East-Coast Bound & Down

2009-08-25T18:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I joined the world of confirmed artists as I sold two of, in my opinion terrible, canvas pieces for actual money. Enough money in fact to pay for a plane ticket to visit some friends in New York for a few days. Unreal.

So like any good traveler I started doing my homework on places that I'd like to maybe visit while I'm out there. This being my third trip out there this year I think the more touristy spots are now off my checklist. So far we've got:

eat.

Red Bamboo
Vegan Restaurant

Hip Hop Chow
Watch Kung Fu while you eat

Vegetarian Dim Sum House
Mmm sweet and sour dumplings

drink.

Spuyten Duyvil (Beer bar)

Barcade (Bar+Arcade)

Motor City Bar (Rock n' Roll den)

shop.

Brooklyn Superhero Supply
Try on capes in front of a fan AND test your evil content

Generation Records
Cds and Vinyl

Hell's Kitchen Urban Flea Market
Vintage clothes & Knick Knacks

see.

everything

Suggestions welcome. Always.

Wedding Bells a Ringin'

2009-08-25T12:32:00.001-07:00

Sunday August 23, 2009 long time friend Lindsay Lara said her vows at Chapman Chapel in Orange, CA. The event was highly entertaining as I spent most of it snapping photos away in attempts to catch awkward glimpses from the uncomfortable children in their dress clothes.

The ceremony was brief yet elegant. The reception offered a nice array of both booze and food (even for this vegetarian girl). And I found myself tired at the end of it all and wondering who will be next to bite the metaphorical marriage dust.

Congratulations to Lindsay & Matthew

Jenni, Lindsay, Crystal & Me

Fear & Loathing Style Desert Hangout

Drink Up.

Love was in the air.

I'll try to post the remainder of the wedding photos on my flickr as soon as I get a chance.

Viva la weddings.

Obsessed.

2009-08-21T18:40:00.000-07:00

I have no problem admitting that I have a problem. When diving into any new hobby or interest I do not take matters casually. Rather, I submerge myself until I've driven myself insane but will surely come up for air within a few days. Today. Is Day 6.

In my search for creative photo and portrait ideas I stumbled across a couple that I really love. I wish I could give credit to the artists but they were anonymous images. I love them.

My "Portraitography" @

http://flickr.com/photos/danitofu

the ZOMbar

2009-08-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

Leave it to a place like Minneapolis to pull off something for the entertainment deprived, as wonderfully thought out like a zombie themed bar. Jackpot.

This zombie watering hole officially "Donny Dirk's Zombie Den" immediately sparked my interest. Unlike your traditional zombie bartenders, these are uniformed in apparel resembling that of "Shaun of the Dead" lead character, complete with blood stains for dramatic effect.

And in case of emergency? A small chainsaw sits inside a glass case that reads, "In case of zombie attack, break glass."

The Pet Peek

2009-08-19T17:44:00.001-07:00

Someone.

Somewhere.

BETTER NOT HAVE.

Made a crapload of money inventing this.

Not while I'm alive and working 50+ hours every week.

I guess in the long run though it's still better than the kid-friendly surgical masks.

The mere thought of the hospital staff all wearing these is far more frightening than the thought of any surgery you might have to endure.

Will Take Pictures For Food

2009-08-19T04:10:00.000-07:00

A long-time friend of mine is looking for a job assisting a photographer.

He would like to make money to eat and take more pictures.

Photo by Joshua Huskisson

If you can help make this a possibility please let me know.

Flickr

2009-08-19T02:20:00.000-07:00

A mere two days into my newly found photographic hobby I've been skipping sleep in order to stay up and read about anything and everything camera-related. A tad obsessed? Maybe. Regardless, as a means to track progress I'll be posting on Flickr. Criticism welcome. Enjoy.

D. Santi Photography now @ www.flickr.com/photos/danitofu

Tattoo by Adam Vu @ Lowrider Tattoo

Smash Your Piggybank

2009-08-18T11:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.melissaloschy.etsy.com/

This beautiful crafting lady makes some of the most original

you-name-it-I-want it kind of stuff.

So c'mon...smash that piggy bank and support your local

starving artist and pick something up from her etsy store.

For handmade and handloved items like these they really are a bargain!

And now that you're convinced, let me know which of her

wearable art pieces you purchased and I will surely borrow it!

yOUR mOTHER wOULD cRY iF sHE kNEW

2009-08-18T02:47:00.000-07:00

graf⋅fi⋅ti

[gruh-fee-tee]

–noun

1.	Destructive vandal markings, as initials, slogans, or drawings, written, spray-painted, or sketched on a sidewalk, wall of a building or public restroom, or the like: These graffiti are evidence of the neighborhood's moral decline.

2.	Making the world around you a more interesting place to live.

How I love it so!

Your Eyes Are Digital

2009-08-17T18:29:00.000-07:00

It's truly beautiful that we've discovered our own ability to capture a moment in time that exists on a different plane. We capture light like fireflies in a jar. It's extraordinary and kind of surreal, although sometimes when I open my eyes reality does look a lot like this.

I have electric nightmares.

Fun In Fundamentals

2009-08-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

This weekend marked a hopeful end to my complaining after deciding that, as a much deserved reward for quitting smoking, I would treat myself to a new toy. Seeing that I have not owned a digital camera since I was about eighteen years old, and have only had my iphone as a means of photography, I knew exactly what I wanted. So I headed out on a beautiful Sunday day to a locally owned camera shop, handed over the credit card, rationalized the cost and needless to say...I'm thrilled!

So armed with my new camera in one hand and latte in the other I went to go explore my amateur photographer skills. This is the result of day 1.

Our dog Spanky

Laguna Beach

Crazy Cockatoo

Immediately following I went out and picked up a book for beginning photographers called Fundamentals of Photography, which I'm already tearing through.

"Ashtray please!"

2009-08-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

Today marks the somewhere slightly over two-week anniversary of my quitting smoking and I'm in celebratory mode! Although I had managed to quit for two full years at 21 years old, by 23 I was a confirmed smoker again and back with a vengence. I had traded in my previous pack-a-day "habit" for a two-pack-a-day ADDICTION and it looked like it was going to be downhill from there. So to further celebrate what I'm calling my "Good Decision '09" I made a list of all the amazing benefits of not smoking thus far.

My dentures won't have nicotine stains on them.
My hair & clothing no longer offend others. (well...maybe not?)
Breathing is actually not as overrated as I previously thought.
I finally know which ones of my friends are the "smelly" ones.
I couldn't decided how I would accessorize an oxygen tank anyway.
Food actually has a taste.
It gives me an excuse to drink coffee all day long.
I won't have to smoke through the hole in my neck.
I can spend more time with my baby nephew.
The $100,000.00 I would have spent on cigarettes will buy me a really sweet motorized scooter to tear up the retirement home one day!

So there you have it! Starting with, but not limited to, ten reasons to quit smoking today and you could reap the awesome benefits too!

Holy Potter!!!

2009-08-14T13:13:00.000-07:00

So after putting in 8 years in the costume business I have a huge adversion to dressing up. Unfortunately I've become jaded over time, and not only do I not enjoy it myself, but I'm rarely impressed by the effort that others seem to put (or not put) into their disguises. The ones that frustrate me the most as far as unoriginality are usually the movie release costumes. This one however, did not disappoint. This kid completely wins!!!

I can't help but want to high-five the parents who went so far out of their way to make this for not only the kid, but to torture the dog as well :) Beautiful!

Fuck Norris

2009-08-11T19:34:00.000-07:00

With the recent and non-stop explosion of Chuck Norris jokes in circulation I couldn't help but want to be a little contradictory and hate on this new trend. Don't get me wrong, I've laughed at enough "fist" jokes to make the C man proud, but decided to search out the other side of this culture joke phenonmenon. What I found was a cult not quite as large but just as dedicated to their artform called "Fuck Norris" jokes.

None of them were actually very good...but these were my favorite of the bunch. So if you happen to hate Chuck Norris for one reason or another...enjoy:

Chuck Norris never learned to swim because his family's gene pool was too small.
Chuck Norris wears a size 2 ballet slipper.
Chuck Norris is 1/8th Grand Cherokee. This has nothing to do with ancestry, the man drives a fucking Jeep.

Christmas in Summertime

2009-08-11T02:29:00.001-07:00

Look around you.

Do you see a calendar?

No?

Good!

That will make it that much simpler for me to attempt to convince you that Christmas this year is in August! Indeed it is. And naturally, because I've been so extremely good up until this point, I knew you would want to buy me this.

So thank you again in advance for the ridiculously sweet camera you're about to get me, and a very merry christmas to you!

A Fair Experience

2009-08-11T01:31:00.000-07:00

This past weekend marked the last days for locals to visit the Orange County fair and get their fill of cheap fried foods, overpriced warm beers and to test one's mortality by riding in death traps that go by names like "The Zipper". Unlike years prior where I might have found myself down at the fairground every weekend, this year I only got the opportunity to once but still feel that I more than got the full "fair" experience:

Exhibit A: Ferris Wheel

Exhibit B: Carnival Ride a.k.a. Death Trap

Exhibit C: Fair Food

Exhibit D: Paying For It All

Parking $5

Tickets $20

Margarita $8

Ferris Wheel $10

Fried Zucchini $5

Photobooth $5

Fried Cookie Dough $4

Foot Massage Chairs $0.50

Total Cost = $57.50, 2 stomach aches & 100 laughs

So while it wasn't exactly the cheapest date spot, the cost for this once-a-year delight was well worth the memories.