Goodbye Philly!

Tattoo by David Steele at Philadelphia Eddie's Chinatown

You know who you are? Even Steven." — Kramer

Oh, Philly. I'm going to be real with you for a second. I never wanted to come here. I boarded the plane in Chicago in tears but was determined to find something — anything — to love about you. I tried. I ate at restaurants. I went to coffee shops. I dated the men boys. I tried your bar scene. I took a big chance on you. I left everything I love back in Chicago to take an opportunity for myself. And now as I'm on the brink of picking up my U-Haul and clearing out my lovely house, I find comfort.

About a year ago, my pal Matthew pointed out to me that when I'm down in the dumps, something awesome always seems to come along and fill the void. For example, when I was living in Chicago, I was dead broke and struggling to make ends meet. Then I got the offer to take an awesome job out here on the East Coast and took it. I figured, hey, it can't hurt anything. It's an adventure. It was great knowing I had trusted my struggle through those times and had my eyes on the prize. It worked out. Onto the next hurdle.

My time in Philadelphia has been far from "brotherly love." It's has been filled with a lot of deceit from a lot of different angles, a lot of harassing men, and a lot of disappointments. Let's put it this way: It's not for me.

But still, regardless of all of the sour feelings I have towards this place, I'm still breaking even. I tried something new, and even though it didn't live up to my expectations, I know one hundred percent what I want coming out of it. I know that money will never buy happiness — being surrounded by people and places that you love can only do that. Even though I'm probably going to go out of my way to make sure I never have to come back here, I don't regret taking the chance.

And, let's be real. I had some cool shit happen to me. Check it out.




I had the option to dress like Blake from Workaholics at will.


I got to work as a lighting assistant for Lou on a shoot with Head (Brian Welch) from KoRn for Revolver Magazine. Pretty awesome and random! I should point out that being able to hang out with Lou all the time is a treat all its own. I legit love that dude — definitely my best friend here!


I met a lot of cool dogs.


I got to jet set a bit.




And of course hang out with my pals Gucci Mane and Marilyn Manson.


Will Arnett handed me a frozen banana in NYC (not to mentioned I hung out with Lutz from 30 Rock in NYC on election night. Surreal.)


I had a staring contest with Lil Bub.


And most of all, my house. I love this house. I put so much work and heart into it. I can't wait until the next project.

There is irony in the fact that I actually started meeting some cool people near the end of my time here. Knowing that I had limited time to ride on the back of a motorcycle or go party with some rad dudes made my closure here all that much more bittersweet. I have justification knowing that I came and I conquered, in my own right, and scared the shit out of some people in power. I find comfort in the fact that my work and determination is too powerful for a corporation and that I have not sacrificed my important stance on social and grassroots issues in order to "get ahead." I always stood for what I believed in and I'm now I'm getting exactly what I've fought for: to be myself.

I worked really hard. And I was really nice to people. And good things are happening.

So, Philly. I know ya tried to keep me down, but you couldn't. I wouldn't let you. I'd say I came out even.

Onto the next adventure.