Jump to content

Joker

12oz Original
  • Posts

    4,394
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    6

Posts posted by Joker

  1. Honestly, I don't think that's a bad plan @Mercer. Taking a cruddy home in a good neighborhood and bringing it back to life is a good investment in itself, and is basically the same as putting money in a savings/retirement account. It's incredible how someone can spend $100k in materials and supplies to fix up a broken down home and get double that investment, if not more, in return. Being able to do the work yourself makes that small investment go even further. Between our last house and this one I've become a lot more confident in taking on projects myself instead of hiring them out. Drywall and mud & taping used to scare the crap out of me but I forced myself to do it in my last house and realized that it wasn't as hard as I thought. I mean, I'm not nearly as fast as the pros but I can get pretty good results on my own. It's saved me a lot of money. And Youtube has been a savior for tutorials on how to do things as well as tips/tricks. 

     

    Our first home we bought in 2002 for $125k. That same home today is worth $600k, and looking on Zillow and Google street view I can see they've done absolutely nothing to the interior or exterior since we sold it. So they've basically made $475k for doing nothing. Wild. 

    • Like 2
    • Props 1
  2. The 401k IRA thing is so important if you're not savvy with stocks and trading and Bitcoin or whatever is the thing of the moment... or are lucky enough to be born into family money. I'm not smart at all when it comes to this kind of stuff so I rely on folks who are to build my wealth for me. It's the best option that has been working for me.

     

    To put it in perspective, with my current employer I was able to immediately start contributing to a 401k on my first day of employment. After six years of contributing pre-tax dollars every paycheck my balance is over $100k... for doing nothing but showing up to work. I contribute 12% of each paycheck - mostly because I learned this lesson late in life (20 years ago) so I'm playing catch up, but if you're young you can start with 4% and trust me - you won't notice it coming out of your check. I have an IRA I've been contributing to for about ten years as well but I'm just talking about the 401k since most employers match up to 4% of your contributions (some do more, but most are at 4%). Meaning, if your annual salary is $50k your employer will contribute money out of their profits in the amount of 4% of your salary to your 401k, every year. Sure, that's only $2,000 but that's a free $2,000... for doing nothing. 

     

    The shit part about all this, because we're talking money after all, is if the market crashes your accounts lose money. Not a lot but enough to make you angry. 

     

    I feel like there should be a new thread about retirement savings. LOL!

    • Like 2
    • Truth 6
  3. Same here @Mercer. I could sell my home and move to middle America and buy a house outright, and afford to fix it up and make it mine, and have no mortgage payment. However my wife is a coastal gal so she needs to be within driving distance of the beach so I've had to shift my thinking. Which brings me to my thoughts on this:

     

    If you want to own a home you have to make that goal a priority. If you have debts, pay them off and start saving every spare dollar you have. You don't want ANY DEBT going into home ownership. Most lenders will let you know that up front and tell you that you need to pay off your debts before they'll lend you money. If that's not a possibility but you have a job and have been contributing to a 401k look into borrowing from your balance. Some 401k balances offer great home buying downpayment loans that is to your advantage. This way you're paying yourself back and not a bank, kinda. There's several first-time buyer programs out there as well that can help you fast track the process from saving to purchasing, a quick Google search for first time home buyer programs will give you a wealth of information and a good place to start. Hell, even taking the time to chat with a mortgage agent or a financial advisor (yep, adult shit) can help you reach your goals. 

     

    I definitely understand that things are very different from when we first purchased our first home (23 years ago). The cost of everything has gone up and wages haven't kept up with that. So if your wages are the excuse for not getting you to a place where you can afford a home, but owning a home is a goal, then you have to create a plan to get there. It might take five years to get there (that's how long it took us to save for a downpayment) but if that's your goal then you have to focus on that. If it means living in a three bedroom apartment with others so that you have low rent, driving a cheap car that is paid off, and eating cheap food all to save as much money as you can, then that is the path. 

     

    And if you're not interested in buying a home, or even care to, please... I'm begging you, start saving NOW for your retirement. If you work somewhere that offers a 401k start contributing to it now. Like, now. At least contribute the amount that they match (most companies are 4%). It comes right out of your paycheck and you'll barely notice the difference. Trust me. And if your company doesn't offer a 401k look into opening an IRA with a brokerage company like Charles Schwab, Vanguard, or Fidelity. Doesn't matter which one, just start now while you're young. And once you're fully invested in your 401k don't give in to the thoughts of cashing it out. If you leave the company to go work somewhere else find out if they offer a 401k program and then transfer your balance to the new one. And if they don't offer a 401k then transfer your balance to an IRA with a broker like one of the ones listed above. I'm absolutely serious with this. If you're expecting to survive on social security when you retire you're dreaming. Start saving when you're young.

     

    And fucking floss your teeth, you animals. 

     

    • Like 2
    • Truth 4
    • Props 2
  4. Okay, imagine I'm 8 years old and I have a couple grand to invest... explain this bitcoin or ETH, or whatever it's called, to me so I know where/how to invest my monies in the right place. 

     

    This is all assuming the world will still be here in five years. 

    • Like 1
    • LOL! 1
  5. 12 hours ago, misteraven said:

    Few questions… Not sure I’ll garner enough responses to get a true read, but…

     

    1. Favorite tee color? (so far, it’s been almost entirely limited to black and white)

     

    I typically wear black t-shirts. It’s just something that has been part of who I am since high school. I do have white t-shirts but I don’t wear them as often. I have recently ventured into the mustard yellow realm, which is a big deal for me, but I’m kinda liking it. 

    12 hours ago, misteraven said:

     

    2. long sleeve or short sleeve? I’ve done both and probably driven by climate, but I love tees with sleeve hits and longer sleeves have more real estate for graphics. 


     

     

    Long sleeve is my jam. Obviously when it’s 90* outside I’m not wearing a premium long sleeve shirt, but I live in the PNW so I can wear long sleeves most of the year. 
     

    12 hours ago, misteraven said:

    3. Subtle or loud graphics? Most I’ve done have been pretty loud. Graffiti is in your face and generally high energy. Most my ideas and design reflect or are inspired by that. 

     

     

    One of my favorite shirts you’ve done is the one posted below. Mine is falling apart, the white ink cracked a hundred times, but I still wear it. I love that shirt. 
     

    12 hours ago, misteraven said:

    4. Heavyweight, midweight or lightweight tees? Personally prefer heavyweight. Feels more lux, quality and generally lasts far longer. 

     

     

    heavyweight. Feels more premium and to be honest that’s how I see EVERYTHING 12oz has produced. High-level, quality merchandise. 
     

    12 hours ago, misteraven said:

    5. Standard or loose fit? Prefer standard since you can always size up if you want it looser, though not the same as the boxy, drop shoulder, cozy couture fit that seems to have been the trend these last years.


     

     

    the chubby old man in me says standard fit. 
     

    12 hours ago, misteraven said:

    6. Value vs Cost proposition… I’ve always tried my best to elevate and execute at the highest levels. Packaging, complex production and techniques and more detail and concept driven ideas than average (IMO). From the zine, to the books, to the brand as a whole, I’ve always aspired to try and exceed expectations and create products that the young me would have flipped over. Obviously that all comes at a cost. Worth it or do you just want a standard shirt that’s cool enough so you can rep a brand you like on a budget?

     

    ————

     

    Especially curious to hear from people that have experience in the industry like @Joker  @dekayfa @glorydaysetc. 

     

    this is a little harder to answer. I’ll admit that when I order something from Rapha and it arrives to my home in a nice box, I open it and there’s a beautiful brand card, my gear is wrapped in a nice branded bag… it goes on. It makes me feel good about the amount of money I just spent, like I bought something special. 
     

    that being said… it all goes directly into recycling/garbage. So while I like the presentation it’s not necessary. Some presentation is great (maybe just the bag the merchandise is in?)

     

    as noted above I consider 12oz Prophet to be a premium brand and anything that is released I would expect the execution to be of that level. As a consumer I realize this comes at a cost but it’s a cost I’m willing to pay. If a premium level of execution applies a $5 “fee” to my order I’m not gonna bark at that. It’s like buying a nice pair of brogues or oxfords… they come with a storage bag but who the hell uses it (well, I do but I’m a weirdo), but you appreciate the thought. Again, makes you feel like you’ve bought something special. 
     

     

    alllllllllll that said, do what you feel is right for your brand. 

    • Like 3
    • Truth 1
  6. Finally had a chance to move around the app last night. The only thing I noticed immediately is there is a 3-5 second lag once I tap forum thread or the back arrow or next page arrow. Basically any movement from one page to the next there is a short lag before the next page loads. 

     

    All that said, I just tested it again right now and it seems to be working fine. 

     

    Love that it works really well, and looks and feels just like the desktop version. Nicely done @misteraven!!

    • Like 2
  7. @misteraven- Having known you for quite some time, this stood out for me:

     

    "I have a tendency to over think shit and often take it way too seriously from jump street, which in turn has a tendency to bog things down and become over built and top heavy. I'm trying my best to reign that tendency in and treat it as something just fun and informal."

     

    While I felt that when reading it, I know that it is that overthinking, that attention to detail, and wanting to make something perfect that has made everything you've been part of stand on its own. There is no equal. 

     

    I don't think it's any secret to anyone in this forum, or anyone familiar with just the 12oz Prophet brand, but you have single-handedly shaped how Graffiti books, magazines, websites, and other forums look and feel. Your aesthetic isn't a reaction to what others are doing but more what your heart tells you to do, and I know we all appreciate that level of dedication. I think this is one of the many reasons why 12oz Prophet has always had a loyal following... because we know that even if it takes years for a new drop we are confident that it will be very much worth the wait. If it's a book or magazine or shirt we know that if we don't act as soon as it drops that product will no longer be available due to being sold out. 

     

    I say all that to convey that I will always show support for 12oz Prophet, the forum & website, and the 12oz Prophet Collective. 

     

    Podcast:

    There are quite a few Graffiti/writer/artists podcasts out there and they're all basically the same. They interview a well-known writer, dive deep, and keep it about 60-90 long. Granted, there are some that are damn good and I enjoy them but I'd like to see a different perspective. I'm honestly not sure what that perspective is because any writer tuning in to hear what a respected writer has to say is hoping to hear about writing, their history, good stories, etc.. So maybe it's the interviewers that shake up the format? Thinking about podcasts like Smartless where you have three hilarious fellas interviewing their peers (for the most part), and the format is similar to hundreds of others but it's the banter back and forth between the three that is entertaining.

     

    Mobile app:

    Curious to see how this affects viewership of the forum. I'm just wondering if not having a mobile app up to this point has been what is keeping folks from coming back. Everyone seemingly lives on their phones, not their laptops/desktops, so I'm hopeful this will increase traffic. 

    • Like 4
    • Truth 4
    • Props 1
  8. So damn funny. Thanks for the good words!

     

    I think my work in the Toys Post here thread is because I come from an era where most toys had a mentor who helped learn the basics, then guided them along to perfect their craft, and for the most part we no longer have that. Toys come into the game and use the web as their inspiration and have no idea how any of this works, or better, how it should work. Yes, there are some hard-set rules letters and flow that are never going to go away, so it's our job to find our own path in how we make those rules work for us. If you've got no one to guide you then your work is going to suffer, you'll most likely get frustrated because you're not improving, and eventually you fall off because the little bit of feedback you're getting is from the same place you're getting your inspiration and it's fucking brutal. Writers are easily the most crucial to their own when it comes to feedback, so getting it right should be a priority. Getting it right requires guidance. 

    • Like 6
    • Truth 1
    • Props 1
  9. Easily the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. On a recent trip I wore them everyday for almost three weeks and walked at least five miles in them everyday. Work with dressy clothes as well as casual. 

     

    Cole Haan GrandPro Topspin Mid in Chestnut

     

     

    805737460_Screenshot2024-01-24at4_15_50PM.thumb.png.8b2c9695ec3c3d57668352b7fbe35fde.png

    • Like 3
  10. 24 minutes ago, Fist 666 said:

    @Joker, come on dude, if YOU are not an expert who the fuck is? humble pie has its place, but youre definitely sitting at the rap letter grown up table, its okay for you to know and own that.

     

    LOL! Rap letter grown up table... too funny. 

     

    Being completely honest, it has taken me years, I mean years, to come to grips with the "pioneer" label I've been given in regards to abstract Graffiti, so you'll have to cut me slack. I know I have expertise, not the best, but plenty to get by and share with those wanting help. 

     

    I know @cancelculttourist, I know, but Susan (who has run ArtCrimes since day one) was/is a good friend so it was tough to pull one over and not feel guilty about it. 

    • Like 6
    • Props 1
  11. Joined: April 2000 (not sure of my member number)

    Age Then: 31 (now 55)

     

    I'd known @misteravenfor a little while prior to this website/forum so when he mentioned he was starting it I was all in.

     

    I still have every issue of 12ozProphet, too. 

     

    I can't recall where I spent most of my time when I was in here every day, often several times a day, but there were so many people posting in so many different threads that it was tough to keep up with all the incredible content. Now I spend most of my time looking at threads old and new that I typically wouldn't dig into. 

     

    I've honestly enjoyed taking over the Toys Post Here thread and trying to help writers hone their skills. I'm by no means an expert in this game but I enjoy helping out best I can. 

     

    Helped with ArtCrimes in their early days as well. Used to help with with website content, and for several years handled all their online orders for caps. Just these massive clear bins filled with thousands of caps. Easiest job I've ever had. And somehow I never stole a single cap. 

    • Like 6
    • Props 2
  12. Because all my doors have different hardware, and some different paint colors, I'm in the process of removing all interior doors, sanding down to the wood, applying a coat of primer, then new paint, then new hinges and door handles. I'm about halfway through but two of the doors are sticking when I go to open them. They're not sticking too bad, and it's not marring the paint on the door or door jamb, it's just kind of annoying. 

     

    I tried to rubbing wax paper on the door and jamb where where the sticking is happening but that didn't do anything. 

     

    So I'm coming here to see if anyone has any ideas I could try. Thanks in advance. 

    • Like 1
    • Props 1
  13. On 12/9/2023 at 10:58 PM, Schnitzel said:

    Yeah it partly pays for the BBC so a lot of TV over there has more TV than ads.

    Pissed me off when I lived there because somehow I had to pay it the first year.

     

     

    This. 

     

    I asked some UK friends about this because I had not heard of it before and they said exactly the same thing. The fee goes to the BBC and funds their programming (like Doctor Who, etc.) and keeps the ads to a minimum. 

     

    I did some further research and found that if you're blind you can apply for a 50% discount, but you still gotta pay that shit. 

    • Like 2
  14. As a guy in my mid-fifties, it's interesting to read some of these. Mostly because I went through most of these same concerns/thoughts in my mid-thirties. Back then I made bike racing a focus, lost a bunch of weight, started saving for retirement (wayyyyy too fucking late to be doing that, BTW), started teaching myself DIY home remodel stuff (something that has always scared the hell out of me but I've now learned it's not as scary as I made myself believe), decided to travel more - even if that's just a local weekend getaway, and spend more time with my wife. 

     

    Other than bike racing, I still make most of these a priority all year long. I'm not much of a resolutions person but I have been thinking a lot about either cutting way back on alcohol consumption or cutting it out completely. Granted, I'm not a huge drinker, like maybe six drinks a week and usually only on the weekends, but I think I can cut that back even more. That will be a goal for 2024. And I'm going to give cyclocross racing next fall/winter one more go before giving in to being the weekend warrior bike rider guy. 

     

    Art wise... I'd like to do more art, not necessarily for art shows but more just for the fun of making art. I kinda miss those days. I'd also like to spend a little more time creating three dimensional Graffiti pieces. And finally, spend some time learning animation on Procreate. I love drawing characters but they're always so rigid and 2D so teaching myself to bring them to life could be fun. 

    • Like 4
    • Props 2
  15. 4 minutes ago, Morbidly Obese said:

    This is  a great book. I had a double of the English version and sitting on doubles of the French version. He was pretty next level in the 80-2000's. I remember see him put up a sketch, hell that could have been the piece itself since it was so clean. 

     

    When I was starting out in the mid-eighties and secured a copy of the Subway Art, then a few years later Spraycan Art, T-Kid was the guy whose work stood out to me and inspired me early on in my "career". His work was and is next-level. 

    • Like 1
    • Props 1
×
×
  • Create New...