BYEBYE!

this is IT.
this is how we go out.
adios, 2017.
aloha, 2018.
it's the coldest it's been in ages,
it's darker than usual,
and in general,
things are winding down, spiraling down, and falling down.
despite the deepening dark, plummeting temperatures, and downright frosty attitude
permeating this grim northern mountain vale,
it was still a massive year in terms of progress,
with far-reaching grabs for woodsly goodsly greatness coming hard, fast, loud, and proud;
live and directly across the full-spectrum of full-frontal fresh-to-deathly-hallowed
Folk Life & Liberty liberated litanical warrior poetry,
which absolutely includes, but is not limited to:
lightning-striking viking virtues;
berserker barbarian battle-beastly animated anthropomorphism;
accentuated precision-pointed percussive bass-boosted hot fiery furnace stoking;
family togetherness;
active participation;
just be dopeness;
and level-eleven elevated conscientous compassionate considerate consciousness.
-
have any of y'all ever even F*ed around on that kind of hottness?
i mean, c'mon.
too much is the right amount,
anybody can SAY it, but damn, duders,
it's an unholy heluuva lot more of a challenge to exemplify that mantra.
we doo-doo it every day, and allow me to let you in on a little secret:
it's exhausting.  ...in the very best way imaginable.
yup.
2017 was kind of a hard style, but, when that's pretty much your only style,
we shouldn't really be too surprised, right?
for realsies,
me and mine rep the hardest ones,
perpetually, and by design.
easy isn't invited, because that implies a lack of growth.
evolution isn't achieved when success is already present, man.
nope.
so,
we prize and pride ourselves on heroic efforts and herculean labors.
with that being said-
the huge change-ups and adjustments that've ensued sort of stand to reason.
big catalyzing, polarizing, powerhouse moves were made,
and if that sh!t doesn't take you farther and further than where you were when you started?
ummmm,
i'll go on record right now as saying you're effing up,
and you're doing it wrong,
and you are NOT invited to our metaphorical metaphysical make-out parties,
not now, nor in the future, either.
*
i started AMPERSAND TATTOO.
that's awesome every single minute.
i couldn't have done it without dennis, patti, and nate-
all of whom became full-blooded family in the process.
that's not to say that matt, michael, and shawn weren't essential and instrumental
in the branding and creation of all the collateral hot fire,
because they were.....
but the dudes who were covered in paint every day are now part of the team, too.
that's tight,
and having a super-sexxxy new studio to create all the new sexxxy fuego is expert AF.
*
and let's not forget that kayla joined the activation society in late summer, as well.
who'd have guessed that there was a worth-a-damn damsel ready to shun distress,
and stress,
and most states of undress,
and instead span time with y'boi as a sweet thang, spitfire, wicked witch,
and willing collaborator?
all i care to comment about that is: lucky me.
wordimus.
and there's actually a LOT to be psyched about.
i'm resolutely going to continue to stay hyped on all of it.
like, that's my resolution.
to forcefully inflict an attitude of gratitude and generosity on all aspects of
my furiously savage stormswept raging gypsy woodland routine.
i'm sayin':
if it's ALL really happening,
then it ALL means something.
it's only a matter of whether or not we can decipher the encoded cryptograms
of the secret universal blueprints,
because it's right there, thinly veiled,
waiting to spell out all the paths and trajectories of fortune,
that favored benefit of those boldest few who're unafraid to seek it in the dark.
daaaaaamn.
the universe IS cruel, but only because the easy way is the identifying mark
of the least-deserving of all the BIG action and BIG fun and BIG rewards
that come from trying your hardest,
and then trying even harder;
paying attention, and lookin', and seeing, and noticing, and noting everything;
and knowing.
dudes,
that's that really real sh!t.
knowing is the hardest one,
because there's more to learn every single freakin' second.
which means trying harder, and paying even more attention.....
rules is rules.
i believe every word of that, despite having NO use for motivational speakers.
hahaha!
-
...and while it isn't ever all happy-happies and swell times,
the bitter only serves to make the sweet sweeter,
at least, that's true if you're actually paying attention.
loss, and lack, and limitations are a part of life.
unavoidable, but necessary-
bad tidings, poor timing, and terrible tragedies are what introduce adaptation,
and improvisation,
and the opportunity to grow, overcome, overthrow, and evolve.
i'm grateful for all of it.

-
     dear twenty seventeen,

               i can't say i'll miss you,
               but you did have a few things going for you.
               let's hope your successor provides twice as many opportunities for success,
               and maybe twice as many degrees on the thermometer sooner than later.
                                                         
                                                         xoxo,
                                                            your pal,
                                                                   -albie.
-
i'm ready for what's next.
good, bad, ugly, dope,
whatever, wherever, whenever;
never quiet, never soft.....