Dude, I know how annoying it could be to read someone's journal. I know because I've read some on here just to make sure mine is so different, that it's exactly the same. Jajaja
So you guys remember Heidi?
My good friend in Lemoore who's entire family helped me out when there was no one else? Well that's her above.
Now she has a family that is grown, but still lives at home. Her relationship with her children at some level, any parent would love to have chains this strong with their kids.
She claims it isn't perfect.
But to me, it is totally perfect. She lives in Portland now, and her home is beautiful. She is exactly the way I remember her. Her house is as I imagined it.
Her life is happy and I'm grateful to have seen it.
It's kind of sweet to see a sister after so long and although she wasn't exactly everything I imagined, in one way, Heidi was so much more in others.
I got to know her husband Jason. He struck me as old school and protective. And with good reason. I haven't let go of Heidi since high school and she will forever be my sister.
   I didn't get to see Joshua, her little brother when I was there but I'm sure he wanted to be there.
  I was able to stay at her home for one week. What I saw was this whole next generation of hot Heidi's and handsome Shane Reed's.
   Shane was Heidi's brother but he passed away. I never got to say goodbye.
   I was able to tattoo Heidi this time. She was around when I started tattooing and she wouldn't have let me tattoo her then. Hell man, I wouldn't even tattoo myself back then. Jajaja

Getting to see Heidi was great. One thing I learned here was that she was a better version of her mother. And the "Bitch" was a pretty fucking rad mother. No doubt.
   I thought we would have much to talk about. And we did. She told me things I have never heard before and stuff that she's been dealing with. And I could see that the lines of communication were open with her kids but I could also see that even if some of the subject matters were above and beyond true sincerity, these little fuckers were just like her back then. Just enough truth to not be questioned any further. Jajaja

   So I went to the park with Franky.
   The off leash dog park was not off leash but Franky went with one anyway so it wasn't a big deal. I was somewhere down in central Portland when I came across these beautiful colors.
   I'm glad I stopped and if any of you know this parks name please leave a comment. I didn't get to see the name of the park.

   But it was filled with huge pine and cedar with incredible fall colors of very kind of shade tree and fern. It had bronze statues in it and Franky loved the other dogs who came to play as well.

     That lil statue isn't creepy at all.
    There is a lot to see here in Portland and the few times I've been here I see something different all the time.
   Coolest tattoo shop worth mentioning is the Happy Camper.

This tattoo parlor was one of four that I went into and it is a collective. Meaning nobody is boss. They all have their own clients and pay a rent. They had four artists in there and one apprentice and she did art that made me feel like quitting tattooing forever.
   They were super kind to me even though they were busy for the moment and knew I didn't want a job or a tattoo. I liked the setting and although the location sucked the feeling that I got after walking a block back to this space, is one worthwhile.
   I'm a happy Camper and so... that works out.
   I dunno what I was thinking when I was starting this chapter. So much has happened since then. To make this chapter go all the way to Tucson would mean not giving you the details of the best parts of California.
  So... after leaving Portland I went to Eugene, OR.
   I got to go fishing near the banks of the campground I was in. It was beautiful there. I didn't catch a fish. But I did catch a buzz. Jajaj

   Coozie up fellas.
   Here I met up with Steveo' Margaritas a fellow bad ass making a mark in Eugene hailing from Rapid City. It was nice to see that even he, as bad ass as he is, can still be humbled by the road.
   It's tough out here man. We don't have the notoriety that we had in our hometown. We can walk into grocery stores and Walmart's without ever being stopped for roadside consultations about tattoos. We are not famous in other people's towns. It gets hard.
   It annoys us when we have it and we crave it when we don't. I feel like I've written about this already.
Shit...
You'll have to bare with me in the next chapter I guess. I'm not a writer.
But I write. It keeps me out of trouble and it makes me less needy for company. I don't really edit these things. I've said it before. Sometimes it takes me longer to publish stuff because I get distracted.
In truth, I try to write when I'm not depressed or just spewing a bunch of unloaded crap. I would hate to hurt your eyes. The road is tough. It does change me for sure.
    Do you remember in the movie the matrix, when the Oracle asked Neo if he could recognize her? She tells Neo that she has changed just like everyone else. And although she may look different, there are pieces of her that remain recognizable.
   So far.... even if I don't remember it clearly...(the movie) when I visited Heidi, nothing could be more true. She definitely looked the same and there were remnants of my memory were there, however so much time had gone by that she obviously, like everyone else had been changed on the road of life.
   Forever my sister.
   As you read on, you will find I have a lot of brothers and sisters. Some of them more family than my own blood. And even if we have gone many years without talking, I am still happy to see the pieces that I remember living strong in them.
   Once we make memories, you are my friend for life. I will hold onto you no matter where I am.