I heard once that anything lost can be found, everything except for time wasted. This stayed with me because before that moment I had been riding an euphoric wave manufactured by the sirens call of adrenaline and adolescence. Next came a personal moment of retrospect and clarity.

Acquiring this sort of life changing personal vision while incarcerated has truly been a gift. This ability to build upon myself and create a man I am proud of still surprises me to this day. Yet, had my life not been a series of painful decisions or a continually precarious adventure across the abyss, you would not be reading this today and we would not have this chance to meet.

Today I am a series of contradictions. I am powerful and vulnerable. Destructive and nurturing. Emotional and calculated. Intelligent yet ignorant. I have many passion and interests, all you have to do is ask. As for my professions, I am a tattoo artist and a wildland firefighter.

I laugh when people say “Life isn’t all sunshine and butterflies.” Obviously those people never had the chance to dance in the rain.

I will part ways with this. A thousand mile journey must begin with a single step. So take that step by reaching out to me as we begin our own adventure of friendship and discovery.

Yours truly,
-Brandon