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Years ago, I found myself at the center of a controversy that continues to haunt me to this day. While serving time in jail, I wrote a book titled JKAT—a personal account of my crime and how the system utterly failed to address it. This wasn’t just a story for the masses; it was meant for the other artists of Fullerton to hear my side, to understand my perspective. Instead, the book became a catalyst for what I now view as a gross violation of my freedom of expression within Fullerton’s art colony. To my dismay, JKAT was banned, not...

It’s no longer about the shiny chips from Alcoholics Anonymous or the gold stars in recovery circles. Today, it seems like prison time has become the new badge of honor for those tangled in addiction—thanks to our justice system’s increasingly skewed approach to rehabilitation. What used to be a focus on support, guidance, and recovery has shifted toward punitive measures that disproportionately affect non-convicts and young people. And no, this isn’t just happening in the roughest corners of society; it's right under our noses, woven into the fabric of institutions like drug court. Drug Court: A Double-Edged Sword At first...

Picture this: a courtroom filled with solemn faces, but instead of a judge in a robe, it’s someone wearing a Hawaiian shirt holding a copy of the Big Book. The criminal court of AA is now in session, and the rules are seriously flipped. Instead of “innocent until proven guilty,” it’s more like “guilty… until you’ve apologized to your assailant for existing!” Oh, and don’t forget to say sorry for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, because clearly, it’s your fault. Yes, in the magical land of Alcoholics Anonymous, there’s a baffling theory that has emerged over...

The Art Colony should have been a haven for creativity and collaboration—a space where artists from all walks of life could thrive together. But that was far from the reality. Instead of a flourishing collective, it became a kingdom dominated by two dictators, Baxter and Magoski. Their fierce rule still casts a shadow over me, even more than ten years later. It’s mind-boggling how a place meant to celebrate free expression and art could stifle it so brutally. Let’s think about this, everyone. Shouldn’t an art community be a place of openness and understanding? Instead, I, along with others like...

Rumors can be playful, sometimes amusing. But what happens when a rumor becomes malicious, damaging reputations and warping the truth? I’ve wrestled with this question for years, especially when it comes to Steve—or Bax—Baxter, an influential figure in the local art scene. Bax has long accused me of slandering him in my blogs and posts. Yes, I’ve made some unkind exaggerations and released a few embarrassing facts about him. But let’s be real here—Bax isn’t exactly innocent. For years, he’s gotten away with spreading a damaging rumor that I threw a brick at my mother, a claim so absurd that...