The Best (and worst) of 2009

I've heard a lot of peeps saying that 2009 was a fucked year and they can't wait for it to be over.

But for all the ups and downs and downs I've been dished this year, I just can't write 2009 off. It was a a good year. A great one even.

And just like every other blogger in the known universe, I feel the undeniable urge to purge about my year. But unlike most, I'm resisting.

They say what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. And in my case, the things that nearly killed me lead to 2009 being pretty fucking awesome.

2010 is shaping up to be a massive year for me and marks the beginning of a whole lot of new awesomeness. If 2009 was a great year, 2010 is gonna be amazing!

Have a safe and Happy New Year. See you in 2010 xxxx

C.O.P. Ish #2 OUT NOW!

I'm a little behind the 8-Ball - so don't hate me. Issue 2 of the ah-mazing C.O.P. Slagazine is out now. It's freaking awesome so get your grubby mitts on a FREE copy, available from:

SA

Cold Krush

109 Unley Rd, UNLEY SA 5061

VIC

Per Square Metre Gallery

191-193 Johnston St, COLLINGWOOD VIC 3066

This Is It

396 Church St, RICHMOND VIC 3121

QLD

Rehab Records

Shop 1, 24 Station Rd, INDOOROOPILLY QLD 4068

Emergency Room

80 Howard St, Nambour QLD 4560

NSW

567 King

567 King St, NEWTOWN NSW 2042

Soul Clap Records

4/99 Devonshire St, SURRY HILLS NSW 2010

Nurcha Crew Store

12A Coronation St, HORNSBY NSW 2077

I'm super stoked with my shoot from ish #2 (sneak peak above - grab yourself a copy of the mag to see the rest) - MC Sky High and MC Nikkita look HOT. Thanks to Emz, Rose, Bella Deux, Lola & Bailey, Well Dressed Vandals, Sarah and all the crew involved in making it such a great night, with a great result.

Thanks to Eriks and Ivey for including me in the dopest magazizzle around. The mag looks hot and I can't wait to get cranking on the next issue. Here's to 2010!

Christmas Wishes from the Ghetto

I feel a little guilty because I've been so slack - but seriously, I haven't even got time to scratch my ass, let alone wipe it. And on that note, I figure I may as well give myself a well earned getaway-from-Ghetto until after the festy season is done and dusted (but before New Years so I can rattle off my thoughts about the year that was, and of course, my New Years resolutions).

2010 marks the start of some massive changes for me (and I don't mean the change-of-life type changes or the I'm-going-to-be-the-2nd-pregnant-man type changes). I've got a big move to make, side projects in the pipeline, and some kick-ass news to announce - including a Monster House style reno for the Ghetto in the New Year - plus a bunch of other stuff, so stay tuned...

And because I'm working like a Trojan in consumer-hell this Christmas, I'm going to wish you all the very best now and save myself the hassle later.

Merry Christmas fuckers.

Love from your friend,
Cheech Sanchez

Slackers and Fakes

Things are pretty hectic at the moment. Between living out all my childhood Christmas wishes as the voice of a magical tree, hunting random images with a great bunch of people and trying to organise myself to move south of the border in January, I've been neglecting the Ghetto.

The crazy academic-types at Swinburne University have obviously lost the plot because they've let me enroll for 2010. I'll be studying something I'm completely passionate about - interior design. For the uninitiated, Pretty Ghetto actually started out as my personal interior styling blog (which was preceded by Ulterior Interior). It took me ages to think of the name Pretty Ghetto, which came about because I consider my home to be my very own pretty little ghetto. Plus it has a double meaning, and it's an oxymoron. I'm smart-like.

"Where's Swinburne?" I hear you ask. Well folks, it's in Burn City baby - sweet, sweet Melbourne. And I'm not doing it via distance edu-ma-cation. I'm moving to the 'Burn in January. I've already got me a pretty pad with some pretty ladies - So I'm almost ready. But is the Burn ready for me?

I had to visit Burn City on Wednesday to enroll. Very exciting and I came away with a fabulous result - I got enough credit so I will only need to complete 2 out of the 3 years required for the degree. WIN. Not only that, I got to visit my swanky new home, meet (one of) my lovely new housemates, hang out with Bundy and cruise around Fitzroy - even if it was 39 degrees.

On our little adventure we visited Brunswick Street, where I can across these repulsive-yet-somewhat-enchanting Jordan VII Retro Pearl White/Bright Ceramic-Pacific Blue rip-off high heels.
Disturbed, yet undeniably attracted, I tried these trainwrecks on, much to Bundy's amusement. The workmanship was ghastly. The quality was low. They didn't come with a box, but they did come with a second pair of laces. The price, at $180, was ridiculous. An original pair of Jordan VII Retro Pearl White/Bright Ceramic-Pacific Blue look like this:To make matters worse, they had about 12 other colours and styles, like these:
I'm not sure whether I'm thrilled or appalled. I think I'm tending towards the latter. Quite a cunning fake if you ask me, and quite funny to us at the time. Even if the shop assistant didn't really see the funny side...

Still, it made me love Melbourne just that little bit more.

Swet Goes Red

I know all y'all office-types are trying to bludge as much as you can in these last few days of work before Christmas. Internet usage has no doubt gone through the roof - so while you bludge off your employer - I mean work - make sure you check out the 100 Pieces in 100 Days Project featuring Danish graffiti artist Swet and supported by Molotow.
Each day in December, Swet will paint a piece using Molotow Premium 400ml Swet100 Traffic Red in order to set a new record. Swet says, "For me, it’s a challenge to see if I can find the time to paint even more without neglecting work or my family. And of course see what I can do with my style when all the pieces have to be different and with only one fill in colour to work with…”.

Even snow isn't stopping this man. You gotta wonder if my the end of December he'll ever be able to paint using red again. In any case, I'm looking forward to seeing what he throws up on Christmas day...

Gah!

Yes, they're available right now...

Tonight!