49... AND I'M STILL HERE!

March 10 1970 a little black boy was born in Portland Oregon. Today, that child has grown, survived, tried, failed, learned and forgotten, and is going to celebrate 49 years of having not become the statistic that was expected of him.

Some people may have expected me to fail, to become a statistic of society, to become just another black member of the prison system. To those that expected that of me I say this...

FUCK YOU AND YOUR STATISTICS!

I'm not the smartest man, but I completed some secondary education to become a graphic designer.
I'm not a rich man. I don't even drive a car, but I paid off my student loans before I was 45. 
I may not have a wife and children, but I have loved and have been loved. I have people around me that are never ashamed of the path I have chosen for my life. 
I don't have a great life, BUT IT'S MINE! Every bump, bruise, heartache, headache, light bill, phone bill, rent payment. Every steak, bottle of whisky, 3d printer, iTunes subscription, pair of Doc Martens I put on my feet. IT'S MINE - I EARNED AND WORKED FOR ALL OF IT! For better or worse, I own it! And no one can stake a claim to my life. 

If you find this blog, I hope it gives some encouragement and that you can learn a little something from my ramblings. 49 years is nothing to scoff at and I hope to be able to write on this blog in another 49 years.

P.E. ACE 
-Robert (aka Fat Bobby)