Tozzi's much debated Coat of Arms
The jacket is a classic Marlon Brando "Wild Ones" leather motorcycle jacket. It was a given to me by my aunt, Dorinda, during my freshman year at the Academy. Though I'm not certain, I estimate that the jacket is about 12 years old. I have owned it for close to nine years, and when it was given to me, it was worn and weather beaten like a good motorcycle jacket should be.
Some of you may remember my first motorcycle jacket, which I wore all throughout my time at Bronx Science. Since I am no longer the chunky boy that I was in high school, it is way too big on me now. This one fits like a glove.
People find it hard to believe that I lost 35 lbs during my first summer at the Academy. If you, too, are skeptical, ask my mother. She cried when she saw me during Parents' Weekend after Plebe summer. She put her hand around my wrist and exclaimed,
"They're starving my baby to death!"
Anyway, back to the jacket story.
The Tidewater-Norfolk-Virginia Beach area has plenty of bikers, and plenty of airbrush artists who cater to their needs. After a few months of searching around, I found a fantastic artist who specialized in images of demons, skulls, and scantily clad women.
I outlined my vision to him. I told him I wanted a skull with crossed wrenches with scantily clad angels in heaven above and sexy demons in hell below. I told him I wanted the angels to resemble Marilyn Monroe and the demons to resemble Bettie Page.
I was absolutely dumbstruck with the finished product. It was well worth the money ($300) and the time it took to find the right artist.
Click here to see this amazing artist's website.
Article originally posted 09 September 2007
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