Review: PBN Kitten Tea Cup

I haven’t done a paint by numbers for years, and I thought it sounded fun, so I bought the Kitten Tea Cup PBN by Dimensions Paint Works. It is rated Beginner for ages 8 and up so it seemed a good place to start. One thing I appreciate is that the picture on the kit is representative of the finished product if you follow the instructions. Some paint by numbers kits either show the picture the kit is inspired by, or the kit as done by an artist using advanced techniques not mentioned in the instructions. For a kit that cost me less than ten dollars, I felt I got my money’s worth of enjoyment from it.

It comes with six colors, and instructions for two more by mixing two colors to make an additional shade of grey (black and white) and an additional shade of pink (red and white).

The kit comes with a hardboard canvas (as opposed to a regular flexible canvas). In retrospect, I would have started with the background instead of black, but it worked out fine.

While it was pretty simple as paint by numbers go, it was satisfying to see the image develop. I tried not to hurry and to take the time to appreciate the activity.

While I thought I’d mixed the colors in the proper proportion, the mixed grey came out lighter than the box. I’d chalk it up to user error, and in the future will pay closer attention to how the mixed color appears on the sample picture. I would up retouching in a couple of places to make it darker. I went over the white portions again a couple of times as the paint wasn’t opaque enough to hide the numbers with a single coat.

I could have spent a similar amount of time watching tv, or playing a video game, or any of a variety of more modern pursuits. I found painting this to be a relaxing and soothing experience. I would recommend the kit to anyone that hasn’t done a paint by numbers before, to a child, or to someone that just wanted to while away some time in a peaceful pastime.

Sixteen Ones (Sixteen Tons parody)

Some people say that dabs are better than bud.

Sticky and gooey like made out of mud.

Hustle and bustle, and a rig that’s a chore.

A price that’s high and a high that’s strong.


I rolled sixteen ones. What do you bet?

Rolled two more, ain’t seen nothing yet.

Had some left and so what do you know?

I rolled two more and now I have a score.


I awoke one morning ‘fore the sun it did shine.

I picked up my lighter and a joint that was fine.

I loaded my lungs with all they would hold.

I cleared my heart and I blessed my soul.


I rolled sixteen ones. What do you bet?

Rolled two more, ya ain’t seen nothing yet.

Had some left and so what do you know?

I rolled two more and now I have a score.


Some demons came a calling, they was calling my name.

A kicking and a biting and a causing me pain.

To my relief and against their desire.

Can’t no demon make it past the fire.


I rolled sixteen ones. What do you bet?

Rolled two more, ya ain’t seen nothing yet.

Had some left and so what do you know?

I rolled two more and now I have a score.


If you see me a smoking better come astride.

A lotta folks did, a lotta walked by.

One hit of stank, the other of real.

If the first one don’t get you then the second one will.


I rolled sixteen ones. What do you bet?

Rolled two more, ya ain’t seen nothing yet.

Had some left and so what do you know?

I rolled two more and now I have a score.

Event: 420 Grow Cruise

This year for 4-20 I attended Guy Holmes’ Grow Cruise. I know Guy through Grow Magazine, and in the interest of full disclosure I should mention that I traded some writing I did for them for my ticket. 

It was a cannabis friendly event which drew some cannabis friendly folks to pier 40 in San Francisco. Standard ticket price was $560 apiece, so not exactly what I’d consider a cheap date activity, but the goodie bag included a Ghost MV1 vaporizer which retails for around $295 which helped to offset the price. More on the Ghost MV1 & Grow Cruise goodie bag in future posts. The ride was about 4 hours long around San Fransisco Bay and seemed to me to go by quickly and pleasantly.

Cannabis events tend to have their own vibe, and that hasn’t been completely quashed by the new corporate cannabis movement yet. While waiting for boarding patrons were serenaded by a talented gentleman named Bear with a ukulele. Dress ranged from cocktail ready, to business casual, to the ever popular casual casual, to even a tie dyed outfit or two. 

After a slight delay (which according to some rumors involved someone learning that a bass drum should not be used as a floatation device) we boarded and were greeted with drink tickets and boxes containing our new vaporizers. 

The yacht was spacious enough to accommodate everyone with enough room for personal space. There was a dining seated section, a second floor with music, dabs and dancing, and an outdoor smoking and viewing area (where I personally spent much of the trip).

Chef Matthew Dolan put out a fine spread of tasty treats for those with the munchies, with select items imbued with the spirit of cannabis (or at least some CBD). I particularly enjoyed the kabobs, brownies, and the meat and cheese selections. Personally I thought the menu a touch pretentious in places, but I have the palate of a peasant, and at the price I’m sure many would have been sorely disappointed had it not been. Chef Dolan has a Michelin star from the renowned French tire company, and proved himself not only deserving of culinary praise, but charming in person, and a delight to share a few moments of light conversation with.

I had the pleasure of being seated with the Kind Guys for the meal, and labeled jars of a variety of cannabis varieties made not only attractive table decorations but came in handy for rolling joints to take to the smoking section at the back. I rolled up a cupid’s arrow (tulip variation) joint and we split it while enjoying the view. 

I’d forgotten how much I enjoy riding on the water. We had great views of the Bay and Golden Gate bridges, Alcatraz, and the city of San Fransisco as it came alive with light at dusk. Watching the sun set by the bridge, feeling the gentle rocking motion of the ocean, smelling the crisp sea breeze (along with enjoying the pretty good buzz I had going on) made for one of those perfect moments to remember and treasure.

Upstairs the Jamie McLean Band played a good selection of great music. While I found that being in the same room was a few decibels too loud for my comfort, from the smoking section they sounded much better, and I thought they were an appropriate choice. 

Alcatraz

I didn’t know many of the folks in attendance, but besides the Kind Guys and folks from Grow Magazine some of the other notables I ran into included Jinxproof, Wallace Patterson of Ghost Vapes, CBD breeder Adam Jacques, & AC Moon of Harvest Moon Munchie Co. and afterwards Julie Chiariello of Skunk Magazine. Just a random aside, but now somewhere out there is a photo of me on a Game of Thrones style throne from the after-party, I’ll share it if I get ahold of it.


RAW wide (Rawhide parody)

RAW wide

(x4) Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’
RAW wide! She’s rollin’, rollin’, rollin’
Till her fingers swollen
Keep them joints a rollin’,
RAW wide

Some bud, a crutch, and paper.
All spun up together
Makin’ a jay that’s long and wide.

You know what I’m thinkin’
4:20’s not for missin’
Ya pass that on over to my side.

Roll’em out, light‘em up.
Light’em up, Roll’em out
Roll’em out, light‘em up.
RAW Wide

Pass’em on, Toke’em up
Toke’em up, Pass’em on,
Pass’em on, Toke’em up
RAW Wide

Keep tokin’, tokin’, tokin’
Though dabsters disapprovin’
Keep them doobies doin’
RAW Wide

Don’t try to hurt or damn‘em
Just light some rope and hand’em
Soon we’ll be getting high and fine.

My head’s a calculatin’
Just how much stash is waiting,
Be waitin’ in my desk where it hides

Roll’em out, light‘em up.
Light’em up, Roll’em out
Roll’em out, light‘em up.
RAW Wide

Pass’em on, Toke’em up
Toke’em up, Pass’em on,
Pass’em on, Toke’em up
RAW Wide!

More Yankee Doodle Lyrics

Yankee Doodle Fireworks

Yankee Doodle is a tune
that I learned back in school.
The rich they tried to dumb us down.
My pa don’t raise no fools.

Chorus:

Yankee Doodle keep it up,
Yankee Doodle dandy,
Mind the music and the step,
And with the girls be handy.

When Donald went to Washington,
the Russians did their best.
A little boy of seventy one.
They watch him beat his chest.

Chorus

The people strong they went to town.
Holding signs of candor.
He shut them out and with a frown
he brushed them off like dander.

Chorus

The lesbians they stop and stare
and talk about what should be.
But Donald doesn’t give a care
and “grabs ‘em by the pussy.”

Chorus

And now my friend my song is done
I hope you understand it
When it comes to tyranny,
it’s time to get demanding.