BUKET's Story

Preface

2009-10-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

Cyrus "BUKET" Yazdani is a well renowned graffiti artist that has been covered numerous times in the media. BUKET's case was controversial due to the fact that society is extremely opinionated as to the punishment towards this form of vandalism. Some believe it is an art form, others say it's pure destruction, while the rest would say it's just a plain nuisance. The publicity generated by the media coverage of the case has made the court more focused on setting a precedent than delivering a truly just decision. BUKET and his experiences will be followed on this blog and its sister site http://buketinside.blogspot.com/. Please follow BUKET and his experiences.

BUKET, who does not fit the typical profile of an inmate, will serve his time with the rest of California's prison population. This blog documents the day to day life and struggles inside California's Penal System. It will also touch down on the lifestyle and opinions of one of the "most prolific" graffiti writers ever. Be sure to check out the link at the right entitled "BUKET Inside" to hear more stories of BUKET from inside the judicial system. graffiti, BUKET, TKO, street art

Daredevil Tagger

2009-10-03T12:11:00.001-07:00

Foreword

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Editors note: Unless specifically stated, the words from here on out are the words of BUKET himself. All I'm doing is typing them for BUKET.

"It's been half my life now that I've been fascinated by the art of graffiti. Actually, to use the term "fascinated" would be much of an understatement. What began from a spark of curiosity as a 13 year old kid growing up in the suburbs of San Jose, evolved over another 13 years into a ferocious life consuming obsession that spanned the entire U.S. As I sit now in a Los Angeles county jail and reflect upon my life as a youth and what I've become, no feelings of hate or resentment exist inside of my soul. When I think about the family and childhood I came from and how "spiritually rich" I was growing up, I have no other choice but to be thankful for the life I was given.

Graffiti has been my drug of choice ever since the first moment that it graced my presence. Never an avid fan of drugs or alcohol, it gave me something to look forward to and another goal to push for. When I reflect upon the lifestyle I brought along with it I am sometimes clouded by guilt. I feel bad about a lot of the decisions I made throughout the years. Not only do I wish I could have given more to my family when life got tough, I also wish that I would've carried myself in a more positive manner and projected a better image for onlooking youth.

I knew from day one of life that I was a born leader, however if I followed it was only a means to an end. A quick ride to get where I needed to go. I made a lot of decisions that went against the grain and I stood by those to be right. That personal quality that I possess still makes me proud to this day.

But just as every other human on this planet I am flawed and could not walk a perfect path. I feel as if I projected a negative image to those who didn't know me personally. Instead of stepping up and taking a stand for what I believed. I chose to shut my eyes and proceed to do what I needed to do to get to my next destination. I was incredibly ambitious and deadly determined to rise to the top of not only the graffiti community but the world as a whole.

I wish that people really knew how much of my life was governed by good and loving morals. I hope that insecure or misguided youth know that there is no "norm." You don't need to beat somebody up , you don't need to steal something you don't need to do drugs or drop out of school. You don't need to carry a weapon or even be the life of the party at that. All you need to do is "Do You." Do what you feel to be right and fair to the world and the rest will fall into place.

Closing my eyes to what was going on around me made me no different from the people I've come across inside these walls. I know plenty of people who will never go free again simply because they chose to go along for the ride. They didn't order the hit nor did they fire the weapon. They were just there and refused to stand up and do what was right. My current case revolves around the same principle. As I lay in bed, locked inside one of the most dangerous jails to be housed. I reflect upon my previous release date of in December of 2008. After serving ten months, I made every attempt at straightening out my life. In official court documents I pleaded to the accusation that following my release from jail in Dec. '08 I continued to do illegal graffiti. This was not only a lie but a false police report. The judge from my previous case gave me one last chance to do right after my release, but I was never allowed that opportunity. An unhappy, over-zealous investigation team had different plans. A quote comes to mind it says "Truth and knowledge go hand in hand..." My charges were so far from the truth. At the end of the day I still have no ill feelings toward anyone involved. Not the Sheriff's Department, the D.A. or the judge of my case.

I just wish that more people knew that standing up for the truth is a worldly trait. If one person on either side of the bar really stepped up and said, "Look, this is wrong." and took a solid position , there is not doubt in my mind that a different outcome would have procured. Not one that only benefited me but a fair just and honest one."

YouTube

2009-10-03T12:05:00.000-07:00

Editors Note: The man talking in the first clip at the beginning is NOT BUKET. BUKET is only seen in the video climbing out onto the overpass and doing the bombing. I repeat the man in the first clip at the beginning is not BUKET.

September 20th

2009-10-03T12:04:00.002-07:00

"I have been locked up inside of L.A.'s County Jail since May 21st. I am finally concluding the remainder of time I owe to the county. On September 10th I was sentenced to 3 years and 8 months in prison. If you ask me how I feel about that you might get a different answer every time. But the way I've lived my life for as long as I can remember has been to keep pushing, no matter what the obstacle.

In the past three years of my life I've really been put to the test. This is just another obstacle that I have no choice but to face head on.

I can't remember the author but I'm reminded of a quote, "There is incredible freedom that comes from facing one's worst fear and walking away whole."

I faced my fears when I scaled out on the bridge that day. I did it when my enemies shot to kill me. I did it when I put my motorcycle down on the "5" Freeway, and I did it when I lost the most influential person in my life, my father. Heading to prison is just one more fear to conquer and the freedom when I exit those gates will be that much more powerful.

On September 14th I received what other inmates refer to as their bus pass. It is a property release form that comes in the mail a few days after your final court sentence, (I've included a copy) even though it is just a piece of paper with print on it, the ticket symbolizes a lot more to me. It symbolizes a happy point in my life as well as a sad one. I am happy because I can reminisce over the great life I've already got to experience. I am also happy that at my toughest times in life the ones I love the most have continued to support me no matter how rocky the road got or how hard I tried to push them away. However I am sad because I feel as though the justice system failed me. What was received as the official truth was not the honorable truth in the end. I am also sad because there are so many people here that will never go home again. They have killed people and then in turn killed mentally inside the confines of these walls. I'm talking about the people that walk around with a stone cold look on their face. The people that have nothing to look forward to but building their rep. You see, for me, no matter how many years I've been sentenced to, I am still only passing through, this is only a hotel for me somewhere to lay my head. But for them this is their home, and I am just a guest. My bus ticket symbolizes a decision that is set in stone. A debt of time that must be repaid. It's not like the youthful days when you got in trouble at school and your mom could come pick you up. This tine of my life is owed to the state of California and there is no moving forward until that time is forfeited.

Growing up as a kid I never thought I would be headed to prison, but as the days of September pass it quickly becomes more and more of a reality.

With the prisons overcrowded the time it takes to depart from County Jail has become longer and longer. On average it takes about 5-6 weeks for a person with a new prison term to catch the bus (with the occasional odd ball taking up to 3-4 months. In the computer the county has a point system that shows ones progress as to catching the bus. "0" being the farthest from going and "4" meaning you are just about to leave.

It's been three weeks now since I've been waiting and my "SP" points are at a "3." I am looking forward to getting upstate and really getting my time started, From what I've heard people get to go outside everyday. That sounds like such a blessing when I think about it. It's been almost 4 1/2 months now and I've probably only seen daylight 10-15 times. We go to the yard once a week if we're lucky and only get about three hours each time. It's better than nothing I suppose considering I spent May-June "slammed down" in the Men's Central Jail and only got to leave my cell once or twice a week to take a shower. I want to reflect upon some of the encounters I've had while living in the Central Jail but will save them for my next entry."

Follow BUKET's updates at http://buketinside.blogspot.com/

State Prison Ticket

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