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I thought I'd start this thread along the same sort of vein as tattooer's deserving some recognition ,except more like shedding some light on the classics.So i'll kick this off with one of my all time favorites,N.Y.C's finest -Tony Polito

There are a ton of fantastic artists and operators out there these days, overwhelming. 30 years ago the general public didn't want to know and for the most part shunned the cultures/lifestyles of tattoos, bike builders, dumpster divers, bug exterminators, hog hunters, truckers, pawn brokers, storage container buyers, bounty hunters,and most of what "reality TV" and their marketing expertize has generated into "good TV consumer ratings" that generates BIG BUCKS logically or they wouldn't have pursued such. These things all come from evolution and these things will evolve to a degree that overpopulates these areas, because now a person who searched storage containers can't show up without being outbid buy dozens whom figured they could do the same and profit, same goes for truckers, more people taking CDL tests now than ever before, the home grown bike builders are everywhere, much of these areas have grown to insane proportions like everybody and their step nephew being "professional tattoo artists". It is much more complicated now with todays technology, the "Tattoo Directory" went the way of the phone book and if ya can't find it on the net it doesn't exist attitude is overwhelming. As to the "niche shop" from yer designated area of your home? Why not? Coney Island Freddy Grossman did better after they banned NYC tattooing and going into his gated community tattooing underground, was it legitimate? not so, did he get away with it for many years? Yep, but Freddy really didn't have a choice in his location and we do. Also in some ways with the shops popping up everywhere you can expect that tattooing's rep may get burnt by the shortcomings of the "fly by night" shops and drag us back to 1975. But the parallel I want to draw to the question posed is this; The consuming public knows that McDonalds food is garbage but there are many more Mickey D's around than the Mom & Pop restaurants that buy select cut meat and farm fresh vegetables yet the public will continue to feed on the trash while the smart seek the better meal. Both business's come and go but the truly good eateries build a more lasting clientele and reputation for good cuisine. Now to think you can sit in the front yard and attract drive by patrons for a slab of ribs off the smoke from your grill or set up a more eloquent dinning area in a large home will not lend much for any lasting legitimate business reputation. The point being is this; We have come a very long way in becoming "recognized" as an art form, "legitimized" by all forms of media and to expect that going "underground" might lend to the area that has come to be considered part of that which will burn the rep., operating costs today in tattooing is greatly increased from 30 years ago and it's difficult to compete in the consumer market against all the people who settle for lesser for cheaper but I say hang in there, keep the lights on, give the public a place to drop into and keep your work to the best of your abilities and the highest standards and you will survive. When times are at their worst you can pick up work in other ways in the way of art or a second job, I know that sounds difficult but it's what it may take and others did it before us. Take Walter Cleveland for example, went to work at a lumber yard to keep his doors open and cut cost's by sharing the same location of a surplus shop and non the less he is today still revered as "Walter Cleveland, Master Tattoo Artist, innovator and Legend" and he's been dead since the 60's, check it; The Cleveland's Whatever direction ya choose, just keep a good rep and do the rep and public justice. If ya have to take it home and State and local regulations are met and that is what it takes for you to survive then do it and have no shame in it as it's been done before in the history of the tough times in tattooing. As for myself, I am on third generations of Families that are devout and maintain steady work enough to keep me evolving as a business of over 32+ years on paper and legit and I will be there till I drop out of my chair chucking up a tube and needle. Don't mean to sound so serious but when I started I knew that I NEEDED to get legit with a shop and a shingle to start changing up the rep of tattooing as it was then, now it has come so far that a chump with a 50 dollah tattoo kit has come between me and feeding my family and I don't want to give up on the image/rep that I helped build by allowing myself to be compared in my home to the guy scratching "live laugh love" on a chick in his back bedroom as the general public won't see or distinguish the difference between the ones that do it right and professionally. Customers are going to become a harder and harder sell when there are soo many out there but reputation, word of mouth and most importantly the quality and customer treatment will be what builds a lifelong customer base, Bert Grimm knew that and he had three shops runnin at one time but Bert Grimm was "The Name" and his main shop was the legacy that cranked out many more legendary tattooers.

Here's something (sorry for the length) taken from the blog of a fairly well known and well respected tattoo artist. I think I'll omit his name for now. "I've always found anti-social imagery compelling. It challenges ones common sense; a persons sense of decency and their idea of "Good & Evil". It also can adversely reaffirm ones core instinctual concept of right and wrong and, if you are so inclined, bolster a persons "Fuck You" attitude about the world around them. So in this regard such "taboo" subjects prove to be different masters for different servants. I find the hazy margin of ambiguousness an image commonly held as offensive exists in fascinating. How is it that one image is acceptable to one person while it causes another to shrink in terror or sneer in disgust? Inside this line in the sand so to speak are the real questions.A question that cuts to the core of the subject matter itself. What is right and what is wrong? If there is such a thing why can't everyone agree what it is in the first place? And more over an even deeper question arises from that as well. If we are merely animals then wouldn't the horrendous nature of such a dark symbology just be an extension of our core instinct to annihilate what ever gets in out way? Finally where do you fall INSIDE the line of demarcation ? This taboo no mans land? While I obviously Cringe at the idea of romanticizing Nazism in any form and just so I'm clear I don't feel the manner in which this painting was conceived does that by the way, what is it about this painting that identify with and even like? Why would I chose to spend my time painting such negativity into the world? Perhaps it's my desire to be left alone by most people? Nothing in the world could possibly top this as a way of letting people know to stay the hell away from you. Still I feel the composition grasps on to a certain charm as rotten as the core may be. My painting is drawn in a style indicative of 80's tattooing A period of time I view as more cut and dry compared to today's blurred line of reality and fantasy. Of real and unreal. Of scripted reality Vs. cold harsh brutal reality.Of black and white (no pun intended). Happiness and "feeling good" is what our society is based upon here in the West after all. This belief sprung from the 1960's, flourished in the 70's, matured in the 80's and 90's. And now at the start of a new decade in a new millennium the cracks have begun to form at the base of this structure from the shear weight of all of its moral and social entitlements. And of its own grotesque vices as well....I'm Left to ponder: what are the consequence of this way of life both good and bad going to be for us all? I feel I made this painting because I just felt like adding a few more needles to Joe camel's back so to speak. Not for some kind of pro-nationalist statement or an affirmation of some kind of bloated illogical racial idea but because I felt like saying fuck this easygoing softness in us. I want the viewer to reaffirm their commitments. I want them to think past the fleeting pathetic pre-programmed plastic knee jerk television has drummed into them. I want the viewer to connect to the painting in a manner that causes either anger and resentment or praise and adoration. And ultimately I want the viewer to emerge from the moral no man's land that so many in today's world apathetically wonder through recommitted. I want battle lines to be draw so we can bring last centuries tired arguments and the beginning of this centuries short comings and false promises to a close. In essence I want the house of cards to fall."

Not sure where else to put this, but since most of the board's parents probably check this thread, I figure it's as good a place as any. I was talking to our 2.5 year old daughter the other night. Here's our conversation: said, "You know, when Daddy was little, he had curly blond hair just like yours." She said, "And you had little hands." "That's right! I did have little hands." "And you had toes and feet, too, Daddy." "Right, and I still have toes and feet. They're just bigger. And when you grow up, you'll have bigger toes and feet." Then she replied, "And tattoos!" I laughed and asked what her tattoos will be. "Skulls! And animals." "What kind of animals?" "A donkey! And a turkey. And skeletons!" It was a proud moment. But donkeys and turkeys?

I have a real sneaky one on the inside of my arm.

Also funny, ManWoman is a friend of my brother-in-law's family! So he grew up around him and we got to talking about this very subject over the summer. He (brother-in-law) was amazed that I'd heard of ManWoman and was really interested in the idea of "reclaiming" the symbol. I'd say most of the tattoos seem like a genuine attempt to reincorporate or reclaim the symbol, but it's the presentation that can get people, to state the obvious. Seems about half and half; half a more understated, "respectful" design where it's incorporated more subtly, and the other half is the big, loud swastikas, which I actually really like but don't think I'm ready to sport myself. Also the wearer of the tattoo may not always be the sharpest tool in the shed.. Yep, I'd agree. I doubt most people are.. mature enough or could speak intelligently about the design. Even if you're an articulate genius you can't control other peoples' reactions. Personally, I thought about asking for one with my last tattoo (with some other background elements) but decided that since it was on my shin, I didn't think (and still don't think) I'd like to be in the situation where I'm wearing shorts and who knows who I'd have to explain myself to. It's funny, too, since I'd be willing to bet most of us when we started getting tattoos, a lot of it was wrapped up in doing your own thing or "flouting society's conventions" or whatever. Maybe not anymore, but I digress.. I've been thinking of incorporating the symbol into a much larger piece on my thigh so I can control who sees it. A lot of it is shock value but that's usually necessary for some kind of change. But that's a huge responsibility.

that image was drawn at my request dating back to 1970's biker tattoos and specifically a tattoo on an old friend of mine. i own that painting and he tattooed it on my leg (minus the SS bolts) and i love it. again, obviously its going to have some shock value, and the artist is no more of a nazi than i am.

Pete Poulos .

I don't have time to read this whole thread, although I am glad that it's been brought up on LST. My two cents: I 100% understand that symbol was around and used in several cultures long way before that delusional psychopathic meth head chose it to represent himself and the drugged up soldiers fighting his Blitzkrieg. I understand that it has a powerful meaning, completely unrelated to death squads, extermination camps, gas chambers, mass graves or burning emaciated bodies, but that's what it means to me. No matter how nice the tattoo or painting, even when I want to see past it, it's there for me. Jondix had drawn some beautiful designs incorporation the symbol for my husband, who had the courtesy to ask first, and I had to say no, too much baggage for me. But if it means something completely different for you, go for it. I don't care what the rest of you do with your bodies, but I just can't have it in my own house.

Images are a language; in our subculture, we've adopted this language and some us understand what those images mean on a lot of different levels. I think we also understand how those images can be interpreted by people outside our subculture. I'm reminded of the scene in "Eastern Promises" where Viggo Mortensen has to address the Mafya bosses in just his boxers, so they can 'read' him. Sort of O/T, but cool bonus segment from the DVD: I could take my bus stop analogy to Japan and our western styled tattoos would mean nothing but Gaijin tourists, but a sliver of color peeking out from the cuff of well-dressed Japanese "business" man would worry them more.

Oh and as far as thinking anybody is a moron for using the term "industry" when referring to tattooing, that is far from the case. I guess when I hear it referred to as the "industry", it just reminds me of all the people making money off of tattooing that aren't tattooers. So if I did any damage to actual tattooers, then I apologize. All the industry men can go suck a fuck.

Don't let it get you down too much. it's just positive proof that if the internet were around in the 80's there'd be more photographic evidence of a shit-ton of "OZZY", "PRIEST", "MAIDEN", etc. tattoos, all where the owners wish they could have a rethink of their choice.

went into frith street on saturday to see if there was any space and got this sweet Rock of Ages by emiliano. If they have space for walk ins or if you can grab a cancellation you definitely need to go get tattooed there!

The other day I came across this piece by Chad Koeplinger And it got me thinking... I´ve seen quite a few tattoos done by respected artists with the swastika symbol incorporated in it. I assume that the majority of the members of this board already know that different variations of this symbol has been present for thousands of years before it was adopted by the nazi party in the 1920`s, but for most people today it is commonly assosiated with some form of white supremacism. Atleast in the Western part of the world. I´m sure none of the tattoos I just referred to was done with that ideoligy behind it, but almost anyone who sees a tattoo like that will immediately draw that conclusion. It makes me wonder why anyone wants it tattooed at all (even if it is a different variation of it and for completely different reasons). In the bonus episode of Tattoo Age Freddy Corbin mentioned that not even the Indian people would want the swastika symbol tattooed on them, despite it being represented throughout their religious artwork. I believe the swastika in the Koeplinger tattoo is the buddhist variation, but please correct me if I`m wrong. ..................................... (I´ve considered back and forth on whether or not to post this thread as I don´t want to offend anyone or start an unhealthy discussion. I´ll leave it up to @dari , @hogg , @steve1461686340 and the other moderators to decide it´s worth a shot.)

Seems like everyone is wondering how we will survive/adapt to what reality television and the Internet has turned tattooing In to. It's no secret that EVERYONE you meet either tattoos or want to learn how. Honestly every 3rd person I meet with a tattoo is some form of a self proclaimed tattoo artist. What people haven't realized is that the recent rush of new tattooers is putting tattooing in a dangerous state. It's simple economics...supply and demand. When 100 customers in one city want a tattoo in a day and there are 200 tattooers in that city..well half the artist are going to starve. This isn't anything new...we all know the mass media has glorified tattooing and made it accessible to every kid that can sign his name. This won't change but what can we do about it. 2 years ago I moved to a city of 15,000 people and opened the only shop in this city. I assumed lowering my bills and cutting out all the extra expenses would be the answer. It may still be but at this point I'm not sure. I enjoy not having to tattoo in a scene. I really love tattooing people that have no expectation of what their tattoo should look like. If they come in for an eagle they don't try to micromanage what the eagle looks like. The clients in small city's just truly appreciate the time and care that I put in to the tattoo. My problem is I've worked hard since 1992 and I'm still sitting on my hands most the week. It's really got me thinking if this was the right choice and if I can survive what tattooing has become. I have thought of two scenarios that may help those of us that have put in the hard work and want to survive. 1. Take tattooing underground.. (private studios..no signs and make customers find us) 2. Create power shops...( gather the top 5-6 tattooers in one area and open 1 shop) Sorry Power shop sounds cheesy as shit. Larger cities already seem do this. Let's just take a city like Reno as an example. With out mentioning names there are really good tattooers there. For the most part each shop has a decent tattooer in it and a bunch of hacks. If all the legit guys got together and rounded up all the best talent In Reno you would defiantly see some shops losing clients and closing doors. The mediocre tattooers that were left would more then likely get a majority of their work at the "power shop". It would be a force to be record with. Since there are so many people trying to do tattoos and getting I to it most of them would want to go to these big shops to be tattooed. Shop owners are hiring one good tattooer and filling the rest of the spots just to line their pockets. We can stop this. If all the good tattooers left these types of shops and banned together and took control of tattooing we could make a difference. I know too many great tattooers that are broke and bouncing from shop to shop or working for piercers. It shouldn't be this way. We honestly need to take some responsibility and take back tattooing. Strong shops can and will survive. But if we are all spread out it's going to destroy the market for tattooing. Sacramento is a great example of this. There are under 3-4 great shops in Sacramento out of almost 200. Most of these shops are dog shit. There are a handful of decent tattooers that opened their own shops and just filled 3-4 stations with hacks. Why are we doing this!?! This only promotes that more people become tattooers. I know this isn't ground breaking or a new idea. But I do think that there is a large percent of good tattooers that haven't had the opportunity to work In A shop like this. And let's be honest once shops like this are made people tend not to leave. Bottom line is we have to use the thing that has put us In this position. Take advantage of the Internet and stay united. We are the ones that have to set the standards and come to gather to take back what we love and what was once sacred. Sorry about the rant...there aren't too many people to discuss thing like this wish in mid Missouri. It does feel good to get it out though.

maybe she is just ahead of her time. Donkeys and turkeys will be like owl's were a couple years ago.

If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

I wasn't going to post again but after reading everything Kevin wrote back and thinking about it some more I did want to say that yes, my saying you ( @Kevin Campbell) are an asshole or whatever for doing the tattoo was kind of uncalled for. I do still feel the same way about the tattoo but I realize calling someone names doesn't do any good. I do agree with the notion that grown adults should be able to make their own decisions about this type of thing, but these days, especially in America grown adults often are not educated and are not in the mind frame to make those kinds of decisions, especially if they are under the influence of any drugs or alcohol. So basically, I do apologize and take back the "this guy is a dick" comment, but I do not take back my comments on the tattoo and the belief that it should have been turned down. And I did want to say that about the other example of Mike Wilson doing a face tattoo on an obvious 'crazy' person, I feel the same way. He should have probably turned the guy down even if he did come back every day asking for the tattoo. I feel like people wouldn't shit talk him because of who he is, not because they agree with the tattoo. People don't want to burn the bridge to one of our generation's best tattooers, even if they don't agree with something he did. As far as I know, most people at Inksmith are not doing hand and face tattoos on people they don't know and who aren't heavily tattooed. There are one or two people there who will do these tattoos and I feel the same way about them. Anyways, the girl seems to be stoked on her Drake tatt, and hopefully for her sake it will stay that way for a long time.

I bought this book- Amazon.com: New York City Tattoo: The Oral History of an Urban Art (9780945367208): Michael McCabe, Hubert, Jr. Selby: Books and went to some of the shops and had them sign it.I had to take a subway,and a bus,to get to Polito's shop.Also went to Pete Giaquinto's shop in Queens.Here's a pic of Pete. Tattoos By Casey Another guy who's been tattooing in Brooklyn for many years is Stevetattoos.com I believe he works with Polito a few day's a week. Ronnie Dell'Aquila is another legend who still tattoos in Allentown. Swallows&Daggers | Interviews | Smivee Valencia In this article Smivee talks about him.I believe Ronnie may tattoo at his shop sometimes.

For anyone who can't afford a copy, for $15 buck I'll wear a red beanie and give you a personal recitation. $20 if you want me to wear pants.

I think you have a point there-it's about context. I was reading a thread somewhere else about things that are uniquely American, and one of the things that came up repeatedly is how we have flags everywhere- our homes, businesses, churches, and tattoos. In other parts of the world, that kind of nationalism is looked at as maybe xenophobic? It raises the question: If a person has a tattoo to declare their cultural/ideological identity ( and not the Nazi thing), is it more of an issue, then say, if I had an American flag tattoo? I worked w/ military guys that had tattoos that were service related and the company had a policy about what was/wasn't an offensive tattoo-I think they were all deemed okay.

Mjølner, or Thors hammer if you will, is actually one of the most common tattoos I see around my neck of the woods. I think it's a lame ass design for a tattoo, but I never considered it racist or offensive. Same goes for runes. Plenty of norwegians get their name, their kids names, their dogs name etc in runes. The norwegian flag on the other hand is more of a tabu to get tattooed here and will more likely be associated with racism than runes or mjølner.

I think it's funny that people still jump on the swastika and don't think twice about a Mjollnir, cross, clovers, runes, 88's or any of the other numerical coded WP gang affiliated stuff. Granted, I'm not seeing any of those symbols in reputable tattooer's portfolios, but I bet people wouldn't raise the stink they do w/ the swastika. There was actually some chick on LA Ink that got Corey Miller to tattoo a Mjollnir on her back because she stated her boyfriend's name was Thor-led to some pretty funny jokes. If I was sitting at a bus stop w/ a hipster sporting a hand poked swastika or a guy looking armored up with black and gray runes, I'd be more wary of the latter. Personally, I know what the symbol means to me and I wouldn't choose to put that out there.

hawk, well said! I'm only a beginner to the tattoo world, so I'm going to speak on a strictly business mindset. It's funny that hawk mentioned McD's as I was going to make the same comparison. No matter how "mainstream" tattooing becomes, there will always be a demand for high quality work from reputable artists. The best thing you can hope to do to survive is be open to all and build a solid reputation. Tattooing is small business. It's no lie that the majority of small businesses (in USA) fail. You have to put the time and energy into it. You can't give up or lose hope because of scratchers and low quality work. I'll draw a parallel too. I make home brew beer and I give it to my friends and family, it's good stuff. No matter how much I brew though, I, my family, and friends will always be buying from other craft breweries because of solid reputation and selection.

Its a real shame because use of the Swastika goes back to the bronze age at least and if you go into any big city in the uk at least, youll see swastika designs on loads of pre ww2 buildings . I guess hitler took the "luck" out of it.

Iwar is going to virtually beat your ass... Str8 up.

Fancher, I feel like if you are sitting on your hands now in a shop with a front that people can find and see, then you will be even slower when you have no walk-by traffic, no advertising(assuming you are no longer going to be in a phone book or professional listing online) and losing other factors you have going for you in a street-level shop. If you have established clients that are willing to seek you out (even when they cant easily find you) then they will come see you if you are in a shop or not. Basically, unless you have a big name that commands people to come find you, a regular shop setting is wiser. IMO. For every 1 client that spends time online looking at portfolios and reviews and researching info, there are easily 30 other clients that walk into a shop looking for a tattoo, no prior online research involved. To exclude those people because they can only find you online is a big mistake. To rule out normal people like that will involve even more sitting-on-hands. IMO.

yeah, i've noticed a lot of swastikas in work too. in germany, where i live, it is illegal to display the hooked cross. my own theory on why it is so popular, especially among the dirty hippy hand poking crowd, is that it has become a reverse symbol of rebellion, since it is illegal. and i know at least one guy who does it because he thinks he's so clever and wants to be confrontational. outside of germany, i don't know why anyone would get it. even the indians know it is a nazi symbol now.

I think the next time, I just wont let somebody with 6000 followers on instagram take a picture of it. Stupid fucking internet.

It's funny--just last week, I was thinking about ManWoman, the guy in the old Modern Primitives book who is covered in swastkas. I know that his mission is to reclaim the swastika and educate people on its true meaning, but no one is gonna see a dude with hella swazzie tats and think, "You know, I'd like to hear this fellow out." My guess is that some people who get the symbol feel like they're "getting away" with something, knowing that they can play the get out of jail free card by saying, "But that's not what it really means!" I mean, you gotta know that it's gonna deeply offend some people, which is fine, of course, but I'd like to to see someone own up to that. But like I said: that's just my guess.

Got on the computer after a couple of days off and see this story in a few different places. I brought up the topic at the shop and pretty much the consensus was "Everyone gets the tattoo they deserve". I am not sure why anyone would be mad at a tattooer for being a tattooer. I think sometimes people fixate on the artistic aspect of tattooing and getting tattooed by the guys with the names they forget that sometimes it's about providing a service to a customer. This tattoo is sure not for everyone, but she is stoked about it and that is all that should matter.

There will be only one question asked: "Do you have an Andrew WK neck tattoo?"

of course. I dont fuck around

1) I bet those hinges hurt like f#ck 2) I'm pretty sure there are butt propellers in the 1001 Tattoos book-I'll see if I can find the pic when I get home. That guy is the epitome of getting tattoos for yourself-total opposite of the bro sleeve guys at the gym.

you jealous bro?

Mike Rennie kicks ass. Welcome to the forum, and keep working on getting a photo posted.

that dude totally lives in his parents basement... and the "woman" that was arrested was 18, not that it excuses her poor decision making but it does give it a bit of perspective. the motto to this news story is what happens in the trailer park stays in the trailer park.

This is a part of a full suit by the artist ,when you see the whole thing and particulary the spacing ,you are left with a really strong arguement against using filler.

1.) Personal high of 2011? Getting engaged. Opening a retail shop with my mother in my hometown. 2.) Personal low of 2011? it was a multiplex of getting denied entry to the USA (where I'd been living for three years and have my dogs, house, fiancé) coupled with the death of my grandfather and a few months later my grandmother. I say this was a multiplex because I came back to Canada for my grandparents and then was unable to return to America, so it was one long shitty event. Not seeing my dogs for almost a year and my fiancé for months on end is fucking shitty. 3.) Best LST Thread? ICP, Random Photos, Hip Hop Thread, full back piece thread 4.) Worst LST Thread? The one where Bubbleberry wrote a novel about how shitty and sad of a person I am. That was pretty tight. (just as a side note, he tried to add me on Facebook a few weeks ago, according to his profile he actually owns a shop in where ever the fuck he lives and he was the one doing those awful tattoos that he claimed his "wife" did. it also appears he has stolen other people's tattoo work and put it on his shop's page. I wish i could meet him so I could kick his balls off, and then show him what a real tattoo is supposed to look like) 5.) Favorite tattoo (on you): Is this tattoos I got this year? If so I guess none cause I didn't really get tattooed except for a little souvenir one. If it just means overall out of everything on me at this point I'd have to go with my back even though it's not done 6.) Favorite tattoo (on someone else): way to hard to choose, nothing instantly comes to mind as 'the one' 7.) Favorite artist? again, there isn't just one person who I could pick. 8.) Best/Worst movie: worst movie I watched all year was "Rubber" total fucking useless bullshit. I can't even believe I watched the whole thing. best movie I watched was ummm.... probably Bridesmaids. 9.) Best/Worst album: No idea.. I'm not even sure if I listened to any new albums this year. I've fallen off the new music band wagon as of late. 10.) Biggest guilty pleasure: these gourmet chocolate bars we sell at my mom's store. They are about 600 calories and taste like it. Headache inducing amounts of sugar. 11.) Best show/concert you did and did not attend: Actually I don't think I attended one show this year. That's what happens with you get stuck in a tiny town in Canada. Oh wait actually I went and saw TV On The Radio and it was amazing. And the worst concert was the opening band for TV On The Radio, Lissie Trully or some shit. Whoever they were, they sucked. 12.) Sum up the year in one word: Frustrating.

You almost just replaced sirblazealot in my signature.

I´ll play! 1.) Personal high of 2011? San Francisco trip by far 2.) Personal low of 2011? Not sure if I want to share that on a public forum 3.) Best LST Thread? Latest tattoo lowdown 4.) Worst LST Thread? Whatever threads Bubbleberry started 5.) Favorite tattoo (on you): I love all the tattoos I got this year equally believe it or not 6.) Favorite tattoo (on someone else): @hogg ´s Lehi tigers 7.) Favorite artist? Since I bought IRON WILL earlier this year I´ve been puring over it every other week, so if I have to pick only one I´ll have to go with Grime 8.) Best/Worst movie: I´ve seen a ton of crap this year, but the only good one I can think of at the moment is Red State 9.) Best/Worst album: The best is probably City and Colour - Little Hell. I don´t know which is worst, but I´ll say the Metallica/Lou Reed album even though I haven´t heard a single song from it. 10.) Biggest guilty pleasure: Fuck dude, you had to ask... Okay, I´m sort of enjoying the latest season of Desperate Housewives. I feel like I´m setting the bar pretty high on this one. 11.) Best show/concert you did and did not attend: Not sure. Didn´t attend too many concerts this year unfortunately. 12.) Sum up the year in one word: Pretty, pretty, pretty good. Oh, and I´m adding one: 13.) Best television series (I´m a television series whore!) Louie