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Valerie Vargas

Nope. The whole "tattoo acceptance in the workplace" movement (or whatever it is) rubs me the wrong way. Sure, I'd prefer someone judge my work performance on its own merit and not pass me over for a promotion because they know I have tattoos, but i certainly don't expect them to cater to me. Want me to keep my arms covered at work? Cool, you got it. Don't want to hire someone with a throat tattoo? Cool, I'll keep that in mind and weigh how much I want a position with Company X vs. how much I want to tattoo my throat. And when people call it discrimination and compare it to being denied a job due to race or gender or orientation, it REALLY pisses me off. To me tattoos are supposed to be tough and somewhat unaccepted, and every special snowflake expecting to be catered to drives me nuts. It's awesome if you have a job that is cool with your tattoos...my current one happens to be, but if my boss ever asked me to keep my sleeves rolled down, it wouldn't be an issue. Also, it seems that most of the people clamoring for "tattoo acceptance" have absolute shit tattoos and most people with quality work don't mind covering up when needed.

People who enjoy shitty tattoos, it's usually because they don't know any better, and I leave that be because it will change nothing. However, in my group of friends I try to help them make a good decision, (telling them to stay away from the garbage in this town) but it's a bum feeling when that is perceived as cocky or pretentious. I don't care if you want a giant penis across your chest, at least make sure it's not a wonky penis.

Thought I would throw out a fun little encounter from yesterday. I was heading out to pick up a new Rx at CVS. Since I just left the doctors I was in gym shorts and a T-shirt. The lady filling out the prescription was staring at my leg that just got tattooed. Mind you it only shows about 2-3 inches out my shorts. I looked back at her until she noticed me looking back and got a bit embarrassed. She then said "Oh is that new?". Probably not help the situation, I just got a shitton of blood drawn, was fasting then got given a Xanax, I decided to do the following. I pulled my short leg up to my waist to show her my new tattoo and laughed. Looking back I pretty much showed my ass to half the staff at CVS! I did get a "O' shit that is wayyy bigger than I thought" comment and a "that looks crazy!". This again followed up by the obligatory showing of a small star tattoo she had and a quick synopsis of her future tattoos in the works. Sometimes people are just interested, and it is not staring in a bad way. I actually found most people who stare are just intrigued by us tattooed folk, especially if you got some cool tattoos!

Whoa...WAY too much information! Man, let the haters hate. It's the new age, PC, that REALLY gets 'em going. Sixties and seventies? I was coming up then, and it was pretty much do your thing. You will ALWAYS find some small percentage of people gotta hate on someone to feel better about themselves, but I think it's far, far worse now than it was bqack in the day. Now you have Political Correctness, which is a fancy way of saying "if you don't think and act exactly as I do, then you're pondscum". It's taught in the schools, and drilled into kids heads from the day they can walk into one...tell a Polack joke?!?!?!?!?! Oh my genderless creation legend-the sky is falling! Fuck it. At least in the sixties and seventies, if you wanted to be a (insert your particular thang here) it was all good. Now, forget it-say the wrong word and the Nanny State and it's informing minions are on you. Try to defend yourself and instead of fighting you, they'll just call 5-0 and press charges.

ive been tattooing for a good while and i used to tell people who had bad tattoos that they had bad tattoos. i realized its not cool. everyone that loves their own tattoos think they have the best tattoos ever. so unless im amongst other tattooers i never speak about who has bad tattoos or what tattoos are bad. and truth be told some clients that know too much about the whos who and whats what in tattooing annoy the shit outta me as much as the clients that ask for hoodie ghosts ( grim reaper) and that leads me to another topic. all of us at the shop have been comprising a list of stupid shit clients ask for: rosemarie beads, gangsta clap, happy face sad face, curvis, scripture, broke back girls, skeleton heads, falcon birds, 3D tattoos, angel babies and realistic dragons(not too many pics of them around anymore)

People run their mouths too much and offer their opinion unwelcomely. What was he looking to gain from that conversation? I would have smashed his mouth, make him responsible for the shit that comes out of it.

Thats the same guy who thinks a man with a flower tattoo is gay. People are just douches, thats all.

Graphic novel cartoon...

Hi everyone, some fantastic work being posted on this thread so thought id share my most recent piece by Tutti Serra @ Black Garden Tattoo London. Supper happy with it. Photo by tuttiserra • Instagram

Yes- every time a friend shows me an 'awesome' tattoo and I break down why it's bad, I get called a tattoo snob (not every tattoo they show me is bad, but when I say one is, tattoo snob). I get called tattoo crusader when I rail on about kitchen wizards.

60% of the time it works everytime.

Crazy. He was probably just trying to find out if you are gay so he could make a pass at you.

I kind of hate you right now. Those are two things I've always wanted, but ran out of room for. Who's doing them? As for my feet, I got a daruma and Oiwa (cool legend about her, by the way) by Bill and Junii Salmon:

My feet don't match exactly, but are kinda complimentary. I'm really happy with how they look together. Left by Bailey Robinson, right by Deno.

Yep, I've realized its better to have my appearance blend in with everyone else and have the quality of my work get me noticed.

What people don't know about you, can't hurt you. Wear the long sleeves and be the ultra conservative guy. There isn't a person I work with that knows a have any tattoos and I plan on it staying that way. Casual fridays are for the administrative staff....... I've only worn long sleeves once the lines went past short-sleeve coverage. No turning back, this is what I choose when I took it to the next level.

I would say even if tattoos were accepted in the corporate workplace I would still cover them up. Hell I keep em all mostly covered outside of work. Also I now have a serious hate for suits now that I have to wear them daily. Only big positive is they are the most comfortable clothing for a fresh tattoo. Very airy, cool and a good suit doesn't stick to the tattoo as much. Only downside is I've had a fresh tattoo bleed black ink through my dress shirt in a meeting...woops!

Mark Twain - "Never argue with and idiot. They will bring you down to their level and win with experience."

Wow...um, did anyone tell the Japanese that Koi symbolize homosexuality?! Maybe that's why there are so many koi back pieces out there. So when... Sssssigh (eye rolls)...Some people, how do they come up with this kind of stuff?

you guys are not up on the latest symboligery. I got a huge panther because I like the kity, or does it mean I am a big pussy? OH crap cant remember

I've been working with people for 20 + years and they got no clue I'm inked at all... I do run into people from work at the gym and beach and its an OMG moment for them.... joke 'em if they can't take a fkcu. CG

He has a machine. Next step, open your own shop.

Marius will be doing them. We had to reschedule my appointment unfortunately, but hopefully I'll have them done within a week or so.

Funny I would think the guy with the tribal tattoo was gay, wasn't it the gay gentlemen who frequented leather bars that started that movement, at least here in the state, before it became the frat boy and then cage fighter tattoo? Not trying to start a stereotype just to show that anything can be turned around and twisted and things change over time.

What is it with that - someone asked me if I was going to do my face..... Relationship wise, my honey said to me the other day "there's something weird with your left elbow", me "What?!", "It's naked. I'm used to the other one. You need some work done, for symmetry". :)

His mentor did a few tattoos and he didn't have a lot of work to do today? Sounds like he had a station to set-up/ tear down, tubes to be cleaned, floors to be cleaned, drawing to be done. Oh wait- I'm describing an actual apprenticeship.

Well, it's up for those of you who have some spare time and want to read my ramblings.

Your kids are always going to be your kids, even your step daughter really. I got my first son's name tattooed on my arm, about a year later me and his mom went our separate ways and found out during custody hearing that I wasn't the father. Long story short I still have the tattoo, in fact I am glad I have it because I don't see him that much and it helps me not forget him as a baby. I got the skull below while my son was in the womb (I used to joke that it was a portrait of him in the womb.) and added his name after he was born. I haven't got my wife's name but I do have a cookie cutter heart with keyhole and she has a skeleton key.

Forget all that bullsit about names. That's why they make black ink-if you want the name there, go for it. As for step-whatevers, lose that too. Just my humble little opinion. MY fiance came with a daughter that I love as one of my own.

Had a great time in NYC. I'll post a travel blog when I get home tonight with pictures and everythang.

Seth Wood

http://youtu.be/eenLfDIpJT4 this guy must be doing great, he got a "$350" machine for free on his first day! must've been a high school graduation present

After 33 years of tattooing i've decided to work my very first convention!!!!!! Yikes! If I don't have an anxiety attack ha ha I will be working with my husband Don and sharing a booth with Dawn Cooke/ Depot Town at The Bay Area Convention of Tattoo Arts Oct 26,27 &28th Wish me luck

Gotta hook you up with @Colored Guy...he's got a thing for Koi. OR is that Koi for a thing? Ah well-either way!

Is it wrong that I want outdated stereotypes to continue? I look classy as fuck in a suit and hate talking about tattoos with pretty much everyone.

I'm going to try...

^ lol see stuff upside down or backwards all the time my friends probably think i'm a tattoo snob i'm nice though, keep my mouth shut about it. except i'll comment to my lady about 'em...she knows i think the majority of tattoos i see around or on instagram are shitty.

People love to call names when they realizing they know absolutely nothing about the subject. If you were going around and calling other people's tattoos shite to their face (it's probably ok to keep it in your noggin) then you would be a snob. she must've been impressed with your peacocking and was probably bummed your friend (her boyfriend) wasn't.

Just don't let the panther get behind you.

All the guys at Hot Stuff Tattoo, Hot Stuff Tattoo - Tattoo & Piercing - West Asheville, NC | Facebook That is about all I know about Asheville other than they have really good beer down there and New Belgium is going to build a brewery.

I have a hot stuff blowing fire on one foot, thought about getting a kewpie doll on other foot or maybe a green hot stuff as the one I have is red. Honestly after having one foot done, I would want something pretty straight forward that won't take too long (shit hurts) but be bold and look good.

I wish I could be there to help you have a good time and get some ink from ya. Have Fun!

Going ghetto lately, supermarket has OE800 24 oz cans on sale for $1.29 each. CG

You better. Because if you don't... *shakes fist*

I did a portrait ish one for my daughter and a skull peaking out from a rose for my son.

So tuesday september 18th may be the best bet...... Also I guess I only thought this and didn't type it anywhere but if Marin is the chosen place @Barbie Doll and I can give upto three people a ride if you get to Sausalito....the ferry is right across the street and is a beautiful ride! I prefer it over the bus when going into the city

by Jeff Ensminger 2 apologies - a/ not quite 4 weeks old, so still quite shiny b/ photo compilation skills are non-existant.

I think personality/attitude is very important. I will take a less than perfect tattoo from a great person before I take a world-class tattoo from an asshole. Anyway though, I think their personality shows in their work to the extent that I wouldn't be attracted to an assholes artwork...at least I don't think. Short answer -- personality is very important to me. The experience and memory of the moment is going to outlive the crispnesss and vibrance of the tattoo, I think...