gougetheeyes

I bet that you're simply 20 years older has a lot to do with it. I've never drank while getting tattooed, just tried to fortify myself physically with a good meal and mentally, well.. as best I can. I've heard a huge range of mixed results as far as painkillers, etc. go. Good luck!

Went to check it out and it was sealed up in plastic! I didn't buy it but Mel gave me a pretty good critique. Keep you all posted with this thing.

Take a drink every time they hire someone who refuses to sweep the floor, take out the trash, has no shop experience or work ethic...

Yeah, I am really flattered to be asked by a tattooer to write something up, just want to be sure I'm not contributing to a publication I'll later regret being associated with.

Hey Mel, I know your blog. Good to see you here!

Thanks, Rory. Gonna see if I can find a copy to flip through today.

Postcard Travel Tattoos - LITERALLY

AHHHH Perez what is that from I swear I fucking read that.. somewhere. You are also insightful, too.

Mel, good to see you here I know your blog. Good point about the whole conversation aspect. I bore the shit out of various friends when they make the mistake of asking me about anything tattoo related. They get way too much information.

Anyone know anything about this magazine? Other than that it looks super douchey? And is named BOUND BY INK. Someone's asked me to do a piece for it, which I feel very honored about, though the magazine looks like... this. Last thing I did in a magazine, the staff were fantastic but the owners/publishers were terrible and shady and should not have been supported in any way. So. Anyone? Thanks

Hang in there Robin. I'd like to think we have more perspective as so-called adults but who knows how I would've turned out if my parents hadn't split right after I got born. Never had the chance to examine it with the perspective of time, it was just always something that was, so hopefully the distance and maturity of adulthood will help you wrap your head around everything. Best to your grandma.

Long sleeve Dex.

Yeah I think the slouching model chick as tattooer with no tattoos was the first giveaway..

Ms. Mikki, there were too many great and insightful things to quote you on in there, but I think the end sums it up nicely. Thank you a ton for the incredibly thoughtful response. ps, I always miss the anonymity of the winter months in those first few weeks of summer and I have to wear short sleeves. Big difference from the idiot wearing a t-shirt with his one sleeve rolled up in 40 degree weather just to show off his sweet dudebro tat..

Tattoo Wars was actually really great! Guessing they pulled it for lack of "drama". Haven't caught NY Ink yet.. but looks like they're at least headed in the right direction with Tim Hendricks (and Luke Wessman??) on.

Good luck, Torchie! I may have to try to snag some Maxilene when I get started on mine.. which is not anywhere in the foreseeable future, ha.

HA! His whiskers make him look debonaire as shit. I passed one or two shops on Magazine when I was down there last but didn't stop in. Electric Ladyland is another spot I've been meaning to visit. Last time we were down we were all set to get tattooed and then lost steam.. Next time!

Didn't you know all cooking shows are required to have at least one "alternative"/tattooed chef?! More seriously though, I would like a little insight from the tattooers on the topic of heavily tattooed non-tattooers. Is it always a negative knee-jerk reaction when you see a regular civilian-type with a lot of visible tattoos? Does it depend on the quality of work or if the person is just obviously a douche bag or what? Do we all get lumped in together? There were always those customers that were pretty covered, like Omi or the Human Autograph or whoever, that were not tattooers and I've said it in another thread, but I'd like to think I'd be getting tattooed regardless of the era. Similarly, as someone who got tattooed the minute I turned 18 and always planned to look like those guys in the old black and white photos, it does bug me when I see more conservative types with tattoos who think because they watch a TV show or own a t-shirt they're well-versed in tattoo "culture" and can inform me about the GREATEST TATTOOER OF ALL TIME, Kat VonD. Ahem.. Maybe this is like the next tier down from what you all (Deb, Mario, Ms. Mikki) have said, for us, the tattooed non-tattooers. I can certainly sympathize though I know I can never fully understand. Makes me almost wish it was outlawed again, see who actually wants to get tattooed then.

I like New Orleans, weird awesome dirty deadly historical ethereal New Orleans. Been itching for a tattoo down there the last couple times I went. Where'd you get tattooed? The Craw-Gator-Catfish sounds incredible.

Loch, I like it. My entire body has already kind of turned into The Great Hodgepodge, and though I'm working on only getting large-scale stuff (weirdly hard to make the commitment lately) I've really enjoyed getting the smaller one-off tattoos from folks who have been traveling in the area (or near enough to make the trip) or doing the occasional pop-in for something little. Pretty satisfying and fun! Care to share the design idea?

The morning after can be awkward sometimes..

Wouldn't do it. That would mean giving up a lot of experiences, relationships, etc.

I would love to get my hands and neck tattooed. Here's why I'm waiting/saving them for last: 1.) I've got an entire back, stomach and right leg that are bare. 2.) I'm not in an industry where I can get away with it. (Maybe in ten years if I'm some kind of superstar..) 3.) I truly feel that those spots should be earned, especially if you're not a tattooer. 3a.) Nothing lamer than some dude who only has hand and neck tattoos.. especially when they're tiny. 4.) I have two little tattoos on the inside of my fingers -- they were excruciating. I plan on being extra choosy about who tattoos my hands. And neck. 5.) I live in NY. Tattoos very accepted here but it also means I have to see everyone's half-assed hipster hand tattoos.. which really forces you think about em. 6.) How do you have the balls to walk into a shop with only a few tattoos and ask to get your hands tattooed? I'd be bashful even to ask my tattooer friends right now..

Hahaa dude drink a beer and relax! Absolute worst case scenario, you continue to work out the design before it's on you.