real meta

My first tattoo was a completely impulsive decision. I woke up hungover one Sunday morning and thought, "What should I do today?" The idea to get tattooed popped into my head, it felt right, and I pretty much immediately decided I wanted a traditional diamond because I've always liked the design. There's a shop really close to my house and I had heard good things about one of the guys who worked there, so I walked over and sure enough, he was working that day and had walk-in availability. The rest, as they say, is history.

The only one I can comment on personally is the Philadelphia convention. It's huge, and I would definitely say it's worth visiting if you have specific tattooers you want to see/buy something from/get tattooed by. But a word of warning: although it brings in a lot of amazing tattooers, it also attracts tons of garbage tattooers, as well as companies from industries that latch on to the tattoo community as a way to make a buck (e.g. stupid clothing companies, body jewelry companies, apparently there was even a porn star selling DVDs this past year). Basically, as long as you have an eye for quality work and a high tolerance for dumbasses, it's worth going.

So...what was it?!

Unless something goes horribly wrong between now and this evening when I plan on leaving a deposit, I got a spot with El Monga in about 3 weeks. I just threw a couple ideas at him in an email (medieval stuff, mystical stuff, sword-wielding animals) and he seemed to be into it. Super excited.

In the context of getting tattooed, I always enjoy music as a topic of conversation. Whether or not it's something that's playing at the time, I find that I have a similar taste in music to many tattooers (read: heavy stuff), which helps forge a little bond between us. Plus, a good conversation can do wonders for getting your mind off the pain being inflicted upon you.

I just found out that El Monga will be tattooing here in Philadelphia in a few weeks, and at a shop that's quite literally down the street from my house, no less. I want to call in and book a spot with him (he is a guy, right?), but I have absolutely no idea what I want or where I want it. Help.

Chad Koeplinger posted this earlier this week. Sort of reminds me of something Jef Whitehead would do...power tat status for sure. Also this.

You're tough...I got my inner thigh tattooed the day after getting the outer side of the same thigh tattooed and it was pretty awful. My inner one is a lot smaller than yours, too. Maybe I'm just a nancy boy. Either way, that thing is awesome...I bet you are happy.

I'm now listening to Mac Dre at work thanks to this thread. "Long dong, take a piss off a bridge/ And tell a bitch, just how cold the water is"

This makes me feel funny inside. Anyone know if Chris has an Instagram?

It's unfinished, but I thought this one by Marina Inoue was pretty unbelievable. One of my favorite designs for sure.

I like my pinups chubby. Here's a nice one from Ashley Love: And a weird one from The Gus:

Anyone else think the old one looks like Rip Torn?

The Wu-Tang earring is a nice touch.

I'm thinking about getting something from Martin Lacasse, not sure what though. He does a lot of Japanese stuff, which I might be open to (maybe some tiger and/or snake type deal?), but it seems like he works in other style a fair amount, too. Also, he doesn't seem to have a ton of stuff online, which is making my research difficult. I even went and interacted with humans and looked at his physical portfolio, but it was mostly stuff I'd already seen.

@RoryQ That ROA is unreal! I saw this on IG and was instantly jealous! That is so, so, so good. I hope to get a dragon head from Greg Christian someday. Or anything, really.

Woah, wait, how did I not see this before? That's fantastic!

Wow, some seriously awesome tattoos coming up. I'm excited for all of you. Sure is!

Yup, and thanks! A ghost wolf and a hoodie ghost. @TrixieFaux That is gorgeous.

I had a hell of a weekend at the convention. Pictures stolen from their respective instagrammers. First, got this reaper from Richard Smith of Thicker Than Water on Friday. No pictures really do this thing justice. And yesterday I got this ghostly wolf head from Ron Henry Wells. Words can't even express how excited I am about this tattoo.

I feel the same way after this weekend. I can't wait to post my wolf head. This thing is mean! And weird!

That is great. Is your lady head from Lowercase J (lowercase j?) on your forearm? If so, I think I walked past you at the convention. I grew up in State College, so it stuck when I saw you post that a few months ago, and it jumped out at me again at the convention.

...says the person with tattoos by Steve Byrne and Chad Koeplinger!

Getting tattooed by Ron Henry Wells today. Insanely excited. I THINK the partially drawn wolf head he put on IG this morning (part of a larger Pic Stitch-ed picture) is for me. We'll see. I also got a really gnarly reaper from Rich Smith from Thicker Than Water yesterday--once I can get a decent picture of the damn thing I'll post it in the "Latest Tattoo Lowdown" thread.

It's barely raining here at the moment. I haven't gone down to the convention yet, but I can't imagine the weather's affected it at all.