Mark Bee

Me and my wife are in. I got my ticket in the mail the other day and just booked a tattoo for Friday night. The metro is pretty easy to navigate, for those who've never used it before and if you are new to the city you owe it to yourself to see a bit more of it than just the convention. It's an amazing place. If I can get the time off work I'll probably head down a day or two early just to do some sightseeing. Looking forward to the whole thing!

I've noticed it's often what they don't say that speaks loudest. Over the last week I stayed in an upscale hotel and had breakfast each morning in their restaurant. Most of the other guests were on business trips or expensive wedding parties. I got lots of surreptitious looks from curious people. Most were fine. It didn't bother me. But one or two of them openly glared at me. It was strange, but I ended up feeling kind of sorry for them. They had nothing better to do than try and make someone else's day a little worse. (It didn't work!) The hotel staff on the other hand were great. I think they enjoyed having a polite, good tipping, friendly customer than the stuffed shirts who were generally unpleasant to everyone around them. In all my years I have never had anyone say anything openly nasty or unpleasant to me. I've had the usual "what do they mean" questions over the years, but for the most part people leave me alone about them - unless they are tattooed themselves. Then I often have a good conversation, swapping our experiences and finding out about artists I hadn't known about. I'm curious to see if anyone gives me grief from a religious perspective. I suspect my reaction would be to yawn and move on.

I'm back from my honeymoon in Chicago and it was brilliant. Chicago is a gorgeous and incredibly friendly city. I can't wait to go back. I went to Great Lakes Tattoo for a couple of sessions. The first (hand of glory) was with Chad Koeplinger and the second with Mario Desa (torch). The shop itself is stunning. It's in part dedicated to the history of Chicago tattooing and the legacy of Tatts Thomas - you feel connected to history going there. What an amazing collection of artists in this space. I was at the opening night party, though only for a little while, as my wife was ill that night and I didn't want to be away from her for long. I saw a ton of familiar faces from instagram, but being generally a little on the shy side, especially as I don't actually know many of the people there, I didn't meet as many people as I would have liked. Some, whom I later recognized from here, I wish I had introduced myself to, but oh well. It was a great time anyway. I'm already planning a return trip.

Enjoy every sandwich!

Things that inspire me...hmmm...let's see... Acts of kindness and generosity People that get involved in their communities Art and artists Great authors / books Great musicians A good walk in the woods/meadows/greenspaces around my home and beyond. Innovative architecture and design

I'll be leaving for Chicago with my wife in a few days. Then back to town for a week before heading the the Montreal Tattoo convention.

I saw your post on instagram this morning, and I'll say it again here - looks great! Congratulations!

It's her fifth tattoo. She got her first back in 1990. We Went for our first tattoo together last week when I got my ankle done. Erin got a swallow on her forearm that trip. And although we each got two in the last week, she assures me if I continue on the run I've been on, I'll be doing it on my own! My own run is winding done. I have a few more appointments booked then I'll be taking a long break. I've been running through a very long list of tattoos I've been wanting for a long time, and in the last year I have had both the time and the money to pursue this interest. Its been a great run and I've loved the entire experience.

Totally! Great tattoo and adopting a pet? Doesn't get much better than that. Congratulations on both. - - - Updated - - - I went to The Pearl today with my wife to keep her company as she was finally getting the Buddha tattoo she's wanted for ages from Daniel Innes. It looks amazing! I'll post the first pic of it, but Dan is having her back in a few weeks to do some of the fine detail on the Buddha's garments. And since I was there anyway... I picked up a cool little boxer I'd been meaning to get for a while. Typically, Tim Pausinger did a brilliant job.

Oh man, I love the whale eating the diver.

This cracks me up. Unfortunately, I now have The Eagles stuck in my head. - - - Updated - - - This cracks me up. Unfortunately, I now have The Eagles stuck in my head.

There are some really great gorillas in this thread. Here is a shot of me and my ape hanging out on a Saturday afternoon. This was done a while back by Tim Pausinger at The Pearl.

Thanks, Hogg! Yup, the leg is a little puffy at the moment!

I keep thinking I need to get one of those as well. I suspect one lies in the near future.

While waiting for a couple of tattoo appointments coming up I decided to get a tattoo while I wait. This one was by Nathan Draper at The Pearl. He did a great job and is a really nice guy, too. A good experience all around. Update: Please ignore my disgusting sock!

What about if they show you an image on instagram?

Just booked an appointment in late September to get a large black and grey piece on my stomach. I'm simultaneously looking forward to it and dreading it!

I'm on Reddit and use it daily in the r/toronto board. The city-specific reddits are pretty good. That's about all I use it for, though sometimes I hit the random button and see what turns up.

You're right. I suppose the real problem is saving up enough cash.

I still have to figure out who I'm going to see in Montreal this September. - - - Updated - - - Thanks, @Delicious! - - - Updated - - - @Pugilist I've heard only good things. I watched him tattoo an amazing pin-up at The Pearl a while back, but I didn't get the chance to get him to work on me. Fixed!

Yikes! Just booked an appointment with Mario Desa at Great Lakes! This is turning into such a great summer.

Yup. He's at the Okey Doke on College Street. I've gotta get one from him too.

I've booked an appointment with Chad K there in August, and I'm trying to work in an appointment with Mario Desa as well that same week.

Just got me an appointment with Chad Koeplinger when he guests at Great Lakes this August. I'm fully and completely stoked for the tattoo.

When you start booking tattooing appointments during your honeymoon.