Jake

I don't think tattoo artists are different than any other group of people in that you need to take them on a case by case basis. If I had a couple bad service experiences at various restaurants I wouldn't think all waiters are douchebags. Yes, at the end of the day, you are their source of income and that's often most important to them, but that doesn't mean that every one of them will treat you poorly. Same deal here. Personally, I tend to have quite pleasant interactions at tattoo shops. It could be due to the shops that I choose to frequent or the manner in which I try to approach situations though. I've had plenty of tattoo appointments pushed back, rescheduled, etc. Generally the artist is sincerely apologetic though and it's not a big deal. I love punctuality but shit happens and everyone runs late sometimes on both client and artist side. Don't get offended when I say this, but perhaps there's something you don't realize you're doing that facilitates these constant negative interactions. More often than not if any one person is getting repeatedly burned/used/insulted it tends that they're doing something to put themselves in that position... Or maybe you just have picked a lot of asshole artists to visit. It's hard to tell when an outside party like us LST'ers only hear one side of a story ya know? As for the coffee thing, you could have communicated with the staff more about when you would be getting tattooed and whether you had time to get something sooner rather than just expected them to ask you if you wanted something. The helper already has to deal with plenty of other things besides serving food and beverages to customers as well. Straight up- we have it pretty posh as tattoo customers nowadays compared to what anyone wanting to get tattooed in the past had to deal with. In the big scheme of things, we as customers really don't have much to complain about (and if there is a legitimate complaint then fuck it find a more appropriate fit.) Good luck- I hope you find a more positive tattoo experience. I promise they're out there. I see your profile says socal- what part of socal you in? I can think of several great tattoo artists with welcoming shops down there- some of them are even on this forum...

exactly, although I'd love to watch a random's reaction if you said "What's up tat-wizard, tryna get those squid pants!" to them hahaha. Another exaggerated example would be two friends who call each other degrading names at a bar. No big deal, but if an outside 3rd person comes up and calls one of them an asshole the 3rd person is gonna get clocked pretty fast.

I generally don't like discussing certain points of music with fans or certain points of my day job with clients. I think that's kind of common. If I had some random kook come up to me and start talking using slang I use exclusively with friends, band mates, or coworkers I'd be turned off. There's a big difference to me for instance of a fellow musician calling a guitar a "shred stick" vs. a random person I don't know complimenting me on my sweet "shred stick". It seems intrusive and out of place. Everyone has freedom to use whatever words they want and I'm not debasing that one bit.. but with that freedom comes choice and choice implies responsible and respectful linguistic usage.

i get these too sometimes

Oh Ben Weasel, when will you learn being an insensitive douche bag makes everyone hate you? For those who don't know Ben went on a huge misogynistic rant at SXSW before jumping off stage and hitting a girl in the crowd for spitting ice at him. All his band members just announced their resignation today.

As reported on Pitchfork... I want to add that their show at the Eagle tavern in SF should be pretty rad. Nothing better than seeing a punk show at a gay bar.

I am simultaneously jealous and relieved not to have to deal with 8 different tattoos healing at once. Haha. Sounds awesome though!

the only skull I have on me is by Mike Lucena and is below. Gotta say I love skulls by Rudy, Hooper (who has that whole book of skulls), Jondix, Jensen, Garver, the usual suspects.... Both Stewart and Valerie over at Frith St have pretty radical day of the dead skulls on their website. Surely there's people I'm forgetting right now though.

here's the back of my legs by Scott. there's some stretch marks from when I couldn't walk for 4 months and my legs shrunk down

agreed. I have an awesome dagger from Scott I'll try to get pictures up of. Are you looking to travel or get tattooed locally? If locally, then what part of Texas you live in Senorx?

Right?! It's much more personal than a random 25 song cross cut (although that's interesting for the strange combination of tastes that can be displayed) Some definite gems in your list by the way.

Alright so in an effort to clean up space on my ipod I went through and deleted a bunch of songs I've never listened to. While doing so, I realized I could also see play counts for which songs I listen to most often. Go to your itunes/ipod library and click the play count column until you see them sorted by most played and then post your most played here. I thought it was pretty interesting seeing which songs got played over and over rather than just an eccentric and random 25 like the other thread... I'm guessing some of mine have high play counts from being on playlists. 1. Bedouin Soundclash - Gunships 2. Ryan Adams - Gimme A Sign 3. Ratatat - Seventeen Years 4. The Bronx - Cobra Lucha 5. Sundowner - One Hundred Resolutions 6. Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On (YES! hahaha) 7. Hoods - The entire album of Ghetto Blaster (I'm guessing it got left on accidentally with my ipod on repeat because I don't remember listening to the entire album that much...) 8. American Steel - Or, Don't You Remember 9. Bruce Springsteen - Thunder Road 10. Elvis Costello - (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes

I'm guessing she meant that Tat2 Jimmys Body Shop facebook page. I don't think Chicago Tattoo Co has a FB page. Any of you guys who work there feel free to correct me and post a link if I'm wrong. Also Dari's right. Chicago Tattoo Co. would be your go to shop in Chicago. It's got history, talent, and integrity. Click HERE for their website

every time I go to Vegas I notice the same thing about a tattoo ship in every strip mall. ridiculous PS - sorry to hear about that Deb- no respect at all there and it's a shame.

This totally explains why I feel really spacey after longer sessions with a lack of blood sugar. Thanks!!!

the feeling is mutual hogg. can't wait to see those finished tigers!

hahaha poor quality aside.... who decides "man, all I want is Julia Roberts' face tattooed on me as many times as I can! fuck yeah!" I want to meet him.

this has been a very good week for this thread for sure. I'm still waiting to see Iwar's front side after the final session... that one's killer!

ditto. if you're going to a good artist they'll place it how it'll look best on your individual body. for sure print one of those out for reference if you feel really strongly about it though...

sounds good see ya there

Freddy Corbin dropped some absolutely amazing roses in. Boom The only big spots left on my front/torso are both ribs, a little bit under the belly button, and fill. Stoked!

buying myself a smoker for my bday last year was my best culinary idea ever. turns big, cheap and hearty cuts of meat into delectably tender smoky sweet heaven. so good! even charcoal (which is primarily wood) imparts such a greater flavor than a traditional range or gas bbq in my opinion

awesome I'm in. My schedule is pretty open- what time works for you guys?