Two Tattoo Events Worth Noting

For those of you in or around the Atlanta area, here are two events worth checking out in the near future.

The first is on Saturday August 1 from 7-10pm at YoungBlood Gallery. Danielle Distefano (who did the 13 spade on my chest) will be having an art opening. The theme is 100 ladies and all the paintings will be for sale. There are the usual snacks and drinks. It runs through August 30th. She's a total sweetheart and very talented, so if you're in the area, try to check it out.

The second one is the following Saturday August 8. Ink & Dagger will be hosting and since I can't say it any better, here's the info from the man himself:
Starting at noon, Ink & Dagger will open its doors and let the festivities begin with a smorgasbord of manly tattoo designs for $50 or less. After you get your manly badge of honor, head to the big tent and raise a glass to the Y-chromosome while enjoying a plate of the city’s finest BBQ. Stick around for a live sideshow performance from the world famous Capt. Stub-Taggo. He’ll amaze your eyes and astound your senses as he performs timeless sideshow acts including sword swallowing and the human pincushion.

As the day progresses, the Captain will host a carnival of events including an lady dunk tank, arm wrestling showdown, bobbing for lobsters, wing eating contest, cinder block toss, and the human dart board... to name a few!

Everyone wins on “Man Day” but a lucky few will win a free spin on Ink & Dagger’s soon to be world famous “Tattoo Wheel of Destiny”. Once you emerge victorious from one of our manly competitions, your true destiny awaits as you step up and face the wheel. Throw caution to the wind and give it a spin.

The festivities don't end there... The Man Day after party is hosted by our friends at The Graveyard Tavern. You won't want to miss the painted ladies and debauchery!

Don’t worry ladies, if you’ve been thinking this day would have nothing to offer you, you’ve got it all wrong. No man is worth a damn without a good woman at his side. So we wouldn’t dream of excluding you… just keep those skirts short and your necklines low. We’ll see you on “Man Day”!!!

I will, of course, be attending both. Keep your eyes peeled for the redhead in the tattoo print dress and don't be afraid to come over and say hi.

Pictures & More Pictures

Official pictures taken of James Bond & Aleister. Nothing like hiking up one's skirt in a room full of men. It's a good thing I'm not shy. ;) It needs a little bit of a touch up, but nothing major. I guess I'll get around to scheduling it once I'm over this test. With a piece that size, there were bound to be a few spots that didn't heal perfectly.

Still need to schedule time with Sylvia. The last time we talked she was doing a wedding out of state and starting a new day job. I'm probably not gonna get any skinnier, so now's as good a time as any.

We'll Be Alright, We'll Be Okay

Nothing new to report. I did get grabbed at the mall yesterday by a lady in Hot Topic (yes I was in a Hot Topic. Don't ask). She had a peacock feather tattooed on her forearm and wanted to see Lucius. She did apologize for grabbing me and said she hated it when people did it to her. It didn't bother me so much and I was happy to show her, but I was on a roll with the whole no grabbing thing.

Since I won't be in the office four days this week, I can wear whatever I want. It truly is the small things in life that make you happy. Of course, I was told the classroom is really cold so I may end up covered head to toe anyway. I'm planning for all contingencies.

Still need to get my dermal tightened again. I have no idea when I'm going to have the time to do that. I don't really have time today and Melanie's out of town anyway. I might be able to swing it next Saturday, but definitely not next Sunday. My big scary test is next Monday, so I'll probably spend all day Sunday studying and reviewing. I won't have time to drive 40 minutes one way for a 5 minute adjustment. It hasn't fallen out yet, so I'm not too worried.

Stupid People Rant Part 957

The more I say I shouldn't let shit get to me, the more it does. This same dumb bitch at work drives me batty. I'm glad I don't work with her that often because I'd probably beat her to death with a bottle of lotion. She's really rude in general, but she seems to love using me as a lightning rod.

I go in last night wearing a tee, so most of the stuff on my arms is visible. She goes "Oh my God! Don't you have any space left?". I just brushed her off with one word answers during the usual 20 questions when stupid people don't know when to shut the fuck up. It's no one's damn business how much skin I do or don't have left! It's not your problem! Back the fuck off, asshole.

I also hate it when people are all "Well, you made the decision to get tattoos, you should just deal with what people say". Umm, no. I deal with no one. I will happily answer any questions that are asked in a respectful and genuinely curious manner. I don't put up with closed minded idiots interrogating me. I don't walk up to people and say "Hey, did you know that your nose is really ugly?". Elective or not, it's amazing how many people don't know when to just shut their trap.

On a positive note, New Friend and I were complimented on our work over the weekend. This lady who was apparently a photographer said we'd make a good photo with all our art and the retro look we had about us. So even in the most unusual places, people will surprise me.

Just Another Day in Suburbia

So since I have no new mods to discuss, the next few entries will probably focus on my various rants and raves about being modded, perceptions of those who are modded, and the like.

For those who don't know, I live in the suburbs. Visible tattoos are about as common as the bubonic plague. As a result, I become a walking point of interest to those who encounter me. When I'm at work and don't have a sweater on, usually at least one person will comment on my ink. For the most part, if they've decided to bring it up, they're going to say something nice. On rare occasions, someone is actually looking for a recommendation and I point them in the right direction. The vast majority, though, just stare and squirm. Or they'll ask something stupid like "Did that hurt?" or "Is that real?".

I was actually surprised when we went to play laser tag a few weeks ago in the most suburban of suburbia, I didn't get one dirty look from parents. It's like just by having tattoos, I'm somehow encouraging their kids to get full sleeves. Umm, no. If your kid is gonna get a tattoo it's not because they saw me when they were eleven. Though if they did, I'd probably be flattered. You just never know how you influence someone's life.

I often get asked if I regret them. Aside from the fact I don't really believe in regret, I don't. It does make my life harder sometimes, but if I had the chance to do it over again, I don't think I'd make a different choice. It's part of who I am. I guess it's like asking someone if they regret having a nose job or a boob job. A choice has been made and, for better or worse, you live with it. Ideally, you never look back. I find that sometimes I peek over my shoulder wondering what could have been if I'd made a different choice. Then I remind myself that I know what it's like to not be modded and that I'm better off now. Being who I am is worth a few adjustments to my wardrobe.

Sharp Objects and Defenseless Vegetables

So since I agreed not to get tattooed again until roughly my birthday, I have to get my body mod fix somehow. Now might be the time to start ticking stuff off my piercing wish list. The current list is:
Left nostril (final try, if it doesn't work, it's a sign from God)
Lip (probably not going to happen with my current employment situation)
Right tragus (again last try)
Tongue (if I can get the placement I want. If it's not feasible, not gonna happen)
Dermals on the back of my neck

I still haven't gotten my chest dermal tightened either. I figure when I do that we'll have a little chat about what I decide to get pierced. Jason said he could give me a glass retainer for my nostril and it would be invisible. Even when I had the pink one, no one said anything. Lip piercings, on the other hand, are a lot harder to hide. *grumbles angrily*

I'm also pretty excited about the prospect of more dermals. They'd really be placed more on my upper back than my neck. I figured one on each side of my spine where my neck meets my back (nape?). I could still wear a necklace and it wouldn't interfere. I'm also not a back sleeper, so I wouldn't have to worry about that. Again, it's a feasibility issue.

I guess we'll see where that goes. I can't afford anything until I get paid next Tuesday anyway, so it's all just a thought experiment anyway.

Weekly Update

I'm almost done healing, I think. I still have some stubborn scabbing near my hip, but I'm not surprised. A bunch of it came off in the shower this morning so hopefully this will be off soon. Once I'm fully healed, I'm going to schedule my photo shoot with Sylvia and be a model for a day. *bats eyes*

Jenn and I swung by Ink & Dagger on Sunday, but Russ was still at the convention here. We hung out for a bit with Kurt and Bryan (at least I think it was Bryan). They didn't end up doing a collab on someone, so I felt better about not being able to go. That's really all I wanted to see anyway.

I need to get my dermal tightened again. It's getting a bit too loose. Melanie will be back on Tuesday, so I'll go sometime next week. I was going to go on Sunday, but Jason is off on Sundays and with Melanie out of town, no one to fix me up. Ah well. It has survived this long, I'm sure it'll hang in there for a few more days.

I also made a new friend. He's a client of Russ' and he messaged me on FB to compliment Aleister and James Bond. We've been chatting back and forth and it's nice to talk to someone who understands my obsession. I need more tattooed friends. :P

That's all for now, kiddies. Just for shits and giggles, check out this story. My personal opinion is it's bullshit, but view for yourself.