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Finished this one with the incredibly talented Kahlil Rintye at Tattoo City here in SF. It came to me in a dream of strange cities.. Cthulhu Rock of Ages, complete with fish-lady from Innsmouth wearing her sacred tiara. Photos don't do it justice. If you ever decide you need a large tattoo, I wholeheartedly recommend Kahlil for the job.

I grew up as a kid that was bullied and did all I could to not stand out or be notice as to not bring down more hurtful things upon myself. I also had a mom that as good as she was, was a child of the depression and wasn't at all accepting of things she wasn't familiar with. Add to that, I spent my adult life working in a profession that no matter how open minded they claimed to be, didn't want any nonconformists. I just admired tattoos and don't really consider them a possibility. I had one coworker with tattoos and occasionally talked to him about getting one. I was fortunate enough to retire early. It took a month or so, but it dawned me that I no longer had any of those restraints and could do as I damn well pleased. First I got my ears pierced and then my first tattoo. It's been very liberating to kinda give the world the bird, lol. I'm currently part way thru a half sleeve and spend most nights cruise the net dreaming of future work and artists.

I needed a cover up on my arm, and it took me a few months and several consultations before I found the right artist that said "sure ! no problem, I can do that". she said she was a cover up specialist . After that I did some more research on her and realized she was the one, all the artists I spoke to before that didn't want to or didn't think it could be done, after all was said and done, she did a great job and I am super happy with the cover up, you need to be diligent and patient about the process, do your homework and research.

After going through a break up, I ended up spending a few weeks on my friend's sofa while I figured a new living situation. During that time, I was already signed up for my office's "lunch club" where our staff all pays one person to make a lunch that was special to them. Rather than admit that I couldn't handle this during my crisis, I attempted to make a lunch that included freshly fried french fries. Cut to the day of the lunch, I'm rushing around because I'm woefully under prepared and just trying to get something together. I remember I need to start cooking these fries and absentmindedly I toss a bunch of damp potatoes in oil that's too hot. It instantly boils over and now I have a small grease fire on the stove in my open office. I shout for help and without thinking, attempt to pat the flame out with my hands (do not recommend). Three or four colleagues run up behind me and are able to quell the flames while I slink away to the bathroom to tend to my hands. After a few minutes of trying to get myself together, I walk out of the bathroom to see 20 pairs of eyes on me and instantly breakdown. As I'm sobbing, my boss (and soon to be closest friend) says, "no, no, no. No need to cry. This is just.. this is just a physical manifestation of where your life is at right now." I decided to keep that moment of support from a dear friend with me and got an outline of a frying pan on fire on my inner arm.

Tougher than anybody I've ever met if you sat 5 days in a row @Dominiccjs I can't even imagine sitting for 8 hours for one day.