Mel Noir

Jesse James should have stuck with Janine Lindemulder.
At least when she leaves for work every morning you know she's going to be cheating on you.

I think it begs the question that WHY is this topic you started related to you getting tattooed in the future?
I had similar, or somewhat at least ideas in one topic at tattoodles years ago. Im not bothered to find it but mister Wells put me in my place and smakked some good ol sense into me.
I see people writing stuff about this and that, line weights and stuff, even if they arent a tattoo artist. Not that it matters... But I dont know shit about that kinda stuff and I dont care to know. Like what machine someone uses. As long as it makes a hole, good. When I have gotten tattooed by Sailor Andy, I dont even talk about the tattooing process. Like "what kinda shading and color will you use in that part?". Maybe Im just antisocial or stupid, but I just dont care :)
I care about the history and stuff, but the process, there I am just a another Joe Average who wants to get tattooed and then leaves (after I have payed first and complimented the tattoo, of course.)

Funny my son could care less about my tattoos, but he is always attacking the strawberries on my wife's shoulder and the lil stinky on her leg so he must just be selective. He is only 8 months so I'm sure he will notice mine soon. But needless to say I probably won't by him a doll with tattoos.
You know I would agree it gets annoying at times when people who really don't have any interest in being tattooed ask you a million questions just to satisfy their curiosity or tell you about their friend who has a tattoo or wants a tattoo or can spell the word tattoo, but I also remember not that long ago i was the kid coming into the shop not knowing shit about shit and probably annoyed a few people along the way.
People get the tattoos they deserve and that is enough satisfaction for me.

Opinion: Do it.

HAHA best intro to a video.. "it says you fucking like bluegrass, you don't mind amphibians and you definitely get high."

Sometimes the reason one can't get anyone to apprentice them is because they are a moron. I'm sure there are a few guys who stated out self taught that are good now, but I bet even they at some point met someone who helped them out even if it wasn't called an apprenticeship.
I think you can read as many book as you want (and it's good to do so) but you still need the hands on practice that only comes from someone else showing and teaching you the little tricks that would other wise take you years to stumble upon.
For a non-tattoo example. I started out as a self taught seamstress/embroiderer but when I started seeking instruction from others who were ahead of me my skills advanced in leaps and bounds compared to the rate of improvement when I was going off books and internet alone. I learned in a one weekend class what would normally have taken me months to figure out on my own.
It's great if someone has that internal desire and drive to do something but everyone can benefit from the wisdom of those who came before them.

"My birthday is March 29 and she says if i go with her she'll fuck me on my birthday"
Best breakup note ever!
The diving guys are fucking amazing!!!!!!!
p.s.

This is a bitch that deserves to get her heart smashed again and again after what she did to her first husband, Oliver.
As far as celebrity relationships go my thoughts have always been WHO THE FUCK CARES. I don't know these people and I don't watch t.v. so I really don't care who they are fucking or marrying or dating or whatever. It doesn't make any difference to my life who fucks or marries who. I don't even know who half of the people I hear about on the radio or online are.
When I first saw/heard of Kat Von D I thought wow, an attractive young woman who's a good artist maybe she'll give us heavily tattooed women a better name. How wrong I was. It's too bad what happens when young people get famous, then rich, then acquire a drug/drinking/sex addiction. Now she's just out there making it worst for women like me who haven't slept with the entire tattoo/music community.
In my opinion, she's not a shitty tattooer, but she's no where near as good as the credit she gets. She does very nice black and grey work but Tim Hendrix does and always will do it way better than her.

Well, at least that means they won't be having babies! The thought of that makes me shudder.

These are all beautiful! I really love the way one of my friends, Ian Parkin, does lady heads. I think right now this is my favourite. I posted this up on the Inkslingers blog the other week, but more has been added to this, which I saw the other day. I just haven't had the chance to put up the current picture yet. If you check out the blog here you'll see loads more, I even have one of my own from him. Anyway...

My collections are usually kind of small, but I do love to collect old cameras and cassette tapes. I also have every episode of the X Men cartoons from the 90s on DVD- does that count? Haha. Oh and of course, the ticket stubs from pretty much everything- sometimes signed by the band, which I always love.
Honestly though, I think everyone should collect something, even if it's something small.

Hello I collect vintage tea cups and some painted canal ware, however the thing I like about tattoos is they dont add to the clutter in my totally overstuffed flat.

If I was going to get a tattoo in LA I would go to either Spotlight Tattoo or Shamrock Social Club which are also recommended by this forum. Personally I would also recommend this shop, Dolorosa Tattoo, I think Alex Garcia would be your man to see here. You will find a lot of stuff on these shops websites but the portfolios at the shop are probably more comprehensive and up to date. I don't really go looking for Portrait guys, but I know there are people at these shops that can do what you are looking for or send you some place that can.
Artists | The Dolorosa Tattoo Co.

My girlfriend collects pigs.
My ex-wife collects alimony. DILIGENTLY AND OBSESSIVELY.

Apparently nerdy bloggers are considered media.

Got the preview link this evening from the lovely Juliette- Shawn's right, it's really great! Dan comes across as someone who's really humble and who cares a lot about what he does, rather than having the whole "rock star attitude" people are used to with other shows, and I think it's really awesome.
Grime next week- can't wait!

Got the preview link this evening from the lovely Juliette- Shawn's right, it's really great! Dan comes across as someone who's really humble and who cares a lot about what he does, rather than having the whole "rock star attitude" people are used to with other shows, and I think it's really awesome.
Grime next week- can't wait!

Really enjoyed the Craig Ferguson piece. Now, for something a bit more forceful:

Me and my friends were downtown for the public memorial today. Over 200.000 people came to show their respect. Thought I'd share a couple of pictures I took...
This is where the public came to lay down flowers, letters and light candles in memory of the victims.

A police car parked right by the memorial spot.

My thoughts and sincerest compassion goes out to the relatives and friends of the victims. Today was a sad day, but it felt good to be united with my fellow Oslo residents against these despicable acts. Public memorials were held all over the country today.
Maria Mena - Mitt lille land (My small country)

He's saying he wants to talk to the media, to explain himself (re: manifesto)
I hope they don't give him the satisfaction.

Heard from Black Metal Robin! he's fine and left a message on my profile if anyone would like to read what he wrote!

Look at my thread about chemical compisition of tattoo pigments. Nobody want to reveal them, insisting its a "trade secret', yet probably a lot of these guys want to go to government agencies in a vain attempt to protect the trade. Can't have it both ways unfortunately.
I think trying to get the government involved is just plain playing with fire. They will regulate and tax this thing to death. Look what happened in Oregon, apprenticeships are actually illegal, "tattoo school" is the only way to go there. Can't people understand that the authorities can never appreciate the informal teaching methods that is involved in any true apprenticeship? Gotta be "official", which includes unwarranted fees and ludicrous rules written by people that have absolutely no interest in tattooing whatsoever.
Keep them out of it, educate the customer on what standards to insist on. True professionals have done a pretty good job of this on their own, because they care about the trade and have ethics. Quti trying to protect people from there own lack of judgement.

man you guys are uber deep, I just get them because I want them.
seriously though for me its self expression.

She's a dumb cunt. Sorry but it's true.
Just click the "report abuse" icon and the "tumbs down" icon under her posts and hopefully they will slowly be removed. Starting an argument with a person like that is like arguing with Bubbleberry, but worse.

Was worried this would be a negative thread, but relieved that others are bothered by all the negativity. Makes me want to quit the internet.