cvportagee

Yes, bactine. I know Jill's used that stuff on me and I believe Horitomo too. I can't say it worked either cuz it still hurts but maybe it makes it hurt just a little bit less. That said, I was still twitching when Horitomo was tattooing me. At some point your body just kicks in defensively even though your mind is perfectly fine with going on and on and on.

I had the exact same experience as you Lance. Both Horitomo and Jill have used it on me, but not sure if it worked or not.

I was hoping to go but I am in a wedding opening weekend so I won't be able to make it. My friends wife just doesn't seem to understand why she should postpone her wedding for a week.

Welcome...and I recognized your work because I stare at it a lot when I am being tattooed by Horitomo. Congratulations, it looks great so far!!

I was told Kumonryu Shishin can be paired with almost any flowers assuming other rules (i.e. seasons) are observed. I have a Kumonryu Shishin back piece with kiku.

If you're feeling froggy, then jump! :)

My Dads favorite quote of all time. I think he uses it daily.

Oh, man. I'm really sorry your flight(s) home were so jacked.

And I read the above as "Reyeslv and his wife Lance." Can I take your order, ma'am?

That was a laugh out loud moment during dinner. That waiter was definitely flustered after that one.

I also want to thank all of the awesome people I had a chance to meet this weekend. My wife and I had a great time hanging out with @Scott R this weekend and introducing him to the Swan Oyster Depot. We had a lot of fun during dinner and talking with @hogg, @Reyeslv and his wife, @Lance, and @ian. It was nice to meet you too @beez and your back is looking beautiful.

The convention was a blast and hopefully everyone can do this again next year!

I assume it was filled because of the communications I have had with Valerie and thank you for the congratulations.

My wife and I will be in and out of the convention all weekend. We would be down to meet up whenever. Unfortunately, we will not be getting tattooed. My wife had an appointment with @Valerie Vargas but had to cancel because she is pregnant. (A very positive thing coupled with a bit of disappoint in not being able to get tattooed.) Anyways, I look forward to meeting everyone.

Yeah, I'm definitely looking to get my hands on that book, but I'm stuck on the east coast.

That book is awesome. I just picked a copy of it up yesterday after my appointment with Horitomo. Definitely worth the $20.

Wasn't sure where to post this... does anyone know what the appointment situation is with Horitomo, or if he generally does conventions at all? Could've sworn I saw his name on the list for the London Convention but now I can't seem to find it...

I don't think he has any convention plans. He did not bring it up and I just sat with him for 6 hours on Saturday. The best advice I can give you is call State of Grace. They are super laid back and will answer your questions.

@ian The breeding potential in fires are pretty amazing. I was doing a bit of reading about them upon looking into snakes I'm interested in raising. You've probably already seen this website, but there's a huge list of designer morphs that are pretty unreal. Constrictors Unlimited- Pythonregius.com - Designer Morphs Available Now

In my experience, I think most snakes are pretty docile when they're well-fed and socialized regularly. I definitely want to follow your breeds, feel free to share progress!

@Pleadco Aaahhh that's adorable!!!! I've always loved that about snakes, they have so much personality as far as reptiles go. Do you have pictures?

It is crazy looking at all the morphs out now. I personally know some of the biggest breeders in the business and they will hold morphs and breed them to everything under the sun then slowly release the results for sale so they are always three years ahead of the trends. In any event, when I got out of the business spider ball pythons were selling for around 10k and there were only three banana balls known to the public. Pretty crazy to see the prices now and the sheer amount of morphs. Piebalds are still one of my favorite morphs.

I'm just getting into Ball Pythons and all the insane morphs you can create via selective breeding.

So far I have these 4...

This is a Sugar Ball Python

This is a Fire Ball Python

This is an Enchi Ball Python

This is a Piebald Ball Python

Wednesday I'm expecting a pair of High Contrast Albino Ball Pythons, here is the female...

and next Wednesday I'm expecting these 2 from a breeder in Montana...

Black Pastel Ball Python

Leopard Ball Python

Check this out, this is the offspring of a Leopard and I believe a Pastel Ball Python. All of these names I'm using refer to the gene they carry. This guy doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of how awesome these guys can get! I'm hooked!! :D..

@Iwar, you'll have to check them out when you come by and pick me up on the way to SF!!

If you ever need someone to bounce some ideas off, me and a friend had a business for almost 8 years of selling and breeding morphs of ball pythons and boas. He is still going, but I have since stepped out of the business. I could also introduce you to some people that might be really helpful as well. I absolutely love ball pythons and the various morphs. Just PM me.

I have been to Thailand a few times just island hoping. I wen to Ko Phi Phi (both Don and Le), Ko Chang, Phuket, Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, Ko Tao, Ko Lanta, and to Gillhams fishing resort. If you have any questions about any of these just PM me and I can let you in on my experience or maybe help you decide on which place would be right for your trip.

Went to the State of Grace BBQ yesterday, where I met several people with super killer backs, torsos and suits by Horitomo, Horitaka and Drew Flores. And I took part in my first group "shirts off" pic:

And here's my with Horitomo (top) and Horitaka (bottom). Super awesome dudes, and Drew makes a mean carne asada!

Man I am jealous. I was out of town or else my family and I would have been there. Glad to hear it was a good time.

got an Appt for SFO, now for plane ticket..

I will be solo just a backpack may go check out Blackeart and temple on friday. Loving idea of just getting a walkup with one of the great artists attending also.

We will have to meet up again. My wife has another appt and we will be there all weekend.

Thanks @Lance!

how many sittings is that?

I will have to check on my computer/calendar at home, but I am pretty sure that it was 14 sessions varying from 2-4 hours with one or two a little longer (5-6). I am no small guy and it has a lot of detail.

@hogg, @Pugilist, @kylegrey Thank you all! I will try to post more detailed and non-iphone pics once it is healed.

Since my backpiece was posted on instagram I will re-post it here; although the background has not been started.

Done by Jill Bonny at State of Grace. The pics were taken from instagram. I may post better pics when healed. (Birds are old tattoos)

I believe State of Grace is releasing a book of these tattooed cat prints at the Bay Area Convention in October.

They are and it has 52 cat prints in it. I can't wait to get a copy.

I am not sure one session will do anything, but I had removal done at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Northern California which is located in Sacramento. They are very expensive though. That being said the results were great and it took 6 sessions of laser (very dark tribal piece) before it was covered. My artist was really impressed with the results of the six sessions.

Nice @cvpartagee. What are you getting?

I am getting both arms done. Dragon up one and a dragon down the other. I may have missed it earlier but what are you getting?

Just got the call that Horitomo is finished with my drawing. Tattooing starts in August.

Congrats on that. Maybe we will cross paths as I am starting with him at the end of June.

@Lance The backpiece is coming along great. After next session we are taking a breack so Horitomo can start my arms and the background on the top of my shoulders. After that is complete Jill is going to start the background on my backpiece and connect it to Horitomo's work. At least that is the plan for now. Have you had any sessions since the last time I saw you? I know you were pretty close to being finished with your backpiece.

We always think of it too late, but what about an LST get together...meet in the lobby bar, dinner or whatever...

My wife and I are attending again this year. We can't wait. A meetup would be fun. Put some more faces to names.