DJDeepFried

"PC" is one of those words that should've died in the '90s with that horrible Jeremy Piven movie. (PCU (1994) - IMDb) It implies that my beliefs aren't my own. That deep down we're all racist/sexist/homophobic but not brave enough to say it like great American heroes Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, et al. I will say that we generally don't discuss politics here because it's divisive and impolite. Though I will admit to having a liberal ideology, which is this: don't be a dick. But hey, @The Dude, A for effort on backtracking. So in the spirit of forgiveness, let's start over. Hi! Welcome to LST. Got any tattoos? Can we see 'em?

I stand corrected. Thanks, @Stewart Robson! Thanks for the wrap-up, @Lance. It was great meeting you. The number of incredible artists and work on display -- in both the photographs and on people's bodies -- was astounding. It gave me a new appreciation for Japanese-style tattooing which you simply can't get looking at a tiny pic on Instagram. The catalog is beautiful and a steal at twenty bucks. Mine, of course, is signed (jealous?) by many of the contributors, including Stewart. One funny thing about that. At the signing tables, the name tags ID'ed people by their "hori" names. Jill "Horiyuki" (Bonny) Halpin was pretty easy to spot, but I had to ask Horishiki, "Um, can I ask you, what's your American name?" and he's like "Chris Brand." I'm a huge fan of his work, but I had no clue what he looked like. Same with Jeff Gogue. We were admiring two of his back pieces -- including a gorgeous one of two ravens that we had just seen in the exhibit upstairs -- and the guy's like, "Oh, well the artist is right there." And he was, three feet away, all quiet and humble like he wasn't gonna say anything. I did pronounce his name right (GO-GWAY) so that's something.

Horitomo Horiken, Horitomo, Bob Roberts Tattooed hipsters watch Shige at work Miyazo tattoos Yebis Shige Back pieces by Shige Yellowblaze Crew Horitomo Shige Smoking teal-haired woman in kimono - - - Updated - - -

Sadly, yes. Likes still aren't showing up for me w/ Tapatalk. - - - Updated - - - Dang, @TheLance, that is insane! You're making my arm itch for my next sesh with Seth. - - - Updated - - - This is gorgeous.

I have seen too many knuckleheads on message boards. I suppose it depends on their lack of brain power and Neanderthal value system.

Supposed to be 80° but @TrixieFaux does like to stay warm. There are tons of places around Little Tokyo to meet up afterward for a boba or a green tea (we don't drink).

We'll be pretty easy to spot as the couple with the six-year-old daughter – whom we'll no doubt have to bribe with mochi after to let us stay. Either that or you'll recognize us by our tattoos. I will for sure take pics and post 'em on here.

I apologize, and you're right @Stewart Robson, that was out of line.

I actually watched/listened to that whole TED talk and I think the main reason she regrets getting that tattoo is because it's pretty weak sauce. Yours is better anyway. I do think it's weird that she immediately regretted it and didn't get to enjoy it at all, which is pretty sad, but maybe not that uncommon. I think there was a thread about this awhile back but I'm too lazy to look for it. Around here the conventional wisdom is that the solution to any tattoo-related problem is to get more (good) tattoos. I can think of one particular poster who was given this advice from several different people but has apparently chosen not to take it. In any case I'm wondering if you saw this article which addressed the same topic. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/16/magazine/the-existential-anguish-of-the-tattoo.html?_r=0 It's mostly bullshit and will definitely annoy @Graeme but there it is. It does reinforce the fact that some people simply shouldn't get tattoos. But what the hell, I'll take your survey.

I'm really into this album right now. Not strictly hip-hop but more on the experimental/indie trip-hop spectrum. Plus they're from Scotland so that's cool. "

I'm confused. Is this a real post? How does one get such a tattoo "unintentionally"? Was she roofied -- or did she black out and go into a fugue state -- or did someone sneak into her room with a tattoo machine while she was asleep? Please elaborate.

Cobra Custom in Plymouth all day long.

Too bad I can't vote for these on my phone and have it show up on the site. Any idea when this might be fixed if ever?

Why don't you email him? He probably has a long waiting list but that gives you time to save your money. Sounds to me like a dream that is perfectly attainable.

No problem. We can be hard on newbies sometimes, but it's tough love. Hope you end up with something you're happy with -- and stick around, ya might learn something. We've had some really great success stories on here of people finding artists and getting terrific tattoos they may not have otherwise.

If I were you, the first thing I'd do is show a little gratitude for the wealth of good and free advice you've just received from some very experienced and knowledgeable people -- including at least one world-class tattooer. See if she can fix it for free. Forget about it and get more tattoos from one of the many excellent artists in your area. Failing that, laser it, cover it with an awesome panther, chop off your arm for all I care, but honestly, why would we give a shit about what tattoo you end up with?

Sorry to hear that, @ian. I hear you and I don't disagree. But as with tattoos, it helps to have a thick skin. What it like about this forum is that it more often than not it tells it like it is -- what people need to hear even if it's not what they want to hear. I think maybe I asked some dumb questions when I first joined LST (and will no doubt continue to say dumb things) but I hung in there and I'm glad I did.

Maybe I misunderstand your original point but just because a barber has a storefront and a pair of scissors doesn't mean you're going to get a good haircut or a mechanic has a lift and some tools doesn't mean he won't mess up your car. Why would it be any different with tattoos?

I will say one more thing about price. Have you ever bought something -- say, a coffeemaker, and you wanted the more expensive one but you couldn't justify it so you went with the cheaper one, until that one broke, so you went back and bought the more expensive one, which is what you should have done in the first place? Well, it's just like that, except with a tattoo you can't just get rid of the old one and forget about it; you have to pay someone way more money to burn the flesh off your arm for hours and hours and hours.

@lastjohn, thank you for being a thoughtful and sensitive human being and for posting such an insightful -- dare I say, brilliant comment. We need more people like you on this forum, and by that I mean people who are not by any means moronic trolls.

BTW @finegentleman if you feel your question hasn't been sufficiently answered check out the Clark North site's FAQ. Tons of other useful info on there since you seem to be interested in Japanese style tattoos. I'll let you Google it yourself.

I'm sure you are that charming -- and for sure it matters if the idea is appealing or not. I don't think I've seen your Kim tattoos. Are they posted anywhere?

It's all of the above. I was able to get in with Kim Saigh, who's pretty famous from TV and stuff, after the wife @TrixieFaux got a tattoo from her -- and she was able to get in because we have some mutual friends from Chicago. I just happened to stop by the shop when Seth Wood was in town so I could meet him in person. Waited about a year for him to do a guest spot in L.A., after emailing periodically every few months, and Kim also tipped me off when he was coming. If you look at it from their point of view, they can more or less pick and choose their clients so it helps if you have a connection and/or some good tattoos from well-known artists, which shows you're serious and committed, i.e. can pay, know how to sit, are not a crazy, a flake, or a pain in the ass. This can also be communicated in an email -- as opposed to those people on Instagram who write stuff like: "ur rad how can i get a tatu from u how much do u cost homy"

New business venture. Selling beard extensions to male models. I'll make a fortune...

@ironchef -- so what do you think of the book? Worth picking up?