Rob I

The winters may be rough, but New Hampshire is the most free state in the country and one of the most beautiful. I love it here but admit I'd like to spend my summers in Florida. 
Best of luck!!! @Boiled Dove

Grew up in ny in the 80's and had a cousin that was super into New York hard core. He explained to me back then that straight edge skin heads (as they were known back then) were the opposite of nazi skin heads. I took that to mean they weren't racist. He also said they abstained from booze and drugs. A noble course for sure. 
But they were also super into their lifestyle and weren't always nice to those who chose a different path. But still I appreciated them way more than the nazi skin heads. 
Ive met a lot of straight edge folks through the tattoo world. Funny story... I follow a guy on Instagram who happens to be straight edge. I didn't know this at the time. He was always posting pics of himself in front of strip joints. I remember thinking, "wow, this dude really loves strip clubs" until I realized it was the XXX from the strip club that he was really showcasing. The whole "edge is everywhere" bit. I laughed pretty hard cause for the longest time I thought he was just a bit of a perv. Not that there is anything wrong with that. 
 
As for myself, I am more of a wiggly edge dude. 

Finally finished the collab with Shige and Gogue last night. Did the lower burgundy chrysanthemum and my nipple, along with a few small touch ups.
 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMBcOruDBeN/

under saniderm,here is my latest AM/TR,it's on my upper thigh about 9x8",it was done by Oliver Peck 10/22/16

Grew up in ny in the 80's and had a cousin that was super into New York hard core. He explained to me back then that straight edge skin heads (as they were known back then) were the opposite of nazi skin heads. I took that to mean they weren't racist. He also said they abstained from booze and drugs. A noble course for sure. 
But they were also super into their lifestyle and weren't always nice to those who chose a different path. But still I appreciated them way more than the nazi skin heads. 
Ive met a lot of straight edge folks through the tattoo world. Funny story... I follow a guy on Instagram who happens to be straight edge. I didn't know this at the time. He was always posting pics of himself in front of strip joints. I remember thinking, "wow, this dude really loves strip clubs" until I realized it was the XXX from the strip club that he was really showcasing. The whole "edge is everywhere" bit. I laughed pretty hard cause for the longest time I thought he was just a bit of a perv. Not that there is anything wrong with that. 
 
As for myself, I am more of a wiggly edge dude. 

So, I used to drink a lot and use tons of drugs. I one heard someone say "my drug of choice was more" and that pretty much sums me up from about 16 to my early 30s. Clean and sober for something like 15 years now but not sure I could call myself straight edge because of my history. I have a few friends who have been dedicated straight edge their whole lives and are in their 40s and 50s now. I think if I call myself straight edge that kinda takes away from what they have done.
 
They allow all ages into shows in bars down here and many places will mark the under age patrons hands with an X. I was thinking there was a really strong straight edge scene down here until I figured that out.
 
 

Grew up in ny in the 80's and had a cousin that was super into New York hard core. He explained to me back then that straight edge skin heads (as they were known back then) were the opposite of nazi skin heads. I took that to mean they weren't racist. He also said they abstained from booze and drugs. A noble course for sure. 
But they were also super into their lifestyle and weren't always nice to those who chose a different path. But still I appreciated them way more than the nazi skin heads. 
Ive met a lot of straight edge folks through the tattoo world. Funny story... I follow a guy on Instagram who happens to be straight edge. I didn't know this at the time. He was always posting pics of himself in front of strip joints. I remember thinking, "wow, this dude really loves strip clubs" until I realized it was the XXX from the strip club that he was really showcasing. The whole "edge is everywhere" bit. I laughed pretty hard cause for the longest time I thought he was just a bit of a perv. Not that there is anything wrong with that. 
 
As for myself, I am more of a wiggly edge dude. 

Grew up in ny in the 80's and had a cousin that was super into New York hard core. He explained to me back then that straight edge skin heads (as they were known back then) were the opposite of nazi skin heads. I took that to mean they weren't racist. He also said they abstained from booze and drugs. A noble course for sure. 
But they were also super into their lifestyle and weren't always nice to those who chose a different path. But still I appreciated them way more than the nazi skin heads. 
Ive met a lot of straight edge folks through the tattoo world. Funny story... I follow a guy on Instagram who happens to be straight edge. I didn't know this at the time. He was always posting pics of himself in front of strip joints. I remember thinking, "wow, this dude really loves strip clubs" until I realized it was the XXX from the strip club that he was really showcasing. The whole "edge is everywhere" bit. I laughed pretty hard cause for the longest time I thought he was just a bit of a perv. Not that there is anything wrong with that. 
 
As for myself, I am more of a wiggly edge dude. 

My warrior of a wife got a wolf tattooed by Jessie Beans yesterday at Classic Tattoo in Red Deer AB.
And holy chit mang...right before she left in the morning I gave her a pair of warm wool socks, wished her good luck and reminded her don't be scared to go bigger. She came home with one hell of a one-shot tattoo on her thigh. Thoroughly impressed by the tattoo and my wife's spirit !

Thank you @suburbanxcore !!!
Jebb Riley did the rose in the ditch along with the Panther. And yes, Ron Wells did the reaper. Good eye!  
I would LOVE to get tattooed by Martin again. Such a great tattooer and a super solid human. Really enjoyed getting tattooed by him and love the dragon he did for me. Thanks!!!

Ooh that's starting to peel perfectly.  Not a scab to be seen!  Such an amazing back piece @sophistre

My original post wasn't meant as a personal jab.  If you hang around here for a little while, it seems to me that a user's body of posts answers all of these questions without a need to ask them explicitly--that is, I have a sense of how any given poster feels about these issues simply from having followed their contributions for a while.  (But maybe I'm wrong.)  So the survey format from a relative newcomer is a bit of a head-scratcher--like, why not tell us how you feel first?  That's all.

(1) What is your perception of what last sparrow tattoo Forum is today? 
I still believe LST is one of the few pockets of the internet where the community really takes the tattoos and tattoo experience seriously - despite the wave of dumbed-down posts.
LST reminds me of what BMEzine was back 15+ years ago when I discovered a curiousity for the taboo counterculture. It is a good archive of quality tattoos and information on the subculture but also a good forum for a community of knowledgeable and passionate tattoo enthusiasts around the world. That's why I've stuck around. People that get tattooed because they love/hate it! Not just because they want a tattoo as a fashion accessory.
(2) why do you participate?
LST gives me a space to discuss tattoos (my own and see others) and discuss the tattooing process and the concept of being an illustrated person. I don't really get an opportunity to do that in person outside of a tattoo shop. No one cares haha! Like oh yeah budd got another tattoo...um ok so what...LST people share your excitement, share your pain haha. LST gives me a chance to promote the good tattooing local to my area but also I get to see/read what else is going on around the world in terms of what the community is getting made on them and what makes for good solid tattooing. Also gives an opportunity to share our collective experience with folks that are new to the tattoo counterculture and approaching tattoo with sincerity. And a dose of real-talk when the bullshit starts watering down the forum.
(3) what have you gained from it?
A better understanding of why I got tattoo in the first place and continue on my path with my tattoos. LST has given me a forum to express and explore my tattoo journey - for myself and to share with the community here.
Tattoo has always had this "too-cool" vibe to it. Maybe that's what drew most of us in in the first place? I feel this forum helps break down those barriers and just get to what's what - tattoo. I try and take that away from LST and apply that to the in-person real world. 
I've gained some friendly internet stranger acquaintances. Supportive and enthusiastic tattoo kin-folk ! Even if it is just a "like" on the 'gram, I know the LSTer on the other side of the country knows whats up! so thx.
(4) what do you think will make it better? 
More passionate tattoo collectors, less tattoo-tourism. More honest discussion. More sharing, less jabs - this isn't reddit !

Here are crappy pics of my left arm. Through a mirror no less. Jason Scott did all the background work and left the perfect amount of negative space in my opinion. All the little blue flowers and vine swirl stuff was done by him.  I love what he did. 

Brand new today!
 
Traditional anchor with flowers by Chris Collins at Fronter Tattoo, Cardiff

my wife and myself got some work from Oliver Peck on Saturday (10/22) at the SFO show.
my wife got this octopus

it was put next to this  mermaid Oliver did last February ,she is working on a traditional underwater leg

and I got this on my right upper thigh,it's about 9"x8"

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Synesthesia's response was thoughtful, insightful and articulate, that is the kind response that I like to read. Also marley mission's response was constructive, I can see where there coming from.  Thank you.
Personal attacks are not constructive. 
I read a lot on this forum that I am interested in and just pass it by without response or comment. I respect this commons space that others use, what I am interested in, may actually useful to someone else. If you have nothing to add, why not just move on.  
When something catches my eye and I have something that I believe will add to the dialogue, I post a response. 
There are sections of his Forum which have been dormant for years, which I believed I could add content to stimulate discussion. I am unafraid of starting a thread on a topic which is not being focused on, or is vaguely referred to on page 101 of 300-page thread. Also my unique perspective , I believe is an asset, on occasion, to provide insight to honest questions from sincere people who ask for help. I think that is the point of this forum.
Having to respond to personal attacks on this forum is a waste of my time. 
The reason I only recently signed up to this forum, was because I had some time and it seemed the historical, debates over trivial matters and person attacks seemed to have been shed. Maybe I was wrong. If the only input you have on this forum is witty cutting remarks and unconstructive criticism, why are you here? 
  
 

we had a great time as always there.we both got good tattoos.

 
 

There seem to be a lot of weird posts from the o.p. of late, many of them plugging his business interest. I have called him out before and I guess I'm doing so again.

Seems weird for someone who isn't a moderator to ask us to take a survey.

Oh. I see. Bummer. @oboogie

@Rob I, sleeve goals! Your arm looks so nice. Plan to do the same with the other arm? 

Since starting this thread, I still don't really have much to contribute.  Sometime within the next few months once my finances get in better shape (working part time and filling in a few shifts at my old job here and there) I'd like to start working on more traditional one shots and filling some gaps, since my arms are going to be all traditional.

Here are crappy pics of my left arm. Through a mirror no less. Jason Scott did all the background work and left the perfect amount of negative space in my opinion. All the little blue flowers and vine swirl stuff was done by him.  I love what he did. 

Here are crappy pics of my left arm. Through a mirror no less. Jason Scott did all the background work and left the perfect amount of negative space in my opinion. All the little blue flowers and vine swirl stuff was done by him.  I love what he did. 

Dragon sleeve I am working on (someone else's arm), almost done. Need to tighten up background...