Mark Bee

Guys. How about we be kinder and humbler on the newbie threads? This is really tedious and frankly not fun to read at all.

I don't think that getting a small script tattoo that isn't to the taste of people on this board is such a terrible thing. Just go to someone who will tattoo it well and solicit his or her ideas on placement so that it's the appropriate size for the body part it's on.

@Transplant You're reaction speaks volumes to the person that you are.

@pidjones sounds like it couldn't have worked out any better for you.
 
i had a similar experience recently, although unfortunately I'm not ready to retire!
 
everyone at my site was told in a group meeting they were going to be made redundant, i was  nearly in tears.
as soon as thee meeting was over my MD said he needed a word with me, i was expecting something even worse.
luckily he said that he was making my position a work from home role, if i was happy with that it would be couple with a wage increase and a new company car. so I'm over the moon.
can't help but feel sorry for all colleagues who are losing their jobs though :( 

What has been shitty for some ended up pretty awesome for me. Yesterday was told that due to business changes, my position has been eliminated (I don't like that term). BUT! I don't end employment until Sept 30, 2017 (the day I had planned to retire)! AND, I get a very nice severance package that includes 6 months COBRA (health insurance). I can't think of anything that I've done to be so blessed in life, but I'm sure not complaining. Many have not been so lucky, and I sure feel for them.

Got this insanely awesome cat head on July 8th at Congress St Tattoo in Portsmouth. Man I love it so much. Was such a great day (and night)!!!!
I love Chad. He is the greatest and I'm always bummed when he leaves, but luckily for those of us in NH, he visits quite often. 
Cant wait to see him and Jason Scott in Montreal.  

Mark, thanks for sharing. Losing parents and aging parents are so hard. Thinking positive thoughts for you and your mom. I'm dealing with similar issues on my side. It's all consuming... This is the first time that I haven't been able to solve for a problem. It's out of my control at this point. Sending you hugs. @Mark Bee

Thank you. It all took a brutal toll, but my elderly mother came through her 7 hour open heart surgery like a champ and is back at home, and getting back to normal.

Went to CatConLA last weekend with my daughter!!! We had so much fun. Saw Horitomo, Molly, and Taki from State of Grace. We bought a ton of cat related stuff, two of my favorites being prints featuring David Bowie and Robert Smith w/cats! We bought @DJDeepFried a monmon cat baseball cap. I'm still wanting another monmon cat tattoo... someday...
 

I saw on your instagram! You two looked like you were having tonnes of fun! (I still want some of the monmon kitty gear!)

I think too many people here are too invested in the tattoos other people get.  Could the OP have gotten a much better tattoo than the one she got given all the solid information that's here on this forum?  Absolutely.  I don't feel good about somebody coming here, posting about how much she loves her tattoo then people piling on her and shitting all over her.  She still has to live with that tattoo.  People are going to get better tattoos if they come here and are treated with kindness.  And I know that given my posting history I'm full of shit for saying this, but this thread bums me out.  

Fire started next door as an accident and spread through a few buildings. It was a four alarm fire. Someone lost their kitty but no one else was hurt - from what I've ready their machines and some of the art survived. No news on where everyone is setting up in the meantime.
____
Added on to say we talked to Franz today and most of the machines, books and art were salvageable and they've found a new location and will be re-opening in a few weeks - all around good news.

Hey guys,
Sad news out of Toronto, the Okey Doke was hit by a fire last night, according to India's Instagram, they'll be closed until further notice - if you have an upcoming tattoo with any of the excellent artists there contact them ASAP. I know the shop owners here in TO are close so I imagine you'll see the Okey Doke crew guesting around the city.
 

I had this one done by Tammy Kim at the Okey Doke in Toronto -- Terrible news about the fire that closed their shop this week.
 

@mtlsamI heard that most of their machines and equipment survived, but I don't really know much at this point. What a shame - it was a very cool shop. Still, they will rebuild and it will be awesome again.

thigh shots
Shannon Pagliarini, Matt Dunn, Mark Costa

Alice by Jennifer Lawes at Pearl Harbor - this may have been my easiest tattoo ever. 

I had this one done by Tammy Kim at the Okey Doke in Toronto -- Terrible news about the fire that closed their shop this week.
 

I had this one done by Tammy Kim at the Okey Doke in Toronto -- Terrible news about the fire that closed their shop this week.
 

I had this one done by Tammy Kim at the Okey Doke in Toronto -- Terrible news about the fire that closed their shop this week.
 

I had this one done by Tammy Kim at the Okey Doke in Toronto -- Terrible news about the fire that closed their shop this week.
 

I had this one done by Tammy Kim at the Okey Doke in Toronto -- Terrible news about the fire that closed their shop this week.
 

Firstly, that's an awesome tattoo! I love how different artists are able to interpret something like a tiger in so many ways, but you still know it's a tiger and feel the power of the image.
Secondly, I hope that the folks at the shop are able to salvedge the majority of their equipment at the very least. It looked kind of grim in the photos I saw. I was only in there once when they had just moved, but was a nice space. Whishing them the best.

I had this one done by Tammy Kim at the Okey Doke in Toronto -- Terrible news about the fire that closed their shop this week.
 

He's been really great - building this sleeve over the last 3 years has been an excellent experience all around.