Christmas House Cleaning

Regular readers of Tattoosday will notice that, although I generally follow a chronological order when I share tattoos I have encountered.<br /><br />However, certain pieces, for various and sundry reasons, have been bypassed, and haven't made it to the blog, until now.<br /><br />I was originally going to post a dozen to represent the Twelve Days of Christmas, but I settled for eight. For the nights of Chanukah, perhaps?<br /><br />Without intending to offend anyone for not receiving a post all to themselves, I have lumped these tattoos, spanning from late August to late October, in one post.<br /><br />These are the neglected tattoo pictures that are just a little off, some not through the fault of the contributor, but for reasons beyond their control.<br /><br />The quality of the photo may not be ideal, or the host and I faced a language barrier that prevented a good back story from emerging, or I didn't find the story behind the tattoo especially compelling. And then<br />there's what is likely one of the poorest tattoos I have seen, but the story behind it is somewhat compelling.<br /><br />So, without further ado, here is a Christmas cleaning, eight posts rolled together into one gigantic one.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />First up, we have Esteban, who shared his sleeve when I met him in September, at <a href="http://www.fairwaymarket.com/Directions/redhookdirections.html">Fairway</a> in Red Hook:<br /><br />Alas, I was still using a borrowed camera, and several shots were over-exposed and/or blurry, but I was able to salvage this one:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp8e6J7Hd9pfq_6vvgTkeCn74iO_uzfqGCGh0iPOl53oA4NWwr3yL5NV-X8oNljRTp6V9-XYlDwmhbddb-jLSUW8GapnJplpsoV8CcXsEmEX60zqREDHPRlkKkvmM6DrNNGINzw6QnnM/s1600/esteban.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp8e6J7Hd9pfq_6vvgTkeCn74iO_uzfqGCGh0iPOl53oA4NWwr3yL5NV-X8oNljRTp6V9-XYlDwmhbddb-jLSUW8GapnJplpsoV8CcXsEmEX60zqREDHPRlkKkvmM6DrNNGINzw6QnnM/s640/esteban.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br />The artwork is pre-Colombian in its inspiration, and is part of a larger tropical motif. <br /><br />Next up we have Dave, who I met in Penn Station. He has over 25 tattoos and selected this one to share:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTHVHVhlbZB6053VFSFN3A4ML-Nurar7Amo5cP0ZQ1EJ_hfTpQ0sEyoiZtjPh6MFBkZSoZnGAZK5sK5N-arq4mSzS65_2qcZM0QvU8k1jRlLvZZUa4aLx0-dAEevJaAkCul0YHnlQSqY/s1600/United+and+Strong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTHVHVhlbZB6053VFSFN3A4ML-Nurar7Amo5cP0ZQ1EJ_hfTpQ0sEyoiZtjPh6MFBkZSoZnGAZK5sK5N-arq4mSzS65_2qcZM0QvU8k1jRlLvZZUa4aLx0-dAEevJaAkCul0YHnlQSqY/s400/United+and+Strong.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />The phrase "Uniting the Strong" is the title of a song from <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victim_in_Pain">Victim in Pain</a></i>, the second album from the band <a href="http://www.agnosticfront.com/">Agnostic Front</a>. This is a friendship tattoo that stresses unity and the host's nod to the hardcore punk scene.<br /><br />Dave credits Jelena at <a href="http://www.lonewolftattoo.com/">Lone Wolf Tattoo</a> in Bellmore, New York with this piece.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />Next we have Orlando, a Fine Arts student at <a href="http://www.fitnyc.edu/">FIT</a>, where I met him outside while walking toward 23rd Street on my lunch break, also in September.<br /><br />This ship tattoo is an homage to his father, who served in the navy for thirty years. He wanted a "classic look" in the Sailor Jerry style.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7R0xQZVMOMQrI9vusHKp8ocyXNvEDX9lFWhLhz1An5Uw1bAXMCSblg3VsrOJWHi09MMu5y7SSdvp49IddT2NAYztiGqNNymsjnhUOxYBDaT25PYJ2tbgaxLYi75NyowarwPgWxxAHZA/s1600/Orlando+Ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7R0xQZVMOMQrI9vusHKp8ocyXNvEDX9lFWhLhz1An5Uw1bAXMCSblg3VsrOJWHi09MMu5y7SSdvp49IddT2NAYztiGqNNymsjnhUOxYBDaT25PYJ2tbgaxLYi75NyowarwPgWxxAHZA/s400/Orlando+Ship.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br />Orlando confirmed for me that his dad loves the tattoo.<br /><br />It was inked at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/crazy-fantasy-tattoo-new-york">Crazy Fantasy Tattoo</a> in Manhattan by an artist named Antonio.<br /><br />[Update: I got a better, crisper picture from Orlando of the ship tattoo in May 2011:]<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yRs_ivkZzpafkQjgNcDYcZxz-lqw8HJkwyRGl5bCIK3uQIkZmmjDi1xMvRxiiCVuFY7lhOCwLLtC6reRkjD14g1s6a8fEreOEsL3xgmdjINIWl0HlFxeX8oyJ4hQTPQbNT2NcsFm4-E/s1600/Orlando+Ship+2011_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yRs_ivkZzpafkQjgNcDYcZxz-lqw8HJkwyRGl5bCIK3uQIkZmmjDi1xMvRxiiCVuFY7lhOCwLLtC6reRkjD14g1s6a8fEreOEsL3xgmdjINIWl0HlFxeX8oyJ4hQTPQbNT2NcsFm4-E/s400/Orlando+Ship+2011_picnik.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />Orlando has seven tattoos in all [in May 2011, he updated this number to ten], and shared this one, as well, inked at <a href="http://www.daredeviltattoo.com/">Dare Devil Tattoo</a> on the Lower East Side.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEyMmDc-5672sYivpzEUpPIG70j5cus8m3FiJQNZqeDxA3fNB68lYJMSWWDF0cQiD_9IrWwsC0jux6NxvneuW4cayna7hoI1wHsJPAQT6yQB4pr928MkojYX7-BstJIY10zFFcnFHxxc/s1600/Orlando+Bon+Iver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEyMmDc-5672sYivpzEUpPIG70j5cus8m3FiJQNZqeDxA3fNB68lYJMSWWDF0cQiD_9IrWwsC0jux6NxvneuW4cayna7hoI1wHsJPAQT6yQB4pr928MkojYX7-BstJIY10zFFcnFHxxc/s400/Orlando+Bon+Iver.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br />The quote, "<span id="search" style="visibility: visible;">This my excavation and today<i></i> is Kumran"</span> is from a song called "re: Stacks" by <a href="http://www.boniver.org/">Bon Iver</a>.<br /><br />Orlando explained that he interprets this quote as a reminder that "every day has the ability to make you or break you. It just depends on what you do with it." Other interpretations are <a href="http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858674649/">here</a>.<br /><br />For the record, I did email Orlando to ask for an opportunity to get clearer pictures, but I did not hear back from him.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />I met Farkas in <a href="http://www.unionsquarenyc.org/">Union Square</a> back in October. He had this wolf on his right arm:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhCK3KhLVIHIgTe1qT8wDNdkDdSQ76v2LCc5mdzcaI9ELBYDkovxeTl8GyBWMe18LL0d-J6bASc0zGE4Suid84joM6hGiQ00xLMzXFnzNBoI5UqdyUVtRXfhgzdQdz-q8vnCYyBiJsOY/s1600/Farkas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhCK3KhLVIHIgTe1qT8wDNdkDdSQ76v2LCc5mdzcaI9ELBYDkovxeTl8GyBWMe18LL0d-J6bASc0zGE4Suid84joM6hGiQ00xLMzXFnzNBoI5UqdyUVtRXfhgzdQdz-q8vnCYyBiJsOY/s400/Farkas.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />He explained that his name means "wolf" in Hungarian, and that one of his friends in Hungary did this tattoo for him.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />A couple days after meeting Farkas, I met an Israeli named Ran on 34th Street across from <a href="http://www.macys.com/">Macy*s</a>. He shared this iguana on his right leg:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbqIBUHQRWZkHJDeUiLwxAQiE4OTa7GGb_X_AapNHW_GovqABZaYpfh23XlV4jYd72lTglhyphenhyphenXYvfMSkKjx4puRY2W4RFBhdA-cBLGW2wGDUB9gFN5a9ujwGiQWU_O40sCKlK5LnPz5Bw/s1600/Iguana_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbqIBUHQRWZkHJDeUiLwxAQiE4OTa7GGb_X_AapNHW_GovqABZaYpfh23XlV4jYd72lTglhyphenhyphenXYvfMSkKjx4puRY2W4RFBhdA-cBLGW2wGDUB9gFN5a9ujwGiQWU_O40sCKlK5LnPz5Bw/s640/Iguana_picnik.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /><br />It's a pretty nice tattoo, but he hasn't sent me any further details about it.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />A couple weeks later, I was in the West Village before a concert, and met Carlos, a manager at the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&expIds=17259,27342,27642,28067&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&cp=9&qe=cWRvYmEgMTAwMA&qesig=ioAfmDfQL9io8qJXivfDRw&pkc=AFgZ2tn4CORECvVIyeLyU2neM3rYho1uXF-JgkCMN3WPXIASZMzsBqf9zoXZYVCZMemdAnlBQwpPIUCXg07_bR4jmJS4wGewDw&client=firefox-a&hs=mBF&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=qdoba+10001&fb=1&gl=us&hq=qdoba&hnear=New+York+10001&ei=-DoWTejMIM6s8AaP58W7Dg&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&resnum=2&sqi=2&ved=0CAQQtgMwAQ&iwloc=3378200444570630634">Qdoba Mexican Grill</a> where we were having a quick bite before the show. He shared this intricate tattoo on his right arm:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_S5HSffUGcfK5efTYIX1Jx1IrPjD3ZcjX83CcxgA8aIZAKbPESXr2B8n0xFMFtDraQZ820BRlI-YvcI_Dnym5TYRdMTtPj9m9vRAzf1vd280M_UBALNAugxPZv8pQY5zfGfSnNZqPtU8/s1600/puzzle+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_S5HSffUGcfK5efTYIX1Jx1IrPjD3ZcjX83CcxgA8aIZAKbPESXr2B8n0xFMFtDraQZ820BRlI-YvcI_Dnym5TYRdMTtPj9m9vRAzf1vd280M_UBALNAugxPZv8pQY5zfGfSnNZqPtU8/s640/puzzle+wm.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br />He and friend collaborated on this tattoo together. He told me that, when he was little, he did jigsaw puzzles with his mother a lot. The tattoo reminds him of those fun times growing up.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />The following week, I ran into Iancu in Penn Station, and he shared this piece on his upper left arm:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOo62DvDZ45_mELmbfORaWjSc5jozc8sozq2YuxnDpk-3K7WVxqRAUswNacldZAz14-JURY_IMCBqBDVRcU3duVLeNDMzjJZjH5wAKhQ5HrFQ6DheDJnp_q_IDq6MXl1LQY3zmyynpdqA/s1600/guns+roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOo62DvDZ45_mELmbfORaWjSc5jozc8sozq2YuxnDpk-3K7WVxqRAUswNacldZAz14-JURY_IMCBqBDVRcU3duVLeNDMzjJZjH5wAKhQ5HrFQ6DheDJnp_q_IDq6MXl1LQY3zmyynpdqA/s400/guns+roses.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />Iancu told me he came to the artist, Rico, formerly of <a href="http://www.risingdragon.com/">Rising Dragon</a> in Manhattan, who was initially unwilling to do the tattoo. However, he convinced him to do it. It's basically a <a href="http://web.gunsnroses.com/index.jsp">Guns N' Roses</a> tribute although, he<br />noted, the guns were added about a year and a half after the original design was inked.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />And finally, I must first say that  it is very rare that I ever criticize the quality of a tattoo.<br /><br />Even if it is inferior to the work of much better artists, I always like to believe there are some redeeming qualities in a tattoo.<br /><br />Which is why I struggled with this next tattoo, which I photographer back in August, and which I have included in this odds and ends post in December.<br /><br />I approached a guy named Danny who had a lot of interestingly-tattooed words and such on his arms.<br /><br />However, he offered to remove his shirt in Penn Station so I could photograph this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TJ86dAVaJj3OZ9N-m-FY9UCwr4TKxaU__hlDdCbNkA42iqi55WzmxDi-O2KnfzjV36HTVfr26bUIFm7Y0Ia31tcghWICzJPh-kUKMr_VPIQnwSnuOetAiOzLnKGcpTOr4ZP8I5sycjs/s1600/diamonds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TJ86dAVaJj3OZ9N-m-FY9UCwr4TKxaU__hlDdCbNkA42iqi55WzmxDi-O2KnfzjV36HTVfr26bUIFm7Y0Ia31tcghWICzJPh-kUKMr_VPIQnwSnuOetAiOzLnKGcpTOr4ZP8I5sycjs/s400/diamonds.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Um, yeah.<br /><br />If this was done by an experienced artist, I would likely not have posted it. Despite its obvious flaws, it is compelling, in my opinion, because Danny told me, like all his tattoos (15 or 16, he told me), this one was<br />self-inked. Now, I can see tattooing one's arm or leg, but I cannot even fathom how challenging it would be to self-tattoo your chest. He estimated this took one and a half hours to do.<br /><br />The message is "Diamonds Aren't Forever," or, in  Danny's words, "don't take what you have for granted".<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />So there you have it, a Spring Cleaning for Christmas.<br /><br />I do sincerely thank the individuals who shared their tattoos in this entry. Happy Holidays, y'all!

Christmas House Cleaning

Regular readers of Tattoosday will notice that, although I generally follow a chronological order when I share tattoos I have encountered. H...

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Alyssa's Arabic Ink

It wasn't Alyssa I approached on a Friday afternoon outside of <a href="http://www.thegarden.com/">Madison Square Garden</a>, but her friend, who had several visible tattoos.<br /><br />However, the friend was unhappy with all of her ink, so I asked if anyone else standing with her if they had work they'd like to share.<br /><br />Alyssa offered up this Arabic tattoo, behind her right ear:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVKQCsO0V2sVFlphKw1QaqaHPyBJTNsldPpYJuNtPl_Ww5YBWWLNWF6eS8uWTHi1e5XZ_l0Y3Io_UQvT7aaFk2WA-wKYiHVrtrAJ4elg29T-1o2EhCQrDlYpEAyWN3ypiRwGLZFnG/s1600-h/Alyssa+Name.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391366030416648690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVKQCsO0V2sVFlphKw1QaqaHPyBJTNsldPpYJuNtPl_Ww5YBWWLNWF6eS8uWTHi1e5XZ_l0Y3Io_UQvT7aaFk2WA-wKYiHVrtrAJ4elg29T-1o2EhCQrDlYpEAyWN3ypiRwGLZFnG/s400/Alyssa+Name.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />The script is the transliteration of her name, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alyssa">Alyssa</a>, which she said means "flourishing" in Greek.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv15hyphenhyphenlaVzPJpctdoyi3kx53UVfNNv4IBy1ovs89QlhGd5E6GYG1H9HctBdiQ00kiNMm-A2Gb8KAip4oQJ0I34e0kXaGaP27v7KNuKfhinbpGVmtsxyzXhpDm-V1U-fWN-5FFnR5tx/s1600-h/Alyssa+Name+closeup.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391365620326111890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv15hyphenhyphenlaVzPJpctdoyi3kx53UVfNNv4IBy1ovs89QlhGd5E6GYG1H9HctBdiQ00kiNMm-A2Gb8KAip4oQJ0I34e0kXaGaP27v7KNuKfhinbpGVmtsxyzXhpDm-V1U-fWN-5FFnR5tx/s400/Alyssa+Name+closeup.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 211px;" /></a><br />Definitions I have found point to it meaning "rational," or "noble," rather than "flourishing". Nonetheless, it is widely regarded as a very pretty name.<br /><br />This was tattooed at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/crazy-fantasy-tattoo-new-york">Crazy Fantasy Tattoo</a> in Manhattan. Work from that shop previously posted on Tattoosday can be seen <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Crazy%20Fantasy%20Tattoo">here</a>.<br /><br />It just so happened I recently read the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Arabic-Tattoos-Jon-Udelson/dp/0977985083/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255176955&sr=8-1">Arabic Tattoos</a> compiled by Jon Udelson. It's an interesting look at the phenomenon of the increase in popularity of Arabic script tattoos, and well worth a gander.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=bill03-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0977985083" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /></div><br />My favorite Arabic tattoo that has appeared on Tattoosday is <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/08/thea-illuminates-music.html">this one</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to Alyssa for sharing her tattoo with us here on the site!

Alyssa's Arabic Ink

It wasn't Alyssa I approached on a Friday afternoon outside of Madison Square Garden , but her friend, who had several visible tattoos. ...

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Grover's Tattoos Recollect the Past, But Focus on the Future

I ran into Grover a month or two ago where he worked in Penn Station and admired the work on his sleeve. As I try my best to not disrupt folks on the job, I passed him a Tattoosday card and was happy to see when he e-mailed me a few days later.<br /><br />Our schedules are different, and we tabled any definitive date to meet and discuss his ink. But one day, by chance, I passed the business where he worked and he was outside on a break.<br /><br />And he offered me his arm:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTYEn0i03AoF5YaQiOy3WlvYVF-mEKn6kljqDTdvCazlkFRkfz1gBcjwOa3IiWkzm-NKx46qHnTaikihEh2RBXWmV8LDq45aEEStpnAkpQWkArG_NrxqDslb1AIqMGPwGoVEz8h6EUrM/s1600-h/cross+dad+mom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339099529570775746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTYEn0i03AoF5YaQiOy3WlvYVF-mEKn6kljqDTdvCazlkFRkfz1gBcjwOa3IiWkzm-NKx46qHnTaikihEh2RBXWmV8LDq45aEEStpnAkpQWkArG_NrxqDslb1AIqMGPwGoVEz8h6EUrM/s400/cross+dad+mom.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />We discussed the inner part of his right forearm first. This cross is a tribute to his parents, who were both injured in a serious accident about five years ago. He had this tattooed after it appeared that they would recover, and it symbolizes his faith in the blessing of their survival. The tattoo reads "Mom. Dad. God Bless."<br /><br />On the top part of the outer right forearm is an starred banner design and the words "Death Before Dishonor" to remind him that he has kept his head up while working hard for his daughter.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1gnMEBFVryjhzVd6e-QU6kw4b4Qa7BT-0UR7yyn5EwU-aXcNcmZTIkScoMaWCRLWpYtTcWbS3H3jcQo3iZ2PdMRPW96MwqEEI1jyg8oaNcGcLuw-Obvh82qKL0p15MSmBGJNXpGVxGU/s1600-h/deathbeforedishonor.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339098747126483506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1gnMEBFVryjhzVd6e-QU6kw4b4Qa7BT-0UR7yyn5EwU-aXcNcmZTIkScoMaWCRLWpYtTcWbS3H3jcQo3iZ2PdMRPW96MwqEEI1jyg8oaNcGcLuw-Obvh82qKL0p15MSmBGJNXpGVxGU/s400/deathbeforedishonor.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a>He has chosen the honest life, rather than slip into the easy trap of making a living dishonorably.<br /><br />Grover's daughter's name is London, which he has inscribed on his flesh, over a tattoo of Big Ben, the emblematic clock tower than stands proudly in the city which lends its name to his daughter. Big Ben is frozen in time at 4:10, the date (April 10) that London was born.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOP8xEHsMzQZDF2N7pug-WerAFQ7YkPYWW7Vs2f3BiII68O4fqN58UL-g9psPTtEWWd_xPFYLqfdS-cHe7N9Rb3wTGs8MHT82kuzKYkJjkHo8sJXXHyM0JWPZMVKbnBHbCCLe2IAeORs/s1600-h/London.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339098572784962082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOP8xEHsMzQZDF2N7pug-WerAFQ7YkPYWW7Vs2f3BiII68O4fqN58UL-g9psPTtEWWd_xPFYLqfdS-cHe7N9Rb3wTGs8MHT82kuzKYkJjkHo8sJXXHyM0JWPZMVKbnBHbCCLe2IAeORs/s400/London.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a><br />Below that is a skull crying blood.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYdn9NLTOjzONrpEbJAtcvQnj0I73kOo3dAJFF5El_HoR-mcI-IxIVbKctMIsI4C603w9tx3DMC7tWVHWzQUKQoVeTWBZST8ydyttLquep_tzwXCvsC5wJfQBfRHffu0KDjUteNzwn8U/s1600-h/cry+skull+blood.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339098483251697154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYdn9NLTOjzONrpEbJAtcvQnj0I73kOo3dAJFF5El_HoR-mcI-IxIVbKctMIsI4C603w9tx3DMC7tWVHWzQUKQoVeTWBZST8ydyttLquep_tzwXCvsC5wJfQBfRHffu0KDjUteNzwn8U/s400/cry+skull+blood.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />The blood is the only part of Grover's tattoos that are not done in black ink. This image reflects the harsh reality of the world and the raw emotion that life often pulls out of one's soul, in the form of bloody tears.<br /><br />And lastly is my favorite part of the tattoo, which rests on Grover's hand.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtNU7Kkj7fHqAgaZYwcaIU_W6XwJY3dRWWPhcCMlMaVW-aWNK5lrr0k-ACqHlv_8fslUEGWmVTsf58RCnC1KZMRPVk3u0JaJ3TKX3HteG1SrLYQX0pfn-a_ZqWV656BToQ8VsxRy3cUM/s1600-h/Harlem.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339098411509169138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtNU7Kkj7fHqAgaZYwcaIU_W6XwJY3dRWWPhcCMlMaVW-aWNK5lrr0k-ACqHlv_8fslUEGWmVTsf58RCnC1KZMRPVk3u0JaJ3TKX3HteG1SrLYQX0pfn-a_ZqWV656BToQ8VsxRy3cUM/s400/Harlem.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 344px;" /></a><br />He grew up in Harlem and the buildings represent the view south, looking to the skyline of the city. The dollar sign and, to the right, the leaves of marijuana plants, represent to Grover what it was like "back in the day," when the drive for money in the big city, and the prevalence of marijuana in the neighborhood, left a profound impact on his days growing up.<br /><br />Grover credits much of the work seen here to an artist named Marco, who works out of <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/crazy-fantasy-tattoo-new-york">Crazy Fantasy Tattoo</a> on West 4th Street in Manhattan.<br /><br />I want to thank Grover for sharing his set of tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Grover's Tattoos Recollect the Past, But Focus on the Future

I ran into Grover a month or two ago where he worked in Penn Station and admired the work on his sleeve. As I try my best to not disrupt fol...

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Jessica's Tattoo Will Help Her Find Her Soulmate in the Afterlife

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i51VdlJty0DMiZRsVmzCoDx5MAw_jnFcOpn-gxKEWe6FT-giWgcmmisDnP8zglhM_Yo6yBJ2tJ-_EO3XJ6wvhetBgJpnqaVKTnDGYh9941xSd3xOENqi_lL-QIXbJ13vevJzegsG97lD/s1600-h/PICT0819.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253344582553993634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i51VdlJty0DMiZRsVmzCoDx5MAw_jnFcOpn-gxKEWe6FT-giWgcmmisDnP8zglhM_Yo6yBJ2tJ-_EO3XJ6wvhetBgJpnqaVKTnDGYh9941xSd3xOENqi_lL-QIXbJ13vevJzegsG97lD/s320/PICT0819.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />I met Jessica last Friday night before game 1 of the <a href="http://www.wnba.com/liberty/">New York Liberty</a>-<a href="http://www.wnba.com/shock/news/finals08_splash.html">Detroit Shock</a> playoffs at <a href="http://www.thegarden.com/">Madison Square Garden</a>. Her neck tattoo caught my eye as I was going to Will Call to pick up my tickets (to hear about the game, go <a href="http://oxypoet.blogspot.com/2008/09/new-york-liberty-defeat-detroit-shock.html">here</a>), so when I was walking back outside and she was still there (talking to Jason, whose tattoo will be next to appear here), I introduced myself.<br /><br />For some reason, the photo came out a little blurry. My apologies.<br /><br />Jessica explained that this tattoo is the pagan symbol of the cycle of womanhood (cue a comment from <a href="http://neopaganink.blogspot.com/">NeoPagan Ink</a>, below). She also told me that her <span class="dicColor">fiancée </span>has the same tattoo.<br /><br />Some folks believe, Jessica noted, that tattoos can help someone find the way to their soulmate in the afterlife. This is one element that makes matching tattoos on people more romantic, if one believes that their ink transcends death.<br /><br />This piece was inked by Gio at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/crazy-fantasy-tattoo-new-york">Crazy Fantasy Tattoo</a> in Manhattan. Gio now works at <a href="http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3719360384">Village Pop Inc.</a> Work from Crazy Fantasy has appeared previously <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Crazy%20Fantasy%20Tattoo">here</a>. Work from Village Pop has appeared <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Village%20Pop%20Inc">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to Jessica for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Jessica's Tattoo Will Help Her Find Her Soulmate in the Afterlife

I met Jessica last Friday night before game 1 of the New York Liberty - Detroit Shock playoffs at Madison Square Garden . Her neck tattoo c...

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Alexa's Blue Bird Honors Her Grandfather's Memory

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeqiZS1nvUXynwgyAU2WUe-1Cn2No1ieN0WmtuSm-DTp0hzcOHPe_4EGATid9Xxk_rNewtlixIBA_ZoO9ZnfeyXSGjeFr0UTZRYn2GPh8MrNp61JVkwSB0TfCedVGYuLXZ7fcF6RGcPsi/s1600-h/PICT0561.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240783389483967682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeqiZS1nvUXynwgyAU2WUe-1Cn2No1ieN0WmtuSm-DTp0hzcOHPe_4EGATid9Xxk_rNewtlixIBA_ZoO9ZnfeyXSGjeFr0UTZRYn2GPh8MrNp61JVkwSB0TfCedVGYuLXZ7fcF6RGcPsi/s400/PICT0561.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />I met Alexa on the southeast corner of 34th Street and 7th Avenue last Tuesday and may have saved her from a little bit of parental grief.<br /><br />I asked her about the sparrow below her neck and she was happy to tell me about it, especially since I reminded her about it. She was waiting to meet her father, who doesn't know she's inked, and she covered up after I snapped the picture.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTiYXmm0YUTeVqoIwSa4-tyuF833xfXFrvk5fH4_LU04mx3gI0scICwVoo_7aRWgmRFBg_mLcQBaxWeqgnm3BrOhSUbAtKce4HDlELSzuK5a2G-0g-7ANaOIQ8Jy0jDYzdwI0Ss3H8F68/s1600-h/closeupsparrow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240783446170980034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTiYXmm0YUTeVqoIwSa4-tyuF833xfXFrvk5fH4_LU04mx3gI0scICwVoo_7aRWgmRFBg_mLcQBaxWeqgnm3BrOhSUbAtKce4HDlELSzuK5a2G-0g-7ANaOIQ8Jy0jDYzdwI0Ss3H8F68/s400/closeupsparrow.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />Alexa got this tattoo on the first anniversary of her grandfather's passing. All that it symbolizes to her, the color blue, the freedom from the earth, true love - all of these combine to empower the symbol she finds as especially fitting for the memory of her grandfather.<br /><br />The sparrow was designed by a friend of hers. She took the drawing to <a href="http://local.yahoo.com/info-11070296-crazy-fantasy-tattoo-new-york">Crazy Fantasy Tattoo</a> in the West Village where the artist colored the design and inked it.<br /><br />Thanks to Alexa for sharing her sparrow with us on Tattoosday!

Alexa's Blue Bird Honors Her Grandfather's Memory

I met Alexa on the southeast corner of 34th Street and 7th Avenue last Tuesday and may have saved her from a little bit of parental grief. I...

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