The Tattooed Poets Project: David Tomas Martinez

Our next tattooed poet is David Tomas Martinez, who hails from Houston.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrbAXqMXYU4e2-dzYb1vRdpWZ-7H2fL7zjrRb9BySlpGPVZNPS_MWwImRvyKi_oisRbqno6KLoJVa-nzrTOekcyv1HOCZWHbEvz6DFL1GWiS2Hca-PxoxRalFs8HK5AWHl2kOK5Hsb0o/s615/IMG_20130109_125245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrbAXqMXYU4e2-dzYb1vRdpWZ-7H2fL7zjrRb9BySlpGPVZNPS_MWwImRvyKi_oisRbqno6KLoJVa-nzrTOekcyv1HOCZWHbEvz6DFL1GWiS2Hca-PxoxRalFs8HK5AWHl2kOK5Hsb0o/s640/IMG_20130109_125245.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />David, as you can see in his photo, has a lot of tattoos. He also had a lot to say about his work:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"It was difficult to chose just one tattoo for this blog post. I like to say I have 6 tattoos: my right arm, left arm, complete back piece, a neck piece, a chest piece, and a tattoo above my right knee. (I know, the obligatory random knee tattoo.) I also like to say that they are not tattoos but fortuitous birth marks. Nobody ever seems to accept these explanations."</blockquote>Some of our featured poets don't say a lot about their work. Others, like David, are generous with their words. I always love reading the lengthier explanations of peoples' work. And, I will turn it back over to David:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"<a href="http://www.sabertoothtattoo.net/bryantattoos.html">Bryan Romero</a> has done all my work. Other artists have touched my skin, but he has either covered their work or relined their work to incorporate it better in to our designs. Our process for tattooing usually goes like this: I text Brian and let him know I'm coming by. I discuss with him what ideas I have for my next tattoo. Mostly he thinks their good but once in awhile he will say that is impossible. Then, he draws it up over the span of a week or so. I look at it, making tweaks if any are needed. I usually defer to what he thinks, he being the professional. (I'm not sure if I am professional at anything.) We have been doing this routine for about ten years, when I first came to get 'home boy' tattooed on my biceps while wearing a cowboy shirt with roses on it. We quickly became friends, and I have lived in happy tattoo monogamy ever since. (Though I let him whore himself out to others.) He currently works at <a href="http://www.sabertoothtattoo.net/">Sabertooth Tattoo</a> in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Beach,_San_Diego">Pacific Beach</a> neighborhood of San Diego, California.<br /><br />Two identity forming states, identifying myself as a writer and Chican@, have really shaped my tattoos. For instance, I have a <i>pistolera</i>, or a lady gun fighter on my back, which is an homage to my ethnicity. But I also have a plume on my right forearm and a sword on my left forearm, a nod to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bulwer-Lytton,_1st_Baron_Lytton">Edward Bulwer-Lytton's</a> saying, 'the pen is mightier than the sword.' And sometimes these two states of identity will intersect, in the form of a candy skull with a candle burning on top of it, a kind of Chican@ Shakespeare, or 'Chakespeare' if you will.<br /><br />I picked for my featured tattoo, which is like picking a favorite child, which is always a reality but not something you go around bragging about, the last tattoo Brian chiseled on my body, my <a href="http://www.sarabandebooks.org/">Sarabande Books</a> tattoo:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVo4v4ToU5z_ijQymxta6Mbhw6lHfVgx-SY0NT7ZE2gqrfa7HqUXaS329v5pJP2i8HcaBon_-BMgUrH3jfC17zrDdA80a9ytcUt6xUkYHtS6VEAC85f9ZPeBWsOrQfW47wP-ow1H3PO-0/s615/sarabande+tattoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVo4v4ToU5z_ijQymxta6Mbhw6lHfVgx-SY0NT7ZE2gqrfa7HqUXaS329v5pJP2i8HcaBon_-BMgUrH3jfC17zrDdA80a9ytcUt6xUkYHtS6VEAC85f9ZPeBWsOrQfW47wP-ow1H3PO-0/s400/sarabande+tattoo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />My first collection of poetry, <u>Hustle</u>, will be published by Sarabande; the book is due out in May of 2014. This was quite an honor to have such a wonderful independent press putting my work in the world. My tattoo artist, Brian, has designed the book cover. As a way of solidifying this accomplishment, I can't hold the book until 2014, I got the book cover design tattooed on my leg. And for good measure I got Sarabande's logo tattooed on the side of my hand. My friend and mentor, <a href="http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/112">Tony Hoagland </a>saw the tattoo and told me, 'You're going to have a long career, you should slow down or you wont have any room for the other books.' By that I'm pretty sure he meant, 'Go work on a critical essay, then publish it.' Tony goes hard. Many of my tattoos mark some transition or accomplishment in my life. A sort of journal that everyone can read."</blockquote>David added some advice to tattoo rookies everywhere, echoing a sentiment felt by many:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"...please please please (best James Brown voice) do not just go in a tattoo shop, point at the board and drunkenly yell, "I want that one!" Because when I am waiting in line at the grocery store or, god forbid, a line for an amusement park ride that will take a month and I have to see your misspelled ex-boyfriend's name, or a heart with Budweiser on the scroll, or Rainbow Brite with blood shot eyes and a joint in her hand, I will be angry. Don't do that to us. Think about what you want and pay your tattoo artist according to their worth. I have too many friends that have too many horror stories about getting tattooed. Do not be one of these people. Do your research."</blockquote>The poem David sent us has a tattoo in it, as well. "The poem I picked, 'Coveralls' has an important 'scene' where my coworker, Lucy (and let us not forget the Latin root, luz, or light) shows me a tattoo she had." He adds, "I hope you enjoy the poem and I am glad to be apart of this wonderful jamming of two of my favorite passions! Writing! Tattoos!"<br /><br />COVERALLS<br /><br />The orange coveralls flamed around me in one-size-fits-all,<br />and no matter how I stood, they slouched and bent me.<br /><br />In the shipyard there were no mirrors<br />but in the ocean’s reflection or the pools in the dry docks<br />I could see how the leathers covered my boney clavicle<br />and my arms were only as wide as my torch.<br /><br />I interviewed in a flower-splattered rayon, <br />but was hired because my uncle was foreman.<br /><br />In training, I met Lucy. <br /><br />Straightening out the crooked cuts in my bulkheads<br />she showed me how an orange stream pours off a perfect bevel.<br /><br />Once in the bilges, I asked what brought her<br />to the bottom of this boat, measuring and cutting walls.<br /><br />Pulling off her suede glove,<br /><br />wiping sweat and ash away,<br />on her hand shone a green 13.<br /><br />Secretaries don’t have tattoos,<br />muffled through her respirator.<br /><br />And by lunch,<br />we were burnt by sparks,<br />by three we sneezed black,<br />but the foreman flirted with her<br />using the last banging mallets<br />to get close and whisper.<br /><br />Wrenching hoses <br />from our torches,<br />on our neck, metallic dust <br />ignited in the sun. <br /><br />The top half <br />of her coveralls,<br />unbuttoned and wrapped,<br />slowly melted down<br />as the whistles blew.<br /><br />After training,<br />I worked on frigates,<br />she worked on tankers,<br /><br />I walked by her worksite<br />and Lucy’d be cutting<br />a tanker’s wall,<br /><br />golden ashes<br />dropping from <br />a chariot <br />of rusted pipe <br />and planks.<br /><br />Looking up<br />shaking the wind,<br />shaking a hole<br />in my coveralls,<br /><br />from ankle to knee gone,<br />the thin blue cloth gone;<br /><br />I watched Lucy rise.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~ ~ ~</div><br />When not writing bios or sonnets in bathroom stalls, David Tomas Martinez lurks along the San Diego trolley lines giving hugs to the homegirls and daps to the homeboys, all the while remarking how the cigarette butts on the ground look like petals on a wet, black bough. His work has been published in <a href="http://www.forkliftohio.com/">Forklift Ohio</a>, <a href="http://www.sandiegowriters.org/">San Diego Writer's Ink</a> (Volumes 2 and 3), <i>Charlotte Journal</i>, <a href="http://poetryinternational.sdsu.edu/">Poetry International</a>, and he has been the featured poet for <a href="http://www.bordervoices.com/bordervoices/bordervoices/About%20Us.html">Border Voices</a>. He is a Ph.D. candidate in the <a href="http://www.uh.edu/class/english/programs/graduate/creative-writing/">University of Houston's Creative Writing </a>program, with an emphasis in Poetry. Martinez is also the Reviews and Interviews Editor for <a href="http://www.gulfcoastmag.org/">Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Fine Arts</a>. His debut collection of poetry, <u>Hustle</u>, will be released in 2014 by <a href="http://www.sarabandebooks.org/">Sarabande Books</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to David for his extensive share of poetry and ink with us here on Tattoosday's Tattooed Poets Project!<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span> <b id="internal-source-marker_0.5455466713756323" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This entry is ©2013 Tattoosday. The poem and tattoo are reprinted with the poet's permission.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are reading this on another web site other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit </span><a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://tattoosday.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.</span></span></b>

The Tattooed Poets Project: David Tomas Martinez

Our next tattooed poet is David Tomas Martinez, who hails from Houston. David, as you can see in his photo, has a lot of tattoos. He also ha...

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Gabby and Carter, Forever in eBaum's World

At the end of August, I spotted a couple near the entrance to Penn Station on Seventh Avenue. The woman had a bunch of tattoos, the man did not appear to have any. When I interviewed them, it turned out that the guy did have a tattoo on his arm - one that corresponded to a piece in the center of his companion's chest. Here's a peek:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiND2irB_LZA0F6XjNz9EoxFQgD_ghnx0sBP1JDZIwRoconhHcIf4Yr8X4Q1bXZvwdInDC_SwoBNISrdANRaIuh_SX7jyoc5olRJ7Z3BkROuQuXj_0sQg6BiZDvbsd5BFYR888FkwpwyTM/s1600/ebaum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiND2irB_LZA0F6XjNz9EoxFQgD_ghnx0sBP1JDZIwRoconhHcIf4Yr8X4Q1bXZvwdInDC_SwoBNISrdANRaIuh_SX7jyoc5olRJ7Z3BkROuQuXj_0sQg6BiZDvbsd5BFYR888FkwpwyTM/s640/ebaum.jpg" width="602" /></a></div><br />Our chat was a little bit rambling, but here are the highlights:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br />Me: What are your guys' names?<br /><br />Woman: Gabby. Carter.<br /><br />Me: Gabby and Carter?<br /><br />Carter: Yes.<br /><br />Gabby: Forever.<br /><br />Me: Forever? How long you guys been together?<br /><br />Gabby: Like, two years.<br /><br />Me: So, what is that, it's a heart and a...<br /><br />Gabby and Carter: It's <a href="http://www.ebaumsworld.com/">eBaum's World</a>.<br /><br />Gabby: It's a website.<br /><br /><br />Carter: It's been around forever ... like YouTube.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjak_tUjuxY_9ZekwPxFew872P-TShdWYVP9hv_LtGAegswQrTw0AAIg3FUNdgteSA_q2nqCJs3vnH8XA5FmfzVdMJ_7kwmKyIFdXW_0bcIdmylPGSI3HKV2qzhM5rc0BE4c_chVq7b_Iw/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjak_tUjuxY_9ZekwPxFew872P-TShdWYVP9hv_LtGAegswQrTw0AAIg3FUNdgteSA_q2nqCJs3vnH8XA5FmfzVdMJ_7kwmKyIFdXW_0bcIdmylPGSI3HKV2qzhM5rc0BE4c_chVq7b_Iw/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div><br />Me: So that's just like the logo? The heart?<br /><br />Carter: And the little globe, I got that.<br /><br />Gabby: I did that tattoo on him.<br /><br />Me: You tattooed that on him? Then who did yours?<br /><br />Gabby: My friend, Nick. We're not friends anymore...<br /><br />Me: Well, the two of them go together, that's cool.</blockquote><br />Carter works for eBaum's world, which can best be described as a site for videos, like YouTube, but with more of a CollegeHumor.com slant. It's not just videos, but jokes, blogs, photos and games.<br /><br />Thanks to Gabby and Carter for sharing these companion tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!<br /><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This entry is ©2011 Tattoosday. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;">If you are reading this on another web site other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://tattoosday.blogspot.com</a> and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I can contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.</span></div>

Gabby and Carter, Forever in eBaum's World

At the end of August, I spotted a couple near the entrance to Penn Station on Seventh Avenue. The woman had a bunch of tattoos, the man did ...

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Musician Monday: Doug from The Sleeping and Gramp's House

This installment of Musician Monday features Doug Robinson, lead singer from the rock band <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheSleeping">The Sleeping</a>. I ran into Doug last week in Penn Station and stopped him when I saw all of his tattoos.<br /><br />Doug has had some of his work featured in <i>Tattoo</i> Magazine and is in the current issue of <i><a href="http://www.tattooflash.com/">Tattoo Flash</a></i>, so I was indeed honored when he agreed to share a piece from his right forearm:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5UUBAD1Mp6twQ77Y7Y3gRYu16MJHuP5ILE1sZBAB7vNisBkotKSoGqMm3rS7XsSOyaylDKt5lMb7wXhGXVPKmuanoqfO6T5DBiyuy3m2ErXxc5TJ2F6PP_8nMTlOmhS4DPwW74V6iwY/s1600/gramps+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5UUBAD1Mp6twQ77Y7Y3gRYu16MJHuP5ILE1sZBAB7vNisBkotKSoGqMm3rS7XsSOyaylDKt5lMb7wXhGXVPKmuanoqfO6T5DBiyuy3m2ErXxc5TJ2F6PP_8nMTlOmhS4DPwW74V6iwY/s640/gramps+house.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><br />Doug explained that this tattoo is based on a logo created by a friend of his, whose grandfather had passed away and left him his house. Doug's friend, along with Doug and three other guys, lived in the house which they dubbed "Gramp's House." The home was, as Doug told me, "a really important place for all of us," and many of them got this logo tattooed, as a tribute to that special place that they all held near and dear.<br /><br />Doug credited <a href="http://www.sailorjerry.com/tattoos/featured_artist/jelena_nikolic/">Jelena Nikolic</a> from <a href="http://www.lonewolftattoo.com/">Lone Wolf Tattoo</a> in Bellmore, Long Island, with this tattoo.<br /><br />Thanks to Doug for sharing his work with us here on Tattoosday!<br /><br />Check out The Sleeping's video for "Don't Hold Back":<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="405" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RK-s-HFZtzo" width="500"></iframe><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal">This entry is ©2011 Tattoosday. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you are reading this on another web site other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://tattoosday.blogspot.com</a> and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

Musician Monday: Doug from The Sleeping and Gramp's House

This installment of Musician Monday features Doug Robinson, lead singer from the rock band The Sleeping . I ran into Doug last week in Penn ...

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Elektra and the Seven-Legged Spider (with Some Dresden Dolls, to Boot)

Elektra has, in her words, "nine and a half" tattoos, and was kind enough to share two of them with us.<br /><br />First up is this spider on her left thigh:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0ZFxhZc6FKC8_Rz3bsZgi6qNCGSqi4kDL_Y9xbex3Pk7FtfeY5yOI-6ep-aENHqC3XOhrnWtVwhT5ZzTcc81Jys4ji3_a6Xzt_T58SGJyew_J2ijpIGbD4924K4FXtYaw4Z3CONG/s1600/Elektra+Spider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0ZFxhZc6FKC8_Rz3bsZgi6qNCGSqi4kDL_Y9xbex3Pk7FtfeY5yOI-6ep-aENHqC3XOhrnWtVwhT5ZzTcc81Jys4ji3_a6Xzt_T58SGJyew_J2ijpIGbD4924K4FXtYaw4Z3CONG/s400/Elektra+Spider.jpg" width="367" /></a></div><br /><br />It's not a specific type of spider (sorry, arachnophiliacs) but it does have one glaring detail to note. It is missing a leg. And the spurt of blood indicates that the leg has recently been detached.<br /><br />What's with that? Elektra says that she considers arachnids with a lost limb to be "lucky omens" ever since she was little. This tattoo, in a way, enables her to have good luck with her at all times.<br /><br />She credits this work to <a href="http://www.yankeetattoo.net/tattoosbyartist.php?shopstaffID=3">Anthony Audy</a> at <a href="http://www.yankeetattoo.net/">Yankee Tattoo</a> in Burlington, Vermont.<br /><br />Elektra also explained the tattoo on her right thigh to me, and she agreed when I asked if she would share that as well:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJu09FFT7sJ9cmkT_HgbIuSV90UIraurs4NdLs2s_QlLGKQaoLUcBvD7zSLHU4Enx0tzcpTws-hL4uBABu4U-FPQ0pAnG4NP_G4evAHIFXw7ch5uNqjXnq_g8II9uTW6tjWLfiCcL/s1600/elektra+dresden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJu09FFT7sJ9cmkT_HgbIuSV90UIraurs4NdLs2s_QlLGKQaoLUcBvD7zSLHU4Enx0tzcpTws-hL4uBABu4U-FPQ0pAnG4NP_G4evAHIFXw7ch5uNqjXnq_g8II9uTW6tjWLfiCcL/s400/elektra+dresden.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><br /><br />Fans of <a href="http://www.dresdendolls.com/main1.htm">The Dresden Dolls</a> will recognize this as the band's logo. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMZgFsFhNiRP_-JBe3fjz6NtFQcV4tfEwEYUyqpb6mp50qaoRFfUux8sVolRyMzIWwZy5Ay_1rR7-BtGuSbj1Z2LIVTDvvlbiRKqH9GTjXlNd0dT72A27lhGlPA2EuogF9wtjrlnS/s1600/dresden_dolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMZgFsFhNiRP_-JBe3fjz6NtFQcV4tfEwEYUyqpb6mp50qaoRFfUux8sVolRyMzIWwZy5Ay_1rR7-BtGuSbj1Z2LIVTDvvlbiRKqH9GTjXlNd0dT72A27lhGlPA2EuogF9wtjrlnS/s320/dresden_dolls.jpg" /></a></div><br />Elektra explained that this was designed with blue and red ink to have a 3D effect, when healed. However, she confessed, she didn't take care of it as well as she should have, and the effect is muted. <a href="http://www.myspace.com/robdixxx">Rob Dixxx</a>, formerly of Yankee Tattoo is the artist.<br /><br />Added to this piece is the signature of <a href="http://www.amandapalmer.net/">Amanda Palmer</a>, lead singer of the Dresden Dolls, who Elektra met one night, after the band tattoo had been done. A friend with a tattoo machine made the autograph permanent.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks to Elektra for sharing her tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bill03-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003EUVCEG&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bill03-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000EGEJWK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div>

Elektra and the Seven-Legged Spider (with Some Dresden Dolls, to Boot)

Elektra has, in her words, "nine and a half" tattoos, and was kind enough to share two of them with us. First up is this spider on...

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An Update from Victor

I don't often run into Tattoosday subjects more than once, but when one works in the same neighborhood, it's often tough NOT to run into them.<br /><br />Case in point is my friend Victor, who I first met <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/06/heeeeeeeeeres-victors-tattoos.html">here</a> in an example of what I call a tat-alog, when multiple tattoos are photographed and discussed.<br /><br />We did a <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2009/08/return-of-victors-ink.html">second post</a> on some new cinematic signature ink he had obtained <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2009/08/return-of-victors-ink.html">here</a>, and that had been it for a while.<br /><br />Then, last month, I spotted him again in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Plaza">Penn Plaza</a>, and thought that this tattoo was new:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DiLS5b8_sjo2XUxYdx3ATnyRcWHTxHaCiirZzKnGbmOWHP3vv6p0NlCUGPJnTMXmRm4pTSYz4k9HH6-p7IQatfQUO8ZqwsR-f-Tm-wm5WQRVswKXoVdWqXwxaI9ozjjIL_lKMq8Y/s1600/Stones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DiLS5b8_sjo2XUxYdx3ATnyRcWHTxHaCiirZzKnGbmOWHP3vv6p0NlCUGPJnTMXmRm4pTSYz4k9HH6-p7IQatfQUO8ZqwsR-f-Tm-wm5WQRVswKXoVdWqXwxaI9ozjjIL_lKMq8Y/s400/Stones.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />There's been a lot of hoopla this week as <a href="http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/">Jimmy Fallon</a> did a whole <a href="http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/rolling-stones-week/">Rolling Stones tribute</a> over five days in honor of the reissue of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exile_on_Main_St."><i>Exile on Main Street</i></a>.<br /><br />I'll let Victor explain the history of this particular tattoo:<br /><br /><blockquote>...[This was] done by my cousin <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ebonacore">Eddie Bonacore</a> in his apartment...then he did it for me again when he got officially hired as a tattoo artist @ <a href="http://www.funhousetattooing.com/">Funhouse Tattooing</a> in the Poconos.  I love the Stones, and credit my mom for that one...she got me into them.  The Stones ooze rock n' roll and always will...even watching <a href="http://www.shinealightmovie.com/"><i>Shine a Light</i></a>, the documentary <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000217/">[Martin] Scorsese</a> recently did on them...it just further shows there commitment to rock n' roll...the least I could do was add some tongue to my wrist!</blockquote><br />Thanks again to Victor for keeping us entertained with his rockin' tattoos here on Tattoosday!

An Update from Victor

I don't often run into Tattoosday subjects more than once, but when one works in the same neighborhood, it's often tough NOT to run ...

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Two Tattoos from Devin

Last Wednesday I had a productive inkspotting lunch hour, which culminated with meeting Devin in front of Penn Station.<br /><br />Devin has three tattoos, two of which are in close proximity on his left forearm:<br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAXjbBGXzxw5kdxUy-KPWk6Lt3M6QAknxBfjkrc48COTaZeBjxx20m5CkEMqxB8c1pfF3s8cD0wcDrXuKw3tRx8h2ouoiWrjfFNAJpSXrnZD2BdwGm7UsFeMQCFthAM-w8z-DJpCU/s1600-h/devin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448201938943315410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAXjbBGXzxw5kdxUy-KPWk6Lt3M6QAknxBfjkrc48COTaZeBjxx20m5CkEMqxB8c1pfF3s8cD0wcDrXuKw3tRx8h2ouoiWrjfFNAJpSXrnZD2BdwGm7UsFeMQCFthAM-w8z-DJpCU/s400/devin.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" /></a>The first of the two he shared was also his very first piece he got when he was eighteen:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0JBss_A_-oa6ALN8WHlfJXTfC0Ho3TIIpaxdd9xxsluq4tBXJnrsYMI3n6h_NSLZQCpceKTy4_8gUdYHxVQB4T2Tma8EYAS7m1kmgGitYeBgmLgaITAvSBWFpcAuf5Wc9ODFwmLG/s1600-h/Devin+Rancid.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448201337766074898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0JBss_A_-oa6ALN8WHlfJXTfC0Ho3TIIpaxdd9xxsluq4tBXJnrsYMI3n6h_NSLZQCpceKTy4_8gUdYHxVQB4T2Tma8EYAS7m1kmgGitYeBgmLgaITAvSBWFpcAuf5Wc9ODFwmLG/s400/Devin+Rancid.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />This "punk rock chick" is based on an old <a href="http://www.rancidrancid.com/">Rancid</a> logo. Aside from being a fan of the band, he liked the design, as well. It was tattooed by Brad Schicklgruber at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/mackenziestattoo">Mackenzie's Tattoo</a> in Carmel, New York.<br /><br />Just above that is the sparrow design that is classic flash:<br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bigN4FDWaJCGQ2fBY7pzahyphenhyphenfTdyPiu2P20ZRlyNXXlxJGSMnK1P929Ec4JgDb8lNq4fYDobpWVu-OawQAkX5511t_b9qo-Q7ZezmX8AHYpqvtDOcgCOAtrkW-sOKo2VYCJ9Alz4T/s1600-h/Devin+sparrow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448201056145679666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bigN4FDWaJCGQ2fBY7pzahyphenhyphenfTdyPiu2P20ZRlyNXXlxJGSMnK1P929Ec4JgDb8lNq4fYDobpWVu-OawQAkX5511t_b9qo-Q7ZezmX8AHYpqvtDOcgCOAtrkW-sOKo2VYCJ9Alz4T/s400/Devin+sparrow.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" /></a>It seemed fitting, then, that Devin had this done by Eddie at <a href="http://www.oreillystattoo.com/">Sam O'Reilly's Tattoo Parlour</a> in Santa Cruz, California. O'Reilly's, established in 1891, is one of the oldest shops in the nation and has top-notch artists. Work from O'Reilly's has appeared previously on our site <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Samuel%20O%27Reilly%27s%20Tattoo%20Parlour">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to Devin for sharing his tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Two Tattoos from Devin

Last Wednesday I had a productive inkspotting lunch hour, which culminated with meeting Devin in front of Penn Station. Devin has three tatt...

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Day of the Dead Special: Electrical Sugar Skull

I met Mike at the end of September, but have been hanging on to this post to share today, on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead">Day of the Dead</a>:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzd0ekqdNmPjcszoRaQCwyulWQwxkeC39Ap1ekydAHLFmKFGxTAOsssdT_XuLkXDDXXElGgyhOZfXbNvOy5c2MPz-J9I4yhPcGF99lc_Jq_SKk3RC2Rz04Ujva8P_Ri1LEirUzdWFD/s1600-h/electrical+sugar+skull.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399174474213362210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzd0ekqdNmPjcszoRaQCwyulWQwxkeC39Ap1ekydAHLFmKFGxTAOsssdT_XuLkXDDXXElGgyhOZfXbNvOy5c2MPz-J9I4yhPcGF99lc_Jq_SKk3RC2Rz04Ujva8P_Ri1LEirUzdWFD/s400/electrical+sugar+skull.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />I've posted numerous sugar skulls here (click <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Sugar%20Skulls">this link</a> to see all posts tagged as such), but this one is particularly interesting due to its proximity to the tattoo below, which is the logo for the <a href="http://www.ibew.org/">International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers</a> (IBEW), or the electrician's union, to which the contributor belongs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5k6eRC_8F1Ze-CmcjNAlToZB_1kwaZV8c2abA57By4axNer8Ivzy-v214t1x06SzI7B4ePPiRcNPzNaxjwhe9sUPwnm0Q3f1pKerxyuLs3WOSTXZOe1gjFOtlWLXHsR19uq_i1bG/s1600-h/electrical+sugar+skull+detail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399174394453080786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5k6eRC_8F1Ze-CmcjNAlToZB_1kwaZV8c2abA57By4axNer8Ivzy-v214t1x06SzI7B4ePPiRcNPzNaxjwhe9sUPwnm0Q3f1pKerxyuLs3WOSTXZOe1gjFOtlWLXHsR19uq_i1bG/s400/electrical+sugar+skull+detail.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxZ11t4Az6BqKeT2ETBGiXNTO_y_1B0mUAYGg_AA4h-ECw65P41ZasBZTrIRee9btOdD1-QDeJv8V1uvCAYUvMww8Fv8P1NGT3Rh_OM95j6AMYiPgc8evj2euCgxAHQlh485X-3Y6/s1600-h/amped.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399174225744419490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxZ11t4Az6BqKeT2ETBGiXNTO_y_1B0mUAYGg_AA4h-ECw65P41ZasBZTrIRee9btOdD1-QDeJv8V1uvCAYUvMww8Fv8P1NGT3Rh_OM95j6AMYiPgc8evj2euCgxAHQlh485X-3Y6/s400/amped.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVR7XCpeYIOB4tqp28QhFQiY-pxGPbhmf62XDWciPLz1iP8nKGnKaG8v6PuMWbWRMRmUMpFCHuBU5POTs0mwIy_wxSA7LC9VwRHIHrfu2lUKtTilHiMmSXEYleTVqD7UTr58Y_ABYo/s1600-h/ibewnew.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399175643825733298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVR7XCpeYIOB4tqp28QhFQiY-pxGPbhmf62XDWciPLz1iP8nKGnKaG8v6PuMWbWRMRmUMpFCHuBU5POTs0mwIy_wxSA7LC9VwRHIHrfu2lUKtTilHiMmSXEYleTVqD7UTr58Y_ABYo/s400/ibewnew.gif" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 274px;" /></a><br />The tattoos were done by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/robhotte">Rob Hotte</a> at the incomparable <a href="http://www.lotustattoo.com/">Lotus Tattoo</a> in Sayville, New York.<br /><br />For an extra El Día de los Muertos bonus, I encourage folks to check out my old friend Mike's Day of the Dead Mariachi troupe <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/12/michaels-mariachis-celebrate-life-with.html">here</a>.<br /><br />As for this post, I thank Mike for sharing his incredible tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!<br /><br />*<br /><br />Extra bonus material:<br /><br />About 2 months ago, a reader named Leslie sent me the following blurb:<br /><br /><blockquote>Hi! I ... sent you a link to Albuquerque's <a href="http://www.tintacantina.com/">Tinta Cantina</a> - the shop does all kinds of work but they really do a lot of Day of the Dead stuff - in particular - look under the artist Jason. I do not work there, nor am I trying to promote them - I just think that the tattoos done here in New Mexico are quite different from the interpretations you show from the East Coast and that you might find it interesting.<br /></blockquote>Thanks to Leslie for sharing this link with us here on Tattoosday!

Day of the Dead Special: Electrical Sugar Skull

I met Mike at the end of September, but have been hanging on to this post to share today, on the Day of the Dead : I've posted numerous ...

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Shiri's Logos

"Excuse me," I called, loudly, on the 34th Street train platform, "Can I ask you about your tattoo?"<br /><br />Anyone reading this who has been featured here may recognize this as my opening salvo. Most people are open to my questions. Very few dismiss me. For this I am thankful.<br /><br />Shira was the woman to whom I was speaking, and she was very welcoming to my inquiries.<br /><br />Here is the best of the many tattoos I saw she had:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYriJOF-IaS7Dvg5SEvkuZCiCvsKOy22OUN0KcHCUG-Jzt36BAXMhyphenhyphensnfbNkYYgiC8_-6YYFA61fZySCkxgQL02BTx2s7a5bXXPwJea4EzW-TbPdhd913xRRQzmL4piAgSJ9JlVKop/s1600-h/Sponge.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395379803375278514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYriJOF-IaS7Dvg5SEvkuZCiCvsKOy22OUN0KcHCUG-Jzt36BAXMhyphenhyphensnfbNkYYgiC8_-6YYFA61fZySCkxgQL02BTx2s7a5bXXPwJea4EzW-TbPdhd913xRRQzmL4piAgSJ9JlVKop/s400/Sponge.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />It's a fairly intricate (and extremely well-done) replica for one of the album designs for a band named <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sponge_%28band%29">Sponge</a>. Shiri had a matching t-shirt, but taking a picture of that would have been borderline creepy, in my opinion. Unfortunately, the only image online I could find was small:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBOJ2egTuCK1sXqk8DX17aBJDZfs-TIpXNJeSdY3OVxQ54mX5YNGoezPY2zCBjxiRr1xUswUpA5VUYw8Zm9M43fheul2fsv5uoGNDve5R2gu3IT7y78T3Ne_xngpPAT36yiIUSWR_/s1600-h/sponge___hard_to_keep_my_cool_02-01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395382028542361554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBOJ2egTuCK1sXqk8DX17aBJDZfs-TIpXNJeSdY3OVxQ54mX5YNGoezPY2zCBjxiRr1xUswUpA5VUYw8Zm9M43fheul2fsv5uoGNDve5R2gu3IT7y78T3Ne_xngpPAT36yiIUSWR_/s400/sponge___hard_to_keep_my_cool_02-01.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 100px;" /></a><br />On her left arm she had two other band designs:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzWBkM6-uGLVB6stA7pU36Mwt-XVDaBwTvslo0sc_GqNCRtrp0KQllNK771PvpE2TVUglHVBiKevOFuI9X2Ct2wcoOvxfs85nIPGg0GnwJxDRm2ZkCWJIp3pec6LW4kCUWTil_hsd/s1600-h/PICT3054.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395379646917083394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzWBkM6-uGLVB6stA7pU36Mwt-XVDaBwTvslo0sc_GqNCRtrp0KQllNK771PvpE2TVUglHVBiKevOFuI9X2Ct2wcoOvxfs85nIPGg0GnwJxDRm2ZkCWJIp3pec6LW4kCUWTil_hsd/s320/PICT3054.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></a><br />The one on the right is from the group <a href="http://www.gogolbordello.com/">Gogol Bordello</a>, which surprised me as I had seen a similar tattoo several weeks before (and recounted <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2009/10/annie-cherry-and-bindlestiff-willy-in.html">here</a>).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjco9zEFbePvkRxaiRHtyhPe788cFaV8XeMvi8PBXsf-R1TTAkWKgwmoj59T1_Snrf1GhN0G-EEQOgPusUXMINd6nqDQlOm3T8YYp2HiCSG3RkPi1M7_vjZnmgukNKUUkDxbUakbx37/s1600-h/gogol+thumbnail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395382909117877922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjco9zEFbePvkRxaiRHtyhPe788cFaV8XeMvi8PBXsf-R1TTAkWKgwmoj59T1_Snrf1GhN0G-EEQOgPusUXMINd6nqDQlOm3T8YYp2HiCSG3RkPi1M7_vjZnmgukNKUUkDxbUakbx37/s400/gogol+thumbnail.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />The logo on the left was from a group called <a href="http://www.myspace.com/spookeyruben">Spookey Ruben</a>.<br /><br />Obviously, Shiri is a big fan of all these groups. The tattoos were all inked by her brother Ron.<br /><br />You can see other band-related tattoos by clicking on the appropriate tag at the bottom of the post.<br /><br />Thanks to Shiri for sharing her cool tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Shiri's Logos

"Excuse me," I called, loudly, on the 34th Street train platform, "Can I ask you about your tattoo?" Anyone reading this...

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A Weird Day

Here’s a new one for you. A straight narrative, speckled with ink references, which eventually resembled a “traditional” Tattoosday post. It certainly takes the cake as one of the most unusual encounters. I’ve significantly edited it down for space considerations. <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I've also waited a week (this is back-dated) to see how it would play out.</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Today was a gloomy, sleety, cold New York City day and I decided to go out at lunch, despite the rain.</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">After an unsuccessful circuit through the <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/chelsea/">Chelsea Whole Foods</a>, I hit the <a href="http://www.nypl.org/branch/local/man/mu.cfm">Muhlenberg branch</a> of the <a href="http://www.nypl.org/">New York Public Library</a> and pick up a few CDs (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Chemical_Romance%27s_2nd_Live_DVD"><i>The Black Parade is Dead!</i></a> by <a href="http://www.mychemicalromance.com/">My Chemical Romance</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Highway_%28album%29"><i>Lost Highway</i></a> by <a href="http://www.bonjovi.com/bonjovi/">Bon Jovi</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_My_World_%28album%29"><i>Rock My World</i></a> by <a href="http://www.bretmichaels.com/">Bret Mich</a><a href="http://www.bretmichaels.com/">aels</a>) and some books <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0393057267/qid=1117469413/sr=12-2/104-5081029-8712715?v=glance&s=books"><u>What Is This Thing Called Love</u></a> by inked poet <a href="http://www.kimaddonizio.com/">Kim Addonizio,</a></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.kimaddonizio.com/"><br /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bill03-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0393057267&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sailor-Jerry-Collins-American-Tattoo/dp/0945367112/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233916846&sr=1-1"><u>Sailor Jerry Collins: American Tattoo Master</u></a></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFnOAc2iC1KoB4mOFUWhRXeop9o3tlPZ3IbknqSOox8CEgMFUhlDOHVNgcLCXfjMvHFCUYy4jaiWe1IBS5AzqjXTUSgURcOq_Ykm4hFw9UCqUaiLulOmACTryqUNtc0lQ59dG16ZkvPzb/s1600-h/sailor+jerry.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299633180502600690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFnOAc2iC1KoB4mOFUWhRXeop9o3tlPZ3IbknqSOox8CEgMFUhlDOHVNgcLCXfjMvHFCUYy4jaiWe1IBS5AzqjXTUSgURcOq_Ykm4hFw9UCqUaiLulOmACTryqUNtc0lQ59dG16ZkvPzb/s400/sailor+jerry.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 240px; cursor: pointer; height: 240px; text-align: center;" /></a></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/082122817X?tag=bill03-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=082122817X&adid=187NCS25AA4KB3S0GE77&"><u>Tattoo Nation: Portraits of Celebrity Body Art</u></a>.</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bill03-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=082122817X&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I head back toward work and stop under the overhang outside of <a href="http://www.fitnyc.edu/html/dynamic.html">Fashion Institute of Technology</a> to take a break from the freezing rain.</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I decide to talk to two students who are talking outside, smoking. I introduce myself and explain the blog and one of them is un-inked and has agreed to participate in the Unin(k)itiated survey. I’m about to talk to ask the first question when a guy comes up to us to ask a question.</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Here’s where the abridging of the conversation begins.</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Initially, he is looking to get directions to the <a href="http://www.apple.com/retail/fifthavenue/">Apple Store on 5^th Avenue</a>. He is visiting from San Francisco and needs to pick up a PC from there. He speaks very fast. He has been a web designer since the early 90’s. He rattles off several websites he has built for various companies. He refers to himself as “Apple Pirate,” and he mentions an Apple tattoo.</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">My interest is piqued. “You have tattoos?” “Four,” he replies. But he is covered in clothing and is visibly cold in the non-San Francisco weather. I don’t expect him to show me anything. I mention the blog, but he is dismissive. He makes a comment about not having time for websites that are small. I am not offended, though I could take issue with what could be perceived as a sleight. But Tattoosday is still a little baby blog, and I’m a small fish in a big blogospheric ocean, despite the occasional delusion of grandeur.</p><br />The conversation is all over the place, with Chris leading most of the discussion. Among the topics: where the nearest bike shop is, how he’s been crashing on the floor at <a href="http://www.hotelchelsea.com/">The Hotel Chelsea</a> because he doesn’t have the credit card he used to make the reservation at the <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1299">W Hotel</a> (he was mugged in Baltimore), the quality of F.I.T. as a school, and why the <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1299">Baltimore School for the Arts</a> is losing students to F.I.T. Also discussed is the weather, some SF vs. NYC banter, technology, design, and more on tattoos.<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We drift back to his ink and he has decided that he will show me one of his pieces. Here is where this starts looking like a normal Tattoosday post. This is the tattoo on Chris’ left elbow:</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwyz4oB9286U-SV5Um0RiGZAo0VtsYtgTYF3LSxh9iytmiuuomn3WjdHVPZXLleE0oPPGz3WtK3qrtKfCwUxxz0YBdHO3J4ZCnI_dWks1F-DlBNF9oBqnQ0M2vvUuWpA96JQsBvugHWst/s1600-h/PICT1345.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299636491974072738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwyz4oB9286U-SV5Um0RiGZAo0VtsYtgTYF3LSxh9iytmiuuomn3WjdHVPZXLleE0oPPGz3WtK3qrtKfCwUxxz0YBdHO3J4ZCnI_dWks1F-DlBNF9oBqnQ0M2vvUuWpA96JQsBvugHWst/s400/PICT1345.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 267px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" /></a></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">That’s the Apple Pirate logo.</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Chris kept talking and I continued standing with the two F.I.T. students, whose names I never got. My lunch was over and I needed to get back to work. However, both women have my card, and will hopefully contact me so I can finish the story.</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">They never did. Nor did Martin.</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It was a truly bizarre little encounter, one which may still be unfolding in the days and weeks to come.<br /></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">There was actually more to this post. Chris credited his tattoo to a well-known tattoo artist in another state. The original post discussed this artist, along with his shop, and the fact that I tracked down the artist to verify if this tattoo could be attributed to him. Ultimately, the tattooist has no recollection of the piece or the individual.<br /></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Another day in the life of the tattoo blogger!<br /></p>

A Weird Day

Here’s a new one for you. A straight narrative, speckled with ink references, which eventually resembled a “traditional” Tattoosday post. It...

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Joel Marks Memories with Some Significant Ink

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2eF_mzXIg5dSe5QRxXDyLrymgUA_L6PTGwL70AyT_XzLL5Sme4t_-CUjTIYIv25Nc8xZTyepr4E5PyWvvSTYueBObNxHeGPkK7_zMuHRN7FE3yK-FACRUuNPoktnSeoeMiOnvUS8FT_W/s1600-h/PICT0832.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253882273116745042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2eF_mzXIg5dSe5QRxXDyLrymgUA_L6PTGwL70AyT_XzLL5Sme4t_-CUjTIYIv25Nc8xZTyepr4E5PyWvvSTYueBObNxHeGPkK7_zMuHRN7FE3yK-FACRUuNPoktnSeoeMiOnvUS8FT_W/s400/PICT0832.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />What is this? Read on.....<br /><br />Last week I met <a href="http://www.joelhendricks.com/">Joel</a>, a <a href="http://www.joelbullbooks.com/index.html">writer</a> and a marketing director for <a href="http://www.ocdmusicgroup.com/">an artist management and development company</a>.<br /><br />Joel couldn't tell me how many tattoos he has (he has <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> many), but he did share two of them with me.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQsIHFuBifzhkcqwhV_z8ZpFsHNcCVWUEMCc88Us3J2M6OD7Ma8d8t7MXHgIwGxNIeAJuo3bwJZjLcETAp80zpd7Yjb8IHVukAK1yesLXfbpxJ9hTIoj8Jv84cB4pnwH9WQzuaOxnxUvb/s1600-h/lp_logo_old.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253979210919343426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQsIHFuBifzhkcqwhV_z8ZpFsHNcCVWUEMCc88Us3J2M6OD7Ma8d8t7MXHgIwGxNIeAJuo3bwJZjLcETAp80zpd7Yjb8IHVukAK1yesLXfbpxJ9hTIoj8Jv84cB4pnwH9WQzuaOxnxUvb/s200/lp_logo_old.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />The first is posted above and, despite being a little blurry in the photo, this small piece is an early band logo. In fact, Joel informed me that it was the first tattoo ever inked in honor of the band <a href="http://linkinpark.com/index">Linkin Park</a>, one of the first acts to achieve a massive audience with their blend of hard rock<br />and rap.<br /><br />Joel explains that, in September 2000, he was travelling with the relatively obscure band in Utah, working as a driver and director of merchandising. They were touring just prior to the release of their breakthrough album <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_Theory"><span style="font-style: italic;">Hybrid Theory</span></a>.<br /><br />Tattoos are often road maps for one's personal history and this tiny Linkin Park tattoo marks that moment in time.<br /><br />More important to Joel, however, is this, one of his more recent tattoos:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8OtKWhzejg92tHVh9qiL9PbR389WI13DtmYVrCbRIAulpWI-gfk9dYpnRr4aaFJVD1DVZcORBWLxde1JojYOeVq9epurSy_C8lHVx3hwtCxHg4Y-5SFv8Ggnk2RfdV0zsbrC6oTll_7C/s1600-h/PICT0835.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253882035443415906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8OtKWhzejg92tHVh9qiL9PbR389WI13DtmYVrCbRIAulpWI-gfk9dYpnRr4aaFJVD1DVZcORBWLxde1JojYOeVq9epurSy_C8lHVx3hwtCxHg4Y-5SFv8Ggnk2RfdV0zsbrC6oTll_7C/s400/PICT0835.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />It's an interesting and unusual take on the knuckle tattoo. Rather than the 4x4 knuckle piece, it's a 2x2, with the letters "M" and "C" on the right hand and the numbers "5" and "9" on the left. When the fists come together, the MC 59 display, representing <a href="http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/music-news/avalon-bar-owner-mike-conley-f/">Mike Conley</a> and the year 1959, when Mike was born.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rAzqvrG7BbkDCMU9IyAyzOzUBnKLQ-6z-jqsPkIVX7AqOQ53zUmbfdX9XjU1t9k7J04IHf0yBB-zjSumEPWLQxJihISeutBkIuo_y7wKCI9bhTOHHci7bUWILYpAiqiIrZ5PLoPYlSMK/s1600-h/3-nightlife-pb-mike_conely.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253979939880275618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rAzqvrG7BbkDCMU9IyAyzOzUBnKLQ-6z-jqsPkIVX7AqOQ53zUmbfdX9XjU1t9k7J04IHf0yBB-zjSumEPWLQxJihISeutBkIuo_y7wKCI9bhTOHHci7bUWILYpAiqiIrZ5PLoPYlSMK/s400/3-nightlife-pb-mike_conely.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />Joel described Mike as his best friend, who died tragically in February of this year after falling and hitting his head in a parking lot of a Chicago motel. Mike introduced Joel to the work of <a href="http://bukowski.net/">Charles Bukowski</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kerouac">Jack Kerouac</a>, and to the music of <a href="http://www.milesdavis.com/">Miles Davis</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Coltrane">John Coltrane</a>. He was the owner of <a href="http://www.myspace.com/theavalon">The Avalon Bar</a> in Costa Mesa, California. I could see the sadness in the eyes of Joel, as he recalled the friend that was taken from life<br />too soon. Joel said "I'm never gonna be over it."<br /><br />This was inked by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/hek1">Hek</a> at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/hb_tattoo">HB Tattoo</a> in Huntington Beach.<br /><br />I learned later, by visiting the <a href="http://www.mikeconleyfamilyfund.com/">Mike Conley Family Memorial Fund</a> website, that Mike was a founding member of the Southern California punk band <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.I.A._%28band%29">M.I.A.</a> (Not to be confused with the hip hop artist of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.I.A._%28artist%29">the same name</a>.)<br /><br />I encourage folks to visit the website and, if so moved, to make a donation. There are links to some nice articles about Mike and his influence on the music scene.<br /><br />Thanks to Joel for sharing his tattoos with us here at Tattoosday. And our condolences to Mike Conley's family and friends who lost so much when he was taken at such an early age.

Joel Marks Memories with Some Significant Ink

What is this? Read on..... Last week I met Joel , a writer and a marketing director for an artist management and development company . Joel...

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Building Their Own Nation

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoe7L2boFSwIgzbR9H8FKG_ghb919bJS6ktJLnA_6Qxo6lMZR-DmBe-vcbEiKec8goZ8fV4OQWqgNl3f2LNusdD1rmWI9HBhNWZRj4gBG6yRvkrA7DpH9z-r79t7Etp1qWpMQ-u_OWAIQA/s1600-h/PICT0521.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239251977524476770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoe7L2boFSwIgzbR9H8FKG_ghb919bJS6ktJLnA_6Qxo6lMZR-DmBe-vcbEiKec8goZ8fV4OQWqgNl3f2LNusdD1rmWI9HBhNWZRj4gBG6yRvkrA7DpH9z-r79t7Etp1qWpMQ-u_OWAIQA/s400/PICT0521.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />At the tail end of my discussion with John about his tattoo (see the post above), he revealed that he was here in New York with his new wife Liz. Ah, a honeymoon in the Big Apple!<br /><br />Liz and John posed the above tattoos for the occasion. I generally don't go on and on about the photos I take, but I just <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">love</span> how this photo came out: John's wrist nesting lightly in Liz's hand. The matter-of-fact delicacy and naturalness of their two arms connecting just makes the photo that much more compelling.<br /><br />Anyway, Liz explained that this was the logo for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Pioneer_organization_of_the_Soviet_Union">Young Pioneer</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Pioneer_organization_of_the_Soviet_Union">s</a>, and that their slogan "Build your own nation," or "Make your own country," seemed an appropriate visual metaphor for a new life together.<br /><br />And, I completely agree.<br /><br />But, as a disclaimer, I had difficulty locating this exact emblem and connecting it to the youth organization in the former Soviet Union. But, my being able to do so is moot. The logo is striking and it's symbolism is brilliant.<br /><br />Thanks to Liz and John for sharing their nuptial ink on Tattoosday. Here's wishing them a long, happy life together!

Building Their Own Nation

At the tail end of my discussion with John about his tattoo (see the post above), he revealed that he was here in New York with his new wife...

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Vincent Bears the Spear of Longinus

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_-qzM-nwPa00mmi-GAQA_iTtAFCnLLLv28v19ybc0skCaptxhnk50ctuFp7AzhKcFYE_wRJG0e9b2Gq3iXiYDSg06HZdjJ_Euv0mrbEbCG2Npi2d8quu4LyKZBhbf9XDQ4NjhCaDzFEh/s1600-h/PICT0532.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238556915748945106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_-qzM-nwPa00mmi-GAQA_iTtAFCnLLLv28v19ybc0skCaptxhnk50ctuFp7AzhKcFYE_wRJG0e9b2Gq3iXiYDSg06HZdjJ_Euv0mrbEbCG2Npi2d8quu4LyKZBhbf9XDQ4NjhCaDzFEh/s400/PICT0532.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />I met Vincent Corrigan on the way to the subway on 33rd Street between 7th and 6th Avenues. It was a giant arm piece that crawled up under his shirt and onto his shoulder that first caught my eye.<br /><br />However, he offered up the piece above and, in the course of speaking with him, I took pictures of three other tattoos that were notable. I am going to discuss them in reverse order.<br /><br />First, this piece may be familiar to many:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvGw7NUC7BVVAZSAyJ6rZzf-7lOJvjMIa-aZuf7moRlU84Npch9LEwUfVoGyoGzYp8qi5Qip3I4y-u-z4k5lwbG84MZIrxjwm26fcpsasSjH6I_3EFbNopVEvxvVkNgFWFpF5mXbTBqGJ/s1600-h/PICT0534.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238558421649210050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvGw7NUC7BVVAZSAyJ6rZzf-7lOJvjMIa-aZuf7moRlU84Npch9LEwUfVoGyoGzYp8qi5Qip3I4y-u-z4k5lwbG84MZIrxjwm26fcpsasSjH6I_3EFbNopVEvxvVkNgFWFpF5mXbTBqGJ/s400/PICT0534.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />That's the <a href="http://landingpage.guinness.com/Gateway-en-row.htm?Lang=en-us&BrandId=SO&RefUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.guinness.com%2fTemplates%2fRedirectToGateway.aspx%3fNRMODE%3dPublished%26NRNODEGUID%3d%257b7892FE09-EC41-4F5B-A336-9EAC47569C2F%257d%26NRORIGINALURL%3d%252f%26NRCACHEHINT%3dGuest">Guinness</a> harp, a trademark recognizable to beer connoisseurs:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZrjkdIAHzOMrcZwPJO9nu-v4JwgKTOsSave35vbd3drgHmLpa06DAp0h9EkZ3uzG7l3M99ydRpJGjoHdtrvQ0lpfhoeaihbKVvsWLQjh4cNtyuYvS2cKaZs6bP6CFoPQr7r_66llZj1x/s1600-h/guinness_harp.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238584648742954994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZrjkdIAHzOMrcZwPJO9nu-v4JwgKTOsSave35vbd3drgHmLpa06DAp0h9EkZ3uzG7l3M99ydRpJGjoHdtrvQ0lpfhoeaihbKVvsWLQjh4cNtyuYvS2cKaZs6bP6CFoPQr7r_66llZj1x/s400/guinness_harp.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 314px;" /></a><br />Not to overstate the obvious, but Guinness is a dry stout beer that originated in Dublin, and is thus a matter of pride for the Irish. Mr. Corrigan, as one might venture from his surname, is of Irish ancestry.<br /><br />The harp is on the top of his left bicep and is one of his older pieces. In fact, he credits <a href="http://www.brooklyntattoo.com/RYOKOBIO%20.html">Ryoko</a> at <a href="http://www.brooklyntattoo.com/WELCOME.html">Brooklyn Tattoo</a> for taking what was previously a bit of shoddy inkwork, revitalizing it with some excellent restoration and making a respectable tattoo out of it.<br /><br />Further down the arm, on Vincent's inner left forearm, are two symbols I recognized immediately:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3Sb4I_9VVsx4Dw1ZcePVwTQLc7xGZ_-BOVlflghX0pl9hyVdQsBXuqbjbEFTnxvG1dVjOPegXuKQNaPLrYrBDs0jp4PPY1QBEd4rahVI04WZb5zY61qVr2c84OhtrlJVZ0DDDaY38Nzf/s1600-h/PICT0533.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238558759593677794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3Sb4I_9VVsx4Dw1ZcePVwTQLc7xGZ_-BOVlflghX0pl9hyVdQsBXuqbjbEFTnxvG1dVjOPegXuKQNaPLrYrBDs0jp4PPY1QBEd4rahVI04WZb5zY61qVr2c84OhtrlJVZ0DDDaY38Nzf/s400/PICT0533.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />The top one is the logo familiar to fans of the band <a href="http://www.audioslave.com/">Audioslave</a>. The fiery emblem appeared on the band's debut album cover.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J6nZSG3VdnJleUFcWIod5bDbAuuko3OrORPb6ivkA5A33jNrbPLNk3d8M06SDm77tIeuYPIOuUbmFtU_a0s7nfEM57XXfovdm8DXgttSL7Y-3zeYIg3gmWuKup13tV5zQE2alN3KiSfh/s1600-h/audioslave_-_audioslave-front.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238585917742266818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J6nZSG3VdnJleUFcWIod5bDbAuuko3OrORPb6ivkA5A33jNrbPLNk3d8M06SDm77tIeuYPIOuUbmFtU_a0s7nfEM57XXfovdm8DXgttSL7Y-3zeYIg3gmWuKup13tV5zQE2alN3KiSfh/s200/audioslave_-_audioslave-front.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /><br />Vince is a singer and a huge fan of the singer <a href="http://www.chriscornell.com/">Chris Cornell</a> (lead singer of Audioslave, and more famously, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundgarden">Soundgarden</a>).<br />I also am a fan of Cornell's (although I haven't seen him in concert,<br />unlike Vince who guesses he's seen him twenty times).<br /><br />Below the Audioslave logo is one of the four runes representing band members from <a href="http://www.ledzeppelin.com/">Led Zeppelin</a>:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5UxZTa2emLXuKg8l8Sr3ZjONclWHGCpPcdlrIGXBWiaVMRLNzofmsXlZ9AYL1wGpoNJPhqLbxGexhX4yEUK4t5X9JLEA912AWOUYKdLueTV2w30wfQiiJ85kTHlcyp_HF0nF2ZfIFhjg/s1600-h/zep4ad.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238588240879519778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5UxZTa2emLXuKg8l8Sr3ZjONclWHGCpPcdlrIGXBWiaVMRLNzofmsXlZ9AYL1wGpoNJPhqLbxGexhX4yEUK4t5X9JLEA912AWOUYKdLueTV2w30wfQiiJ85kTHlcyp_HF0nF2ZfIFhjg/s320/zep4ad.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />These runes appeared first on the band's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Led_Zeppelin_IV">fourth album</a>. The rune tattooed on Vincent's arm is the one on the far right and according to Wikipedia:<br /><blockquote><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Plant" title="Robert Plant">Robert Plant</a>'s symbol is the feather of the Egyptian goddess <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%27at" title="Ma'at">Ma'at</a>, representing truth, justice, fairness and writing, encapsulated by an unbroken circle representing life. According to Egyptian mythology, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osiris" title="Osiris">Osiris</a>, the god of judgment and death, would take the heart of those who died and put it on a balance with the feather of Ma'at. If the heart outweighed the feather, the person's soul would go to hell, but on the other hand, if the heart was lighter than the feather, the soul would go to heaven.</div></blockquote><br />However, Plant's rune is significant to Vincent because he is the lead singer.<br /><br />And now to the amazing piece at the top of this post, well worth another look:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TrSmLMS-wd0UQ_ZtQhiPAobwXYNp84TDr5g6TLaErcrIcy7CwHohWRXgeTHsgGWrSMDBq0NKbGxeQfXEwGuf2Fd7eW35S4p5ixSNyMiIl3u6Y9w1vN5NYbs0-dvFfPPvnF_Irhk5mHR9/s1600-h/spear2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238558081464481858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TrSmLMS-wd0UQ_ZtQhiPAobwXYNp84TDr5g6TLaErcrIcy7CwHohWRXgeTHsgGWrSMDBq0NKbGxeQfXEwGuf2Fd7eW35S4p5ixSNyMiIl3u6Y9w1vN5NYbs0-dvFfPPvnF_Irhk5mHR9/s400/spear2.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />Vincent indicates that this is the "Spear of Longinus," one of the many names given to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Lance">The Holy Lance</a>, which was the weapon used to pierce the side of Jesus Christ during the Crucifixion.<br /><br />The name <a href="http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Vincent">Vincent</a> has an origin in the meaning of the word conqueror and the surname <a href="http://www.surnamedb.com/surname.aspx?name=Corrigan">Corrigan</a><br />derives from a root word which means "spear" or "lance". It is this primary parallel that gave Vincent the urge to ink this relic of Christianity onto his arm. It appears that the tattoo is modeled after the Hofburg Spear which is kept in Vienna.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYM08hCK488EsULguzTVsWYm8-VJwrkQVT3Ds3RmExWH4_m_f6uCjTqsOLa19VPOcrX21IuWUYs7U1tsboaoJEi3rMJYWarkpAT57foDhGNBsE0G5bQV0Xzt-GzP5OU_G_znjoEIXu7HyE/s1600-h/holy-lance.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238595427628536258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYM08hCK488EsULguzTVsWYm8-VJwrkQVT3Ds3RmExWH4_m_f6uCjTqsOLa19VPOcrX21IuWUYs7U1tsboaoJEi3rMJYWarkpAT57foDhGNBsE0G5bQV0Xzt-GzP5OU_G_znjoEIXu7HyE/s320/holy-lance.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />This spear is an object of fascination in literature and the arts, often as the subject matter for narratives pertaining to the Crusades, with a link in some cases to Ireland. This brings the spear of Longinus an additional link to Vincent's pride in his Irish ancestry.<br /><br />The spear tattoo, along with the Audioslave and Robert Plant tattoos, was inked by artist <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ericwigger">Eric Wigger</a> at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/devilsrosetattoo">The Devil's Rose Tattoo</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Point,_New_York">Blue Point, New York</a>, on Long Island.<br /><br />Thanks to Vincent for sharing all his ink with us here at Tattoosday!

Vincent Bears the Spear of Longinus

I met Vincent Corrigan on the way to the subway on 33rd Street between 7th and 6th Avenues. It was a giant arm piece that crawled up under h...

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Shattered Faith

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cQ29POFlAgLn6EUBcPeouXLWojz8h6l_uS9ZHeUHfLv6eyawD4qETQya8AXDAxK4L5Iw2KmvAwaKDqw8Cle7ye1AQt58eADwZ4cxL_C4kPtV6NuSojde-IR6KqvWv9kdb0tlMg4CoP36/s1600-h/PICT0286.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229334793279309698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cQ29POFlAgLn6EUBcPeouXLWojz8h6l_uS9ZHeUHfLv6eyawD4qETQya8AXDAxK4L5Iw2KmvAwaKDqw8Cle7ye1AQt58eADwZ4cxL_C4kPtV6NuSojde-IR6KqvWv9kdb0tlMg4CoP36/s400/PICT0286.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />On Tuesday, I met Shawn in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Station_%28New_York_City%29">Penn Station</a>. He and a friend had visited to New York City from Albany to catch the band <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.shatteredfaith.us">Shattered Faith</a> last Monday night at a Brooklyn venue called <a href="http://www.timeout.com/newyork/events/rock-pop-soul/119721/2432481/shattered-faith-false-prophets-bad-luck-charms">Club Europa</a>.<br /><br />The band is not familiar to me, despite the fact that they are an Orange County-based punk band that has been playing since the late 1970s. They grew out of the same scene that spawned the great L.A. Punk scene in the early '80s, but they never made my radar.<br /><br />According to Shawn, this was their first U.S. tour, so he was glad to catch them live on the East Coast.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-JYTNwKWiHgWJ1LvhyphenhyphenpRKqomfFNZrXQ3-fP95NpnnEaGljZ_blf8pDBwRHxndUV5yAlksPE8jF6GYcRJ_IPSw1EsH7mFVZQLpuiz95zYu8ffAXjo_b2UCXIcgMGHy2b3a0f5KwmdF-0e/s1600-h/sf+tour.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229335588863398226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-JYTNwKWiHgWJ1LvhyphenhyphenpRKqomfFNZrXQ3-fP95NpnnEaGljZ_blf8pDBwRHxndUV5yAlksPE8jF6GYcRJ_IPSw1EsH7mFVZQLpuiz95zYu8ffAXjo_b2UCXIcgMGHy2b3a0f5KwmdF-0e/s400/sf+tour.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /><br />Shawn has about a dozen or so tattoos, half of which are band logos.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUt-TNDa71erJH05vJvI2lu5hJXTUI3J3N-kzZP799JLnq-Zdi10_DBMT7NZwsVuNDtvem8O6W2gNb019Lqs5GlpITceUwLqI72dGvQEio_hjlZsZupQOwiJFHlTqz90l0GodFyRZNOFOX/s1600-h/shattered.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229336804521877394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUt-TNDa71erJH05vJvI2lu5hJXTUI3J3N-kzZP799JLnq-Zdi10_DBMT7NZwsVuNDtvem8O6W2gNb019Lqs5GlpITceUwLqI72dGvQEio_hjlZsZupQOwiJFHlTqz90l0GodFyRZNOFOX/s200/shattered.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" /></a> He had a sweet <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_%28U.S._band%29">X</a> tattoo on his right forearm. The piece featured above is the Shattered Faith logo and was inked by Jack Kowalzyk at <a href="http://albany.citysearch.com/profile/7585804/albany_ny/primal_graphics.html">Primal Graphics Tattoo</a> in Albany.<br /><br />Check out Shattered Faith at their website <a href="http://www.shatteredfaith.us/" target="_blank">www.shatteredfaith.us</a>. You can listen to some of their music in the audio section. You can also check out their MySpace page <a href="http://www.myspace.com/shatteredfaithus">here</a>.<br /><br />Another benefit to writing (and reading) Tattoosday is the fact that I am occasionally is educated about bands that had been prevoiusly unknown to me.<br /><br />Thanks to Shawn for taking the time to talk to me and helping introduce Shattered Faith to Tattoosday readers!<br /><br />Bonus: A YouTube video featuring Shattered Faith performing in 2006:<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sMWfVxXj71U&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sMWfVxXj71U&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Shattered Faith

On Tuesday, I met Shawn in Penn Station . He and a friend had visited to New York City from Albany to catch the band Shattered Faith last M...

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San Diego Tattoos Visit The Big Apple

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4L9Nc9fq0wwntqCZAqu3Ffwaq3utQ1enTSc_22NOOeewe6nOM0rON-q4nxZ9sHDADrA1mH5ByqyYZKKx0PAxT5tq9Wl4g9MeNLaLmo_xUrBr-5efpCt98MaVku2zlDWZN0obnZbH6Jqbg/s1600-h/PICT0142.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224675242174019282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4L9Nc9fq0wwntqCZAqu3Ffwaq3utQ1enTSc_22NOOeewe6nOM0rON-q4nxZ9sHDADrA1mH5ByqyYZKKx0PAxT5tq9Wl4g9MeNLaLmo_xUrBr-5efpCt98MaVku2zlDWZN0obnZbH6Jqbg/s400/PICT0142.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />I spotted Mike and Tracy on 34th Street on Thursday, July 17. They were the third and fourth people I photographed that day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwp3l3PLRLmhX69Dp8xC7C9j0OZL4yyXPVeAUVo1ksRUC92_eknqAalMXkIX2mkxBLBVn9Amq9XMCJBk9LJJNzk8QGIDD_S4MXg95a-N073_13n10YZLbhebTlGY8rXZzNMusTInVp-FDX/s1600-h/MISFITS.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224674691305233650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwp3l3PLRLmhX69Dp8xC7C9j0OZL4yyXPVeAUVo1ksRUC92_eknqAalMXkIX2mkxBLBVn9Amq9XMCJBk9LJJNzk8QGIDD_S4MXg95a-N073_13n10YZLbhebTlGY8rXZzNMusTInVp-FDX/s200/MISFITS.gif" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 104px;" /></a><br />Mike had the logo from his favorite band, <a href="http://www.misfits.com/">The Misfits</a>, on the back of his left calf. It's one of his three tattoos.<br /><br />Tracy liked the art for the piece she has, on her upper left arm:<br /><br />It's one of her four tattoos:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiI9Kp5tjXebwgjUuW1JgwRkvvVx97MKjzhNOJ35gsLUVGlezm4bJ0PIUBOCiLgUEVhLCwl2WEjm-6tuNFd7e2ynk9cmZ8tynfDqeYh1C7q-Pwn9V8WAbBEvXZYIRyGy2GubCHNqCBfob/s1600-h/PICT0143.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224675849291617826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiI9Kp5tjXebwgjUuW1JgwRkvvVx97MKjzhNOJ35gsLUVGlezm4bJ0PIUBOCiLgUEVhLCwl2WEjm-6tuNFd7e2ynk9cmZ8tynfDqeYh1C7q-Pwn9V8WAbBEvXZYIRyGy2GubCHNqCBfob/s400/PICT0143.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />Both Mike and Tracy, visiting New York from San Diego, had their work done at their local shop All-American Tattoo Company. Stevie inked the Misfits piece and "Little C" did the work on Tracy's bicep.<br /><br />Thanks to both of our visitors for sharing their ink here at Tattoosday!<br /><br />UPDATE: Mike sent me the link to his band's MySpace page. They have a great name, The Filthy Few. Check them out <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thefilthyfewpunx">here</a>.

San Diego Tattoos Visit The Big Apple

I spotted Mike and Tracy on 34th Street on Thursday, July 17. They were the third and fourth people I photographed that day. Mike had the lo...

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Tom's Pearl Jam Stickman Tattoo

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrwbcreMtZZfj4qnAaSydQwNZAsxU-tMAO80LSYqfG989nZr1DQFUIMiw7kbyn9eQTz2yzQMdePS5_mM8PgMNFFjNPPumTeveKyHtKKdP1ylktbu7VgU-fyu8OuLQA_GlFSuaNWkMPM1k/s1600-h/100_7714.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216140252248552466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrwbcreMtZZfj4qnAaSydQwNZAsxU-tMAO80LSYqfG989nZr1DQFUIMiw7kbyn9eQTz2yzQMdePS5_mM8PgMNFFjNPPumTeveKyHtKKdP1ylktbu7VgU-fyu8OuLQA_GlFSuaNWkMPM1k/s400/100_7714.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />So last night I caught <a href="http://www.pearljam.com/">Pearl Jam</a> at <a href="http://www.thegarden.com/">Madison Square Garden</a> and, of course, there were tattoos aplenty. But, as I mentioned yesterday, concert-goers generally seem a little more focused on the event at hand than the pursuit of blogfodder by a fellow concert-goer.<br /><br />Luckily for me, Tom was sitting right behind me and I got him to show me his "Stickman" tattoo. This is one of the band's oldest logos, and is a common piece to get inked by the biggest devotees of the group.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-A4RtL1ImCMVH63lFhtgb6bGHAwLUU9UuuU23RKNYCeSOYaEovxlO8VyB2n3SHCYc4pfUcsToru91Y1gogqnmeOtpzS3NOPzuOuSn_XyoPuNl-vRVaaupQoHck9jfZK0_gcivBNP1Gmf5/s1600-h/logo.5014.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216141735457495666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-A4RtL1ImCMVH63lFhtgb6bGHAwLUU9UuuU23RKNYCeSOYaEovxlO8VyB2n3SHCYc4pfUcsToru91Y1gogqnmeOtpzS3NOPzuOuSn_XyoPuNl-vRVaaupQoHck9jfZK0_gcivBNP1Gmf5/s400/logo.5014.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />Tom had this inked in 1994 at <a href="http://www.davincitattoo.com/">Da Vinci Tattoo Studio</a> in Wantagh, New York. He had yet to see his first Pearl Jam concert when he had this tattooed on his left ankle. Last night was his 14th show (it was my fifth).<br /><br />Thanks to Tom for sharing his Stickman with us!

Tom's Pearl Jam Stickman Tattoo

So last night I caught Pearl Jam at Madison Square Garden and, of course, there were tattoos aplenty. But, as I mentioned yesterday, conce...

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Ian Jones Has Thirteen Tattoos. Here Are Four.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopY_V9DiXBsgCGFsN3LUXpDTO-fwkcfIq6vYrXbDVBhCV0wEYjGyl0h-ahmDbQxYSQPcI_22JpXQWpp-6gy9sMmxq0H78SU7oKSsH1DnBDKty-O22lUgKrcQLWDEVr161eohAV6sBXCwL/s1600-h/100_7218.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202688628715262034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopY_V9DiXBsgCGFsN3LUXpDTO-fwkcfIq6vYrXbDVBhCV0wEYjGyl0h-ahmDbQxYSQPcI_22JpXQWpp-6gy9sMmxq0H78SU7oKSsH1DnBDKty-O22lUgKrcQLWDEVr161eohAV6sBXCwL/s400/100_7218.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>I saw this <a href="http://www.tattoosymbol.com/articles/hannya.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">hannya</span> mask</a> outside of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Station_%28New_York_City%29">Penn Station</a> and went up to talk to its host, Ian Jones, a Long Islander waiting for a train.<br /><br />Despite a light rainfall, we chatted for ten minutes or so about his tattoos and the stories behind them.<br /><br />Since the advent of Tattoosday, participants' reactions to the project range from total disinterestedness to moderate amusement. Ian, however, took it a notch higher, to the point of downright enthusiasm. He sounded sincere in his appreciation for the blog (and the idea behind it), and I got the impression that he would have let me take pictures of each tattoo, had time and weather permitted.<br /><br />The big piece that first drew my attention was the colorful half-sleeve on his left bicep. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannya">hanyya masks</a> are traditional elements in Japanese tattooing styles, and he has two masks representing good and evil.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnibWupuFFHCIg4lgANDhw0it_uPpJ83XSjUkjgj6vcWcp6KakNRsR-my5vCDp3ztK-nZPKwK3r8TsD7dwL5avNz9kyCFa8FhJSWIgcUDXqJW1perb7WuSehV2c4yWiW2YM3PWc6S72HM_/s1600-h/100_7215.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202690226443096210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnibWupuFFHCIg4lgANDhw0it_uPpJ83XSjUkjgj6vcWcp6KakNRsR-my5vCDp3ztK-nZPKwK3r8TsD7dwL5avNz9kyCFa8FhJSWIgcUDXqJW1perb7WuSehV2c4yWiW2YM3PWc6S72HM_/s400/100_7215.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DOAixldMhn0hIaZzhKG742EPGsroyu_tEeVausE5gNGrUKtEjWCVouv1iZ0mMZ_40NlGfoldHfQg1F6UPTowf2WfREMf1SyYkFsARnZm3vhfSFFzG6caVZF_mP8sCprfpQ1YqURQxrLr/s1600-h/100_7214.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202689857075908738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DOAixldMhn0hIaZzhKG742EPGsroyu_tEeVausE5gNGrUKtEjWCVouv1iZ0mMZ_40NlGfoldHfQg1F6UPTowf2WfREMf1SyYkFsARnZm3vhfSFFzG6caVZF_mP8sCprfpQ1YqURQxrLr/s400/100_7214.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a> This tattoo, about ten hours worth of work so far, was done by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/tattoosbykristen">Kristen</a> at <a href="http://www.artfulinktattoo.com/">Artful Ink Tattoo Studio</a>, in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemia%2C_New_York">Bohemia</a>, on Long Island. He noted that it was also a cover-up of a "bad sparrow and flower".<br /><br />Ian says he gets the most questions about his <a href="http://www.vw.com/">Volkswagen</a> logo on the inside of his right wrist.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uoULOAfeB55AUM46DD56QMrtZUDOnN7iZ18SexTLwtr05YuDhTtpmGdKRu6P2kd6sq9E7Cchwwr67OMfkYZEvsg9_WBV0mfumeIkDD0ZHPgR2xBHYwunDgckKsW8ogeFYyNgtHThNk_w/s1600-h/100_7216.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202689466233884786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uoULOAfeB55AUM46DD56QMrtZUDOnN7iZ18SexTLwtr05YuDhTtpmGdKRu6P2kd6sq9E7Cchwwr67OMfkYZEvsg9_WBV0mfumeIkDD0ZHPgR2xBHYwunDgckKsW8ogeFYyNgtHThNk_w/s400/100_7216.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a> He explains why he got an automotive emblem on such a prominent spot: he's always loved German engineering and has always had VW vehicles. His first car was a VW Eurovan, but his second car, a VW <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Golf_Mk5">GTI</a> 2-door hatchback, was what cemented his love of Volkswagens for life.<br /><br />Ian told me how he was in his GTI when he was in a horrible crash. The other vehicle was purportedly going 100 MPH and Ian is convinced that the VW's structural shell protected him from critical injuries.<br /><br />As a tribute to the GTI, and as an expression of his love of Volkswagen, he had the VW logo inked on his shifting arm (he now drives a VW <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Jetta">Jetta</a>) as a reminder of his survival from such a harrowing experience.<br /><br />His left arm sports two tattoos:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK4hp6GKuQ1RBqXJZMib0uPC4LX0G17UFRdksZy7AMiaeDraVVjXDgOxQaiqv12Rpp1N1D7imy5VO9YUnErr0UAvaJd0LpnN2prXz9bM0oZkSgASt0QHZA5Mr7CtxOK3ceDbpCI3ltXje/s1600-h/100_7217.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202689109751599202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK4hp6GKuQ1RBqXJZMib0uPC4LX0G17UFRdksZy7AMiaeDraVVjXDgOxQaiqv12Rpp1N1D7imy5VO9YUnErr0UAvaJd0LpnN2prXz9bM0oZkSgASt0QHZA5Mr7CtxOK3ceDbpCI3ltXje/s400/100_7217.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>There is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Island">Long Island</a> on the forearm and a star on his inner wrist. The star was inked the same time as the VW logo to provide balance, but it grew to take on a more important meaning. It's a reminder symbol about a friend of his who is in the <a href="http://www.marines.com/page/usmc.jsp?flashRedirect=true">Marines</a>.<br /><br />The VW and star were inked by his friend and bandmate <a href="http://www.myspace.com/tat2coffins">Tony Coffins</a> at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/resonancetattoo">Resonance Tattoo</a>, also on Long Island (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_Moriches,_New_York">Center Moriches</a>). Ian and Tony are in a band, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/phoenixriseny">Phoenix Rise</a>, together. See their MySpace page <a href="http://www.myspace.com/phoenixriseny">here</a> and listen to them play.<br /><br />The tattoo of Long Island, which Ian admits is not done that well (although I would say at least <span style="font-style: italic;">looks</span> like Long Island), is nonetheless, still near and dear to his heart. Ian was adopted when he was a baby, and he feels that he could have ended up anywhere, and Long Island was his home. He is proud to be a Long Islander, and thus wears this as a badge of honor.<br /><br />Thanks to Ian for his enthusiasm for Tattoosday, and let's hope we see more of his ink here in the future!

Ian Jones Has Thirteen Tattoos. Here Are Four.

I saw this hannya mask outside of Penn Station and went up to talk to its host, Ian Jones, a Long Islander waiting for a train. Despite a...

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