Putting serious miles on the rental car

Just as predicted in the previous post,

the trip to Maynard House in MA,

and then the Folk Life and Liberty Fortress in NH,

were both super crucial stops on our East Coast non-stop visiting trip.

4 states, 5 friends, 6 vegan meals, and 9 hours of driving,

all in barely over 24 hours.

Here's a photo of Meryl, Jess, Albie and the Cucch

enjoying the nicest summer day.

We might have all forgotten to bring along our cameras,

but that doesn't mean there aren't any photos.

I figured out the secret to driving to Conway, NH.

Vermont.

Yup.

Drive up I-91,

then east on 302,

and it's the most beautiful roadtrip around.

Thanks to both houses for the hospitality and the good times.

We're back in CT now, but we'll try to keep our spirits up.

ha.

Eastcoast Travels, part 1

Oh man.

I planned the heck out of this east coast trip we're on right now.

Down to the minute, almost.

We flew into Baltimore and did some family time there,

including meeting my brother's super rad girlfriend, Halana.

And my mom spotted TWO dead birds in Baltimore,

which you can see here.

On our way north,

we dropped off my mom in Havre de Grace,

but not before visiting Concord Point Lighthouse.

Meryl and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary in Spring Lake, New Jersey,

and it was pretty nice.

A bed and breakfast,

the Atlantic Ocean

another lighthouse,

some more dead birds.

You know, super romantic.

From there we went to Long Island,

visited my grandparents,

(and ate some REAL pizza, not that terrible MN stuff)

and then headed to the new Mets stadium (for a wedding!).

I've been friends with Jes since I was 13 years old.

Bike camp, kids.

That's a long time to be friends with me,

let me tell you.

There's not too many people who can make that claim.

She and Rob were tying the knot, finally,

and we were so happy to be there.

Even in the rain.

But do you see the rainbow?

That's not the worst way to kick things off.

And even though there were 250 guests in attendence,

we got the special vegan treatment.

That's some friendship.

Now we're headed to Maynard House,

then north to NH.

Should be so rad.

SAMMY RAMIREZ

DO YOU KNOW THIS GUY?

I have been all over the world in the last several years with my brother Steve... America, Canada, Australia, Spain, Italy, Germany, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Urugay, Mexico... and we are going to South Africa in a few days!!! WHY? to do tattoo machine seminars.

If it wasn't for Sammy Ramirez, we could confidently say that our successful book "Tattoo Machines & their Secrets" may have never come out... and if it wasn't for Sammy, we may not be doing tattoo machine seminars all over the world!

At one of the Guadalajara conventions (which Sammy is responsible for putting on) he asked us to do a machine class. We did.. it was successful. We didn't consider it until he asked us to. We owe Sammy thanks over and over.

Sammy (R) with Indio, another tattooist friend of ours.

Modern, tattooing in Mexico has a colorful history. There are several major players who are considered early pioneers of electric tattooing. Sammy Ramirez being one of them. It would be very difficult to find any other Mexican tattoo artist who has contributed so much to the advancement of the art on a large scale. His yearly convention in Guadalajara is proof of that!! That's why we attend every year. He provides seminars for every aspect of tattooing, taught by the best in the field, from pathogens classes, to piercing and modifications, to advanced tattooing techniques and our tattoo machines course. He also show cases tons of entertainment for the public, from punk bands to freak shows right down to mariachis and Mexican folk dancers...

He has been putting this convention on for over 15 years! There are several attendees of legendary status who attend every year. El Guello.. before Sammy there was Guello. An artist from Guadalajara recognized as a pioneer, if not THE pioneer of electric tattooing. El Tigre, Chino, El Chacal, Pirana are all names of other early artists... right down to the unreal work of Paco Arias, Pedro Alvarez, Pablo Xno, David "Scrappy Uno" Garcia, Goethe, Pablo Ash... our very own Juan "Super" Arreguin and Armando "Fester" Castruita!! There are way more artists to mention.

So, thanks again to Sammy Ramirez... if it wasn't for that convention more than 9 years ago, we may not have been traveling, teaching and bettering the industry in our own way.

Our shop only has the best of the best. An international cast of greatness... More to come.

Funhouse Tattooing

3001 Cambie st. @ 14th

604-879-4114

Off for a bit.

This week has been crazy,

trying to fit in a bit too much before and after work each day.

First, here's something I did while at work.

Ryan and I met up one morning to do some wildlife photography.

Here's some of the finished alligoose photos in it's natural habitat.

Now not only is it my weekend now,

but it's also the start of some serious time off.

We head east this Tuesday for a little while.

We'll be hitting baltimore, new jersey, queens,

connecticut, northampton, and new hampshire.

Handsome Adam will be the temporary innkeeper at Louderhorn,

and since he's also full time at Identity Tattoo these days,

he's the one to talk to if you want to book an appointment for when I return.

Stop by the shop to see him,

he'll take care of you.

black and grey and red all over.

I tattooed poor Spencer for 7 hours yesterday.

He only has one other tattoo,

and that one took less than 2 hours,

so this was a whole new kind of fun.

A creepy skull tree sitting on a ravine tattoo.

(con mushrooms)

Immediately following his tattoo,

tornado sirens started going off,

and the sky was so apocalyptic looking.

I didn't get a good photo of the weird greenish clouds happening

since I was trying to avoid hail stone marks on my camera (and face),

but by the time I got to MCBA,

things were looking pretty different.

I then helped Meryl finish up our latest mail art,

which you'll either receive in your mailbox,

or be able to check out here in a week or so.

This is also the very last photo ever taken of Meryl in her 20's.

She's officially 30 years old today!

May (Winter Please End Soon) Day

There's certain things you expect at Minneapolis' May Day Parade.

Lots of tall bikes, stilt walkers,

drums, costumes, puppets,

and loosely tied together animal metaphors.

But snowflakes and freezing temperatures?

C'mon.....

It was 34º out today when the parade came down my street.

It was still dope,

but this winter thing needs to end.