I am very excited about Obama being the next president. It's the first time in my life I haven't hated the president. It's the first time in my life I actually feel proud of our country. Watching the videos of other countries celebrating... it was very moving.

I grew up in a small southern town and the town nearby had a sign at the end of the bridge that read, "No ni#@%ers allowed". There were places that white people went and places that black people went. The black children sat on one half of the classroom and the white on the other. Racism is so far from dead. It's just easy to forget about it when you live in new england.

When I was a kid and they asked everyone what they wanted to be... none of the black kids said president. I never thought about it before... I just kind of brushed it off. But then I realized that maybe they didn't think it was possible? I NEVER thought I would be alive for the first black president. Just from how I grew up. I thought we were so far off.

My mother-in-law is a teacher in Lawrence and a lot of the children there are dominican. She said they were cheering and saying that maybe someday they could grow up to be presidents too. Imagine the hope those children feel. They are always trying to be blonder and say they are more white than the other kids. And finally, they have a reason to feel they might be equal to white people. They think, "If a black man is the most powerful and respected man in the country, maybe I can be respected and grow up to really be somebody too."

I think it's such a powerful choice that our country has made. I'm really so glad that it happened in my lifetime and amazed that I got to see it happen. Now if I ever have a kid, maybe they won't ever know that terrible sick feeling of listening to someone degrade another person for their color. I can hope....

I sure like cookies.

So. My arm is turning toward the crusty stage. In a couple of hours it will begin to itch and drive me mad. Luckily, In a couple of hours I will be at a wake and have tons of people touching me. That's truly one of the last things I want. I think I'm also afraid that if I go it will finally click in.

My Grandfather was a very proud man.. I realized today while driving, that his insistence of being perfectly poised and collected was passed on. Growing up, we always thought he was so cold and so perfect. Perfect shoes and perfect hair. He never cried in public, he never acted goofy. He seemed like he was stone, and anything could wash over him and leave him unchanged. He barely seemed human to a ten year old.
But now that I'm an adult, I realize that it wasn't perfection, it was pride. It was refusing to be anything less than what he thought was perfect. He was a very proud man and hated if people felt bad for him, or wanted to give him charity. He never wanted people to look down on him. I never really realized that this was passed on. I can see pieces of him in my relatives, and in myself. He taught my family to behave with confidence and poise, even when you're not feeling it. He taught us to say what we mean and never act cowardly or intimidated. He taught us to put everything we have into what we do, never just a part. Our actions are reflections of us, and when we do things poorly, it shows.
That hard exterior that I thought was was cold perfection as a child, I now think of as conviction, as inner strength, as will power, as confidence and as pride. I now know that my grandfather was human, he wasn't perfect... but he was a good man and I respected and loved him.
It's only after you lose someone that you really examine what they mean to you, and understand how they played a part in your life, shaping you into the person you are.

Well, Very eventful weekend. I Went to see my new niece who was born on friday. Then I drove to the paradise tattoo convention which was really awesome and fun.
On Sunday I was tortured/tattooed all day. Nick Moved to Texas, so we tried to finish my sleeve. So he tattooed me for 8 hours... and anyone who has been tattooed by Nick knows that he is a slave driver and takes like a 3 minute break every 4 hours haha. It looks totally awesome. Hurts a ton and my elbow is so tubby it jiggles when I walk. Strangely that makes me want to puke. I also an incredibly tired. Surprise ha. While I was being tattooed, I met the lovely sunshine Who was also getting tattooed and tortured for like 8 hours. She was super nice despite my surely pain-filled attitude.
Also.. while I was getting tattooed my Grandfather passed away. I'm sad.. but I don't think it's fully hit me yet. He was in so much pain.. I'm just glad that he's not anymore. I'll miss his crazy personality... but It jsut hasn't set in yet.

Guys. Dudes. Busy.
I'm so tired. I need a vacation.. but instead I have to drive hours and hours and back and forth. Up to durham maine tonight and the berkshires in mass tomorrow. Hours of driving and fun. ughhh.

So My Grandfather was very ill and his cancer has gotten out of control. So.. he's going into hospice.. right now. So 3 weeks max.. more likely 1-2 weeks. Its so sad to see a proud and strong person reduced to a feeble old sick man. Also it's so scary because he is the second parent of my mother's to die from Cancer. My real father 's mother died of cancer quite young. I do not want cancer. I'm very firm on this subject. I don't have insurance thanks to our shitty government and the way self employed people get ass raped. So I just can't get it, ever.

Lucky for me, I'm vegan and have been for 9 years! Whooo! Vegans have a much lower rate of cancer.

Check this article out. It's seriously interesting!

Being vegan is awesome. I honestly love it.

Anyway. Also, My sister in Law is having a baby today. It's probably already had by now. I have a second neice, I'm sure. I'm a little stressed waiting for a call... And we'll drive the 2 hours to go visit a little later. I'm very excited and have my camera all ready to go. Whoo hoo!

Lastly, I'm going to the Paradise Tattoo Gathering. Which should be all fancy. I just want my arm finished so that I can have it done! Wouldn't it be awesome if I had a bunch of finished tattoos? Maybe I'll get my chest finished after? haha Its just hard when you have no time.
I thought this would be a kinda vacation.. but that was before I realized it was a 4 hour drive and that I have to rush back for baby and grandfather. So.. we'll see. I really do need a vacation.

Anyway...I also have a mac now. IT's awesome I didn't realize how much my computer was a turd till I had a good one.

So here are a couple of pix we took in photobooth.





yeah, I know.

ugh. I'm tired. I haven't read in like 3 days.
Its freezing today. The price of oil is going up again... so I can't wait to spend a couple thousand bucks on heat. Fucking economy and oil. I'm going to buy a couple of electric heaters and keep the heat low this winter. Just move the electric wherever I am ha. I guess that's what I get for living in new england.

My shop is doing a benefit for a dog that fell out of a car and needs surgery. you can read about that on our website www.tatjunkies.com in the news section.

or you can donate money here... every dollar helps!!! Thanks guys

HELP THIS DOG

So....
Work has been very busy. It can be very overwhelming. My house is a mess because I;

• Wake up at 7:30


• Feed the pets


• take a shower
• get ready and dressed


• Walk the dog


• Or bring him to doggy day care


• stop at the health food store for a vegan scone


• Go to work at 11


• Do my email and phone calls


• Tattoo


• close the shop at 7


• stay late to draw or scan and email images to clients


• go home at 8-8:30


• cook dinner and relax from 9-10:30 or 11 (dinner takes like 45 min)


• get ready for bed and go to bed at 11- 11:30ish

So I think I'm kinda stuck in a cycle of work eat sleep. Granted I like my job.. I think I just need to figure out a way to have some clean the house and personal time.. hmmmm
I need to shower now.


James and my 1 year anniversary. Whooo hooo.

my doggy and I snuggling up

My newest tattoos.. teafeet by Ryan Mason
After a few hours (or 20 minutes)... FEET FUCKING KILL

So I read breaking dawn, by stephanie meyer in like 2 days. I'm such a nerd. But it was awesome.
Anyone whos read her previous books will love this one. She's jsut so good at writing books that make you so happy, so mad and so completely frustrated.

These are photos, and living proof that I can not be trusted in front of a photographer. I knew this guy was there. I was all thinking I was looking way better than this. embossllc@yahoo.com you can email the photographer to buy prints of these terrible photos if you want. haha.
Seriously, I look like I'm going to eat Jeb's face off... except for the one where I look like I'm pooping my pants haha.








But yeah. This was the last tattoo I did, after working for 40 hours in 3 days. So you can't blame me for bags under my eyes or eating faces off.
This tattoo is on Jeb, who is a pretty awesome guy. He makes a lot of clothes and handbags. We were doing a diamond under his chin.

Ok, ok.. I know I haven't posted any blogs here in a while.

• My internet wasn't workign and I just had it fixed today.
• I was away in waterville valley for a family event for most of last week
• I have 25 drawings to do for people who are waiting.. many, not patiently.
• This weekend is the manchester tattoo convention.
• The hours in total for 3 days at the expo are 27 hours. Yeah. in 3 days. pissed.
• One of those 8 hour tattoo days is normally my day off.

So.. I've been really busy.
I've also been doing a lot of tattoos.. and trying to draw some too. I think the hardest part is actually tryign to sit down and be creative while I have a constant flow of people wanted to talk to me about tattoos so that I have to stop 40 times.
Our shop got shirts..



The models are all awesome clients. Super people. The second photo is erica, who's totally hot, and has an attitude, Which i like. She has a giesha tattoo that I did.

Here are a couple of photos of tattoos I've done recently, since I've gotten a few messages askign why I haven't put any up. You know, you can always look at my website www.tatjunkies.com if you want to see this stuff.. or stalk me. haha



skeleton guy's arm is so buff, this tattoo is big.. but it looks small and kinda lumpy on his big ass arm.

This is on my best friend's man.

This is the sister tattoo the last one. Same theme, different illustrations.

And lastly.....

My beautiful cat won a contest to be on the NH state lottery "Cat Scratch Fever" 1$ scratch ticket. hahahaha
She was one of 8 winners out of over 800. I told you she was regal.


and that's me with messy hair.
Bam. Updated.