For the past 3 weeks in a row I’ve written at least a blog a week, and every time I’ve either lost it by clicking somewhere I shouldn’t, or shutting my screen (I blog at work usually, but sometimes I have to run an errand mid-blog and… you know. Privacy.) or site malfunctions or… whatever. Anyway, Just know that I haven’t abandoned you, and I’m writing blogs in “notes” and copy/pasting now, so hopefully this runs a little smoother.
I feel really out of touch with the SG community lately (blog fails aside), and I know that’s been kind of going around, but I don’t think my reasons are the same as everyone else’s. I’ve been really distant from all of the people that aren’t in my immediate vicinity lately, but I've been actually getting out of my house and hanging out with people irl, which feels really good. I tend to get really gnarly winter depression, and despite the fact that we got 5” of snow on March 1st, this has been the best winter mentally/emotionally that I’ve had in a long time. Physically it has been incredibly difficult (I live with chronic pain due to a muscle connective tissue disorder calle Marfan Syndrome, which among other things, makes all of my joints ache and my muscles sore and weak.) but I’ve gotten myself on a modified nutrition plan and exercise 4x a week. I already feel stronger and have SO much more energy, and even on days that I hurt all over I feel like there’s hope and not like I want to jump of a cliff.
Another reason this winter has been awesome is that I got promoted at my incredible job! For the last year I’ve been the Shop Girl at a kick-ass tattoo shop called Black Anvil, and now I’m the Shop Manager :) I do all of the scheduling, respond to emails, sell merch, keep the shop clean and sanitary, set up/break down tattoo stations, keep track of inventory… basically I do everything BUT tattoo, so the artists can focus on their craft. I’m not only happy to be the den mother of 5 of the most incredible artists I’ve ever had the honor of calling friends; but I’m going to start on the convention circuit with them, starting this weekend at the Motor City Tattoo Expo! If you’re going, be sure to stop by our booth and say hi! (I’ll also have my instax, so come get one taken with meeeee!!) We’re also going to have a booth at Hell City Phoenix, and I’ll be roaming around Hell City ‘Killumbus’ solo like a big drunken idiot again this year. In the midst of all of that, I’m shooting with Smashbase again, and we have a set coming out in a couple months! I feel like this year is going to be a great one for me as a SuicideGirl and I’m so grateful for the site, @missy @rambo and @lyxzen for keeping us together, the members, and my best friends; the girls.
Speaking of which, this weeks homework is "Share an experience you've had, or a friendship you've made through SG". I've been so lucky to have many experiences with some seriously incredible SG's, hopefuls and members, and I really can't just pick one.
I met @lavish_ when she agreed to shoot with Jason McNeil and myself, and we've since shot several times together, and even got a rather large spread in Elegant Ink magazine together.
I met @helix_ when we went to the Blackheart Burlesque show together (she got me tickets! such a doll!!) and then she let me roadtrip with her to meet @corwinprescott when she shot her set "Sheer Heart"
I also got to get crazy with some of my favorite people on the planet at Hell City Killumbus 2014, just a couple weeks before I went pink! Including but certainly not limited to: @mewes @sirius_ @icarus @effy @titan_ @roggen @firefly @exning @baltimore and @neptune
And I can't forget the amazing time I had staying with @firefly last summer and canoeing with some rad dudes and dudettes from both the SG and tattoo community.
I have gotten to go up to Chicago to shoot with @smashbase and @azera , and also got to meet @konekosan
Last fall, @bindi organized a local SG night, and it was so great to meet some of the lovely ladies that live in my neck of the woods, including @sagan_ , @nymm , @erotic , @aldine , @bindi , and @delia !
I also got to go out west last November, and shoot a little with @adamsaperture @ecco & @exning. It was so nice to be able to spend some time in the sun and they made me feel right at home.
While I was out there, I got to hang out with @marceline and @delacour while they got tattooed (I'm an idiot and didn't take any pics :( ). And I got to shoot with @michaelmae !
This community has enriched my life in so many ways, and I can't wait to see what adventures and friendships 2015 brings!
