The London Tattoo Convention 2009

Sadly, due to being forced to work (or else I don't get paid) I was only able to get down to this years London Tattoo Convention for one day, not the whole weekend, but even if it was just for a day, twas one seriously good day.  

You might be wondering if I got myself that tattoo?  

Well the answer is no.

The design I wanted was far too expensive and for the small tattoo I was able to afford, I was just too indecisive.  I was thinking a robot.  

Yes?  No?  

Tom wanted me to get a cock tattooed on my chest.  

I said no.  I feel this was understandable.  

The show itself was astounding with tattoo artists from all over the world congregated to bring us the latest and greatest in body modification.  There was even a group from New Zealand doing traditional tattoos...I can't even begin to tell you how much respect I have for this man, I would NEVER even try this.  

There were some amazing international artists there including my personal favourite, Genko who during my 8 hours of wandering around spent most of that time detailing an intricate design onto somebody's leg.  You can check out Genko and some of his work here [http://www.genko-tattoo.com/].  

This guy's getting some Haida art here, a man after my own heart.  

On top of all the cool booths and numerous tattoos, the shows were always interesting to say the least.  The first show we witnessed was a pierced gentleman lifting various weights with his rings.  It looked ruddy painful to me, but each to their own.  

Better than him though was the semi-naked burlesque dancer who after dipping herself in a bathtub filled with broken glass (and I checked, it really was glass), then rubbed flaming batons over herself before eating the flames.  It was impressive and disturbing at the same time.  I mean, I can see the skill and am impressed by fire eating....but jumping up and down in a bathtub of broken glass?  

But for me personally, the best was at the end of my evening when Vince Ray and the Boneshakers took to the stage and gave it their all in a performance that actually impelled me to buy the CD which doesn't often happen.  

All in all, it was an entertaining, interesting and memorable day.  I am very disappointed with myself for not getting a tattoo done but I know a lot of what I want now and I can save for them and I know who to go to see.  

Next time I'm in Japan, Genko's getting a call.

For more pics, check my FB

x

Fanboys

I was watching Fanboys this morning.

Yeah, I know it's not out here in the UK yet but I got it while I was in Canada cause I have been waiting for it for so long.
Anyway, it's really good. Very funny and it's full of endless inside jokes for any geeks out there.

But there's a scene in it where they have a quizz - most of the questions are Star Wars related but then they throw in three random phrases: "Louisiana Piledriver", "Mississippi Handbag" and "Blinding the Marlin".
Thanks to the magic of Google and the further magic of Urban Dictionary I now know the meaning of all 3; let me be the first to say....What the Fuck?!

I am forever hearing about weird little things like this, but why? What possible purpose does something like blinding the marlin serve?

That said, I am intrigued..........

The most common thing in Canada?

When you ask someone to tell you what they think Canada is full of it's almost a certainty that they'll come back at you with Mounties, Moose and Maple Syrup.  

But it's not.  It's not even Hockey.  It's tattoos.  

Never in my life have I seen as many tattoos as I did whilst I was there.  In one small town called Banff (the place I want to spend my life - it's the perfect world) there were 3 tattoo parlours in total, the most prominent being Little Shop of Holes [http://www.lsoh.ca/HTML/IEmain.htm].  Banff actually has a population of around 7000.  That's not that many people, and a lot of tattoos.  

But the people I spotted over there weren't just happy to get small ones, no, no, no, these people were inked to the hilt.  Elongated sleeves being the most prominent on the scene.  And I can promise you that these are nice tattoos too, I mean they're really fucking beautiful, not to mention the people who harbour them.  

I have always liked tattoos but it wasn't until I got to Canada that I realised just how hot they are too.  I mean, is there actually anything better than a tattooed woman?  I'm not talking one who's got some dirty prison tatts though.  But in general, the tattooed people in Canada are the sexxx.  Regardless of gender.  You know that when these people go out to a pub or club, they never have to leave alone.  Beautiful designs on beautiful people.  

Bastards.  

As I became aware of them, I began to really take note of the art work etched into peoples skin.  I met one girl in Calgary Zoo who had several tattoos.  But she had one of the most intricate and astoundingly beautiful sleeves I have ever seen.  She also had a bizarre series up the back of both her legs which were interesting in their own right.  Sadly I didn't think to ask to take her picture for the blog, but she did talk to me for a while about the guy who did the artwork - based on seeing his work, I'd advise if you're ever in its vicinity, to hit the Swollen Goat in Red Deer.  You can check out their Facebook page here if you like 

 http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19100104816

If you check out photo 124 on the images, that is the young lady I met, the sleeve mesmerises me and I can't explain why.  

So ultimately if I wasn't quite a fan of them before, I am now a reformed lover of all things ink.  Now to plan my own.....