Quiet House on the Prairie

Ok, ok,
I'm almost done talking about last week's Philly Tattoo Convention.
But our friend Stephanie posted some photos of the show,
and I felt that this one deserved more exposure.



Who would have thought that spray adhesive for linoleum tile
isn't the best way to stick two pieces of burlap together?
Parts of my banner were falling off all weekend,
so we were continuously providing damage control.
(somehow that made people like it even more?)

I got a lot of compliments while I was out there.
Or, at least I took them to be compliments.
Stuff about me not fitting in,
and not being very "tattoo-y".
Maybe it was the pink shirt?

Right about now I was supposed to be halfway through
an Albie Rock action adventure.
I was so ready.
I have two big ass boxes in my living room;
one is of blank shirts,
and the other pinecones.
Ryan even scored us a tuba for the week.
But instead of Louderhorn Inn being turned into a nonstop workshop,
it's kind of empty.
Meryl ran off to Wisconsin with a bunch of her poet friends,
and it's just me and Shamira holding down the fort.

I mean, I have stuff to do,
for sure.
There's seeds and gardens and drawing and projects,
and taxes.
I'm still staying up late doing it all,
but can't help wishing southwest and the S.W.B. didn't suck so bad.

I'm glad all my East Coasters who know what's up
have been driving across states,
and across state lines,
to catch a show of Dark Dark Dark.
You're missing out if you missed out.
April 15th is the big return date for the DDD,
and we're happy to have them back.

Queer for Homophones

Pi Day is coming up this Sunday, March 14th.
(get it? 3.14?)

But since Dark Dark Dark leaves for tour between now and then,
we celebrated a little early.
Consider it Pi Week, maybe.
Just look at this spread.
(and Meryl didn't even get them all in the photo)




Meryl spent a bunch of time making two different savory pies,
and they were so good.
So good.



So there's still plenty of snow around.
But Spring is here, kids.
Even in Minneapolis.



I know the blogging has been a bit slow lately,
but I assure you I'm still tattooing.
Tax returns are keeping me busy at the shop,
and all of my "time off" is spent putting some big projects together.
I'll have lots to show for it soon.

Better and Better

Nona and Marshall played the Kitty Kat this past Tuesday night,
and they rocked my blues away.
It's so dope having Dark Dark Dark as your home team.

I'll be missing their next show on Sunday,
but it's ok.
Meryl and I will be in Redwing either hiking or letterpressing it up
with Molly and Ryan.
(maybe we'll do both)

Tonight Meryl came up to Identity Tattoo,
and we stayed at the shop late working on her leg piece.
We've lost count on total hours, but we're almost done now,
and we're around 25ish?
Just a little more work in the clouds,
and it'll be DONE.
This photo from immediately afterwards obviously mixes
the old and healed with the new and hurty.
But you get the idea.
And healed photos will be happening once we get back from Japan.
(less than two weeks before we go!)

Shake Your Rump

Dark Dark Dark rocks a house party at the drop of a hat.



Yeah, that's my living room.
That wasn't the original plan,
we had a big fire outside and everything set up around it.
But a few drops of rain later and we decided to make it a living room show.

What's the special occasion, you ask?
The Briggs' from the Maynard House of Northampton are in town for a couple days.
Amy and Jaime.
So I have to cram the two weeks of hospitality they've showed me into just four days here in MPLS.
Of course it's not possible, but that's not going to stop me from trying.
(and their first night here was off to a good start, no?)

Big tattoos are planned for today.
Summer is two days old, and it's already pretty rad.