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http://www.dailynews.com/ci_20925168/new-law-cleans-up-tattoo-reputation

http://www.dailynews.com/ci_20925168/new-law-cleans-up-tattoo-reputation

So here is what all the fuss is about. Check out this article and then see if the tattoo shop you are going to is up to par. We have been ready but went through renovations recently to put in extra sinks. Why Not Ink Tattoo is fully compliant and goes steps beyond the new law. Front page of Daily News today.

Just some thoughts I have been ruminating on,,,

(PICTURES ABOVE WERE FROM MY EARLY DAYS TATTOOING, 2ND AND 3RD TATTOO)

 Ill remember where I come from!!!!

So I love tattooing and piercing. One of the most difficult thing as a shop owner to do is to find solid, reliable, and stable people with good attitudes to work with. I have had two people from day one who have stuck with the shop and I consider fit the criteria above for the most part. We are all human and have our moments just like myself. I have had one apprentice make it to actually tattooing as an artist since I have opened. I find myself at the shop day after day and questioning how much some people really want to improve themselves or chase after their dreams. I am living mine but my dreams dont end there. I have had to slow down and really nurture this dream until I move onto something bigger to compliment the current dream. The more and more I end up giving people the chance to learn how to tattoo, pierce, or work in a drama free shop; the more I realize how many people just dont have the tenacity or perseverance to make it. I can see how artists and shop owners get frustrated and dont even want to deal with taking anyone on to teach them. At times I get over it but other times, I believe in people and giving people chances as I have been given. As I talk to other owners and visit other shops, I find they have issues finding reliable people without big egos to work with them as well. I guess no matter where this industry takes me, I need to remember where I come from (the early days of some just giving me the opportunity to learn or trust me with their skin), or I will suffer like many of those I see and come across with their ego's running their lives. No one knows it all or knows all the answers. Im happy to not be the one that does. I love being a worker among workers I guess. I hope in the long run I will maintain what I have built and the dreams that I have realized.

Reflection

So I get to the shop today a bit late after driving my father to pick up his truck in Sylmar from the mechanic. When I arrive, my Uncles and aunt are waiting for me there. My eldest uncle wanted to get some work but unfortunately I have another appointment a hour and a half later. I rescheduled him for the next day and scheduled my other uncle for next week who has been patiently waiting for a long time to get tattooed by me. So after they left I was thinking about the synchronicity of life and taking moments in life for granted. I love my family and often don't recognize moments I have with them until the moment is over. My uncle who I am tattooing tomorrow offered to buy me tattoo machines back when I was about 18 or 19 because he believed that I was destined to be a tattoo artist. I was in too much fear and too proud to accept at that time in my life. I didn't believe in myself but over the years, i have learned to believe in myself through others believing in me. So life comes full circle and I am able to tattoo him tomorrow when at one time I didn't believe he would live long enough to let that happen. I see him now and as I'm typing, I get teary eyed thinking about looking at them all sitting in the shop still believing in me and now my uncle believing in himself enough to fight his medical condition which has been debilitating more than just physically. I don't want time to go by and wish I went back and done things differently. I value time...... It is precious...

End of the summer BBQ!

So we are going to do an end of the summer bbq. We will be doing tattoos, piercings, suspensions, selling shirts, listening to the dj, etc. I have iideas about our one year anniversary party. any thoughts people?