Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost

When Laura and I embarked on this journey that we are on, I mentioned to her, that it would be great to get a tattoo that represented each stop along the way. My previous piece, the Knotted Gun, represents our time in NYC and this new addition represents our first stop: Salem, Massachusetts. The ship is the Friendship of Salem represented in a traditional style tattoo. The compass was added to signify the journey we are on as well as finding our direction. I decided to go with this design because of the rich maritime history associated with Salem and it's place in the economic industry in our nation's early days. Most folks think of the witch trials of 1692 when they think of Salem. I wanted to have a piece that represented the more positive side of Salem's history. I am very happy with how it came out and love the traditional style my artist used. We are headed to Los Angeles for our next stop, and I am already starting to think about my next piece.

Glorified G

"got a gun, fact I got two
that's ok man, cuz I love God"

If you know me, you know my stance on guns and their place in our society. I don't need to sit here and list statistics or my philosophy on where our world is headed if we don't address this epidemic. No, I won't do that. I think any intelligent person knows all this already. Instead I decided to "wear my emotions on my sleeve". Not only does this piece represent my views on gun control, but also more for an overall call for Peace in our society. A friend once told me "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything". Well I am 'knot' for violence...are you with me?

...and it's complete.

...it's life and life only.

Well Abe say, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61"

Well it seems like over the last few months I have had one particular person on my mind. First I named our new puppy after him and now my second tat is my homage to his music and the profound impact it has had on me. Hopefully that makes up for missing his last show here in Central Texas, which I heard was damn good! Sorry Bob...Robert Zimmerman turned 70 earlier this year and at that ripe old age, continues to trek around the world dazzling crowds young and old, on a nightly basis. Yes, I am speaking of none other than the legend himself...Mr. Bob Dylan. For many years as I started to discover really good music (high school through my early 20's) I had always heard of Dylan and his greatness and was familiar with a handful of his more iconic tunes, but I had never really taken the time to dive into his catalog of music or learn his story. I had done it with many artists, starting my musical journey with the Beatles and many others. As I read stories on just about everyone in music history, I started to see one constant presence that had an impact on just about everyone in one way or another. That was Dylan. So in the spring of 2001 after asking myself again "why" I had not taken the time to learn about ALL of his music and his story, I decided to do it. I scooped up every bit of music I could get my hands on and every piece of literature that was available and basically went to the school of Dylan for the next 18 months. What I discovered was some of the most thought inspiring material from any musical artist in the history of music. I don't have to sit here and tell you about the depth and complexity of his words or his always evolving persona that continues to mystify his fans and critics alike. I don't have to tell you that there may not be one single musical writer of the 20th and 21st century who doesn't feel he/she owes a debt of gratitude to Dylan. No, for most of you who know even just a little about popular music I am quite sure you have heard his name at some point. So as I started to think about my second tattoo I knew I wanted to do something to honor him and show what his music means to me. I have felt especially close to his music and even more so his story. I mean our birthdays are back-to-back (May 24 & 25) so maybe it's something cosmic that connects us...who knows? With so many wonderful lyrics I figured I would go that route for the design. I instead decided on the Hwy. 61 sign/logo in honor of Dylan's magnum opus, 1965's 'Highway 61 Revisited'. It is my favorite album of all his releases. Containing the classics Like A Rolling Stone, Ballad Of A Thin Man, Queen Jane Approximately, Highway 61 Revisited and the 11-minute "epic of entropy" Desolation Row. Ranking #4 on Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums of All Time, the album also contained songs #1, # 185 and #364 on the RS Top 500 Songs of All Time. It is no doubt Dylan fans and music lovers will understand the symbolism of the tat when they see it. So there you have it, tattoo #2 is done. Every time I look at it, I know it will make me smile...just as Dylan's lyrics have for the last decade. Thank ya Bob!

A Couple Of Beers, A Casino El Camino Burger and A Tattoo. Just Another Tuesday Night On 6th Street.

I had no intention of getting some ink the other night while out on the town with LP, but after she got the itch to get one and then "actually" got it I knew I had to go next. We both had been talking about it for a few weeks so it wasn't like we just did it with no thought beforehand. We decided to fore go our ideas for both of our first tats and settled on two that symbolized our love for one another. She got two hearts that were part of our wedding decor and I settled on this.Now I am sure you are wondering what does "I Will..." mean. Well first off, it is the name of the song we had our first dance to at our wedding. The song is a Beatles' song off of the White Album. A simple, short but very loving song we both agreed on. Anyone who knows me knows I love Beatles' music. When Laura and I started dating their music was something we shared. I even took her to see Paul McCartney in concert and since then she has been a fan. So that is the main meaning of it. Although I did talk to a friend and I discovered it can have even more meaning in it's subtleness. By adding the ellipsis on the end it can signify a pause in speech thus concluding with anything I want it to be. For me it has a positive sound to it, as opposed to saying "I Won't" which seems to symbolize limitations or parameters. "I Will...finish a 10 mile run today with no breaks." "I Will...be the kind-hearted man my parents raised me to be." "I Will be the best husband I can be!" Personally, I think this is a great first tat for me. Up next, I'm designing my Lakers themed one to go on the inside of my right bicep. It's gonna be tight!!