From the East Coast!

Meet Max from Syracuse, NY!

He's been in the tattoo business for 5-6 yrs.  This was his first trip to MN.   He's known as "Night Train Max!

Great meeting you, Max!  Thanks for chatting with me!

Tattoo Convention: Artists from Massachusetts

Meet Val

And meet her friend Venessa

They opened shop in 2015 in a building that was built in 1792 in New Bedford.   I think that history is very cool!

It was a pleasure meeting both of you!  I hope you had a lovely time in Minnesota

From the West Coast: Body Jewelry

Meet John, from Seattle!

 He runs a shop in Seattle where they make, and sell, various body jewelry.  He also does piercings.   Below is a display of various ear lobe jewelry.  Note the different sizes!

He actually had a huge display!

Thanks John.  It was nice chatting with you!

A Tattoo Artist from Moorhead, MN

Meet Corey!

Corey helps out at the Golden Needle.  He supports two artists.   The Golden Needle is the longest running shop in Moorhead.  It's been in business since 1983. 

He said they are seeing more requests for "cover-ups". In short, they are trying to fix bad tattoos!

Thanks Corey.

A Traveling Tattoo Artist

Meet Andrew!

Most of the tattoo artists I met were stationed at a specific location.   Andrew, however, is on the road and is meeting clients while he travels.  He is currently in Montana.  Then, he gets on the road and travels all over until May or June.   Then, he will settle back down.

Nice meeting you Andrew.   Safe travels!

An Artist who loves Barney Fife

Meet Tom Fife!

Tom is from Fargo, ND.   And, he created a Barney Fife warrior tattoo.   I so want to see it!

Nice meeting you Tom!

A Customer at the Tattoo Convention

Meet Clay!

I didn't immediately realize he was a customer.  He was just sitting down when I interrupted Cassidy and Adam.   I realized as I was taking photos that his arm was exposed.  He was next!

Thanks Clay for being a good sport and letting me interrupt for a few minutes! 

A Grandson for the Original Eddie Peace!

Meet Dan Peace.

Dan is the son of LeDan and Jennie!  He's been in the business for 26 years and had a booth next to his parents.

Nice meeting you Dan!

Minneapolis Tattoo Convention: Local Artist

Meet Cassidy!

And meet her very talented artist husband, Adam. 

Adam owns and runs a tattoo shop, called Ink Tailor, in Columbia Heights, MN.   That isn't far from me at all.  And, Adam must be good.  He is booked out for an entire year!  

I begged.  I pleaded....but to no avail.  

Seriously, I need to look him up.  

Thanks Cassidy and Adam!

Minneapolis Tattoo Convention: Old Timers and Legends!

In early January, Minneapolis hosts an annual tattoo convention.   Artists come from all over the US for 3 days to show of their work.  You can schedule appointments and get a tattoo right there!  I believe I attended this about 3 yrs ago and got some great photos.  So, it was time to go again.

Meet LeDan and his wife Jennie.  It was when I got home and was working on the photos that I realized I had photographed this couple before.   They are legends in the tattoo business.

LeDan's father, Eddie Peace, started the business in 1934.   LeDan and his wife took after his father's passing.   And, LeDan's son has started his own business, too.

Both LeDan and Jennie were delightful and charming.   And, coming from Evans, Georgia, they didn't complain too much about the cold!

It was my pleasure meeting both of you. 

Thank you.

A New Addition to the Family

Meet Gizmo

My daughter decided that Remy needed a playmate.   So, they picked up Giszmo....or Gizzy.   He was just 12 weeks old when I met him.  He's going to be bigger and stronger than Remy.  But Remy needs the exercise! 

Welcome to the family, Grizz.

Standing Alone

Sometimes, you just need to stand alone and face the storms.

I really like this little tree!   Weathered.   Beaten.    And surviving.  

An Afternoon of Shooting

Meet Eric!

 Eric was gracious enough to invite me to his home a few weeks ago to do some shooting.  He is a competitive shooter for a company called Tandem Kross.  They make a variety of after market parts for various handguns and rifles. 

I must admit, it was nice being able to shoot in a backyard! 

And, the fella below had recently had some cancer surgery.   We are, of course, wishing the best for him.

Thanks Eric.  You were very gracious!

Winnipeg Human Rights Museum: Malala's Fight

I found the museum's exhibits very powerful.   It certainly pointed to the incredible evil, hatred, and intolerance we find around the world.   This comes from churches and governments.  But, it also shows the fight against such evil, hatred, and intolerance.

The placard below mentions Malala, the young girl who was pulled from a bus by the Taliban  and shot in the head because she thought girls should have an education.

Below is what she was wearing that day.  

Today is Martin Luther King Day in the US.  I guess this posts shows that no matter the age, no matter the country, no matter the sex of the individual, we can all stand up against evil, hatred, and intolerance.

The Winnipeg Human Rights Museum: The Nazi's

Below is a lapel pin that was used for Hitler's party.    In German, it just means, "Yes".  My apologies for these not being great photos.  They were behind glass and it was very dark.

But, these two images were very powerful to me. 

I am keenly aware of how political and advertising slogans can be used to sway public opinion.   "Yes we can" was such a slogan.  So is, "Drain the swamp." 

But, they pale in comparison to these:  A simple word.  A simple patch to wear on clothing.

And, the result is 20,000,000 people died over 12-15 years.  Symbols and slogans matter.   I prefer to think critically about such things.   I am not a "rah rah" person.   I tend to wonder what something means...and what it could mean.

Don't believe what you see on TV or the internet.   Remember, everyone is biased.  Well, not me, of course.  But, everyone else.  

Try to lay aside your bias.  Hell, just try to be aware of what your bias is. Lay aside the noise. Just because some talking head says something, does not make it true.   

Think critically.

The Winnipeg Human Rights Museum: The Japanese

The US wasn't the only country that moved Japanese people from their homes at the start of WWII.

This opened the door to move Japanese people back to Japan after the war.  

The Winnipeg Human Rights Museum: The Iroquois Thanksgiving Prayer

The English translation is in tiny print below.

 It says, "We gather our spirits and minds together as one, and send greetings and thanks for all of our Creators love, benevolence, and creation."

Winnipeg Human Rights Museum: The Cyrus Cylinder

I am willing to grant that this doesn't look like much.   But, this is a reproduction of the 2500 year old Cyrus Cylinder, from Babylon (present day Iraq). 

This records the religious freedoms proclaimed by Persian conqueror Cyrus the Great.   Imagine that...religious tolerance 2500 years ago in the Middle East. 

Winnipeg Human Rights Museum: The Foundation

Indeed.

Why is this so hard to understand?  Why is it to difficult to be polite to others?  Why is it so difficult to accept that not everyone will share your own opinion about things?   And, you still need to get along?

Winnipeg Human Rights Museum: The Wall of History

As you enter, after the silhouettes, there is a large wall with a history of human conflicts and human rights advances. 

It is amazing to me that even in 2500 years ago, there were people who were thinking of human rights.  About trying to treat people fairly.

What was impressive to me was that this was not just a European movement.  Nor was it limited to just a specific religion.   Rather, we see Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist, Asian, Middle Eastern, and even European influences.

I want to go back with a better lens that can capture this in a broader image. 

The Winnipeg Human Rights Museum: The Beginning

On my last trip to Winnipeg, I had the opportunity to visit the Human Rights museum.  It was a wonderful museum.  I really had the wrong lens for this visit.  And, I couldn't use a flash.   So, I made do.  But, I will be back with a different lens.

When you enter, this is a black screen.   Soon, white shadows, of men, women, younger people, older people, different faiths, and nationalities,  walk across the screen and write, in their respective languages, "welcome".

It is most impressive.   And, I strongly recommend it.  :)

Happy Birthday Big Guy

My oldest grandson is 8 today.   He was born at 2:35 AM.  And, I was there. I took the first photo of him when he was 4 minutes old. 

Happy birthday little man.

Retiring After 40 years

Meet Chuck,

I had the privilege of knowing Chuck.  He worked for the same company for 40 years.   And, near the close of this year, he retired.

First of all, I don't know anyone who has liked me for 40 years!  The best I can usually get out of someone is 2 or 3 before they realize I am a complete idiot!

It is rare for a person to show such loyalty and devotion.  Well done, Chuck.  It was a pleasure!

Enjoy retirement. 

The Naked Cowboy

On my trip to NYC, I stumbled upon the Naked Cowboy.

That guy looks GOOD!  I think I need to hit the gym...twice a day!  And, if you are wondering, it was about 40F that day. No wonder his nips are a bit pointy.  :)

 I have to give him credit, that's a tough way to make a living.

My sincere thanks!

Ahhhh...Crap. It's Time to go Back to Work.

I am just not ready for this year.

Hell, I am just not even ready for tomorrow!

But, it doesn't matter.   The beast approaches.  So, fasten your seat belts and hold on.  It will be an interesting year.

Keep safe and warm, to all.

Welcome to 2017

I decided that I needed a day's rest before I started even thinking about 2017.  So, I am officially considering today the first day of 2017. 

So, as you gird your loins (whatever that is), and start getting ready for a work week, even if you don't start until tomorrow, I have words for you.

Go boldly.  Take chances.

This past week, I played this game with grandkids.  The objective is to match the jelly beans by color.  Then, you pick one.

One of the beans may taste great.   The other may taste...well...horrible.  See below.

Innocent looking, aren't they.

The game resulted in much gagging and squeals of laughter from the grandkids.   I can, from personal experience, state that dead fish, spoiled milk, rotten eggs, and boogers are really funny for everyone else!

Go boldly into 2017.   And, smile.  If you start 2017 off in a grand funk, it is just a bigger hole you need to crawl out of.   Get the game, eat a booger.  Life isn't that bad.