Wrapping up the Tattoo Convention: Just Hanging Around

As I was preparing to leave the convention, I noticed a room off from the general convention floor.   They had food and drink available.   And, they had this:

An apparatus to hook people to, with clamps through the skin in the backs, and lift them up and swing them.

So, the young lady below was swinging and had been up there, for over 20 minutes. 

I spoke to a number of people who had done it before this person.  And, there were others waiting their turn. 

Yes, that is the skin stretching in the photos. 

I try to be pretty open.   And, I guess it is different strokes for different folks.  But, this was one I would have a hard time letting my daughter do.  We'd be having a pretty firm conversation.

But, the people doing it seemed to love it.  It was sort of a "high". 

I'd rather have a scotch, or a Jameson (2 fingers, neat), or a nice glass of wine. 

One of the Organizers

Meet Troy!

He is one of the event organizers.   Like any event that hosts over 100 artists as well as a dozen other related businesses; and one that has several thousand visitors over the 2-3 days that it is hosted; and one that is repeated 10-12 times a year in different cities around the US, you need a manager!

It was great meeting you Troy.  Very well done!  The event went on smoothly and the artists were fantastic.

A Medicinal Perspective

Meet Donna from San Jose,

Donna wasn't the typical attendee at a tattoo convention.  But, she and her husband have created a medical supply business focused on serving the tattoo industry.   She was showing a clear, breathable patch called Tatu-Derm that can be applied over new tattoo's to keep them clean.

She was fascinating!   And, I think she was a brilliant judge of a business niche!

Lovely meeting you, Donna!

A Conventioneer!

Meet Kitty,

Kitty is also from St. Cloud.   She joined the tattoo convention because she loves attending them.   So, she visits a few every year.

Nice meeting you Kitty!

From St. Cloud, MN

Meet Ryan from St. Cloud, MN

Ryan was here with the ladies in the prior post.  Nice meeting you Ryan!

A Group from Up-North

Meet the group!

They were all either artists or helpers from a tattoo location in St. Cloud, MN.  I think they were having a great time!

A Neighbor Artist!

Meet Wendy!

Wendy has been in the business as an artist for about a year.  She's from Iowa!  Very nice meeting you Wendy!

A Helper!

Meet Heather!

Heather is from Mississippi.   So, she was a long ways from home.  She has a great job selling chocolate for a living.   And she was suffering from the "brutal cold".  I didn't have the heart to tell her it was great by Minnesota standards.  I wasn't even wearing a coat!

Nice meeting you Heather!

Meet a First Timer to Minnesota

Meet Don!

He travelled all the way from Rhode Island to attend the convention.  I liked Don.  He had a great sense of humor!

Nice meeting you Don.

A Traveling Tattoo Artist

Meet Raccoon!

He is from Blood Ink and Tears.   And he is a traveling studio!

Nice meeting you Raccoon!

A Tattoo Artist Coming from LA

Meet Ruben!

He braved the Minnesota winter to travel all the way from LA. 
Nice meeting you Ruben!

A Customer from Wisconsin!

Meet Jacqueline!

Jacqueline drove to the convention from Eau Clair, Wisconsin.  It's about 100 miles.   She is a customer.   And she loved the convention.   She believes everyone should visit and get a tattoo. 

She was waiting for mermaid scales!   She has several tattoos of them now.  And, needed to add to the list!

Nice chatting with you Jacqueline!

Meet Madison!

Madison comes from Milwaukee.  She is a single traveling tattoo artist.  And, this was her first convention.  I think she had a good time!

Very nice meeting you, Madison!

65th Wedding Anniversary

Today my parents celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary.  It is quite an accomplishment.  And, last Monday, they closed on their townhome where they have lived for 5 years.  They now live in a 2 bedroom apartment in a Senior Living Center near me. 

They are doing well.   They are meeting people.   They are having coffee with other residents.  

What impresses me the most is their level of planning.   They said they need one another.   Mom needs help putting her socks on.   Dad can't remember his meds.   Living where they are now, if one should become disabled or pass, the other can move to assisted living pretty quickly.

I've been very busy these last few weeks helping them pack and move.  It was interesting watching them part with things that had meaning in their lives.   There were stories. 

I didn't get much.  And, I didn't want much.   But, I do have my maternal grandfather's magnetic screw driver.  My dad said it was the best screw driver he's ever seen.   It has interchangeable heads in the handle.   One day, I will pass it on to my son.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.