Yearly Archives: 2012

Questions answered… All that’s left. Or right.

I received quite a few questions, both in the comments on the post and some in email form as people didn’t want to sound like cheeky monkeys.

This post contains all the remaining questions I was asked that I haven’t answered yet.

Is your beard as soft as it looks? Is it due to constant maintenance by the hubby, or is it naturally that way?

— Jeremy G!

The Husbear doesn’t maintain my facial hair for me. The only thing I do is shampoo and condition it like I do the hair on top of my head. Which either makes it nice and soft, or else it’s genetic.

It’s definitely a lot softer than some beards I’ve come into contact with. During those beard-on-beard moments. 😉

Does your area have a food or dish that it’s known for? Something that was invented there or that just isn’t the same anywhere else?

I am not aware of any. I think since we’re in the South it’s pretty much anything fried. Which in true Southern fashion is everything.

Do you follow any webcomics?

Currently I follow: Fredo & Pid’jin, Spud Comics, WuMo, Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, xkcd, and *Breakfast Included

If money were not necessary, how would you spend your days? Where would you go to do it?

Raybob

I would travel. In an RV. Driving everywhere I could. To see what there is to see. And stop when I wanted to.

Would you ever consider visiting Canada… as in Vancouver Island?

— Doug Baker

Absolutely. Vancouver is on my list of places I want to go. I want to see all those locations in person that I’ve seen on all the television shows. 😉

Are you a musician? Do you/have you ever played an instrument or sang, have you ever written a song?

Raybob

I wouldn’t call myself a musician. At all. When I was a child, I was made to play the clarinet in elementary school. I didn’t like it. And later on, I was made to take piano lessons. I didn’t like it. Later on, I attempted to learn to play the guitar. It didn’t work out well. I don’t have any rhythm, so timing is an issue for me.

That said, in my head I do tend to compose different “songs”. Maybe instrumentals is a better word. But since I have no way to get the music out of my head and onto anything in a meaningful fashion, it will just be lost in my synapses.

Do you swim? Was Jacques Yves Cousteau ever a figure of legend for you?

Raybob

I swim. Swimming is my preferred method of exercise. At least in a public pool. I don’t like lakes or the ocean though. And swimming in a river is just a little… rough. And I can see what’s in a pool.

I remember Jacques Cousteau from PBS specials when I was a child, but he wasn’t really any sort of hero or legend for me. Although I did enjoy watching his under-the-water specials when they aired.

Have you ever done drag? Do you ever *want* to do drag?

Raybob

I’m assuming drag in the traditional sense as in drag queen, as opposed to cowboy or leather drag. The answer would be no. And I’ve never had a desire to either. That said, there is a picture of me with one of the salon’s wigs on somewhere. Not that I was in drag. I was just modeling it for someone.

Have you always wanted to be a man? Ever wanted to be a woman?

Raybob

I can’t imagine not being a man. It’s all I’ve known, and all I want to be.

How did you meet The Husbear? Where, when and what did you do on your first date?

JimA

We met online. American Online. In the arkansasm4m chat room. We’re old like that. 😉

We talked on and off for about a month or so before we decided to meet in real life. On July 1, 1997, we met at the Rogers Walmart (a safe, public place ;-)) where we walked around and talked for a bit. And then we somehow made it back to my apartment. Where we proceeded to do… what guys do.

Have you ever had a cross-generational relationship?

— “Anonymously” via email

I had to look up what defined “cross-generational”. From what I could find, cross-generational is defined as relationships between people who are ten or more years older.

Yes would be the answer.

The first person I was with sexually was 20 years older than me at the time. The next person, 15 years older. Another one, about 20 years older. And the Husbear and I are 9 years and 11 months apart, so I’d say that counts.

Apparently I prefer older men. Or at least men older than myself.

Do you have sexual encounters outside your relationship, or do you and the Husbear sometimes entertain gentlemen in a threesome or moresome?

— “Anonymously” via email

We call it “being social”. The Husbear tends to be more social than I, as he’s more of a sexual being than I am. I’m just kind of “meh” when it comes to sex.

How do you wipe your ass?

— “Anonymously” via email

I actually have a blog post in draft all about this subject. It’s been in draft for over a year now. You’ll just have to wait for me to poop that one out. 😉

What is the worst thing you have ever done?

Ian

That’s probably relative as to how one defines the word “worst”. There are some things that I’ve done that looking back I’m not proud of. While they wouldn’t be classified as “worst” by a lot of people, I feel pretty bad for what I did.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? How did those dreams change as you aged?

Raybob

I have memories of wanting to be an astronaut. I have always been fascinated with outer space. From staring at the stars and rocket launches through telescopes to reading everything I could get my hands on about space. As I got older, outer space turned into science fiction. And then the reality of my parents and their dreams for me happened. And then I just didn’t know what I wanted to do.

What are you longing for?

Urspo

Whirled peas.

I don’t know that I truly long for anything, other than maybe the end of all organized religions.

What are your small and large passions, the things that move you at a very deep level? Poetry? Sunrises? Sunsets? Kittehs? The bite of the tattoo needle into virgin skin for the first time? Other?

Raybob

I’d say the biggest passion would be seeing the wonderment and childlike joy of watching the Husbear go somewhere new to him or see something he’s never seen before. He kind of turns into a little kid, and it’s always a joy to see.

I would say I’m more of a “drifter” personality really. I don’t know that I have any real passions. I kind of go from one thing to the next. If someone could be “la te da”, that would be me.

Until next time...
Erik

Do You Thanks-Take It?

I hope everyone in the States had a most excellent Thanksgiving.

We had our oldest daughter and son-in-law over for turkey dinner. After they left, the Husbear and I relaxed on the couch together and watched a couple of movies that I hadn’t seen. It was nice to have time together to do that.

Which brings me to this video by a group called The Wet Spots that I stumbled on tonight.


(YouTube link)

I haven’t been able to stop singing it since I heard it. I know. I’m 12 like that.

Not that the first part of this post is related to the second.

Until next time...
Erik

Questions answered… Let’s talk about tattoos.

I received quite a few questions, both in the comments on the post and some in email form as people didn’t want to sound like cheeky monkeys.

I noticed several different categories of questions asked, so I’ve group them as such.

This round up is concerning all the tattoo-related questions I was asked.

Have you ever given someone a tattoo that was a total mess (either because of their decision or your mistake), but you kept a straight face and instead just reassured them about how good it was? My barber has great stories on this subject, so I guess you might as well.

That probably depends on how we define “total mess”.

I’ve had a few clients come in and want me to replicate something that a child or friend drew for them, which would be the equivalent of Comic Sans compared to Times New Roman. Or they wanted something rather hideous and I couldn’t persuade them into something better. For those I just have to bite my tongue and remind myself I’m giving them exactly what they want.

I can think of one tattoo in particular a long, long time ago that was attempted that shouldn’t have been done. Mostly because the subject matter wouldn’t translate well into a tattoo. And also because it was the first time I allowed a customer to rush me through the process. Neither of us were happy with the end result, and I definitely learned a few things from it.

As for the straight face, I’ve never had one of those. 😉

How does one become a tattoo artist? Is there state boards to get accredited?

I can only answer for the state in which I live, Arkansas. Tattooing and body piercing is regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services. (If you want, you can read a complete list of the rules here.)

The legal jargon:
“Tattoo, permanent cosmetic, and body piercing artists are required to be certified in Arkansas. Certification requirements include a minimum of six-month artist in training program with an artist who has been certified in Arkansas for a minimum of three years. The training facility must be approved by the Board of Private Career Education. An application for apprenticeship must be completed as well as a written exam which is based on the Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Permanent Cosmetic and Tattoo Establishments. A practical exam is conducted near the end of the training period.”

Which boils down to say that a prospective tattooist apprentices under a master artist to learn the craft. The apprentice is then tested by the Department of Health and Human Services. A license is then renewed yearly through the Department.

We have all seen posters that have been in the sun so long that only the cyan print is left. I’m curious as to whether there are any tattoo ink colors that fade faster than others.

Just like anything that’s left out in the sun eventually UV exposure takes its toll on tattoo pigment. Lighter colors like whites and yellows and pastel shades tend to blend into skin tones faster than colors that are darker. But even darker colors will fade over time when exposed to UV radiation.

Sunblock or wear protective clothing to extend the life of your artwork!

Did you have any angst before you got your first tattoo? Is there advice you give to clients who have angst?

JimA

Oddly enough, I don’t remember any angst. Or much of anything about the experience. I think I was 20 when I got it. I don’t even remember the reason I got it either. I know alcohol wasn’t involved, as I wasn’t old enough to drink yet. That, and I lived in a dry county and went to a religious college. I don’t remember the tattoo hurting. I think I may have actually fallen asleep during the procedure. I’m a little odd. 😉

As far as advice to clients. If I can tell someone is nervous or they say they are, I tell them the truth: it doesn’t hurt as bad as they think it’s going to, or as their friends have led them to believe. Granted, I’m a somewhat light-handed tattooist, so that makes a difference in the experience.

What is the funniest tattoo you’ve seen or one that you’ve done on someone?

JimA

Funny is definitely in the eye of the beholder. There’s been a few that stand out. But probably the funniest one was on a client. She was easily in her 60s. She wanted a rose tattoo, with a stem and thorn. But with a man making up the stem. And as for the thorn….

Do you get aroused when you tattoo someone?

Raybob

I have not. Yet. I’ve had several very, very drool-worthy clients to be sure. But I’ve always been extremely professional when it comes to my business. That, and my brain isn’t quite wired in the typical sexual way.

Have you ever pierced another human?

Raybob

I have not. The piercing procedure makes me both squeamish and nervous. And it’s not something I have a desire to do, nor have I been trained or licensed to pierce anyone.

What made you want to become a tattoo artist?

It was a suggestion from someone else, actually. I grew up doing all types of art things. It was always encouraged as a hobby by the parental units, but not something a respectable member of society would do. So I did the college thing. And then the working in IT for 15 years. Then the light came when the suggestion was made, and here I am now getting to use that art “hobby”.

What type of tattoos do you most like? What type do you most dislike?

I LOVE cartoon/manga/anime-style tattoos. My favorite thing on the planet to do. I dislike most typical, solid black, tribal tattoos. Meh.

Until next time...
Erik