One More Thing…

Posted on October 30, 2009 by Jordan Ginsberg

(Courtesy of rip me open)

I was first hired by BME in early 2005 and spent the better part of the year living with the team in La Paz, Mexico. Before moving there, I had never been on a plane, nor had I ever had the chance to write professionally. I got the job largely on the strength of this interview with Keith Alexander, who became an immediate inspiration and mentor. At the time, I could have never imagined I would also write a memorial to him eight months later.

Being involved with BME has changed my life in many fundamental ways, and the experiences I’ve had and the friendships I’ve gained make it difficult to announce that this will be my last post as a BME staff member. No hard feelings and no drama whatsoever—just a trip that’s run its course. We had a lot of good times, some tumultuous periods, and one hero who started calling him- or herself “anti-ginsberg,” which, hey—if nothing else, some of you folks have helped me develop a thick skin I never thought I’d grow, and whether you appreciate it or not, that’s worthy of some kind of thanks.

My eternal thanks, gratitude and friendship go out to Phil Barbosa, who has been as exemplary a friend and colleague as I could have ever asked for, to say nothing of the joy it’s been to work with Rachel, Jen, Roo, Mike, Jon, Jason and anyone else who’s been part of the team.

But this is it. I know there are plans for the site and the community, and I look very forward to seeing where this is all taken. Hopefully, I did my part to help make things not suck for at least a little while. And hey, for old time’s sake, here are some things you may have missed:

– My feature story on Buck Angel, one of my all-time favorite things I’ve ever written.

– Do yourself a favor and listen to this podcast with the great Perk900, live on the scene in Las Vegas for APP.

– These profiles of Shawn Barber and Kim Saigh.

– The DongBlog tag, start to finish, until the end of time, amen.

– BME’s Big Question was never not a good read.

– You were all very patient to put up with ModBlog Fan-Fiction.

– Rob Spence is one of the coolest motherfuckers alive.

– Bob Roberts is a gentleman and a scholar.

– And finally…Spidey-Cock.

And that’s it! It has been an absolute pleasure, my friends. I’ll try to stop in occasionally, but until then, have fun, stay safe and, of course, thank you for your continued support of BME. Fare thee well.

Mind The Gap

Posted on October 30, 2009 by Jordan Ginsberg

210

Hoo boy that’s grisly, but fitting for this, the Halloween season, no? Shane checks in from scenic Columbus, Georgia, to show off this new Columbia Necktie tattoo by Matthew Wertjes at Superior Skin Art. The tongue is a nice touch, too—the tongue in the tattoo, that is, not the split tongue, although we’re sure that has a nice touch too…ladies.

More angles after the jump, including a painful-looking procedural shot.

See more in “Facial and Neck Tattoos“ (Tattoos)

True Relaxation

Posted on October 30, 2009 by Jordan Ginsberg

It’s not uncommon to see works of fine art adapted into tattoos—sometimes with varying degrees of success. This, however, is one of the first attempts we’ve seen at a scarification adaptation—based on a Klimt piece—and, honestly, we’re thrilled with what Christiane (at Pinpoint Piercing in Oslo, Norway) has done here. Excellent choice of a painting to adapt to the medium and wonderfully executed—lovely, lovely work.

See more in “Misc. Cuttings“ (Scarification)

The Final Mystery

Posted on October 30, 2009 by Jordan Ginsberg

As is the case sometimes, these photos were submitted without a name, but, as is also the case sometimes, they were just too good to sit on until claimed. Because really, what better way to kick off your lunch hour than with this handsome (albeit anonymous) devil? Zero-gauge nostrils, 7/16-inch flats and 2.5-inch lobes, all looking healthy as can be, all attached to this virile young specimen? If that isn’t a Halloween miracle, we don’t know what is. More after the jump.

Don’t Masquerade

Posted on October 27, 2009 by Jordan Ginsberg

The last time we saw Cole up there, he was showing off that handsome chest piece, and understandably so! This time around, however, his clothes have tragically disappeared somehow, though this calamity at least allows us a convenient vantage point of the cephalopodic addition to his side by Jay at Trigger Happy in Vancouver, British Columbia. After the jump, we get a better look at a few things that are mildly obscured in the above photo.

Forgo the Nightcap

Posted on October 27, 2009 by Jordan Ginsberg

It was only a matter of time before every possible finger-related tattoo joke was used, and we don’t think we were alone in wondering what the next inky humor accessory would be. And now? Here is your answer, probably, featuring flash by Derik Snell for a tattoo by Adam at Hand of Glory in Brooklyn, New York. Oh and hey, just in time for old Halloween! Sweet serendipity, right?

See more in “Sci-Fi Tattoos“ (Tattoos)

At The Max

Posted on October 27, 2009 by Jordan Ginsberg

Oh, hello! Slightly irregular ear project operative “Marcellus” checks in from Carmarthen, UK, with this slightly irregular ear project by Mike Davies at Nobbys Tattoo Parlour. Sure, transverse lobes may just wash up on the beach these days, but we thought stretching it to 8 mm. was a unique touch we don’t see too often. Also, in the attached e-mail, the industrial is referred to as a “scaffold”—is this a common regional thing? Maybe we are out of the loop (we are almost definitely out of the loop), but this is new to us.

See more in “Transverse and Vertical Lobes“ (Ear Piercing)

Propel, Propel, Propel

Posted on October 26, 2009 by Jordan Ginsberg

And here we have Emma‘s new yarn and pincushion feet tattoos courtesy of J Ranno at Holeshot Tattoo in Amherst, Massachusetts! It may have taken five agonizing hours, but the result is an undeniably fine tribute to an undeniably wholesome pastime. We thank you for choosing BME for all your cute and crafty tattoo-related needs.

See more in “New Skool tattoos“ (Tattoos)

Sweet Talk Like a Cop

Posted on October 26, 2009 by Jordan Ginsberg

While there may be wrong—or, rather, less than ideal—reasons to commit to body modification sometimes, there isn’t really a “right” reason. For some people, it can be an intensely personal, serious and spiritual act, while for others it’s more a means for generating some lightheartedness—both are valid and important aspects of what we try to cover here. We’ve always loved publishing Babasom‘s submissions because, as we’ve said in the past, they genuinely brighten our day (and, likewise, he genuinely seems to enjoy brightening the days of others), but they also feature a man who is pushing his body in a very real way—even if huge septum piercings aren’t as “cutting-edge” as maybe they once were. “I have helped it bloom,” he says of his “metal flower” above. Don’t ever change, Babasom.

Blast Off

Posted on October 26, 2009 by Jordan Ginsberg

Good afternoon, folks! Sorry for the late start—we’re not at liberty to discuss the cause of the delay, but let’s just say the Zodiac killer may be one step closer to being brought to justice. At any rate, let’s begin our week with Jannell, whose presence on these here ModBlogs is always, always appreciated. In this photo by Jeff Greer, she’s sporting a new(ish) set of clavicle microdermals by 7yler, and we don’t think we’re alone in thinking they’re a wonderful complement to an already lovely collection of modification work.