So let the party and the sounds rock on

Amy and Jaime heard there was a "Best Visitor" competition going on,
(or maybe they didn't)
but they showed up with a dozen vegan Portland doughnuts anyway,
a box of Sweet Life vegan cake,
and some handmade antler treats.
And that was the first day.
It's been non-stop funtimes since.
I drove to Crescent City with them, too,
and found where the big trees were hiding.
Coastal Redwoods are no joke.






















Then I got to visit Battery Point Lighthouse again,
but this time there was a little more daylight,
and when it's low tide (it was)
you can walk to it (i did)!
So sexy.
And so here's a better, closer photo.

















We also got some tattooing in,
and worked on Amy's antlered birdhouse sleeve.
She sat for a few hours,
and we outlined the whole rest of it.
Then we started shading, too,
and got some of the squirrel filled in.
She made it 5.5 hours before an evening on the couch with
Thai food and Rocky Horror Picture Show was calling her name.






















Here's my gift from Jaime,
a business card holder cut from an antler.
She knows antlers are the answer,
and now all of my clients will, too.
Good thing my new cards arrived the very same day.
It's so fresh.

















We have a few days left before we have to say goodbye,
and we have lots more plans.
I'm playing hooky and going lighthouse hopping on Friday.
After being stuck in Minnesota for so long,
I can't get enough of the ocean.
10,000 lakes don't have shit on the Pacific.

Think of a place I would go...

Finished this hawk tattoo up yesterday.
It was a pretty big project,
and done in two sessions with only two weeks in between.
I had a lot of fun doing it,
and learned a few things, too.
(mainly, don't take photos of your tattoos
against a tie-dye shirt background)






















....I'm daydreaming.
If I'm not at home here in the Louderhorn Inn,
Maynard House in Northampton is the next best thing.
And I've never wanted to be there so much as I did last night.
A DarkDarkDark sleepover party?
Damn.
I am one jealous dude.
I know it went well,
because Amy is the best.
It's good to have rad friends.

A straight up birthday shoutout!

Maynard House's Miss Briggs got a little older today.
As far as people go, she's one of the best.
There haven't been too many people that I've met,
and immediately liked so much.
(and even fewer that liked me back!)
I hope she had an awesome day,
but knowing her girlfriend Jaime,
I'm sure it was dope.

I recently got some healed photos of her arm and chestpiece.
I have no idea why I didn't have these before,
but I have them now!
Happy Birthday Amy!
Thank you for your friendship, hospitality,
inspiration (and tax help).
xxoo.

Putting serious miles on the rental car

Just as predicted in the previous post,

the trip to Maynard House in MA,

and then the Folk Life and Liberty Fortress in NH,

were both super crucial stops on our East Coast non-stop visiting trip.

4 states, 5 friends, 6 vegan meals, and 9 hours of driving,

all in barely over 24 hours.

Here's a photo of Meryl, Jess, Albie and the Cucch

enjoying the nicest summer day.

We might have all forgotten to bring along our cameras,

but that doesn't mean there aren't any photos.

I figured out the secret to driving to Conway, NH.

Vermont.

Yup.

Drive up I-91,

then east on 302,

and it's the most beautiful roadtrip around.

Thanks to both houses for the hospitality and the good times.

We're back in CT now, but we'll try to keep our spirits up.

ha.

Winning.

The Poke-Off War has expanded past it's original Facebook borders.
Off the Map Tattoo has received some pokings from real life people in the real life mail this week,
and they'll continue pouring in.
C'mon.
Stamped and delivered.























And better than that even:
having friends who aren't afraid to get all guerilla style for you.
Just give Amy and Jaime a little hint of what you'd like,
and they know how far to take it.
A little tiny paper "poke" sticker wasn't enough style for Jaime,
so she turned to sheet metal instead.
(obviously)
And then smuggled that shit in behind enemy lines.
Here's a little photo of it,
taken by the always amazing
(even when she's losing)
Mary Bowen.
























You know what happens this weekend, kids?
I turn 30.
Years old.
yup.
You know what I want for my birthday?
Victory.
That's it, and you can help deliver it.
Click this Mary link,
go to her page,
and poke her, please.
You might have to friend her first,
you might not.
But that's the easiest birthday gift ever.