OK, I know I shouldn’t believe everything that I read or see on television, but I have to at least believe that products have to somehow work before an American company peddle them…that was until I saw this: Crave-Nx.
Got a craving for chocolate covered pizza? Just spray this concoction on the inside of your cheek and your craving is supposed to magically disappear.
WHO BELIEVES THIS?!?!
*back to your regularly scheduled program*
As promised, here the conversation between J. Bakes, who has a fab back tattoo from Black Lotus, and Jaz about what first timers should look for in a tattoo shop, how to avoid scarring, and what colors work best for which skin types. Enjoy!
“…As a tattoo artist, you have to be delicate, especially with women”
True story. I’m alone, laying on a table basically topless, with at 250lb+ man moving a needle up in down my back—and i’m the most calm and comfortable I’ve been in some time. I’m chilling in the private studio of master tattoo artist, Jaz Toeque, owner of Jaz Tattoo/Black Lotus Gallery in Brooklyn, NYC talking all types of smack, listening to a mix of Nine Inch Nails and Burning Spear and generally enjoying time to myself. Of course, tattooing isn’t for everyone, but when it comes time to get some ink, think of it with the same care as choosing a doctor—after all this is your skin and once it’s done…it’s done. With over 15 years of experience, i’m in good hands and my back piece is looking awesome, so much that I thought I’d share—Jaz took some time to answer some common questions about our purrty skin, tattooing, as well as how not to end up with “Mookie Forever” on your thigh.
Parlour: Jaz, your resume and network stretches across the globe, yet you have chosen to open your studio in Brooklyn as opposed to Manhattan? What made you stay close to home? Jaz: I think Brooklyn needs me. Black Lotus is a high profile shop, the things that we offer here are not the usual that you have in Brooklyn.
I’ve heard you stress that Black Lotus, and you especially, don’t really engage in any “flash work” and focus on custom artwork. What was to motive behind that decision?
Well I’m tired of people going to tattoo parlors and picking something off the wall and seeing someone else walking behind them that picks the same tattoo. I believe tattoos are a personal thing so everyone should have their own image – something that fits them, to show who they are. So I believe I came back to NY, to Brooklyn, to do that.
What should any woman take into consideration before getting a tattoo?
Location, location, location! (more…)
This morning, in a post CMJ show-crawl haze, I found myself in my bathroom thoroughly engrossed in New York Magazine’s feature on the pro’s and cons of circumcision for boys. Maybe because every show I went to was a typical hip-hop “sausage fest,” I found myself going over my mental image history of every penis I have encountered and wondered what the fuss was about. I always understood it to be a hygiene and religious thing, but some label the practice as horrific and barbaric as female genital mutilation—also known as female circumcision. While I think that the comparison is a little extreme, there is a growing number of American parents who are turning away from the practice. I’ve only seen one “uncut” penis in my life and I admit I was a little…intrigued. What are your thoughts ladies (and gents!)? Any hot mammas out there care to share their experience with their sons? Should our little girls get ready for more foreskin on the scene?
Image: Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine
Late last month, the Morning After Pill, or Morning After Un Rollo, became available for sale throughout Spain without the need of a doctor’s prescription nor parental consent. Women of all ages, most in their teens, made a b-line to their local pharmacies to purchase the emergency contraception without a drop of hesitation.
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The news made me ponder the irony of the situation. On one hand it was a very progressive move considering that Spain is an extremely Catholic country. The majority of holidays fall into the realm of religion relating to the celebration of some Santo even though I have yet to meet an Espanol that can tell me what festivos coincide with what Saint. In the States, there may not be so many holidays but any 5th grader can name all the major holidays that Americans celebrate.
But the Catholic Church and the country’s conservatives did make themselves heard with a large outcry that began back in May when Trinidad Jimenez, the Health Minister of Spain, announced a new strategy to prevent unwanted births and pregnancies. The over-the-counter release of the pill comes in conjunction with a new law that allows girls as young as 16 to seek out abortions without their parents aprobacion which was previously needed. El Padre almost pooped in his pants! (more…)
Someone is not happy about his H1N1 vaccination. I feel you Ryan…I really do.
I’m still skeptical about vaccinations period and this one is no different. I feel like if Miss London can ride it out, so can I. Maybe if I was older (60+) I would feel different? Something about it all just doesn’t sit well with me. Thoughts peeps? Any takers on the shot?
Health leaders back H1N1 Vaccine
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I’m a writer, obviously, and the tricky thing about my job is alot of the job is self encouragement and self-starting. And the weird thing about that is I always have a voice that says, ‘Yeah, right, you suck. No one’s going to read this you know…’ and I have to beat it back, or call my mother or Granny for a pep talk. So in between pep talks, a buddy @lyneka sent me a talk by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of “Eat, Pray, Love” which I’m reading right now…(would’ve been done but I had to break for the last Harry Potter book, don’t judge me), and it made me feel SO much better about life, creativity, and dogged determination.
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Best part = “Don’t be afraid…just do your job, continue to show up for your piece of it, whatever that may be. If your job is to dance, do your dance. If the divine cockeyed genius assigned to your case decides to let some sort of wonderment be glimpsed for one moment through your efforts, then Olé. And if not, do your dance anyhow.”
Enjoy after the jump!
