Removing a tattoo…or covering one up?

I have known many people, including myself, who decided to get a tattoo on a whim in their youth. Sometimes these weren’t the most well-thought-out tattoos, or places to put the tattoos. Also, in many cases, they become faded, stretched, or they just looked horrible (over time or from the beginning). I’ve had a few that I thought were awesome in my youth. Then, after getting more ink I realized the first few I got weren’t really all that great.

So, what can you do about it? Well, there is tattoo removal. However, there is only about a 50% chance that your tattoo will actually be removed after about 10 sessions of laser therapy at $200 a pop. Obviously black and red ink is easiest to remove, but if you have some colorful ink, it likely won’t go away. In addition, your chances go down by about 70% if you’re a smoker. I’ve also heard and seen these removal techniques end up in really bad scarring of the area, some ink still remaining after all that money spent, and just a horrible looking area on the body.

Are there other solutions? Of course!! I chose to just have the old, not so great looking, ink covered up with new and fresh ink that really means something to me. Now, you would need to find a good artist that can do cover ups well. It really should look like you never had anything there in the first place. A few things to keep in mind:

-          The new tattoo should completely cover the old tattoo, so it will have to be larger.

-          If you have a pure black ink tattoo previously, your new tattoo will likely need to be black ink only.

-          If your old tattoo was colorful, you need to think about the colors in the new tattoo and the placement of those colors.

-          Sometimes you can cover an old colored tattoo with black ink, but it depends on the size, shape, and how much filler you need.

-          Make sure you like the new tattoo you’re getting. It’ll be more difficult to cover it up in the future if you don’t like it.

Risks of getting inked

 

For those who love to indulge in getting inked, they should know that there are risks. According to Eli MacKinnon’s article The Hidden Risks of Getting a Tattoo, there was a cluster of individuals who ended up with skin infections in upstate New York from one single tattoo artist. According to the article, the artist was found to have correct hygiene procedures in place – needles, gloves, cleaning, chairs, etc. However, the ink he was using was not sterile. Unfortunately, the ink he was using held a harmful strain of bacteria. After further investigation, three other manufacturers were found to have bacteria in their ink as well. The article doesn’t discuss how many individuals were infected overall. However, according to Filip Kwiatkowski’s article Tattoos, featured in the New York Times, states that “Available in New York from almost 1,400 licensed tattoo artists, tattoos are probably better and safer now than they’ve ever been — more creative and varied, applied in many cases by serious, highly skilled body artists.”

Who do we believe? I personally love getting ink. There are risks in everything we do. We risk getting into an accident and potentially dying when we drive our cars to the store or work. We risk getting electrocuted when we plug something in at home. We risk falling off a ladder and dying when we put up Christmas lights. Getting a skin infection while getting inked is just another nominal risk. For the record, I have known hundred of people who have gotten thousands of tattoos from different artists and shops…even in prison where the sterility should be called into question. None of them have ever developed a skin infection as this article describes. For those of us who love to get ink, there really isn’t a way to ensure you don’t get a skin infection. I consider it a risk worth taking.

2007 – 2008 BMW K1200 recall

Picture from U.S. Rider News

According to U.S. Rider News in their article BMW Recalls K1200 Models For Brake Issue, the 2007 – 2008 BMW K1200 bikes (sport models, R, R- Sport, and S, have an issue with the front brake fluid reservoir. Owners of these bikes can contact  BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com or call at 1-800-525-7471 to make arrangements to have their bike retrofitted with a screen insert to resolve the brake fluid reservoir issue. This recall affects 2,062 bikes.

Above All Tattoo - highly recommended!

The best ink I’ve ever had is from Scott at Above All Tattoo in Downtown Fullerton! Beautiful colors, straight lines, light hand, and an amazing guy to hang out with. If you’re in the Orange County area and are interested in getting quality ink, look him up.

Southern Honda Powersports under investigation for selling unsafe vehicles

Picture from U.S. Rider News

Southern Honda Powersports, according to U.S. Rider News in their article Largest Honda Dealer in the US Under Investigation, is under investigation for selling potentially 25,000 unsafe motorcycles. According to the article, Southern Honda Powersports, which has locations in TN and FL, sold vehicles that had been recalled – without conducting the proper fixes on the vehicles, and sold vehicles assembled by employees without proper training.

7 Motorcycle riding tips

A few tips I’ve learned along the way:

1. Ride like you’re invisible – no matter how bright or reflective your clothing is, you can (and likely will) be in the blind spot of cars. Be prepared!
2. Stay away from cars – yes, it’s much easier said than done, but it’s the truth. If you aren’t following too closely, or being followed too closely, your chances of getting into an accident decrease greatly. Keep your distance from other vehicles to allow yourself time to brake and stop appropriately.
3. Have a plan – when you are in the blind spot of cars / trucks (see #1) you need to know how to maneuver quickly to get out of their way if they start merging into you. Keep your eyes open and always have a plan in the event a car / truck (or even bus) begins to merge into you.
4. Don’t look down – this is probably one of the most basic tips, but one of the most important. When you’re riding keep your eyes up and focused on where you want to be – even if you think you’re going to go down. You and your bike are going to go where your eyes are looking, and if that’s the ground, then that’s where you’ll end up.
5. Be courteous to drivers – I know, I know…why should I be? you ask. Well, because there are still a lot of drivers out there who don’t like motorcyclists and the nicer you are to them (i.e. waving when you split lanes and get in front of them), the more likely they will be to get out of your way and not run you over.
6. Wear proper riding gear – not all states have the DOT approved helmet law, but I think they should. Wearing a helmet that is DOT approved can increase your survival chances when in an accident. Don’t forget proper jacket and foot attire as well. The more protected your body is, the better you’ll be protected if you go down.
7. Only take passengers when you’re comfortable doing so – if you’re a new rider or if you have a bike that isn’t really meant for passengers, work your way up to taking someone with you on the back of your bike. My bike, for example, has a passenger seat. But, it’s far too small to carry me and another adult (hence, one of the reasons I really do need a new bike). And remember – when you take a passenger on your bike you are taking their life in your hands. 

Harley-Davidson 2012 and 2013 VRSCDX recall

I have to admit...this is a sweet looking bike! Maybe this'll be my next bike...(after the fix)

Harley-Davidson is recalling all 2012 and certain 2013 VRSCDX motorcycles that were manufactured from 6/14/11 through 8/1/12 due to a malfunction with the license plate bracket. According to the H-D Recall, the mounting screws may loosen up causing the license plate bracket to rotate and possibly damage the rear brake line. Please contact H-D for additional information. 

152 MPH in a 70 zone? CRAZY!

Picture from MCN

I’ve had many, many people tell me just how dangerous motorcycle riding is…as if I didn’t already know. One of the big keys to staying safe out there on the road is to obey the traffic laws. You know…those pesky rules that all motorists have to follow, like:

-          Don’t run red lights

-          Come to a complete stop at stop signs

-          Don’t go over the speed limit

It was reported today on MCN today by Steve Farrell that there was a Motorcyclist caught speeding at 152 mph!! Stephen Tull was on a 70mph road in Binsted, Sussex when he was busted for going 152mph. That definitely sounds like a rush and a half, but I’d hate to think what would have happened if he had lost control of that bike!

Tattoo real estate out of your body? Interesting concept…

                                                    Picture from ABC News

Ok, I, like getting tattoos and all, but WOW!! Eric Hartsburg had Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign logo ‘R’ tattooed on his face! Hartsburg posted a listing on eBay advertising tattoo space on the side of his face and took an offer from an unnamed person for $15,000. Hartsburg says that he fully supports Romney and that this tattoo is something he can live with.

For the full article, please see ManGets Romney ‘R’ Tattooed On His Face For $15,000.

My choice: Harley Davidson Iron 883 - what's yours?

So, I’m trying to figure out what I want for my next bike. It’s not all that easy to make a decision, you know. Obviously it’ll be a Harley, obviously. But, what model? What color? What type of handlebars? What year? So many choices!!

Right now I’m leaning towards the Iron 883. It’s all black (although, you can get it in a couple other colors, I prefer the black), sleek, raw, and just gorgeous! And because it’s a H-D, it can be customized however I like.

I’d love to hear other opinions of favorite H-D's and why…

Cook’s Corner – biker hangout

I have only recently discovered biker hangouts. Yes, I know, I know, I should have found a few a while ago. The one I recently visited was Cook’s Corner on Santiago Canyon Road in Trabuco Canyon in CA.

Cook’s Corner always has something going on!

Here are a couple upcoming events:

Oct 31^st: Halloween Party and Costume Contest with adult entertainment from 9 PM – Close

Nov 2^nd: Injured Warrior Appreciation Run

Not to mention their every-day events:

MONDAY: Free Pool

TUESDAYS: $1.50 Tacos
Tuesday Night Sport Bike Night

WEDNESDAYS: Bike Night, $4 All You Can Eat Spaghetti, Drawings, 50/50 Raffle

THURSDAYS: $2.75 Domestic Draft Beer and $2 Chili Dogs - 5pm Until Close
Lunch Specials

FRIDAYS: Fish Fry Fish and Chips with Slaw $5

SATURDAY AFTERNOON BANDS

SAT. & SUN.: Biker Boutique by Julie
EVERYDAY: Free WiFi Access

Visit their website at Cook’s Corner to view more information.

Riding gear – what’s your style?

The gear available for purchase for motorcycle riding is endless these days! From jackets to boots to jeans to helmets…and even t-shirts! You can be extremely stylish these days with all matching gear. Personally, I like the steel toed boots, jeans, and a t-shirt or tank top to ride in (when it’s warm). A nice fitting leather jacket is always nice, too. I have a leather vest I wear during the summer, but a regular riding jacket for when it gets cold. I’m looking for that ‘perfect’ leather jacket…haven’t found it yet, though.

Then there are helmets…an endless assortment of helmets in all shapes, sizes, designs, and colors. Right now I prefer a full helmet (a little safer to ride in), but I’m sure I’ll eventually end up in a half helmet of some kind. I’ve seen all kinds of designs, too. From dragons to skulls to flowers! The one’s that get me are the big, bulky, shiny ones (no offense to anyone who owns one of these – it’s just not something I could ever sport). I’ve seen guys wearing flip flops and shorts. Okay, okay, I admit it…I’ve ridden in shorts before, but never flip flops. Some guys like wearing just tennis shoes, and I’ve seen plenty of chicks wearing the high-heeled boots (ouch!).

Whatever your riding gear style, please make sure you’re safe out there! 

Choosing the meaning, timing, and right person for a tattoo

Tattoos have been around for thousands of years, but it’s only been within the past few years that tattoos have really become popular as a way of expressing oneself. There are a few things that I have found about tattoos over the years:

It needs to mean something. You’re putting permanent ink on your body. I hope it has a deeper meaning behind it other than just ‘I thought it looked cool’.

The timing has to be right. Someone who is serious about ink will understand that the timing must be perfect for getting that tattoo. If it’s a memorial to someone you love, generally the tattoo is done after they pass away. If that tattoo is to represent a club or affiliation you are a part of, generally you aren’t going to get it until after you’ve joined that club or affiliation. I think you get the idea.

It has to be completed by the right person. For me, I can’t just walk into any tattoo shop and say ‘I want some ink’. I have to know the artist, I have to know his or her style, and I have to know that the entire experience is something I want. If, for example, I walk into a tattoo shop and the artist has zero personality I will leave without ink. For me, it’s more of a ritual. I need the whole experience surrounding the tattoo to be positive because it’s the memories that will stay with me.

Also, when I am picking my artist, I need to know that he or she really knows what they are doing. I’ve seen artists do whatever tattoo the customer wants, wherever the customer wants, and in whatever color(s) the customer wants. Frankly, I don’t like this. As the artist, you’re supposed to be the expert. Certain tattoos aren’t going to look good on certain places on the body. Certain colors aren’t going to stick well, or look aesthetically appealing, on certain skin tones. These are things the artist should know and let the customer know prior to beginning the tattoo.

Getting a tattoo is therapeutic – for me at least. I’ve even fallen asleep while being worked on. It can start out fairly painful, and some areas of the body are much more sensitive than others, but once the skin begins to numb I find it quite relaxing. The way you handle getting a tattoo will also depend on your pain tolerance. The higher your pain tolerance, the less you’ll hurt while getting the tattoo. What’s funny is that one side of your body can also have a higher level of pain tolerance than the other (mine is my right side – kinda weird).

There’s so much to learn about tattoos, but the expression can be so beautiful if done right.

Motorcycles and the road

A letter written by Carter Edman titled An open letter to every person I meet who finds out I ride a motorcycle is a great read and I suggest that everyone, especially NON-motorcycle riders read it!
 

"Having only been riding for a few short months I, too, have been the recipient of the dissatisfied looks, the ‘be safe’ or ‘make sure you’re wearing a helmet’ comments, the ‘that’s dangerous’ comments, the disapproving statements from family and friends, and all of the stories of what happened to his / her uncle / friend / aunt / nephew / etc. and about how they were hurt or killed while riding. That was them, not me. My circumstances are different. I am different.

I knew when purchasing my bike that it was dangerous. That’s not news to me. I also get the fact that riding isn’t for everyone. That’s okay! It wasn’t for me a few months ago, either.

What bugs me more than the disapproving looks and comments are the drivers who are truly out to harm motorcycle riders. We are legally allowed to split lanes, by the way, at least in CA. Meaning – we are allowed – by law – to ride our motorcycles in between vehicles and move past them. We are allowed – by law – to share the lane with you. And, just to let you know, I haven’t met a rider yet whose intention of splitting lanes is to cut off a motorist or get in their way. Our intention is to get as far away from vehicles as possible. To do this we go between vehicles to move up to the front of the line and get out of your way."

Two pieces of advice a rider once gave me:

1. Stay away from cars – I’m trying to do that, but it’s not as easy as it sounds.

2. Pretend like you are invisible – most motorists aren’t looking out for riders. This is one of the main reasons I don’t ride the freeways / highways – high speeds, motorists changing lanes quickly and without signaling, and the inability for motorists to see riders…

I have to say, though, I think everyone – rider or not – should take the motorcycle riding course. I’m not saying that you have to leave the class and go purchase a motorcycle. I’m saying that I think everyone should take the class to better understand motorcycles, the dangers, the benefits, and how motorist’s actions can be detrimental to riders in certain situations. I know that I have become a much better rider and motorist because of that class and my riding experience (what little I have thus far).

Have you ever changed lanes too quickly, without signaling, and then all of a sudden saw the motorcycle? Please keep your eyes open, hands off your phone, and be acutely aware of your surroundings…for your safety and mine.

You can also see this post on my other blog at: http://www.kristymlopez.com/2012/07/motorcyclesandtheroad/

Motorcycles and life

The other morning I was riding my motorcycle to work, as I do every day I can, and I was thinking about how much my ride to work resembles life. Yes, I have lots of time to think during my hour ride to work and hour and a half ride home every day with just me in my helmet…no cell phones, no calls, no emails, no texts…completely disconnected from technology…completely disconnected from everything except my thoughts.

My ride to work isn’t necessarily the most difficult, but there are moments where I wish the road was smoother, the hills weren’t so steep, or there weren’t so many obstacles in my path…just as in life.

Hills: We all face ups and downs in life. Some feel like mountains, while others feel like small hills. As I was going up one particularly steep hill I found myself coaching my motorcycle saying, “Come on girl, we both know you can take this hill. We’ve got this!” First of all, yes, I was talking to my bike…what rational, sane human being doesn’t talk to inanimate objects? Second, we do this in life, too…at least we should. We need coaching from others, but more importantly, we need coaching from ourselves to get us over these mountains and hills.

Pot holes, bumps in the road, rough terrain: We all face times where we feel like we’re on rocky ground. Sometimes it’s at work, other times it’s in our relationships. We feel like the road could give way at any time, that as we try to ride along we keep hitting these holes and bumps in the road and even slippery gravel at times. We have to remember that as we travel on this uneven, and seemingly harmful, terrain, that we will make it to the other side, hopefully unscathed.

Cars and trucks: Sometimes we face larger obstacles that just plain get in our way. Sometimes these obstacles get in front of us and do everything they can to slow us down, to hinder our abilities to get to that next green light where it looks like smooth sailing from there. Sometimes these obstacles cut us off, right in the middle of the road, and bring us to a sudden halt. Hopefully we don’t run into these obstacles during our travel. But, if we do, then we have to get up, dust ourselves off, and keep on going.

Heavy traffic: There are times in our life where we feel like everything around us is slowing us down, not allowing us to go as fast as we would like, is creating a stop and go environment for us. All we want to do is get to our destination, but we can’t go very fast. It becomes frustrating and irritating. We have to learn how to swerve in and out of traffic to help us get to our destination a bit faster, but safely!

Wide open, smooth roads: These are the best kind! Little to no traffic, a smooth road to ride on, few obstacles, no hills to climb…definitely ideal conditions. This is what we all want in our lives. We want to be able to get to our goal with the fewest hazards, obstacles, and slowing as possible. As we move along we feel better and better about ourselves and we are able to move so much smoother and faster.

Just remember that as we ride through life we are all subject to every one of these conditions. And remember that each one of these conditions, even the wide open roads, is temporary. We will constantly need to coach ourselves to help move us along, we need to pass each obstacle carefully as to not have to find that obstacle again down the road, and we need to continuously remind ourselves of our destination and how great it will feel to finally get there.

Have you found a way to successfully avoid the hazardous conditions out there? 

This post can also be found on my other blog at: http://www.kristymlopez.com/2012/06/motorcycles-and-life/ 

Welcome!

Two of my favorite passions: motorcycles and tattoos. I’m certainly an advocate of both independently or together. I’ve been getting tattoos for far longer than I’ve been riding, but they really do seem to go hand-in-hand. This site is meant for writing, learning, exploring, and having fun with both motorcycles and tattooing. Both are certainly forms of personal expression and should be viewed as such. Please feel free to post comments, email me, etc. I look forward to hearing from other motorcycle and tattoo enthusiasts out there!