A Polish article warns against quick decisions and random tattoos, this American one points out what kinds of ‘artists’ we should avoid while this one from France briefly discusses a new fashion collection by Jean Paul Gaultier – looks like tattoos are in again.

Quite shocking (and probably that’s why the media love it!): a GA woman allowed her 10-year-old son to get a tattoo.

Nicely interesting: a little information on a tattoo documentary ‘Color Outside the Lines’ and an article from Australia focused on female convicts’ tattoos back in the 19^th century.

More visual coverage on tattoos in articles discussing ‘Ink Master.’

Both in English and Dutch: Amsterdam Tattoo Museum.

I’m re-watching the Swedish version of the Millennium trilogy and anxiously awaiting a chance to watch the American production, so here articles on Lisbeth Salander (in Polish, though!).

Speaking of films, here’s a slide show on tattoos in films.

‘The body as art’ discusses mostly ear stretching which is good on its own (not that frequent a topic) but also throws in a few words on spirituality that some people associate with body modification.

Some spirituality also in this article describing Christian body art.

Finally, a touch of outrage in a silly slide show.

Tattoos in church? In Flint, MI it’s quite possible.

‘QR Code’ tattoos and some general musings on the subject. Here’s also more on the QR Code tattoos.

Ink reality TV represented by Chris Nunez of the Miami Ink fame: him talking Ink Master, tattoos and human canvasses.

Eye candy for the masses: David Beckham advertising underwear and showing off his body and his tattoos. As a bonus, an overview of Beckham’s tattoos.

I’m in the middle of re-reading of the Millennium trilogy, so I’m into Lisbeth Salander’s story again. Here an answer to the ‘what dragon tattoo really costs?’ question and, for comparison values, a link to a picture of a dragon tattoo on Noomi Rapace who was an original Lisbeth in the Swedish version of the movie. Whose dragon tattoo is more interesting?

Ami James and his tattoos-related soap opera in the first episode’s recap. Quite unexpectedly for me (I had no idea such a TV show existed), he also appeared in a ‘All-American Muslim’ show.

‘New year brings new laws,’ also for tattoo industry.

A very interesting article from Australia about a Japanese tattoo master, Horihiro!

Finally, not body art but for the cows involved it must have felt like that – body painting!

Thanks to my crazy-about-suspending friend I just  got my own set of suspension hooks and I’m definitely looking forward to trying them out (although I may actually be way more excited about running my next half-marathon or trying to run my first full marathon!) It’s good to know that from now on I’ll always have my own hook set!

What makes them so special? First, they’re from a friend (and that would be enough on its own!). Second, they’re HUGE! I do love suspension scars but they always fade with time, so hopefully these monsters will give me really long-lasting scars! Finally, never again I’ll have to rely on suspension masters to provide me with hooks – I have mine and they can be reusable once they’re thoroughly cleaned and sterilized!

And don’t they look wonderfully huge when compared with the hooks from my first ever hooks-related experience? (shame I didn’t get to save even one hook from my first suspensions, though!) The picture of my chest pull was taken on July 1, 2006 in Malmő, Sweden!

The funniest thing will be, however, when I face them right before my next suspension experience and get to hear others telling me that using them may be not such a good idea!  ;)

Mod ond hleahtor, though!

Springfield neighborhood-based suspension drama continues as this local article shows!

Is the world coming to an end? A little bit about the Mayan allegedly soon-to-come apocalypse and some body modifications practiced by the Maya people can be read here.

Samoa and its traditional tattoo revival in this article.

Modified animals (is it right?) in this German article describing things happening in China.

A Polish article about women as more frequent guests in tattoo shops here.

Finally, a bit of 2011 summary: designer logo tattoos as a fashion mistake!

In a way, this book looks a little like encyclopedia as its main focus is not only on amazing (shocking?) its readers but also on educating them as very interesting to read ‘Body Mod Masterclasses’(8 in total) show. The ‘classes’ cover such fascinating subjects as ear pointing, scarification (again but this time from a bit different angle), eyelid piercing and (hard to read for me!) nullification. Concise and informative these pieces of knowledge are and quite a good start point for your future plans.

A strong point of the Body Art series is interviews with the industry peopIe and this time it’s a good part of this book again.  In Body Art 2 there are interviews with the *in*famous Paully Unstoppable and Zombie Boy but the editors also offer us a chance to meet two fascinating women, Elayne Angel  (as shown in the pictures and in-between the words, she’s not only beautifully modified but also very bright and quite humble) and Isobel Varley who seems to be blessed with a sense of humor.

Even more educative flavor is offered in chapters devoted to the profession of tattoo artist and tattoo conventions, so those willing to learn will find here quite a lot (so it’s not only for gawkers!). The permanent features include short sections devoted to readers’ tattoos and there are – of course – a few pages devoted only to ‘Ultra Vixens’, so the (fe)male part of the Bizarre’s readership will find some eyecandy here.

All in all, a very nice although quite shocking at times book that should land on shelves of those of us interested in the body mod subject.

Body Art 2, Titan Books 2011

Two artists into body modification: a Spaniard Sala interviewed in India and Wim Delvoye again, this time showing his work in Australia.

A tattoo school is going to be open in Cleveland, OH.

Canadian authorities are concerned about growing popularity of body modification and risks involved.

Tattoos and work place: ‘leaving a mark on professionalism: tattoo generation.’

Finally, tattoos in an ad: a Russian commercial for Burger King.

An interesting conference devoted to tattoo history in Vatican of all places! Pretty cool, isn’t it? Another university project described by BBC: ‘Dundee tattoo project’ as a means to help identify bodies.

News from India: tattooed men can’t join the Indian army now.

As a big fan of the Millennium trilogy and Lisbeth Salander herself I’m looking, both impatiently and uneasily, forward to watching the American version of the book. It certainly creates a buzz online; this one, ‘rebel leader,’ is more interesting, though, thanks to an interesting pair of fake spirals now on sale for those who’d like to copy the American Lisbeth’s looks. I’m not sure if it’s absurd, funny or just plainly pathetic.

Finally, a short string of examples of ‘modified charity’: Kenya, American Red Cross and a calendar for a cure.

The readers’ response to the recent BBC article on ear stretching: ’10 of your stories.’

‘Kitchen culture change’ – focused on tattoos.

Finally, not much on tattoos but interesting anyway – one and only Mark Benecke who’s quite heavily tattooed and definitely very bright!