beginning of Fudo Myoo no Ryu cover-up on Antti from Finland. (Horimatsu)

Karasu Tengu

Beshimi-Akujo

Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame, Class of 2011 Announced

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame has just announced the list of inductees for 2011, which includes one of the best known riders in motorcycle history: Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame is designed to recognize individuals or groups who have made a long term positive impact on the motorcycle community. The lifetime achievement awards will be presented at the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Breakfast at 9 a.m., Wednesday, August 10 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, SD.

This year's list (arranged alphabetically) includes:

Don Emde – Don Emde comes by his passion for motorcycling naturally. He was born to a motorcycling family in 1951, and spent much of his youth either working in the family’s dealership or tearing up the tracks of Southern California as an amateur scrambler, dirt tracker and road racer. He turned pro in 1969, and set numerous records with his Daytona 200 win in 1972. Emde and his father became the first (and so far only) father son pair to win the Daytona 200. After his racing career, Don went on to become a successful publisher and author. He currently publishes Drag Specialties Magazine, Parts Magazine and Parts Europe Magazine.

Del Hofer – Del Hofer has been a Harley-Davidson dealer for 50 years, first in Huron, South Dakota, then in Fargo, North Dakota. His love of motorcycling is obvious through many of his activities. Del is active in the American Motorcyclists Association and is the longest serving member of the Harley-Davidson Dealer Advisory Board. A long-time AMA amateur racer in all styles of racing, Del also served as an AMA referee and District Congressman for quite some time. Del’s passion for motorcycling is evident to anyone who meets him. He encourages men and women alike to take safety courses, get active in riding and enjoy it in a safe and fun way.

Robert Craig “Evel” Knievel – Probably one of the best-known motorcycle riders in history, Evel Knievel liked to live on the edge. From riding his bicycle at an early age to pole vaulting when he was in the army to playing semi-pro hockey, Evel tried it all. In the early 1960s, Evel joined the motocross circuit with moderate success until a broken collar bone forced him to take a job as an insurance salesman. The insurance business didn’t hold him for long, though, and soon he moved his family to Washington where he started his first daredevil show. During his career, he attempted 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps, many successfully. In 1974, Knievel was unsuccessful in his attempt to jump across the Snake River on a steam-powered rocket – the Skycycle X-2. Knievel died of pulmonary disease in 2007 at age 69.

Michael Prugh – While Michael Prugh is certainly well recognized as a motorcycle designer and manufacturer, it’s his work educating others that has taken him beyond the title of “builder.” Michael has been involved in many builds for charity and as a competitor. He took second place two years in a row in the AMD’s World Championship of Custom Bike Building and has been featured in numerous publications featuring various builds. In 2010, Prugh led a team of students from Western Dakota Tech to build “Method” a true “one off” bike that was auctioned at the annual Legends Ride. This year, Prugh is again teaming up with Western Dakota Tech, Black Hills Harley-Davidson and the Buffalo Chip to build a bike for the Legends Ride.

Gloria Tramontin Struck – You’d never believe this outspoken 85-year-old woman is the same girl who in 1941 at age 16 tearfully told her brother “I do not want to know how to ride!” Well, her brother won that argument and she’s been riding from that day until today. She’s owned 14 motorcycles in her lifetime, has traveled every state in the continental U.S. as well as Canada. At the age of 76, she took two trips to Europe, traveling a total of over 6,500 miles in 8 countries. Gloria has been a Motor Maid for 65 years, having joined in 1946 and is the longest member still riding. She continually encourages women to ride and to be involved. Gloria is an inspiration to riders and non-riders alike.

Mike & Margaret Wilson – While both Mike & Margaret Wilson have contributed individually to the sport and lifestyle of motorcycling, those who know this couple consider them to be a pair. Mike was an expert dirt-track and TT racer both before and after his stint in World War II. Right after his return, Mike bought a 45 cubic inch Harley-Davidson motorcycle as a birthday surprise for Margaret. Mike and Margaret were business partners in a Harley-Davidson then Honda dealership in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for over 25 years. Both Mike and Margaret have been avid riders and have spent countless hours encouraging others to ride, too. Known to an entire generation of women raiders, Margaret is a golden life member of the Motor Maids celebrating 60 years this year. Mike and Margaret both serve on the Board of Directors of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum and continue to work to preserve the heritage of motorcycling through their involvement.

Breakfast tickets are available for a $35.00 donation, tables of eight for $300.00. Tickets can be purchased through the Museum at 605.347.2001 or on line at www.sturgismuseum.com/cart/

Akaryu gets some colour in the Kiku.

Roshishin almost completed.

Travel Channel To Film Rat's Hole World Bike Showdown

The Travel Channel will be filming the 39th Rat's Hole Chopper Show - World Bike Showdown on Saturday, March 12th at Daytona Lagoon, 612 N. Earl Street during the 70th Daytona Bike Week!

Come join the party.. everyone through the gate will receive one ballot to vote for their favorite bike in the World Bike Showdown.

Bike builders from Australia, Canada, EAU & USA will be live on stage! Come early to pick up your copy of the free Daytona Beach Ratty Rag, featuring interviews with bike builders Cyril Huze, Dave Perewitz, Ron Finch, Tako of Sickasso Creations, and more...

First published for Daytona Bike Week 1974, the first, oldest and longest running (free) biker newspaper went out of circulation at the turn of the new century... and now it's BACK! A limited 20,000 copies will be issued and available (free) at the Rat's Hole Show, so you better show up early this year on Saturday, March 12th to grab your copy! The all-day show will feature 22 classes of bikes, Miss Ratmate & Tattoo Contests, emceed by Radical Randy at Daytona Lagoon water park, next to the parking garage, just off of (A1A) Atlantic Ave. beachside - 614 N. Earl Street, Daytona Beach.

"If you were awarded one of the big, bronze colored Big Daddy Rat trophies in the last couple of years, get ready to add a new trophy to your collection," said Ted Smith, owner of Rat's Hole Shows. "We are going to unveil a new tri-colored custom trophy that will be awarded to the top 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners in every category."

There is always excitement and anticipation going into a Rat's Hole Show, said Tako of Sickasso Creations. "I will be bringing three bikes that have never been shown. Mostreet that I built for former Boston Red Socks player, Mo Vaugn; plus another Pro Street bike that I am just finishing called "Twisted" and then the Gothic & Old School "Death Bike."

To register a bike, go to http://www.ratshole.com/

Click here to view a Rat's Hole Facebook gallery.

"KOKORO", our new photobook on Horiyoshi III is out now!

To get all the information on how to order etc, please follow this link!

Daytona Bike Week: Charity Road Report

When bikers converge on Daytona Beach to celebrate the 70^th Daytona Bike Week, March 4 to 13, 2011, they will also have the opportunity to help feed needy children by way of a donation or the purchase of a T-shirt, with all proceeds going to the Bread of Life Pantry & Back Pack Program.

The Florida-based Rider NOW magazine will be selling the T-shirts and collecting donations at their booth, directly in front of the Boot Hill Saloon on Main Street, Daytona Beach.

Click the image to enlarge for details.

We are all acutely aware that it’s a tough economy for everyone, however those who depend on the kindness and generosity of others feel the pinch even more. This past year, the Marine’s Toys for Tots program distributed a record number of toys to needy children across the nation, thanks in part to the continued support of bikers who participated in toy runs in spite of their own personal financial troubles.

Here's a Charity Road Report from Johnny Lange of Strip Club Choppers, who had the opportunity to help with three charity events over the past few months in Florida.

"Although the SCC Tour wasn’t on the road very much from November to February, we didn’t allow that to freeze over the spirit of bikers giving back to the community. During these frigid months SCC was fortunate to be involved in three charity events.

Rider Now magazine asked us to participate in a food drive for a church in Ocala Florida. Val, the magazine editor, donated a bunch of food and we donated clothing and parts to be auctioned off as well as participating in a photo shoot that graced the cover of the magazine.

The second charitable event was unplanned, two police officers were killed in St Petersburg Florida in January and when Johnny worked for the Department of Juvenile Justice years ago (who would have guessed that one) he worked closely with this department. The Full Throttle Bike Builders Invitational in Clearwater Florida turned into an informal fundraiser for those fallen officers and the biker community rallied on the spur of the moment to raise almost 70k!

The third charity that caught our attention was for a one-year-old girl named Victoria with acute leukemia. My friend Aaron Blowout Morrow, the stereo typical big bad ass biker, and we mean big, took pledges for every pound he could lose, this just might cure cancer altogether, way to go Aaron. You can find additional info at Victoriasvoyage.com.

I guess the bottom line is no matter how tough the biker community may seem on the outside, we have a heart the size of a V-twin on the inside. It has been said about our culture that we are the first to support a good cause and the first to step up and protect our country. It’s 100% true. Even though times are tough and many of us can’t afford to donate monetarily we can give our time through volunteering, product donations or even weight loss, go figure, hey A+ for creativity.

The weather is clearing; the sun is starting to shine on the open road and the 2011riding season is upon us. Come by and see us from March 4th to the 13th in Daytona at the Hang Dawg Saloon right across from the Iron Horse Saloon on US1. And for you guys planning your year in advance here are some other events we will be at so far: Thunder in the Hill Country, Bandera Texas, March 31- April 3 and the Carts, Bikers and Babes Rally, April 8-10, in Somerville Texas. For additional info visit www.stripclubchoppers.com

Javier Campos from Lima Peru... uses Godoy Machines

Javier Campos is a Peruvian tattoo artists. We mentioned his model machine in previous blogs. He has only been tattooing 8 years... look at his work. These are mastepieces. This is what every tattoo artist should strive for. When you have this kind of understanding of your machine and technique, there will be NO limits to what you can do.

I can't wait til the trend of traditional tattooing is over. It will be interesting to see who will be out of work and who won't. Artists with limits are just that. This guy will always be busy because he has the skills.



We met Javier at a convention in Lima Peru about 5 years ago, and saw him again at the following one. Since then, we have become friends and we meet whatever South American events which we decide to attend. Normally we give one of our machines as a prize for best black n grey tattoo, best realistic and best tattoo of the convention. And pretty soon, he was winning all the machine prizes!! We decided to start giving him machines in order to let other artists have a chance to win one of our prized machines.



This is some of the best work to be seen in tattooing. Just compare. Walk around town and take a close look at people's tattoos. Compare.



The subtle shades of greys and skin tones are not the easiest to put into the skin. Over time, the experience of doing this type of realism becomes easier and easier and pretty soon, you get a complete understanding of how to do it, how to deal with different skin types... Training your eye / hand coordination with this type of style will prepare you to handle ANY challenge effortlessly.



Look at the shades of color in the lips. The colors blended to make a realistic tone for the lip color are hard to blend. A knowledge of painting helps to steer you in the right direction. Check the hoop in the girl's nose... very realistic.



Another masterpiece... Remember the name Javier Campos, you may be seeing him here sooner or later...

Great Video: Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally

The 13th Thunder Beach Spring Motorcycle Rally in Panama City, Florida is sure to attract more than 200,000 fans to the white sandy beaches of the "Emerald Coast."

The dates are April 27th to May 1st, 2011. Unlike many rallies, this is a FREE rally in The most biker-friendly town in the USA!


See if you would agree: Here's the new Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally Video!



The Thunder Beach 10th Fall Rally (Oct. 2010) featured the first MS Thunder Beach Pagent for sexy women 35 and over, along with the popular Miss Thunder Beach Kick-Off Party & Pagent. The Old Shool Roadhouse of "mobile" old school bikes and hot rods rolled in for the rally. There were four big concerts, charity bike rides, stunt rider exhibitins, the "Best of The Beach" bike show, the Thunder Beach Bike Parade, a "Sizzle" fashion show and VIP Party featuring famed blues player, The Sauce Boss. The rally is spread across Panama City at 8 participating venues! Details - http://www.thunderbeachproductions.com/.

Motorcycle USA's New Interactive "Ride Guide"

Locate a street ride, race track, drag strip, motocross track, dirt bike ride or OHV park anywhere in the USA with the Motorcycle USA Ride Guide.

I got their press release yesterday, and I would definetly recommend that you check out this new ride guide that is powered by a GPS sponsor. The press release is below.

I always read the Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show reviews by Bryan Harley at MotorcycleUSA.com. But I have also bookmarked this guide page. It's excellent.

Motorcycle USA announces the release of its Motorcycle Ride Guide, a one-stop, comprehensive tool for finding new riding destinations throughout the country. An interactive experience, the Motorcycle Ride Guide allows users to upload information about their own favorite local stretches of asphalt.

Motorcycle-USA.com’s Ride Guide is an invaluable resource for all riding styles. From short jaunts around the local countryside to long-distance tours Motorcycle-USA’s new Ride Guide has it all. Along with street routes, the Ride Guide includes listings for local race tracks and drag strips. Dirt riders are covered too, with listings of Motocross Parks, as well as OHV trail riding locations.
 
Motorcyclists looking for a riding destination can search by riding style and state to find all the vital information needed for their next two-wheeled adventure, including ride descriptions, points of interest, directions, elevation and terrain. Listings also include a downloadable map from Motorcycle-USA.com’s Ride Guide partner, Ride with GPS.
 
“We enlisted the folks from Ride with GPS for their mapping skills and as you can imagine, they were instrumental in allowing us to offer this new feature on Motorcycle-USA.com. These types of sites have been popular among mountain bikers and hikers so we figured it would be a natural fit for motorcycle riders as well,” said Motorcycle-USA Editor-in-Chief Ken Hutchison.
 
Motorcycle-USA.com’s Ride Guide will encourage riders to share their favorite roads, add points of interest, comment on a ride or add their own tidbits of advice about a particular route. User-friendly and technologically savvy, the new Ride Guide is bound to be a valuable resource for riders of all types.

 
“We’ve wanted to provide a place for riders to find and share rides so other motorcyclists have the opportunity to enjoy roads they might not have known about otherwise,” Hutchison adds. “I expect Ride Guide to be popular right away and I hope to see everyone contribute by submitting their favorite rides as well. We have over one thousand rides already in the system and are loading more each day. Once we start getting the public submitting rides too, there will be a ton more rides for people to enjoy so come check it out.” Find your next riding destination courtesy of Motorcycle-USA.com’s Ride Guide.

About MotorcycleUSA.com
MotorcycleUSA.com is the most advanced and diverse motorcycle content site on the Web. For more than a decade, MotorcycleUSA.com has provided breaking industry news, comprehensive motorcycle reviews and gear evaluations as well as extensive motorcycle racing coverage for both road and dirt. In addition there are more photographs, motorcycle specifications, rider impressions and online motorcycle videos than any Internet publication. www.Motorcycle-USA.com - your one-stop online source for all things moto. Climb on.

Harley-Davidson sponsors 2011 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge

The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge announced today that Harley-Davidson Motor Company will provide marketing and promotional support for the 2011 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.

The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge will present the world’s greatest long distance endurance motorcycle event in August of 2011. The event, the second annual in a series, will begin in Phoenix, Arizona and travel through all forty-eight contiguous States and Canada to Nova Scotia. The route will travel over 10,000 miles requiring passion and determination to complete. The event is open to all riders of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Riders can ride the entire route or segments within the route.

"We’re excited about what the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge represents to our riders," said Steve Piehl, Harley-Davidson Director of Customer Experience. "The new direction of being more about a personal test of touring endurance, where rider and machine stretch the boundaries of long-distance touring, appeals to us. It’s a perfect match for the superior touring experience and capabilities of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. 'Hoka Hey' translates to 'It's a good day to ride!' and that is always the case on a Harley."

"The Hoka Hey is about being the greatest endurance motorcycle event ever held and we are very excited to become associated with the greatest motorcycles ever built," said Jim Red Cloud, founder of the Hoka Hey Challenge. "Harley-Davidson's support and guidance will certainly enhance this ambitious event."

The first twenty-five participants to reach the finish and who ride the complete stipulated route will be recognized as winners and be eligible for monetary awards. Each rider will have the opportunity to designate a selected "home Harley-Davidson dealership" when they enroll. The home dealers of the top five finishers will be eligible for awards and recognition alongside the riders.

There will be fifteen check points along the route located at Harley-Davidson dealers where participants must check in as they ride the route. In addition to being an event sponsor, Harley-Davidson is exploring hosting a check point at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

For further information about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge or to obtain enrollment information, visit the event's web site: www.hokaheychallenge.com  or contact the office at 480-649-1071 or email info@hokaheychallenge.com.

For photos and additional media informaiton, contact Lisa Ballard, marketing director for Hoka Hey at 603-377-0517 - email lisa@dbcustomleather.com.

KISS 1975 Rock & Roll All Nite

They only have like 3 million FB fans:  http://www.facebook.com/KISS#!/KISS

I remember when bikers jammed the roads for 3 hours getting to the Sturgis KISS Concet!
Music video by Kiss performing Rock & Roll All Nite. (C) 1975 The Island Def Jam Music Group. Now this is some Biker Music!
Kiss Rock The Nation Live
KISS (DVD)

CK this OUT: KISS Pinball

What's Happening At The 70th Daytona Bike Week, March 4th?

Racing's North Turn Bar & Grill at Ponce Inlet sits on the exact location where motorcyclists and future NASCAR racers used to come flying down A1A, then make the turn onto the beach for a 2-mile stretch of racing north along the shoreline of Daytona Beach. The last beach race was in 1958.

Follow this link to the latest news about 2 eXciting new projects that commemorate the 70th Daytona Bike Week - March 4 - 13, 2011.

Remembering Nathan Woods, Memorial Ride

The off-road community was deeply saddened to learn that two-time WORCS Champion and ISDE Gold Medalist Nathan Woods lost his life January 28th while practicing for the opening round of the 2011 WORCS Series in Taft, California. He was 32 years old.


A Celebration of The Life of Nathan Woods is planned for 2 p.m., Feb. 19th at the Madonna Inn Expo Center in San Luis Obispo, CA.


"I would like to take this opportunity to say a heart felt thank you for all your prayers, encouragement, thoughts and donations. This has been a difficult time for our family and the out pouring of support from the industry has been amazing. We would like to invite you to the Celebration of Life to honor Nathan. He was an amazing athlete, but more importantly he was a truly remarkable husband, father, and friend. Please join us in his celebration," said his wife, Amanda Woods in a post on Nathan Woods Offroad MX.

Details of a family memorial fund can be found on the website, where you can also make direct donations to Amanda and the family.

Woods is survived by his and their two sons Nathan Jr and Braxton. Woods long-time friends FMF/KTM rider Kurt Caselli and his former mechanic Charles Jirsa have gathered some of Woods’ closest friends to organize a ride day with all proceeds going directly to the Woods family.



The Nathan Woods Memorial Ride will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. February 23rd at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, CA, Home to the AMA Nationals and many other Motocross events. A $20.00 admission fee will be charged to all riders with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the Woods family. Gates will open at 9:00am on the morning of the ride day and an open practice session will be held from 10:00am to 4:00pm for both ATV’s and Motorcycle’s. A silent auction will also be held until 4:00pm with all proceeds going to the Woods family. If you have any items you would like to donate to the silent auction please bring them to the track on the day of the ride.


Please help to spread the word by encouraging family and friends to come out and ride to raise money for the family of an off-road icon that will never be forgotten.

NEW GODOY MACHINES SITE - WWW.GODOYMACHINES.COM

NEW SITE IS UP...

If you are a professional tattoo artist, go to http://www.godoymachines.com to order our book...the most illegally downloaded industry e-book of our time. The one pictured is the second edition. Way thicker and more informative than the previous edition.

Any one of our machines... the only machines in the world who's patented parts are owned by US, it's builders!!

If you are interested in a machine seminar... like this one in Italy, contact us. Over 140 people attended!!

Let's bring professionalism to tattooing, and not tolerate the mediocrity which is now widely accepted. It's overdue. No more egos, no more attitudes...

Sturgis Valentine's Day Gift: Miss Buffalo Chip Video

Keeping in mind that one thing most biker GUYS like is GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS - The Buffalo Chip emailed a special video as a Valentine's Day gift to loyal fans: Highlights of the Miss Buffalo Chip 2010 bikini competition. Enjoy!

Nationwide Ride for Kids® Raised $4.5 Million in 2010

For 25 years and counting, the Ride for Kids® has raised millions of dollars every year for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. The title sponsor is Honda Riders Club of America, but all brands of motorcycles are welcome to join the rides.

Riders across the USA continued to give generously to charity in 2010, defying the economic downturn by donating $4.5 million in 2010 via the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Ride for Kids® program.

The 2011 season kicked off with a ride on April 3rd in South Florida and closes with a ride and annual ceremony in Tampa, Florida in November. Ride for kids expanded to 40 cities in 2010 and those cities are on the 2011 Ride For Kids Calendar.

Update: 2012 Ride For Kids Calendar. Find rides in states across the USA.

A few changes are in store this year: The South Florida and Philadelphia rides will have new start points; and the Houston, Kansas City, Knoxville and Los Angeles rides have moved weekend dates.

The PBTF is the official charity of the Honda Riders Club of America (HRCA), which has been the presenting sponsor of Ride for Kids® since 1991. Thanks to the significant support of American Honda Motor Company's motorcycle division, Honda dealers and other motorcycle industry companies, the program has raised millions of dollars for pediatric brain tumor research.

Travel Channel To Film Rat's Hole World Bike Showdown

The Travel Channel will be filming the 39th Rat's Hole Chopper Show - World Bike Showdown on Saturday, March 12th at Daytona Lagoon, 612 N. Earl Street during the 70th Daytona Bike Week!




Come join the party.. everyone through the gate will receive one ballot to vote for their favorite bike in the World Bike Showdown.



Bike builders from Australia, Canada, EAU & USA will be live on stage! Come early to pick up your copy of the free Daytona Beach Ratty Rag, featring interviews with bike builders Cyril Huze, Dave Perewitz, Ron Finch, Tako of Sickasso Creations, and more...



First published for Daytona Bike Week 1974, the first, oldest and longest running (free) biker newspaper went out of circulation at the turn of the new century... and now it's BACK! A limited 20,000 copies will be issued and available (free) at the Rat's Hole Show, so you better show up early this year on Saturday, March 12th to grab your copy! The all-day show will feature 22 classes of bikes, Miss Ratmate & Tattoo Contests, emceed by Radical Randy at Daytona Lagoon water park, next to the parking garage, just off of (A1A) Atlantic Ave. beachside - 614 N. Earl Street, Daytona Beach.

"If you were awarded one of the big, bronze colored Big Daddy Rat trophies in the last couple of years, get ready to add a new trophy to your collection," said Ted Smith, owner of Rat's Hole Shows. "We are going to unveil a new tri-colored custom trophy that will be awarded to the top 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners in every category."

There is always excitement and anticipation going into a Rat's Hole Show, said Tako of Sickasso Creations. "I will be bringing three bikes that have never been shown. Mostreet that I built for former Boston Red Socks player, Mo Vaugn; plus another Pro Street bike that I am just finishing called "Twisted" and then the Gothic & Old School "Death Bike."

To register a bike, go to http://www.ratshole.com/

Click here to view a Rat's Hole Facebook gallery.

Leave Your Mark on Main Street, Daytona Bike Week 2011

Leave Your Mark on Main Street, Daytona Beach at Heritage Row

316 Main Street Station is taking orders from groups and individuals for laser engraved pavers on the new Heritage Row, a brick walkway located at the corner of Main Street and Hollywood Avenue.



When you buy an engraved paver, you can commemorate a special occasion, honor a loved one or leave a record of a special Bike Week memory. “Heritage Row is destined to become a walk-of-honor to the biker way of life,” said Phaedra of 316 Main Street Station.

 

Get Laid at Main Street ..

Click here for order details.

Leave Your Mark on Main Street, Daytona Bike Week

RECENT FUN STUFF FROM SASHA

Yup, another guitar. I really like doing them. Can't get enough of 'em! I have a lot of fun with all the detailing in them. Thanx for sitting so great & letting me do my thang Adrian!

When I looked at the origional sketch of this on the back of a Binos placemat I thought, "Oh lordy, why do I get myself into these tattoos that other people turn away?" but it turned out to be another rewarding challenge. And after all, isn't that one of the reasons I work at Funhouse? Making the stencil and getting it on the skin took longer than the actual tattoo, which was pretty damned fun but it left me crossed-eyed by the end! Whatever, they're just eyes.

Just a funny painting I did for my crazy Duck-E! Mi pato loco para siempre!

My night to honour a fallen hero

Recently on this blog I posted about Murrary Marshall and a tribute jersey he had made for his son Sapper Steven Marshall who was killed in Afghanistan. A few days later the Calgary Metro newspaper ran a story on Murray and what he was doing to keep Steven's memory alive. I've know Murray about a year now and he wants his son to never just be a number or ever forgotten tonight I had a chance to share in keeping his memory alive.

February 7Th, 2011 The Chicago Blackhawks were in town to play the Calgary Flames and I was lucky enough to obtain tickets. I contacted Murrary and told him I would be honoured to wear this at the game. Anyone who knows me knows of my love for the Toronto Maple Leafs but I never gave this a second thought and for tonight I was a Calgary Flames fan.

My night at the Saddledome started while waiting for a friend to meet me, so I had about 30 minutes to waste. In that thirty minutes I had about eight people come over and say that they saw the jersey in the paper and wanted to send along their condolences to Murrary. I was then approached by a young guy about 24 years old who told me he worked with Steven at the Chinook Center mall and wanted a picture with the jersey and told me to thank Murrary for what he is doing with Stevens Jersey.

Then came a very emotional moment for me, the singing of O'Canada, I looked around at people holding their hats on their hearts, listening to everyone sing along and was probably one of the proudest moments of my life. During the intermission I went out to get some food and was stopped by an older man who asked me about the jersey as he said he had know idea who #9 Marshall was and didn't remember him playing for the Flames I told him the story and how Steven was very involved in Minor hockey in Calgary and he then got very emotional and thought it was an amazing idea.

The jersey then made its way with some friends to a karaoke bar where I had two friends of mine come up and ask instantly about it, one of which had served 8 years with the military in Bosnia and was also taken back by the tribute. We then read all the comments that had been written on a Flames flag that flew over the base in Kandahar. At the time most of the guys there were from Ontario so there was some sarcastic comments from Leafs fans which we laughed and also some Canucks fans.

I am very thankful that I had a night with the jersey to pay my respects so Steven and help keep his memory alive. To Murrary Marshall, Thank You for giving me the honour of being the first person to wear this jersey out in public, it was a true honour and something I will never forget.