ToddBlog

ECBBQ wrap up

2010-06-06T16:22:00.001-04:00

Well, yesterday was the East Coast BBQ. The day went by very quickly and was filled with good people, good times, lots of food, and just as much booze.
Although there were none of last years party games, such as "drink the rum". But there were a few re-occurrences. As shown in this picture, young Lindsay had her backside branded again by Cere, who used the latest technique in modern branding.
We hare at ToddBlog would like to thank Scot Debockler for hosting this even and welcoming us all into his home.
That's all for now kids...

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if i told you i liked your body would you hold it against me?

2010-05-30T14:58:00.001-04:00

Your question is kind of unclear - are you asking if I would be mad at you or if I would actually physically hold myself against you?

Ask me anything

30 Seconds with Meatloaf

2010-05-30T14:08:00.004-04:00

It's hard to come up with a witty comment for this video, so why try. Here's Sarvas singing a Meatloaf/Skrewdriver mash-up. No Auto-tune needed.

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Taking over the web. One blog at a time.

2010-05-23T23:26:00.003-04:00

Well kiddies, you can now follow your favorite blog on yet another blog site. That's right, we are now on Tumblr and you can follow us at http://www.youlookridiculous.tumblr.com/.

Slowly but surely ToddBlog is taking over the web...

Want to be featured on ToddBlog? Please send your photos and stories to ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

I was thrilled when I learned that ToddBlog had officially become a sponsor for the AMA. What can I, as an individual, do to support the ToddBlog cause?

2010-05-22T20:13:00.001-04:00

If you're a younger attractive lady, sending the Toddblog staff pictures of your backside is a good "help the cause" thing to do. If you're not.... taking pictures of your girlfriend's backside and sending them to the Toddblog staffers works. If none of that qualifies... just link people to our fine blog!

Ask me anything

Did you ever imagine ToddBlog would be the underground phenomenon it is today when you first thought it up?

2010-05-20T12:05:00.001-04:00

We here at TBHQ would have never guessed our little blog would become an "underground phenomenon". Who knew an idea spawned from a couple of hacks would grow to such greatness? We only have our readers to thank. Well, then and John Joyce....

Ask me anything

The Fist found Sarvas this year. I'd like to request The Fist's travels and adventures be featured now and again on ToddBlog. aannnd to make this a legit question: What do you think about that!?

2010-05-20T12:02:00.001-04:00

Ah the fist... Honestly we were unaware the fist had made it into Sarvas' hands. We here at Rachero ToddBlogo would love to feature the adventures of the fist. We will have to get on that asap. :)

Ask me anything

You Were Missed in Las Vegas, Sir...

2010-05-20T01:40:00.001-04:00

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Moore of What You Missed

2010-05-20T01:36:00.005-04:00

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formspring.me

2010-05-19T04:15:00.001-04:00

You better ax somebody... Like me! http://formspring.me/Sarvas

Back and forth.

2010-05-18T18:56:00.002-04:00

Q: I didn't give you that choice! Please answer my previous question, or I might be forced to claw you. Submitted by:

salacioussue

A: I'm still going with prosciutto.

Ask me anything

Formspring 4

2010-05-17T22:52:00.003-04:00

Q: Welcome. do you like pierced pussies or mortadella better? Asked by:salacioussue

A: Prosciutto.

Ask me anything

Epic Showdown

2010-05-16T23:58:00.003-04:00

Many of our fair readers here at ToddBlog are probably familiar with Sarvas Berry, be it from his witty online personality or his charming banter IRL. Some of you (read: most of you) may not be so acquainted with Mr Billy Wood.

Mr Wood works at a prestigious piercing studio in a sleepy little town called Providence, RI; but that's not the important part. Whats important is, Billy did not believe in Sarvas.

Honestly, not believing in Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy I'll grant you..

The following footage is of the historic occasion When Billy Met Sarvas

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Formspring question #3

2010-05-15T16:36:00.003-04:00

Q: What's the conversion process to ToddBlogism?

A: First young Padawan, I must correct you. It isn't ToddBlogism, it's called ToddBlogology. And, it just happens to be one of the fastest growing religions world wide.

Like any religion, converting to ToddBlogology can be a lengthy process. It can take up to years of studying to truly understand this religion and its values.
But then again, just like any religion. If you just say you've converted long enough, no one will ever question it. ;)

Ask me anything

Black Robe Society

2010-05-15T16:31:00.004-04:00

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30 Seconds with Robin

2010-05-15T15:13:00.007-04:00

How was your trip to Vegas? Some of us spent it working the expo floor, some of us creating drunken hooliganism at every corner. Luckily, a few videos were shot in TBHD so that all of us could share in the experience.

Welcome to our first installment, 30 Seconds with Robin

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Formspring question #2

2010-05-14T00:15:00.003-04:00

Q: How do you manage to deal the truth with such swordfish-like stabby-ness?

A: Mmmmmm swordfish. There really is nothing like a good swordfish steak. Grilled with a little salt and pepper, and a squeeze of lemon. When cooked right it just melts in your mouth... Oh... Wait... What was the question again? That's right... Sorry, i got lost in thoughts of sweet tasty sea steak.

To answer your question, it's a talent really. Something you are just born with. Kind of like a tumor, that when removed and dissected ends up having tiny teeth and a spinal cord, leading doctors to believe it was your twin. Well... Actually not really like that, but i think you get the idea. All of us at TBHQ were born with this special talent (the stabby truth part, not the tumor), and we have come together to provide it for you. Don't you feel lucky?

Ask me anything

Our first formspring question.

2010-05-13T23:20:00.003-04:00

Q: Nothing yet?! Posted by Lexcimus

A: All of us over here at TBHQ were wondering the same thing, but then we realised that great things don't happen over night. Great things take time. So don't you worry your pretty little head over it, it will happen.

It's like those old Heinz ketchup ads "Good things come to those who wait".

Ask me anything

It's the hip thing to do

2010-05-10T22:43:00.005-04:00

Hey there readers! We here at ToddBlog want to give you the chance to chat with us, so we've set up a formspring. You can find us here at http://formspring.me/ToddBlog . Your questions could be answered by any one of our authors. All answers will be posted here on ToddBlog. So lets get those questions rolling!

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TBCruiser

2010-05-10T12:39:00.000-04:00

We here at TBHQ sure do love to travel in style. Check out our new company ride with a very appropriate personalized license plate. Soon to be tearing up the streets near you.

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Guess the piercer?

2010-05-09T20:41:00.000-04:00

This past week, as you may have read, we were introduced to many people, none of which stood out as much as Butt hole Girl. We here at TBHQ decided to do the honorable thing and edit any distinguishing characteristics. But you get the idea...
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The definition of definitions.

2010-05-09T18:26:00.004-04:00

We here at ToddBlog would like you to meet a very special young man. This is Dann, who in this picture, looks like some sort of masked nightmare. We were lucky enough to chat with Dann about his latest and greatest life changing experience, a NO POINT SUSPENSION. That's right kids, no points. Just a man, some rope, and a pair of brass balls. We were unable to record this event due to its extreme content, but let me tell you, it was intense. We got to chat with Dann about his experience a little, and here is what he had to say:

"It was crazy! I didn't think i would be able to go through with it, but all it took was some strong will and a huge bucket of lidocane (which was injected directly into my spine). At one point, i thought i was able to feel something, but then realised that i had been injected with lidocane and really felt nothing. "

Well Dann, we here at TBHQ salute you! In a time where people are constantly one-upping each other, we are glad someone was brave enough to lay it all on the line.

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APP 2010 Wrapup

2010-05-09T16:09:00.001-04:00

(cross posted to my IAMblog)

Back from Vegas. Being in my own bed again feels better than just about anything (with the possible exception of being in my own bed with Claire beside me). Conference is a mixed blessing; It builds you up emotionally while beating you down physically.

Ultimately it's worth every night ended with the sun already up, every morning starting not to soon afterward. It's worth it to spend time around people you only get to see once a year. Time that's equally spent between industry talk (my "microdermals are the new Ed Hardy shirt" theory seems to be gaining speed) and catching up on all the latest news, gossip, praise and shit talk. (Poacher)

I always say that "body modification has introduced me to the best and the worst people I've ever met" and APP is no exception. At any given corner city wide there's someone who's influenced or annoyed you. Someone who's contributed to the culture-at-large and someone who despite how hard they try to self aggrandize and promote still end up being the in-joke of the week.

Classes during the day, hot tubs all night. sXe kids sitting with people half in the bag on "time travel juice" and we're all having a good time despite ourselves.

Conference is never quite what you expect but in the years that I've attended it's always been a pleasure.

I've already started wishing it was next year.Want to be featured on ToddBlog? Please send your photos and stories to ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

Pick a new religion.

2010-05-07T02:49:00.002-04:00

We at Toddblog realize that trends come and go in the body piercing industry. We're not sure what the next big thing will be. I think it's going to be conversion to Scientology. Cooter thinks it might be scalp removal (starting with the eyebrows) but our head Todder "Todd" thinks it's going to be lying about being oldschool.... Because lying about being famous is so last year.

Here we have Cooter modeling toddblog's first sticker. You can get one if you're famous enough.

L'chaim!

- Posted using BlogPress from Shawn's iPhone.

Location:Las Vegas Blvd S,Las Vegas,United States

Insert stereotype here.

2010-05-05T22:27:00.001-04:00

Does this need a caption?

- Posted using BlogPress from Shawn's iPhone.

Location:E Tropicana Ave,Las Vegas,United States

Poacher

2010-05-04T20:50:00.001-04:00

Day two of the 2010 APP Conference and I'm still sitting by the pool at Hooters. Micah just showed up and rubbed his beard on me. Not a bad day so far.

Sarvas is wearing butthole girl's sunglasses and despite rarely moving I've spotted so many amazing bad ideas in progress that I'm sure will end with epic regret. Sadly the app doesn't give out certificates marked FAIL.

More tonight!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:E Tropicana Ave,Las Vegas,United States

Must be willing to take human life.

2010-05-04T07:29:00.001-04:00

Day one at APP 2010 is in the books for the Toddblog crew. It's 4:18am and Todd, Sarvas and
I are sitting by a fire and some twenty year old trainwreck just showed us her butthole. For the sake of total honesty I asked her to bend and spread. Welcome to the Association of Professional Piercers 2010 Conference. Where bad ideas come to life.

We're going in depth full coverage mode tomorrow.... Check back for more fascinating anecdotes from truly world class characters.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:E Tropicana Ave,Las Vegas,United States

ToddBlog Celebrity Interview

2010-04-26T14:58:00.009-04:00

With APP just around the corner we thought it was only right to interview someone who everyone attending this years conference could learn a lesson from. Unfortunately, this individual will not be attending this year, so this is as close as you are going to get. We have set up a great interview for you guys, so sit back with a glass of Kraken and relax, while we proudly present.

BEARDS, BEARS, AND MORE BEARDS: AN INTERVIEW WITH JOHN JOYCE.

We also included a few facts you may or may not have known about John Joyce.

ToddBlog: Ok lets start this off. So John, tell our readers a little about yourself.

John Joyce: Well, my name is John Joyce. I own Scarab Body Arts in Syracuse, NY. I have been piercing for almost 13 years, I'm a scarification artist, and a NY State Licensed Massage Therapist. But everyone knows that stuff, so let's see... I also ride a harley, hunt bears, prefer to be outside, and wouldn't be half the man I am today if Shawn Porter wasn't my life coach.

Did you know? John Joyce built a time machine and went back in time to stop the JFK assassination. As Oswald shot, John Joyce met all three bullets with his beard, deflecting them. JFK's head exploded out of sheer amazement.

ToddBlog: "Life coach" huh? So that's what the kids are calling it these days? Hunting bears and riding Harleys are pretty manly things. Would you be so kind, and tell our readers how one can be so manly and still be one of the nicest people on the planet?

Speaking of which, we did a little research on you before this interview, and we found an interesting little tidbit. Is it true that you once single handily saved 120 children from a burning orphanage?

Did you know? John Joyce has the greatest Poker-Face of all time. He won the 1983 World Series of Poker, despite holding only a Joker, a Get out of Jail Free Monopoly card, a 2 of clubs, 7 of spades and a green #4 card from the game UNO.

John Joyce: Yup, "life coach". Despite what he may say, I find that Shawn is a good person to have on your side in this industry. I am also lucky enough to be able to call him a friend. Most importantly though, he is kind of like my moral compass. hahaha

As far as being so manly and still being one of the nicest people on the planet... Well, I'm going to answer this one a bit more seriously. I was raised by the ultimate manly man. My father is hard working, intelligent, responsible, loyal, humble,and has every quality you could possibly want in another human being. I was taught from a very young age that being a "man" wasn't about acting tough and being an asshole. Being a "man" was about responsibility, to your family, your friends, and yourself. It was about being mentally tough and knowing you can accomplish whatever you want, without acting tough and being a dick to other people. It was about helping other people out when they need it, not taking advantage or other people, and always sticking to your personal ethics and morals. It was about never taking the easy way out of something, and if you're going to do something then do it right and put 100% into it. Knowing when you need help, and not being afraid to ask for it, but try your damn hardest first. Should i go on... haha

These things have stuck with me, and I put those views into everything I do. It's how i run my business, it's how I run my life. I treat people with respect, I work hard, I don't cut corners, and I am loyal to my friends and family. Now to make this a little less serious, I also think it has to do with the music i was brought up on. I grew up listening to Willie Nelson, Led Zeppelin, Motorhead, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kiss, etc.... Music that kicked ass, talked about working hard, and earning what you have. Today's kids, listen to a bunch of whiny, feel sorry for me bullshit! harden the fuck up already. If you're in your 20's have never had a real job, and still live in your parents basement, you'll probably never be a real man! just sayin...

As for single handily saving 120 children from a burning orphanage... It was actually 147, but who's keeping track. I had to save them to pass my test into manhood. I manned up, sprouted a beard from pure will. Then i pulled a beard hair out, when i did that a single tear ran down my cheek. At that exact moment the heavens opened up and it started to rain. The children were saved.

ToddBlog: Well, we feel it's safe to say that your father should be very proud of your accomplishments. As far as 20 year olds listening to whiny bullshit music, we couldn't agree more. They should definitely "harden the fuck up".

You mentioned that you sprouted a bread from pure will, something like that takes talent. Do you have any other
talents like this you would like to share with our readers?

Did you know? Once a grizzly bear threatened to eat John Joyce. John showed the bear his fist and the bear proceeded to eat himself, because it would be the less painful way to die.

John Joyce: 2 words for you, cock push ups! yup!!

More importantly though, I seem to have a natural ability to make people around me feel comfortable and calm. It helps a lot as a piercer and as a scarification artists. To be honest it's probably even more relevant with my massage clients.

ToddBlog: Enough cock push ups will make any whiny angst filled teen into a bad ass with enough effort.

Good bed side manner is a definite must to be a quality piercer/scarification artist/rubber downer. Having had at least one of the three performed by you on myself i can say that your bed side manner can definitely put a client at ease (I'm still waiting for my rub down).

We want to touch on a somewhat sensitive subject for you. You mention Shawn Porter being somewhat of a life coach to you, and we know there is a bit more to it than you are letting out. How does Natalie feel about your intimate (and I'm stressing intimate here) relationship with another man? I can't imagine the thought of her future husband having relations with another man which may or may not be taking place on top of a bear skin rug sitting well with her.

Did you know? John Joyce was the fourth Wise man. He brought baby Jesus the gift of “beard”. Jesus wore it proudly to his dying day. The other Wise men, jealous of Jesus’ obvious gift favoritism, used their combined influence to have John omitted from the Bible.

John Joyce: I'd like to elaborate more on this relationship between Shawn and I, but... "we said we weren't gonna talk about Cincinnati ever, okay?"
And that is all i have to say about that. However, as a manly bear hunter, I do happen to keep a bear skin rug handy. You just never know when the situation will call for one.

ToddBlog: Agreed. I for one have found myself in many situations where a bear skin rug would indeed come in handy, but unfortunately i am not manly enough to own one.

It's been great chatting with you John. Thanks for giving us a little insight on the man behind the beard. Are there any last words you would like to share with our readers?

Did you know? They once made a John Joyce toilet paper, but it wouldn't take shit from anybody.

John Joyce: you really should look into the bear skin rug todd. It truly is an essential.

It's been great chatting with you as well. last words, hmmm lets see....
First...
For everyone out there right now that thinks they want to be a piercer, don't do it. that is of course unless you can get an apprenticeship with a well respected piercer in this industry. If you can not, just don't do it, there are enough half ass piercers out there and I'm tired of fixing your mistakes. If you're not sure if the piercer you are thinking about apprenticing under is well respected, send Shawn Porter a message and he'll set you straight.

Second... If you are sitting around right now listening to some depressing emo shit, have never had a real job, still live at home, and use phrases like Fuck My Life on a regular basis, harden the fuck up already! Your self deprecating view on life will get you no where. When i was growing up, it was always "fuck you", it was never "fuck me". I don't know when it became cool for guys in their twenties to still act like teenage shitheads, but it's absolutely not cool. Life is what you make it, if you are going around everyday saying fuck my life then that is what you'll get, a fucked life! Shit or get off the pot already, go do something with yourself.
Third... Whatever you are doing, give 100% and do it right. If you want to be a piercer, be the best damn piercer you can be. Don't decide you're going to be a scarification artist when you are still figuring out the basics of piercing. Don't start doing surgical mods when you can't pierce a navel straight. And maybe most importantly, put some thing other than microdermals and corset piercings in your portfolio.

I could keep going but we'll need a whole other interview just for last rants. haha So let's end this on a more positive note. I'm grateful that I've been able to make a career out of doing what I love. I'm even more grateful that I've been excepted into the cranky old piercers club. To all the young piercers out there, keep up the hard work, do your best, keep learning and progressing, know your limits, and stick to your morals and ethics. Do that, and I'll save an easy chair for you so you can bitch with the rest of us. And with that, my coffee is getting cold, so I'm out!

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Dallas Suscon

2010-04-12T23:21:00.002-04:00

Claire and I put this video together hours after returning from the Dallas Suscon. She presented it to her "Body Art & Modification" class with her grade still pending... personally, I think it's A+!

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ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

APP?

2010-04-08T15:28:00.002-04:00

My calendar tells me it's 24 days till the APP Conference.
I've just spoken to the head Toddbloger (I think he's name is Todd- he was one of my MANY apprentices) and I think we're going to do a special APP edition of Toddblog. As the #1 read modification blog site* we strive to "keep things real" for you guys, so check back soon for our next round table and for christs sakes, tell your friends to visit the site!

*#1 in parts of French Polynesia and the outskirts of Sri Lanka.

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ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

Round table 5

2010-03-29T18:01:00.003-04:00

Lets get this one cracking.

ToddBlog proudly presents

Diamonds in the rough: a round table discussion.

ToddBlog: We have all been there, getting pierced or tattooed as a teenager, thinking to ourselves "man i wanna do this for a living". Then one day you find yourself scrubbing tools and cleaning a shop bathroom hoping that one day it will all be over and you'll finally be doing what you've wanted to all these years.
Our question to you is:
In a time where the industry is no doubt over saturated with piercers/tattooers, is taking on apprentices a good idea?

Shawn: There's always a need for new blood and new ideas. Just a shame that the new blood that's coming in is tainted with fantasies of how it's going to be.

Used to be someone would joke that they were going to start an apprenticeship and make self deprecating jokes at their own expense about cleaning toilets and busting their asses.

These days all they can focus on is how they're about to have the COOLEST job in their friend circle. The problem isn't the new apprentices, it's the established generation of piercers/tattooers who tolerate or encourage it.

Jareb: I personally think that having an apprentice can be a good thing, and should be encouraged under the right circumstances. I also feel that the majority of today's apprentices are getting away with shit too easily. Attitudes are flamboyantly hoity toity, and the way some of the kids I have come into contact with behave reminds me of those ghetto ass kids who need to be slapped silly. Personally, I don't give a fuck how sweet your gauges are, how many visible tattoos you got, or how long you've been getting worked on. If you are an apprentice, you aren't a piercer yet, so grow the fuck up already.

It is definitely the fault of established artists, as Shawn mentioned. As we get older, I think we just get lazier, and sit back and watch shit spiral out of control. Fewer and fewer apprentices today are humbled into appreciating their career paths. The concept of having the coolest job in their circle of friends is spot on. I mean, who the fuck would really want to pierce for a living? We make shit for money, have no benefits, and even worse hours. Well, the majority of us, anyways. This is why we see so many of the burnt out kids we discussed previously, and why so many turn to tattooing so quickly.

I'd love to see the days of hazing come back. See kids really put through it to earn their spots, and to show their love for what they are about to get themselves into. Apprentices should have shitty jobs outside of the shop to really push them and to show them what they could be doing instead. Days off? Fuck no. If you ain't at your paying job, you should be at the shop cleaning, scrubbing, and learning. Sadly, it just ain't that way no more.

I also can appreciate that there are some artists out there who have apprentices that aren't be wrung through and through, and who will turn into solid artists themselves, but it is a VERY small group.

Cooter: hazing should not come back. that crap strengthens the notion that piercing professionally is akin to being a rockstar and results in finding fun ways to pass the time. This is a job through and through and just like any other job, time is fucking money. If you're not bagging, sterilizing, scrubbing, cleaning, helping customers, or organizing then said apprentice is costing me MY money. I feel that if anybody is to be apprenticed then they need to be led by example not nurtured into being some chud that duct tapes people to light poles as some sort of initiation rite...not that I was ever duct taped to a light pole outside of a "master" piercer's shop once...when I wasn't even an apprentice yet, just a shoppie.

that said, I don't think it's a bad idea for the right piercer, which totals only a handful of people in my mind, to teach the right person how to do the job. I will never take on another apprentice, at least not in the near and not so near future, solely because I haven't found the right person for the gig. Like Jareb said, people like that are the minority and often times the kids that could develop into great piercers are often scared away from digging into the process of learning by the attitudes of the people they may look up to. I know it happened to me and I ended up starting off as a total hack because I was turned off by how people acted at the shop I was at, and I saw the "master" piercer that I was begging to teach me taking in people that where pretty feeble minded and easily manipulated into believing that said "master" piercer was in fact a master piercer and some sort of body piercing juggernaut.

what we need to curb the problem of bad piercers making bad piercers is some sort of clever piercing eugenics program.

Shawn: Hazing and paying your dues are two different things.

Jareb: I think maybe I am just bitter and feel like flogging some of these kids. The sense of entitlement I see makes me want to humiliate them mercilessly.

John: The industry is over saturated with piercers and tattoo artists, but it's over saturated with bad piercers and tattoo artists. I don't have enough volume coming in to support myself and another full time piercer. Unless you are one of the lucky people who work in a high volume shop, trying to get a good piercer to come work for you, part time is pretty impossible.

Even though I've had some bad experiences with apprentices in the past, i really think starting someone from the ground up is the only way to go in a situation like mine.

Jareb: John, you are one of the few who I believe it makes sense to have an apprentice. The skillset you can pass on is invaluable. Even so, it also has a lot to do with the person being apprenticed. The best, most humble, most amazing piercer in the world is still no match for some young 20's scenester socialite.

John: I'm on my 3rd apprentice. After the last two, i was very hesitant to bring in another one.
The first one was already piercing and just needed some polishing. Unfortunately, he thought he already knew enough and turned out to be horribly lazy. He is now a tattoo artist and doesn't pierce at all.

My second apprentice, started out great. He even went to the APP conference with me. He showed a lot of promise and I was very excited about him. Then out of no where he became very lazy, and instead of cleaning tools, or bagging jewelry, he would sit on his PSP and do nothing. I gave him a warning, then he just didn't show up. Apparently the whole apprenticeship was taking too long for him and he was ready to be a rock star and start making the big money. He was a hipster scene socialite and he is also now a tattoo artist.

Michelle Terese, my current apprentice is working out fantastically. She has been here for a little over a year and half or so. Of course there are times when I would like her to do more, but I'm going to feel that way about everyone because this studio has been my life for the last 9 years. Overall, she does what is expected without being told, she's patient, she's excited, she's like a little me. I treated her apprenticeship a little differently than the last two though. Instead of expecting her to be here everyday, open to close, I work around her schedule as much as possible. I know she's going to need another job. I can't offer health insurance, it's just too damn expensive in this state. So I work around her other job's schedule, and as long as she's here as often as she can be, and she's doing what she needs to be when she is here, I'm happy.

ToddBlog: I was more than blessed with my first and only apprentice. As much as we had our problems during her apprenticeship, she has more than made me proud to be the one that taught her. I couldn't imagine having to go through that 2 more times.

Sarvas: I've apprenticed a couple people... one was a 32 year old man who after a year thought he knew everything and wanted to make the same amount of money as I was... He quit when he didn't get a raise and never pierced again... The other on was too shy and couldn't break through and gave up....

The self entitlement of these young piercers are crazy... I think it's because the person who apprenticed them didn't let them understand that even though they can do one navel piercing straight and well doesn't mean they have the knowledge of doing 5000 straight... I think that is never properly thought... that after you learn how to do a piercing... you should know how to trouble shoot the situation when it goes bad, i.e. the client passing out or over reacting.... those things are part of experience.. I think after 5 years of piercing then the piercer really starts to get it... and then realizes that they still have a long way to go... or they just act like rock stars and begin to become hacks....

Hazing is a terrible idea... it thought me that the guys at my shop would never respect me and that I had to prove something to people that didn't care.. it gave me a complex... Doing bitch work taught me how to sweep and mop... if the person apprenticing me taught me the importance of having a clean and sterile environment to pierce in would have been a better lesson to learn.... I didn't learn anything about cross contamination from my "master piercer"... I learned it from previous work in the food industry and taking a BBP class though the state.... bummer...

I feel like the generations of piercers these days forgot one huge thing.... this is a trade... a job you can hopefully do for a long period and make a living off of... The term coined "trade secrets" has been forgotten as a rule of thumb and any and all secrets or techniques are freely given to not just piercer to apprentice but piercer to piercer... Due to this fact apprentices think because they have this info they get it... they understand how it all works... so they start doing dermal anchors without the real knowledge of how to keep a navel piercing from rejecting, or helping a client from properly getting rid of a keloid... you know... what the fuck it that about... Those piercers that think after piercing for a year deserve the same as the one who taught them usually leave and go work somewhere else and start to fuck shit up... then you hear they are apprenticing someone a month or two later...

I think that's why there are lots of bad piercers... it's the blind leading the blind and those trade secrets being thrown around like scene points... anyone and everyone that wants to be a piercer should understand that this is not a cool job... it's not an easy job... and it should be respected and not be glorified on the same terms as being in a cool band... if that respect is not present then I think those secrets should not be even talked about.... show some respect for yourself as well as the trade and realize that those secrets and the years that took you to understand them should be held in a higher standard... especially now... an apprenticeship shouldn't be advertised on the Internet... you should higher a piercer that is worth a shit.... if that or any person understood the knowledge and experience had a value more than $4000 or whatever they want to charge to teach someone... it'd be a lot harder to get an apprenticeship and those people wouldn't be so quick to throw around info to any "peer" at any convention.... maybe I'm just bitter because I see this happen so much here in Chicago... There are a lot of people saying they were apprenticed under Scott Geneya or whatever and Rudy Carrillo when in actuality they just hung out with them once or worked for them at the shop... and these people have apprentices and or have own shops here... talk about way over saturated.... it's out of control

John: the end of that brings up something i was going to ask. how do you all feel about charging for the apprenticeship?

Cooter: like an apprenticeship I think paying for it could bode well if handled correctly.

If I ever charged someone for an apprenticeship, that money would more or less be held in escrow to go toward things like their licensing and registration for industry gatherings type like conference. At the same time I just wouldn't have the heart to take X amount of dollars from some kid that really had to work for that money to not make it back for a very very long time.

As a general idea though, I don't like it because most of the people charging for apprenticeships do it like it's a pyramid scheme or a puppy farm. Get 'em in, take all their fuckin' money, and get 'em turned around and out the door.

John: I agree. Pretty much everyone I've seen that charges, takes their money then treats them like shit so they will leave, and then they bring someone new in.

Sarvas: Yeah... The reason why I said $4000 is that is what I paid... Plus 7 months of 13 hour days with no pay... I just stuck to it.. All the ones before me quit... I never charged... If I did apprentice someone I still wouldn't charge.. But I would slow shit way down... Prime example... John Johnson has an apprentice... And he hung out at the shop and worked for two years before he even changed jewelry... A year later... He was piercing... Now that is a real apprenticeship... And Justin is an awesome piercer and gets the deal because of it... Ask John Johnson what he thinks about this... I bet hos light on this will blow our minds...

Shawn: Charging is a good thing; or rather should be a good thing. It solidifies the professional aspect of it as well as helping thin out the herd. But what I always recommends is pretty much Cooter's theory: Hold the money in escrow. Pay the apprentice with their own money so the shop isn't hit for their salary. If they bail you keep the remainder. If they stick around they're earning a living out of their own contribution.

John: Shawn, that is actually a really good idea.

Sarvas: i completely agree with you, slow is the way to do it. Shelly was hanging out here for a good 6 months before I really started teaching her anything other than how to be a good counter girl. She answered phones and helped customers, but it wasn't until she was here for about a year before i let her switch jewelry for people or do anything piercing related. She's actually been around for almost 2 years at this point and she still isn't doing everything.

Shawn: When I'm not sticking my fingers in some scenepointer's cooch I can be pretty damn smart.

Well that concludes our newest addition. We apologise for not posting for a while and hope to get the posts back up on a regular schedule.

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ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

Round Table 4

2010-02-10T20:30:00.003-05:00

If you haven't heard most of the area around ToddBlog HQ is a regular winter wonderland today. We here at ToddBlog figure what better way to spent a snowy night, than sharing another round table?

So kiddies, snuggle up close to the fire and enjoy our latest entry.

Don't Forget Your Roots: A Round Table Discussion.

ToddBlog: There is no doubt that the industry has been and is filled with individuals that have made an impact on the industry. What we here at ToddBlog would like to know is: Who do you admire? Who within this industry has left an impact on you, has gained your respect, and keeps you inspired? Also, is there anyone we should know about? Past or present, that you feel deserves said respect?

Shawn: Without a doubt Ron Garza doesn't get the respect he deserves; we've sort of run with the "Dirty Garz" shtick, but when you look at Ron's contributions to the community... He's put in the time and doesn't get the cheers.

I admire the hell out of Jon Cobb, Keith Alexander, Sean Christian... All of them were smart enough to leave the "business" of body modification while still remaining true to why we did these things to ourselves in the first place.

Tattooers? David Bruehl. That guy is everything a tattoo artist should be. Plain and simple.

From back in the day? Mike Natali....

Jareb: Garz definitely gets hailed for his goat fucking more than his needle pushing. I also think that Brian Decker and John Joyce kinda get overlooked a lot for the things they have contributed.

My biggest inspirations were some of the New England local piercers. End of the nineties, early 2 thousand, there just wasn't a lot of that shit going on here, and it was nice to meet kids that encouraged you and would freely give advice and friendship. Fuck, I met Stephen DeToma randomly walking about a convention when he still pierced here in Mass, and it turned out to be one of the better friendships I found. Ryan Oulette, Zippy, Jonah, and Lumpy were real big on me pushing through the bullshit in this area, too.

Keith was also absolutely amazing, and you can see how true that is with how often people still cite Keith and talk about how missed he is.

And, all bullshitting aside, Shannon and Shawn deserve a ton of credit for the websites that they ran that really brought people together.

J.P. As far as piercers are concerned, my main influences were a few of my fellow local piercers, one of them is Todd's co-worker Denice. Her, Noel Garcia, and Luis Suarez were probably my biggest influences. They were the only piercers in my area that actually cared about what they were doing, and always made themselves available to me to pick their brains. Denice would hang out with me and talk piercing for HOURS at New Age. She's also one of the people that convinced me to keep fighting the good fight and continue piercing. Noel Garcia met me when I was 17 and after finding out I'd done my own PA he jacked me up against the wall and growled at me in his thick cuban accent "You get one dick, that's it, one dick, but your dick works, so keep trying." Watching Denice, and Luis pierce at New Age whenever I was hanging out pushed me in the direction of becoming a freehand piercer, Luis was the first to tell me "If somebody can drop a 6 gauge hook in somebody without forceps, why the fuck do you need forceps for a navel?" . They also impressed upon me not to be shy about asking questions, and finding my own answers if I couldn't get a satisfactory answer to the question. Another huge influence on me has been Johnny"Fuckin"Velez out of Native Rituals. I remember when i first got to Chicago, Johnny acted like it was his job to make sure I loved that city. I remember being on my way to the shop I was working at over there once and Johnny calling me and saying "Hey wanna work?" he'd do this from time to time, so he could take a day-off and get me out of the less than ideal conditions I was working in. He'd even come scoop me up and take me to lunch and crack up when I told him I called out to moonlight at his shop, saying "That's right, fuck that guy, you're working for The Johnny today". These are the piercers that had already blazed their path around me, and helped me get onto my own. Their immediate acceptance of some young kid who only wanted to be a better piercer is probably the main reason I've lasted as long as I have. I also know they're only a phone call away any time I need their input.

I'll also push for Shannon, if it wasn't for BME/IAM I'd have never gotten in touch with as many piercers as I had, and not had a lot of access to great information.

I'm a little young to have remembered SPC(I stared piercing in '03) but a conversation with Shawn is always worth the effort you are willing to put into it, because you will get just as much out of it.

Jareb: I'd even go so far as to say the kids involved in this discussion continue to push and inspire me, and the family aspect drives me harder. No matter the question I have, I know I can always call up Todd, Stephen, JP, Sarvas, Johnny Velez, and so may others. Having that safety net behind me allows me to confidently move forward.

Shawn: Amber Glisson/Zito from Florida is someone who worked for YEARS in the Tampa area at some of the most high volume shops I've ever seen and no one "knows" her because she spent more time working than shamelessly promoting herself.

Amber literally did 10,000+ piercings in the time I knew her (and I'm sure she doubled, tripled that in the years since) but still gave every client a great experience.

She came in early 1990s I think...

Stephen: There are a great many people who I hold in high esteem to this day and some more that have come across my path. One of the guys I look up to is Johnny Johnson in Long Beach. He's not only a technically proficient piercer and great at what he does, but he has a calm, caring demeanor that help put people at ease. He genuinely cares about what he does and strives to not only help make his own craft better but others as well.

Sarvas: I agree with Stephen about John Johnson, that is one of the most legit guys in the industry. That man is so humble and is one of the most positive piercers I've met. Very eager to learn and grow and he's so funny... John Johnson for sure..

Cameron: at this point I feel a bit like I don't have much to contribute.

I learned on my own. I had a few people act as bumper rails in the beginning, people to tell me that what I was doing, and more often than not, how I was acting was ridiculous, particularly my ol' bestie Kit Hall and Cere. Those two, albeit they aren't even piercers, did more for me than I can credit. Kit introduced me to a lot of people, who I like to now call friends, that I learned to take information from and she also let me tag along on her outings when she'd travel to get work done. Cere, quite simply put, stomped my dick when I started waving it around thinking I knew everything. I owe him a great sum for that reality check.

Richmond is an island in the realm modern piercing, as is such I do want to say that BME and IAM have been invaluable tools for me. I learned what to do with the help of people I needed to call on for questions, Decker, Shawn Phillips, Josh Burgh, Toddypants, and so on. But I do have to say that more importantly IAM has been a greater tool for me as in it has provided me insight on what not to do. I've learned more from other people mistakes and hack-ass work than I have from my own. It's sad that I can say this, but I'm thankful that there have been soooo many examples of ineptitude that I've been able to learn quite a bit from the breakdowns in most modblog comments. Those influences include,...naw, I'm just kidding, I'm not calling anyone out...except for Shawn O'Hare...and that's only because he cut off a kids eyebrow and insists on not piercing anything in a straight line.

Shawn: Wasn't Cere a piercer for a while?
Maybe I'm remembering wrong?

Stephen: If you can't remember, we're all fucked. I for one count on you as our living Wiki-Porter-a

Cameron: Okay sure, Cere was piercer for awhile, I always looked up to his piercing hobby for suspensions. I got a lot of help from him on technical shit like cross contamination, sterilization, and bed side manner when I first started fucking around with this, one of the first times at a BBQ in Long Island, from then on I guess I show him more as a garbage man with a cool hobby.

ToddBlog: when i first started getting piercings and all, there were a few big influences for me at that time. I'd have to say Shannon was a very large influence. At the time i met him he was just getting BME off the ground, and he would always bring by everything he was working on and let me take a look. Because of him i learned a lot about the more "underground" modifications.
I also have to give credit to Inferno and Infinite. Getting pierced at those places was what made me want to become a piercer.

When i started piercing i wasn't on IAM so i didn't get to talk to any of the people on there. All i knew were stories about people, but even those stories kept me wanting to learn more. Brian Skellie comes to mind. Such a solid piercer, there are still things that he has done that i can't wrap my head around. Falkner and the rest of TSD were a big influence as well.

I'd have to say that now, the ones that inspire me are my friends. All of you in this discussion keep me going. You guys remind me everyday why i have such a passion for this. There are a few others that currently inspire me. John Joyce is one of them. That dude is some one that we can all learn something from. One of the most humble dudes in this "hobby". Ashley Carment is a big inspiration. It seems weird because she was my apprentice, but every day she manages to make me proud of her as a piercer. I honestly think she is one of the people we should be keeping an eye out for.

Shawn: I thought you were 3rd generation Jack Yount trained, Todd? Heheh.

ToddBlog: Hahah. I believe that qualifies as "old school" doesn't it?
Do i get a T-shirt or something? It can say something like "Jack didn't know me, but i drop his name like its hot." heh.

In all seriousness i think there is a long list of fellows like Jack that should be acknowledged. If it weren't for them we wouldn't be here.

Shawn: I certainly wouldn't be here without Jack.

ToddBlog: Shawn: Maybe you can give us a little insight on that? I know what you mean by that, but some of our readers may not even know who Jack is, or what he even had to do with the industry.

Jareb: I have always explained to people that think doing genital work is "gay," that it kinda is. Tribes aside, we're riding on the chaps of a leather scene and really need to acknowledge that. I never got to meet Jack, but know who he was, and love the stories Shawn has of him, so yes Shawn, please go on about him.

Shawn: Good point. Jack Yount was a piercer and modification artist who worked on the east coast from the 1950s (yep... the 1950s) to the 1990s when he passed away.

He pierced under the named "Mr. Jay" (or Mister J, depending on which business card you want to reference) predominately in the gay communities of D.C. and Florida.

In the 1980s Jack started investigating surgical procedures; he was castrated, sub incised, bisected (glans) and silicone enhanced (several thousand ccs in his penis and scrotum) and had a finger amputated. Some of the surgeries were self done, others were done by the famed "Modification Doctor" Ronald Brown.

I was fortunate to have met Jack when I was 15; he went on to be a mentor/surrogate grandfather to my brother and I. Jack was a true one of a kind character. Kind, gentle, cheeky and generous with his time and his knowledge.

*EDIT* Shawn was gracious enough to give us an article he had written about Dr. Brown to share with our beloved readers. Isn't he swell?

"Dr. Ronald Brown was responsible for quite a bit of the surgical work on many people involved in Extreme Body Modifications. You can read about him, briefly, in the Fakir Musafar section of RE/Search's Modern Primitives. While I never met or talked to Dr. Brown, his reputation, while sometimes dubious, proceeded him. His arrest leaves me to wonder what effect it will have on others working in the "extreme" modification field.

John Ronald Brown, 75, pleaded innocent to charges of murder, practicing medicine without a license, illegal drug distribution and theft. He was held without bond.

After his arrest, bloody towels were found soaking in his bathtub, as well as blood trails and videotapes of him working... as of yet the prosecutor, Stacy Running, has not elaborated on the contents of the tapes, save that they were of gender reassignment. Running failed to mention if the tapes were shot in the US or Mexico.

As I mentioned, the "good doctor" had quite the dubious reputation... his medical license was revoked in California in 1977, and he served three years in prison after a 1989 conviction in San Francisco, where he was arrested for moving a pre-op transexual's hairline.

Running discovered hundreds of records on patients all over the US, and suprisingly only mentioned the "common" surgical choices like liposuction, breast implants and face lifts... no mention of Brown's more extreme surgical modifications.

It was also reported that Brown led potential patients to believe that he was a licensed doctor... as far as I know that is completely untrue. Word has it that he always informed patients of his... status. Stacy went on to say that people were had these operations were afraid to come forward, because they knew they were illegal. Sounds like some double talk from the prosecutors office.

The murder charge refers to Philip Bondy, 80, who died May 11 after a leg amputation. An autopsy found that Bondy died from gangrene poisoning. His body was found in a hotel outside of San Diego.

Prosecutors were puzzled as to why the amputation was performed. ``There was no medical reason evident of why he would need his leg amputated,'' Running said.

There is a documented paraphillia that Stacy Running no doubt knows about where an individual is obsessed with amputation. Either being around amputees or becomming one themselves. Any basic research into the subject should bring up the amputee fetish.... it's highly documented in both psychiatric and "bizarre" literature. For Stacy to say that there was no medical reason for the amputation is true.... but others with this obsession have gone as far as blowing their leg off with a shotgun*, laying their legs on traintracks and more, so performing the amputation would have been good for his mental wellbeing.

As a pro-choice advocate, I support the right for a forming fetus to be disected and removed from a woman, because she has the choice over her own body. She doesnt have to go to back alley clinics, to Mexico, or to a dubious operator, she can walk into a family planning clinic, and with no consuling have a relatively dangerous procedure done. A man who wants his testicles removed does not have that choice. A person who wants an amputation done does not have that choice. Until extreme aesthetic surgery becomes something doctors are willing to do, people like Brown will be able to work privately with extra risk to the patient. That is the true crime.

Both SPC and BME will try to keep everyone posted on Dr. Brown's case.

*Bizzarre magazine recently ran an article on volutary amputees. Included was George Boyer, a Florida man who's amputee obsession became so strong that he shot himself in the leg with a shotgun. His mental heath suffered until he finally became an amputee... which is evidence that there is a medical reason to make someone with this obsession an amputee surgically. "

ToddBlog: I definitely think it's safe to say that Jack had a HUGE influence on you and helped you become the person you are today. Most people in the industry were not as fortunate to have a person of his caliber mentor us in the way you were.

Shawn: The first nipple piercings I saw in person were on Jack; and were 00g rings in 1/2"+ holes. I'm sure it had an effect.

Jareb: I'd say that could make an impact... DAMN!

Stephen: Simply based on personal interaction, I'd also like to throw out Derek Lowe and Jason King. Both of them are stand-up guys and have a genuine love for their craft. Those guys are just some of the nicest, helpful guys ever.

Shawn: Derek is one of those guys that... without piercers like him, modern body piercing wouldn't be where it is but not enough people know firsthand. A shame.

ToddBlog: This is a good point. I say lets give him the credit he deserves!

Would one of you fine gentlemen care to enlighten our readers on how he has had an impact on our industry?

Shawn: By being my bitch?

ToddBlog: So essentially what you're saying is, modern body piercing wouldn't be where it us today if Derek Lowe didn't run and get you your coffee in the morning? Interesting...

Shawn: Haha. Derek was one of those guys who just put the hours in; never really tried to shake up the industry with gimmick piercings. Just a guy who set the standard in his area without becoming a rock star or a douche. And also he's my bitch.

Stephen: The demeanor is a huge aspect of it; both of them lead by example in who they are and what they do personally and professionally.

Jareb: "never really tried to shake up the industry with gimmick piercings"

This statement alone shows who the piercers are that should get credit is in general. Piercers who haven't been featured on modblog for cutting off eyebrows or other stupid stunts are the ones I seek advice from myself. In my opinion, it turns out that most of the guys and gals who no one has ever heard of, are the ones who are going to last forever, give the best advice, and be the most humble.

Shawn: Funny Derek Lowe story:
Derek and I had known each other on the Internets since the 90s but until a few years ago had never met.

I was dating this scene pointing thunder cunt who lived in Minnesota back then and obviously wanted to meet Derek while I was out that way. She knew him (he was famous after all) so she called him up and said that she had a friend in from out of town who wanted to meet him.

The line went quiet for a few seconds and he said ".... it's not... Shawn Porter is it?"

You can't beat that kind of (sexual) tension in my book. I went over to St. Sabrinas (which is an amazing shop) and finally had the pleasure of spending some time with Derek. We've had our (major) disagreements over the years, but it was awesome to finally be able to shoot the shit with him in person.

He's like Wedge Antilles.... he's always got your wing. Haha.

Stephen: And also survived destroying both Death Stars. Oh Derek. First name Minnie. Last name Appolis.

Well, we hope you guys enjoyed reading this. Because we sure did have fun discussing it. Feel free to comment and let us know who YOU admire. Until next time kiddies...

Want to be featured on ToddBlog? Please send your photos and stories to
ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

Round Table 3

2010-01-27T08:57:00.013-05:00

Every once in a while we like to chat it up with a few of the industries finest. We talk, we laugh, and sometimes we even cry a little. Well... We don't really cry, because crying is for panzies. But you get the idea.

Anyways... We were fortunate enough to round up a great group for our newest round table disscussion, along with some last minute insight from a few very special people. Allow us to take a moment to introduce you to the crew.

Pictured above: Jareb, Cooter, Sarvas, Shawn, Jean - Pierre, Stephen, and last but certainly not least Brian .

We hope you enjoy this as much as we did.

Flies On The Wall 3: The Jaded Truth.

ToddBlog: We've come a long way since the dawn of the western piercing era, and in retrospect within very little time. The industry has seen many faces come and go, and more and more young piercers are claiming to be "burnt out" on the industry as a whole. What we here at ToddBlog would like to know is: Do you think this will have any bearing on the future of the industry?

Sarvas: OH for sure... The young kids that are "Burnt Out" are really saying "oh wait a minute... i have to put a lot more time, energy, and heart into this job then I originally thought... I just wanted to be cool... get free tats and do stupid shit to my face.." With that attitude there are bad piercings being done daily... It's giving a bad name to all the people that love this job... have put in 150% and aren't ready to quit a bad name... and when you have to work with these people in the same shop it's a direct slap in the face from those types... those people lack the respect for the industry to care about the future... so i think that in the next year or two we'll see those kids try to become tattoo artist... heavy mod artist or scarification artist and start polluting those industries and the people that love to pierce will finally get to clean up the bad name and get the shit on track... it's just going to be more work for them... like usual

dick fuck

Jareb: Sarvas hit that one spot on. Nothing else to add from me.

Sarvas brings up a point, that we'll see a lot of these kids turning into tattoo artists, and I think that's where this whole "burnt out" thing comes from. These kids are generally shop hang-abouts that get offered a job due to them being the most extremely pierced kid in their town or high school, not because they have any love or respect for what they are about to do to other people. Once they start working, they realize it is a job that will never make them a ton of money, like their tattooers are getting, and that's when the "I'm so burnt out" comes in, and then they push and push until they get taken on as a tattoo apprentice, completing the circle of the revolving door of needing another freak to throw needles in 14 year olds.
It is a pain in the collective ass of those of us who enjoy our jobs, as it does give us bad names as piercers, too many "piercers" in a single area, lower wages, less respect, and more hack jobs needing to be fixed.

Cameron: I had a tattooer buddy of mine say to me once that all piercers end up trying to become back alley surgeons or tattooers because there is only so much you can do when you are pushing a fucking needle.

It gets boring. I'll admit it. I've had my spell when I've hated what I did, then I got over and found what I really love about this job...all the free pussy. But when you do find fun in what you do, you do it better, and people will know when you take true pride in what you do and I think a lot of the fun loss in these kids comes from just plain ol' over doing it and putting up ridiculous fronts.

Those fronts end up scabbing up and flaking off, thank god, but when they do, they've already done their harm and it's left to the ol' salts of the piercing world to fix.

Stephen: I think burn out, it it's legitimate form, comes from not having enough opportunities for advancement. If you work in a good, steady shop with benefits, vacation time, etc, then you'll probably be less likely to day dream about something more grand. But if you're working hard, trying to learn, advance, etc, and you get nowhere, well, maybe you find yourself with a bunch of job-stoppers working whatever retail you can find.

Granted, what I'm proposing is kind of an black and white scenario, and there's many shades of grey in between. Some people have the drive to make a wonderful shop of their own, but not the credit to pay for it. Some people have all the money in the world but can't make anything happen to save their lives.

So, yeah, burnout; completely real. Happens to people all the time in other industries, why not this one?

Sarvas: I agree that being burnt out can be real in this industry... but I really think it's not what those kids mean when they say it... I was burnt out at Blue because I worked my ass off and was not appreciated and they kept finding a way to not pay me like the contract we signed said... I was putting a lot of my time in for that business and got nothing in return and cheated at the same time... but at the same time I still loved piercing... That's why I left... I didn't want to think it was over and that is all I got... that was my growth...
I think that is where the problem lies... those burn outs are too lazy to grow, change and better themselves... if they had ambition they would do it and not be burned out... You are a prime example Stephen... I'm sure you weren't "burnt out" you just took an opportunity and did the damn thing... not cuz you had to stay in the industry cuz you made bad choices like tattooing your chin... but because you love this industry and now have a chance to better it working for Anatometal... And Cooter... same thing... I think you and most piercers get "Burnt out" by putting up with bullshit from people that treat this like a job instead of a life style... it's not a 9-5 deal... or a noon-8 deal.. it's a 24-7 thing that when you work and leave you still see people you pierce out around town... you get emails and messages on facespace... and you have to deal with that always... if we worked in retail no one would email us and ask us if we have a small blue shirt in stock like we get when people ask for jewelry or what "sweet gauges" we have... Those people in the industry that hate that they can't just leave the job and forget about it until the next time they work burn the people out that love this job but have to deal with their shitty attitudes... those people need to get fucked and let us love what we do and do what we love...

Jean - Pierre: There's not much I can add to this one that you guys haven't already covered. The evidence I've seen up close and personal always suggests to me that burn-out is already becoming a problem. We've got a piercer in our area, who used to care and did quality work. Now she's got her head up the local roller derby scene's ass. The only problem, is now roller derby is her lifestyle, and piercing has become the job she hates. She hardly ever shows up to work at her shop, and when she does, it's half-assed job time. She's lost the faith, but decided to stick to it half-assed, like the televangelists we laugh about on late night TV. I'm going to reiterate the point that you've all made, it's about living and loving what you do. I can't count the conversations I've had over many a drink about proper placement and technique that I've had with several of you over the years. I also can't can't the number of late nights I've spent on the Internet answering aftercare questions for people I've never met. I live, breathe, eat, sleep, and shit body piercing, and that isn't going to change any time soon. The burn-outs just need to leave, and let the professional life lovers just live their dreams. Luckily the recession is starting to put a damper on people's frivolous spending, and they are finally doing the research on what they want that they should've been doing years ago. I think that the tendency of "piercers" to burn-out is only going to benefit those of us that haven't.

Shawn: Stephen and I like to cook. Cooter is a fisherman and a half and Jareb collects toys. Sarvas gets up to god knows what. We all have interests outside of body modification. I think that's the difference between some of us older folks and the "next generation." Modification is just part of what makes us "us".

JP said: "I live, breathe, eat, sleep, and shit body piercing, and that isn't going to change any time soon." and while I don't want to throw him under the bus I do have to point out that living, breathing, eating, sleeping and shitting body piercing is HOW you get burned out. And yeah. It won't be any time SOON. It'll be once you realize you've spent ten years in a profession that statistically can't offer you a long term career.

Jareb: Shawn's spot on. We all have lives outside the industry, which is why we've all been here for so long, and will continue to be. We love this shit, but we realize it can't be all about it.

What also is separating a lot of us from the younger generation, is our ability to seek advice, (fuck... Didn't I contact you Sarvas recently for some tips?) and acceptance that no matter how long we do this, we still got more to learn. The day you decide you know it all, that's the day to retire.

Stephen: That's a wicked good point Shawn; Having varied interests helps round out a person.. And you and I are plenty round

Shawn: And getting much more well rounded from all that cooking. Who wants an anorexic body piercer/modifier anyway.

Jareb: Fuck skinny piercers! Like I would ever want your no eating meat, hot topic neon girl jeans & clown shoe wearing, shaky ass hands coming near me... Eat some sausages and grow the fuck up. That animal was going to die anyways, might as well feed someone.

Jean - Pierre: Hey, I've been trying to get big, I eat lots of food, once I get old like you guys though, we'll see what happens . I should also mention though, that I do stick to the family business as well, and teach martial arts to local college kids a few days a week. Really though, it's to support my body piercing habit, or "the hobby" as I've heard Shawn put it before. A few years back I was feeling some symptoms of burn-out and decided to go work for the power company. I removed most of my piercings, and spent my days waking up at 6am to climb up telephone poles and fuck with power lines. 6 months in I asked myself what the hell I was doing this for, and wound up back in the game after I realized it was what I'd rather be doing.

Shawn: It's a weird thing to be as young as some of these piercers are already in what they expect to be their lifetime career. And by extension, are already getting burned out.

Had you told Allen Falkner ten years ago that he was going to quit piercing, sell his shop and open up a laser removal business he would have called you nuts. It's the luxury of people of a certain age to think they have it all worked out, but once you realize that 34 is a hell of a lot different than 44, you get an idea that if you don't pace yourself... you have no future in this indust... hobby.

Brian: I have to say, at 34 years old, I'm still very happy doing what I'm doing. Here's what I think. The biggest problem with this industry is the lack of education for the public to help them understand why they are paying more for work they think they can get for half the price down the street, which of course is not the same work. Too many shop owners are out to make quick, easy money off uninformed clients who don't know the importance of quality jewelry and proper sterilization guidelines and too many clients don't know any better and assume if a shop is offering piercing they MUST know what they're doing. They MUST have taken courses and gotten licenses to do what they're doing, right? Hardly. NYC has no regulation governing piercing in anyway, aside from mild age restrictions, but most shops don't even follow those. A lot of quality piercers can't compete with the prices of substandard shops using 20 cent jewelry, so the decline in work makes for a boring work life, which causes frustration, which then causes the flame to burn out.

Shawn: Brian certainly has to acknowledge that his career is an exception to the majority of people who've decided on this career. Think of it in terms of the music industry. You have a million bands out there. A hundred get the contract. A dozen put out a memorable album and one or two if they're lucky go the distance. Those who do... Aside from talent and drive it also helps to have someone pushing your skills. Right?

We were lucky enough to have a few individuals jump into the mix last minute and add their two cents. Here's what they had to say:

Lexci Million: I think the industry is so saturated with piercers as it is that even if piercers young and old are being burnt out and leaving, there will be a lineup of newbies to take the cool guy position left in the wake..

I don't think I'm feeling burnt out, but I'm definitely feeling frustrated with being expected to keep up with the "next new thing" that comes out in body modification.

My shop doesn't offer a lot of things I just personally feel isn't my job to do and as a result a lot of my clients take their business elsewhere because Johnny Modblog who's been piercing a month will totally do it out of the back of his sister's hair salon.

Mike Moore: I've only been piercing for 6 years and i feel that I'm just getting started. i think a lot of people getting burned out so fast aren't utilizing all that this industry has to offer. Some may legitimately be burned out but i feel that a lot of the others are just being lazy. we all have a time where we ask ourselves if this is really what we want to do and most of our answers are fuck yeah. most of the people getting burned out in this over saturated industry are ones that got into it for the wrong reasons and didn't realize that there is more to it then looking cool and putting holes in people. i think the future of the industry will slightly be changed by this but i think the industry will be whatever us "die hard piercers" want it to be.

i don't know if this made sense, i just went on a tangent, haha. and like Lexci said, when one does there is a line of people waiting to get in the door.

John Joyce: Burnt out on piercing??? That doesn't even make sense to me. I've been doing this for 12 years now, and I still love it. I get burned out on owning the business occasionally. I get burned out on babysitting tattoo artists occasionally. Mostly I get burned out from working so damn much, but that goes back to owning the business. I've been working 6 or 7 days a week for the last 12 years, usually 10 hour days. I think with a schedule like that, anyone could get burned out, but then I realize that I'd rather be doing this 60 hours a week, than doing something else for 40. That's where it comes back to, you have to love this! Granted, if some magical position opened up for me where I could have weekends off, be home before the sun went down, get health insurance, and make as much or more than I do now, I may have to take it! hahaha

Honestly, I think the younger people that are getting burned out so soon, is just because they got in for the wrong reason. They didn't get in because they love this industry, they got in because they liked piercings and thought it would be easy money. Don't get me wrong, it is easy money when you first start out. Then you grow up a bit, you get a mortgage, a car payment, maybe you want to start a family and you're going to need to provide for them, and all of a sudden it's not so easy. All of a sudden in order to have enough money you need to work A LOT. There are too many kids right out of high school getting their hands tattooed and stretching their ears up to 2 inches or whatever, thinking it's ok, they can just be a piercer. Then, they realize it's not so easy to just become a piercer, let alone a good one. It's no wonder that I'm doing more ear closing, than I am ear scalpelling now.

The industry is definitely changing, but it has already changed so much from when I first started. I remember when i first started, i was listening to people complain about the same thing my generation is complaining about now, the damn new generation!!! haha The industry will survive, it's not going to be the young kids getting burned out that ruins it. hell, there are too damn many piercers already.

Do i sounds like your grumpy grandfather sitting in his recliner? I hope so, I've worked hard to earn the comfy chair.

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These girls love Bush!

2010-01-27T08:49:00.002-05:00

Here at ToddBlog HQ we love girls of all shapes and sizes, shaved and unshaved. These two lovely ladies are Vyky and Lexi. Some would argue that they could use a dose of happy and a bic, but we beg to differ. We hope to start posting more "Girls of ToddBlog" articles soon, but in the meantime please enjoy these two furry females.

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Celebrity Interview

2010-01-01T17:42:00.007-05:00

It's that time again kiddies, time for another Celebrity Interview. This time around we felt the need to chat with one of the industry's newest celebrities, Cooter McStinkjaw! You may have come across Cooter in some of the piercing forums or you may have seen in at a nascar event. Either way we are certain he has managed to offend you in some way or another. Without further ado we bring you :

EHHHHHHHHH: An Evening With Cooter.

ToddBlog: So Cooter, why don't you tell our readers a little about yourself.

Cooter: Name's Cooter, I also go by my christian slave name "Cameron". I've been piercing professionally for 6 years and before that we won't get into it suffice it to say I can't believe some of my colleagues in this hobby take me seriously after how I started piercing...but I was never anything close to the hackdom that was Sarvas...well, probably. But that's history.

ToddBlog: We've been told that you recently started referring to yourself as "old school". Have you noticed and sort of change in you status within the industry from doing so?

Cooter: Now now, let's not get our sources confused. I was bestowed the title of "old school", and this is important because I couldn't even pretend to care to give a flying fuck about that kinda crap. I started running my mouth in Internet forums because piercers are retards and it was just too damn easy, plain and simple. You see body piercers are kinda like some women that like to be abused and tormented. You beat 'em up bit, let them run off and lick their wounds, and wait for them to come back for more (somebody prove me wrong. I fucking dare you!). So guess after a couple years of mentally abusing the meek, I gained sometime of "old school" status. Whoever wants to think that can, but I'm simply a fan of doing things simply and not spending my time kissing asses and swinging on nuts to get to the top of...this, "Turd Mountain".

But to comment on people's perception of me as some sort of authority on what I do, on more than a handful occasions I've been given drinks or brought into the "smoking circle" to have my brain picked, only to walk away from it with a free buzz and the general understanding that I'm just a mean ol' redneck.

ToddBlog: Whether you've swung from nuts or simply kissed ass to get to the top of the "turd mountain" as you've so poetically put it, the fact still remains that you have certainly gotten there. But it's not all glitter and glam at the top is it? More and more "old school" piercers like yourself have found it hard to make a living even at the top. Have you ventured into any of means of income?

Cooter: Mount Olympus is an ugly ugly place. Who'd thunk "old school" smelled like taint and cocaine hangovers?

I sell jewelry. That's what I do. I also offer a service that comes with the jewelry. You like what you sell enough and you'll sell it. Even if I'm not exactly where I want to be, where I am compared to where I was is much better.

ToddBlog: You mentioned before that you have been brought into certain circles and offered some sort of trade for the knowledge you have. Can we anticipate some sort of teaching position for you in this industry? Or is that something you would save until you officially retire?

Cooter: Actually, yes! I'm anticipating on teaching advanced curriculum courses at this year's APP Conference. Of course these courses will not be recognized by the APP as an organization but my classes will be the only classes that take place IN the hot tub. Courses will include "He's just a dude", a class that explains to you that half the assholes in the hotel are nobody special regardless of what the fuck they've done and/or who they've slept with, with special guest speaker Shawn Porter who will inevitably deconstruct my course and have sex with each of the attendees, just to prove a point. "Hey you, with the tits!", a course that explains to my students that sexual harassment at conference is nowhere near as offensive you'd think it should, with special guest speaker Sarvas, who's role is obvious. And finally the "Hey, git me a beer" course, in which I'll have you get me a beer and I'll tell you funny stories, smoke cigarettes, and give my opinions on ego and how it's killing what I do for a living.

ToddBlog: Well we sure hope to be able to sit in on some of those this year in Vegas. As we bring this interview to a close, do you have any closing statements you would like to share with our devoted readers?

Cooter: I'll be sure to have a place for Toddblog's Editor-in-chief to sit in on my classes...right on my mustache. ba-zing!

Final words...hmm. well okay. There seems to be a lot of undue hostility out in the professional piercing world and oddly enough it's coming from people who don't even pierce professionally. So then, my final words, would be to them. Pipe down and/or shut the fuck up already.

That's it. oh and, hail satan.

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Happy New Year to all our loyal followers!

2010-01-01T10:52:00.004-05:00

We hope all you boys and girls had fun celebrating saying so long to 2009 and hello to 2010. You can rest assured that we brought in the new year in typical ToddBlog fashion. It was a regular red carpet event at the ToddBlog HQ last night and all your favorite celebs were in attendance. Everything from strippers to wrestling midgets could be seen during any point of the evening, Unfortunately, most of us here at HQ don't really remember much, but we have been piecing the night together bit by bit. The main events that have stood out are priceless to say the least.

Highlights include:

Stephen venturing upstairs with what was thought to be a beautiful young lady, only to return moments later less than amused to find out she was in fact a young Mexican lad named Juan.

Tod Almighty bringing a blindingly drunk Cameron to his room to "tuck him in". Come to think of it, that was the last we saw of Tod as well.

Sarvas deciding he wanted to take on all the midgets in a royal rumble style wrestling match, which didn't end too well for our little man child. But don't worry, he is out of the ER with only a minor concussion and a few broken ribs.

As for now, that's about all we can manage to remember, but we really believe the night was a complete success. We hope you all had a great time last night and took you morning after pills this morning. Stay tuned because we have a lot in store for you in 2010. Now to find the Tylenol...

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Happy Holidays From ToddBlog

2009-12-25T10:20:00.004-05:00

Well kiddies, while some of you are spening today opening gifts and drinking eggnog, we here at ToddBlog want to give you what we think is without a doubt the best present you will get this year. Thats right boys and girls, it's another Celebrity Interview!

This time around we were able to sit down and chat with a very speacial indiviual. We have featured him on ToddBlog before. You may know him from Naked Wars or seen him tearing up the streets of Chicago. Some know him as a hack, others know him as Shawn Porter's illegitimate love child. Either way we would like to present:

Shapes: an interview with Sarvas Berry

ToddBlog: So Sarvas, why don't you tell our readers a little about yourself.

Sarvas: My name is Sarvas Berry... I'm from Montana... I am pretty much a man like child... I live in Chicago, IL and work at Chicago Tattoo Co... there isn't much more interesting about me... I've been piercing for 7 years... yeah... and I don't have face tats or a black arm... so I basicly don't look like a piercer

ToddBlog: Word around the campfire is that you are a self proclaimed "hack". Would you care to elaberate?

Sarvas: Well... you know what the difference between Me and Shawn O'Hare is right... one has face tats, is a hack and always has his shirt off... and the other is Shawn O' Hare... and this year I also became a Racist... but it all has to do with the same thing... at my 4 year mark of piercing I was "trying" new things and it was really not the right thing to do... I was stepping out of my boundaries and didn't have proper knowledge... those things I was doing were brought to the attention of the piercing community and I was called a hack... I mean I was... but I did what all people should do... humbled myself and asked for help... and I talked to anyone I could and got educated... so after that deal piercers started to respect me.. but no one let me live it down.. so... I pinned it on my sleeve... I'm proud that I grew... I'm not proud of what I was.. but I'm not going to act like it didn't happen... I mean... any rumor that goes around about me I just tack it on the the whole hack thing... like I said.. the new one is that I'm a racist... so.. yeah... that's funnier than me being a hack...

ToddBlog: So your a racist now? How did this come about?

Sarvas: I guess I am now... I mean I could say a bunch of funny stuff about it... but I can't keep kicking a dead horse.... the deal was I was working at a shop here in Chicago... and I'll keep the shop and the peoples names out of this cuz i don't need to stir up anything.. they know who they are... and they people involved know what kind of people they are... anyhoots... The head piercer was leaving and didn't really tell me or anyone else... the other piercer and I kind of suspected some stuff so we found jobs at different shops but we still worked at the shop so that there would be someone there to pierce... well the head piercer told everyone that they were leaving and the owner asked me if I wanted to take over as head piercer... I said yeah and started figuring out what I needed... well the person caught wind of it and told the owner I was a racist and said they fired me because of it... so that deal was off... it kind of fucked me over and it was funny to know that people still do that out of high school... I mean there are still people in this industry that put up a front and would just as soon cut your throat to get a leg up... so.. yeah... just like the hack thing.. I'll think it's funny and add that to the list I guess... like I always say.. fuck whitey...

ToddBlog: Speaking of rumors, we have come to understand that you are quite the famous piercer. So famous in fact that the APP uses knowing you as a prerequisite for expo attendance at their annual conference. Is there any truth to this?

Sarvas: Well yeah... the best part about that is that most anyone at the APP doesn't even know I pierce... I'm just the naked wars guy... but yeah.. this years convention 2010 I am actually monitoring a round table with Ed Chavarria about guest spotting... I am also a mentor... pretty much I am theee big deal since Wayde Dunns accent... I think this year there is a badge I have to pass out for the conference that says "I know Sarvas"... I'm pretty stoked about it... if you have the badge it will get you into a special high end part of the Expo floor, into elite classes and a party too... all cuz you know me... so keep a look out if you go... I mean I might make you show me your bewbz so I can snap a pic with them.... just sayin...

ToddBlog: You mentioned people in this industry putting up fronts and who would just as soon cut your throat just to get a leg up. It really is a shame that people are like that, and there seems to be quite a few of them nowadays. Do you think these people will ever grow out of such behavior?

Sarvas: no.. prolly not.. in this industry or anywhere else.. someone wants to be better... but sometimes that person isn't and can't be... so they back stab, cut throats and do whatever else they can to get to the top.. what's funny is that after a while those people get outed... then everyone knows who they are... and the best part about it is that the top sucks... it's not cool to be at the top because you realize there is nowhere to go... and you are just stuck... people are people man.. they get greedy and scared.. that's how we are... it's kinda cool... but not when you get spited... you know

ToddBlog: Before we bring this interview to a close, do you have any words of wisdom to share with our beloved readers?

Sarvas: Yeah... I do... for those who want to pierce... don't try.. it's never going to be like it was... most all the good piercers know what really not to do now.. so you can't learn from your own mistakes which I think is the best way to learn... and piercing just isn't a real job... this industry is already full of terribly lazy people that just wanted to do it because they couldn't work a real job... we don't need more people like that... there are a lot of rad piercers out there starving.. we don't need to cut the pie thinner...
to all you bad piercers out there.. either shit or get off the pot... I did... stop trying to fight a losing battle... start piercer either by standard or above.. it's not hard... it just takes work...
To all the piercers that stopped piercing... thanks.. there should be more of you...
To all the people that don't pierce and don't want to pierce but support what we do... thanks you... I like your style...
To all the Piercer/Tattoo artist pic one or the other... you are mediocre at one of those jobs and you suck at the other one.. get at least good at one and stop doing the other...
To all the piercers out there that rule (you know who you are) keep up the good work.. and stick to it.. it can't be like this forever....
And to all my fans... Nice Dick Bro!

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New type of implant

2009-11-30T18:02:00.003-05:00

Well apparently the famous Mr. Brian Decker has tried his hand at a new type of implant. This picture of his newest work is sent in by none other than Miss Joy Rumore (AKA The Milkmaid). Joy is the first recipient of this new type of implant, although we doubt she is the last. We here at ToddBlog suggest you keep your eyes peeled for more of these, after all Brian does travel a lot.

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We're Baaaaaaaaaack!

2009-11-27T19:24:00.004-05:00

We here at ToddBlog HQ were very surprised at the amount of fan mail we received asking us where we had gone. Well all your prayers have been answered! The greatest blog the world has ever seen is back with a vengeance and we are leaving no subject untouched. All we needed was little spray of H20cean and VUALA! Honestly, is there anything that stuff CAN'T fix? Stay tuned for the usual barrage of tasteless antics and general tomfoolery.

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Cleaning the Streets.

2009-06-17T23:10:00.003-04:00

So apparently, when certain sales reps for very prestigious jewelry companies decide to go to lunch together *cough Stephen and Tod cough*, they tend to get into a little bit of trouble. Word is they had a couple drinks and decided to help clean the streets of their fair city.

Well we here at ToddBlog want to salute you two for your valiant (yet completely destructive) effort. Good job guys! Next time, maybe you should just order in...

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Round Table 2

2009-06-15T15:04:00.001-04:00

We here at ToddBlog realize that every once in a while you will get to eavesdrop on a very interesting conversation. We were lucky enough to catch this one, and felt we should share it with our devoted readers. Both Shawn Porter and Stephen Detoma were kind enough to chat with us for this latest entry.

ToddBlog is proud to present:

Flies On The Wall 2: The internet and Body Modification

ToddBlog: We realize that body modification would not be where it is today without the internet. With the help of websites like SPC, BME and social networking tools like IAM the modification community has grown more than anyone could have imagined. What we would like to know is, are there any negative effects the internet has had on the industry?

Shawn: Several months ago I was going to do a class on behalf of the APP on the history of contemporary body piercing.

The last chapter was "BME, SPC, the rise of the Internet and the Death of Body Modification."

Stephen: I think out of our breakfast club, Shawn is probably the only one who has a practical experience with body modification with OUT the internet; I know I started getting pierced and then discovered BME by searching for piercing info online, probably about '98ish or so.

I think just like everything else, there's two sides of the fence. Did the internet make it easier to trade info, find quality artists and research ideas? Sure. Did it create a shitshow of a culture akin to the fucking Tyra Banks show? Absolutely.

If you were to ask if body modification is better or worse due to the internet, you'll find people that are staunch advocates of both opinions and while both will have strong thoughts to back up each of their arguments, you can't declare a winner in that war.

Here's where my brain is headed: I feel like this goes back to the gauging argument. If the use of the term gauging in common speech can change the validity of the use of said word, while people may abhor the internet's influence on bodymod, you have to accept that it's carved out it's own little niche.

Shawn: You just called me old.

You did hit the nail right on the head though, Stephen.... the internet IS the best and worst thing that ever happened to the contemporary body modification scene. (and a million other scenes, I'm sure)

On the one hand, you have immediate access to lifetimes of information just by using a search box. On the other, a good argument can be made that the internet has inspired people who would have normally never done some of these mods to attempt them. Which itself is a double edged sword.

It's funny though... I think it's the youth culture's appropriation of the body mod scene that's had a bigger impact than the internet- the two sort of tie into each other, I guess. You go back and look at the late 1980s and early 1990s copies of PFIQ, Piercing World, Body Art and Tattoo Savage and you start seeing the average age dropping and the piercings going more aesthetic and less sexual.

Once it hit pop culture (I promise I'm not going to mention Paul King in the Aerosmith video) the shift really started happening.

Stephen: You still look good for an old man.

When I was a kid, I wore boots and braces, Fred Perry's and DM's and listened to a lot of ska and Oi! I remember a friend of mine and I were rolling around Boston and talking about the stuff we had seen happen in "the scene" around town and he brought up a really good point: The Scene is a youth cult.

What he meant is, a a certain point, despite the lyrics and slogans saying we would all die with our boots on, ultimately, everyone grows up, grows their hair out and hangs up their boots in favor of a more comfortable pair of shoes. The parallels in that scene and the body mod scene are startling. The major difference is; in both areas, you can spend a bunch of money to look like you belong, but where as growing your hair out is an easy option, trying to remove a tattoo you got on your face when you were 19 to look cool is a little bit harder.

Shawn: And that, for the most part, is what the internet did- make it a scene. Back in the 'dark ages' when we still had to correspond via letters, VHS tapes and the occasional meeting at Jack Yount's house or a tattoo convention or what have you, people were just into what they were into. And usually not much else.

Guys who were into silicone were INTO silicone. The amputees were into amputation. Most folks had tattoos, but just because they had tattoos and not because it was part of a bigger picture. The internet sort of brought everything together.

I used to pay a ridiculous amount of money a year to be a UNIQUE subscriber. Unique was a contact group owned by Ken of "Ball Club Quarterly" magazine. It amounted to nothing more than a few pages of hand typed photocopied personal ads. You usually didn't see much variety in the ads. People with certain mods looking for people with certain mods. After paying the yearly fee to be a member, you'd send other members a stamped letter via Ken (with $1 in cash) and he'd forward it.

The internet made that all unnecessary. You were able to keep up with people for free. Ideas were much more easily exchanged. And thanks to (or curses to) BME, you had a scene begin to form. But when I look back at it I realize that it was a BME scene that was forming, not a body modification scene. Dilution began to happen (which isn't necessarily a bad thing) and all of a sudden there was an aesthetic all it's own.There were t shirts and backpacks and belt buckles and stickers and conventions and a hierarchy of who and what is cool

Stephen: And not to say that all of that is bad: how many SW shirts do I own now? And I don't cut or get cut, I just like the shirts and to support my friends endeavors.

But hell, you don't need to look any further than LA Ink or any other of the "reality" shows out now to see that a subculture is being marketed to everyone with a TV...

Shawn: And with all that said- body modification will survive. After the fads, after the websites and t.v. shows...

Stephen: I don't see why it wouldn't. People will always do things because they feel they need to, not because the feel other people want them to. Not that the other side of the coin doesn't apply as well...

Every wonder why none of those shows ever have anyone that any of us recognize as "legit" on them?

Shawn: Garver had a strong reputation before all that hooey

Stephen: Good point. And I wouldn't say he's lost any respect, near as I can figure..

I guess the more I think about it, we see a lot of our friends in the Nat Geo, Discovery Channel shows, but initially I was thinking, Inked, Miami Ink, LA Ink and all of the World Traveler bullshit: Some button up douchebag traveling on TV's dime to get tattoos from around the world..

I remember seeing a bunch of the guys on The Pickup Artist(?) get taken off to some shop that looked less than reputable just in the short time I watched it. It always amazes me that the lowest quality gets the highest attention..

What was it Sailor Jerry said? Empty drum makes the most noise?

Shawn: "the lowest quality gets the highest attention"...

that explains my luck with the ladies.

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2009-06-12T17:43:00.001-04:00

Pfftt, you thought that "blond" you've been talking to all these years was Kristen? Hello, here's your wake-up call.

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2009-06-11T22:00:00.015-04:00

Howdy fuckin' do, America?

Our Southern U.S. Department Head, Cooter T. Stinkjaw (yers trulys y'all), has been working real hard lately doin' real Man Stuff, but was kind enough to take and submit a photo to demonstrate how hangin' out is really done in humid rivah city, and capitol of the goddamn south!, Richmond, VA.

Two up, two down, y'all.

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May The Blog Be With You

2009-06-08T16:54:00.003-04:00

Do you like scars? Do you like blogs? Do you think you would like a blog about scars? We here at ToddBlog would like you to check out our good friends over at scarwars.org .
Tell em' ToddBlog sent ya!

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Bueno Bandito

2009-06-08T14:55:00.003-04:00

Back to the grind today. Project mexico was great, and we laid some ground work for our global takeover. Big thanks to Stephen Detoma for taking the reins while we were away.

For now, we leave you with this. This Fun Burglar was spotted while we were on one of our excursions. Watch out kids, she's dangeresque.

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2009-06-07T12:55:00.002-04:00

I just found these floating around and felt I had to share, because, fuck, they made me laugh..

Have a bitchin' Sunday my peoples.

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2009-06-07T11:51:00.002-04:00

"I'll fix *your* little red wagon...."

Ladies and Gentlemen, The one and only Tod Almighty.

Stay tuned for interviews, roundtable discussions, the return of Todd(blog) from his Mexican vacation and more generaly sillyness.

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2009-06-03T17:43:00.001-04:00

Where the hell is everyone?

Oh, thats right, TODD(blog) is on vacation in Mexico.

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2009-05-30T14:13:00.000-04:00

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Robert Smith?

2009-05-27T14:51:00.005-04:00

Salutations ToddBloggers! We all hope you're doing well and hopefully you haven't grown impatient with us as we sleep off the effects of the long weekend.

What better way to rub the sleep from your eyes and sweat the rum out of your system than with a nice picture of a pretty girl wearing a t-shirt promoting our Editor-In-Chief's business? We here at ToddBlog don't think any better way exists, so here goes.

This image is of the lovely Atilla and comes to us via Ms. Jessie Campbell of Bella Gore Photography. We can't say that either ladies could have done a sexier job...well...we could, but what happens behind closed doors...

Stay tuned ToddBlog, we'll be in the lab working on new stories and breaking news for all our loyal readers to enjoy.

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Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-25T13:20:00.002-04:00

While most of you are out enjoying your day grilling and relaxing, we here at TBHQ are keeping the gears moving. In the spirit of memorial day, we would like to give you a recap of what's happened here at ToddBlog in the past couple months.

We've been star struck

We've caught savage beasts on tape

We've opened jars of wisdom

We've also had our first round table discussion

Not to mention all the posts in between these. I'd say it's been a pretty busy couple months so far. Check back for more updates as the week goes on.

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I Feel Like 9/11

2009-05-24T12:52:00.002-04:00

And following in the footsteps of recipt greatness, this is the steak I picked up for supper last night. When I saw the combo I actually excalimed HOLY SHIT out loud in the market.

Interesting side note: It tasted like revenge..

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CAPTION THIS!!

2009-05-24T12:49:00.001-04:00

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The Number of the Feast

2009-05-24T12:45:00.002-04:00

It's awesome when the kid ringing you up yells out SIX SIX SIX! while ringing you up. Upon further thought I should have yelled back SLAYYYERRRRRRRR!!!!

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Bacon Flavored Sex

2009-05-23T18:23:00.003-04:00

As you all know, we here at ToddBlog Labs are always on the lookout for great products. You can imagine our amazement when we were shown the newest line of personal lubricants. We havent been able to try it out yet, but we just got word from our "Product Testers" Stephen and Cameron, saying they will be trying it out together very soon. We are sure you two will have a slippery bacony good time. If you guys manage to document the testing, please, don't post the data.

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Cool Stuff That Happens To Female Piercers

2009-05-23T16:49:00.004-04:00

The submissions just keep coming in. This one come to us from Erika Gomez. Erica writes:

"Hi,
This is Erika from Chicago. I thought I would share with you gentlemen some of the joys of being female piercer. Last night I did a 4g PA and a 6g guiche on a guy who drove all the way from Tennessee to get pierced by me. He was cool and we had a good little rapport going. Also, he had a stunning mullet.
Now, my cell number is on our aftercare sheets so that a client freaking out about her nostril piercing can call. I stress to everyone, as do Micah and Sarvas, to call with concerns, questions, etc, just dont call pasts midnight because I'll either be drunk or sleeping! When I told my client last night, he cracked a joke about "not giving my number out to weirdos." He, Micah and I all had a good laugh and he paid me and left. This morning I had the pleasure of waking up to a text with the attached picture. Inappropriate! and funny. If you can use it on Toddblog, please do.
Erika"

Well, we certainly can use this. We agree that although incredibly inappropriate, this is just down right hilarious. We found it necessary to share Erica's unfortunate findings with all of you. So enjoy.

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You Want Me To Put My Balls WHERE?!

2009-05-23T14:47:00.005-04:00

Pucker up Buttercup.

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Wieners Wrapped In Bacon

2009-05-23T14:15:00.004-04:00

We here at ToddBlog like the simple things in life. Sunny days, a cool breeze, and bacon on our wieners. Today is the East Coast BBQ, if you don't know what that is you'd better ask somebody. We will be heading up to the festivities later this evening, and hopefully coming back with a camera full of pictures and a whole mess of updates for you guys.

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Dirty 30

2009-05-23T13:54:00.001-04:00

Well, we've officially hit 30 followers. This image seems appropriate, right? Lets see, 1, 2, 3.. Yeah, about 30 Ewoks up there.

Go find more people because without your furry little help, we'll never defeat the Empire.

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Seen in Las vegas

2009-05-23T12:58:00.000-04:00

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2009-05-23T12:45:00.002-04:00

"Sik Gagues, Bra."

Thanks to Mr Shawn Porter, I now know that "technically" it's fine to use this term, but Im sorry, no matter what the reasoning, it still sounds retarded to me.

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Flies On The Wall 1

2009-05-22T18:04:00.001-04:00

Hello loyal readers,

Here at ToddBlog we are constantly striving to help out the future generations of piercers by dropping little hints of advice here and there. We recently decided to ask for a little help from some of the more "well known" people in the industry. So please sit back and take it all in, you just might learn something.

ToddBlog is proud to present it's first in an on going series titled:

Flies On The Wall: A Round Table Discussion.

Lets first meet the esteemed panelists.

Cameron , Stephen , Shawn

Vyky , Cere

ToddBlog: first topic: Drama, lies, and everything in between. We all know that the industry is filled with it. Everything from piercers lying to gain the respect of their peers, sleeping your way to the top (more commonly known as "Star Fucking"), trying to make others look bad to cover their own mistakes, the list goes on and on.

What we would like to know (along with our readers), is what do some of the more important people in the industry think of these methods? We hope that your answers will enlighten some on why these aren't always the best methods to use when trying to gain respect in the industry.

Cameron: Well, I'm not important by any means, I mean shit Shawn O'Hare doesn't know who I am, so that should immediately disqualify me as an "expert witness", if you will.

I'd like to think that most people who have a good head on their shoulders would be able to see through the yarn spun by these folks, but unfortunately the ratio of bullshitters to smart people in the industry, excuse me The Hobby, is in favor of the bullshitters. So that leaves us to where we are today, stuck in an industry that has become a professional farce. I saw a lot of "fucking to the top" at APP this year, granted this is no different than any previous conference that I've been to, but it seems that hot tubs may provide a false sense of privacy. Sure you're underwater, but I can still see that foreign girl eating that drunk chick's box on a dare from "Famous Mod Guy", and so can everyone else. Maybe fucking in public is your thing, go for it and have a blast while your letting every watch you get your fuck on, but we all know that genital osmosis of knowledge is a myth so there really is no point to it and know matter how many body fluids you ingest, it's still not going to make you a better body piercer. (Sorry Cere, I didn't mean to blow up your spot.) Actions such as that are really no different than people who wait outside a tour bus to be the next hole for some dude in a band. Sure you fucked so and so, you're still not cool and now we we all know embarrassing stories about you and how you have a funny shaped vagina and we'll all probably laugh about it in front of your face because, well, it's funny and you obviously don't have too much respect for yourself so why should anyone else?

As for lying to get somewhere, Shawn nailed it in his interview. Nobody checks references, so why not embellish the truth a little, or a lot (looking' at you Greg Duffek), to get a job or to get clients. I can't really follow up on that any better, suffice it to say that when you get caught in your lie you look like a complete and total fucking ass

Shawn: I got quite a few emails when my old friend Sean Philips was doing his "degrade yourself to become an apprentice" thing a while back. Since Sean and I have (good) history, I became a "sounding board" for people who wanted to know if the "Reality Show" culture had finally started influencing the piercing culture and to see if I was, as they were, offended by some of the tasks Sean made the hopefuls do in order to become a piercer. (which, lets be totally honest here- is an occupation with an expiration date for most of the people who get into the business)

The more I thought about it, the more that I realized I was more impressed that people were still even interested in apprenticing than offended at the silly tasks they were given.

As for "fucking to the top"... again, let's call it like it is: Most of the gals who put out to "get somewhere" don't get much farther than being an in-joke between those of us who've messed around with them. Modification is still a boys club when it comes to being a "big name" (which on a long enough time line means nothing anyway)...

Cere: Perfect timing for this topic! Thanks Todd!

Ahhh, the age old topic of star-fucking. It definitely has its advantages and drawbacks. I see nothing wrong with a woman who is impressed that she is in the presence of someone such as myself and understands how great I am and that she should offer herself to me. Actually the fact that she recognizes this just shows that she, more then the regular public not involved in "the hobby", understands the things that are truly great in life... namely myself.

Its when these same women think that the knowledge one contains can be swallowed where the issues arise. Sure you can get a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of wonderment by in taking my glorious nutrients, but will that impart knowledge to you? No. Even if you trick someone using manipulation into giving you a shot at learning, like some stupid-fucking-cunt-who-works-at-a-shop-where-you-wont-find-titanium-oh-wait-they-now-have-full-lines-of-titanium eventually you are found out and in the end you realize that no knowledge was gleaned. Just a lot of cum.

Whew. Let me switch gears to lying about yourself to pump your own fame.

I remember a story of a piercer who believed they were famous. Their claim was based on the idea that they invented a certain kind of style, lets call it "kick and papering" so that I don't out anyone. Anyway they went around claiming they invented it years ago. Well the truth came out eventually that not only did he not invent it, but he only did his FIRST one a week or two before he made those claims! He now has fallen so far he turns to hacks for ear sculpting advice.

Last I heard he was off somewhere correcting a lot of Brian Deckers procedure

Vyky: I'm proud to say I've not banged anyone in this discussion forum.

really? is that all I have to contribute to this conversation?

Cere: Cmon Vyky, let's let the truth out. I'm really your baby's father. I know we were trying to keep it a secret but with Wayde Million about to be born in about 8 1/2 months, we should let the world know about our power couple baby now.

Vyky: On the topic of star-fucking

really? where does it get you? to the top of the vagina transplant list because your own gash looks like it has leprosy from all the disgusting venereal diseases you've accumulated?

Vyky: Secret's out. I banged Cere in Philly and saved his seed for a year and a half and turkey-bastered that shit.

Stephen: Seriously, if you're sucking dick to get to the top or even jump starting an apprenticeship.. Its kind of the same thing as sucking dick for crack.

I think a lot of people take themselves too fucking seriously in The Hobby. But as Kelly Bundy put it on that classic television program "If you think you're hot everyone else will too". To a certain extent it's true. But you do have to have a little grain of truth in there for it to work. And if you put that shit on a hook and cast it out into a sea of noobs, there's always going to be some snapper that bites. Go go scene whore.

ToddBlog: So what you guys are telling us is that those types of behavior not only won't actually get you anywhere, but you will be ridiculed and joked about by the very ones you use these methods on?

Cere: First off Todd if you're in this industry you deserve to be ridiculed and joked about, so thats not the issue really. The real issue is "Will it work?", "Will star-fucking really get you the attention you want?" or if its actual knowledge whether thru an apprenticeship or thru just bullshitting with people you are now spending time with, will star-fucking get you all that.

The answer is Yes, it will. Star-fuckers will have other people not only notice them because they are on someone's arm but also they will be able to pick and glean information from those around them which now include "the elite". So yeah, they'll be joked about and made fun of, but if they didn't star-fuck their way there it would just be something else that they would be made fun of or ridiculed for.

So star-fucking works. We've established that it gets the endgame it wants. What it will NOT get you though is respect as an artist. Everything that star-fucking will get you, the info, access to "celebrities", the exposure, you can get from just walking up to someone and talking to them.

Vyky: So my question to you then, Cere:

Why is a certain horse-faced ugmo still stuck poking holes in silicone in the middle of the desert?

You'd think she could have banged her way into a better job title.

And wait.. Doesn't she know Sarvas?!?!?

Cere: Just cuz it gets you the introductions and knowledge you need doesn't mean you'll use those contacts and information properly. And look, did it work? Look at the attention she has. Really, almost everyone now knows who she is, I mean, here we are discussing her in a roundtable. It worked. her name is known. And being where she is she has access to artists and can pick them for information at anytime. Too bad she isn't smart enough to do anything with it though....

Cameron: I think, Cere, you may be giving star-fucking too much credit. After all we pretty much all agree that piercing has an expiration date, right?

So. Chick sucks a dick, learns some things while she is in the company of people smarter than her, takes that to a shop and pierces for what 3 maybe 4 years before she gives it up for a job with benefits and insurance (or just marries a tattooer), and is titled "that dirty slut that used to pierce."

it all works itself out in the end really, but in the meantime it's just a headache.

Cere: Actually i think we just gave it the same amount of credit. All star-fucking is meant to accomplish it DOES accomplish. Its just not meant to accomplish anything more then 10 minutes and a google search could do.

But what about the other aspect? The part where the girl has no aspirations to be an artist and just wishes to bask in the company of those who are "famous"? Obviously I cant expect you to have met women like that Cameron, since you know, you're no Shawn O Hare, but what's wrong with someone meeting (and then sucking off) a childhood hero? NOTHING I SAY!

Cameron: It's not for me, personally, but if someone else can opportunistically get their rocks of by some else's folly, then game on!

Vyky: Even just reading this conversation makes me feel dirty.

Shawn: When you make a list of world-class practitioners... how many women are on it?

Just saying.

Vyky: What makes a person world class, exactly? Seems like an arbitrary description. Is it by whose name spreads to further corners of the earth or who can stand 100% behind their work?

Shawn: An keep in mind that O'Hare stands 100% behind his work.

Cere: I think both Vyky and a lot more. Not only does a world class artist produce good solid work that they can stand by 100% but they do so with their clients safety and happiness being foremost in mind. A world class artist pushes boundaries safely and add insight and knowledge back into the community they are a part of. They are able to take criticism and give it back constructively both elevating themselves and their peers.

Because of the above traits they earn respect and their name does get around. You can DEFINITELY be well known and not be a world class artist.

Shawn: When I say practitioners, I don't generally mean piercers. Are there "world class" female piercers? Absolutely. But piercing, as much as you'd like to call it an art, is a skill.

You look at the worlds of scarification, tattooing, surgical work... it's a boys club. That's not to say women aren't CAPABLE of surpassing their peers and becoming what I'd consider world class- it's just that they haven't.

ToddBlog: Well, i guess that concludes our discussion. We wanna thank you guys for taking time out of you busy schedules to be a part of this. We hope to hear from you all again when we have our next discussion. Until then, we hope our readers enjoy what you have had to say.

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Something something something Darkside

2009-05-22T14:51:00.006-04:00

Really? I mean, really? I just ran across this while looking for a background for an upcoming photo I want to construct with a very special guest star (who's name rhymes with Rod Allflighty) and I felt the need to share. Congratulations, knock off Emperor at the Des Moine Holiday InnStar Wars Con '08, you possess all the power and glory of 6 LED keychain lights.

Gimmie a break, Im at work/ Not every one of these can be a homerun.

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Still Alive at 25

2009-05-21T22:16:00.004-04:00

Well done ToddBloggers; we've officially reached 25 followers of our humble, snarky, uppity, obnoxious little blog. How this is possible when we don't really post anything of any importance is incredible to all of us here at TBHQ.

Now, get out there and get us more recruits so we have plenty of disposable minions to send running down hallways full of gunfire.

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2009-05-21T17:40:00.002-04:00

Seriously, if you haven't seen these by now, you fucking need to. Big ups to 1T Massive (http://www.onetribe.nu/) for these fucking hawt rocks.

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Dynamic Duo

2009-05-21T10:30:00.004-04:00

Over the years there have been many outstanding Duos. Duos like Batman and Robin, Shaggy and Scooby Doo, Zim and Gir, Tango and Cash, ect...

We here at ToddBlog wanted to let you in on one more, Scott and Shawn. I don't think they will be rescuing your cat out of any trees, but a duo none the less.

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2009-05-21T01:01:00.003-04:00

Alright ToddBloggers, 200 scene points to the first person to identify the slapchop that Vince is holding up. If you were in Vegas, your vote doesn't count.

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Now That's A Telescopic Lens

2009-05-20T23:35:00.002-04:00

We know you have seen him before, running around at parties snapping pictures and eating bacon. But we here at TBHQ thought you should all take a moment and thank Brian for catching all of the little moments that we all hold dear. Plus, we want to get the horrifying picture Stephen posted as far down towards the previous page as possible. So please, thank Brian. He helps us in so many ways.

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2009-05-20T23:04:00.002-04:00

"Oh my god! Why the fuck would you post that!?"

STFU, Crybaby.

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2009-05-20T22:42:00.004-04:00

Apparently the individual who did this quit his day job as a photographer to take up piercing. I'd go into all the awesome things about this shot but, as the saying goes, there's a thousand words right up there..

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2009-05-20T21:32:00.000-04:00

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This Is Your Mentor

2009-05-20T13:08:00.007-04:00

We here at ToddBlog would like you to meet Mr. Sarvas Berry. Sarvas is well known for many things. He's a mentor (as this picture shows), a Man - Baby (as we have posted before), some like to call him a hack, and he apparently may or may not be the illegitimate love child of Shawn Porter (read below).

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2009-05-20T00:15:00.003-04:00

We here at ToddBlog Labs have been debating the merits of piercing aftercare products that are marketed to consumers for some time. While most of us agree that none of these products are necessarily bad for a healing piercing, we do take issue with the fact that they (with one in particular) appear to be pushing it a little in some of their claims regarding healing. That is, leading one to believe that they contain fairy dust and water from the Cup of Christ in the last Indiana Jones movie that was worth a shit and by using it, it will guarantee a well healed piercing even on the most reckless and illogical location.

Thus, the rocket surgeons here at the labs have decided to begin a new segment exploring the amazing possibilities possible through the magik of piercing aftercare. Further installments will be fourthcoming.

Note: if you are unable to digest humor/sarcasam/parody, it is advised that you discontinue use of ToddBlog at once and seek professional guidance. For external use only, not for use with puncture wounds.

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Someone put a tent on this friggin' circus

2009-05-20T00:07:00.003-04:00

Srsly, putting this pic here is one step away from a milk carton.

Someone get Leo here. Get him here now. If anyone needs to be involved with this, it's the snazzy gentleman pictured above taking you all to the Iowa Gun Show. I need Leo, I need Seth, hell, I need Mike Moore. Let's get this show on the road.

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2009-05-19T22:10:00.001-04:00

You totally fucking looked. Now go give yourself a dead-leg..

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2009-05-19T21:26:00.002-04:00

How do you follow such an amazing interview with an Icon of the Industry (TM)? By breaking the balls of another, that's how.

We'll be back right back after these messages. And by "messages" I mean "supper".

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ToddBlog's Much Anticipated 2nd Celebrity Interview.

2009-05-19T17:08:00.004-04:00

Hello loyal readers,

For our second celebrity interview, we here at ToddBlog chose a very interesting individual. He has been a part of the modification community for longer than most of you have been alive. He ran his own modification based website called SPC, has hosted all 3 Scar Wars events, hosted and co - hosted many others, thrown countless parties ( some of you may have attended these. if so, i think you dropped something.), and holds an archive of some of the most fascinating stories and moments of the modification community. Ladies and Gentlemen we are proud to give you,

Jars Filled With Wisdom:

An interview with Shawn Porter.

Pictured above: The infamous Shawn Porter.
(Although it may look like Shawn is praying, he isn't.
God just asked him for a personal favor in hopes that people would follow.)
bitch bitch bitch. gimme a damn minute will ya?!

ToddBlog: Shawn, could you please tell our readers what you are doing right now?

SP: Hello Todd-

Thanks for the opportunity to spend some time with the ToddBlog readers.

It's been a pretty long day, so I'm unwinding the same way I normally do; I'm laying fully clothed in my oversized bed while my semi-naked, barely legal girlfriend gets dressed so she can run to the ATM to treat me to Chinese for dinner. As I type, I hear the Ice Cream truck driving by, so if she hurries she can also buy me a a Ninja Turtle icecream bar- those have gumball eyeballs. I hope she'll get Donatello, but I'll take Raphael if they don't. If she brings me back a Michaelangelo, it's going straight to the trash. Sure they all TASTE the same, but I do have some standards.

ToddBlog: Coincidentally, we are having chinese food for dinner at the TBHQ as well. I guess great minds do think alike. Although we wont be fortunate enough to enjoy a tasty Ninja Turtles ice cream bar before hand. So as we have mentioned, you have done a lot for this community such as hosting and organizing major events, passing on stories and interviews with some of the founders of the tattoo and piercing industry, running web sites, and much more. After all this, you only needed to know Sarvas to be recognized as an part of the industry. That seems a bit off, don't you think?

SP: Not really, Todd.... and I should point out that I'm much more readily identified by my string of star-fucking exes than I am my connection (and possible parentage) of Sarvas Berry. Hell, there are shops that are primarily staffed by women I've been intimate with. That said, the piercing industry (which I've taken to calling "the Hobby" of late) is a young man's game these days- and if it takes a man-baby like SB to prove my connection, which in turn keeps the steady stream of young trim coming, then by christ I'll take what I can get. I could have a worse legacy than that.

ToddBlog: We have no doubts of the countless women you have been intimate with in the industry (and out). Would you say that being intimate with you has somehow gotten them where they are today? And if so, would you recommend any women new to this industry, seek you out for help with making a name for themselves?

SP: I'm more the patient old bull than the rough and ready young calf these days; truth be told I feel it's my place to encourage and mentor the next generation or "morally flexible" practitioners out there to seize the opportunity to trade what they know for a little slap and tickle. I saw a bunch of business cards in Las Vegas that let me know that the practice is still alive and well. Besides, I have much more respect for the lladies who got into this industry the old fashioned way: by making up their references because no one checks anyway.

ToddBlog: You mentioned that lately you have been referring to piercing as a "hobby", would you care to enlighten our readers on what you mean by that?

SP: In fairness, Todd, I did give it a little more respect than that. I didn't call it "a" hobby. I called it "The" Hobby.

It reminds me of that old joke: Those who can, Tattoo. Those who can't... become a piercer.

You'll have the coolest job outside of Hot Topic for at LEAST a couple of years; which is MORE than enough time to get heavily tattooed on your hands, neck and face. That should allow you to catch up to the 3.5" you "gauged" your lobes and nostrils to.

If you time it right, it should coincide with your 20th birthday and your fifth year as a piercer. After that... its time to start looking into "buying in". Learn to tattoo, buy a shop, grow marijuana... anything that will actually yield you a consistent income and provide you with some sort of tangible, realistic future.

ToddBlog: We apologize for miss reading what you wrote, and thank you for clearing that up for our readers. We would hate for all the ToddBlog fans to feel you didn't support their drive to be a part of this industry. Which leads us to our next question. As you've pointed out, heavy mods are becoming more and more popular with the younger generations of (dare we call them) modders. Do you think that this is something that will stand the test of time, or is it more likely a fad that will soon die off leaving a lot of work for those who do correctional procedures?

SP: The body modification community, particularly the online community, has been living in a reality bubble for the last few years. The ideology was sold that you're somehow a cultural revolutionary for getting your pecker pierced, and that not only do you have the right to get your face modified till you don't look human anymore, but it's damn near your obligation.

But as my old friend Erik said to me in Dallas recently- "you always hear people talk about rights, but you never hear anyone talk about responsibility" (which is totally paraphrased... I was drunk and he's a human lizard) The lack of responsibility in the BodyMod Community (tm) is at an all time high.

Modification itself will stand the test of time; sure. But the echoes of what we're seeing right now- increasingly younger "kids" with questionably safe certainly inadvisable modifications- won't die down for a while. There's a light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel is long and the path is populated by a bunch of people who are out to make a name for themselves and to get exciting pictures for their portfolios but who by and large could care less about the client.... Jesus. That got serious there, didn't it?

ToddBlog: We can't thank you enough for taking time out of your very busy schedule to chat with us. Before we conclude this interview, are there any last words you would like to leave our readers?

SP: No worries, Todd... you know you're one of my favorite piercers out there- I knew when I apprenticed you (seriously, who's actually going to check your resume) that you'd eventually "get it". And you do. Final words? Sure.

"It's grammatically correct to say gauging. Stop being an elitist douche".

cheers.

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ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

2009-05-19T00:06:00.002-04:00

Has this photo been posted before? In a slightly different form, yes. But seriously, you can't deny the awesomness that is the combination of non-famous crotch and famous hip tattoo...

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Now Thats How You Eat A Steak!

2009-05-18T20:23:00.003-04:00

We here at ToddBlog agree that this is the best way to eat. Having a young woman on your lap feeding you with a pocket knife. We can only wonder how any steak residue was wiped away.

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Up Coming News

2009-05-18T13:18:00.002-04:00

We here at ToddBlog have some very exciting things coming up in the near future. There will be another celebrity interview, some new articles from some very special guest authors, and as always some fun and photos.

For now we will leave you with a very nice picture sent in by one of our readers, Roel. In this picture, Roel is holding his 7 month old son Jared, who may or may not be confused by all his fathers tattoos. All of us at ToddBlog wish Roel and his son the best, and hope to hear from them again in the future.

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ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

Tweet Tweet Yall

2009-05-13T19:51:00.002-04:00

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, it does. You can now get your ToddBlog fill via Twitter. We realized it gets tiresome clicking the refresh button over and over, so this is just another was for us to serve our fans better.

Just head over to Twitter and click follow. It really is that easy.

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ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

The Goat!

2009-05-13T14:23:00.004-04:00

If you don't already know, you might as well click. Oh, and you may want to brace yourself. This will knock your socks off.

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ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

Life, the Universe, and Everything

2009-05-13T12:50:00.006-04:00

All you kiddies may have to wait a little bit longer for Mr. McConnell's latest ToddBlog article. It seems he is having a few technical difficulties. While we all impatiently wait for him to get his act together, the rest of us at ToddBlog HQ will keep the gears moving. We want to share this latest entry with you, our beloved readers. The hundred pounds of sass in this picture has been featured here before, telling you all to "follow ToddBlog or else". Don't let the knuckles fool you, she means business.

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ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

Now thats a big hunk of metal.

2009-05-12T12:56:00.005-04:00

We here at ToddBlog like to keep up on what's new in the industry. With the dermal anchor craze continuously growing, the demand for larger and larger pieces is growing as well. Well eat your heart out kids. This picture of a very sizable anchor was sent in my Stephen Detoma, who has been previously featured by us. One has to wonder, who will be the first to tackle such a large implant? I guess we will just have to wait and see.

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ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

That color really brings out your... umm... eyes, yeah, eyes.

2009-05-11T19:50:00.003-04:00

As you may be aware, Vegas is filled with half dressed beautiful women. Which is why we were confused when we ran into Brian poolside at the Tropicana. We weren't sure what to make of his bathing suit choice, but we will admit it leaves a lot to the imagination. Thumbs up or thumbs down? We will let you be the judge.

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ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

2009-05-09T19:13:00.006-04:00

New article...

...coming soon to ToddBlog.

_{Want to be featured on ToddBlog? Please send your photos and stories to
ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *}

Attack of the Killer Man Baby!

2009-05-09T15:35:00.011-04:00

Our second day in Vegas was quite interesting. ToddBlog reporters we able to catch one of natures greatest phenomenon's in action. You've heard about some of them like Big Foot, Loch Ness Monster, Tattoo Artists with an understanding of cross contamination, but never have we seen something so unexplainable as the Man Baby.

In an attempt to satisfy the beast, someone gave him a bottle of Mountain Dew, this was the wrong move. The Man Baby guzzled down the energy giving green liquid and suddenly went into a caffeine fueled rage!

Nothing was safe around the Man Baby. He acts on pure savage instinct, and is virtually unstoppable. We we able to photograph the Man Baby in action as he went from one victim to another.

We were even able to catch video of one of the attacks, and we can tell you it isn't a pretty sight. Please, If you suffer from any heart conditions, don't watch. The results could be hazardous to your health.

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ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

Love Is In The Air

2009-05-09T14:27:00.007-04:00

It seems that you really can find true love in Vegas. The two love birds in this picture are Spike and Ashley. They met poolside at the Tropicana during the APP opening party, and it was love at first sight. We here at ToddBlog can't help but get a little teary eyed over such a beautiful moment. We wish you two the best, and cant wait until the wedding.

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ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

Follow ToddBlog or else.

2009-05-02T15:40:00.004-04:00

If you refuse, you will make this pretty little thing upset. And when she gets upset, she starts with the knuckle sandwiches. So do yourself and favor and follow us. We know we would.

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ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

Who killed Bambi?

2009-04-30T11:33:00.004-04:00

This submission comes to us all the way from the west coast. The Elmer Fudd looking fellow in this picture is StePHen Detoma, who writes to us saying:

"Hey brah,
I was trompin through the forrest huntin rabbit when i accidentally shot this deer. i decided to take it home with me, cause i knew it would make a wicked good stew. Only problem was, the damn thing wouldn't fit in my cah. I had nothin to cut em' up with so i went to a local bah and got a saw to do the deed. I figured i might as well grab a drink while there. "

Well StePHen, all we can hope is that your stew was "wicked good".

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ToddBlog * Please note that although we here at ToddBlog appreciate your support, not all submissions will be posted. *

I Petty the Fool

2009-04-29T23:49:00.004-04:00

ToddBlog's latest submission once again comes from our good friend Cameron. In this picture, good ol' Cooter T has won what seems to be the "red neck jackpot". We at ToddBlog wish him well in his pace car trip around the track. We are also fortunate enough to see his healed knuckle tattoos we previously showcased.

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ToddBlog

Buy the ticket, take the ride.

2009-04-29T19:54:00.002-04:00

Thats right, ToddBlog will be going to Sin City, May 3rd through May 6th. We will be rubbing elbows with the who's who of the modification community, for what will surely be an interesting couple days. We will have our cameras ready, our eyes and ears open, and our party hats on.

As they say - What happens in Vegas, stays... er... will end up on ToddBlog.

ToddBlog celebrity interview

2009-04-11T12:50:00.000-04:00

We here at ToddBlog like to keep up with who's who in the modification community. We recently had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with one of the community's heavy hitters, Cere. Its not everyday that we are able to get a glimpse into the life of such a highly regarded individual.

Without further ado ToddBlog is proud to present:

Star Struck - An Evening With Cere.

ToddBlog: Cere, it has been brought to our attention that you have had a major impact n the modification community. Is this true?

Cere: Of course its true. Until I came along most people who were into "tattooing" were just recreating imagery in a game of one-upmanship. There weren't any real artists with vision to push boundaries. I was the first to really show that tattoo ART (which i have essentially created) could be used to express ideas. Even if many of those ideas are far beyond the ability of most to comprehend it still touches them on an basic level. Never before has anyone been as influential as I.

pictured above: Cere

ToddBlog: I'm sure that being one of the more recognizable faces within this community comes with it's own level of "celebrity status". Has this status changed your everyday life?

Cere: Oh it hasn't really. I mean, sure, its hard going through airports now with all the teeming fans asking me for autographs, but really, who can blame them? And sorting through all the fan mail and woman asking me to bed them just so they can say they were ravaged by someone of my status is endearing but really my day to day life is the same. Im still a really humble person for someone who is so better then everyone else. Above: One of Cere's more complex pieces

ToddBlog: Would you say that you use this status to further the modification industry?

Cere: Absolutely not. The modification industry is essentially stagnant and needs to die. Sure, there are some people out there that i admire, like the amazing Shawn O Hare who is constantly pushing the boundary, but i find the modification scene is filled with far too many hacks like Cameron from Virginia. If only the world was filled with individuals like MikeNite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! then truly the scene would be vastly furthered.

Above: John Cere, truly a masterpiece.

ToddBlog: Its has also been brought to our attention that you are quite the tattoo artist. Any advice to those looking to break into the tattoo industry?

Cere: Yes. Simple advice is don't. You'll never be better then I am. I mean really, as I've been quoted before, there are really only 2 great artists in existence. Myself and Mother Nature. The rest shouldn't attempt. Because in the words of Ricky Bobby, "If you're not first, you're last". Actually I personally think even mother nature shouldn't try anymore. I mean with me as competition you might as well just hope that i will acknowledge you.

Above: Yet another mind blowing pierce of artistry

ToddBlog: A little while back you had mentioned how humble you are. We can clearly see that you are speaking the truth with that statement. Do you find it hard to be so humble, given you're celebrity status?

Cere: Not at all. See in order for my celebrity status to affect me in any way mentally, id have to actually value the opinions of others. See its one thing when you are faced with the views of your peers. Seeing as I have none, really the opinions of those who are nowhere near the level of greatness that i am, well they don't matter. So its easy for me to be humble, for the simple fact that no one out there can really appreciate how great I truly am.

ToddBlog: Your tattooing is constantly gaining popularity within the modification community, is there some sort of message that goes along with it?

Cere: Yes.

Above: Need we say more?

ToddBlog: You mention admiring artists like Shawn O Hare and Mike Nite, any chance we may see some sort of collaborative work between you and one of these individuals?

Cere: Unfortunately not. Although Id love to work alongside Mike, I've tried corresponding with him a few times online and it turns out he doesn't read or write English. He actually cant read or write at all. He just mashes the keys and gibberish comes out on the keyboard. At first I thought he speaking some hidden language, but it turned out that NO ONE knew what he was writing. As for Shawn, well if he can ever get some free time! I mean, between blowing his apprentice and looking for new ways to disfig... ummm, i mean modify people, he's a very busy man!

ToddBlog: Well Cere, it truly has been an honor to be able to talk with you. And with this interview coming to a close, do you have any final statements for our readers?

Cere: Yes. I prefer it if you don't look at me while blowing me. Pay more attention to the cock.

*Editors note*
Although we at ToddBlog realize that Cere is always right, because he is perfect. The opinions in this article are not the opinions of ToddBlog. Even if they are most likely true, because Cere said so.

I wanna take you to a gay bar.

2009-04-07T13:17:00.000-04:00

A couple months back ToddBlog attended the Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention. We laid pretty low while we were there, spending most of our time at the Body Adornments booth relaxing and catching up with our friends. The weekend was filled with unforgettable moments such as a shirtless gay bar, numerous suspensions , general debauchery and even a biker brawl. But we here at ToddBlog feel that there was one special moment that seemed to "take the cake".

This (in our humble opinions) was by far the most amazing tattoo done over the three days that the convention lasted. It was done by the world renouned artist Scot Deblocker who unfortunately, with his busy schedual, was un able to comment about this outstanding piece of body art (maybe he will be able to offer us some insight in the comment forum).

We doubt any of you can argue the sheer awesomeness of this amazing piece of work. And in typical ToddBlog fashion, we tip our hats to Mr. Scot Deblocker. May he keep up the amazing work!

EHHHHHHH!

2009-04-06T17:03:00.000-04:00

We here at ToddBlog would like you to meet our good friend Cameron. Cameron is a well known mod artist from Richmond, VA. who specializes in some pretty unique modifications. he was gracious enough to send in this pic with a little note about his modification work.

"Hey Guys,
things can get pretty boring here in the south. the every day navel piercing doesn't quite challenge me enough, so I've moved on to bigger and better things. in this pic I've sent I'm getting ready to do a never before attempted scalp removal. I figure that this would be a good way to get my name out there!"

Well Cameron, we here at ToddBlog salute you. We firmly believe that the modification community needs more people like you who are willing to push the boudries and open new doors. Hopefully soon we will see some procedural pics and maybe even some healed ones.

ToddBlog launch

2009-04-06T15:14:00.001-04:00

EHHHHHHHHH!