A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Ethel’s Decapitation

Tim Kern‘s first kill, memorialized and celebrated in ink by Scott Duncan at Sugar Shack in Kincardine, ON (photo by Twwly). If you want to know a bit more about the “why” of this tattoo, welcome to Twwly country!

Comments

150 responses to “Ethel’s Decapitation”

  1. maliceAlice Avatar
    maliceAlice

    I would love to come up to the farm and try my hand, but I live in Seattle and lack the resources to get to Ontario. I think it would be a good idea to try it, just to see if I could. I would like to TRY to stick to the ‘If you couldn’t kill it, you shouldn’t eat it” ethic. Although I feel like I’ve started a slow slide into vegetarianism anyways, excluding bacon. I find that hard beef these days just makes my tummy upset. 🙁 A hard deal when your parents are on the Atkins.

    Anyways, I salute you, blah blah blah, good on you and so forth. 😀 I was wondering if you know anyone in Seattle who raises chickens the way you do? Maybe I can still get that firsthand experience.

  2. maliceAlice Avatar
    maliceAlice

    I would love to come up to the farm and try my hand, but I live in Seattle and lack the resources to get to Ontario. I think it would be a good idea to try it, just to see if I could. I would like to TRY to stick to the ‘If you couldn’t kill it, you shouldn’t eat it” ethic. Although I feel like I’ve started a slow slide into vegetarianism anyways, excluding bacon. I find that hard beef these days just makes my tummy upset. 🙁 A hard deal when your parents are on the Atkins.

    Anyways, I salute you, blah blah blah, good on you and so forth. 😀 I was wondering if you know anyone in Seattle who raises chickens the way you do? Maybe I can still get that firsthand experience.

  3. JenO33 Avatar

    love da Kern. Well anybody coming from Last Rites but I’m not very objective either.

  4. JenO33 Avatar

    love da Kern. Well anybody coming from Last Rites but I’m not very objective either.

  5. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    Bradly, there is no need to be so forceful about this.
    Posted by HELLS_MoNkEy
    Oh ok while u sit there at ur computer and read this there is massive suffering being cuased to these animals for no reason what so ever other than the fact thats what we except .Ive never said that people shouldnt eat meat I do say though that the animals shouldnt have to suffer for it .And whether you realize it or not the suffering that is afflicted upon them falls into the realm of what goes around comes around…

  6. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    Bradly, there is no need to be so forceful about this.
    Posted by HELLS_MoNkEy
    Oh ok while u sit there at ur computer and read this there is massive suffering being cuased to these animals for no reason what so ever other than the fact thats what we except .Ive never said that people shouldnt eat meat I do say though that the animals shouldnt have to suffer for it .And whether you realize it or not the suffering that is afflicted upon them falls into the realm of what goes around comes around…

  7. Kristin Avatar
    Kristin

    It may not be practical (possible, yes, I agree with Shannon, but not practical) for most people to raise their own poultry for slaughter at this time, but society is a mutable thing — it wasn’t so long ago that it was a rare person who didn’t raise any eggs, or poultry, or at least a big vegetable garden. And that included a lot of urban people. Who says we couldn’t change again and return to more food being raised by individuals and less by corporations, if it would be better for us?

    And I do think it would be better for us. Giles, factory farming hasn’t developed because it’s more efficient; it’s developed because it’s more profitable. And it certainly isn’t more humane, from the animals’ living conditions to the hatcheries where uncountable numbers of chicks, say, die because they are counted as overhead at a rate of pennies per chick and therefore not worth taking more trouble over.

    Just as one example, free-ranged chickens can be fed with a huge variety of plant and animal matter as well as the scraps from human food (I know; that’s all I feed my laying hens). Factory-farmed chickens are fed processed food made in part from grain that could be eaten by people just as well, and all of it has to be shipped from a central processing location.

    There is just no way factory farming is actually more efficient in resources than small-scale local farming. It’s just that so many of us don’t even think, anymore, about what “efficiency” truly means.

    And no one is suggesting each and every person (babies and invalids et al) be required to literally raise and slaughter every bite of meat they eat. But more localized/community oriented and less corporatized raising of our food, including meat, really can only be better for us and our world.

  8. Kristin Avatar
    Kristin

    It may not be practical (possible, yes, I agree with Shannon, but not practical) for most people to raise their own poultry for slaughter at this time, but society is a mutable thing — it wasn’t so long ago that it was a rare person who didn’t raise any eggs, or poultry, or at least a big vegetable garden. And that included a lot of urban people. Who says we couldn’t change again and return to more food being raised by individuals and less by corporations, if it would be better for us?

    And I do think it would be better for us. Giles, factory farming hasn’t developed because it’s more efficient; it’s developed because it’s more profitable. And it certainly isn’t more humane, from the animals’ living conditions to the hatcheries where uncountable numbers of chicks, say, die because they are counted as overhead at a rate of pennies per chick and therefore not worth taking more trouble over.

    Just as one example, free-ranged chickens can be fed with a huge variety of plant and animal matter as well as the scraps from human food (I know; that’s all I feed my laying hens). Factory-farmed chickens are fed processed food made in part from grain that could be eaten by people just as well, and all of it has to be shipped from a central processing location.

    There is just no way factory farming is actually more efficient in resources than small-scale local farming. It’s just that so many of us don’t even think, anymore, about what “efficiency” truly means.

    And no one is suggesting each and every person (babies and invalids et al) be required to literally raise and slaughter every bite of meat they eat. But more localized/community oriented and less corporatized raising of our food, including meat, really can only be better for us and our world.

  9. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    The world NEEDS intensive farming to survive, that I’m afraid is a cold hard fact and no amount of morally superior stance taking at adopting a farming method attuned to a controlled, small community will change that. Posted by Giles Wallwork

    2 bad ur so stupid no amount huh …u shun a moral stance.what a fuckin lozzer u r in my book .

  10. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    The world NEEDS intensive farming to survive, that I’m afraid is a cold hard fact and no amount of morally superior stance taking at adopting a farming method attuned to a controlled, small community will change that. Posted by Giles Wallwork

    2 bad ur so stupid no amount huh …u shun a moral stance.what a fuckin lozzer u r in my book .

  11. gillian gamine Avatar

    in my book i respect those who can a. spell and b. make sense

  12. gillian gamine Avatar

    in my book i respect those who can a. spell and b. make sense

  13. Katie Avatar
    Katie

    So it’s either raise your own food, or say ‘fuck it all’ if you don’t have the space? What about supporting your local Farmers Market? CSA? Nothing is in black and white. Factory farming is a vile business, and it doesn’t just hurt the animals it tortures. Look up the environmental impact that is has sometime.

    I honestly would respect the pro-mass produced meat opinion if you would just admit that you’re too lazy to care either way, instead of trying to make it look like factory farming is what’s best for everyone involved.

  14. Katie Avatar
    Katie

    So it’s either raise your own food, or say ‘fuck it all’ if you don’t have the space? What about supporting your local Farmers Market? CSA? Nothing is in black and white. Factory farming is a vile business, and it doesn’t just hurt the animals it tortures. Look up the environmental impact that is has sometime.

    I honestly would respect the pro-mass produced meat opinion if you would just admit that you’re too lazy to care either way, instead of trying to make it look like factory farming is what’s best for everyone involved.

  15. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    So I hate all u motherfukers at this web site because u gave me herpes from the tiolet seat
    Posted by gillian gamine

  16. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    So I hate all u motherfukers at this web site because u gave me herpes from the tiolet seat
    Posted by gillian gamine

  17. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    blah i hate ur moderation

  18. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    blah i hate ur moderation

  19. HELLS_MoNkEy Avatar

    Bradly I can understand why you are angry about cruelty to animals in certain methods of farming, because I dont disagree. Whilst I dont provide the food in my household, as I live with my parents, when I am providing for myself when I move out in 3 months time for uni, I will try only to buy free range meat produce. However, that does not mean that when I am late to get somewhere, and dont have time to go home and make food, that I wont have a burger from the local stand or whatnot.

    I just think you are throwing a bit of a tantrum, and its a bit pathetic. For example, Shannon is really very convincing, and I am taking into account his points, but you are just ranting and insulting people. No need for it.

  20. HELLS_MoNkEy Avatar

    Bradly I can understand why you are angry about cruelty to animals in certain methods of farming, because I dont disagree. Whilst I dont provide the food in my household, as I live with my parents, when I am providing for myself when I move out in 3 months time for uni, I will try only to buy free range meat produce. However, that does not mean that when I am late to get somewhere, and dont have time to go home and make food, that I wont have a burger from the local stand or whatnot.

    I just think you are throwing a bit of a tantrum, and its a bit pathetic. For example, Shannon is really very convincing, and I am taking into account his points, but you are just ranting and insulting people. No need for it.

  21. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    HELLS_MoNkEy if u find my view point insulting thats because u brain has been riddled with spyhlis from a tainted toilet seat .I am a interenet troll i make my living exrpessing my thought to others who hate it i then print them on napkins and sell them at the flea market where i roll up my jeelly donuoghts that are somewhat stale but still tasty..so ur view point is sorta like hey i dont film the kiddie porn i just watch it … but allas ur young and stupid but 1day ull be old and stuidier ?__+

  22. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    HELLS_MoNkEy if u find my view point insulting thats because u brain has been riddled with spyhlis from a tainted toilet seat .I am a interenet troll i make my living exrpessing my thought to others who hate it i then print them on napkins and sell them at the flea market where i roll up my jeelly donuoghts that are somewhat stale but still tasty..so ur view point is sorta like hey i dont film the kiddie porn i just watch it … but allas ur young and stupid but 1day ull be old and stuidier ?__+

  23. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    I wholly support everything Bradly has to say and i will atest to the fact that his jelly doughnuts are stale
    Posted by Shannon Larratt

  24. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    I wholly support everything Bradly has to say and i will atest to the fact that his jelly doughnuts are stale
    Posted by Shannon Larratt

  25. Wonderland Avatar

    Oooh Bradly. You just made my day.
    “but allas ur young and stupid but 1day ull be old and stuidier”

  26. Wonderland Avatar

    Oooh Bradly. You just made my day.
    “but allas ur young and stupid but 1day ull be old and stuidier”

  27. Wonderland Avatar

    Shoot, It cut off half of my comment. ah well. It should have said
    “but allas ur young and stupid but 1day ull be old and stuidier”
    That is one of the funniest things I’ve read so far today.

  28. Wonderland Avatar

    Shoot, It cut off half of my comment. ah well. It should have said
    “but allas ur young and stupid but 1day ull be old and stuidier”
    That is one of the funniest things I’ve read so far today.

  29. Owella Avatar

    #24…you totally captured my Magnetic Fields state of mind whilst viewing this gem…

  30. Owella Avatar

    #24…you totally captured my Magnetic Fields state of mind whilst viewing this gem…

  31. HELLS_MoNkEy Avatar

    Bradly, you complete cock.

    I do not find your viewpoint offensive, and I am beginning to suspect you are no older than 14 yourself. The following are stupid, pathetic comments, made by an illiterate moron:

    “ur just a stupid” – Didn’t much prove your point?

    “2 bad ur so stupid no amount huh …u shun a moral stance.what a fuckin lozzer u r in my book . ”

    Debates are brilliant until people like yourself get involved.

  32. HELLS_MoNkEy Avatar

    Bradly, you complete cock.

    I do not find your viewpoint offensive, and I am beginning to suspect you are no older than 14 yourself. The following are stupid, pathetic comments, made by an illiterate moron:

    “ur just a stupid” – Didn’t much prove your point?

    “2 bad ur so stupid no amount huh …u shun a moral stance.what a fuckin lozzer u r in my book . ”

    Debates are brilliant until people like yourself get involved.

  33. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    I would like to retract my last statement ,after doing some research on who Bradly is and what he stands i find that my earlier comments were unjust and somewhat pathetic other than that I have many ideas in my head that i dont really wish i had hopefully soon my medication will kick in and they will let me out longer than just a day pass with my family
    Posted by HELLS_MoNkEy

  34. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    I would like to retract my last statement ,after doing some research on who Bradly is and what he stands i find that my earlier comments were unjust and somewhat pathetic other than that I have many ideas in my head that i dont really wish i had hopefully soon my medication will kick in and they will let me out longer than just a day pass with my family
    Posted by HELLS_MoNkEy

  35. HELLS_MoNkEy Avatar

    *Sigh* You’re a sad little boy….

  36. HELLS_MoNkEy Avatar

    *Sigh* You’re a sad little boy….

  37. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    Yeah and ur just a chicen head .ok im done hair u cant top that .and im needed else where .there is a goat trying to get across my mother fucking bridge !!! but in the mean time check out Sophia in the end all the animals are saying u can eat me just plz stand by me..
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaH3z99EAe

  38. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    Yeah and ur just a chicen head .ok im done hair u cant top that .and im needed else where .there is a goat trying to get across my mother fucking bridge !!! but in the mean time check out Sophia in the end all the animals are saying u can eat me just plz stand by me..
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaH3z99EAe

  39. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    Yeah and ur just a chicen head .ok im done hair u cant top that .and im needed else where .there is a goat trying to get across my mother fucking bridge !!! but in the mean time check out Sophia in the end all the animals are saying u can eat me just plz stand by me..
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaH3z99EAe4
    69 &__*

  40. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    Yeah and ur just a chicen head .ok im done hair u cant top that .and im needed else where .there is a goat trying to get across my mother fucking bridge !!! but in the mean time check out Sophia in the end all the animals are saying u can eat me just plz stand by me..
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaH3z99EAe4
    69 &__*

  41. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    I love how so much debate and argument got started all by a single chicken tattoo…

  42. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    I love how so much debate and argument got started all by a single chicken tattoo…

  43. Phalaeo Avatar
    Phalaeo

    Tried to click on Twwly’s link- Bandwidth exceeded.

    I am really struck by the beauty of this tattoo- extremely well worked.

  44. Phalaeo Avatar
    Phalaeo

    Tried to click on Twwly’s link- Bandwidth exceeded.

    I am really struck by the beauty of this tattoo- extremely well worked.

  45. Twwly Avatar

    Katie, CSAs are great, so are farmers markets. You clearly overlooked my links to them directly above the chicken montage. People need to take more responsibility about what they are consuming and where it comes from. Shopping local, be it from your backyard or the farms closest to you is top shelf. Not every farm grows every food stuff; the notion that everyone has to completely rely on their own land to grow absolutely everything they consume is certainly not mine. (Although I do yearn to be far more self sufficient!)

    If an animal is going to DIE for you to eat it, at some point (not EVERY meal, sillies) you should have a direct connection to that process. Or it’s my opinion that you should not consume said animal.

  46. Twwly Avatar

    Katie, CSAs are great, so are farmers markets. You clearly overlooked my links to them directly above the chicken montage. People need to take more responsibility about what they are consuming and where it comes from. Shopping local, be it from your backyard or the farms closest to you is top shelf. Not every farm grows every food stuff; the notion that everyone has to completely rely on their own land to grow absolutely everything they consume is certainly not mine. (Although I do yearn to be far more self sufficient!)

    If an animal is going to DIE for you to eat it, at some point (not EVERY meal, sillies) you should have a direct connection to that process. Or it’s my opinion that you should not consume said animal.

  47. Lilee Avatar
    Lilee

    And do you apply that to the infirm, the elderly, disabled, poor, young, busy? Should they be forced into vegetarianisn because they are incapable of either keeping, nurturing, feeding, providing for, then killing their own meat?

    If you can’t MORALLY kill it, then you shouldn’t eat it. Not physically, dumb ass.

  48. Lilee Avatar
    Lilee

    And do you apply that to the infirm, the elderly, disabled, poor, young, busy? Should they be forced into vegetarianisn because they are incapable of either keeping, nurturing, feeding, providing for, then killing their own meat?

    If you can’t MORALLY kill it, then you shouldn’t eat it. Not physically, dumb ass.

  49. 1 Avatar
    1

    How can taking something’s life be fun? Killing of need isn’t sick, but having fun killing is. Disrespectful.

  50. 1 Avatar
    1

    How can taking something’s life be fun? Killing of need isn’t sick, but having fun killing is. Disrespectful.

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News

  • Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetry
    One of the most powerful things about being at a convention like OSC is the sheer concentration of experience, creativity, and capability in one place. When you’re surrounded by people who not only understand the technical complexities of suspension but are excited by the challenge… Read more: Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetry
  • Twelve Points to the Sky
    There’s a particular kind of magic that happens at your first big suspension gathering when you arrive with nerves, an open heart, and the quiet hope of flight. Guided by the encouragement of mentor Lynn Loheide and driven by the quiet confidence of belonging, Alex… Read more: Twelve Points to the Sky
  • Ontario SusCon 2025
    In March 2025, BME attended the Ontario Suspension Convention in Hamilton, hosted by the Kevin Donaghy and the Ontario Suspension Collective. We had the pleasure to take part and help document the event, but also run a booth to sell a bunch of old (but… Read more: Ontario SusCon 2025
  • Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
    Dear BME Community, We’ve been gone far too long, but BME is back to give people a voice, a space, a community. With time everything evolves, and BME may be different than you remember. Our goal is to stay true to Shannon and Rachel’s values… Read more: Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
  • BME Social Media
    Word of mouth has been our method of reuniting the community, and it has brought a substantial amount of us together. I am inspired by your loyalty and I want to remind more people of BME’s existence. In 2020 we gained control over @bmezine on… Read more: BME Social Media
  • BMEShop
    Despite the hurricanes in 2015 which destroyed almost all of what Rachel owned, she managed to save the original inventory from BME. We have relisted some of the stock on BMEShop.com with the hopes you may be interested.  Our first drop includes a selection of… Read more: BMEShop