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.

So Long And Thanks For All The Fish

After a personally difficult legal dispute over BME, I’ve had to face the potentially insurmountable reality of being massively in debt, and I have chosen to transfer the business to Rachel (the details of this deal are sealed, so please don’t ask). Within the month my role at BME will come to an end, and new staff (made up largely of people who’ve been working on BME for some time as well) will be taking over. I will no longer be writing online about body modification, although I will be maintaining my regular blog and other projects of course, as well as working on several body modification book projects which I am eager to complete.

It’s definitely a very strange and mixed set of feelings, having run this site from the very beginning, over nearly a decade and a half. On one hand I’m very much looking forward to having the opportunity and time to paint and tackle new adventures, and on the other hand I will very much miss both the people and the subject in general that I came to know through BME. That said, when I grew up and fell in love with body modification — and later built BME — this was a very different and much more “outsider” culture, so maybe now, as not just tattooing but body modification as a whole enjoys unprecedented levels of popularity and acceptability, it is a good time to pass the torch on to a new generation. It’s my hope that they maintain the site in the spirit that it was begun, while taking on the challenges of a new environment.

I have very much enjoyed being a part of BME and I leave it with good memories. Thank you to everyone who’s been a friend of the site, and everyone who’s helped bring it to this point. I hope you’ve enjoyed my contributions — I know I’ve enjoyed yours — and I hope that you continue to enjoy what BME brings in the future.

See you in hell! 😛

         Shannon
         [email protected]
         zentastic.com

 

Comments

760 responses to “So Long And Thanks For All The Fish”

  1. Dagny Avatar
    Dagny

    I am so sad to see you go. 🙁
    You nearly brought me to tears.
    Thank you for all you’ve done.

  2. Dagny Avatar
    Dagny

    I am so sad to see you go. 🙁
    You nearly brought me to tears.
    Thank you for all you’ve done.

  3. est Avatar
    est

    if it’s happening because you’re in debt, we should make a fundraising.

  4. est Avatar
    est

    if it’s happening because you’re in debt, we should make a fundraising.

  5. bethdurham Avatar

    you’ve changed my life with your work here, and it’s been for the better. for that, i thank you more than words could express. =] i’m sad to see you go, glad to see your positive take on it.

    thanks, again.

  6. bethdurham Avatar

    you’ve changed my life with your work here, and it’s been for the better. for that, i thank you more than words could express. =] i’m sad to see you go, glad to see your positive take on it.

    thanks, again.

  7. MUTE-ONE Avatar

    Shannon is just going to internet rehab… he can’t stay away too long. Quote me on that.

  8. MUTE-ONE Avatar

    Shannon is just going to internet rehab… he can’t stay away too long. Quote me on that.

  9. Eric Avatar

    Shit happens!
    Best of luck. You really made an impact on my life. A small impact, but still… Thanks.

    Rachel will do an awesome job, I’m sure.

    –Eric

  10. Eric Avatar

    Shit happens!
    Best of luck. You really made an impact on my life. A small impact, but still… Thanks.

    Rachel will do an awesome job, I’m sure.

    –Eric

  11. Kim Avatar

    Wow…well, thanks for all the efforts over the years! I’m glad to see that you’re moving on to new and exciting things. We’ll miss you!

  12. Kim Avatar

    Wow…well, thanks for all the efforts over the years! I’m glad to see that you’re moving on to new and exciting things. We’ll miss you!

  13. fishywoman Avatar

    I found my home in 2002 on BME & IAM. Shannon, I will miss your humor and insight, and most of all I will miss the huge impact you have had on body modification. This community means so much to me, and I thank you for creating it. BME4LIFE

  14. fishywoman Avatar

    I found my home in 2002 on BME & IAM. Shannon, I will miss your humor and insight, and most of all I will miss the huge impact you have had on body modification. This community means so much to me, and I thank you for creating it. BME4LIFE

  15. Ashe Avatar
    Ashe

    wow. what news. I thank you for opening so many new ideas and concepts to me that I honestly probably wouldn’t have learned of for another few years. Granted I didn’t agree with everything you said since I’ve been lurking on here, I have mad respect for you and the knowledge you hold on something you genuinely love.
    Thanks for creating such a wonderful place for not only those who subscribe to the service, but for anyone and everyone.

    best wishes 🙂

  16. Ashe Avatar
    Ashe

    wow. what news. I thank you for opening so many new ideas and concepts to me that I honestly probably wouldn’t have learned of for another few years. Granted I didn’t agree with everything you said since I’ve been lurking on here, I have mad respect for you and the knowledge you hold on something you genuinely love.
    Thanks for creating such a wonderful place for not only those who subscribe to the service, but for anyone and everyone.

    best wishes 🙂

  17. blt Avatar
    blt

    Well, that’s the end of BME.

  18. blt Avatar
    blt

    Well, that’s the end of BME.

  19. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Bye Shannon…:(

  20. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Bye Shannon…:(

  21. AllOfUsAreLost Avatar
    AllOfUsAreLost

    Oh. Snap!
    Not what i was expecting to load up to this evening, i tells you.

  22. AllOfUsAreLost Avatar
    AllOfUsAreLost

    Oh. Snap!
    Not what i was expecting to load up to this evening, i tells you.

  23. EternalLife Avatar

    Sad news. It just won’t be the same without you. Thank you for giving us so much. All the best in everything you do.

  24. EternalLife Avatar

    Sad news. It just won’t be the same without you. Thank you for giving us so much. All the best in everything you do.

  25. bunnylingus Avatar
    bunnylingus

    i can only echo the sentiments of everyone else on here. thank you Shannon for all the blood, sweat and tears (figuratively and literally). I wish you all the best for future endeavors, may you have a happy life.
    xxx

  26. bunnylingus Avatar
    bunnylingus

    i can only echo the sentiments of everyone else on here. thank you Shannon for all the blood, sweat and tears (figuratively and literally). I wish you all the best for future endeavors, may you have a happy life.
    xxx

  27. Mixxi Avatar

    Just wanted to wish you luck in what you do next 🙂 and say thanks for everything!

  28. Mixxi Avatar

    Just wanted to wish you luck in what you do next 🙂 and say thanks for everything!

  29. Bigal Avatar
    Bigal

    Thanks for all the fun and those “Dammit!…Can’t be…it’s really…F*ck!”-Moments I went Through on ModBlog.
    Your Work here really did open my mind for a number of enigmatic (and suddenly not-so-alien) views and lifestyles.

    Best wishes and “halte die Ohren steif”!

  30. Bigal Avatar
    Bigal

    Thanks for all the fun and those “Dammit!…Can’t be…it’s really…F*ck!”-Moments I went Through on ModBlog.
    Your Work here really did open my mind for a number of enigmatic (and suddenly not-so-alien) views and lifestyles.

    Best wishes and “halte die Ohren steif”!

  31. Smurf666 Avatar
    Smurf666

    All the best Shannon. This is one of the best sites out there, thanks for everything!

  32. Smurf666 Avatar
    Smurf666

    All the best Shannon. This is one of the best sites out there, thanks for everything!

  33. beyond_repair Avatar
    beyond_repair

    correct me if I’m wrong…but to me this seems like the person who was the reason for all the legal issue trouble within the last months finally got what she wanted, the official takeover of modblog.
    but apart from that I want to thank you for all the crazy, sometimes disgusting, but always inspiring stuff you brought to me.

  34. beyond_repair Avatar
    beyond_repair

    correct me if I’m wrong…but to me this seems like the person who was the reason for all the legal issue trouble within the last months finally got what she wanted, the official takeover of modblog.
    but apart from that I want to thank you for all the crazy, sometimes disgusting, but always inspiring stuff you brought to me.

  35. JustJen Avatar
    JustJen

    Along with the hundred of other comments, I wish you luck Shannon. Your insight into life will protect you from the dark.
    Cheers.

  36. JustJen Avatar
    JustJen

    Along with the hundred of other comments, I wish you luck Shannon. Your insight into life will protect you from the dark.
    Cheers.

  37. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    I think I’m very far from a typical Modblog reader. I study science, I like mathematics and linguistics, I dress in neutral clothes, and I don’t have one single body modification and I certainly do not plan on getting any. Still I check Modblog several times a day, because I just happen to be very fascinated by others modifications. I used to disdain body modification and those who practise it, but through reading Modblog I have rather developed some kind respect for it.

    So, Shannon, I find it a bit sad that you leave the blog. Thanks for all interesting material that you have produced as long as I’ve been reading!

  38. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    I think I’m very far from a typical Modblog reader. I study science, I like mathematics and linguistics, I dress in neutral clothes, and I don’t have one single body modification and I certainly do not plan on getting any. Still I check Modblog several times a day, because I just happen to be very fascinated by others modifications. I used to disdain body modification and those who practise it, but through reading Modblog I have rather developed some kind respect for it.

    So, Shannon, I find it a bit sad that you leave the blog. Thanks for all interesting material that you have produced as long as I’ve been reading!

  39. Charlotte Avatar

    I can’t believe this. I’m speechless. I genuinely did not think for a moment that things would turn out this way.

    Best of luck with everything else.

  40. Charlotte Avatar

    I can’t believe this. I’m speechless. I genuinely did not think for a moment that things would turn out this way.

    Best of luck with everything else.

  41. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    Good luck in your new adventure.

    You will be missed 🙁

  42. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    Good luck in your new adventure.

    You will be missed 🙁

  43. cirrin Avatar
    cirrin

    I have to agree with this one “it’s like Hogwarts without Dumbledore!”

  44. cirrin Avatar
    cirrin

    I have to agree with this one “it’s like Hogwarts without Dumbledore!”

  45. Sian Avatar
    Sian

    Every comment you make you prove to me what an inspiring person you are. What a great guidance and source of acceptance you have been.
    Especially your last heading being a Hitchhikers quote.

    xoxo

  46. Sian Avatar
    Sian

    Every comment you make you prove to me what an inspiring person you are. What a great guidance and source of acceptance you have been.
    Especially your last heading being a Hitchhikers quote.

    xoxo

  47. helen Avatar

    good luck for the future shannon, thanks for bme, modblog and everything else.

  48. helen Avatar

    good luck for the future shannon, thanks for bme, modblog and everything else.

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News

  • Suspended, Not Silenced
    There’s something undeniably powerful about watching someone working through the stages of suspension. We all build up ideas about ourselves—what we’re allowed to feel, how much we’re allowed to express, when it’s okay to break. For some, suspension is not about pushing physical limits its… Read more: Suspended, Not Silenced
  • A Nightbird’s Passage
    Some stories take their time, unfolding over decades, through life’s long detours and diversions. But dreams never rest until they’re fully realized. Even after 15 years, Robb knew there was still a suspension experience waiting for him. Something left unfinished, something essential. At the Ontario… Read more: A Nightbird’s Passage
  • What Lifts the Body, Shifts the Soul
    First suspensions are rarely just about the body—they’re a meeting point between the physical and the deeply personal. Stepping into this experience isn’t simply about trying something new, but about stepping outside yourself to a version you had always sensed was waiting. I’ve had a… Read more: What Lifts the Body, Shifts the Soul
  • 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