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.

Better Late Than Never News

Here I am with your weekend update, what I will now refer to as your “better late than never news”.

What would news be without some celebrity gossip? Apparently, Katie wants a tattoo, but Tom says, I don’t think so! Charlie Sheen is having some personal problems but his tattoos seem to be the topic of discussion. I’ve seen several reports on his recent spat with his (probably soon to be ex) wife and nearly every one talks about his tattoos. Of course, most importantly, Miley Cyrus wants Taylor Swift to get a tattoo. Whatever you do, don’t let Kanye find out!

Ok, now that we’ve taken care of that, let’s move on to some real news:

An exhibition in Philadelphia is tracing the history of tattoos and sailors. The exhibition runs until February 7th so if you’re in the area, check it out and let us know what you thought.

In California, an Air Force recruit, whose tattoos caused some controversy, has finally been sworn in. The Air Force is continuing to look at the issue of tattoos and whether or not to develop some kind of policy about them.

Here’s the kind of story I love, about a 78 year old lady who just got her first tattoo.

In Orlando, a firefighter’s tattoo has inspired a line of clothing.

Finally, I was just sent a link to this story, that interviews a mother who, along with her husband, is being charged with cruelty to a child after they gave 6 of their 7 children homemade tattoos. They used a homemade machine to “draw” the tattoos on, as the article says, using a guitar string as a needle. The youngest of the children is ten years old. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m thinking the guitar string wasn’t autoclaved and the risk to their children goes beyond some poorly done tattoos. What’s your opinion?

Comments

86 responses to “Better Late Than Never News”

  1. SS Avatar
    SS

    ian mckown – You’re SUCH a liar. You did NOT hate to break the news that there are no answers 😛

    As far as that couple that were tattooing kids…I guess just mass ignorance on their part, by not realizing that what they were doing was dangerous and unsanitary, not to mention that it’s not their right to do whatever they want to their kids (like tattoo them)…and 2 of the kids weren’t even theirs!? Just too ridiculous. Reminds me of that lady that was piercing cats and putting jewelry on them that was so heavy that it made their ears droop. She put them on eBay as “gothic” cats and didn’t know what she was doing was illegal. She thought it was “neat”.

  2. SS Avatar
    SS

    ian mckown – You’re SUCH a liar. You did NOT hate to break the news that there are no answers 😛

    As far as that couple that were tattooing kids…I guess just mass ignorance on their part, by not realizing that what they were doing was dangerous and unsanitary, not to mention that it’s not their right to do whatever they want to their kids (like tattoo them)…and 2 of the kids weren’t even theirs!? Just too ridiculous. Reminds me of that lady that was piercing cats and putting jewelry on them that was so heavy that it made their ears droop. She put them on eBay as “gothic” cats and didn’t know what she was doing was illegal. She thought it was “neat”.

  3. shanwich Avatar
    shanwich

    i really dont care , this is all very pointless..
    i was just trying to say that if someone has a shit load of kids, and completely relies on other people for all there needs, they are useless, and should die for the greater good .. like the movie “idiocracy” . stupid people breeding out of control is a threat to the future … enabling idiots to continue there lifestyle is a horrible idea. i also have an issue with tourists giving money to the homeless, the bums are just going to buy booze, when they run out of booze and money they will spend foodstamps on ‘cooking cherry’

    i just hope that some day the idiot enabling government will be gone, and the stupid people will die/kill each other off .. and everyone else will survive because of useful skills , and intelligence. i have lived off the land enough to know what i am doing. i also know of enough people so fat they cant walk , who will starve to death with out fast food.

  4. shanwich Avatar
    shanwich

    i really dont care , this is all very pointless..
    i was just trying to say that if someone has a shit load of kids, and completely relies on other people for all there needs, they are useless, and should die for the greater good .. like the movie “idiocracy” . stupid people breeding out of control is a threat to the future … enabling idiots to continue there lifestyle is a horrible idea. i also have an issue with tourists giving money to the homeless, the bums are just going to buy booze, when they run out of booze and money they will spend foodstamps on ‘cooking cherry’

    i just hope that some day the idiot enabling government will be gone, and the stupid people will die/kill each other off .. and everyone else will survive because of useful skills , and intelligence. i have lived off the land enough to know what i am doing. i also know of enough people so fat they cant walk , who will starve to death with out fast food.

  5. shanwich Avatar
    shanwich

    there might not be “answers” but there are plenty of solutions .

  6. shanwich Avatar
    shanwich

    there might not be “answers” but there are plenty of solutions .

  7. ian mckown Avatar

    sounds like you’ve at timesbeena drain on society aswell. hmmm

  8. ian mckown Avatar

    sounds like you’ve at timesbeena drain on society aswell. hmmm

  9. Vee Avatar
    Vee

    Gee, shanwich, where ever did I hear about stupid/useless/unworthy people dying and those with useful skills surviving?
    Also I don’t know whether or not you actually have a mental illness, but flaunting that fact (?) is not very classy, especially since it has nothing to do with the present discussion.

    As for this news: people do not OWN their children, pure and simple.

  10. Vee Avatar
    Vee

    Gee, shanwich, where ever did I hear about stupid/useless/unworthy people dying and those with useful skills surviving?
    Also I don’t know whether or not you actually have a mental illness, but flaunting that fact (?) is not very classy, especially since it has nothing to do with the present discussion.

    As for this news: people do not OWN their children, pure and simple.

  11. gandy Avatar
    gandy

    @shanwich, you said in post #22 ” i have never thought of my self as an intellect ”

    anbd in post 25 you said “i just hope that some day the idiot enabling government will be gone, and the stupid people will die/kill each other off .. and everyone else will survive because of useful skills , and intelligence.”

    so i asume you’ll be 1st to go? hahaha poxy freeloaders

  12. gandy Avatar
    gandy

    @shanwich, you said in post #22 ” i have never thought of my self as an intellect ”

    anbd in post 25 you said “i just hope that some day the idiot enabling government will be gone, and the stupid people will die/kill each other off .. and everyone else will survive because of useful skills , and intelligence.”

    so i asume you’ll be 1st to go? hahaha poxy freeloaders

  13. Danielle Avatar
    Danielle

    Regarding the article on the 78 year old grandma getting her first tattoo, I thought that was cute. I especially liked that she put some thought into her first tattoo and it actually meant something to her. Reading that article made me think I should have put more thought into getting that small matching tattoo with my now ex-husband.

    On the article about the monsters who tattooed their children, that’s just sick. I have a 2 year old son myself, and I could not ever, ever, ever imagine subjecting himself to something that inhumane. Those parents who did the tattooing ought to get very severe punishment. How in the world could they do something so awful?

  14. Danielle Avatar
    Danielle

    Regarding the article on the 78 year old grandma getting her first tattoo, I thought that was cute. I especially liked that she put some thought into her first tattoo and it actually meant something to her. Reading that article made me think I should have put more thought into getting that small matching tattoo with my now ex-husband.

    On the article about the monsters who tattooed their children, that’s just sick. I have a 2 year old son myself, and I could not ever, ever, ever imagine subjecting himself to something that inhumane. Those parents who did the tattooing ought to get very severe punishment. How in the world could they do something so awful?

  15. shanwich Avatar
    shanwich

    @ vee
    mental illness isnt classy? do you honestly think i care about being “classy” ? i always feel the need to warn people that i am schizophrenic before a conversation …. because i dont usually make a whole lot of sense.

    @ian
    no, i wasnt a drain on society due to the fact that i PAID my medical bills i accumulated while in colorado state psych. ward…

    i am not sure why everyone feels the need to pick apart the comments i leave, you dont have anything better to do?

  16. shanwich Avatar
    shanwich

    @ vee
    mental illness isnt classy? do you honestly think i care about being “classy” ? i always feel the need to warn people that i am schizophrenic before a conversation …. because i dont usually make a whole lot of sense.

    @ian
    no, i wasnt a drain on society due to the fact that i PAID my medical bills i accumulated while in colorado state psych. ward…

    i am not sure why everyone feels the need to pick apart the comments i leave, you dont have anything better to do?

  17. Paige Avatar
    Paige

    @shanwich — Thank you for giving us control over your emotional state.

  18. Paige Avatar
    Paige

    @shanwich — Thank you for giving us control over your emotional state.

  19. Paige Avatar
    Paige

    Also, mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of and has nothing to do with being “classy” or not. My partner is bipolar and I’ve been hospitalized twice for depression. I’m also epileptic; not quite what is usually thought of as a “mental illness” but does affect how my mind works.

    Take care of yourself, shanwich

  20. Paige Avatar
    Paige

    Also, mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of and has nothing to do with being “classy” or not. My partner is bipolar and I’ve been hospitalized twice for depression. I’m also epileptic; not quite what is usually thought of as a “mental illness” but does affect how my mind works.

    Take care of yourself, shanwich

  21. shanwich Avatar
    shanwich

    @paige.
    thank you. i try. it can be really hard for me sometimes..

  22. shanwich Avatar
    shanwich

    @paige.
    thank you. i try. it can be really hard for me sometimes..

  23. SS Avatar
    SS

    @33- If you make comments about genocide, and proceed to get into a debate with others, don’t get upset when your points are torn apart.

  24. SS Avatar
    SS

    @33- If you make comments about genocide, and proceed to get into a debate with others, don’t get upset when your points are torn apart.

  25. shanwich Avatar
    shanwich

    i did not get upset at any point in the conversation, i believe you have been mistaken.

  26. shanwich Avatar
    shanwich

    i did not get upset at any point in the conversation, i believe you have been mistaken.

  27. gandy Avatar
    gandy

    i’ll have to 100% agree with SS if your going to come along and start saying crazy stupid things about this that and everything alse are you so shocked when someone points out that you shot yourself in the foot?

  28. gandy Avatar
    gandy

    i’ll have to 100% agree with SS if your going to come along and start saying crazy stupid things about this that and everything alse are you so shocked when someone points out that you shot yourself in the foot?

  29. Leeloo Avatar

    My mom had her first tat done at age 63. A few months later she went back and had a second done! We had our first done together; I got my second tattoo a few months after she had her second one done. I think it’s awesome when older individuals throw convention out the window!

  30. Leeloo Avatar

    My mom had her first tat done at age 63. A few months later she went back and had a second done! We had our first done together; I got my second tattoo a few months after she had her second one done. I think it’s awesome when older individuals throw convention out the window!

  31. Kuanyin707 Avatar
    Kuanyin707

    My grandfather transferred to the Air Force from the Army in WWII and he used to tell me a story (not sure how true it is) about a guy he went through flight training with. The guy was the best in the group, but he had a naked woman tattooed on his arm. At the time, there was a no-tattoo rule for the Air Force, but the guy was so good at flying, they didn’t want to pass him up. So finally, they agreed to let him in–on the condition that he tattoo a dress on the girl!

  32. Kuanyin707 Avatar
    Kuanyin707

    My grandfather transferred to the Air Force from the Army in WWII and he used to tell me a story (not sure how true it is) about a guy he went through flight training with. The guy was the best in the group, but he had a naked woman tattooed on his arm. At the time, there was a no-tattoo rule for the Air Force, but the guy was so good at flying, they didn’t want to pass him up. So finally, they agreed to let him in–on the condition that he tattoo a dress on the girl!

  33. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    The tattoo exhibit was interesting, not huge, the best part is the projected tattoo simulator.

  34. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    The tattoo exhibit was interesting, not huge, the best part is the projected tattoo simulator.

  35. Fireground Avatar

    7 years later that Firefighter Tattoo inspired business has grown huge, following in their footsteps is http://www.fireground.ca

  36. Fireground Avatar

    7 years later that Firefighter Tattoo inspired business has grown huge, following in their footsteps is http://www.fireground.ca

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News

  • 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
  • Rachel Larratt 1980-2022
    Unfortunately, when we lost some of the ModBlog content, it included the post about Rachel’s passing. (Original Post) Rachel passed away on June 22, 2022. She died in her sleep. Even now, it’s extremely difficult to write this post. Rachel meant so much to so… Read more: Rachel Larratt 1980-2022