August 2012 – Page 2 – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Tattoo Tuesday – A Mother/Son Tattoo Story

Published on August 21, 2012August 21, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle3 Comments

I am turning Tattoo Tuesday over to one my favorite blog friends, Karen Einsel. Her 2 blogs, Different Corners in My Life and Karen’s Different Corners are daily stops during my blog reading time.

Here she shares a story about her son’s first tattoo and the part she played in him acquiring it:

My son, Adam, wanted to get his first tattoo before he graduated high school and I told him no, that he had to wait until he was 18 and we went round and round about it. See he was only 17 when he graduated. I told him to wait until he was 18 and then I’d pay for his first tattoo and even get one myself, but he didn’t want to wait. Finally I made the mistake of telling him if he could pay for it (Which he wasn’t working and I knew he didn’t have the money for it) he could get one. What he didn’t tell me was his friends down the street, their uncle was a tattoo artist and he gave Adam his tattoo for free 🙂 I came home from work one Saturday and Adam was sitting in the chair and I sat down in the other chair across from him. Well his shirt sleeve didn’t quite cover his tattoo and I got up and walked over and touched it and asked if it was real. (It was pretty much healed at this time) I have never believed in hitting my kids. A few well worded threats and the mom stare has always kept them in line and he asked, “What are you going to do to me?” I went to work the following Monday and was telling my boss about it and he told me it was my own fault because I told my son if he could pay for it he could get one. Well he didn’t actually pay for it but…It’s been 10 years since his first one, he still hopes to have sleeves someday, but tats are expensive.

Here is a couple of Adam’s tattoos:

I love the color in the snake tattoo. Karen also mentioned Adam is a tattoo artist himself. Good luck to Adam and thanks to Karen for being a supportive mom. I tested my mom a lot, too and now she is my biggest fan.

You can also follow Karen on twitter at @k_einsel

Anyone else have a great tattoo story? I would love to hear it and feature you on Tattoo Tuesday.

My Weekly Update – What the Heck is it?

Published on August 19, 2012August 19, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle13 Comments

What the Heck is it?

I have lived in China for over 5 years and, I have eaten my share of weird stuff. Coagulated pigs blood, anyone. But, this ‘what ever the heck it is’ was a first for me. So, I decided to use it to spur on a little competition. Can you guess what this is and/or what’s in it?

If so, I would be happy to beta read, edit or critique a short story or one chapter of your WIP.

I beta read a story for one of my blog friends and really enjoyed it and learned a lot. And, I am testing out my edit and critique chops, so we all win here.

I will keep this contest open for a week. And, if no one can guess what it is, I will take the most creative answer. Have fun.

The Posts

Ava Jae wrote a great post on How to Read Your Writing Objectively. Great read for me as I will tackle the art of editing my first novel in September.

Jeff Goins posted My Morning Routine in 10 Simple Steps this week. My biggest struggle is getting going in the morning. I need a routine. The post includes several links to other writer’s morning routines. The one thing they all have in common, waking up early. Why can’t a morning routine start at 11:00 am? It’s still morning.

A general shout out to Wise, Ink. An indie Author’s Best Kept Secret ( I hope it is ok to tell). They are a great resource for any and all things writerly and recently posted two articles to help us Authorpreneurs.

New Followers

Elana Millman at Man on Top

Jeni at Joy and Woe

Vergielyn Cubol

JB Rowley

Ronald DeStefano

Donnie Dark O Girl

Give More Get More

Next Weeks Schedule – I seemed to have moved Friday post to early Saturday morning. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me something.

Tuesday – Tattoo Tuesday – A proud mother shares her son’s art work

Thursday – Sydney Quotes the Movies –

Friday/Saturday – Blog Post

Sunday – My Weekly Update – Look at goals for September and I need to have put a dent into my Campnano WiP or I am toast.

Shanghai is Going to be Good.

Published on August 18, 2012August 18, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle10 Comments

Two days into the move to Shanghai and I am happy to report the following:

Spent the first day observing this for work.

Then I was free to locate my favorite store

Because I am a Mac addict and I need to make sure I know exactly where to get my product.

I had to make sure I find a good place for this and this

I needed to make sure my favorite writing spot was close by

And a necessary back up since the former doesn’t open until 9:00 am on the weekends.

And, found these other essentials.

All in all, I think this move to Shanghai is going to be good. And, if I need any other inspiration, all I need to do is look out my window.

When you move to a new city, what do you scope out first?

Tattoo Tuesday – Will my design make a good tattoo?

Published on August 14, 2012August 14, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

The best person to answer this question is your tattoo artist. Actually, I should clarify. The best person to answer this question is your experienced tattoo artist. If he has experience, then he has seen more bad tattoos then good tattoos. He knows best, so listen to him.

My first tattoo (the sun and the moon), I had pictured it being very detailed and complex. But, I also wanted it very small and on a place where I could show it off when I wanted to and hide it if I needed to.

The tattoo artist said no. For a detailed tattoo you have to make it big enough so that in 5 – 10 years, the lines won’t blur together. If it is too small, it is almost guaranteed that it will not be recognizable in a few years.

I wanted to use 4 different colors. I pictured the sun being yellow and the moon being blue and the stars around it in green and white.

My tattoo artist said no. Black and grey with a few white accents. He explained that yellow, green, blue and white on my skin tone would not look yellow, green, blue and white. Color looks best on pale skin tones. Now, this was several years ago and I have seen people with my skin tone with color tattoos, but they went to artist that were experienced in tatting their skin tone. Great lesson to remember, which takes me to my next point.

Make sure the tattoo artist is capable of doing the design and style you want with absolute confidence.

One of my tattoos was a great idea, great concept. The artist thought he could do it like I wanted it. But, he wasn’t sure. Red flag. I didn’t listen and got a bad tattoo. It has since been covered and correct it, but there is nothing more upsetting then getting a tattoo that you don’t like.

So, look at images, create a concept, pick out a style and color. But, be prepared. You artist may have a better way to express your idea and give you a good tattoo as well. After all, that is the goal.

What are some of your tattoo design ideas? Anyone else have a bad tattoo?

I am still looking for submissions for future Tattoo Tuesdays. Share your tattoo stories.

Sydney Aaliyah is a Guest

Published on August 13, 2012August 13, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle10 Comments

I hijacked Arlee Bird’s blog; Tossing it Out

Looking for Direction – Writing Careers

I figured that giving the opportunity to reach an audience considerable larger then my own, I would seek some advice on writing careers. I have been researching careers in writing for some time now. And, all I need is something to tide me over until I become a famous author. The choices are a little confusing or maybe I am lazy, but I can’t seem to find a job that quite suits me. You be the judge?

Please check it out and let me know what you think.