Ladies and gentleman, I present for your approval, the "world famous" Palladium, where Big-Band era concerts roared and where yours truly spent the weekend working LA's annual Inkslingers Ball, a tattoo convention that attracts comers from all over the globe. All manner of interesting sights await inside.... 

And so it announces itself. 

Being totally unaccustomed to seeing the need for extreme social restraints, having first come from the bucolic midwest and now living in sheltered Burbank, I initially had not a clue as to what this sign meant. I HOPED it didn't mean what I was thinking; some sort of racial slur. Rather, it meant no gang colors. Duh. Jeanna said in the past they'd had problems but since tightening security and posting signs, it really became quite tame. As tame as these types of things can get, I imagine! 

I love this sign left over from the old days, when only sailors and women of "questionable virtue" got tattoos. 

Hey Jeanna, whatcha doin'? Working her tail off selling t-shirts, which is what we did all weekend. I only paused for a moment to snap this picture then hopped back behind the bar to get back to it! 

And we're off! Business was brisk allllll day. 

We decide we need to stop long enough to order from Roscoe's Chicken n' Waffles. No, I am not making that up: it's an LA institution! And they have killer soul food-- both Jeanna and I had chicken, red beans and rice and cornbread on the house. MMmmm good! 

A picture from the balcony of The Palladium's main floor. If it looks a bit like a carnival, well.... 

Just a sample of some of the fine goods purveyed by other vendors. This is available at JustWrong.net if anyone feels the need for such an item. 

Tattoo Mania from Hollywood, CA, reminds this girl that beauty IS pain, sometimes. 

Some poor sap getting a tattoo in a truly cringe-worthy place. He was really hurting, I gotta tell ya! 

Mike Atkinson, a really nice guy, entering the Full-Body contest. 

Mrs. Atkinson with HER tattoos, on the top half... 

....and the bottom half! She's won over 50 awards for her body art. 

Butterfly Ray ( who has a whole body of only butterflies), at 70, has been coming to these events for over 14 years. Isee, a convention attendee shares her butterflies with his. When I told them my plans to get my butterlfy tattoo ( watch this space!) they both had tons of stories about their art. Most people do, no matter what it is, and they're pretty amazing to hear.They always mean something fascinating, 

The ever-beloved Gil Montie, who hosts this event each year. A formerr Mexican gang member, he's famous for leaving the streets, cleaning up his life, and devoting himself to the trade. Here he is with his new wife, Desiree. Despite the age difference, they seem really happy. He calls her "ma". As is in, "hey, ma! Look how cute this picture of us is!" 

....and here's me with the world-renowned artist Rick Walker. He's such a cool guy for so many reasons, not the least of which is his friendly demeanor and humility. And he's a snappy dresser for close to 70! 

My baby boy, Angel, had surgery on a cancerous tumor next to his ear in August, and had to wear a cone to keep him from pulling his stiches out post-op. There were lots of complications ( see next pic). But he was already pretty mad at me. Not possessed ( that's just the flash!), just unhappy. 

Poor buddy. This is after the trip to the vets for surgery AND the two trips to the emergency room to get his infection drained. He was less than thrilled and really tired. Crashed out on the couch. 

Angel decided he was mad at mom already and since she wouldn't give him constant attention ( which is never enough) and he pleads with Allie. 

He just could not stand that he couldn't get a good scratch in under his chin, so he begged us to do it for him. I got tired of doing it and so he moved over to Allie. 

"What about me, mom? Take a picture of me tooooooo!" My little croissant Griffin cat. 

Angel relaxing on my bed after the stitches came out and the hated cone coming off. 

Okay, looking at this again, I realize it needs a bit of back story: I have this stuffed horse I sleep with ( hey, if there's no boyfriend, I might as well get to sleep with a stud! Har har.). Angel is obsessed with it, and wont leave it alone. I don't judge his lifestyle choices, it's just a little, um, intense. 

Griffin is The As Yet Undisputed King of Naps, Western Hemisphere Division.