The first day

The first day in Waukesha Tattoo Company @ Galleria Edge history is quite interesting. We received the ok to tattoo in mid afternoon, and I replied some emails and twittered. Next thing I know, I am booked for the night!

It is so sweet to tattoo again. You have no idea how much I miss the sore back and customers' smile. THANK YOU!

Come see us!

WE ARE OPEN!

WE ARE OPEN!!!

YES WE ARE!

I will be working everyday this week except Sunday!

Make an appointment or just stop by to see the new place!

Waukesha tattoo company
463 w main st
Waukesha, Wi 53186

262-349-9013

Tomorrow, tomorrow

I received a call from the Dept, of Health Service Milwaukee division today. They told me the inspector returns from vacation tomorrow. I do hope to have him out tomorrow afternoon to look the place over. I am hoping to start taking appointments as soon as 12-30. I will work 12-31 and 1-1 if needed. I know a lot of my customer had been more than patient waiting for me to tattoo again.

The truth is..... I CAN'T WAIT TO TATTOO AGAIN! :) The new shop is nice and even though it is just for the next two month before Flux Design completely transform it, I think you will like the space, the coffee maker, the cable TV, the wi-fi. I do have to say that because we do not know the design yet so no fancy couch yet. I really think you will like the parking lot as well, no more 2 hour parking!

Stay tuned on WaukeshaTattoo.com! I will post the news ASAP! The shop number is 262-349-9013.

A 20 year old tattoo

12-26-1989 was the date. I was in Colorado staying with high school friend Brian Light. Somehow we decided to go get a tattoo that day, my first.

We drove down to Nevada Ave. in Colorado Springs and there were two places there then. Snakes tattoo or Enchanted Dragon II. No one was in Snakes so we went to Enchanted Dragon II. There were another place on Platte Blvd, but it was very scary in there.

We talked to the owner Lynn, and we both picked out our designs. I chose a heart with wings but asked to have a crack in the heart... I wanted it to be small and colorful, and detail... and only $60. Brian picked out comedy/tragedy masks and his was $100.

I was nervous, and I was rocking the chair because I want to see. Lynn was getting mad while holding down my ankle. Common mistake people makes is that you always assume a gal has a lighter touch tattooing, I later found out Bill had such a light hand that this gal was just a brute with quite an attitude! She gave it to me and gave it to me good.

She did give me another tattoo few months later with Bill inked my second one. Another mistake I made was to argue price with her BEFORE the tattoo. Pretty funny if I look back at it.

I did go back few years later to tell her that I became a tattoo artist, she gave me a hug but likely did not remember me. The shop then moved. I just looked on the Internet and they are still somewhere on Nevada Ave. Perhaps a field trip will be in order next time I go to Colorado.

You always remember your first, and that is why first tattoo experience is so important to be a pleasant one from the artist point of view.

Avatar 3D (2009)

It is a James Cameron movie after all, the plot is predictable, however, this movie is just amazing. You must see it in 3D. If all the movies are in digital 3D, I think I will be going to the movies more often!

Go see it in the theater! You MUST, MUST, MUST see it in 3D!

Santa's Slay (2005)

Okay, I know what you are thinking, no, I did not have some funny egg nog. This movie has some history.

It is not an award winner and the plot is sketchy at best but it was Bill's favorite Christmas movie. I had the DVD for years and always meant to watch it. It is certainly a guy movie, a black comedy of some sort. I can see why Bill loved this movie and it is a "fun" hour of slashing by Santa.

This should be a Christmas classic in Killer Tomato sort of way.

I finally saw it, Bill, I can still see how much you talked up this movie in a joyful way in my mind. That brings a smile to my face.

The gift

There is no presents under the tree when I woke up this morning. There is not even a tree. I am thankful, because the gift I received is much better.

Despite everything, I know my family and friends stand by me through thick and thin. All the love fills my heart. I am still here, living a dream.

Thank you for the wonderful gift.

A day for my mother

Chinese have another way to describe a birthday as " mother-difficulty-day " because a mother has to suffer great pain to give birth. Today is 40th such day for my mother and she has the scar to prove it.

Little did I realized until just a few years ago that she picked my birthday. She was having difficulty with me and she picked "Silent Night" to have the c-section. The practical reason was also that December 25th is the Constitutional Day in Taiwan and I will always have a day off after my birthday.

I know all my family are in Taiwan right now with Lyra and Cherie visiting from England, please celebrate this day for mother. I will just blog about it from afar.

Thank you, mom.

LIVE! From Waukesha Tattoo Company @ Galleria Edge

This is the first blog and beginning of many I will write from the galleria location (WTC@GE) for short. Snow is falling outside and these giant picture windows are great!

This morning we passed all the city's inspections. We just need to pass the one from the state and we are all set to start tattooing!

My booth is coming along too. I will share a picture one of these days but I do prefer you come and see it yourself. Of course everything in here is just for a few months. Flux Design is here looking around, measure things up as I am typing!

Pretty exciting, hey?

On the verge of owning a building

Wife and I will become a proud owner of a 2400 sq ft commercial building later today. It will certainly be life changing but it is time to take that extra step.

I was a renter in an apartment for a long time, I was comfortable, but all the sudden everything changed and I was married and bought a house within three month. It was a true blessing that it happened if you look at it from a distance.

I have no regret on taking the steps and to let go. It was not an easy decision but a necessary one. Chances like this do not come by often and being decisive is everything to have a successful future. Failure is just not an option. I often think of my dear customers (and Bill too) and their life wisdom I stole, and how amazed I am when I see them face terrible odds in life but accept it with great humility and dignity. I admire that and I do want to give them the best experience I can, for whatever the brief chance encounter in this so called life. I am truly blessed to be where I am and I can see the vision taking shape. It is just details from here.

I can not thank you all enough for your support and your continuing patience.

The Cove (2009)

This movie is really brutal on the heart and the mind. It is really one of those really really ugly truth that no one wants to admit.

I am so heart broken watching this movie, and it is like the Nanking massacre of dolphins by the Japanese in this tiny town. The worst was that the dolphin meat is so high in mercury YET they donate some to the local school to feed the children!

Devastating images, but it brings awareness. I hope everyone sees this movie and understand that we human are capable of such terrible things and we have to stop it.

Red box it with urgency.

p.s. It is also devastating watching the special feature regarding mercury in USA. I know I will not be eating tuna anytime soon. It was telling when they interviewed a group of Japanese scientists and all of them refused to eat sushi. They did a study themselves eating certain amount of tuna a day and measure the mercury level in their own blood, it was going up the chart. When they switch to sushi grade tuna, they thought it would be better, WRONG, it went up doubled the amount! We are not even talk about the mercury preservative in common flu shots! ( We get the preservative free ones instead! )

Sushi coma

Wife and I went to Fujiyama on Bluemound for half price sushi. We ordered Eel roll with avocado, Saki roll, Sweet potato roll, Spider roll, Rock n' Roll and Crispy eel roll. It was a " Carb Bomb" with mega ton yield!

I am now sitting here in a sushi coma with my tongue hanging out. You are just jealous, I know.

Julie and Julia (2009)

Okay, it is a long movie, you have to prepare for that. Not quite a romantic comedy but love is certainly a strong element in it. I am a foodie and I blog, so this is a movie for me.

I have a goal, and at times I struggle and there will be more ahead, but it is inspiring that Amy Adams' character achieved what she set out to do: cooking through Julia Child's cookbook in 365 days. One thing for sure is that the use of butter is very old fashion but it was used a lot! I mean A LOT!

Great acting in this movie but it is a long movie, two true stories in one. Red box it.

The plan ahead

The biggest hurdle is done. We have a conditional use permit for a tattoo shop. The neighbors are all very nice and the two designers for the interior are both very qualified.

I am hoping to have everything inspected, while I review the two competing designs. I will work hard to be tattoo ready at least for some of my long time customers by end of December/ early January. The space is pretty much set up from its hair salon past but it will be completely re-done as an art space by end of February. It will also give me a chance to test out the appointment software and work out other kinks.

I will continue to post update and when I am ready to tattoo, I will have a soft opening with it being appointment only, while I will have 15 min free consultation appointments as well. I can see the grand opening already, and it will be an event.

One step at a time, I see the mountain top and the path leads to it.



Thank you for your patience, I know you are out there. Email me at koolfool@koolfooltattoo.com if you like. :)

Meet the neighbors

I walked around today to meet the new neighbors. The only one I did not go in was the Planned Parenthood, the place was full of young girls and I do not want to make anyone uncomfortable, well, when I say anyone, I mean me.... :)

All the neighbors are very nice and I am really lucky to be part of this West End community. I realized that I tattooed three of them!!! Pretty interesting, hey? There will definitely be a neighbor discount!

Slowly, everything is falling in place. I am very blessed to be at this position.

Co-exist in harmony

Some people asked, how can you be a Buddhist and Taoist in the same time? I do not see the problem. Perhaps in western culture, there is a thought to be very exclusive and not deviate from the center. From my upbringing, that every road leads to Rome.

For the Waukesha Tattoo Company project, I think I can have it upscale for the up and coming trendy Downtown, but still pay tribute to the industrial, blue collar culture of Waukesha. I do not see a conflict, and I do think there is a happy medium in the two directions of Downtown Waukesha.

Tattooing is a very middle class art these days, but it can have its high art or low brow moments as well. Everything is flexible, tattoo art is about tolerance. In a way, all art should encourage that tolerance, and a dialogue.

As an artist, I am not interested at local politics or conflicts, my job is to make the world more positive and beautiful. I just want to be a good neighbor to everyone, help to bring more people into Waukesha and discover all the great stuff downtown offers. Do you know you can have 2- 3 big rolls of sushi for $9-13 at Sakura? How about the top quality popcorn treat at Poppin on Broadway? (Try Caramel Cheddar, it is crazy good!) Have you had a Daily Double at Rochester's Deli? Homemade corn beef hash at Dave's? Sweet potato fries at People's? Mango Slushy and a Thai wrap at Steaming Cup? THAT IS JUST THE FOOD! (So sorry to other business, I am a foodie and I can not help it!)

Do go see the smiling faces at Nice Ash, Neil's Barber shop, Mini mart, Three sisters' and I know I have not even tried all the service and goods in downtown myself yet! I have yet to tackle the Pink Poodle, the giant ziggy piggy ice cream treat, nor the Gen-5's tappa. There is one large metal sculpture I like to buy at Urban Abode... ;)

A community is a community, I like to offer a moderate point of view and really, co-exist in harmony.

George the Futurist wannabe

I am not that smart as the city planners, but I can guess what will happen in a few years. If you just look at where all the Styza properties are, he had downtown Waukesha surrounded, except the South end.

In my amateur research that it rumored he was planning on buying the block between South and Broadway which is for sale for one million dollars. If the price gets better, I would say more condos and shops will come.

One key will remain: PARKING. Unless your business is right next to a city parking lot, street parking will almost be like hand to hand combat. For the ones playing the parking game, the rules will get tougher and local business owners will get more protective.

Years ago, when the old Pix theater was for sale for $70,000, Bill and I were talking about turning it into a theater with dining (then came Rosebud and now a concept in Majestic), but Mr. Styza bought it. He was going to level it to be parking lot and forced Bill to move his shop which was part of the Pix building. Somehow the plan fell through and the building was donated and is now Waukesha Civic Theater.

( On a side note, I was living at Mountain Village at the time and I was told my unit will be converted into the next rental office. It forced me to go and buy the house I live in now. That is why I said Mr. Styza got me twice, but both times were blessings in disguise.) I met Mr. Styza recently and he was quite nice to me.

I was at a neighborhood in Portland called Hawthorne, I often imagine that is what downtown Waukesha is turning into. There were coffee shops side by side, unique diners and art stores, fun gift shops, pizza place, street dining and just a hip place to be. It was also a place plagued by parking woes.

My sister lives in Greenwich, U.K. Another town reminds me of Waukesha. There are hip condos there and same unique dining, shops, farmer's market, and movie theater. The differences are that there are a lot more green space because of the old Queen's House and due to the mass transit system, parking might be an issue but not as many people need to own cars.

Have said that, the parking ticket processing company the city of Waukesha farmed out to is far from perfect. I had two run-ins when a ticket was falsely attributed to me and another given with my parking permit hanging. The service people was quite rude on the phone and somehow they lost all the paperwork I sent in. Waukesha's finest finally step in and fixed the problem. It is difficult to pay other than credit card and often one paid twice under the threat of suspension of registration. Perhaps that is the secret so some people will get fed up enough and buy permits and park in lots.

Free parking will be a big deal, you wait and see. :)

The West End

For the people who are not familiar with Waukesha, coming into downtown is always a challenge. I think the west entrance of Main St. is often overlooked.

What can be easier if one just get off hwy 94, go south on hwy F straight turning into North St. then cross over the bridge at the end of North St, turn left on West Ave by Veterans' Park, and West will turn into Main St.

The beauty of the West End is that it is close enough to Five Point by walking, but most building there have its own parking lot! There are also hidden gems in term of architecture.

As you driving down North St. you will not miss the massive orange Mountain Village apartment complex that I once lived. Mr. Bryce Styza had a lot of rental properties in Waukesha and I must say that he placed his properties well and he has style! ( even though I was "forced" out of two places he own somehow, but that is another funny blog. ) There are also new condo projects along the Fox River with a modern design. The design echos with the new fire station on St. Paul. Can't you just see future developments along the river with the river walk and bridges already in place all the way to West End? There is also the magnificent Hekkers' House, that was an old car dealership turned into an artistic building with residence on the second floor, while first floor contains a collector car showroom and garage, a real high class MAN CAVE! They also did two condos above Katydids overlook downtown and they are for sale! I think whoever discovers them will really appreciate the refined detail and the charm. (My wife was so taken by the kitchen counter surface, she talked about it for days, but I am the cook in the house! hmmmm... too much HGTV! )

Yes, I am buying a building on the West End, and no, I am not just hyping it. There are real potentials and less restriction with parking, traffic and space. It is actually very beautiful if you just talk a walk down that way sometimes. I am sure you will have the same thoughts as me. (and not mention a possible dog park coming...) ;)

Thank you!

I just want to say THANK YOU for flood of emails in support and all the kind comments. I think the positive energy is gathering and it really brings a smile to my face.

The world is mess up enough, I think all the kindness is contagious. I thank you for all your good wishes and I know you will receive goodness in tenfold. :)

Waukesha Tattoo Company @ Galleria Edge

Today is the most important day for this venture. The proposal goes in front of the plan commission for a conditional use permit for a tattoo parlor. The permit will clear the way for us to buy the building with its parking lot. With owning a building, the cost structure will free the shop to offer a more posh surrounding.

I know for years Bill and I talked about how nice it would be to own a building, tattoo and display art in the front, while there is enough space for other art projects in the back. Opportunities came and went, and in the long view, that would have all been great visions. I really admired that his decision to move from one side of Main Street to the opposite side of the Gazebo. Even I was wondering why, because no one ever goes to that side of downtown. His vision stood up to the test of time. The Gazebo was gone, and all the one ways were gone. Then all of a sudden his shop was sitting in a prime spot.

Today will be the day one is to realize my vision, the vision to keep tattooing in Waukesha without the parking issue it generates. The vision to best fit into a new up and coming trendy West End and to contribute to a thriving art culture in downtown Waukesha. It is time for tattooing to blend into the community more and in an upscale way. The vision to have a space for tattoo artists to be more and have the freedom with that space.

I attribute my vision to my mentor Bill, I am willing to put my resources where my mouth is. I am walking that cliff edge without a safety net. Join me with this vision, I want to share it.

A nice write up in Freeman Newspaper

(photo thanks to Nancy T.)

Thanks to a lot of local support, I think a nice story in Waukesha Freeman is just what is needed for the next step of realizing a vision.

I do not have the link so I do encourage you to go out and buy one. Yes, a newspaper. I do hope this plan will achieve what I set out to do. Before tattoo gets pushed out from all the newer posh storefronts in Downtown Waukesha, I want to find a location that is good for business and good for the community. I hope customers will never have to play the whole parking game again, and I can foresee the higher level of customer service in an art gallery setting.

I am also interviewing two designing firms and they both have a lot to bring to the table. I do want this place to be worthy of the trendy West End.

Once again, I want the past to be past and I am excited about the future. The vision is a healing process for me as I getting closer to realize it. Yes, it is an investment to something I love and deeply believe in. There are risk and bad feelings along the way, but I believe in what I am doing is right for the long run. I have to do what is right for my family and for the art of tattooing and for Waukesha. It is time for an upgrade and I am willing to spend for the future because no one else would do it. I hope one day he will look down smiling and see his vision realized, my dear friend.

Today's advanture

We took the pups to Madison to walk the State Street. We met up with 4 other greyhounds and we managed to walk around in this sunny but cold day. The pups were all dressed in their best and people love them!

People were asking questions, and that was the purpose of bringing awareness for the needy greys from Dairyland closing. We have people take photos, and even one man thank us for rescuing racing greys, little did he know that we got the better end of that deal with their devoted love.

After the soul enriching walk, we met up with Mary Lou for a nice Indian dinner. The question shall not be what we ate but what we did not eat! It was like a 4 course meal and I am still stuffed! It did not stop us from licking the bowl however! This Taj place in Madison is that good!

It is always a good time with Mary Lou and she is so happy these days. I am happy too so we are all very happy to be happy together! :)

I should have ordered my own Mango ice cream though......

Walking the pups!

Today at 3pm, there is an event to walk the State St. in Madison with greyhounds. The event is to bring awareness to all the greyhounds in need from Dairyland racing closing.

We are going! We hope to meet up with our good friend Mary Lou and support this wonderful cause! I guess there is some side benefit of not working. ;)

For your inner Trekkie

Please read this.



And also this. That is how we have President Obama today due to Seven of Nine.

A December memory

Years and years ago, some of Rachel's friends come visit. They are from Russia. It was a mild winter, but we were walking around outside yet.

The husband was quite a character, I think his real name was Rudolph, but people call him Rudy for short. He was a card carrying communist still, which make quite a good conversation topic.

We were walking and all the sudden Rudy said we should quick go inside. I did not see any cloud in the sky so I asked why. He said it is going to rain. I disagreed because there is no such report and the air seems pretty dry. I even bet him five bucks for it.

What do you know, the cloud came out of no where and it started to rain! I can still see the smile on Rudy's face. Defeated, I handed him the five dollar and turn to tell Rachel my wife:


"RUDOLPH, THE RED, KNOWS RAIN, DEAR!"

:)

Dilemma

A dilemma (Greek δί-λημμα "double proposition") is a problem offering at least two solutions or possibilities, of which none are practically acceptable; one in this position has been traditionally described as "being on the horns of a dilemma", neither horn being comfortable; or "being between a rock and a hard place", since both objects or metaphorical choices being rough.(from Wiki)

I remember the ethic class in college, a dilemma is presented to us: You are at the track control and a runaway train is coming down fast. You have a choice, you can lead the train to left where 5 men were working or to the right, where there is a kid. For sure, you decide the life and death of the two outcome.

Most people would save the kid just out of instinct. The argument would be that it takes a lot to raise 5 people to be men and the greater good would be to save the men. The other side would be, who are these men? are they prisoners? Are they good people? For sure two sides will find a way to justify the decision.

The only truth: to avoid a dilemma is not getting yourself into one but talk about it on paper like this.

A shop conversation

I remember getting into a discussion with Shugar at the shop. She said something about Law of Frequency, which I have no clue what it means still. I think she said if you wish for something hard enough, it will come true. I said, no, grasshopper, dreams only come true if you lay the steps to get there. I know I had been disappointed enough times in life when my wish did not come true.

However, I must say that if one dreams of something, it might take time to get all the star aligned. You will have that one chance then to go for it. In photography, it is call the Decisive Moment.( Well, if photography is reduced to HD video and the art director choose the frame, that pretty much kill the photographer's job. )

I had experience many times that at time the current is so strong to force you toward one direction, and you will be at that moment. Perhaps it is wind beneath my wings or just a blessing from someone above, I do feel like that now.

I was ready for a change and the stars were aligned. There is the door, I walked through it, and the world full of possibilities is out there. I have a vision, a vision passed down from an old friend, and I will see it through.

Goodbye, Black Dragon Tattoo

I packed up my stuff at work today and I went to resign face to face with Nancy. She was upset but not much I can do. I will have nothing but good thing to say about my Black Dragon years from this point on.

I text and talked to Skully on the phone and he was very nice and said some very lovely things to me and I do appreciate his friendship and I thank him and asked him for forgiveness for keeping him in the dark.

I do feel like a weight was lifted and I am excited to begin my 40s in a different setting.

I might lack the courage to change at times, but I am ready now. I will take the lesson Bill taught me with me always, in my heart and in my mind. I grieved for a month but I am now feeling better for a new chapter of my life, beginning tomorrow.

All good things (1994)

One of the greatest Star Trek TNG ever.

ha ha ha humor this trekkie a little....