I was talking to my wife over dinner about her (incredible) left arm tattoo sleeve (6 hours of work so far, probably another 6 to go, and goddamned gorgeous work), which incorporates a subtle version of the HIM heartogram. She’s a HUGE fan of HIM, and the way the emblem has been worked into the spidery branches of the tree in the tattoo is truly cool.

It got me thinking, though. What band(s) do I love enough to have a reference to them carved into my flesh, all permanent-like? I was only able to come up with a very select few – Gary Numan, Nine Inch Nails and Skinny Puppy (all of whom I’ve been a huge fan of for over 20 years). Possibly Front Line Assembly. Once upon a time, I’d've said The Residents.

What about you? Any band you love so much, you’d cut’em into you?

Doug Haffner, an artist and sculptor, created this semi-sculpted 3D version of Jack the Reaper for his own amusement and was kind enough to share it:

NOTE: Doug made this for himself and isn’t trying to sell it, which is why it’s OK. Have you made something based on my artwork for your own amusement? I’d love to see it!

EXTRA NOTE: If you make something based on my artwork and attempt to profit from it, you suck. Period.

Almost ten years ago I found myself freshly unemployed and, due to a new baby and Alex’s health, unable to leave the house for any extended length of time. I had a computer, the right software and a few years of professional design work under my belt, so I put out feelers in the horror, Halloween and, especially, the haunted attraction industries via email, message boards, whatever I could think of.

One of the emails I sent was to a company (that I won’t name here) that, at the time, was pretty much the only one specializing in graphic/web design specifically for dark attractions. I inquired as to whether or not they might be hiring or, at the very least, sub-contracting a freelancer. I never received a response. Today Sinister Visions is one of their competitors.

I just received an email from somebody who’s effectively in the exact position I was in then and found myself about to delete the email without answering it (after all, there’s no reason for anybody to think Sinister Visions is hiring) – then I caught myself and realized I was about to do the same thing that somebody at That Other Company did all those years ago.

So I’ll answer the email (even if it won’t be what this person wants to hear) if only for the modicum of closure it will provide. It’s weird to be on the other side of the equation.

Some days the Crap-O-Meter runs in the red, and on those days I wish I was an Indian dude with a bad wig.

Specifically, I wish I was THIS Indian dude with a bad wig:

Ripley gets her sparkle on for Independence Day.
Notice that the sparkler in no way resembles Robert Pattinson.