you learn something new every day.

and today - i learned about concrete and cement. {surprisingly exciting, considering the engineering world i live in...}

that's right... concrete and cement. did you know there was a difference?

{i can't believe i'm blogging about this. maybe i did hit the bottom of the barrel, mom... }

but as vice president rachel tried to teach me the difference, she put it in terms i could understand. this is how it goes:

cement is a material. an ingredient. like baking soda.

concrete is a combination of ingredients... both in its liquid form AND as a finished product... like cake batter {liquid form} and a fluffy cake {finished product}.

so... when you talk about a "cement truck" - you're all wrong. it's a concrete truck.

you learn something new everyday. sometimes... it's useful. sometimes it's not.

Gypsy girls and bad excuses

It's been a little quiet on the Conspiracy blog lately, sorry about that.
It's not cause we're not doing stuff, or that we're doing stuff and we just don't wanna tell you.
Not at all.
We've just been traveling and now that we're home for the summer, we're still super busy.
Will it ever slow down?
Hopefully not!

I'll be posting some exciting guest artist news real soon, but until then, here's few pictures of some work in progress.

Mads is almost done with his gypsy girl-mask-toucan 3/4 sleeve

They finished the eyes after i left, but she's still pretty damn cute, right?

Alright, more updates soon.
Promise!

i have a favorite.

... maybe two favorites. i like ed. i'm glad he came back.

but mostly, i like this one.

i wish i could find a picture of him with his glasses on... because, really... that's why i like him.

oh, boy... i'm a sucker for a dude in trendy glasses...

i surrender.

every six months or so, i decide to kick my diet coke habit. which also means - every six months or so, i fall in love with diet coke all over again.

there's always a new reason for starting and stopping... i start when summer construction season begins. long hours. late hours. long hours outside - in the heat. and then i stop... because i read the horrible articles about diet soda turning into formaldehyde... turning my body into stone.

... but THEN i think to myself - "am i REALLY going to quit drinking diet coke for the REST of my life? really?"

so i start drinking it again.

and so... i'm drinking diet coke. it's summer time. 'tis the season.

i love you diet coke. i love you. when i turn you away, i'm only fooling myself. i can't get enough of you. i will eventually be back.

Sometimes I wonder...

Boys and Girls,

I know I have been slow on updating my works, including the ones from -XVI- the ongoing event.

I have too many things going on in my head and its been hard for me to concentrate but I still try. Its like, I am already am living in hell in reality. I don't know if the idea of my event has become real or that my mind has engulfed me and over took my senses...

Things around me seems to mess me up and shut me down. Sometimes I don't even know what I am thinking about or even going through. I have been having memory lost and seems like I am losing my grip on my life...

I really need to find my 66 Sinners and finish this event up. Honestly, now I know why they say, "Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it".....

Immortal Tattoos was interviewed by an Online Tattoo Magazine, Skin-Artists.com.

Check out the interview here : http://skin-artists.com/eng/stories/0012.php

Body Painting - Mid-air

Body painting by Filippo Ioco.

See the black paint stopping mid-air

the way he made me feel.

where were you when you heard michael jackson died?

i was at work. stressed out of my mind. carrying a 32984397 lb box of books, heading out to a meeting. someone opened the door just as i reached for the handle. she said, "michael jackson just died. crazy, eh?"

what? WHAT! what!?



here's the deal:

i'm an m.j. fan. haven't always been. my mom didn't teach me to love him, that's for sure. {in fact, after my 5w wednesday a couple weeks back, my mom sent me an email, requesting that i step up my game on my blog. "you must have reached the bottom of the barrel," she said.} but i came to love him. i am a lover of pop culture, and thus - i am a lover of michael jackson. he left his mark. he's a classic. he's an icon. the world is a crazier place because of him.

but... never, NEVER did i consider that he was capable of dying. never, NEVER did i think that he actually had human elements to him that subjected him to death the way the rest of us humans are subject to to it.

he's michael jackson. the man created his own world. was he a man of flesh and bone, or was he plastic like a ken doll? not sure.

i didn't think he could die. i thought he'd live on forever. i thought generations upon generations would be enjoying {yes, mom - enjoying} his music.

prince, paris, and blanket - your daddy was a crazy man. but, woo... that guy could move.

rest your soul, mj. rest your soul.

favorite mj memories:

watching the live statement he made about his innocence. the one EVERY network carried - because he was a pretty big deal.

watching the television release of the black or white music video.

lara and cindy singing and dancing to "the girl is mine" for my birthday. i'm a lover, not a fighter.

watching classic mj music videos with the client after very very intense and important meetings. how's that for client relations?

Body painting Jessica Gomes

Watch this special video and see how Jessica Gomes got her body painted for SI Swimsuit 2008.

SI Swimsuit: Body painting Jessica Gomes
Uploaded by sportsillustrated. - Basketball, baseball, pro wrestling and more sports videos.

Belly Painting - Ring of Fire

This design by Thompson, a variation on an Arabic protection symbol, was inspired by a necklace belonging to the mom-to-be. "Protection symbols are common motifs for anything involving pregnancy or babies," Thompson says, adding that the flames symbolize strength, protection and purification.

buzzzzzzz.

it's officially summertime! it's not raining anymore. i didn't wear a cardigan today - the summer wardrobe is in full effect. and... i hit up my first bees game of the season!

diet coke, stadium nachos, and good friends. life couldn't be better right now.

who what where when why wednesday.

q:

what is your "obsession"? you're thing...

a:

we all have them. i have a million of them.

1. when i eat skittles, i have to pour them all out onto the table and arrange them in an obvious order - depending on what i have to work with. and then i eat them in order of what will make the best next pattern.

{i told you - crazy.}

2. order in my closet, my shoe rack, my tooth paste drawer. there is a place for everything. i know when someone else has been in my space because they never put it back EXACTLY in place.

3. numbers. dates. phone numbers. odometers. count downs. birthdays. i can memorize them all. will never forget any of them. and will celebrate a perfect number combo if i see it.

4. toilet lid has to be down. closet doors have to be closed. kitchen cupboards have to be closed. dvd's are put away, out of sight. no clutter. nothing out of place. everything neatly put away in its proper place.

5. matchy matchy-ness. it either matches 100% or it matches not at all. but, mostly... it matches like crazy.

ugh. i know there are more. i'll be watching for them and let you know when i come upon the others.

Belly Painting - Pooh Bear

This belly painting was the first for Greenawalt, who has a day job as an electrical engineer. These days, he no longer has models go topless. "The belly paintings are so sweet, nice, and happy that I just don't feel like the nudity plays well," he says. Greenawalt often creates designs inspired by the baby's bedroom decor.

Belly Painting - Baseball

This model requested a baseball theme in honor of the baby boy she was carrying. "Painting the belly to look like a ball works really well," says Greenawalt. He painted this design at his home as the father looked on, and snapped this photo at home plate on a local baseball diamond.

Celebrity Tribal Tattoos Design

running on empty.

12 peeps {mostly strangers when we started}

2 {klassy minivans}

6 {peeps in a van}

12.4 miles {belonged to me. divided into three legs}

188 miles {total. they make it longer and longer every year!}

30 hours 15 minutes {at least we had fun...}

230th place {out of 438 mixed (men and women) teams}

127463583 {inches of rain that came like 10 minutes after i ran}

0.4 {minutes after i got home before i jumped in the shower}

0 {stairs i was willing to take on my way into work this morning}

Belly Painting - Zodiac

This design by New York-based artist RoByn Thompson incorporates the Zodiac symbols of the mother, the father, and their baby. Belly painting is growing more popular as a baby shower activity, Thompson says.

Belly Painting - Cowrie

For this mother-to-be, Thompson created a design based on Cowrie shells. "They're goddess symbols, and fertility symbols," she says. Coming up with the design is a collaborative process based on emails and phone calls with her clients, Thompson says. Her one-of-a-kind paintings start at $200.

Belly Painting - Jelly Fish

Phoenix-based artist Mark Greenawalt created this painting in front of a live audience as part of a jellyfish-themed gallery exhibition in Phoenix.

Tattoo - Should I or Not

Tattoos are actually a great way to express one's conviction and beliefs. Some people for instance used tattoos as a way of showing to the world their personal advocacies, whether they be about the Iraq war or the animal rights.

When tastefully done, tattoos can also be a way to make a fashion statement. Depending on the placement, a tattoo can be a really sensuous and sexy addition to your body. Most women place tattoos on their lower backs, on the cheeks of their buttocks, near their ankles, on their shoulders, or near their belly buttons.
There are actually a lot of designs to choose from depending on what you aim for when having your tattoo. Women for instance will settle for feminine pictures like flowers, butterflies and circles while men will put on symbols and foreign wordings. Others will have the names of their loved ones tattooed while other will place symbols of their personal advocacies on their bodies.

Some place words that are part of their personal mantras as a reminder of what they believe in and what they should do. If you are also thinking of getting a tattoo, here are some of the factors that you should consider. Read on before you decide!

Where to get the tattoo

Although tattoos are virtually commonplace especially for the younger kids, it is still important that you choose the establishment where you will have your tattoo done. Remember that needles are needed to do a tattoo design and it will be used to pierce your skin. It is important then that you choose a place that is both established and safe because you can get all kinds of illness with contaminated needles, including AIDS, Hepatitis and other sickness that can be transmitted through blood.

If you do not know any centers that specialize with tattoos, better ask around before you go. Do not attempt to do your own tattoos or have your friends do it for you. This is extremely dangerous and it can mean infections when not taken cared of properly. Leave the tattoos to the professionals who know what they are doing!

Choose carefully and choose well

Although a tattoo can be erased anytime, it will not be as easy as rubbing it off. Sometimes it will leave a scar that will take a long time to heal. It is important then that you are sure of the design that you are going to have tattooed on your skin as this is a permanent thing. Once tattooed, it will be hard to remove it.

In choosing designs, it is good to select one that is universal and timeless. Choose something that you will always like. Putting the name of your current partner as your tattoo is not so good since there is a chance that you will someday call off the relationship. It is also not good to symbols that you feel is just a part of your current phase. Choose a design that will also grow with you.

The Meaning and Beauty of Angel Tattoos

When deciding what kind of tattoo to put on your body, it's important to remember that the symbol will remain for the rest of your life. Choose something that is beautiful, represents what you believe in, and is a design you won't be ashamed for the world to see when you're in a bathing suit. An angel tattoo fits all of these characteristics, so it isn't surprising that these are some of the most popular tattoos out there. On a typical day at the beach, it's not uncommon to see a substantial number of people with some kind of angel tattoo prominently displayed.

Traditionally, angels were entirely a religious symbol. In the stories of the bible, these heavenly creatures were sent down by God to transmit messages to mere mortals on Earth. Their actions and words could be both positive and negative-they were capable of good and bad.

Some of the millions of people who sport angel tattoos today reflect something of that original biblical sentiment, but many others simply like the design. Angels have come to represent something separate from religion. As a symbol, the angel is an overwhelmingly positive life force, and many people are excited to display this measure of happiness in the form of a tattoo somewhere on the body.

Many people also get angel tattoos placed on their body to commemorate the loss of a loved one. These tattoos are sometimes accompanied by "R.I.P.", short for rest in peace. It's also commonplace to see initials somewhere in the vicinity of the angel tattoo. The symbolism of this kind of angel tattoo is that the loved one is looking down from heaven, protecting those he cares about from above. With all of the uncertainty in the world, who couldn't use a guardian angel?

The majority of angel tattoos appear on female's bodies. There's something inherently sexy about the angel. Perhaps it's the possibility of sin; after all, Satan was nothing more than a fallen angel. Angels, therefore, represent the possibilities of straying to the dark side.

Today, there are a large number of different forms and styles of angel tattoos. In fact, there really is no limit to what an angel tattoo can look like. While some take the definite form of an old-school seraph from the bible, others are much more abstract. The typical "traditional" angel is beautifully suffused in light, wearing a white robe, and floating majestically on top of a cloud.

Another popular version of this tattoo is the "angel tattoo wings", splayed across the entire back of the subject. These seem to flex like wings when the shoulder muscles are contracted. This way, you can really bring your tattoo to life.

It's up to you to decide which style best suits your personality and taste. Angels represent quite a broad spectrum, and you can use them to express an enormous breadth of opinions and sentiments. Whichever design you decide on, you'll enjoy the benefits of having a sexy, strong symbol adorning your body.

Celtic Design Tattoos

Celtic design tattoos have experienced a massive revival in recent years. The history of the Celts goes back thousands of years. The early Celtic people displayed their skills in complex artwork and were regarded as fierce warriors by the Romans. Influences for Celtic design tattoos and evidence of Celtic crosses and Celtic artwork can still be found all over Ireland.

Modern Celtic people have evolved symbols for themselves, and North Americans, of Celtic descent often adorn Celtic design tattoos to show off their Celtic origin. The ancient Celts passed knowledge down through an oral tradition of storytelling and didn't keep many written records. Consequently, there is little evidence of their actual Celtic design tattoo preferences remaining even though Cross Celtic design tattoos and Knot Celtic design tattoos are very popular designs.

Most of Celtic design tattoos are taken from the Irish Illuminated Manuscripts The Book of Kells, which is on display in the library of Trinity College in Dublin. This manuscript represents a much later time period than the time period of the height of Celtic design tattoo. Designs from ancient stone and metal work are more likely to be from the same time period as Celtic design tattooing.

Knot Celtic design tattoos are usually loops with no end or beginning, much like the Mobius strip, symbolizing the never ending cycle of death and rebirth. Celtic animal (zoomorphic tattoo designs) designs are similar in construction but the cords traditionally terminate in the feet, heads or tails of the Celtic design tattoos. Pure knots are usually unending, unless the end of a strand is stylized into a zoomorphic element or a spiral.

The intricacy of Knot Celtic design tattoos, defy literal translation and their meaning are to be found at a deeper level. The repeated crossing of the physical and the spiritual are expressed in the interlacing of the knots. The never ending path of the strands may represent the permanence and the continuum of life, love and faith. For these reason Celtic design tattoos have become incredibly popular.

If you are of Celtic heritage, whether Irish, Scots or Welsh, getting Celtic design tattoos is a way of expressing pride in your heritage by reaffirming an affinity to the indigenous artistic style of your ancestors. Celtic design tattoos are not easy designs to recreate, and it is strongly recommended to make sure that your artist has experience in designing Celtic design tattoos. Not all tattoo artists have such an eye for detail and exacting line placement required for the intricate patterns particular to Celtic design tattoos.

Nude Gisele Bundchen In Body Painting

Celebrity Gisele Bundchen goes nude for body painting. Stunning body, stunning painting.

Body Art By Macro Guerra

Great photo collection on body art and body painting . Body art by Marco Guerra and photography by Yasmina Alaoui.

Sinner #3 - XVI -

it's back.

way back when, i blogged about sephora's lash stash. i wanted it so badly. i tried and tried to get my hands on it, but it sold out before i was lucky enough to snag myself a set.

but, is today the best day of my life? yess!

it's back! and before you buy YOURS, i've already secured MINE with a pre-order!

ready ready ready ready to run.

it's that time again...
wasatch back relay time. you know - that crazy thing i did last year when i thought maybe i could learn to love to run. maybe.

and then i didn't really love it. i just mumbled and grumbled for 12 miles {all the while, jamming out to silly things like eminem and bonnie tyler}.

and then again this year - when i was offered a space on a client's team. isn't there a rule - always say yes to the client?

i will run. i will not sleep. i will enjoy my running companions. and i will have fun.

and i will absolutely earn the right {again} to drive with the ragnar relay sticker on my car, like the rest of these crazy outdoors-y athletic utahns.

who what where when why wednesday.

q:

what is your favorite kind of candy?

a:

{thanks, holly, for the great idea... of course, if it were up to us - there'd be no such thing as chocolate candy, it'd all be sugary sweet!}

i have two all time favorites:

mambas

and

hot tamales

{next week - it's a goodie. what is your obsession. ya know, since i'm pretty much obsessed with "obsessed". don't be shy. we've all got 'em. i've got at least 17 of them.}

ten things i forgot i loved about san diego.

10. 79 cent diet coke at mcdonalds
9. jack in the box tacos
8. foggy mornings
7. fresh squeezed orange juice in the morning
6. hilberto's
5. the weather report: coast, inland, mountains AND desert
4. more freeways than i can count
3. jeff and jer in the morning
2. loehmann's
1. nephews

{why are half of these things foooood??}

eureka!

that cardigan.

THAT ONE. that one that i bought opening day at nordstrom - then returned two days later. felt like my $42 ought to be better spent on something other than cardigans {maybe because i bought 3 other cardigans that day...}

THAT ONE that i bought again when i went to denver in april. then returned when i got home - again. this time my $42 was going to be better spent by going toward my savings for a marc jacobs purse...

THAT ONE. that one that i bought AGAIN last night - on the sales rack. marked down to $20 and really only cost $14 when i got to the register.

THAT ONE. it was divine shopping intervention.

i love it when that happens.

an interstate cupcake tour.

andi and i rendez vous'd in san diego for a little coastal escape.

(but, secretly, she was there for work and i was there to celebrate a 4th birthday)

first things first, we stopped to explore san diego's finest cupcakes.

might i say - not so fine. hmmmph. i wanted them to be so good... i wanted more lemon flavor... more cream cheese... more velvet... more, more more...

there were 3 of us. and 6 cupcakes. hmmm...

and we took CARE of all of them. picked them apart like we were profesh taste testers.

it had so much potential. so much. cute logo. cute concept. cute interior. if only their frosting was better...

if only i was brave enough to open my own...