Formatted like BME BBQs/events of days past there will be a park visit for more family oriented fun as well as private suspensions (still working on that) and finally a more festive memorial at a local bar owned by oldschool IAM members who like all of us were saddened by the loss of one of our oldest friends.

There is no fee for any of the activities (though some are 21+ by necessity) but we’re going to have donation buckets, ticket based auctions (working on raffle items now) and a few choice goodies available. `100% of the monies collected will go directly to Ari.

We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the folks who’re going to be coming to the event (169 and counting, with folks driving, bussing, flying and carpooling in!) and have been working diligently on hotel group rates and more perks.

If you use Facebook, you can check out the events page here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/223715324436750/

If you’re considering coming, please RSVP so we can know how many folks to expect. We’d love to see you, whether you’re an oldtimer or a newer bme member. This is a safe space with NO drama or cliques, just friends who want to not only celebrate the passing of a dear friend, but to celebrate his life and the friendships created as a result of his work with BME/IAM.

There will be Photobooth set up that will update real time, as well as (we’re working on this- so no promises till we figure it out) a video booth option where you can record a personal message about how Shannon, IAM and the BME Community impacted your life. Those will be edited together and donated to BME, so friends all over the world who couldn’t make it can still take part in the community celebration.

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragic loss. Please stop with the drama and the division- it’s time for our community to remember what we have in common, not what separates us.

With love,

Shawn Porter and the Stay Calm planning team of Carmela Porter (sylph), Robin Scott (Phoenixxx) and Brian Sowden (Perk900)

I have so much to say right now, but the words are regrettably not coming. In time I hope to have more to say, so much more, to remember my friend but right now it’s just all memories, good and bad, flooding my brain and making me smile despite the sadness I’m feeling. I’m sorry if I’ve been less than responsive to those of you who’ve called, texted and messaged me. Losing a good friend is never easy, but it’s particularly difficult when it’s someone as enigmatic as Shannon Larratt.

It was a death that brought us together, initially, in 1995. News of the death of my mentor Jack Yount reached Shannon who’s BME was a fledgling site at the time, and he sent his condolences and asked if I’d like to write something about Jack’s passing for readers of the site. I would have never thought that I would have to do the same for Shannon. It seemed like just yesterday that those emails started, getting to know each other and geeking out about Body Modification back when everything was still so new to us. Our friendship grew, and evolved. We had so many good times, so many weird times that I couldn’t even start for fear that I’d never stop… through it all we remained honest with each other even when the things we had to say weren’t pleasant. To my mind that’s what a true friend is.

Last year he posted this:

 Every time I see these old pictures I am reminded of how very, very, VERY different my life (and by extension, BME, and by extension of that, a lot of other people’s lives as well) would be if I hadn’t met Shawn at exactly the right moment (perhaps five years before this photo was taken). If I’d met him earlier or later it wouldn’t have been even remotely the same — it had to be that moment for all the pieces to fit. I am proud to have been a catalyst for change and growth in a lot of people’s lives, but in this case, it was Shawn that was the catalyst in my life. On one hand it’s amazing how life-changing sequences birth from chance and coincidence, and on the other hand, duh, what else would genesis be?

And here I sit, trying to make a coherent post about his passing, and I can’t. Shannon was a mentor to me, too. Our friendship changed from student to teacher and back again. He was someone who’s passion often counteracted my bitterness and vice versa.

Shannon.. If you think I was a catalyst in your life… words can’t even express what your presence was in mine. Had I known when we last spoke that it would have been the last time…

To the friends and family I met through him- My shared condolences. Please.. share a story, a memory.. anything.

MODBLOG: RIP SHANNON LARRATT

The other day, quite out of the blue, I got a text from my old friend Efix Roy. He was stuck at the Philadelphia Airport, and wondered if I had time to meet up. I biked back to my house from the center of the city with winds so violent it made me feel like I was biking in the mud, hopped in my car and made it to the Airport post haste to pick my stranded friend up for a quick lunch and hangout. It’s always good to see him and to catch up; I’m not even sure if we discussed scarification, but that’s how it goes sometimes.

I spotted this cutting on his Facebook Page (which you can find here.
Clean lines, great placement…
Tabarnak.

Happy Holidays from the entire Scarwars family and our dear friend Bella Vendetta. Nothing says Christmas like a not-safe-for-work scarification post!

From Bella:

Hey you had some images of My rib scars up on the site when they were
relatively fresh…just got these photos back and really loved this one. both cuttings are done by Brian Decker, the star is 12 years old now I believe, the ribs perhaps 8 years old? human ash rubbing into the scar on the ribs, and the chest cutting was done to cover up some not so lovely scars left by the early days of surface piercings

Regardless of how you spend them, have a Happy Holiday season!

Back in May of 2011 we featured an impressive seven hour cutting by New Hampshire’s favorite son Ryan Oullette. Lost in the shuffle of comments was a post from the happy client with healed photos. Not really sure how I missed them, but… hell… you get what you pay for

In any case, thank you, Sam, for keeping us updated!

Another fine cutting from Montreal’s Pat Pierce.
Zombies and scarification go together like french fries, gravy and cheese curds!
You can find Pat at Mauve Perçage Tatouage Scarification / Piercing Tattoo Scarification.

The lobster returns.
Healed cutting over black ink by NYC’s Brian Decker of Pure Body Arts.

For the last several years I’ve hosted an unofficial afterparty to celebrate the Philadelphia Tattoo Convention at a really awesome bar called the Bike Stop. The owners are kind enough to allow us to have our own dedicated floor with drink specials, a complimentary photobooth, a great playlist and more!

We have a $.50/game pool table on the Sports floor (one floor below the party) with Smithwicks, Guinness, Yuengling Lager, Shocktop Belgian White, Coors Light and Yards Brawler on tap.

The bar is located a few blocks from the Philadelphia Convention center and is walking distance from several restaurants that will be open late, including Maoz Vegetarian, Moriarity’s Irish Pub (best buffalo wings in town) and the Farmer’s Cabinet. (upscale, amazing menu for adventurous foodies)

There’s a Facebook RSVP list here: OV Presents An Unofficial Philadelphia Tattoo Convention Afterparty. If you’re thinking about attending, please sign up so you can get the latest info.

The party starts at 10pm on the top floor and goes until 2am.

Disclaimers:
The Bike Stop is 21+
It’s a gay leather bar, so if you’ve got a problem with gay folks, this isn’t for you. For the last three years the staff and patrons of the Bike Stop have welcomed our party with open arms and treat us respect. We’d appreciate the same courtesy from guests attending the party.

The event is open to everyone who wants to have a good time. There’s no cover. If you’re sXe or don’t drink booze we have soda and water available for sale.

From Montreal’s Pat Pierce:

“This piece on an inner forearm was brought to me by a client who
wanted oak leaves shaped in the design of a six. The piece absolutely
had to be branded, we talked about it for several months and when the
time came he drove 11 1/2 hours to come and have the work done. My
client told me that his father always called his brother “his oak” and
his brother’s number in sports was six. He also stated that the oak
tree is one of the strongest woods and it does not make any sound
before it breaks, as do other woods. His brother, sadly, did not give
any warning or make any sound before he took his own life. This piece
was done as a memorial to him.”

New work from the always Morrissey-esque Jesse V. of THRIVE STUDIOS in Canada.