Tattoo Flash-day Fundraiser!

Waddup peeps!

It has been two weeks since Sabah was hit by an earthquake. Thus, Mount Kinabalu is temporarily closed until further notice. It means that mountain guides (malim) will be out of job too.

Cover Photo

So Bobby a friend of mine who is a tattoo artist came up with an idea. Fundraising for the mountain guides! It is called "Tattoo Flashday Fundraiser". So how does it work? 10 or more tattoo artists from Sabah will predesign tattoo designs which will be available for this event.

Bobby said, "There are 250 guides and 50 porters registered under the Kinabalu Mountain Guides Association. As the mountain is closed until further notice, it also means that these 300 are out of job for now. It would indeed be extremely hard to support themselves and their families until things return to normal at Mount Kinabalu.".

Each tattoo costs RM100 (USD28) and ALL the money made will be given to the Mount Kinabalu Guides Association. I've got the chance to meet up with all the artists. If you think they look scary just because they covered with tats, no they're not. They're the most humble, down to earth and friendly people. 

Bobby allowed me to make a video of the event. That's an offer I can't resist. If you've watched most of my videos on my Youtube channel, most of my videos are vlogging style. No heavy or fancy equipment. I'll embed the video below. Be sure to check and share it out on Facebook! I met a few first timers too. If you're in the video, yay! I'll be uploading more videos soon so be sure to subscribe to my channel.

I wouldn't wanna miss the chance to put a new tattoo on my body so I got myself one and it was tattooed by Gary. Cheers dude! Most of my tattoos were done by most of the tattoo artists who attended the event. Anyway, check out their Facebook pages and give em a thumbs up.

Bobby St. James of St. James Tattoo, Ronny Taptoe of Passion of Ink, Jim Losaria of Black Ink Industry Tattoo, Cassidy Kiddy of Deadlights Tattoo, Taco Joe of Lost At Sea Tattoo, Oyohk of E66 Tattoo, Luther Motoyou of Jesselton Tattoo, Eric Bintoh of Black Ink Industry Tattoo, Shiong Chan of Peace Of Ink Tattoo, Gary Jones of Deadlights Tattoo, Ray Rray, Sabah Tattoo Association.

A big shoutout to Sabah Tattoo Association and whoever that is involve in this event.

Follow my blog, like my Facebook page and subscribe to my Youtube channel. Thank you very much for your support.

As always, be nasty stay happy people!

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My Tattoos

Hello there!

I'm a tattoo enthusiast not an extremist. I don't consider this as inflicting pain to myself, it's more to pleasure of pain and art at the same time. Yes, it's addictive. Each of my tattoos has a story of their own and meaning behind it.

Still, I choose my tattoo designs and tattooist wisely. I've posted a guide to getting your first tattoo before, so if you haven't check it out, you should. Some of you asked me what inspired me to get my tattoos done, so here goes. Thanks for requesting!

1) Nasty 

Yes, the one and only Nasty of mine. He's a white terrier I got from a flea market. Nasty's 5 years old this year. I got this tattoo 4 years ago. If you're wondering why, simple. It's because I want him with me all the time. I admit, I need his presence. I tattooed this on the calf of my right leg.

2) Happy

Andddd, here's Happy the Dachshund! He's Nasty's sidekick. They are both the love of my life and there's no way in hell I'm NOT gonna tattoo Happy on me. He's adorable and unique in his own way.
If you're wondering how they look in real life, check out their video on Youtube made by my lil' brother Samuel. Nasty and Happy's video.

3) Anonymous / Fawkes Guy / Vendetta 

This is by far the biggest piece I've got. Personally, I'm rebellious. I fight for my rights and freedom. That's why I decided to get this tattoo. V for Vendetta, in the movie, Vendetta is a vigilante fighting for freedom. I'm no vigilante, but take my freedom away from me and I will be. Teeeeheeee!

4) Nathanael

Oh, this is a tattoo of my own name. I sometimes get "Why on earth did you tattoo your name on your leg" or "you're not suppose to because it looks like crap", but honestly from the bottom of my heart, I don't give a single damn. :) I like it, because kids walk up to me say "Hey! It looks like the Coca Cola font".

5) Stephenie

Nuff said, the co-writer who is also my partner :)

6) Maelodee Mirae

I tattooed Maelodee Mirae across my chest. If you're thinking this is my ex girlfriend, you're wrong. This person hasn't exist yet. I had a dream one night, I was caring for a child named Maelodee. I woke up falling in love with the name and decided to get it tattooed across my chest. If ever I'm blessed with a daughter, I'll name her this without doubt. Mirae was a middle name me and Steph thought of to pair nicely with Maelodee.

7) Ukulele

I love music. My whole life revolves around music. I play tons of musical instruments and that includes ukulele. Tralalala falalala.

8) My first tattoo, Gibberish,

People tend to do stupid and naive things when they're young. I'm not excluded. This tattoo is nothing but a simple art and gibberish haha!


Well, that sums up everything. For those who questioned me about my tattoos, I hope you're answered. Let me know in the comment section below, out of my 8 tattoos, which one do you pick as the nicest or at least most descent. Heh!

Again, stay tuned for my upcoming THAILAND post! You are awesome, be nasty and stay happy!
Cheers :)

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Getting your first TATTOO! My recommended tattoo artists.

Hello everybuddeh!

Do you have a tattoo? Are you planning on getting one? Is it your first time? Then you're in the right place! Haha! I'm gonna do a simple guide based on my experiences on getting tattoos and what should you do when getting one.

Having a tattoo doesn't make you a member of a Mafia group, doesn't make you an evil person, doesn't make you a murderer. Tattoo is just a body modification done by inserting indelible ink into dermis layer of your skin to change the pigment. Two words, ART and SCIENCE. I personally have 8 tattoos on my body and those tattoos are very very visible and huge. That doesn't mean I can't earn as much doctors or pilots can :)

I got my first tattoo when I was 15. Hell, my dad was furious when I got home with a tattoo on my back! We didn't talk to each other for a month. Well, I guess I was too young to think of the consequences because it was all about fun. I regret getting only 1 when I was 15. I should have done more haha! As years go by, I added another and another and another. I love each and every one of them as they have meanings of their own.

If you're planning on getting your first tattoo, here's what you should do:

• Pick the right time to do it. Do not do it if you're gonna be exposed to sun or water (submersion)  a week after the tattoo is done. You gotta give it more time to heal say 2 weeks

• Choose the right design. It could be portraits, geometrical, maori, tribal, calligraphic and so on. You can go to your chosen tattoo artist to request for a design. 

• Choose the right spot. Think twice before getting a tattoo on a visible part of your body. Remember, your body is a canvas and it is freaking huge. If you're doing sales job for example, do it on the back of your body so that it won't be very visible to your clients. Closed minded people judge by what they see, f*ck em.

• Meaningful. Do it for a reason or else you'll find it "pointless" years later. For instance, I have tattoos of both Nasty and Happy and there's no way I'm gonna regret it.

• Ask around. I've had one incident where I did a tattoo on the spot without checking much about the artist's background and he caused my tattoo to be "blown-out" and fucked it up but I'm fine with it. It was my mistake. So, don't do the same mistake I did.

• Do it! Nuff' said. :) Don't be afraid to go back for touch-ups. Be sure to take good care of your new tattoo. 

Here are three of my tattoos, Nasty, Happy and an Ukulele! 

Done by Bobby James

Done by Pip Lubasi

Done by Ronny, Ignore the leg hair :/

**If you're wishing for cheap tattoos, go ahead but don't blame anyone if you get crap out of it. Remember, they spent years of training and improving in what they do. So they charge you with what they think is reasonable. 

I have 3 artists I trust with my life. When the session starts, all I have to do is relax and chill. And when it is done, taddaaaa! I feel euphoric.

Mind you, I've got tattoos from them and my recommendations are purely based on the results they produce on my body as well as their portfolio.

1. St James Tattoo (Bobby James)

• He got his first tattoo the same age I got mine, 15. He wasn't scared at all. 

• How did he got himself in this industry and what inspired him? According to Bobby, he just likes to draw since he was 7 years old. He'll just do whatever he wanted to do and what makes him feel comfortable.

• What's the best tattoo you've had up to now? His reply was hilarious! "It would be the ones done by my friends when they were still 'beginners' although most of the tattoos look shitty" Haha!

• 10 years of professional tattooing has got him hooked up with new friendships and their trusts ranging from lawyer to mechanics.  

• He aims for public to understand more on how to know that a tattooist is good and which is bad. He has had a lot of customers going like "WOW SO EXPENSIVE!" but seriously, you're buying his work that require years of experiences and he is only charging you what he think his art is worth.

• Were you nervous when you had your first customer? "What's there to be afraid of? Its a start of my career!"

• His advice to first timers, "Make sure you know what you want. Do some research and not asking tattooist on what you should get because it is your life, so do what you want!

Be sure to check out St James Tattoo's Facebook page to check out his artwork and get in contact with him! His artworks are undeniably awesome!

     2. Jesselton Tattoo and Gallery (Pip Lubasi)

• Pip did his first tattoo when he was 17. It was quite fun for him because he was curious on how tattoos were done. It was done by a friend of his using stitching needles and mechanical pen ink for the tattoo pigments. It is a common and cheap method back in those days.

• He got into this industry by meddling with his home-made tattoo machine. He tattooed his uncle and cousin as well as his own skin for fun. until he landed a job as a tattooist in Taboo Ink Tattoo Studio in Kuala Lumpur back in 2005.

• He has patches of tattoos all over his body as he collects them from various friends around the world that he trusts. According to Pip, "I wish to have a back piece tattoo". 

• Pip said, "Since I became a tattoo artist, I've joined a few tattoo conventions around Asia and Europe. I've only won once, 2nd place for best tattoo of the day in Dutdutan, Philippines in 2007. Clients' satisfaction makes me happy each time they get a tattoo from me"

• Pip's advice for first timer, "Choosing the perfect tattoo design is more important than choosing the size and DO NOT tattoo your boyfriend's/girlfriend's name permanently LOL!"

Check out Jesselton Tattoo and Gallery's Facebook page! 

3. Passion Of Ink (Ronny Taptoe)

• As common as it seems, Ronny got his first tattoo when he was 17. He wasn't scared but instead he was excited about it.
• He was inspired by his first tattooist as well as friends who are into tattoos.
• Most of his tattoos were done when he was young. He has tons of tattoos and his favourite is the portrait tattoo of his wife and a few skull tattoos on his leg and neck. 
• His advice to you first timers out there, "Do what you wanna do while you're still young so you have stories to tell when you're older".

Check out Passion of Ink Tattoo Studio's Facebook page!

If you're thinking of getting a tattoo, STOP THINKING. Do it! :)

Thank you guys for supporting! As always, be nasty stay happy! We'll be posting stuffs on our site twice or three times a week yea.

Love, Nath.

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