As mentioned in my December update, my 134th appointment with Horizakura took place at the Star of Texas Tattoo Convention in Austin, TX. This was a pretty special experience for me all around. It was the first time I’ve attended a tattoo convention in another state all by myself, which afforded me lots and lots of time to bullshit with people and hang around. I was proud of the opportunity to sit in Horizakura’s booth to talk to folks while he and his apprentice were busy tattooing. I was also really happy to be able to meet a couple of Horizakura’s other clients (shout out to Cole and Joe Chatt). I had the chance to meet up with a buddy from out of state too which was nice (sorry if I bullied you into getting tattooed Trev). I ate delicious barbeque and tacos and Thai food and tacos and tacos. I like tacos.

As for the actual work on my suit, with the way my flights in/out of town worked and Horizakura’s schedule, on Saturday we were able to get in 2 hours of tattooing on my right sleeve. My appointment also overlapped with the NFL Divisional round between the Ravens and the Texans. This is the first time I have ever watched or listened to something while getting tattooed. I didn’t care for it much but it was the playoffs, baby! It’s must watch TV. I’m writing this the day before the Superbowl so clearly things didn’t go the way I wanted, but it doesn’t change the fact that I got to eat tacos for breakfast, get tattooed at a convention, drink beer, and watch the Ravens win a playoff game. That’s a winner on the Great Day for Jordan Bingo Card. FYI: Drinking beer would be the Free Space on that bingo card.

One last exciting note from the trip before I hit you with a photo dump: Upon arriving at the convention and looking over Horizakura’s booth, I noticed a little sign that revealed the title he had given to his apprentice! Congratulations Shindo, it has been very exciting to be an outside observer of your path as a horishi! Ganbatte!