.SOMETIMES RAW.

Hello and Happy Tuesday! 

“The important thing is moral choice. Evil has to exist along with good, in order that moral choice may operate. Life is sustained by the grinding opposition of moral entities.”

Last week we experienced rain only seven times. First three days, then four days. Argh! This weather is so weird. It is not cold, but this constant rain slightly gets on my nerves. Nonetheless, my son and I have these little backup plans we enjoy no matter what. We just have do more things indoors, unfortunately.

Yesterday, I wanted to see the play A Clockwork Orange but due to technical problems, it was cancelled. I wrote about it here. Nonetheless, the theater contacted me today to let me know that I can see the play today. Yay! 

Tonight, I was finally fortunate to attend the ballet version of A Clockwork Orange at the Landestheater in Coburg. Have you heard of Anthony Burgess novel that was published in 1962? Or the movie version, directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick? When I read the book a long time ago, I was shocked by this disturbing violence and had problems understanding the language. You think you know English? Read Anthony Burgess. A Clockwork Orange is about an extremely violent youth gang. The protagonist Alex narrates the story and his violent outbursts and later his experiences with police and other authorities who try to “reform” him. A lot of psychology, psychotherapy, prison,  morality and a look at society are some of the main themes of the book. You will also find out what manipulation and freedom mean.  Is the perpetrator indeed the victim here?

“Is it better for a man to have chosen evil than to have good imposed upon him?”

Yes, the bartender danced and performed with one ballet shoe and those black boots! Incredible! The droogs enjoy their milk. 

Choreographer Tara Yipp initiated this cultural shocker on stage through amazing dance, music and acting. The play depicts through dance what violence and counter violence means. Also, the really horrible scenes from the movie are not shown and left some room for imagination. Overall, it was an amazing stage performance. Definitely not a family play to see! 

Inspired? There are two additional performances in Coburg: June 30th, July 2nd and 3rd! Here the link to the Landestheater website. 

On a SideNote: 

While I waited for the performance to begin, I listened to a couple arguing right behind me. They talked about their recent wedding and advice that the couple had been given from friends and family. The uncle apparently said to the man that “he should get out while he still can” followed by tons of laughter. The woman was shocked by a lot of negativity that has been thrown their way. “How can our friends say those things? Don’t they see how happy we are,” she said while I wished for the play to start. “They only say those things because their marriages did not work out, ” he said annoyed. “So you think our marriage will fail as well! Exactly what your uncle said, “she said getting a little louder. “Don’t talk so loud for god’s sake. I don’t think our marriage will fail. Don’t listen to other people’s advice that is thrown at you. We just do what is best for us and we love each other,” he said. “Yeah, but did you hear when your aunt said that I should make sure you always have a warm dinner ready for you? She obviously assumes that I am not working, that I have nothing to do except cleaning and cooking all day waiting for my husband to come home. Also, she thinks that I cannot cook. But you probably did not even hear when she said that,” she replied, at this point really angry. “We just sit here now, enjoy this play and each other and don’t think about this shit anymore, ” he whispered calmly. “Exactly like your father. Always running away from problems and those type of conversations. Holy shit, and I married you. How dumb am I,” she said, got up and walked out. This show ended and A Clockwork Orange started.

Maybe they shouldn’t have married after all. She poisoned a pretty happy occasion I would say. A fight out of nowhere and about nothing. You want a piece of advice – crazy woman who fought behind me?  Stop listening to garbage. Do whatever makes you happy. And if you don’t want to cook dinner for your husband, then order a pizza. Aren’t you both in this together? You chose your own adventure and path. She missed the entire show but he enjoyed it. Maybe the uncle is right after all. 

Hello and Happy Sunday!

I just want to stop by here quickly after a long party-weekend at my sister’s  house and therefore, lack of sleep. Are you in the mood to read something funny? I just finished the Audiobook version of Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. I read all of Sedaris’ books but this one I enjoyed the most. I was able to hear and see him at a book reading in Boston a couple of years ago. It was fantastic. There I listened to men who sat behind me. They said that David Sedaris’s audiobooks are way better and so funny when you listen to him read. So I purchased the book. I am not a huge fan of audiobooks, but this one, wow -let me tell you, it is good. 

There are 25 stories, some shorter, some longer but easy to read. Sort of like “one more quick story and then I talk to you”. David Sedaris is very smart, funny and entertains the reader with awesome, hilarious stories. You will find out about the humiliation of learning French as an adult (my favorite story) when Sedaris moved from New York to Paris and needed to take French lessons. Annoying American tourists, teaching a writing course when you have no clue how to and many stories about his entertaining and funny father or learning how to play guitar from a sexist midget make Me Talk Pretty One Day one awesome read. I like how different stories and Sedaris’ changing mix in tone make some stories just laughing out loud funny while others have a somewhat deeper, more serious meaning. 

It just does not get boring to listen to David Sedaris speak – and especially not when he reads his own material. David Sedaris’s logic:

“I find it ridiculous to assign a gender to an inanimate object incapable of disrobing and making an occasional fool of itself. Why refer to lady crack pipe or good sir dishrag when these things could never live up to all that their sex implied?”

“I hate you’ she said to me one afternoon. ‘I really, really hate you.’ Call me sensitive, but I couldn’t help but take it personally.”

Highly recommended in audio format. Buy Me Talk Pretty One Day here and watch this awesome interview if you would like. Signing off for tonight. Have a great week. 

The owner Mel and coworker Mo in front of the studio

Hello and Happy Thursday! 

“It is important to live your dream. Never ever give up. Keep moving forward.” – Mel

I love tattoos and I consider myself as a heavily tattooed woman/mother. Yep, other mothers look at me sometimes like “Whaaaaat!! How can she do that? And she has a child!” Well, my child is totally comfortably with whatever I have on my skin and he actually does not care. All he says is, “Mommy has tattoos, cool!” If he ever decides, after he is 18 years-old to get a tattoo, I won’t mind. Simple and open-minded as that. I have been to many tattoo stores in my life to get  artwork done. However, there is only one tattoo store I love to go to and trust – Stick to your Skin Tattoo owned by my long time friend Melanie Feist. If you want to get a tattoo but you are not sure where to go or what to get, read on and afterwards make an appointment with Mel or Mo. 

Stick to your Skin Tattoo puts you at ease when you enter the studio. There is no pretense, it is just plain art; traditional style tattoo art at the walls that makes you comfortable. Also a bunch of books and Mel and Mo’s portfolios to look through and see what artwork they have done and maybe what style of tattoo you would like to get. And as I made myself comfortable to take some pictures and sat down in a comfortable chair in the street-level front room/reception area, I heard a light buzzing from the room next door. Mel tattoos; I cannot miss  this opportunity to take a couple of shots.

Melanie Feist, 34 years-old, is the owner of Stick to Your Skin Tattoo in Coburg and has been a tattoo artist for a decade. Stick to Your Skin Tattoo is already her second tattoo store she opened three years ago. Drawing, sketching, painting, especially Disney when she was younger, were always her passion. When it comes to her background, she always worked in artistic surroundings and started tattooing professionally after her son was born. She worked in a tattoo store to learn tattoo-art by drawing and practicing but slowly she realized that she just has it all down and was ready to open her own store. Now that she is a professional and store owner for several years she knows what to look for before hiring a tattoo artist to work in her studio. When Mo entered her store one year ago, she knew that he has talent. “You just know when looking at a portfolio if a person has talent or not. After he showed me some sketches, painting and artwork, he tattooed a piece on my leg and I knew, he is the one. He just got the special something. ” Mel and Mo work together at Stick to Your Skin Tattoo, everyone has their own area to tattoo and she says that “he is someone who does not go on my nerves like most people after a while. He just does amazing work and we get along.” 

Three years ago Stick to Your Skin Tattoo opened its doors and is known for its steady clientele, professionalism, ideas and uniqueness. With two tattoo artist working, the shop can handle a diverse set of techniques and styles. If you look through the portfolios you will find a plethora of traditional artwork that is just breathtaking. Mel and Mo are open to its clientele – open to their wishes and desires. They both work with their customers to get the best tattoos done.  Mel stated that her work has gotten a lot better over the years and that she never stops learning new techniques to make the tattoos better and to improve. She also mentioned that Mo tells her what type of tattoos work really well and others that need a bit more work which helps Mel immensely. “He is a good critic,” Mel said. Both just work great together – a unique, special team at Stick to Your Skin Tattoo. 

Mel and Mo are easy-going, approachable and great people. As I sat down to ask Mel a bunch of questions for this post and to chat, her tattoo machine was gliding along Mo’s calf. Mel was in control the entire time and Mo was at ease in one way or another. “Many clients come in and ask if it hurts to get a tattoo,” Mel said. “Well, certain areas hurt more than others but it is all good. You want the tattoo done and look forward to it so much that most forget about the pain. We have our techniques to make it as comfortable as possible for our clients, ” she further stated. 

The tattoo studio is very clean and the artists work efficiently. You feel a comfortable vibe that you, as a client, are understood and respected as soon as you walk into the studio. Both artists work with you to make any tattoo you would like to get happen. “When you talk to a client you get this initial connection that just gets more intimate when you tattoo somebody for a couple of hours. You really get to know the person when talking to them, ” Mel says while the tattoo machine buzzes. Good tattoos take a considerable time to be prepared which will all be explained to the client in consolation. It is important to Mel, that the tattoo the client wants works for her, as well as for the client. There needs to be some common ground. Every tattoo is unique. Mel and Mo told me to make sure what you want to get tattooed – it will be on your skin most likely forever. Also verify what your two Chinese symbols stand for, before getting them tattooed. Does it mean “Peace and Freedom” or more “Chicken sweet & sour”? Do your research before and then meet with Mel or Mo before committing yourself to wear something for the rest of our life.  “Trust is important,” says Mel who is inspired by the Tattoo Artist Shio Zaragoza and the Artist Salvador Dali. Otherwise, life inspires her. “There is so much amazing stuff happening out there, every single day. We just have to open our eyes and see. Tattooing means freedom to me, self-realization as well as creativity. I usually carry a notebook with and when I see something amazing out there, I put it down – sketching or in words, “she says, smiling, while she finishes Mo’s tattoo.

Both artists have their respected areas of expertise. Mel loves to tattoo with colors, but she is also specialized in black and grey tattoos. Old school, comic-style, just ask them when you have a consultation.  “Color tattoos are just a lot of fun to do, ” Mel stated. It usually works through a word-of-mouth reputation if a tattoo studio is good and if the work the artists do is awesome. This is the old-fashioned way. However, what Mel and Mo dislike about the tattoo world are hate among tattoo studios and artists. There is a lot of jealous and no sympathy for other artists and their studios. Some tattoo artists go even so far as badmouthing other studios – or spreading negative feedback. I never knew this. I always thought tattoo artists stick together, learn from each other and whatnot. But I guess, you better Stick to Your Skin and get a Tattoo with Mel and Mo. You won’t be disappointed. Great artwork guaranteed. This post can also be found on TripAdvisor. Enjoy! 

Stick to Your Skin Tattoo

Kleine Johannisgasse 9, 96450 Coburg 

Opening hours: Monday to Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8.30 am to 2-3 pm or with special appointment 

Call: +49151 58804875

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