Category: tattoos

It’s a Puzzle..

Ever had a jigsaw puzzle take five years to complete? I have.

For anyone who knows me, they will know only too well my fixation and fanboy devotion to the 90s music of R.E.M

I’ve been a fan from the early days, I’ve seen them live on many occasions, god I even have a tattoo of one of their album covers that I’m actually having touched up next week as it happens.

R.E.M – Monster tattoo

Around Christmas 2020 they released a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle in conjunction with the ALA (American library association) of an original poster that was released in 1990 to promote reading. This poster was quite collectible at the time and still sits in many fan’s collections around the globe. For those that did not possess the original poster, this jigsaw became the next best thing.

The original advert from the Very Good Puzzle company

The puzzle sold through the groups own website and was produced by the Very Good Puzzle Company. In the UK the puzzle retailed for about £25:00GBP. I think it was purchased for me as a Christmas present from a relative.

Box opening

I started the jigsaw in January 2021.

The intention from this day forward was to take a picture daily, as I set myself a target to dedicate an hour at a time towards its completion.

Day one
Day two
Day three
Day four

Beyond day four, which in itself had spanned a couple of months, time being spent on the puzzle when other commitments would allow. The puzzle became ever more difficult and confusing, as there are a number of areas within this puzzle where the areas are dark, or of just one colour and it just became a pain in the ass. So this was 2021 now, and very soon after this last picture, the jigsaw, on its base board just got put on the top of a cupboard in the spare bedroom, and there it stayed until early 2026.

For those who occasionally delve into my ramblings, you will be aware that in January 2026, after protracted selling shenanigans, we eventually moved to our new home. At this point we had packed and shifted almost everything, and the jigsaw was reluctantly broken up and put back into its original box. I guess I’d admitted defeat at this stage.

Step forward my Sister in law – Liz.

Now Liz loves Jigsaws, it’s her hobby and she heard of the ongoing issues with the R.E.M jigsaw. She has absolutely no interest in the group as such, and would probably, in her own way be quite opinionated in her views of their music, that’s her right and I respect that. She asked if she could take on the challenge to build it, and who was I to say no. So in March of 2026 I handed the box over to her.

Good luck with that Liz!

Just a few days ago Liz and her husband Terry came to visit as we were all heading out for a day. And as they came in they had a large object in a black plastic cover.

“Sit down Dave and open this” I was told, you might like it. I did what I was told and to my immense surprise, not only had Liz completed the puzzle, but her husband Terry had also framed it for me. I now have the completed puzzle, and the way it is presented looks absolutely fantastic.

The completed and framed puzzle

Liz had spent a lot of time on the puzzle, and also shared her frustrations on the dark areas that were problematic. But the thing with Liz is once she gets her teeth into something she will never give up. And for that I am forever grateful, for she has done a fantastic job, and this will be a welcome addition to my work room, as the wife won’t let me hang it anywhere else.

So after 5 years, the puzzle is complete. And I think it looks superb. I now have my own personal copy of that poster that was so popular back in 1990.

Thanks Liz. You are a star 🌟

A peaceful day to you all.

Another tatt

This time I’ve gone with a basic cross. I’ve always stated there was always a reason behind every tattoo I have and this one is no different. This represents my faith, I don’t push it to anyone it’s very personal, but some times I question it, and go quite deep with it.

We had an old cross in the house and I often looked to that in times of fear and uncertainty. The reason that it is a battered cross, matches my faith and my upbringing. It’s always there in some form but it’s been through some battles with me and is scarred. But it still remains, it’s still there battered and damaged, but still represents strength and hope.

The transfer
Finished
Wrap removed, cleaned now to heal

Simple is all it needs to be, such a symbol does not need complexity, and now late in my life I’m happy and confident enough to be proud of my faith and what this symbol means to me, and how it helped me through such a horrendous childhood. I choose this as art that represents a period of my life, and as always if anyone asks me what it represents, I can honestly tell them how this helped me through troubled times.

Peace.

Tattoo me

Whilst I understand fully why people don’t like tattoos, I personally love them. Yes there are some awful ones out there however many are works of art and those that dispense them are artists.

For me they represent something I love, a time or a place that brings great comfort or memories flooding back to me, representing something deeply personal and special that has featured prominently in my life.

Alfs paw print from the vet

And this one is for my best mate, Alf who sadly left us on the 16th August this year.

Before and during the inking

When Alf passed away the first thing the vet did was take a paw print off of him that was put into a card, I said to my wife at this point that I’d have a word with my tattooist, Pablo, and see if he could do something with it. Today I have met with Pablo and the tattoo is being done.

Cling filmed for a couple of hours prior to washing

Alf was known throughout the family as “Alfie Moon” and I asked for this to be incorporated into the finished tattoo, and after about an hour the job is done and though a bit sore im really pleased with the outcome.

It won’t be in its full glory until the healing has finished in a week or two, for now it’s all about keeping it clean and protected and moisturised until that time.

Finished just needs to heal

It’s my way of remembering a faithful friend and companion that I now know will be forever with me, in my memory and now etched on to me. When people ask I can tell them the many stories of “Alfie Moon” – A very good boy.

Tattoos, taboo in many peoples eyes, but try to see the world through the eyes of others, it is an art form and art is a form of expression. If it helps, it cannot be a bad thing. And in my case my tattoos tell my life story and those special people, animals and places that have touched it.

I’m a walking art gallery, to some.

But probably not to others, the choice is yours, and yours alone.

Thoughts 23/3/23

What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?

We were in Iceland about 5 weeks ago. A fantastic holiday full of spontaneity, I just wish I could lead that life 24hrs a day. Anyway I’m drifting now, the point of this post is that spontaneous action resulted in me getting a Tattoo there and then in Reykjavik at a local tattoo studio.

Helm of Awe and Icelandic runes

It’s a Nordic protection in battle symbol called a “Helm of awe” used to strike fear into people in the early years of the islands forming, I’ve used it as a protection in life of sorts. The Icelandic runes are the letters D & E that relate to the wife and my names.

So that’s what I’ve had done, I’m now looking at having another couple done relating to my home county. I think tattoos are great and that there are some stunning ones out there if done properly.

Mind you, you don’t half see some right rotten ones. Must admit they’re not for everyone but at the end of the day what you do to your own skin is your decision and yours only.

Enjoy and be happy 👍