I love working on old cars & trucks, because grease is fun. I'm enamored of vintage furniture and housewares, and love collecting little weird things, devil girls, dashboard hula dolls, and old records. I have fun posing for pin-up photos, because they are wonderfully remniscent of days gone by. I loooove Tikis, and love to use them in my "art", especially when they're infested with glitter and shiny stuff.
Las Vegas, car shows, roadtripping, and exploring the off-the-beaten-path world are always among my favorite things. Great and terrible food weaknesses include Jennie-O cheezy-filled turkey dogs, Blake's onion rings (which are the best things on the planet), and cactus prickly pears. Chocolate in any of its myriad forms at any time of day, cocktails outside when the sun is going down, and eating ice cream cones with little jimmies all over them on a hot summer day. Can't forget to mention fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches, either...a dangerous food best saved for chilly, depressing days that thankfully don't come around too often. Voodoo dolls, tricky spells, and tossing a proper hoodoo on the evil that yoodoo. KitchenAid gadgets in black and chrome, recipes and cookbooks, all things flamed and flaming, martini shakers and martinis in general. I am a firm believer in the old school philosophy on the cocktail hour, the graceful way to wind down the day. Sewing is a fabulous hobby/skill, and I make or alter a lot of my own clothes. I have a nasty habit of trolling Ebay for as much gorgeous vintage clothing as I can possibly afford, and now I need a second closet. My newest joyful obsession is Fire King Jadeite cookware, which beats down CorningWare like a luchador gone loco. Sometimes I feel a little bit like a tattooed Martha Stewart in a time warp. Oh, and I love Tikis, Tikis, and more Tikis. Did I mention Tikis?
Music
There are just too many styles of music, and way too many artists to list. I like a lot of local acts, like the Boston-based Slim Jim and the Mad Cows & Jason James. Here in Albuquerque, we've got the amazing Long Gone Trio, who play out at the Atomic Cantina. I'd also like to mention the ever-supportive Dead Set on Crazy, and The RumFits. Please visit all of their their profiles for some great music for your page! I love a lot of older music, especially swing, big band, and rockabilly, past and present. I really like finding weird (ok, bizarre) old recordings from the 40's and 50's...wacky stuff that makes you wonder what in the heck you're listening to. Hello, Hasil Adkins!!! Carmen Miranda always plays when I'm feeling blue, because HOW can you be unhappy when she's singing???
Movies
I'm truly terrible at getting out to see movies. Most movie watching is done at home these days...Turner Classics is the all-time Daddio when it comes to the vintage flicks and Film Noir. Since we switched to satellite, I've been really loving the Chiller channel, and all the Alfred Hitchcock movies I can wrap my eyes around. A favorite film is Auntie Mame, the one with Rosalind Russell...I adore Lucille Ball, but she sings like a grackle. Office Space, Monsters, Inc., and Harlem Nights will always make me drop what I'm doing to watch them. Same with O Brother Where Art Thou?, which I watched a dozen times in 3 days. Every year, I will watch Comedy Central's 24 hour "A Christmas Story" marathon as though I've not seen the movie before in my life. Can someone find me the leg lamp!?! Pleasantville is an absolute favorite...I'd have never returned home to the modern day! We just joined NetFlix, so I'm finally getting to see years and years of movies I missed for one dumb reason or another. We just watched the SuperSwank Thin Man series, and Idlewild, which had stunning dance sequences and amazing costuming....yay, movies!
Television
TV Land, of course! Well, at least up until they started airing a load of 80's shows. Don't even play that there aren't enough black and white shows to put on! Anyway, I know it's faux-cool to act like you never turn the TV on, but an hour or two after dinner is the best way for me to mellow out. I can watch The Box and still lead a very productive life. I LOVE a martini and Leave it to Beaver at the end of a long day! Father did indeed Know Best. I Love Lucy and The Andy Griffith Show are all-time faves...I really want to live in Mayberry! I also have a weird weakness for The Brady Bunch, even though I loathe the 70's and just about everything else related to that decade. Absolutely Fabulous! I am the Edina to Em's Patsy...hopefully she'll come back home soon for some vodka, sweetie. I'm a CSI junkie (and all 10,000 spinoffs), and I love House, too. I just hope I never get any of those weird diseases...ewwww. Also to list is whatever I fall across on the History Channel, TLC, and HGTV, which feeds my desire to actually own a home that I can turn into a 1950's Better Homes featurette. Naturally, I have to add The Simpsons, Futurama, South Park, and Family Guy ( I am Roger, by the way...shhhhh). I love to laugh as much as humanly possible, so throw in Chappelle's Show (alas, we hardly knew ye), Mind of Mencia, The Daily Show, and of course, the Colbert Report. I like TV and the evil messages it sends directly into your brain. Who needs tinfoil hats? They block out all the good stuff.
Books
There is just not enough space in the world to type the list of authors I like. Books are like favorite places to me, where I can go visit distant places and old friends. Yeah, strange, I know. Anyway, a few recommendations...if you love divine rockabilly women & La Loteria, you REALLY need to do yourself a favor and go buy !Caramba! by Nina Marie Martinez. Every Borders and Barnes & Noble carries it...I know this because I look for it every time I'm in a bookstore, just to make sure it's still out there for people to buy. I've read it about a full 8 times now, and I love it like some people love their Bibles. I'm so looking forward to her next book, it's not even remotely funny! Well, maybe it is...there is a dork factor on my behalf there.
Try out mysteries by Dana Stabenow and Sue Henry...excellent mystery writers who set their works in Alaska. Currently, I'm rereading the Margaret Coel mystery series set in Northeast Oklahoma. I love Southwestern-set books! During my oh-so-rare tattoo sessions, I love reading Ol'Skool Rodz and of course, Car Kulture DeLuxe. I'm gunning for a cover.
Heroes
My Mom, for always supporting us, no matter what we do. My Dad, who taught me appreciation for old cars and how to work on them. My sister, for just being her in all her wacky glory, often imitated but never duplicated. Nick and Nora Charles, for being so Swanktastic. Bender, for all of the obvious reasons, and for a few less so. The Rat Pack, because they are The Rat Pack. The many leading ladies of the days gone by. Days when women truly were divas, and I DON'T mean the hissy-fit throwing wanna-be's of today...strong, self-assured, and carving a place for themselves despite the scores of shrinking violets around them. Bombshells who wouldn't dream of going out without bullet bras, corsets, or industrial-strength foundation garmets, all the better to accentuate their perfect curves. Women who wore gorgeous hats regardless of the season, silk stockings, stiletto heels that shot up to here, and necklines down to there. Women who did not fear being sexy or sexual, who were not afraid to use what they had, and somehow remained beyond the term "beautiful". They were ethereal. They were goddesses.
Everyone everywhere working to empower the average person...knowledge and information are gifts.
I love retro modelling, cheesecake, pin-up, and so on. I'm looking to work and link with photographers, models, and others who are into the retro lifestyle. Feel free to email anytime and chat!
Miss Raven's Companies
Mass Ink Tattoo East Bridgewater, MA US Body Colorer, Hole Poking Person
2003-2006
Star Tattoo Albuquerque, New Mexico US Skin Scribbler
2007 so far
The Hot Rod Planet Rio Ghetto, The New Mexico, not the old one. US Maker of girly and sparkly things.
When the mood strikes.
Miss Raven is gearing up for the Nob Hill Shop & Stroll, and a visit to Larry's Hats for a feathery new confection!!!! Posted at 9:11 PM Dec 3, 2009 view more
About me: Howdy do! Not much new here in Burque...I've been on a tear decorating mi casa for the Christmas season, and it's looking mighty festive now, if I do say so myself! Quite a bit of furniture shuffling was needed to get everything to flow right, but the house is cozy and happy, and I'm enjoying a glass of wine and taking it all in. Rosie is sacked out on her chair by the window, a big ball of white cow, with her nose tucked under her tail. I think she was a bit weirded out by the activity, but seems content with it now.
In other news, the commercial for Fat Daddy's is still in the can. I'm still waiting to hear when it hits the airwaves, and am nervous as hell about seeing it!!! I'll keep you posted on the details as they come in. New photos will be shot this weekend for a new page that I'm working on, which will be devoted specifically to the burlesque venture that I've undertaken with much help from the talented Kittie Irreverent. It's off to a roaring start...Devon just secured a spot for a burlesque show at the new venue run by Joe Anderson, called Low Spirits. The tentative show date is January 15th, and will feature girls, music, and vintage films. After that, we'll be performing in the Southwest Burlesque Showcase at the historic Kimo Theater on Route 66 in early February. I can't wait!!!! I'm also planning a road trip to neighboring Arizona to scout out a few receptive venues for new shows, and hope to travel up to Colorado to perform. I'll definitely keep updating the page as things shake loose. Til then, much love to you all!!!!
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I'm a tattoo artist and body piercer, with 11 years in the business. I've applied my craft in Florida, owned a shop in Arizona, and plan on another someday soon, down Albuquerque way. The slideshow above shows some of my work. I like this feature, but I've noticed that some of the photos have a certain jaggedness due to resolution issues. Still can't figure out how to fix that once and for all. For more recent work, be sure to check out the brand new Star Tattoo website!
My truck...home in New Mexico at last!!!! In honor of my fav-o-rite book, I've taken to calling my little parts-dropper The Big Five-Oh. There are not nearly enough words to describe the thrill of dragging the beast out of New Jersey, across the country, and down old Route 66! And no offense to the people of New Jersey, but I hate Parsippany, Black Hole of Hell that it is. May it return to the inferno from which it came.
Here's a few samples of some photography of mine. I'm hoping to get the images printed soon for those who are interested....
For 16 years, Coco was by my side both figuratively and literally. We traveled many a road together, and she logged more road trip miles and visited more places in North and Central America than most people ever will. She was my confidante, my partner in crime, and my port in the storm. For those of us who knew and loved her, her leaving will sting for a long time to come.
We knew that this time was coming, but nothing in the world can prepare you for it. Coco was in great health until this past winter, when age began to overtake her. On June 23rd, Coco snuck out the front door for one last great adventure. She terrified all of us, and thoroughly rattled at least one member of the Rio Rancho Police Department while she had her fun. Today, July 7th, she left home for one last ride through New Mexico, on her way to chase bunnies in the sky. She will be missed beyond words...
Many thanks to Jake for gently easing Coco into the Great Beyond. While I do not envy him his job, I much admire the quiet grace and dignity with which he does it. He was there for us in barely a moments' notice, offering not only his services, but his friendship and moral support. We look forward to the day when we can repay him that great kindness.
What else about me to stick in the "About Me" section? I feel like a bit of an ass saying "I", "I", "I" all the time here, but I suppose a profile is supposed to be about the person who maintains it. After all, you're not here in my page to read about the local sports team or the latest drunken antics of the current crop of Celebretards. Besides, I couldn't fake my way through a conversation about sports if I tried, just like I can't hack into computers, though right about now, that could be interesting indeed...
Anyway, I love red lipstick and wear it as often as I can. Come to think of it, I love most colors of lipstick. I loooove backseam stockings and the rarer-still backseam pantyhose, because a vintage dress isn't quite right without them. Corsets, garters, and foundation garments are a necessity of life, no matter what size you are. I get irritated by petty jealousy, because no one does or has something so special, that someone else couldn't do it or have it if they'd just quit bitching and get on it themselves. I have an insatiable desire to collect vintage jewelry, and am absolutely nuts about rhinestones. I also have a bizarre weakness for feathered hats, boas, purses, and the like. I accomplish what I set my mind to more often than not. I like to pose for retro photos but get a little bummed about how most of them come out, not because of the photographer, but because frankly, I really don't think I'm super spiffy in the looks department. I'm terribly shy around new people, and display an amazing talent for fumbling words and sticking my foot in my mouth. I often wake up after a party or gathering, wondering if I said something stupid or if I started babbling from sheer nervousness. I eat the tails off of chocolate bunnies.
I'm addicted to false eyelashes, liquid eyeliner, hair flowers, vintage hats, and funky purses that are too small to be actually useful. I temper my positive with negative, and my negative with positive. Vintage gloves with beading, scalloped edges, sculptured cuffs, eyelet lace, and other decorative edging should be in every girls' dresser. I cry watching things like Extreme Home Makeover or when I see animals getting mistreated or hunted solely for "sport". I can't wear high heels unless they are a minimum of 3.5" high, preferably with a platform sole, although most of mine are 4" or 5" high. I don't care for "flats", because they look like someone intentionally broke the heels off of perfectly good shoes. I once shoved a man to the ground for kicking his dog. I love to laugh as much as possible, even though I think my laugh sounds a little like a braying donkey. I try and watch my money and my diet, but have a propensity for saying the Hell with it and eating and spending like I could be gone tomorrow. I think my voice is too deep to be considered girly, but not deep enough to be sexy like Kathleen Turner. I'd like to win the lottery so I could help people and make a difference in someone's life by getting them what they need to eat and stay warm. I'd like to win the lottery to buy a new transmission so I can throw mine back onto the farm it came from.
I have a thing for beaded and sequined Orlon sweaters from the 50's, and cannot resist buying vintage dresses...ever. Restoring damaged dresses has become a minor mission in life, because they really don't make them quite like that anymore. I fail to comprehend why people have MySpace profiles, then write nothing in them. Art Nouveau is my favorite art movement. Art Deco is my second favorite. I'm grateful that my Mom didn't raise us to be "pretty people", and said that while looks will only take you so far, your brain will take you the distance. I'm mildly neurotic...who said that? I'm wondering how many people have actually read this far. I'm an unrepentant shoe hunter/gatherer, and am probably single-handedly raising DSW's stock value. I cannot resist flea markets, yardsales, antique stores, and vintage shops of any kind. My eyeballs will roll clear from my head when I pass one of these potential treasure troves. The bad part is chasing them down the street, knocking the dust and pebbles off, and popping them back in. A dream of mine is to open a funky little vintage resale shop, but I'm not sure I could part with much of what would be purchased to stock the place. I own way too much stuff...yes, it's a LOT of stuff, but it's all really, realllllly cool.
Who I'd like to meet: There's a lot of people that I'd love to meet, and as time goes by, that list gets shorter and shorter. Link Wray, Carl Perkins, and Ronnie Dawson left us too soon. And that's just the beginning.
Mel Brooks...I'd kill for two seconds of film time with this man. How I regret not being able to meet Anne.
Wanda Jackson...we met last year, but is once ever enough when it comes to Miz Wanda?
Little Richard...a persona larger than life itself.
The Reverend Horton Heat...HotHotHot!
Brian Setzer...a King of Rockabilly Swing.
Mike Ness...simply for being Mike Ness.
Carmen Miranda, Dorothy Lamour, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Hedy Lamarr, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis...someday.
I'd love to meet other Rockabilly and Greaser fans from all over, as well as other tattoo artists, especially other ladies! We're still somewhat of a rarity in the business. Also, anyone interested in old Fords, especially the F series trucks, you're welcome to stop by this page and join me in a martini (or a PBR...just name your poison). Feel free to message anytime, I love to hear from friends both new and old...
Many Thanks to Sid of the Albuquerque chapter of the Rumblers for the use of his sweet little rod in a recent photo shoot. The picture above was entered in the Kitten Koffin Zombies pin up contest, and is now my official KKZ banner.
Lawmakers are at it again! They're trying to push through another tax increase on smokers, this time to cover the costs of health insurance for children. While I support helping the poor, I support doing that without singling out a small fraction of US citizens (please see my blog above). If you do as well, please visit stoptheFETincrease.com or call 1-866-527-4494, and tell lawmakers that this tax shouldn't be forced on a tiny group which has seen 73 tax increases since the year 2000. Taxes typically are shared by all, especially health care taxes. A 156% tax increase should never happen to ANYONE, regardless of how you feel about smoking. Get off your ass, and be heard! Please call today....tomorrow, they could be looking at you and your Twinkies....
This just cracks me up...and here they claim that no business ever gets hurt by smoking bans!!!
***just a long note*** Seems after getting profile spammed, I have intermittent "drops" in friends occurring. If you've gotten dropped somehow, please send another add request so it can be fixed! ALSO, thanks to said spam, I'll no longer be accepting profiles set to Private, without first getting a message from you. A few times I've opened private profiles & found porn sites & racist rants...not quite the way to start the day.***
A few weeks ago I backed up Don Woody at the 1st Rockabilly Bash. I did that with the Tri-Tones from Estonia. Here’s a video clip with his song “Barkin’ Up The Wrong Tree”.
At the same evening I released my 2nd album ‘Mixed Up”. I recorded this album with The Neva River Rockets from Russia, the Tri-Tones from Estonia and did two duets with U.S.A singer Karling Abbeygate.
THE VIDEO FOR OUR SONG "HONKY TONKIN' HELLRIDERS", FEATURING FOOTAGE FROM OUR FIRST YEAR UPTO OUR RECENT EUROPEAN TOUR, IS FINALLY UP AND RUNNIN'!!!! GRAB A COLD PBR, ROLL UP YER REEFER, KICK BACK AND CHECK IT OUT!!! CHEERS!!!!
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