L.A. L.A. Land -- "Medical" Marijuana Paradise

During my recent visit to Los Angeles, I was amused at the city's infatuation with "medical" marijuana. Apparently, it's a free for all when it comes to smoking weed. All you need is a doctor's note to score it and the willingness to forge the signature. My friend pointed out a few of the places you can get it and as you ride down Hollywood Blvd there are illuminated marijuana plants in every other window. No wonder everyone is so laid back in LA!

Baby Mama, Hollywood Drama

Denise Richards had two kids with ex-husband Charlie Sheen. Does "baby mama" apply after you got a ring first?


Mary-Louise Parker got cheated on and dumped by Billy Crudup when she was 7 months pregnant. Then she jumped on the Jolie bandwagon and got an Ethiopian baby.


Angelina Jolie is just a few steps away from being Octomom.

Lauren London managed to get pregnant by Lil' Wayne the same time R&B singer Nivea did. She knows how to pick 'em.

The "baby mama" title has such a negative stigma attached to it. And usually, the image we conjure up in our heads are those of hootrats and trailer trash. But what about Hollywood's finest? It's interesting how picket fence standards don't apply to the rich and famous. For the record, I'm in no way knocking single mothers. I'm just pointing out the difference most people feel about unwed mothers of different economic status. Just an observation.

Metal Taboo -- Weekly Scramble

Here are some new Metal Taboo items.

"Sexpot of the Week" -- Julie Becker

Julie Becker has been a tattoo artist for over a decade and has become a wide known in the tattoo world for not only her ability, but --let's face it--her sexiness. Her Myspace profile lists her occupation as tattoo artist and part time pin-up model so you get the idea. Sexpot indeed!

Metal Taboo August Giveaway -- "Porn Star" Necklace

Every month, Metal Taboo offers a giveaway of one of its items to members of its mailing list. For July, we are giving away our "Bad Ass" disc necklace. This necklace can be worn by guys or gals and will be adjusted to fit the sex of the winner. To enter, click here. Good luck!

"Sex in Art" Weekly Picks

Romain Laurent


Ad photographer Kurt Stallaert


Tattoo artist Joe Capobianco

Earlier this month I mentioned the website Sex in Art and how it has some really amazing art. Well, the site is so good and the art is so intoxicating that I am going to feature some art from it every week. I mean, you gotta love art and who can get enough sex?

Lyric Raid -- "Strip Tease" by Danity Kane

I have a confession to make. I have a guilty pleasure. I'm a Danity Kane devotee. And I'm upset they broke up. The girls (as floozie-like as they may come off--Aubrey in particular) are very talented and had a hitmaking machine behind them. Of couse, they had lots of songs about sex/ sexpotdom so they fit the Much Ado lyric raid beautifully.

"Shoulders down.
Leg out.
Bend over.
Lips pout.
Bat eyes.
Show thigh.
Lift em up.
Don't touch.

I got a proposition if you want it (If you want it).
Dare you to let me run some game on ya (Game on ya).
Undress me with you eyes .
You're in for a surprise,
What's underneath my exteri-eri-eri-erior.

You do your best to put your name on it (Name on it).
But you could never put your claim on it (Claim on it).
Create your (fantasies).
Which role ya wanna (be)?
Check the reflection in the mirror-irr-irr-or.

I know you like it ,
The way I do it private.
You cant deny it.
Just wanna please you.
Blow out ya candle in my birthday suit surprise.
Just let me make your night.
I'll do you like you like.
I'll fulfill your needs.
Keep your tip this one's on me.

You know you want my strip tease.
You want it say please.
You know you want my strip tease.
You want it say please.
You know you want my strip tease.
You want it say please.
You know you want my strip tease.
You want it say please.
I can make you if you want it."

New Font & Website Changes

I've been scolded repeatedly for using plain Arial font for Metal Taboo so I changed it. I wanted something that looked tattoosy and artistic, but not too feminine since the brand is so bold. After narrowing it down to a few, I picked this one. I really like it, but what do you think? Take a look at the updated website also.

MT July Giveaway Ends Tomorrow -- "Bad Ass" Necklace

Tomorrow is the last day to Enter the Metal Taboo July Giveaway. We are giving away our "Bad Ass" disc necklace. This necklace can be worn by guys or gals and will be adjusted to fit the sex of the winner. To enter, click here. Good luck!

Something I Love -- Corsets and Such

This week I purchased a corset from GiGi Devlin Corsetiere (pictured above). I have mentioned often that I am fond of pin up girls and pin up art, but my intrigue is growing more and more. I also stumbled upon this website that sells retro clothing that pin up girls would wear. Anyway, just thought I'd share my love of fashion :)

Metal Taboo -- Weekly Scramble

I thought I'd post some new Metal Taboo item pictures. I add so many things all the time, it only makes sense for me to post a few of the items on here each week. Go to our online store to see all the new items!

Art Spotlight-- Sex in Art

Tommy of The Seabirds


Phillip Dvorak


Japanese Illustrator Hakuchi


Larissa


Nigel Tomm

Sex in Art is a website devoted to what else--sex in art. It has some pretty great photgraphy and artists. It is racey, but it's sex! Come on. What do you expect? Their "About" message states: "Because we dig art and we dig sex." I can dig it!

Not Beautiful. But Quite Dirty. And Rich -- NJ Corruption Scandal

Gotta love New Jersey. Politicians there never let you down for a good news story. The corruption scandal that surfaced last week has to date gotten a mixture of 44 politicians, rabbis, and other officials arrested. Don't you just love the money hungry? Greed is one of the seven deadly sins so it's been around for a while. Money talks, bullshit walks.

I wonder what it takes for one to cross the line. The young mayor of Hoboken was a bartender on the side so obviously his paycheck wasn't sufficing. If he earned a little more, would he have been less likely to take the bribes? Do you have to be a bad person to give in? Would the average person refuse to get involved? I just wonder whether it's easy to look on the outside in and judge. I personally think most of them are assholes, but that's because well...I'm on the outside looking in. Below are some of the key players in the whole thing.


Seacaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell was one of the biggest figures named. Not that you should judge a book by its cover, but he just looks like an asshole.


The youngin' of the crew, Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano III started his political career on the wrong track. He's been mayor less than a month! From some of the quotes I've heard, he's a cocky little bastard. Unfortunately, his newborn is most likely gonna be daddyless for a while.


Brooklyn had to be a part of this somehow huh? And in the most shameful way. Levy-Izhak Rosenbaum preyed on desperate and sick people, buying kidneys for $10,000 and selling them for $160,000. The worse.


And this guy (Jersey City political operative Jack Shaw) couldn't take the heat so got his ass out the kitchen. He was found dead 5 days after his arrest. They found pills and it is assumed he committed suicide. I guess depending on what you believe, he may be getting more heat than he can stand right now.


Laundering and laundromats. Irony? One guy laundered money in his apartment above the laundromat. How cute.

Metal Taboo July Giveaway -- "Bad Ass" Necklace

Every month, Metal Taboo offers a giveaway of one of its items to members of its mailing list. For July, we are giving away our "Bad Ass" disc necklace. This necklace can be worn by guys or gals and will be adjusted to fit the sex of the winner. To enter, click here. Good luck!

Art Spotlight-- Thomas Deininger

Heart Tattoo


Confused


Pierce


Party girl


Black baby doll


Fruit flies

I am very fond of Thomas Deininger's artwork. It is provocative in very subtle ways. He doesn't focus on only sex or gore or paint for shock value. All his art seems to be normal interpretations of life the way most of us know it. Fruit flies aren't pornagraphic, but they are disgusting. Party girls are common, but not usually depicted in paint. Breasts are painted all the time, but the focus of the painting isn't usually the tattoo. His titles are simple, but many of them provoke a lot of thought. He just nudges at taboos, which I think is very innovative and genius. I couldn't post all of his photos, but I suggest you take a look. I will probably post more of his stuff later on.

Newsy Taboo -- HIV Ban to Be Lifted

It is impossible to keep in tune with all the laws and policies that shape America. I'm pretty sure most people aren't aware that anyone infected with HIV is not allowed to vacation, visit, or immigrate to the United States. The federal law was instated in 1987 and they are just now trying to repeal it. Other diseases that are banned include tuberculosis, gonorrhea, syphilis and infectious leprosy. People who oppose the ban says HIV is included based solely on stigma and that there is no scientific data backing the ban. People who are for the ban fear increased health care costs for HIV infected immigrants and more transmission. Both sides have a point. Politics can be so overwhelming. To read more, click here.

My Love of Pin Ups -- Part One

Tattoo by Roy Priestley at Skinshokz


Classic Pin Up Painting by Harry Ekman


Contemporary Painting by Elizabeth Austin

So I love pin ups. I have vowed that for my 30th birthday I am going to splurge and get professional pin up pictures of myself done. I prob should start saving now, but I thought I would post some art and tattoos of some great pin up girls. I couldn't find any good African American Pin Up art (or any other minorities for that matter) so the hunt is on. I will devote a post to those once I can find some images.

Lyric Raid -- "Beautiful Dirty Rich" by Lady Gaga

Time for more Gaga. Like I said before, her lyrics are the epitome of taboo--the obsession with fame, money, sex, and extravagance. In this particular, it's all about looking good, but being broke. Aren't many of us guilty of that!

"We got a redlight,
Pornographic dancefight,
Systematic, honey,
But we go no money.
Our hair is perfect,
While were all getting shit wrecked.
It's automatic, honey,
But we got no money.
Daddy I'm so sorry, I'm so s-s-sorry yeah.
We just like to party, like to p-p-party yeah

Bang bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich.
Bang bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich."