Ink...again

I just realized that my last entry promised ink but only talked weddings. Here's the deal:

I'm working on a story for my news writing class about the tattoo studios in Syracuse. So far, I've talked to a tattoo artist, a guy that works at a tattoo parlor as just an appointment guy and a tattoo studio owner. It's going really well and it's a far more interesting topic than one might expect. I was worried that they story I suspected was there wasn't - but that's always the case when just starting a story! Sterilization is a big issue - though disposables seem to  be the trend now - as is general safety. The artistry, of course, is addressed but I was surprised to learn today that the man I talked to said he hires people with art backgrounds - and traditional ones like painting and drawing. He has architecture training and design experiences, even though he doesn't actually tattoo. He does the piercing. I don't want to go to in depth with my findings because who knows if I could actually sell this story, if it's any good when I finish it up next week!

I can't believe what different feels each studio has thus far. If I were looking to get inked, my options would certainly be open. I wonder if there are marked personality differences in clientele at these places.

My other story finally came to fruition today, too. Let's just say I'm having a great reporting day! That is going to be published in the Post Standard Sept. 5 so I'll make sure I put a link to it what it comes out. For our Issues for Arts Journalists class, all the AJ students are putting out a Sunday supplement called The Mix and that's where my piece will be published.

I'm beginning to see the arts and culture in Syracuse in the same way I saw them in Buffalo and feel I'll be able to write a lot more once I get fully immersed. A lot of cool places are hidden - like this little coffee place I got a mocha at today. It's called Freedom of Espresso and is located directly across the street from Starbucks in Armory Square. I felt so bohemian shunning a delicious soy chai latte at Starbucks for organic, free trade coffee products. It's decorations are minimal, had one person behind the counter - a shaggy-haired, Hollister T-shirt wearing barista - and Willie Nelson playing from a little stereo set up. Announcements for local events covered one wall and a huge, gorgeous watercolor of a young woman hung on the opposite. 

I brought my newspaper and drank my mocha in preparation for my interview, which was just down the street. While I had to deal with a gaggle of teen girls, they also made me smile because they were in there. If no one has noticed, I love non-chain cafes and coffee places. I always write about them! But I seek them out. The other day a guy in my program and I went to get coffee at Dunkin Donuts in Armory Square before class and I just missed Tim Horton's and Spot so much. However, Freedom of Espresso is about the same distance from The Warehouse as Dunkin so, maybe I don't have to succumb to the bitter taste of their coffee - and the woman who called me "baby" and Jason "sweetie" (actually, sort of funny).

In other words, I'm figuring out this Syracuse thing. One cup of coffee, one interview, one vegan restaurant at a time.