Anthony "prophecyboy" R.'s Profile

I walked in to Black & Blue and met with Tala and she was able to set me up for an appointment right away. I've never had a tattoo before, so I didn't really know what to expect and I wanted to jump right in and get one right then and there. Of course, I had been drinking, so it was good that we set a later date, as I was later to find out that drinking + tattooing don't mix well, despite the many "drunk-night" tattoos people tend to get.

She was very helpful with telling me all I needed to know about aftercare and how to prep for the big day. I was also struggling with having enough money, so I kept pushing my appointment back to make sure I had enough and could afford getting the tattoo.  I definitely appreciate the fact that she was willing to work with me and talk to me about what to expect so I wouldn't hestitate.

What I thought was really neat was that she turned a design of mine into a stencil and transferred it to my arm.

A few things did bother me a bit. She didn't seem all that friendly. She was a little standoffish at first. I don't know if that was because I was a guy or I was a newbie. Her assistant made some crack about me not being completely fresh because I have my ears pierced.

She took a long time to get it done.  Granted, the tatt was bigger than I originally planned to have it, but I ended up really liking it.  She made it really dense and went back over spots and took a lot of time filling it in and going back around the design.  I had a friend with me and she pointed out that it really shouldn't have taken as long as it took for Tala to complete it.  But I was fine with it being perfected.  I mean, it is permanent, so do what you have to do to make it the best it could be.  But now that it's completely healed, I noticed scarring, so I have to go back to get it touched up.  I just don't think I'll be going back to Tala.

I'm grateful and appreciative for the work she has done and the patience she had with me.  But, I'm already planning my next tatt and I plan on shopping around for another artist somewhere else.  Hopefully, if that experience turns out well, then I'll ask that artist to touch up my existing tattoo.

The thing that's great about Mike's gym is that when you join and start meeting everyone else, you'll begin to feel like you're part of one big family.  I was always turned off and intimidated by most gyms.  But Mike's was the first place I felt comfortable and welcomed from the very beginning by everyone there.

I've been working out with Mike and Jordan for over a year now.  Mike has his way of teaching and Jordan is completely different, but they're both capable of getting you to your goals.  I like to work out with Mike one day and with Jordan another day of the week.  I seem to be able to get a complete full-body workout and learn a few more things along the way from each of them.

It took me a little bit to really get into working out and eating healthy.  So it was hard for me to get to a place where I'd start seeing results.  But I stuck with it and Mike and Jordan, both, drilled into me that I needed to start developing better habits and push myself in training.  And now I've lost over 20lbs and I'm noticing changes in my body and my energy level.  They were the catalyst I needed to find the motivation to get into shape.

Plus, I'm learning how to kick (punch?) ass and it's pretty great.

I came into this Subway once almost three years ago and had the worst customer service experience ever and vowed to never come back to this Subway ever again.  I'm not being melodramatic.  Okay, maybe a little bit, but it was pretty bad.  I've worked food service jobs before, and if you're really *that* unhappy, then maybe it's time to find another job.

But, I digress.  I don't remember exactly what my experience was last time I was there.  I mean, it was three years ago.  I just remember not having the friendliest of service and the worker who helped me just seemed so unhappy and unfriendly that I almost wanted to cry.

Almost.

Well, three years later and the workers are still not happy.  When I asked for a little bit of mayo and a little bit of oil and vinegar, the guy threw a glob of mayo and drenched the side of my sandwhich with the oil.  If that's what they consider a little bit, I don't want to know what they would consider a normal amount.

Kudos to those with more positive experiences with this place.  But I can get my subpar and cheap sandwiches elsewhere.

Sadlands.  There really isn't much more to say about this place.  The only times I've enjoyed myself is when I'm completely smashed BEFORE going in and just dancing away to horrible horribly-mixed music.

Yeah, it can be fun if you don't take it too seriously and you enjoy yourself and your friends.  But I'd still rather go somewhere else.

It's not worth the $2 cover.  (Assuming it's still $2?)

The convenience factor with this place definitely works for me.  Working at Sacramento and Front Street, it's literally right around the corner.

We try not to hit this place up after work when it's really crowded, but even then, we tend to find places to sit.  The waitresses and bartenders are all pretty decent people, very friendly and quick to refill your drinks.

I'm liking this place more and more, but the Yuppie factor might come into play here.  So far, I like the crowd.  It's a pretty good mix, considering the types of customers that frequent the surrounding bars and pubs.

The convenience factor with this place relative to where I work (Sacramento and Battery) really sold me when it comes to wanting decent Thai Food that's fast and affordable.  They are super nice and and super efficient.

At work, someone calls this place the "Ridiculously Efficient Thai Place" and for a long time that's what I knew it as.

I'm sucker for good Thai Yellow Curry, and I find myself coming back to this place often.  The place is small and there's a line out door sometimes, but most times there's not.  And even if there was a line out the door, the line diminishes pretty quickly.

i really love the fish burrito.  the salsas are really good too.  this is probably one of the only places that i don't turn down their chips.  their chips seem to be just the right amount of salty.  and their mango salsa is my favorite.

i'm really trying hard to like this place.  the old ginger's was seedy as all hell, but it was comfortable and i was getting to know the regulars.  now it's just way too dark inside.  the whole atmosphere changed.

the only saving grace is that the new bartender is really nice and laid back.  he even remembers our names and our drinks.  i intend to give it some more chances to be a place i look forward to going after work.  this was one of the very few yuppy-free places i could go and decompress after work.  now, i'm not so sure about that anymore.

oh btw, it's just Gingers now.  No Trois.

this makes a great getaway if you work in yuppy-town (aka the Financial District).  sometimes you want to get a drink after work and head elsewhere and not too far away.  the bartenders have always been great to us and Mama is just the best!

it does get a little empty, but when it picks up, it picks up.  overall, the place is comfy and welcoming.  not at all pretentious.

i really enjoyed Yield.  i had a great glass of wine (i had a Syrah, i think there were two kinds, i don't remember which one i had).  the atmosphere is really great and comfy.  the servers there were both very kind and attentive.  it wasn't too busy when we got there, but it picked up a bit and died down again.  the flatbeads are really good.  overall, i had a wonderful experience there.