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The documentary "Tattoo Nation" deftly chronicles the journey of modern tattoo artistry in the United States as it moved from the margins to the mainstream. Director Eric Schwartz, aided by writer-producer John Corry, writer-editor Marco Jakubowicz and narrator Corey Miller (TLC's "L.A. Ink"), has crafted a vivid portrait that should satisfy aficionados and intrigue the curious. Ink-averse viewers, however, may remain unsold. Once mainly the province of servicemen, gang members, drug addicts and convicts, tattoos are now de rigueur (an estimated 45 million Americans have at least one)

What Congress giveth, Congress taketh away. And so it was that on Jan. 1 most wage earners found themselves a little light in the paycheck. The reason, of course, is that lawmakers late last year allowed the 2-percentage-point cut in the employee portion of the FICA tax to expire. That benefit was enacted in 2010 to put more cash in taxpayers' wallets during the tough economic downturn. But the greater tax burden doesn't mean would-be home buyers need to put off taking advantage of some of the lowest mortgage rates in eons.

DALLAS - It's remarkable how slow - and disjointed - architecture can sometimes appear. For nearly a decade, younger architects have pushed for a new agenda in the profession. They've been loudly (and rightly) critical of the expensive, highly mannered and sometimes self-indulgent trophy buildings turned out by some of the world's most prominent architects. And they've helped bring different and more public-minded priorities to the fore. And yet the trophy buildings keep coming.

When Santa Monica publicist Kevinie Woo got the word of a looming shortage, "at first I was a little bit panicked. " The product in question: yoga pants. But not just any yoga pants. Lululemon Athletica Inc., the purveyor of pricey athletic wear, is warning of a squeezed supply of its signature black yoga pants, form-fitting women's garments that have developed an almost cult-like following nationwide. The news came after the company announced it would be recalling thousands of pairs from store shelves because of a manufacturing defect.

Perhaps you were thinking that removing your pubic hair was giving you a nice clean look? Think again, says a group of dermatologists. Writing in a sister publication of the British Medical Journal , two French dermatologists and a global health researcher from Emory University have suggested that an upsurge in the spread of the sexually transmitted molluscum cantagiosum virus over the last decade may be attributable to the trend of shaving...

Toyota's North American subsidiary has formed a new political action committee, according to a recent Federal Election Commission filing. The Federal Election Commission "statement of organization" form shows the new PAC listed as "Toyota North America Inc. Political Action Committee (Toyota/Lexus PAC). " The PAC will be allowed to raise up to $5,000 per year from eligible company employees. Observers said it was the automaker's latest push to extend its influence. Tracy Doi, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.'s group vice president and chief financial officer, will serve as the PAC's treasurer, according to the federal filings.

GAZIANTEP, Turkey - On the banquet hall stage, a young girl with a Syrian opposition flag painted on her left cheek sang antigovernment songs, a sort of greatest hits of the Syrian revolution. Behind her, several men with their arms slung over one another's shoulders danced in rhythm. But few others at the election conference paid much attention to the impromptu display. Huddled in the lobby or in secret meetings, small groups of men representing the spectrum of Syria's opposition plotted and lobbied on behalf of competing interests.

Dwight Howard ran sprints after practice Wednesday to improve his conditioning and said he had also cut back on candy and undergone acupuncture treatments. “I'm in good shape for a basketball player,” the Lakers center said, “but I'm not in Superman shape. I want to get in Superman shape.” How far away is he, given that it's been 10 months since he underwent surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back? “It's awhile,” he said, “but I'm going to give it everything I can.” Howard has put together a nice stretch since the All-Star break with three double-doubles in four games.

NEW YORK - In the mid-1950s, Japanese artist Kazuo Shiraga took action painting to new heights. Though trained as a traditional brush painter, he tossed them. He tried painting with his fingers, then in public performances he spread paint on paper or canvas with his bare feet. In more elaborate versions, he suspended himself from overhead ropes and swung his body freely, his feet swirling the paint below. "It was by removing himself from his training that he was able to fully express himself," says Ming Tiampo, co-curator of a new exhibition at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum featuring Shiraga and fellow members of the Gutai Art Association.