Ink

[98ciHemi]

So, I know a fair number of y'all have tattoos of one kind or another. I've got an interest in getting one, and I was looking for advice from those who have experience. I don't know exactly what I want to get, though I have the general idea. Chances are it'll either be a quote or a small simple symbol related to flying. Whatever it is, it'll be small and pretty conservative.

How do tattoos age? If I got one it would probably be either on shoulder or the bottom side of my right wrist where I can obscure it with my watchband. I doubt my wrist will stretch much, but I don't know about my shoulder.

How much negative attention do your tattoos draw? Everything I am looking at is well withing USAF regulations, and they seem common enough on airmen that I am not worried about that, but how about in the civilian world?

Any other bits of advice from those who have them?

[Caveman Tony]

Dude, would you put a bumper sticker on a Ferrari?

Then why get a tattoo?

[squirrel]

Tony, are you suggesting that he be a non-conformist?

[Brian Lohnes]

On this Tony, we disagree.

I have a couple of tattoos and when I am all done, will have a couple more. I have one on my shoulder blade (artsy hot roddy stuff) and another on my upper left arm (Mr. Horsepower). I've had the shoulder one for about 14 years and the arm one for 10. Both are still in good shape and look fine.

My personal opinion is that unless you are deadly certain about what you want, you shouldn't get one. My wife has a couple small ones and she isn't really fond of them as they don't have a lot of intrinsic meaning to her. You are a thoughtful dude and I am sure when you settle on what you want, you'll "know".

My next one is going to be a honkin' Rat Fink on my right upper arm.

[Monk]

Well ..........here's how they weather.

Got it May of '68........Providence, RI.....sober.
It was supposed to have some stars around it but that was $12.
I had $10.........he left the stars off and got it for $8......and enough for bus fare
to get back to base.

[98ciHemi]

Tony, I see it less as a bumper sticker on a Ferrari, and more as pinstriping or noseart. It doesn't work in all cases, sometimes it looks downright wrong, but when it is done right, it can be a work of art or a reminder to the owner. Many of my reasons for wanting a tattoo and the design I want are fairly personal. I don't really know how well I could explain them.

Honestly, I feel tattoos are kind of conformist right now- I know a ton of kids about my age are getting them. In many ways it feels cliche to want a tattoo. I feel like there are a lot of better ways to stand out than with a tattoo.

One other thing- I like to know exactly what I am getting into before I do it, which is why I am asking questions now. The soonest I would possibly get a tattoo would be in December. I have a lot of time to carefully weigh whether or not a tattoo is something I want to commit to.

[Brian Lohnes]

I've never seen getting a tattoo as a "non conformist" thing. Perhaps getting something across your neck or something like that would be (in my eyes) but I like them as momentos or demarcations for moments in time or accomplishments. Mr Horsepower showed up on my arm shortly after I had my first published work in print, for example.

The great thing about having your own body is the ability to do what you want to it. (Some people do some really bad and stupid stuff, but that is basically called natural selection in my book)

Brian

[squirrel]

uh....Brian...today, NOT getting a tattoo is non-conformist.

[68scott385]

If you get something that has meaning to you and is related to military service, you can't go wrong. JMO

Speaking of military related, I don't know about you AF guys but the USMC dog is WAYYY overdone in more ways than one. I got a unique tattoo that still says MARINES but I never saw it on anyone else. One of my roommates got a dog on a surfboard and the waves made the eagle, globe, and anchor, he had it drawn by the tattoo artist specifically for him.

Remember, it takes about two weeks to properly heal and you have to use a certain lotion/cream to treat it until it heals. NEVER NEVER NEVER pull a scab off of a tattoo or any other blemish to the skin in/on/next to the tat...let it heal on its own and it'll weather fine.

[68scott385]

The great thing about having your own body is the ability to do what you want to it. (Some people do some really bad and stupid stuff, but that is basically called natural selection in my book)

IMO never get anyones' name tattooed on your body...your kids' names might be an exception

[skullbucket]

The best tat to get is a real big one on your forearm that says how many beers you drank on a certain date, it will always be important to you and the taco stand you could work at.
Otherwise a "swastika" in the middle of your forehead is always the for "sure thing" to last thru the ages' just ask Charles Manson how that has opened the doors of opportunity for him!
Or my favorite, the Japanese coy fish swimming up someones leg giving them good luck!
Or last but not least, the name of last night's "bar catch" on a guys neck, nothing like a job interview with the name "Lakessha" starring at your new boss from off your adams apple!

[Barry Donovan]

The best tat to get is a real big one on your forearm that says how many beers you drank on a certain date, it will always be important to you and the taco stand you could work at.
Otherwise a "swastika" in the middle of your forehead is always the for "sure thing" to last thru the ages' just ask Charles Manson how that has opened the doors of opportunity for him!
Or my favorite, the Japanese coy fish swimming up someones leg giving them good luck!
Or last but not least, the name of last night's "bar catch" on a guys neck, nothing like a job interview with the name "Lakessha" starring at your new boss from off your adams apple!

I jump at tattoos..not sure why. Maybe a biker thing as a first sighting as a kid..
something phony.
if it is for momento reasons, use your young health and eyes and take an immortal photo.

seems suicidal. we'd be born with tattoos otherwise. there is achance for sickness. going usaf martyr or any military..I ponder tattos dropping first. masocist tough guy or the dweeb that ate salad instead of drinking beer.

[Thumpin455]

I only know who I would go to for one. My sister does ink in Omaha, has her own shop and she does very nice work. No prison tats come out of her shop. We have been talking about doing one for me, but I havent designed it yet. What I want is basically the story of my life, the achievements I have made, and the history I have been part of, so mostly military stuff.

If you want, you can give her a call and talk to her about what you want, even if she doesnt do the work for you. She is honest and does her best not to give in to someone that wants something utterly stupid, she will tell you up front it isnt a great idea and why.

[oj]

Heres what you do, start going to the best tattoo parlors in town or the county or as far as you can drive until you meet an artist. When you find the guy that makes you say 'holy shit' that is the guy you want. You want tiny tattoo as much as you want a tiny dick! Tattoos are manly things and should be sized appropriate, the first one hurts like hell and that is your badge of courage. The pain is the price of the bride.
Get to know the artist a little, enough so that he can suggest something appropriate for you, not some tribal bullshit but an honest piece of art work. If you have no idea i'd ask him for a book of his favorite old-school tattooists and pick someting from there. They'll have a rack of tattoo patterns - hundreds of them - they are for the masses and while very nice the artist just don't get to show off thier talent. You want him to showcase his work.
To give you an idea of how good some of these people are i saw a gal that had skinned her elbow before coming into the tattoo parlor. There was an old bandaid kinda wrinkled and one edge was lifting, the bandaid didn't quite cover the rash and you could see a little dirty dried blood on the perforations. The whole thing was a tattoo! It was perfect. She'd come back from time to time and have it freshioned up.
Get some books on the art of tattoo, develop an appreciation of it. A tattoo is permanent so take your time and pick something you'll be proud of for the rest of your life. Don't pick a japanese thing unless you can go to japan to get one, those guys spend decades in apprenticeship and the Americans can do an excellant copy it is still just a copy. let your guy do what he does best.

[TC]

This is what I don't like about Ink, some people just take it way to far....... I'll just leave you with the link..........

http://gawker.com/5934400/butthole-t...ext-big-thing-[nsfw]