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^Tess please don't apologize, no need to. You've been a decent recent member to the spot here. I wasn't really talking about you, or this thread specifically. Just my thoughts on how things naturally change, and I hope everyone that read my post sees that I am not saying anything bad or negative about this forum. I believe everything I said about LST itself was still positive. And thank you to the people that said nice things about me. I do try to be helpful it's just weary sometimes. I keep falling into the trap of trying to save people from their own selves just like Tux did for me when I first started getting tattooed and my shitty ideas and designs that I thought were super awesome. It's mostly just because I try to be nice to other people. I do try, really. Edit; Tess I just saw that you aren't exactly 'recent'. My point still stands that imo you are a great contributor.

That's awful!! I think you'd feel like you were being assaulted, I know I would. I'm a tattooer and have always gone out of my way to make people feel comfortable- I know that when the shoe's on the other foot that the personality of the tattooer is as important as his skills.

The results of yesterday's visit to Greg Christian. I've been walking around Cleveland eating ridiculous, inexplicable food today and goddamn, does healing this thing suck. I can recommend eating a grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with meatloaf after getting tattooed, though...

@Tesseracts - I don't think anyone is mad at you! You asked an innocent question, were totally cool when people pointed out the problem with discussing that stuff online, and the shit show only started after. As an educator, something I try to help my students understand is that not all opinions are equal. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but opinions based on research, experience, evidence, thoughtful reflection, etc. have and should have more weight than others. Informed and uninformed opinions have different values, and a large part of my job is teaching people how to formulate opinions that are substantiated, credible and worthy of sharing with the world. I am as anti-snob as the next girl, but I also think it's nuts to say that the opinions of experienced tattooers and the opinions of people who just started getting tattooed have the same weight. They don't. If it's my opinion that the world is flat, I'm allowed to think that, but that doesn't mean that my view is as legitimate as an astronomer's who has devoted their life to understanding the way our solar system works. There is a difference between opposing snobbery and denying that experts are, well, experts. I'm a historian. I know more about the people, issues and events that I have devoted years to studying than you do. @irezumi is an experienced tattooer. He knows more about tattoos than I do. That's not being the tattoo police, it's just recognizing that expertise exists, and that it carries important weight with it. And that's a more sincere reply than this shit show probably deserved.

Hannya inside a peony!

Got this little guy from Dan Santoro, Bert Krak flash. Inside of the forearm 2-3 months healed.

@nomadland I actually agree that the whole 'forum police' can be a trap people fall into, but at the same time when is it that and when is it more a case of someone like @irezumi speaking up and just giving to the point, professional advice. Is that 'forum police'? Seriously, he gave the best advice in this thread hands down. The internet gives everyone a platform to voice their opinion, but I'm sure you agree they're not all equal in value. Why would we not give more weight when a tattooer weighs in, reluctantly in this case, on tattooing?

There are some interesting points brought up here, some I agree with and some I respectfully don't, but I have to agree with @Graeme in that we don't need to be talking about hand or finger tattoos on this forum and for the same reason he mentioned. That brings me to a thread de-railing topic. It is the nature of things and people to evolve, everything around us in life and in the digital world is evidence. Not always a bad thing, but often brings about mixed blessings. This forum is evolving and in its own way that is/was the point of it, to talk about and educate people about good tattooing. The initiation thread has been blowing up with new members constantly and that's a great thing to see because it shows the amount of people that are interested in learning more about good tattooing, or (although fewer and fewer) people with vast amounts of experience and information come to share it. It is a positive thing to try to help fairly new people to tattooing learn about topics that they might not know about yet, just out of sheer ignorance(The word ignorance not to be taken in a negative light). It's great that there is a place for people to share this kind of information with each other. But personally for me it is rapidly evolving into me sitting at the front desk telling every single customer the bad news they don't want to hear. This is a topic that I've been doing for years and years and years and pretty much still tell people every single day in real life. It is becoming more difficult to want to participate when all I'm doing is basically saying the same thing I do every single damn day to people. This forum has been kind of a refuge for me when I wanted to escape the bullshit questions that I face all the time by people who like I said just don't know better yet. This place was almost all professional tattooers and or people who were heavily tattooed, which is what was the appeal to me. The number of professional tattooers that still post here has been dwindling at a fast clip over the last year or so. And I think I know some of the reasons why without having to ask them. One reason is "busy working" but that's not what I'm talking about. Hogg, I know you have asked us to save you from hearing "this place ain't the same anymore" (although it is undeniably true) but I am trying to show that there is a positive side to this evolution. Like I said it is merely just mixed blessings, not something BAD. I'm just a little bummed because it's evolving into an animal that I probably wouldn't of been interested in if I were a recent arrival. Thanks for letting me soapbox for a minute. I still like a lot of you people.

ROAD TRIP!

This is for @BrianH ... Pretty heavy scabbing in parts around the 8-9 day mark. Then, a shot from today (I think it's been 3-4 weeks since I was tattooed, can't quite remember). It's still a little shiny and new, also gets dry, but I don't think I lost anything... Not the best photo but you get the idea I hope.

Ugh, the last thing I wanted to do was start a debate over who has the "right" to get their hand tattooed. I just wanted to know how risky it is to tattoo certain types of skin and why. I understand that not everyone needs to know everything but I like to question how things work, it's just a problem I have. I'm sorry if I'm contributing to the forces that are driving away people that actually know things.

Too much rain to go out much today, this was his response.

Just because @CultExciter asked - one more of the boys: - (no idea why they are upside down?)

Going in tonight for another session on my back. We're working up the right side this time. This is the healed pic from the last session. A batch of brownies for the shop is in the oven now. MMmmmmmm.

We all know the search function built into this website can be a little clunky. Through some trial and error I discovered a search method that will direct you to the exact page of the thread where you can find the words you search for. Here is a quick example: I want to find posts that include the words "Steve Boltz" Go to Google Type "Steve Boltz site:www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum" into the search box and click search. This might be helpful in discovering who was the first person to use the term "squid pants" on LST.

Get in on this, @gougetheeyes!

:confused: Can I have some of your smoke bro ?

Complaining about "forum police" because I made a suggestion that some people agreed with and some people disagreed with? How thin-skinned are you?

Haha good luck with that! I remember a time when I was 'only' gonna get small things, and then 'only' a backpiece (no background), a time when I never thought I'd get my legs tattooed...ahahaha! There is no only in tattoo. ;)

Are you unsatisfied with how your tattoos are currently healing? If you are satisfied I would stick to your current method.

Oh my, I've never seen a monmon cat before. I was only ever going to get a back piece. Oh boy. I *really* was only ever going to get a back piece. Those are amazing.

@irezumi - I appreciate your ability to think critically about this while still trying to stay positive. I get what you're saying and what I wonder about a lot is how this space can stay educational in the important way that it aims to be while not becoming a "this is the same as my job" drag for folks like yourself. I will say that my own concern with the advice-giving part of a forum like this is exactly what you can see in this thread - the internet makes all advice seem equal. But "hand tattoos are no big deal" is not good advice at all, and I get panicky when I see people say stuff like that on here because then it's on here forever, and people googling shit about hand tattoos see it, and if they don't know the larger context (who is giving the advice? Are they a tattooer, serious collector, random dude? Etc.), then it just seems like, well, a piece of advice given on this forum. So I am very, very grateful for experienced folks who do take the time to set the record straight when stuff like this comes up, even if it does feel like they're at work.

OH they've got bigger problems than her. Even if they won the lawsuit, they're still Nickelback.......and no lasering can erase that...

Firstly, fuck Yelp. Secondly, the tattoo industry has changed immensely. We discuss this often here on this site. We discuss it at the shop. The number one priority for the tattooer is to put on a quality tattoo for his/her client. We all have various expectations. Some people want a more comfortable environment, some people want that old school feel, and varying teeters between the two. I think that responsibility does lie to the client (no, goodness no, I am not referring to any circumstance of harassment). The majority of tattooers want to have a good interaction with their clients, that said, there are different types of tattoo shops, and not all of them are going to indulge or cater to clients in the same manner.

I would say this is the worst advice ever posted on this board, but then there was your advice re: sexual harassment the other day, so... (No seriously, to any lurkers stumbling upon this thread: hand tattoos are not socially acceptable and reputable tattooers don't just hand them out like candy.)

It all just sucks when IG deletes Tattooer's profiles because they posted a new backpiece they're working on and it shows the client's butt. I've also seen artist's profiles being deleted too because a drawing or painting they worked on contained nudity. Completely non-sexual in form too. Yet all the while there are other sites which remain open posting almost naked (floss) women gyrating. And that's considered okay (because of the floss). It's really stupid. I'm now waiting for the moment when my friend's profile is deleted because she posted a naked photo of her little baby being bathed. On that note, @Stewart Robson had his profile taken down. He created a new one though "stewartrobsonfst"

Wasn't actually referring to him when mentioning the forum police.. As I said he raised valid points.. The whole idea that we can't talk about hand tattoos on a tattoo forum because the OP didn't have enough tattoos or experience to deserve them is utter BS...

what's wrong with talking about hand & finger tattoos on a tattoo forum ?

Don't get me wrong mate you raise some valid points here.. Not a gripe at you personally but the amount of self righteousness and self entitlement that pervades this forum is ridiculous...yes I have a lot of tattoos but no I don't think that because of that I have more right to talk about tattoos or get certain types or places tattooed..I think ull find that there are plenty of cleanskins more knowledgable about tattoos than 99.9% of those who are heavily tattooed..the forum police on here need to get a fucking life and stop acting like tattoos are some form of sacred entitlement that only those who embrace the culture can understand...tattooing is as natural to humans as breathing and yes I'm sorry to all on here that tattooing has gone from a sub culture to mainstream but word of advice get the fuck over it...

Thanks @scubaron and all! I got my ass kicked last night. Gah. I'm dealing with a tailbone/pelivs problem and was more miserable than ever. I didn't really think about how much all your bones and joints rattle together with that machine vibrating away. O_o I sat for 5 hours but there were a couple non-trivial breaks. But once I peel this drippy goopy saran-wrapped mess off my back, I'll have two beautiful Moorish Idols! - - - Updated - - - Tx! :-D I'm a relatively young grandma and plan to be kicking butt and rolling with my granddaughters for many years to come. Can't wait until the summer when the oldest (3 y/o) figures out Grandma has Nemo on her back!

No effing way you're a grandma. Tattoo looks great! Can't wait to see what's next.

Those birds are SO GOOD, @Scott R!

Upside down orange cats! My favourite!

The two ladies of the house: Cheezie Cheetah & Miss Pickle enjoy sarcasm, playing hard to get and Temptations treats. Oh, and sleeping in my sweater drawer and getting cat hair everywhere. Winston the pug is my little prince. Actually he is more of a glorified cat without the agility. He enjoys short walks in the park, sniffing the cats butts, soccer and stealing pizza. He is turning 8 this summer and is gracefully becoming more surly as he enters his golden years.

laundry 'helper' cat-speak for knock over the freshly folded basket, mess everything up, and get comfy...

@irezumi pretty much covered everything that needs to be said.

I think financial and emotional independence from parents. And an established career are minimum requirements.

Can I suggest that we talk a lot less about hand and finger tattoos on here? I feel that if you're in a position where you should be getting hand tattoos you don't need this or any other forum to find out information about them.

Do you like Black Flag?

I promise you that you are not on the side of Rosa Parks and MLK in this conversation, and that it's genuinely one of the most offensive things I have ever read on this message board to see you make this comparison. Rosa Parks and MLK were tireless in their articulation of the power imbalances that exist in our society, and the ways in which dominant groups silence marginalized ones. Pretending that their resistance is equated with "always speak up" with no analysis of power asymmetry, structural misogyny, and the fact that women HAVE SCARY FUCKING EXPERIENCES TALKING BACK TO CREEPY MEN is both painfully stupid and morally appalling. And that is the last thing I will say here, because I gave up internet arguments as a new year's resolution two years ago. But I just could not let this go. PS it gives me faith in this board to see so many like-minded folks calling this out, and not just women. <3 you guys.

The problem is that when you are in a vulnerable position, it is pretty difficult to speak up. Calling misogynistic behaviour out rarely ends with the perpetrator apologising and reflecting on what they've said/done. At best, you might get a patronising 'lighten up' type response, at worst an aggressive response. "Silence is consent" is victim-blaming bullshit. This is far more offensive than I think you realise, and is scarily close to blaming her for what clothes she was wearing.

Silence is not consent! I can't believe I am debating this! Just because one person would say or do something, doesn't mean some else in a similar situation would or could - that's ridiculous! Everyone has different coping mechanisms to get through a uncomfortable and vulnerable situation. She did the best she could, she did not invite those comments, nor is she bound to school that jackass about proper behavior towards women.

He didn't twist your post, he bolded something that you wrote. Maybe you should instead think a little bit about what you write before you post it.

Are you blaming her for his rude comment?

It is a fun thread. Sorry, it's like chips...hard to post just one. I have an up-to-the-minute shot. I was lying on the couch and she came over to lick my hand while I had my phone in my other hand, so I had to take this pic...

!!!! My dog (passed away a few years ago) and forever the love of my life was named Calvin. We think he was a border collie-hound mix. He ran like a greyhound and would "herd" us as kids when we played outside. Here he is in a photo I took of him at our house in Vermont (my dad used to own a construction company, hence the bucket). Can't wait until we adopt in a few months! Now I have a place to spam hahaha This is a photo of my dad's dog he adopted about 2 years ago. She was born during and survived Hurricane Irene, which hit lower Vermont really bad a few years ago. She's one sharp and spunky pup! Her name is Harley for Harley Davidson (obv) She is a beagle/australian shepherd mix, so adorable!

This is my homey after his first ever kill...not sure why I find this awesome. I'm a vegetarian.

This is our sweet and funny friend, Aurora. I love her so much. A friend of a friend took in her mom--a stray pregnant cat, and raised the kittens for 12 weeks. Our daughter, who was 3 at the time, wanted to name her Sleeping Beauty so we went with Sleeping Beauty's given name, Aurora.

scott sylvia is constantly staring at my dick while he tattoos me. should i say something?