HaydenRose

@BrianH hate to ask, but curiosity getting the best of me... what surgery did you get that required opening your back up that much? Holy cow! (Feel free to respectfully decline to answer if you don't feel like sharing, no worries) The countdown is at 9 months now? Nice! Less than a year lol!

LOL!!! Thank you for that morning pick me-up!

Awesome! I feel like that fits well with your shark (right?) tattoo. Good stuff.

@HettyKet your arm is coming along nicely! Congrats. And thanks for sharing. I, too, have cutting scars on my left forearm, which will someday (funds pending) be entirely covered with a COHESIVE ARM TATTOO (yeah!). If I ever tattoo my hands I have a nasty scar on the top of my left hand, so based on everyone else's examples it looks like it should be OK. Was there any differences in sensation while being tattooed over scars? More sensitive? More difficulty healing those areas? Just curious. This thread is great! Thanks everyone.

Perhaps...? Couldn't help myself... sorry guys.

When I got tattooed by Katie Sellergren, my MIL inquired about getting tattooed as a diabetic and Katie said it's possible, the session just requires more breaks, and taking it slow. As for the snacks, aftercare, etc. I would definitely go to a professional that has been tattooing a long time and has tattooed diabetics. If you're located in Toronto, I believe The Pearl Harbor Gift Shop would be more than able to help you and your BF.

I had my first client pass away since I entered the field (Social Work/Mental Health). Tough stuff, but in a way I'm glad I'm experiencing it early in my career...

I've had tattoo ink stain pillowcases and after about 2 washes, it came out. I didn't apply any fancy products either, just plain ol' soap and water.

@KBeee I've heard both sides re: tattoos stretching after pregnancy. So there may be no way to predict what will happen to your body. Therefore, the best piece of advice may be to err on the side of caution IF the tattoo looking wonky after pregnancy is a concern to you. Here is a link to a blog I follow called Sometimes Sweet: Sometimes Sweet: Tattoo Tuesday V.100 The author used to do a Tattoo Tuesday series, so on the 100th Tuesday, she talked about her tattoos. A little more than halfway down she posted pictures of her rib piece before and after giving birth to her first son. They didn't change at all. Just an example.

Yeeeaas! Purple Wedding! I was hoping they wouldn't drag it out as a climax for the season. I'm enjoying this season much better than the last already.

^Exactly. I don't understand using pasties over the nipples if the rest of your breasts are showing. It's like bathing suits vs. bras. Same difference. Actually... I always thought bathing suits tended to be more revealing, yet when a woman is in a bra it's technically more risque.

@MELewis I was a high achieving, *somewhat* straight-laced, choir-thumper high school student that now works in non-profit as a caseworker for the homeless. I think it varies from job to job, but I am planning on tattooing my entire right arm within the next 6 months. My job is fairly lenient, but I do have to cover up for events and I personally make the choice to cover up when working in the field. You may want to check out the 'Tattoos in the workplace' thread on here as people share their range of experiences. Where are you located so we can suggest artists and shops near you? Also, if you are set on getting a tattoo, consider placement if you'd like it covered, but make sure to get the tattoo you want. Don't settle for a lighter contrast tattoo just so passerbys may not spot it.

@SeeSea no worries. I agree it can be used in an effective manner, but I think it also functions to make white/first-world people feel like they understand the woes of the world by being ironic and pointing it out. I believe it runs along the same lines as colorblind racism. The whole... "I'm not racist because I acknowledge there is a problem." Ok... but what are you doing about it? I'm not trying to spark a full-fledged discussion, just providing an explanation. As you were...

When I got to the end of the article and it defined it as an essay in a series... I may have overreacted a tad. Not an essay, more like a rambling pretentious blog post. Also, I think initially she recognized her newbie-ness to getting tattooed, but then through these random confrontations as a result of the tattoo felt she was suddenly catapulted to understanding what it is like to be "tattooed". None of us on here are without experiences full of people prying into the meaning of our tattoos, even when none exists. What did this lady expect? And why would you get a tattoo as a result of a break-up? And a quote that basically states you understand all human suffering. Please. That epitomizes the douche-y white person mentality and it's getting old. I'll place it next to my deep-seated hatred of the hashtag 'firstworldproblems'. Not to mention that the artist suggested making the tattoo into an image. And all she could imagine was a dragon with a thought bubble. Tell me how that idea doesn't have the text in it. What?!

Nice! We ditched cable a few months ago and its great. I'm finding I read more and have more time for video games. We still have Netflix, but I don't use it more to compensate. I also gave up Facebook about two months ago and its THE best decision I've ever made. I think you start focusing on what you truly want to fill your life with and stop worrying about how you will be perceived. I always knew I was an introvert, and enjoy spending quiet time at home > going out and adventuring, but now I'm more content and worry less about fitting my life into the Facebook mold.

Graceling is incredible. Actually I think the Katsa/Po romance is one of my top top top book romances ever. Whenever I'm stuck writing romance-y scenes in my own writing, I'll pull up Graceling and sift through it to get inspired or to capture those feels.

The one I read recently was Looking For Alaska. It was great!

That is so true. When I was younger (I must have been 10.. 11?) and got my ears pierced for the first time we went to Claire's or an equivalent at the time. I don't know how they train their workers to give ear piercings, but... I was nervous, so my mom (who was trained to pierce) held one gun on my right ear and the woman working at Claire's held the other gun on my left ear. Let's just say my left earring hole is forever set significantly lower on my ear than my right. It bothered me a lot when I was younger, but I've since gotten over it. It's more noticeable when I wear dangle-y earrings that pull on my lobes. F-in Scratchers... or Pokers? Haha

I tried to read Divergent, and gave up after the first chapter. However, I did see the movie. It was definitely geared towards teens, but it also had some grit to it. I enjoyed the story, and I would say it's worth seeing. TFIOS I thought was great. I always enjoy barreling through John Green books when I have a lazy weekend.. they are easy reads, but the prose is still stimulating enough to pique my interest throughout.

@Zillah he got the idea from Elder Scrolls, but it's not a direct reference per se. He thought it would be a good band name for a fusion group.

Will do! He is planning on recording it some time this summer. If you follow him on Facebook (new band name is Moon Sugar), I think he posted some live recordings of a few new tunes that will be on the next album. He is also going to re-record Tarantula Dance for sure and maybe Skyward since the new keyboard player uses different synth sounds, which match how he originally intend the songs to sound. And I believe the live tracks have the new keyboard player on it. Really cool stuff! Thanks for your support!

Doin it right! Welcome!

@ironchef I can't believe she is 15!!! OMG! She still looks like a kitten! Honestly, I'm deathly allergic to cats and have developed an insidious hatred for the species, BUT... your cat has instantly converted me. Or maybe I just love your cat and no one else's haha she's so unique!

It is taboo, but you're also right that it is entirely dependent on the artist, their hourly rate and speed of tattooing, the complexity of the design, and so on.. So it's best to speak with them directly. I can say I have gotten tattooed on a budget very similar to yours. The artist was able to work within my budget and I got the tattoo I wanted. If the tattoo you want winds up costing more than your immediate budget, then definitely consider doing multiple sessions over time. It's worth the extra $ to get the best tattoo, whether you get it now or down the road. Hope that was helpful!

No worries. Now I understand, that is a hike to NYC. I think @Graeme's suggestion is the best so far. I've heard great things about that shop. Keep us updated on your tattoo progress!