Breakme

@omeletta - hey that's awesome! Good on you, it makes all the difference when it's something you enjoy doing.

@polliwog a couple of friends have had great success with the Couch to 5km program for building up their fitness. Couch to 5k - C25K Running Program I used to run a lot in my 20's (approx 30 - 40km a week) however due to some back issues it's no longer an option for me and I really miss it.

OK? Sorry if my thoughts don't echo most people here on this subject. I never said it was infected, just that I'd personally go to my local doctor's office and get it checked out. But that is just me. I'll leave the advice up to the seasoned pro's. :-)

If that was my arm I'd be getting it checked out by a Dr.

Sorry, I should've clarified that it wasn't my friends spouting off, it was comments on posts, links, articles etc from people all around the world, from all walks of life. Sounds like you have the right idea @Mick Weder :-)

This probably isn't awesome to some people, but I de-activated my facebook account on the weekend. I just couldn't take all the nasty comments from people on so many posts and articles. The vile hatred that some people spew is astounding. It was so negative and really affecting my outlook on life and humanity. I still have my IG account, but am staying away from reading people's comments when it looks like there is a shitfight going on.

It was like driving past a car crash.

The number one factor that has determined which body part I work on next is artist availability. I know what I want, where I want it, and who I want to do it, so it's just a matter of who's books are open for appointments and how long the wait is.

Aaaaaaaaaannnnd it's gone.

I don't understand why anyone would pay a "tattoo designer" for a design, and then pay the tattoo artist to execute it? If your tattoo artist is not a competent artist in their own right, then you are in the wrong shop. I'm sorry to say, but those designs that were posted were awful and not something I would ever put on my body. This reminds me. A few months ago, an old school friend posted on Facebook how she was in the process of getting a half sleeve designed. I was really excited for her. A few weeks later she posted the "design" on Facebook. It was fucking HORRID! She had commissioned an "artist" to design it for her, and it was a complete mess of tribal and unreadable text. There was no way it was going to work as a tattoo. Leave the design of tattoo up to the tattoo artist.

Just booked back in with Emily Rose to do the fronts of both thighs on the 19th and 20th Feb 2015. I figured if I was going to be laid up on the couch with one sore and swollen thigh over the weekend I may as well deal with both at the same time. This will either be the best or the stupidest idea I've had. Can't wait to find out.

Oh wow! Those are some very unfortunate tattoos. The guy that's tattooed flowers and braids on his head is pretty funny though.

I love Kirk's tattoos. His use of colour is unreal.

Congrats @polliwog!

I have stopped drinking alcohol while I'm working 6 day weeks and am amazed at the difference I'm feeling after only 3 weeks. My head is so clear and focused, my anxiety has pretty much taken a back seat and I'm making great gains at the gym. Really excited to see where this takes me.

I admit I laughed at the cheeseburger train.

@idyllsend breaking up with friends is surprisingly tough. Right up there with breaking up with a significant other. Do you work closely together?

@Graeme - so good!!!

ET looks like he has a certain *ahem* apendage

My lovely man took me out for dinner tonight for my birthday. Amazing food and wine, and great company. After 17 years together, we never struggle for conversation, he still makes me laugh and is my best friend. Sorry for the sappy post, but I feel so incredibly lucky, I would be lost without him.

@Mick Weder that was a baaaaaaaaaaad effort.

Hi Jason, welcome. There are a few of us Aussies here (I'm technically a Kiwi, but don't hold that against me) Can I ask who has been doing your tattoos?

@Cork this series is definitely on my to read list. I have a friend who has read it, she loved it, although she did complain about the very long wait for the books too. Glad to know it is finished as that was one of the reasons I held off getting into it.

So happy to be posting back in this thread! I felt lost with nothing in the works. Just had a consult and will be starting my right arm late October with Clare Hampshire. First two sessions for a forest lady, third session for a mallard duck.

I will get on board the hair posts too. Last weekend I started the transition to blonde from my natural dark brown, with the idea of slowly lightening down to blonde over winter, ready for summer. I'm not exactly loving the caramel/honey colour at the moment, but the end result will be worth it!