SeeSea

"Only if it bothers Grandma." At least that would be my response. I adored my grandmas immensely, and if that would make them more comfortable looking at their birthday pictures, I'd do it immediately. So when May rolls around and if he asks the same thing, ask him if he's asked to photoshop out Sister's tattoos as well. Take her lead. ;)

Well, you never can know what goes through people's heads, or what their assumptions are. Sometimes I think that parents often have a completely different view of the kids than the kids think they do. Amazing perspective when you get older, so you might have no idea what really affects what he thinks. And who can get upset at a cute little elephant? :)

Welcome! Yeah, just keep doing what you'd do to baby your body when you're sick - especially the hydration part. Great story! Funny your dad is bent - does he know you got the recommendation from your aunt? :)

Great story - thank you for sharing that. Personal stuff. I found myself getting upset reading that you stopped loving the tattoo when people's attitudes changed. That it made you no longer proud. That is so unfair. I hate that that happened. I hope you aren't covering it up because of that. You've probably already thought about it, but is there a way to incorporate it, or a part of it in your backpiece idea? Something that keeps a references to that good memory? I'm glad you are thinking about going forward to something you love, though. And well, you should get about a thousand likes by mentioning a panther.

The video was from a contest where contestants would quality to win $40,000 if they did a variety of stupid things. In this clip, the guy volunteered to get a tramp stamp and was not allowed to see the design until it was done. It's like a bad frat joke. Of course they tattooed something ridiculous. Guy says "What's my wife going to think, my mom's probably going to kill me." They joked it would take $35k to get it removed. Ugh.

American College of Emergency Physicians - Tattoos, Piercings Can Present Problems This is an article from the American College of Emergency Physicians that has a wild mix of info about possible medical concerns/complications associated with tattoos, piercings and modifications. Some of the wheat - how to remove some piercings. Some of the chaff: "Most tattoo artists have had no formal training in anatomy, infection control, or universal precautions." And then there's this: Oh my.

You might expose it but don't expect to get ink - there was an episode where a couple of the guys were so upset they had to tattoo some dude's ass. They acted like it was ridiculous for someone to ask for a tattoo there and grossed out by the thought. Completely unprofessional. But funny to watch ;) - - - Updated - - - @Mick Weder - powerful stuff you wrote there. Thanks for the share. "They just don't get it and never will." Yeah, I think that's what it comes down to. ::shrugs:: However, I will say that my mom is very supportive - I think she comes as close as you can to understanding why I am doing this without actually having tattoos herself. But if I ever find you kicking back in a corner, I'm gonna amble over with some cold ciders and yank your chain a little about being rude and antisocial. ;)

I didn't say it would be a HIGH probability. At least on Ink Masters they aren't intentionally trying to screw you over.

Welcome! That stinks to have lost your work to a flood. I'm sorry to hear that. We've been fortunate with all the floods and hurricanes lately to have lost very little compared to others. So now that you're up and running again, hope to see some good stuff! BTW - sorry your post went without answer for 5 days. Nothing intentional! So I'll welcome you twice!

@Pleadco - sorry to hear. My condolences.

You got a hell of a good first tattoo!

David Hale does some amazing stuff - I'd love to have a tattoo from him. And he's got an interesting story. You've got a nice piece there.

Stupidity knows no gender. At least with Ink Masters, there's an actual probability that you'll get a good tattoo.

I wish that was true. When a phrase like that gets started, some people jump on the bandwagon to use it because it sounds clever, and they will repeat it because they think it imbues them with a perception that they are in-the-know or part of the in crowd. It's the same with any bullying, stereotyping, derogatory name-calling that can be done right on the edge of general acceptability without raising enough ire that people will challenge them. It's enough to make better people feel uncomfortable hearing its use, but not enough to say something because the response is generally, "I'm just making a joke, I don't really mean that, don't be so sensitive." Then you come off as the jerk for calling them out. Before, I didn't care for the term and didn't use it, but now I hate it. It was used on me "jokingly" by a very close family member to break the ice when another close family member saw the bottom of my back piece sticking out from under my shirt for the first time. While I appreciated an ice breaker because I was nervous about how my tattoo would be perceived, the tramp stamp comment really hurt and it still does thinking about it. It demeaned all the pain I've been through, and now it might possibly be the way that other family member remembers seeing it for the first time. I had a short conversation with the first family member, and if I hear it again, there will be a much more heated discussion.

Welcome! Looking forward to seeing your tattoos, too.

Welcome! NJ here too.

THANK YOU. I was getting nauseous scrolling back and forth. Command & - for Mac. Looks great so far.

I'm down NJ way, but it could be doable. Would be cool to meet folks!

Welcome - will you be posting your tattoos? Would love to see them!

I'd continue on my multi-thread reign of sarcasm this evening and just blow off that Horiyoshi dragon face as washed out, but that would be way out of line. That piece is just jaw dropping fucking awesome. It's not only the pops of color like you said, but the cooler black and grey that moves into warmer tans in places. There is so much activity and energy there just in the way the grey and tan play off of one another.

Cool - engineers and geeks welcome!

Richard Stell has 5 stars on Yelp, but don't hold that against him.

Wecome!

Um, isn't that what some of the kids are doing now? You would have been the trend-setter :)

Hey, you don't want a Fudo. They are WAY overplayed. Why don't you be original instead? You should think about getting something with meaning rather than just picking something out of some old Japanese mythology.