Because I've been quiet, I share this with you.

[fatrockstar]

I have no tattoos. Compared to the rest of my generation and those that follow it this makes me an odd duck. I'm actually pretty proud of this fact, not because it makes me superior or anything (it doesn't) but because it reassures me that the events of my life that should stay with me are deep-seated in my mind. They are lessons learned, relationships passed. I don't need to be reminded of certain things through the permanence of a tattoo.

I've also never been much for decor. I don't collect or wear jewelry, and my style is pretty simple. One of my worries about decorating my body is that I'll stop liking the design eventually and then I'm stuck with it. For this reason I prefer to play with henna once in a while. I often think this will change my mind.

There are a lot of really lovely tattoos out there. I fight the urge to walk up to an inked person to ask them about their artwork. Part of this is just being a pussy Seattleite, the other part is because I heard a Henry Rollins rant about people asking him to explain his ink that wasn't pretty.

I might get one when I'm 40 so it has less time to fade, but that's a real uncertainty. I also have a small fear of needles.

It's not that I don't like them, it's just that I don't have any. I've never slept with a tattooed person, either.

Comments

[niroc.livejournal.com]

Hehe, tattoos are my passion. So far I only have two, but I'm already planning three and four. My boyfriend's already got two "full sleeves", as the professionals like to call it and he's planning on expanding to chest, legs and back whenever he can afford it...

I don't have these tattoos to remember things, but I find tattoos a special kind of art, and my favourite tattoo-guy is also my favourite artist, as such... I have a tribal on my lower back, that I found gorgeous when I was 18 and am still very fond of now. And the lyric I've got on my back is so very dear to me, I don't think I could ever tire of it.

Niki on the other hand's got a story for every tattoo he's got. Except the one he got first, was the Grimm Reaper, he got that covered-up last year. It had started to fade away and the colouring got really ugly. But the tattoo was over 14 years old (he'd gotten it when he was 14, strangely WITH the permission of his parents)After that one, he chose black and white tattoos for the rest of his arms...

The reason why I stick to black and white, is that colours do fade after ten years... I really don't like to see it on others either. Tattoos aren't a one time investment, if you want a nice one and you want it to last. They're a bit like silicon breasts, everybody thinks they'll be fine, but really, you have to get them fixed every 10-15 years...

But I'm rambling here.

I just wanted to say I'm absolutely terrified of needles, but boy do I love my tattoos. ^_^

[niroc.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I've definitely slept with a tattood person before. ^_^ roflol

[winifred.livejournal.com]

I am in awe of people who can sit still for so much work. I think I'd rather have all the hair on my head plucked out strand by strand. A while back I had a close friend who started with the symbol for Scorpio on her mons pubis. Two years later she had a tat from almost every art movement in the 20th century from Art Deco to Atari. They all had a story, too. She said they sort of snowballed after the adrenalin rush from the first two.

[niroc.livejournal.com]

Well, it is true that the rush would urge you to get new ones, stat! Luckily for me, money doesn't grow on trees and I have a LOT of time to think about my next one and whether I really want it or not. The one I want next, I fell in love with instantly, though. But it's been almost six months since my last tattoo, and I don't think I will have saved enough any time soon, so I'll have some more time to ponder the sanity of my decision. ^_^
Both my tattoos took about three hours to get inked, but it hardly seems that long when you're on that chair: you're too busy meditating through the pain to have any idea of time. Lol! But don't worry, you forget about the pain about two days later, when all you've got is an itchy spot you're not allowed to scratch... (Which btw, will annoy the hell out of you! ^_^)

Be warned if you ever change your mind about tattoos: it's VERY VERY addictive. Lol!!

[estrojenn.livejournal.com]

i've got a lot of tattoos and i love them and everything they stand for. BUT...i find myself being really judgmental lately of highly tattooed people - even though i am one. i've been getting tattooed for about 15 years and while i have my entire chest and torso as well as half-sleeves and a lot of leg stuff i have not tattooed my forearms/hands, neck or my entire back. it really freaks me out to see people in their early 20's covered from head to toe.

most of my friends are not heavily tattooed (if at all). in my immediate social circle it isnt the norm so i totally get where you are coming from.

[winifred.livejournal.com]

What was the deciding factor in getting your first tattoo? Was it one of those think-about-it-for-a-year-or-so things or a sense of adventure that led you to get ink? I would probably have one or two by now if I didn't think it to death.