Realizing now what a cliche that was, and inappropriate for me now, I'm really glad I didn't get it done. Some part of me must have realized that dolphins, while a beautiful and majestic animal, would not be a lifelong passion and I would not be happy having them on my body forever.
After that rebellious phase, I abandoned the idea of a tattoo. There was not a single image or text that I could imagine imprinting on my body that I was reasonably confident I would still like in 10, 20 or 30 years. Never during that time did I feel that tattoos were a bad thing, they just weren't for me.
But in the last few years I have begun to get that urge again. I don't necessarily have an image in mind. If anything, it would likely be an abstract form. A collection of shapes.
Unfortunately, Neil is very much against this idea. He has no tattoos, no plans to get one, and is not at all enthused about his wife having one. Since this is not something I feel strongly about, I don't plan to fight him on it. But if I had led a different life, if I had walked a different path, I might have done something like this:
or maybe this:
If you were to get a tattoo right now, what would it be?
Visit Shannon to see what everyone else is chatting about!
Ugh...if I could go back in time! I have two tattoos...one in an inconspicuous place that you could only see with certain bathing suits. One smack dab in the middle of my back! It gives me pause every summer when tank tops start coming out and I wonder, "do I really want people to see this?" Some people immediately attach a negative stigma to tattoos...some people don't think it's any big deal. I wish I could get it removed, but I don't know if they'd advance the science enough so that I'd be happy...I also don't really have the extra money just lying around. I wouldn't get another one and caution every single one of my students about it if the topic comes up.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite shows is LA ink. I am telling you...Kat Von D is beautiful. I really could just jump that cliff one day and be brave enough (if I was crazy) and go for it like her...cause I love the way she looks :)
ReplyDeleteLacey and I were going to more, but Tatum insisted I get my next one with her. She turns 17 this year...we will see:)
My hubby has a tattoo that he got before we met and after 21+ years I don't really notice it anymore. Our son (got one when he turned 18) took my Mom (who rocks) last year for her bday to get her first tattoo of a ladybug on her ankle (bucket list item crossed off for her). I don't have any but would probably get a ladybug if I did get one.
ReplyDelete1)I think they are a fad and in a few more years everyone will be jealous of anyone who is “clean” and un-inked because most people will have tattoos.
ReplyDelete2)I have seen many a tattoo that I thought was dirt at first sight. Upon closer examination I found it was a tattoo, not a bathing accident.
3)They don’t look pretty and new forever. My father had a tattoo that was 30+ years old and it looked like a black blob on his arm……sort of like a giant mole.
4)I have a tattoo on my shoulder that I got to commemorate the loss of a loved family member. For the most part, I wish I did not have it. People do judge you on how you look.
5)I would think, like you stated in your blog, that choosing a motif that will last 20 years or more (until it becomes an illegible blob) and you won’t be tired of it would be hard. How many times have you loved something one year only to not like it so much the next. Permanent stuff is scary!!
See I would definitly go for that abstract BIG look....except for the needles and pain....Greg does not go for tattoos also. And since I always pick my battles...I'm just not going there!
ReplyDeleteI love my tattoo...
ReplyDeleteI also love that it's in a location on my person that is not visible to anyone but myself and those to whom I choose to reveal it. An all 'round win.
Finally...
Scott was not keen on the idea at first. But he also knew that I'd wanted one since he age of 18, so by the time I'd reached 33 he told me, "Either do it while you're still young, or shut up with the talking about it." So it I did it. And now he's the first to day, "That's smokin' hot."
Like I said...an all 'round win. Plus, my tattoo is very small and the design is totally "me," and something I'll still love when I'm 80. And still badass. Woooooooooo!
Clearly I don't proofread my comments.
ReplyDeleteChalk it up to my despair over lack of a new episode of Lost tonight.
All of mine are in places that are easily covered. This was by design. While I love what they mean, and how they look, I know that tattoos aren't welcome in every social situation. Having said that anyone that doesn't like them can turn the other way - they are a part of me.
ReplyDeleteI think tattoos are an expression of who you are. Even if you change, your tattoo symbolizes a certain time or path in your life, and there's always beauty in commemorating your life's experiences. Of course, I have one (and plan on more), so I am a wee bit biased.
ReplyDeleteI think we need Shane and Neil to have a little talk with Scott.
ReplyDeleteCan't stand tatoos. Would never get one. I really hope none of my children get them, marking up their perfect little bodies. When I worked in nursing homes, I'd see morphed shapes of what used to be tattoos on the elderly patients' skin. And I thought to myself "all the youngs girls today with badass tattoos are going to look so silly one day as sweet little grey haired ladies with ugly unrecognizable shapes ont their wrinklied old bodies". But to each their own.
ReplyDeleteFunny, I was thinking it would be cool to have a small tattoo on my foot. Some swirly scrolls or something pretty. And then I met a mom with scrolls on her arm and shoulder. Maybe it's a sign! ;)
ReplyDeleteA while back when everyone started getting into belly button rings, I wanted one too, and my husband sort of had a small fit. Like you, I decided it wasn't worth having him upset with me.
You know...if I had a back that looked like that, I'd get one like that too! LMBO! But I'm the same as you. I can't even keep my furniture in the same place for six months...
ReplyDeleteMy college roommate had a little rule for herself that said that she needed to want the same tattoo for over a year before she would actually go through with it. Because otherwise, it would end up being something she regretted. She never lasted longer than about 6 months, so I don't think she has one to this day.
ReplyDeleteI too, flirted with the idea of a dolphin. But the idea I really stuck with, and would probably still choose would be a little, very realistic looking ladybug. Or my children's initials.
You should make sure to have MEP tell you her tattoo story!
Get a secret one like my daughter just did. Behind the ear. :o) OH! on the dolphin theme...get NEMO!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE those tattoos. I SO want a tattoo. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteif I was a skinny girl - I would have tats all over the place. oh ya and if I wasn't an accountant with a grown up job. lol. It's hard being a fat girl and finding a good place to tattoo that you don't actually mind showing people.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, why care what others think? Get it in a discreet place that only you can appreciate or share with whomever you choose. We get pregnant and have stretch marks. There is no regret; without those stretch marks, there would be no little blessings. I look at my 'railroad tracks' on my tummy and I am happy I have them. And I look at my tattoo and know what it means and I have no regrets. Too much worrying about what 'others' think. Do that too much and you'll miss out on what your life could be...
ReplyDeleteThat whole 30-50 years from now is exactly why I haven't done it before now.
ReplyDeleteIf I had the money, I'd have many, many tattoos. I don't regret any of my three, but if I'd gotten a tattoo when I was younger, I can't imagine what my choice would have been. But I think it would've been awful!
ReplyDeleteI'd always said NEVER. just, NEVER. then I just sat & read through all these ladies' comments, and thought.... hmmm.
ReplyDeleteBut I have to say, the comment that stopped me cold was someone who'd worked at a nursing home & seen all the badass tats gone WRINKLY. Yuck.
We are so alike! But I got my tattoo - the Yin and Yan, with fire on the edges, on my left ankle, at age 18. Its meaning has changed over the years, and now I think of it more as a birthmark. It is just...there. Do I regret it? No. But is it the big deal that I thought it would be? No. Just a reminder that I was young and stupid - but smart enough to pick a spot that wouldn't get fat :) BTW - on the same day my best friend got two fish in a circle (the sign for Aries) on her lower back. You made the right choice.
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