posterboy7596

This may be a little off topic, and I don't want to hijack anything, but I have some information that may be helpful to you Matt. I had a problem with scabbing for a long time myself, and never could figure it out. My wife though has never had any trouble with tattoos scabbing and she lotions like 90% of her body every day... like I guess a lot of women do. Anyhow... I tried it out, I lotioned the area that was going to be tattooed for about 2 weeks prior to the tattoo and had my first tattoo ever that didn't scab at all. I've done that on a couple since, and have been pleased with the results.

Very true... that's what I said "somewhat" ;-)

I've listened to about 2/3rds of God is Not Great, and I'm currently about 1/2 way through real reading of The God Delusion right now. I agree with a lot of people that Dawkins' and Hitchens' tone is a bit harsh at times. I really admire their fervor though. I live in eastern Kentucky in the US where being open atheist can be somewhat like being black in Alabama in the 60's so it's encouraging to feel that there are like-minded people in the world. I very much like their harsh tones myself. I grew up Southern Baptist and these, and other, rather militant atheists are what finally led to my coming to question things and start to find peace of mind about how I feel about a lot of things. I think next I would like to read something from Stephen Hawking.

I always like the rappers no one has ever heard of that talk about all their money and bitches.... cause we all know that rappers with no record deal are super rich. Funny stuff though. Certainly brightened my day.

I'm going to second that suggestion, and would be glad to assist.

I may be wrong, but I seem to recall reading on here that some people have had good experience with sleeping in plastic wrap for new tattoos. I'm sure there are people here more expert than me, but I don't think some plastic wrap for a short time on a week old tattoo should hurt it.

My personal theory is that alcohol is alcohol, but things such as sugar content in certain drinks causes some difference in how we react to them. 4oz of 80proof brandy would give the same amount of alcohol as 4oz of 80proof bourbon. One might have twice the amount of sugar as the other so that could make you a bit wound up or some such thing.

I saw some stuff on instagram today about this place. I don't have a sufficient word to express what I feel about it. They call it "luxury" tattooing. Inkaholiks Luxury Tattoos, LLC.

Your stuff looks really nice. Welcome to LST!

I have to admit to a bit of laziness. I read the first post, and scanned a few others, but haven't read the whole thread. I'm just going to answer the initial question. This relates I think to the thread about music in the shop and how loud and what sort might be offensive. I subscribe to the theory that if shit offends you that might just be a sign you're in the wrong place. I know there is some variance regarding the "strength" of the porn in question, and certainly some people have legit business concerns about frightening people off. So, it's just my opinion, but I'm for all things that might send wankers and soccer moms running for the hills :-)

Welcome and enjoy!

Welcome dude. I'm in Kentucky, just down the road from Huntington WV. Have fun on those ribs!

Here's the lizard tattoo I mentioned before. Not a great picture, but you get the idea.

Welcome! You'll love it here, I certainly have. Lots of great people, and a wealth of knowledge.

I was going to get a picture of it up here before I mentioned this, but I suck at pictures so maybe I will later. Anyhow... I've got a Jim Morrison thing on me. It's a lovely green lizard with a crown. I have more people ask me why I have a lizard with a crown than make the lizard king connection. Oddly though, I'm not a huge Doors fan, it just seemed like a cool idea.

It's interesting that this was brought up. I've got a fairly narrow spot in the middle of my chest left to fill and have considered a heavy metal/satanic(ish) cross there. My inspiration is in trying to keep tattoos at least a bit scary. Tattoos used to be, and still are to some extent, a middle finger to the world. It's all about being to each his own, and as was stated before there are no doubt people(maybe a lot of them) that couldn't give a shit less what religious people think of their tattoos.

This is possible a bit off-topic, but what do you all think of the people who get their lower arms covered before anything else? I now have a pretty good balance of visible vs non-visible tattoos, but will admit to getting stuff on my lower arms early and for the wrong reasons.

I feel you dude. I was just talking to someone the other day about a recent shitty tattoo they got and they said the guy is "pretty good for around here". I told them there are actually tattooists around here that are plain old GOOD, not just for here, for anywhere. Then they were the usual complaints of money and likely having to schedule something at least 2 weeks ahead. I just said that they'll get the tattoo they deserve. People want to be stupid, shitty fuckheads, then they deserve stupid shitty tattoos.

Anyone used Hustle Butter Deluxe yet?

Mine did. I don't know if anyone suggested a skull, but someone mentioned that I should go with my gut and not over-think it so I got a nice skull with some flowers. Anyhow... this thread made me think of this video of Troy Denning....hipster-mustachioed-old timey-dude http://www.vice.com/tattoo-age/troy-denning-teaser

I like the lucky13 stuff. I may order something from there. I think I'm kind of cheap when it comes to clothes... lots of plain t's and jeans. I would like some more "cool" tshirts, but I seem to just look and look endlessly and never pick anything out.

Cool... I always love the opinions on here, seems like everyone is always straight up. I like most of their gear. I'm a bit turned off by way they seem to feed in to the rock star tattooists shit, but that's life. I'll definitely have to check out the other brands you all mentioned.

Just a quick question... What do you all think about the Sullen brand?

Damn, I got beat to it. I will add a bit though, just because I want to. I remember the first few times I went in to tattoo studios. There was definitely an air of "if you don't feel like you fit in here, you probably don't". I know there is something to be said about artists being polite "enough" to consumers, but at the end of the day a tattoo studio is not your grandma's gift shoppe. I've also felt a bit of the same thing here. From what I can tell this is not your run of the mill "dude I got a dope-ass tribal armband!" tattoo forum. It seems to be a really well run place, where most of the people involved are serious about what they do. The artists on here seem to be the real deal and most of the non-artists seem to be serious about getting tattooed. That means you're gonna get the same shit here that you would if you walked in to a shop. As PhilB so eloquently put it... we don't work for you. Now that my rant is done I'll try to form a serious response to your original question. It may just be me, but the idea of the word "rejoice" inside a banner seems like an odd idea for someone of no religious leaning. Regardless of your intention a lot of people will read it as religious. I'm also not a real big fan text combined with other stuff... although there are certainly exceptions to everything. I've heard it said, and I think it's a valid point, that if you want a tattoo to "say" something then often a good artist can make it "say" what you want without having to spell it out. I would get just a nice sun or just the word "rejoice" in a nice script before I would go putting them together. I'm curious about the roots of your idea for this...are you pagan or a naturalist or something and trying to convey a rejoicing for nature? Recovering from something and rejoicing for another day above ground?

A monkey riding a unicycle wearing a tophat smoking a phat joint :p Seriously though, as previously stated... a couple times... talk to the artist. I came on here a couple months ago with a similar question and was suggested I go my gut. I got a skull and really like it. Although I think I could just get skull tattoos the rest of my life and be happy.