HaydenRose

I definitely doubt Walt is a good guy caught up in a whirlwind and I also don't think he ever was to begin with. However, he started cooking for his family & intended on dying of cancer, but then succumbed to the pressure to get treatment. I never once thought he got treatment because he felt like his family needed him, but more because he realized how much money he was making and it might be worth it to stay alive. Even now when he told Skylar he was still working to make up for the money she gave to Ted, it felt like a lie. He is not in it to make enough money for the kids and stop. However, I agree that's his choice and not out of his control--that he's caught up in the "game". But it's strange watching it now and feeling like Mike is the good guy (working for his granddaughter--even though he kills people, but hey, I would kill for my family...) and Walt is a soulless power-hungry machine. Even though he may have always been leaning towards "bad", it's still difficult to watch. I kind of feel like Skylar while I'm watching it, but also feel like she should give him a chance. I never thought this season could go anywhere and it's already so crazy and intense, yet calmer than past seasons, too. It's a subtle, gnawing kind of crazy...

I think he finally grows a heart and leaves Skylar in peace. Is it just me or do you guys think Walt is WAY too power/money hungry this season? I miss the earlier seasons/episodes where he had some humanity... Gus was badass being all devoid of emotion and controlling, but with Walt it just feels like he lost his soul somewhere along the line and its kind of upsetting.

I think I have to agree with Dan, finishing an arm is like earning it. Especially if you haven't been at your job awhile, it might be wise to wait and see if its OK if something peeks out once in awhile, because it probably will... However, I'm 22, too--about to finish my degree and I know if I started getting enough money for tattoos I'd be finishing my arm too... but this whole thread now makes me want to focus on my legs :D (and pay off those student loans... )

My fiance is currently going through sobriety after years of using. He relapsed recently and I was extremely hurt, angry, disappointed, etc. However, one thing I've learned is to NEVER abandon them. Kicking an addiction is one of the most difficult things any one could ever imagine doing. I've seen him at his worst and his best and I know what control it can have over an individual. Your daughter eventually has to decide to make the change herself. She is the only one that can choose to stop it from ruling her life and finding a better one. As a parent the best thing you can do is support her and offer her avenues of help (not force her to check in to rehab). Also consider seeing therapists that specialize in addiction and substance abuse, we've been doing that route and its been much more productive than group therapies, 12-step programs, or rehab. Tell her there are better options than this life and that you will always be there for her and support her in whatever she ends up doing. Best of luck. Stay strong.

Pictures please! :) For some reason I can't view that website, even if I search it... :( To every one else: any pictures of dragons on women?? Love to see them... - - - Updated - - - I totally agree. Thanks for your insight (& power to your girlfriend!) I'm far from masculine and would go so far as to say I'm a girly girl--people are always surprised when they find out I have a bunch of tattoos.

I've always wanted a dragon tattoo, but the only pieces I've ever seen were on men and well ...manly. I think dragon tattoo designs could be amazing using the contours of a woman's body. With that said, do any of you know/seen/tattooed dragons on women? I would just "google" it, but every one here seems the best at pulling images from every corner of the internet. Also curious if any women on here have some dragons or what your opinions are on dragons on women following the publicity of the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo? I seriously considered giving up my dream of having a dragon after the American movie got so much attention. (Noomi Rapace's tattoo was better in the Swedish version......)

Recently at work a customer said to me, "I really hate tattoos and usually think they're disgusting, but yours is beautiful." This was the best backhanded compliment I've ever gotten, because I realized--for all those other people who stare at me in disgust--as long as I keep getting beautiful, flawless pieces, who the fuck cares what other people think, because I may just convert more close-minded people like that customer to appreciating tattoos and accepting people with them.

It's not that bad. The inside of mine took 2.5 hours, but I never felt like I needed a break. As for the thread: I've seen people debate whether a sleeve is truly a sleeve (regardless of length). What I mean is, a sleeve isn't a sleeve unless every inch of skin is covered in ink. So having a ton of tattoos on your arms that have space in between, is still not a sleeve, just a bunch of tattoos. To me, if you're covered your covered and "sleeves" don't need to be cohesive or have a central theme as long as the tattoos are done well.

Whereabouts in New England? I'm from Vermont myself :) Welcome!

I look at it this way, if you trust your artist to use THEIR style and ideas on your piece, then there is no reason to ask for opinions on the internet or to any one else (except a SO or some one close to you). If you feel compelled to ask these questions to LST or other forums, then you must not feel comfortable with what your artist is doing in some way. For example, every time I go to King's Ave they are so incredibly nice and supportive. I would go to any of the guys there and give them my idea knowing they would do it the best it could be. If you don't feel that way about a shop, then you should just go some where else, because in the end only you know what you really want and there is definitely an artist (not some one on the internet) that can bring life to your idea in the best way possible.

@Lochlan, thanks for sharing! I definitely agree with maintaining a closed, clinical relationship, but hoping to bring some of who I am into the mix if it helps in any way. My fiance sees someone right now who will some times use personal stories to help connect or bring home a point he's trying to make. I'm hoping tattoos may function in that way.

I recently had an anthropology professor that was fairly covered and she talked about some of her past troubles landing jobs. Right now, my university treats her great and appreciates her knowledge and teaching abilities (so there are places of business that put work ethic > image). She told us one story where she had completed a phone interview for a teaching job in NYC that was apparently an amazing job. They literally hired her over the phone and told her to just come in on her start day. So she started work and met with the head of the department or whatever that had given her the interview, and he saw her tattoos and immediately said to her, we don't think you will be a good fit for this university. She just saw it as a good thing that she didn't wind up working for those judgmental twats. Now where she works she does a lot of traveling for her research on medical anthropology and the natives in other countries LOVE her tattoos and shes had a lot of great experiences. Thought I'd share her story, I think it highlights the delicate balance of tattoos in the workplace. It really depends on the employer. I told one of my employers that I had them and I could keep them covered if she wished, and she showed me a lot of respect for being honest and kindly asked me to stay covered during open houses and the like (I worked at a daycare--so she was worried about the parents reactions) Right now, I'm a cashier and even though I get some dirty glances from customers, the little old ladies showing me their 20+ year old tattoos is worth letting them peek out every now and then. Also more heavily tattooed people recognizing the quality of my tattoos and sharing conversation. I'm hoping once I start working in social work, they will help in certain situations, maybe in connecting with people or youths in trouble.

Rocks and water and dragonflies :) and more of those flowers, they look incredible. Nice piece.

Funny you posted this now; I've never experienced this until the past two days. Mine started popping out with this crazy heat wave in NJ. Judging by what others have said and my experience, it must be hot weather.

Thanks, I'm hoping he'll have some openings after the summer. And @David, I am considering color now (4 years later), I just would rather the artist do what they think is best, like what you said. He actually wanted to do magenta for the petals & bright pink on the folds. Even if he did a great job, which I'm sure he would, I am not a pink gal. Also just remembered his reasoning for going colored is because black and white roses look like cabbage. Well now I have some beautiful black & white work roses on my arm and no one goes "ewww, you got a cabbage tattoo?"

I got my first tattoo a few months after I turned 18. I went very big, but don't regret it. I had been contemplating it for a long time and got it as soon as I could. The roses represent the lineage of the name "rose" in my family. However, I was set on black and white, and made it clear, but the artist they recommended was big on color--he does really bright, bold pieces (and they are great and stand the test of time incredibly, just not for me). He really pushed color and for my first tattoo, I think I was really easily swayed. Today I would have just left and gone some where else. So he did the outline and then we decided we would discuss color after and make a decision. Then, after 3 hours, he asks ME to pick out the color I want among his ink bottles. Looking back, I don't know any one that does that (and I said I really wanted it black & white). Not only was it my first tattoo--I was super naive--but what do I know about how ink transfers to skin? (Not to mention, I DIDN'T WANT COLOR!) Anyway, long story short, it still looks the same today. I even went back and asked him to grayscale it, and he said it was impossible. But Grez at King's Ave said it's no problem, so I'll probably go back to them once I have some $$$. Here's the picture, but has any one here ever asked the customer to pick out the color they want? Just curious.

Also, see the reply at the bottom: the best advice that girl could ever get. Every one should help his answer be #1 as well as removing that disturbed woman's answer!

Just sounds like a good lawyer to me... JKJK. And yeah, it's not like people don't go willingly into tattoo shops and drop all their hard earned money (or bday money :) ) to have some one abuse them against their will. At least she doesn't think tattooed people are criminals, druggies, etc. --just victims. WOW.

A week should be fine, granted its peeled and not reddish and swollen anymore. However, if you're really worried about the cornstarch on your tattoo, you may want to skip the run. In my opinion, the race is one day; your tattoo is forever. Just food for thought. I never mess around with them or push anything that first 2 weeks, but it also depends on how you heal. I would just watch it and make the call yourself as the run nears. You'll be a better judge of your body and what it can handle than any one else.

For those of you interested in Dawkins and/or Hitchens, this entire roundtable discussion on religion is really interesting. I remember watching part of it (like an hour or so--the whole thing is 2 hours) in a philosophy course. If anyone has 2 hours to kill, I'd highly recommend it.

I usually say I'm atheist just to appease people who ask, because if you're like "Oh, I don't believe in anything" then they just assume your atheist, when that's not really the case. But I don't like to identify myself as atheist because of its relation to the "man-made god". I believe in science and evidence and frankly, being a decent human being. I think when some one labels them self as atheist its only as a reaction to religion, not a definition of who the person is. Yikes, I hope that made sense. Basically what I'm saying is asking some one if they're atheist seems moot ...right?

Hi every one! I've been reading a lot of the forums on here for a few weeks, then realized it was silly not to join. I came across this forum after watching Katie Sellergren's interview before I got tattooed by her in NYC at King's Ave. Amazing lady and glad her excellence led me here. This is a truly unique and informing forum and rightfully so, seeing the high caliber of talent it attracts. I am 22, female and so far, I only have 3 tattoos. I got Katie's almost 2 months ago (see avatar) and I have my right foot done and my left ribcage. Hoping to finish my half sleeve in the next few years and get some other larger pieces in other areas. Stoked to be here and glad you'll have me! -Hayden