keepcalm

Cool - thanks for following up with the final design and tattoo. It's always great to see the progression from idea to implementation, rather than wondering how things ended up. It's got a neat vibe.

I think @gougetheeyes brought up interviewing a Native American tattooer and discussing his take on Indian-themed tattoos. (At least I think it was gouge who mentioned this; I don't feel like rereading that earlier thread). This is something I would be interested in reading, with the understanding, of course, that one person can't speak for an entire diverse group of people.
I think the subtext of these discussions frankly has little to do with tattooing, a lot of the time. Also, we are a politically diverse bunch on here. But I do appreciate tattooers who are thoughtful about their use of symbols that are sacred or otherwise important to other cultures - for instance the evident care that Chad K. puts into his Hindu deities. It sounds like you're already on the right track in thinking about it before you put it on your body.

If you like it get it. But make sure it is a good one because nothing is more offensive than a bad tattoo.

After about a year of injuries and a slow return to running, I started my 14 week plan for the Philadelphia Half Marathon today. I haven't hit the track in quite a while, so it felt good to get out there and knock out some 600s. It's a pretty conservative plan so I probably won't come too close to my PR from two years ago, but I'll just be happy to get through it and to the starting line healthy.

My daughter is five so I have some time before this becomes an issue but considering how much time she has already spent inside our local tattoo shop I will clearly need a strategy when the time comes. I'm thinking that if she wants a tattoo as soon as she turns 18 I will pay her to wait. But I will pay her in money towards whatever tattoo she ultimately decides on. The longer she waits the more money she will have to spend on getting an awesome tattoo. Of course this could backfire and she could end up with a full back piece of an infinity sign exploding into a flock of birds. Life is full of risks I suppose.

Unofficial observations about tattoos on folks of my generation (roughly ages 21-35) in Portland, Oregon after spending a week there:
Freaking EVERYONE has tattoos.
Everyone has a bunch of small and randomly placed tattoos all over the place on their limbs.
Often it looks like they just enjoy doodling on themselves. Most people look like walking sketchbooks.
50% of the tattoos any given person has seem to be ironic.
Approximately 1% of the tattoos I saw would be considered American Traditional.
Conclusions:
Go big. Be bold. None of this wimpy "arrow on my forearm" bullshit.
Side note:
Getting even more excited for my appointment with Dennis del Prete in September! Lady head allllll over my right thigh. #winning

Unofficial observations about tattoos on folks of my generation (roughly ages 21-35) in Portland, Oregon after spending a week there:
Freaking EVERYONE has tattoos.
Everyone has a bunch of small and randomly placed tattoos all over the place on their limbs.
Often it looks like they just enjoy doodling on themselves. Most people look like walking sketchbooks.
50% of the tattoos any given person has seem to be ironic.
Approximately 1% of the tattoos I saw would be considered American Traditional.
Conclusions:
Go big. Be bold. None of this wimpy "arrow on my forearm" bullshit.
Side note:
Getting even more excited for my appointment with Dennis del Prete in September! Lady head allllll over my right thigh. #winning

Unofficial observations about tattoos on folks of my generation (roughly ages 21-35) in Portland, Oregon after spending a week there:
Freaking EVERYONE has tattoos.
Everyone has a bunch of small and randomly placed tattoos all over the place on their limbs.
Often it looks like they just enjoy doodling on themselves. Most people look like walking sketchbooks.
50% of the tattoos any given person has seem to be ironic.
Approximately 1% of the tattoos I saw would be considered American Traditional.
Conclusions:
Go big. Be bold. None of this wimpy "arrow on my forearm" bullshit.
Side note:
Getting even more excited for my appointment with Dennis del Prete in September! Lady head allllll over my right thigh. #winning

Unofficial observations about tattoos on folks of my generation (roughly ages 21-35) in Portland, Oregon after spending a week there:
Freaking EVERYONE has tattoos.
Everyone has a bunch of small and randomly placed tattoos all over the place on their limbs.
Often it looks like they just enjoy doodling on themselves. Most people look like walking sketchbooks.
50% of the tattoos any given person has seem to be ironic.
Approximately 1% of the tattoos I saw would be considered American Traditional.
Conclusions:
Go big. Be bold. None of this wimpy "arrow on my forearm" bullshit.
Side note:
Getting even more excited for my appointment with Dennis del Prete in September! Lady head allllll over my right thigh. #winning

Unofficial observations about tattoos on folks of my generation (roughly ages 21-35) in Portland, Oregon after spending a week there:
Freaking EVERYONE has tattoos.
Everyone has a bunch of small and randomly placed tattoos all over the place on their limbs.
Often it looks like they just enjoy doodling on themselves. Most people look like walking sketchbooks.
50% of the tattoos any given person has seem to be ironic.
Approximately 1% of the tattoos I saw would be considered American Traditional.
Conclusions:
Go big. Be bold. None of this wimpy "arrow on my forearm" bullshit.
Side note:
Getting even more excited for my appointment with Dennis del Prete in September! Lady head allllll over my right thigh. #winning

Unofficial observations about tattoos on folks of my generation (roughly ages 21-35) in Portland, Oregon after spending a week there:
Freaking EVERYONE has tattoos.
Everyone has a bunch of small and randomly placed tattoos all over the place on their limbs.
Often it looks like they just enjoy doodling on themselves. Most people look like walking sketchbooks.
50% of the tattoos any given person has seem to be ironic.
Approximately 1% of the tattoos I saw would be considered American Traditional.
Conclusions:
Go big. Be bold. None of this wimpy "arrow on my forearm" bullshit.
Side note:
Getting even more excited for my appointment with Dennis del Prete in September! Lady head allllll over my right thigh. #winning

Unofficial observations about tattoos on folks of my generation (roughly ages 21-35) in Portland, Oregon after spending a week there:
Freaking EVERYONE has tattoos.
Everyone has a bunch of small and randomly placed tattoos all over the place on their limbs.
Often it looks like they just enjoy doodling on themselves. Most people look like walking sketchbooks.
50% of the tattoos any given person has seem to be ironic.
Approximately 1% of the tattoos I saw would be considered American Traditional.
Conclusions:
Go big. Be bold. None of this wimpy "arrow on my forearm" bullshit.
Side note:
Getting even more excited for my appointment with Dennis del Prete in September! Lady head allllll over my right thigh. #winning

Here's a new watercolor piece from Tattoo Paradise in DC, posted on Facebook today, done by David Cavalcante. It's interesting because it looks like it's actually a black and gray tattoo, with color around it. So I guess when the watercolor fades, you'll just have a b&g tattoo. Not a bad idea?

Unofficial observations about tattoos on folks of my generation (roughly ages 21-35) in Portland, Oregon after spending a week there:
Freaking EVERYONE has tattoos.
Everyone has a bunch of small and randomly placed tattoos all over the place on their limbs.
Often it looks like they just enjoy doodling on themselves. Most people look like walking sketchbooks.
50% of the tattoos any given person has seem to be ironic.
Approximately 1% of the tattoos I saw would be considered American Traditional.
Conclusions:
Go big. Be bold. None of this wimpy "arrow on my forearm" bullshit.
Side note:
Getting even more excited for my appointment with Dennis del Prete in September! Lady head allllll over my right thigh. #winning

Unofficial observations about tattoos on folks of my generation (roughly ages 21-35) in Portland, Oregon after spending a week there:
Freaking EVERYONE has tattoos.
Everyone has a bunch of small and randomly placed tattoos all over the place on their limbs.
Often it looks like they just enjoy doodling on themselves. Most people look like walking sketchbooks.
50% of the tattoos any given person has seem to be ironic.
Approximately 1% of the tattoos I saw would be considered American Traditional.
Conclusions:
Go big. Be bold. None of this wimpy "arrow on my forearm" bullshit.
Side note:
Getting even more excited for my appointment with Dennis del Prete in September! Lady head allllll over my right thigh. #winning

Unofficial observations about tattoos on folks of my generation (roughly ages 21-35) in Portland, Oregon after spending a week there:
Freaking EVERYONE has tattoos.
Everyone has a bunch of small and randomly placed tattoos all over the place on their limbs.
Often it looks like they just enjoy doodling on themselves. Most people look like walking sketchbooks.
50% of the tattoos any given person has seem to be ironic.
Approximately 1% of the tattoos I saw would be considered American Traditional.
Conclusions:
Go big. Be bold. None of this wimpy "arrow on my forearm" bullshit.
Side note:
Getting even more excited for my appointment with Dennis del Prete in September! Lady head allllll over my right thigh. #winning

My parents were very upset when I started getting tattoos and got downright miserable when I didn't stop (lol). Everytime they bring up my tattoos I bring up the good things I do in my life for myself and for my community. It actually helps too when we are in public and strangers compliment my pieces.

My father described my tattoo as "kickass" which surprised me because he was against it before. He's not the type to lie to make me feel better so he must have genuinely changed his mind. :D

That thing looked so killer in person.

So great to meet some LSTers in real life -- really fun night, guys! :) Glad you made it back safely, @CultExciter!

So great to meet some LSTers in real life -- really fun night, guys! :) Glad you made it back safely, @CultExciter!

@CultExciter -- I'll be in SF for the next month(ish)! Are we still Instagram buddies? I'm going to DM you my number. Would be funny to meet you on the West Coast when we're both from the East Coast.

So great to meet some LSTers in real life -- really fun night, guys! :) Glad you made it back safely, @CultExciter!

Well, I just landed back in Virginia. Today was a long day.
I can honestly say that I had an amazing time visiting San Francisco and Oakland, but the two most rewarding aspect of the entire trip was grabbing food at Taqueria Vallarta on Thursday night and having incredible conversation and laughs with you guys. And secondly, spending an entire day at FTW watching the homey Carolyn work (on top of getting tattooed myself). I am so glad to consider you guys friends.
I'm honestly returning today with a drive to work so much harder because of this experience.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much LST.

The more tattooed I get, I think I am much more willing to go into an appointment with a less specific idea. There are so many images that I would be happy with and as long as I am going to someone who I know will understand a general look that I am going for, the less concerned I am about being picky about every little detail. I think this often makes for a better tattoo when you let the artist just go for it and do what they do.