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@fala @marley mission  feeling normal today. probably just needed to catch up on sleep and hydration after flying to a wedding last week

I've had similar.  It looks worse now than it will when the red calms down and heals.  The more time it has to heal the more "normal" it will look.

I've had similar.  It looks worse now than it will when the red calms down and heals.  The more time it has to heal the more "normal" it will look.

If you give us a general idea of where you live maybe someone can give you some good shop/artist recommendations. Many of the regulars on this board really know their stuff. Identifying a particular style will help as artists do have their specialties. I'd start my research there.
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Sometimes you just have to let it go. It's a tattoo and you well know that makes it permanent, so don't insult your girlfriend. Nobody wants to hang around the person who criticizes their tattoos. It's equivalent to pointing out someone's physical flaws, only you're calling them stupid at the same time, because they chose to do this.
Say something like that looks solid, or nice linework and move on, for your own sake :)
 

This thread was cool before I began my back but now I so deeply feel everything that has been said. It's nice going through and empathizing with everyones journey. Just finished my third session with Horitomo and have the majority of it outlined. I learned to breathe for the sake of survival and sometimes I can convince myself that he's simply using a sharpie to draw more lines, and that eases the intensity (sometimesss). It's such a diverse world of pain sensation! Not sure how to get my buns to quit twitching. Hoping shading is slightly less painful but I find it hard to imagine the localized and constant digging in specific areas like the fumunderbuns and spine. Anyway, just wanted to thank everyone for what they have shared.
 
 

Good times this weekend and even if we couldn't manage a formal LST get together I feel there was some good hanging out and getting together and talking in person is always so much better than doing it on here.  Until next year!

I guess I'll join in on the sharing fun (even though most of you have already seen this on Mike's instagram). Progress from my session at Pagoda City Tattoo Fest:

About 31 hours total so far. So maybe we are about 1/2 done?

After doing a couple 5.5-6.5 hour sessions on my back and front this year I 100% agree that 4 hours is the perfect session length. Those longer session become a mental struggle. The pain doesn't necessarily get worse in hour 5, 6, or 7 it just gets really boring and difficult to let my mind drift off into a happy place.
@sophistre my advice is to never go into a session too confident. Tell yourself the pain is going to be 11 out of 10 so when it ends up being 8.5 out of 10 it ends up being much more manageable than the horrors you were imagining. And on the flip side, when you end up having an easy session delete it from your memory because it will set your pain expectations too low for the next session.

Bad news!  The brunch place I had in mind doesn't take reservations and because I have a really small window of time (my kid gets vaccinated at 9, I have a tattoo appointment at 11) I'm going to call the brunch off and suggest that maybe those of us going to the convention on Saturday try to grab a drink there?

@fala @marley mission  feeling normal today. probably just needed to catch up on sleep and hydration after flying to a wedding last week

Well, my 2nd session with Garver went down this past Friday.
This pic was taken right when it was done.
Best part is, he asked if I was interested in sleeving out my arm.  I obviously agreed and more sessions are to come.  Going to connect my Back to the Future portraits with some other elements.

I've been terrified of this all week--surrounded by sick customers and a sick co-worker. There's a tea called Throat Coat that really helps with that gross first-days-of-a-cold feeling...

or just pound dayquil
edit: seriously hope you feel better though and i am totally looking forward to seeing some cool tattoos coming from the weekend
cant lie
very excited to see Graeme's tattoo

@BrianH  Not that you asked for advice about how to feel better or anything but....  Get four bottles of echinacea tincture (preferably the root and aerial portions), take 1-2tsp every 2-3 hours for the next two days, then reduce to 1tsp every 6 hours for as many days as needed until you feel better plus an extra couple of days thereafter (you may need more than 4 bottles!).  If you feel warm and icky (ie you are hating on anything that makes you feel warmer), drink strong peppermint (hot, like 3-4 teabags per cup - steep for 20 mins covered before drinking) then get into warm covers to sweat it out.  If you feel cold/cool and icky (ie you can't stay warm enough), drink strong ginger (fresh grated, 1-2TB/mug, steeped for 20 mins covered) and also get into warm covers to sweat it out.  You can also use scallions for this purpose, same method of prep and sweating it out!  Once you are done sweating, have a bowl of soup (chicken, bone broth, miso, etc.) to help replenish your body.

Between the echinacea and the tea, you should be feeling a lot better soon!!!  In any event, I hope you feel better soon!!!!

Thanks @Graeme for brunch arrangements!

Got the lining done on tuesday with Uffe Berenth. Looking foward for the handpoking on friday evening ! :)
 
(Poor photo i know but i can't really get a picture of something all around my calf in one shot haha :p )

suck it up ;)

I'll post in the next couple of days about brunch arrangements.  I've had a super busy past few days and I haven't had a chance to make the reservation yet. 

I'm checking flights...doubtful I'd get in with anyone but maybe pop up for Saturday.

Do your ears hang low?
Do they wobble to and fro?

I wouldn't worry about offending anyone here. Most of us have posted uncensored photos of our tattooed butts.

Session two with Horitomo! Almost done with the lining and am looking forward to the shading. 

Hi,
can I hear you opinion about this tattoo

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ya I know,it's in 2 threads,but I love this one I got from Alycia Harr at Classic Tattoo in Grass valley today.
It was an early birthday present from my wife.