AverageJer

I started a podcast about the Minnesota Timberwolves. We've recorded about 10 episodes so far and it's been a lot of fun.

I like to look forward to getting tattoos and then turn the whole day into an event. My wife and I usually (not always) get an overnight babysitter on tattoo day and then go out to celebrate. It's like a holiday. I also don't like healing tattoos in the summer because it can suck to have to avoid water in the land of 10,000 lakes.

The perfect schedule would be one in the spring, fall and winter. I go two tattoos this January and that worked ok too. I'm not sure I would go out of my way to make that happen again but I wouldn't necessarily avoid it either.

This old thread popped up again and I got into a mood to shuffle through and follow some people form LS. I honestly don't recall if I posted my IG on here before or not. I also didn't go through line by line so I'm sure I missed plenty of good people to be following. My social media use tends to go like this:

Facebook = pictures of my friends kids and pointless memes

Twitter = Talk about the Minnesota Timberwolves

Instagram = tattoos

my IG handle is AverageJer

Got this done a while back. They are fresh photos so excuse the shine. It started up as a fix for Nefertiti since she was old and looked like a blob. I could not stop after that and decided to do the whole leg/ Egyptology is a major interest of mine.

Fantastic!

you had me a kid free vacation...

Not going to be a part of it personally but will be living it vicariously via my wife. I'll post what she gets when the time comes.

OK, I'll play...

- Would you rather get the tattoos you want as quickly as possible, or wait and spread it out over a longer period of time?

Some of each actually. I don't want to go too fast- partially because I can't really afford it and partially because I don't want it to seem like I'm flaunting the extent to which I can afford it. I also don't want to be fill up the space I want to fill and then be done. Currently I am 43 and have nothing on my left arm. I'm thinking a 50th birthday tattoo could be fun.

- Do you have a plan as to which areas you cover in which order? Saving the hands for last or getting the worst spots first, maybe getting the visible spots first and save back of the thighs for example?

Working on a comprehensive left leg right now. Negative space, trad american style with full coverage from hip to ankle. It's getting there but will still take a while which is fine. I have some other thoughts for putting more on my right shoulder and everything will change if/when I ever decide to go below the elbow. I doubt I will ever do neck or hands or even back. I have one on my upper back and I forget it's there because I can't see it. I only have one tattoo on my right leg so maybe I will fill that up once the left one is done. Who knows. No plan really.

- If you consider yourself a collector, do you keep areas of your body untouched for fantastic tattooers to appear say 20 years from now?

Nah, not really. I've gotten some fun tattoos from cool artists and there are others I'm aware of that I admire so I suppose it could go that direction but serious collecting isn't really what I'm doing now. I'd probably be more likely to get a tattoo in a specific place on a vacation than to seek out a specific artist. That's how we found Great Lakes Tattoo. Had a trip to Chicago planned a few years ago and, after some research, made appointments there. This past week my wife and I went back and reversed artists because we had such a great time before. Obviously I'll research who and where to go if I am traveling and I suppose I could decide to get tattoos from people guesting in Minneapolis.

- Anything else you would like to add or discuss

I too am surprised at how much I have gotten into tattoos. One thing I have learned is that nobody gives a fucj about my tattoos. Maybe that's because I live in a city but no one outside of immediate family ever comments on them- positively or negatively. No one cares. Well, mostly no one comments. I did have an old woman at the state fair tell me I had the best tattoos she has seen all day. Also my wife likes them and my dad doesn't. But otherwise, nobody gives a fuck.

Yep, no shortage of options to get a good or bad tattoo in Minneapolis. Your work looks nice @I Pray To Crom

Can't go wrong with Great Lakes Tattoo in Chicago. I'm in Minneapolis and like Leviticus but most people here will suggest Aloha Monkey and they are not wrong. Come to the Midwest. Most of the people in Alaska are from Minnesota anyway so you will feel comfortable here.

I was just talking about this with my wife. If you like an American Traditional sleeve what a great opportunity to have multiple artists collaborate in a thoughtful way.

Had another great adventure in Chicago this weekend including a very successful trip to Great Lakes Tattoo. My wife had an appointment with Mario Desa for one of his very cool folk birds and I was lucky enough to to find Nick Colella available for me to get a walk in dragon. I can't recommend this shop (and Chicago in general) enough.

It's crazy what he's doing, pretty cool actually.

My wife has connected with him and plans to get something in June. It doesn't fit my 2016 tattoo goals...

Greetings from Minneapolis.

My tattoos are all covered up if I am wearing long pants and short sleeves. My wife recently went below the elbow and she is thrilled. I think she very much would relate with what you said.

I'm excited to get a tattoo today and so could you be. If you live in Minneapolis area check this out. They do this every year and it's fantastic fun and all good artists.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1648576098731262/

I hope to get a tattoo or two- nothing big. I hope my wife likes the tattoo she's planning on getting in Chicago (she will). I hope to take a few short vacations with my family and I hope several of them are child free.

Also, I hope for world peace....

I like the idea of an image and, if you want, the word "Trust" in it. Trust feels like a more positive reminder than "don't doubt" An image that means wisdom or trust and then a banner with the simple word could be pretty cool. Owls, wizards, whatever.

The thing is, you can personally assign meaning to whatever you want. If you like seahorses (or whatever) than you can put a cool seahorse on your arm and assign it the meaning of not doubting yourself. It's not like you will forget why you got a sweet seahorse tattoo on your arm. Conversely, having those exact words tattooed won't help you remember not to doubt yourself if you just become complacent with it anyway. Ultimately, it will still be up to you to remember to trust yourself so you might as well get a sweet tattoo that you love and that looks really cool. In the end, get the tattoo you want but if you are seeking specific suggestions I recommend a colorful seahorse.

Sure. That's a decision the wearer and the artist can make. My point is there will be options even if it is some blowout- which none of us think it is anyway.

I agree- looks like it will be fine. Reassess once your all healed up and my guess is even if it is bleeding out the artist will be willing to thicken up the outline anyway given the amount of work you have had done. Happy healing.

I like it too.

Where did you get it? Lot's of choices in Minnesota these days.

best of luck with your treatment.

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best of luck with your treatment @Mushu

Seeing this thread pop up reminded me that my dad excitedly told me one of my tattoos was starting to fade. He kind of had an "I told you so quality" in his voice that both myself and my wife picked up on.

Sorry dad, my skin is just a little dry. One quick application of lotion and the tattoo I got last summer in Japan still looks amazing.

Interesting discussion. Sorry I missed it when it was more active.

I'd say tattoos are like are like a vacation with a really kick as souvenir, Or maybe like seeing your favorite band in concert. Anyway, they are pretty unique but the experience plays into it although it's also an identity thing. Maybe it's more like buying art. Fuck it, tattoos are like tattoos. Nothing else I spend money on compares. I guess it's time to start saving.

Welcome and have fun. It hurts but not as much as you probably expect.

I'm about your age and yes, joining a new forum can be weird. Also, to echo what @pidjones said above, the great thing about waiting to get tattooed is how much space you have left for more.

I'm glad you resurrected it because the whole thread was a good read and perfect timing regarding what I have being doing and thinking about with my left leg.

Yesterday was another fun day at Leviticus Tattoo here in Minneapolis. I brought in a rose with a banner bearing my daughters name that was drawn up by my wife who is a color pencil artist. Kyle Malone made a few minor adjustments to her drawing and tattooed it on me. I'm quite pleased with the result. My wife also got a tattoo at the same time in the next chair over which makes it an especially fun experience all around. Now I get to stress about the healing process even though I know it will be fine. Here's a pic.

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Have fun!

The wife and I each have small tattoos planned for Saturday and I'm pretty damned excited about it.