sophistre

Whoa...either I missed the notification that people were posting here, or I didn't get one until today, which is weird. Sorry, [MENTION=19422]polliwog[/MENTION]! I had no idea.

Mmmmm...I don't know that I can say the tattoo has grown on me, but it doesn't make me actively unhappy anymore. I try to take the Buddhist approach to this kind of thing, you know? It happened, and it isn't going anywhere. I can either hold on to my wish that things had turned out differently, and continue to dwell on my previous expectations, or I can let go of those and carry on.

It's funny...I know when I post my arm in early May after Gilsdorf adds to that side, the prevailing opinion will be that it's not a bad tattoo, and it really isn't! The placement still bothers me and the colors don't thrill me, but it is what it is. The answer (as I was told by several different wise people) is to get more tattoos. Once it's part of something bigger, I think I'll forget to frown at it completely.

[MENTION=53282]DavidR[/MENTION]: Finding this place was huge for me. I would've been tattooed either way, but it helped me understand many things on a level that I didn't before. Just hanging out here and soaking up what experienced people have to say puts us ahead of the game, I think!

I wasn't nervous before my first one, except in the sense that I was afraid I might not sit well. I didn't want to be that client. I was just very, very ready after having to wait for so many years -- and as people have said in countless threads, if you pick an artist whose entire portfolio you love, you almost can't go wrong, no matter what they put on you.

Maybe that's what tripped me up here. I liked it, but it didn't make my jaw hit the floor. There's probably a balance somewhere in there. I learn something every time I get tattooed, and my tastes have changed, too, even across just a handful of tattoos. I'm grateful to have had this happen in such an insignificant way, though, rather than with some gigantic tattoo disaster -- I know myself better, now. I have a better understanding of my own expectations.

I can't wait for my appointment with Dan Gilsdorf. Talk about a tattooer's portfolio making my jaw hit the floor. I didn't even give him guidelines. I can feel confident that anything he does will be fantastic.

[MENTION=50665]pidjones[/MENTION]: Sadly, not getting tattooed today! That was back in December. I can't remember if I got tattooed or not. I think I actually got sick around that time.

I am wearing short sleeves again, yes. :) I'm in the gym too much right now training for something to be in long sleeves all the time, especially with the weather changing. Two people I've met have told me that the scorpion tattoo is their favorite, of all of the tattoos I have, even. They like the heavy simplicity of it. Go figure! Just goes to show you -- my quibbles are totally personal and subjective. I'm glad that you're adjusting, too. I got a private message from someone recently who said they're in the same boat. It's always reassuring to know you're not alone in feeling these things.

want to see this scorpion

i predict you'll learn to love it

it might not be what you expected

but it still represents something

even if its just a moment in time

a moment where you made that commitment to accept this art

this idea - as a part of you - your skin

but hey - if you still hate it

just get more awesome tatts and you'll soon forget about it :)

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm trying to give myself time to reconcile it all -- not that I have a choice, since it has to heal anyway, but I'm trying not to let myself make up my mind about it quickly.

I've had some pretty good advice from some folks since expressing my unhappiness. I'm sure there are options for me. It certainly has been a new experience for me, if nothing else...something that I'm sure will inform all of my decisions in the future.

And I'm totally going to get another awesome tattoo on the 23rd, so there's something to take my mind off of it, as you say. :)