Help me with a tattoo...

[titan14]

Hey guys....I'm really "itching" for my FIRST tattoo....

I have my heart set on a "Don't Tread on Me" theme....but....I am open to ALL suggestions...

Help me decide on my first tat!...please....

[Guest SUNTZU]

Mjolnir. You need to get a sword too. And eat a LOT more of your cooking.

[Guest SUNTZU]

don't tread on me tattoos - Google Search

[Mike.357]

the only advice I can offer is to be absolutely sure of it when you get it.

It better be something with close personal meaning.

[gregintenn]

Could I ask "why?" without starting a big argument?

[Guest Glock23ForMe]

Make it something that you can show your kids and not have them say "daddy, what's that?" One day and be too embarassed to answer... Something you're proud of

[Guest Jamie]

It better be something with close personal meaning.

Yup.... 'cause like a wife, they're a helluva lot more expensive to get rid of than they are to get.

J.

[Guest SUNTZU]

If you wait long enough you might get a nice set of numbers on your arm.

[titan14]

Mjolnir. You need to get a sword too. And eat a LOT more of your cooking.

Ok....i missed something...

[Guest Jamie]

If you wait long enough you might get a nice set of numbers on your arm.

Nah, it'll be a bar code.

J.

[Guest Glock23ForMe]

That'd be fun...

[titan14]

the only advice I can offer is to be absolutely sure of it when you get it.

It better be something with close personal meaning.

EXACTLY....and i cant think of anything more personal than our freedom....

[titan14]

Could I ask "why?" without starting a big argument?

No argument at all...but....what do you mean by "why"...why the DTOM or why a tat?

[Guest Jamie]

Ok....i missed something...

No ya didn't... and just to prove it, go here:

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/general-off-topic/40972-tennessee-gun-owners-funny-pics-only-thread-7.html

J.

[Kelemvor]

I love tattoos. I wanna get more, I just need to finish getting all these guns I want first.

Just remember, while your tattoo may have profound meaning to you, other people might not get the same meaning. So, depending on where you get it, be prepared to be profiled. Whatever you do, don't get barbed wire, tribal designs, or a cartoon character.

[JReedEsq]

I love tattoos. I wanna get more, I just need to finish gettin g all these guns I want. first.

Just remember, while your tattoo may have profound meaning to you, other people might not get the same meaning. So, depending on where you get it, be prepared to be profiled. Whatever you do, don't get barbed wire, tribal designs, or a cartoon character.

This is good advice. I have lots of ink but I would suggest getting your first one in an easily concealable location. I wear suits and long sleeves in my profession, but I still waited until I was self-employed to do my forearms. Also, picking an artist is extremely important. Technical proficiency is a must, but you also have to find someone with an individual style that you appreciate. I've got work by Jason St. Clair and Ben Dixon (owner) of Lone Wolf Tattoo in Nashville and lately I like Dale Johnson, owner of Mythical Markings in West Knoxville.

[Murgatroy]

I normally make a smart assed remark like "I want to get a tattoo, but I am afraid it would hurt."

The context is lost, because I have only met three or four folks from here for a moment.

I am very heavily tattooed. I don't regret any of them.

I like my tattoos. Time have changed compared to what they were ten years ago, and even more so than they were twenty years ago. Tattoos and piercings are more commonplace. They still have lots of stigma attached to them though.

My one bit of advice is to get it on a place easily covered. Your upper arm is the best place, where a t-shirt can cover it, but a shorter t-shirt can show it. This gives you the ability to let folks see it if you want, but not to see it if you don't want them too.

[Murgatroy]

... and lately I like Dale Johnson, owner of Mythical Markings in West Knoxville.

I have some of Dale's flash tattooed on my neck, his understudy did it several years back. I felt very comfortable in his shop.

[BigK]

Are you leaning toward the Gadsen Flag (yellow banner with coiled rattlesnake) or the motto in general?

[titan14]

Are you leaning toward the Gadsen Flag (yellow banner with coiled rattlesnake) or the motto in general?

mostly the motto in general...ive seen a couple that I really like. skull with the snake coiled through with DTOM on the snakes belly....

[titan14]

I normally make a smart assed remark like "I want to get a tattoo, but I am afraid it would hurt."

The context is lost, because I have only met three or four folks from here for a moment.

I am very heavily tattooed. I don't regret any of them.

I like my tattoos. Time have changed compared to what they were ten years ago, and even more so than they were twenty years ago. Tattoos and piercings are more commonplace. They still have lots of stigma attached to them though.

My one bit of advice is to get it on a place easily covered. Your upper arm is the best place, where a t-shirt can cover it, but a shorter t-shirt can show it. This gives you the ability to let folks see it if you want, but not to see it if you don't want them too.

im not afraid of the hurt....I just want something that is "me"...if that makes sense...

[titan14]

Thanks for the replies...some very good advice in this thread already!

[gregintenn]

No argument at all...but....what do you mean by "why"...why the DTOM or why a tat?

I've never understood the appeal of tatoos. The few folks I've asked about them have largely went away offended. I'd be interested in a good explanation.

[Murgatroy]

I like my tattoos because they are me. Every one of them I have has a meaning to me. I don't have to explain them to anyone else, but I will if asked.

My fascination with ink came from my grandfather, who retired from the Corp after his second tour of duty in Vietnam. He had a sparrow on each shoulder and a hula girl on his bicep. I remember as a kid, he would make her dance.

My first tattoo was also one of the largest acts of rebellion I could fathom for my family, all of whom retired from the military. I got an anarchy sign tattooed on my bicep. I didn't go into the service. It was blasphemy. While my attitude has changed as I got older and matured, I still wear that tattoo with pride. Not because I think we should burn it all down, but because it reminds me my youth and how 'carefree' I could be. Back before the understanding of responsibility set in.

Since then, I have gotten dozens of tattoos. Each one more thought out than the last, yet each one significant in it fashion.

[Guest Jamie]

Mine:

And if you can't figure out why I have a fondness... and I'm told a resemblance... for/to dragons, you probably haven't read many of my posts.

J.