>>These days with divorce rates being so high, many regret
getting their spouse's name or likeness tattooed on
themselves, though children will always be your children,
whether they choose to talk to you, pass away or what ever.
Two thumbs up to your parents for continued commitment.<<
My parents have been married for close to thirty years, I think it's going
to work (much to my grandmother's chagrin).
>>I'm not the devil incarnate (despite suggestions), just his
advocate... Could it also be interpretted that she feels
trapped in her modern life and feels the need for escapism
to the wide open spaces?<<
Considering she currently lives in an area of the city just outside the
desertI would vouch for the former. Before moving to Arizona we lived in rural
Nebraska. You can't get much more '"wide open spaces" then Norfolk Nebraska.
She has explained to me many times that her tattoos are a road-map of her
life and she sees the move to the desert as one of the seminal events in her
life story so far. She is commemorating that with this tattoo. It's also very
pretty.
>>I suppose it is harder to lose a tattoo than a photo
albumn, but I find the 'book of pics' works pretty well for
me.<<
The good old fashioned photo album is not lost or forgotten in our family
either. But some experiences, such as the birth of a child or the love of a
home state are important enough to be 'made a part of them' in a more intimate
way then just looking thorough a book.
>>Those who have marks of their 'faith' can find this too. I
have nothing against people drawing strength from such
things, providing they aren't trying to force it down my
throat. If this works better for you than wearing
jewellery or a repeated action (aka rituals), then great.
But it can still come down to the 'low self esteem' in
regard to you don't believe in yourself enough and require
a symbol to help pull you through. Having said that, low
esteem is relative and you could well be perfectly well
balanced, only drawing inspiration from your art to go on
to greatness as opposed to finding the courage to get out
of bed.<<
I was almost insulted the first time I read through that. I have indeed
suffered from low self-esteem since childhood and an inspiring symbol, like a
role-model or parent, is at times encouraging and inspiring during troubled
times. Would you think any less of someone who thought of Lance Armstrong
whenever they considered quitting at sports? Or a blind child who drew strength
from the story of Helen Keller? It is true that the strength to go on
ultimately lies within each of us, but should we feel weak just because we called
upon a higher power or sought to emulate a personal hero? Who hasn't at one
time turned to another for inspiration; a friend or a god? It is said that
anyone who seeks to challenge the world alone is bound to failure, but he who
seeks to change the world with a friend is granted success.
When I went through US military training I was supremely challenged
physically by the two mile run and pushup events. But there was also a physiological
hurtle to overcome, the fear of failure. My personal mantra became "A weak
'raptor dies." In the natural world a weak 'raptor would stand no chance of
survival. It had to be strong, not just physically but on every level. It
had to accept disappointment and frustration as well as having to go the extra
mile to catch it's next meal. Those that were unable to cope suffered
emotional self-destruction or were killed off. Thinking of these beings who I
loved and respected and the challenges they had to go through during there one
million years of Cretaceous dominance gave me the extra push needed to draw
out a little more testicular fortitude and get the job done. I don't feel that
I should be ashamed of this.
I don't need my tattoo as a battery for my self-esteem. It is a reminder
that everyone is capable of deeds greater then what they think is possible if
they only go that extra step.
>>It is the people that make the experience, I have found.
And it has taken me many, many years to learn that! Just
keep in mind (not looking at anyone specifically) that if
you wouldn't want to wear that tattoo when you are 60,
probably not a good idea to get it. Stop and imagine
yourself at that age; would you still be proud of the
image, or would you prefer to keep it hidden under your
shirt?<<
That's a possibility that sad few people look at, especially in this age of
chinese characters and tribal art. It's hard for me to imagine an 80 year
old man with a tribal vine from his shoulder to his buttock. I had a classmate
in high school who on his 18th birthday got a tattoo of the number 18 across
his entire back. I told him at the time that it was a bad idea, but he went
through with it anyway. I wonder if ten years from now he will still be as
proud of it as he was then.
> I chose Onyx...
>>Obviously a tasteful pose, as suggested for reasons above,
would be a good idea. Sexy images on old guys tends to
give the viewer the impression of the bearer being a 'dirty
old man', rightly or wrongly.<<
I went through quite a bit of artwork before I settled on that picture. It
is erotic without being smutty. I discarded many pictures because I felt
they were just too raunchy. I've seen quite a few tattoos that I felt crossed
the line of decency and I didn't want to go that far. I drew my line at this
picture.
I should stress that I have by no means decided 100% to get it and unless I
cross that 100th percent I will not go through with it. But at this stage I
am very happy with the thought of carrying Onyx on my leg for the next 70
years (or however long I may live).
>>In my case I tend to dynamically be reminded [of pleasant events]. Things
I do,
people I see, all remind me of these things. :-) Live your
dreams - but most of us aren't too sure what they are (says
he who has been doing a lot of soul searching recently now
he is 'hiding' in a 9-5 office job).<<
For some, it's not always an option to go out and re-experience the good
times and the intimacy of a tattoo makes it just that much more pleasant then
memory alone.
>>It sounds like you had put much thought into the symbology
of your body art and your values have not changed over
time; it is good to have an idea for a while and after say
12 months still like the idea - that way you are more
confident it is something you want to portray and not a
spur of the moment "I was feeling low and this will make me
feel better" type decision.<<
I put about five years into the Utahraptor on my shoulder and several months
into this one. I plan on planning for a few months more until any ink
enters my skin. I would advize the same tactic to anyone concidering a tattoo.
The most common type of cover-up tattoo is the one that was done "because I
wanted to know what it was like". I've heard quite a few artists complaining
about teenage girls getting butterflies on there ankles and coming in a month
later wanting it changed to something else.
>>Scrapper, Black Dragon, consider as many options as you
can, including the ones you don't like, then make the call.<<
D.O.P.R the Dragon (Draco Rex Christatus), trying his best to dispense
wisdom that he would be better off keeping for himself.
Received on Sun Aug 21 2005 - 01:47:13 CDT