I just got my first tattoo. Pictures will be forthcoming. (And sorry for the absentee act over the past couple of days - first semester is technically over, I just have journal competition and a final paper to go…)
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I was just about to say that Hooks, they ARE addictive. Does anyone know why though?
Congrats, Jesse.
Is it yourself, only taller?
I really miss that routine.
It’s funny how tattoos have become quasi-respectable over the last couple of decades—when I was Jesse’s age, back in the 70’s, a law student with a tattoo would have been unheard of (I got my first about 10 years after law school).
These things go in and out of fashion—A young revolutionary soldier got “death to kings” tattooed on his chest in Paris during the 1790’s—as his courtiers were horrified to discover when he died in 1844 as King Charles XIV of Sweden . . .
Yay ink! I have three or four tattoos depending on whether you count the latest as one (done at the same time) or two (there are two non-contiguous parts). I’d like to think I’d find ‘tramp stamp’ offensive even if I didn’t have a tattoo in my lumbar region. My best guess as to why they’re addictive is that I think the big hurdle to get over is the one from zero to one. After that, you’ve already decided to get tattooed at all, so adding more isn’t a huge deal.
A young revolutionary soldier got “death to kings” tattooed on his chest in Paris during the 1790’s—as his courtiers were horrified to discover when he died in 1844 as King Charles XIV of Sweden . . .
However, no evidence has been found to confirm this. Damn. I really liked that story.
May I suggest “Secret Canadian” in elegant cursive script ending in a stylized maple leaf?
My apologies if you have already adopted this tasteful option.
I think kaninchen nailed it. It’s getting to the first one that can give some people pause. Once you make it to one, adding more is easy (except for the expense). Having friends who ink is also good for feeding the craving!
I am lucky in that I am in academic fields where having visible ink is not a problem. For some people it’s long sleeves or getting ink in places that don’t show.
Actually, the reason why tattoos are addictive is the same reason why you are told to eat before getting one. The amount of adrenaline your body releases to combat the pain makes you feel incredibly good. That kind of chemical cocktail makes you feel more alive in most cases. Incidentally, if you don’t eat, you often pass out during or after the process because your body doesn’t have the energy necessary to deal with the chemicals released.
Euphoria and sexual arousal are common afterwards, which most people would give their eye teeth to feel all the time. I know I was about ready to jump on the tattoo artist after he was done and it took me about a week for the urge to get another one immediately wore off.
I have a beautiful tribal manta ray on my left calf that has a dolphin and a hammerhead shark pattern hidden within it. I still love it, no matter what my mother says. And I am also addicted to getting them done, but I promised myself it would be at least 6 months before I considered getting another one.
I am also surprised by how the stigma attached to tattoos has faded as quick as it did. I started teaching 10 years ago and was told that no school district would ever hire you if they found out you have a tattoo, and that visible tattoos were reason for not having your contract renewed. Today, roughly a quarter of our teachers have tattoos and at least 3 have visible tattoos. My students have seen mine and think it’s cool. So do their parents (both have tattoos and think mine is cool). I think it’s a wonderful thing.
Oh, and I hate the whole tramp stamp thing too, but I’ve also seen too many of them that were a bad idea.
Actually, the reason why tattoos are addictive is the same reason why you are told to eat before getting one. The amount of adrenaline your body releases to combat the pain makes you feel incredibly good.
Really?!
I’ve gotten four tattoos by four different artists in two different states and not one of them asked me if I’d eaten or told me I need to before getting the tatt. Nice to know though, when I get my next one I shall employ the advice.
yeah, got my first tat at 18, 6 years ago. i want to get more, but the kind i want require a different body type than i have (at least so they don’t look ridiculous on me). i prefer the kind that have meaning, like honest-to-god being tribal tattoos (not “tribal styled” ones).
one things for sure: i’m getting one of those hearts that says “mom”.
They’re addictive, for sure. It’s all the endorphins. I’ve found bicycling replicates the feeling well enough, though. That said, I do have 6 tattoos, so obviously, I’m drawn to them.
I really wish other artists would ask about the eating thing, I end up doing it every time before I do one (I’m a tattoo artist) and you’d be surprised how many people actually lie about eating. Generally anything within the past four hours is good enough to keep someone’s blood sugar just fine while I’m working, but I’ve had three guys now act like they had when in fact they hadn’t and on top of that they don’t even want to tell you when they start feeling woozy. It’s not fun trying to catch a guys head or even his whole body when you have to take a second to put the machine down, especially not when you’re a female artist and they weigh a substantial amount more than you.
And I’ll attest to the addictive nature, I have over 14 if you count them out, including a half sleeve, but I’ve had to break the addiction since I’ve run out of space I can do myself heh. I do have to say it’s nice being able to just do them on yourself whenever you feel like it, and the pain isn’t nearly as bad as someone else doing it since concentrating on linework mitigates pain while I still get the benefit of the endorphins…except on the achilles tendon, it was hard to keep making myself put the needle in with all that pain but I finished the big area of fill there anyways..owwww…
To open a tattoo shop in Minnesota, an owner needs money, ink, needles and a clientele, to name only the obvious essentials. But, in much of the state, a license or training isn’t on the list. That there’s not more of a groundswell of understanding, that this boom industry is completely unregulated—to me, it’s difficult to comprehend. This industry might go for bailout to begin with after having long recession like big companies do! Read more click http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/05/07/taxpayers-payday-loans-personal-bailout/
I got my first a few months ago, and I have to admit it was much more pleasing than I thought. Don’t think I will get another though, at least anytime soon, as visible ink is definitely a problem in my office. Mine’s well-hidden on my upper left shoulder, and I spend very little of my work day shirtless. 
Wow. Ayden G really went to great lengths to spam us about payday loans! Considering all the trouble, I’m tempted to let hir have hirs little victory.
Congratulations (on both fronts)! Be warned, they are addictive.
Looking forward to seeing what you chose.