haha well i already have one on my wrist, which is usually said to be equally painful if not more so, so i think i'll be okay. but yeah, it's one of the worst places. i just think tattoos are best if they can be covered (i can wear a watch over my wrist one); even if i love it and it's super significant, there will always be times and places where they are inappropriate. one thing i would recommend to anyone thinking about tattoos: get a black (or whatever color you want it to be) gel pen and draw the tattoo where you want it. do this often (i did it every day for a year) so you can get used to seeing your tattoo. see if it's something you can get used to/like, or if maybe you eventually get sick of it. see what people say when they notice it. can you deal with their reactions? make alterations to where/what it is to find what you like best. as people have mentioned, tattoos are a big decision. i love mine and will never regret it, but i gave mine years of thought and a year-long practice run. also, notice the reactions on this board: if your tattoo is very visible, you will be dealing with them frequently. does it bother you that some people will inevitably think your tattoo is a poor decision/ugly/whatever? people who don't think of these things are usually the ones that regret getting tattoos. finally, and i can't stress this enough, do lots of research when choosing a tattoo parlor. horror stories abound about the consequences of getting tattoos in unsanitary, unprofessional conditions. many professional parlors that follow strict health codes exist, you just have to find them!

anyways, spiel over. good luck with whatever you decide!

I will try your suggestion; I had a hard time getting a good match for my skin shade, and I thought it looked kinda chalky or like wood. Might be operator error. Thanks for the feedback.

Yeah, I personally wouldn't say never to a small tattoo, I just seriously doubt I'm ever going to get one, and if I do it will be in a place that isn't going to stretch and sag as much as others. I will never understand getting one on a whim, especially in a hard to hide area. I have a harder time thinking of people 18-my age that don't have at least one than those that do.

I went on spring break one year with a bunch of guys and two other girls. I remember the majority of the group decided, after lunch, they wanted tattoos. The guy I was dating (thankfully) decided to hang at the bar with me and wait. They came back with flash from the wall of the place, all in visible places. It confused me.

Good advice. :)

Oh and be sure you put the setting powder on top of it. Not regular powder.

So every single day, after you showered, you took the time to draw a tattoo on yourself? That's dedication.

I got 2 tattoos while I was in the military, long before I ever knew I'd be joining AXiD. I got 1 on each of my 2 deployments. I love them both, and wish I could get more. However, I cant think of anywhere else I'd feel comfortable getting one and being able to get it covered up, so the chances of that happening are slim.

Yes, I bought that too - and it did make a difference! thanks again, I'll keep practicing.

yeah, every morning i would draw it, it's just a word (coincidentally a greek one, actually) so it was pretty easy... i figure, if i can't be bothered to invest 5 minutes everyday to be sure of my decision, then i probably shouldn't get it. i think it really helps when you're not sure of size, placing, colors...i've already made some changes to the original design of the twin stars i'm testing out right now, and i've only been drawing them for two days so far. it's also helpful for feedback (for example, someone pointed out that when the stars are too little and too fat, they look like snake bites). i suppose a test-run would be harder the bigger/more elaborate your tattoo, but i think it's worth the bother unless you want something that really lies beyond your own artistic skill.

and remember that one day, you will be old and your skin will be saggy and that bitchin' battleship you got tattooed on your chest will have sunk!

I have seen plenty of sunken ships, so to speak, on the arms of WWll and Korean War veterans. And this is why I don't want a tattoo!

I just want to say that your signature makes my head hurt.

One degree from each school, lol.

But, I mean, it's not even a different division in the SEC.

Huh. I didn't even realize that but I just asked my husband and he said they're all in the western division!