Last Friday, Craft Night at The Compound, Tim told us he’d decided to get another tattoo. He wanted to show his commitment to the mission of the rescue group he helped found by adding the logo to his arm just under the Keith Haring Barking Dog tattoo he got in 2010 (documented here). I asked if I could go along to take pictures, and so as has happened several times, Tom stayed home to “watch the dogs” (this translates to “snored in his recliner for a bit between taking the dogs out”) while the rest of us traipsed to Shaw’s Tattoo Studio to watch one of our group getting inked.
Tim’s first tattoo (on his other arm) was a birthday present in either 2000 or 2001, I don’t remember the year. He was visiting from New York. It was the first time I’d ever seen anyone get a tattoo, and it made me want one. Apparently this happens a lot to people. But I always said I’d get one only if I could figure out exactly what I wanted, something that would be so meaningful to me that I’d never regret its permanence on my skin.
I’ve now watched Tim get five tattoos, Lindsey get two, and Rhonda get one recolored. Each time, I wondered if there would ever be a tattoo right for me. Then early last year, I realized what I wanted. I researched info about people with diabetes getting tattoos. I gave myself months to think about it. I shared my concept and reasons with a few people. The urge and the idea never faded. When we were at Shaw’s, I said that I might finally be brave enough to get it, but it wasn’t in my budget yet. That’s when Rhonda said, “If you want it, it’ll be my gift.”
Thank you, Rhonda; you know exactly what it means to me as a writer and especially as an aunt.
Nice tat … and a very good place to start!
And I concede, you’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!
Thanks. And funny Sound of Music reference.
I must admit that I have found tattoos to be addictive. I’ve managed to stop at three, though, all small symbols with personal meaning.
What does the Aa represent?
That answer will probably vary and will undoubtedly be a post of its own eventually.
It was my pleasure. The smile on your face afterward let me know exactly what it meant to you.
I’m still smiling!
I don’t have tattoo regret as much as I just don’t think anything about it anymore. I forget that I even have it – and when I got it it really meant something to me … so I don’t think I would ever get another … however I don’t see that being a problem with yours … it’s always going to have meaning.
I always forget that you have a tattoo!
So do I!
Woof! (Again!)
Aa!
With the reactions I can get with dyes, I would like to think I’m causing world peace by not having one or just using dye free laundry soap. But (on the other hand) this could work like The Patch and build immunity. The question is, which hand?
If you might have a bad reaction, I’d say your non-dominant hand!
The fact that I’ve gotten a tattoo probably indicates that they are over, though, so keeping your skin ink-free makes you a leader of the new trend. =)
I LOVE IT. And even though I just got one a few months ago, it makes me want another one. 🙂
Thanks! When I went back and was reading comments on Tim’s blog posts about his other tattoos, there was once discussion of you being tattooed in New Orleans.
Very nice!
Thank you!
This will go down as one of my most favorite of our field trips ever. <3
Let’s hope for many more. (Though none of them involving tattoos for me.)
I’ve never thought of a tattoo I would like, but I really love that one!
Thanks!