This is the one about tattoos.
Posted March 1st, 2008 by Mike Lawson
Every 6 months or so I start thinking about getting a tattoo. I’m currently tattoo-less, and I’m pretty sure that I will remain that way.
I’ve always told myself that I wouldn’t get anything permanently etched into my skin unless I was absolutely sure that I wanted it there forever. Here are the simple rules that have kept me tattoo free:
- Come up with a design. Nothing iffy. It has to be on paper (or in a photoshop file). The thought, “I want a Chinese character” or “I’d like something that reminds me of my kids,” isn’t specific enough.
- You have two weeks to improve it. This design is going to be on you forever. In the next two weeks make changes to it. Re-design it. Use a different font. Perfect it.
- Hibernate it. Put it away, but don’t forget about it. You need to sit on the design for one year. If you still want to put this design on your body 365 days after you originally came up with it, do it.
I am such a fickle guy that everything that I’ve come up with has lost its appeal after a few months.
For a while I was thinking of getting a tattoo of an Arabic proverb: “Without Freedom There Can Be No Peace” in Arabic. A few years ago when I was obsessed with culture jamming I thought about getting a barcode on the back of my neck.
And most recently I thought about branding myself with some wise words from Mama Lawson…when you are faced with tough times she loves to say “You’ve got a choice here, Michael. You can be pitiful or powerful.”
It’s been less than a year since I was thinking of the “Pitiful or Powerful” tatt, but I’m over it.
When I was younger–like 18 or 19–I dated this guy and he had a tattoo of a gecko on his back. He sometimes reads this blog so I’m not going to trash his tattoo, but I can imagine that there is some regret when it comes to tattooing something trendy like a gecko on your back. They’ve kind of lost their edge in the past few years, no? (Hi David.)
Here are a few internet finds with unfortunate tattoo decision:
No Responses to “This is the one about tattoos.”
March 1st, 2008 at 3:05 pm
The nametag is fun and creative! Or maybe I just enjoy the background of Scott’s chest. I think it will look strange when the hair grows back through the tattoo.
And I can’t believe you don’t recognize New Jersey! Greenland is more of an inverted triangle with jagged edges.
March 2nd, 2008 at 4:51 am
Um.
Ok.
What was mister “Fuck You” thinking? That’s what I would like to know. And Scott… Hmmm, no thanks. And Clay Aiken? What? WHY?
I want a tattoo.. and have for years and years. A little butterfly somewhere on my back would be nice. The only thing keeping me from doing it is the reaction my mother would have. I can hear the screeching now… “NIKKI! HOW COULD YOU????”
A tattoo is not worth that grief.
March 2nd, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I think medic alert tattooes look pretty cool. But you’d have to first be really sure that you’re stuck with the condition, or barring that, that it’ll be such a part of your identity that, for instance, Former Diabetic, would be a tattoo you’d want should a cure come along.
My religious beliefs say that my people shouldn’t get tattoos, which is alright with me.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:05 am
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March 3rd, 2008 at 10:12 am
I have two tattoos, and I like both.
I was totally in your camp with the “I’m not permanently etching something into me” thing. But then I thought, why not?
I would scrap the “hibernate” rule. Instead I would ruminate on it constantly, doing pro/con lists, etc.
Also, add “Placement” to your list. Tattoo placement is key. Depending on what it is, you may want to have it covered or uncovered. Visible to you, or just others, etc.
My philosophy is that I should be able to see and enjoy the ink too. And My tattoos are “writing”. Hindi and Tibetan sanskrit.
I like your ‘arabic’ idea.
March 20th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
The Batman tattoo is AWSOME FFS!
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