General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: leapyrtwins on June 16, 2008, 02:06:38 pm
Title: I have been inked :)
Post by: leapyrtwins on June 16, 2008, 02:06:38 pm
Well, folks, I finally did it.
Today I got up the courage to have a permanent reminder of my AN surgery tattooed on my left shoulder. Okay, it's actually a second permanent reminder since being SSD is the first one :D Or maybe it's the third, if you count the titanium fixture in my skull :D
Anyway, last year about this time I was contemplating getting my surgery date tattooed on my left ankle but I heard that ankles can be painful places to get tattoos, so I chose my left shoulder.
It was relatively cheap - only $55 - and virtually painless. I did feel a little out of my element - I don't think it's every day that someone my age from suburbia who doesn't ride a motorcycle walks into a tattoo parlor in a seedy neighborhood in Chicago to get inked, but I got over it. Don't know what my parents will say :o or my children for that matter :o but Greg at the Jade Dragon did a great job and didn't make me feel odd at all.
Will post pictures later today ;D
Jan - feeling very rebellious in Illinois
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: Captain Deb on June 16, 2008, 02:24:34 pm
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: cmp on June 16, 2008, 02:33:15 pm
Quote
I don't think it's every day that someone my age from suburbia who doesn't ride a motorcycle walks into a tattoo parlor in a seedy neighborhood in Chicago to get inked
Well, Jan, I think it's high time you got yourself a studded leather jacket and Harley Davidson... ;)
And Mazel Tov on your commemorative "body art"!
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: cindyj on June 16, 2008, 02:48:02 pm
Way to go, Jan - love that idea and spirit!
Thanks for letting us know you did this - can't wait to see the pics.
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: Debbi on June 16, 2008, 02:56:55 pm
Jan-
Way to go!! Can't wait to see the pics!
I got my one and only tatoo (on my right shoulder) for my 40th birthday - and now you've given me a great idea for a second tatto! Love the idea of commemorating the date. We can compare "tats" at the symposium next year...
Debbi
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: Jim Scott on June 16, 2008, 03:03:11 pm
Jan:
You little rebel! ;)
I don't have any tattoos but many folks I know, do. I'm generally ambivalent about tattoos (no strong feelings one way or the other) but I do admire your chutzpah. You may be a wee bit past college age and a suburbanite that doesn't own a motorcycle but you're certainly not without character, Jan. :)
I assume the tat is relatively small and unobtrusive so I doubt either your mother or your children will have much to remonstrate about, but it doesn't matter. The tattoo is yours...a done deal. Others will just have to cope with it. I think it's cool and hardly anything to apologize for....to anyone.
Now, let's have a photo so we can admire your new tat. Thanks.
Jim
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: LADavid on June 16, 2008, 03:24:45 pm
Jan That is hilarious! Way to go. Most of my friends and my daughter have tats -- but even with being a wayward type in the 60's, I never got one. Perhaps I neeed to rethink this -- especially if my acting career is going no where. Can't wait to see the pix.
David
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: Kaybo on June 16, 2008, 03:34:57 pm
JAN~
OH MY GOODNESS!!!![/size][/size] I am just speechless - doesn't happen often...I want pictures...pictures, I say!! So did you get the date? Anything else, like a flower around it or anything? And I am trying to get the "permanent reminders" taken AWAY!! You will be the talk of the forum!!!! You go girl!!
K
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: lori67 on June 16, 2008, 03:47:39 pm
You wild woman! What's next - a facial piercing to match your head piercing? ;D
You do realize that this causes you to lose your authority when you tell your kids they can't get one, right?
So, pictures???? Don't keep us hanging....
I think there's a nice biker bar at the shore we can hang out at. We can park the mini-van around the corner so no one will see it.
Lori
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: Kaybo on June 16, 2008, 04:05:45 pm
I have always threatened to get something pierced on the right side of my face or tongue since I don't have any feeling!!!
K
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: Pooter on June 16, 2008, 07:15:03 pm
Haha! You rock, Jan! I like the idea and your fiestyness. you rebel! ;) I can't wait to see the pics!
Brian
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: sgerrard on June 16, 2008, 08:27:42 pm
Whoa. 8)
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: leapyrtwins on June 16, 2008, 08:32:01 pm
Thanks all, and great graphics, Capt. :D
Actually this isn't like me at all. I'm generally opposed to tattoos - at least for me - but I wanted something special that had some personal significance.
I almost didn't go through with it - drove down the street a long way before I went back and walked into the place LOL
I told my older sister about a year ago that I was going to get a tattoo of my surgery date and she thought it was silly. She wanted to know why I'd pick my surgery date when there are other significant dates in my life - the birth of my children, the date of my divorce, etc. It was hard to explain to her why I wanted my surgery date. I don't think she'll ever really understand.
I only got the date and nothing else - couldn't really think of a picture. I mean, what would I ask for? a brain ??? Besides, my doc already told me I have one of those ;)
I thought about putting my BAHA date also, but couldn't decide between the surgery date and the processor date; plus I thought that 3 dates were just a bit too much.
Lori, my brother in Jersey has a huge Harley - which is kind of out of character for him (guess I'm not the only rebel in the family). Maybe he'll let us borrow it ;D
Will post pictures later - plan to take them after the kids go to bed.
Oh, and for anyone interested in getting "inked" while attending the symposium, I'll be more than happy to chaperone you to the Jade Dragon. Maybe they'll give us a group discount 8)
Jan
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: wendysig on June 16, 2008, 09:28:32 pm
Hi Jan!!
You are too much!! I think only another ANer can really appreciate what you did so I'm not surprised at yoru sister's reaction. You are definitely braver than me. Jusst the thought of a tattoo give me goosebumps. YOu GO GIRL!!! Can't wait to see the pics.
Wendy
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: leapyrtwins on June 16, 2008, 10:54:57 pm
Hi, Wendy :D
I know what you mean about my sister, but I have to say she did have a good point. My thought is that 5/31/07 (my surgery date) forever changed my life - but like she pointed out, so did the day my children were born and the day I got divorced. So, why this date? I'm not really sure. I just felt a need to "mark" the occasion - no pun intended - and when that feeling didn't completely pass I figured I'd do something about it.
Actually, it was not painful at all - I feared it would be; but it was more like an irritation. It felt like someone scratching me and because it was small (only five numbers and two hyphens) it only took about 5 minutes.
I got to pick the writing style and in hindsight should have probably asked Greg to make the "tail" of the 7 a little longer to match the 5 and the 3, but it's really no big deal. My sleeve will cover it most of the time anyway.
Jan
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: sgerrard on June 16, 2008, 11:55:25 pm
The other dates are already recognized in society - the birthdays, anyway, not sure if people have divorce anniversaries. More important, they are in one way or another voluntary things - you had some control over whether they happened and when they happened. Not so for the AN; it came along and picked you. It has a darker, edgier feel to it, and is perfect for a tattoo.
Steve
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: wendysig on June 17, 2008, 05:21:02 am
Hi Jan - Nice pic! I believe you might just be a trendsetter! I'm not sure I'll follow in your footsteps for this, but I'm willing ot bet some people will think this is a great idea. If I weren't such a chicken (but I am) it's the kind of thng I would do! Lori is right! If you go to the biker bar, hide the minivan or as you suggested, borrow your brother's Harley. You really do rock!!!
Wendy
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: leapyrtwins on June 17, 2008, 06:50:18 am
Steve -
you did a great job of summing up my tattoo philosophy and it's not even your tattoo :D I'll have to remember that explanation.
I don't know if people have divorce anniversaries, but I do know that lots of them throw huge parties the day the final papers are signed. Should have done that myself, but after funding the divorce finding enough money for a party wouldn't have been easy :P
Wendy -
thanks; you rock too - for other reasons ;D
Jan
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: Kaybo on June 17, 2008, 07:25:57 am
Jan~ Is it on your shoulder or your upper arm? The pictures make it looked like your arm...
K
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: cindyj on June 17, 2008, 08:34:16 am
Looks great! And, yes, Steve, very well put.
cindy
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: Debbi on June 17, 2008, 08:39:56 am
LOVE it, Jan! Now, make sure to keep it out of the sun for awhile...
Debbi
Title: Tattooed rebel in the heartland
Post by: Jim Scott on June 17, 2008, 08:59:52 am
Jan:
Not bad. Subtle, as tattoos go, but meaningful to you, as it should be. I'm sure the tattoo will occasionally serve as a conversation starter but of course, due to the location, it can easily be covered up, if you wish.
Thanks for sharing this with us. I admire your style, you droll rebel, you. ;)
Jim
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: lori67 on June 17, 2008, 09:15:57 am
Jan and Steve -
Divorce anniversary - 2-18-1997. I should have that tattooed on my butt so I can tell the ex to kiss it! :D And AN anniversary - 2-20-2007. Looks like February is the month for me to lose unwanted items!
Jan, very classy. I like it. And I don't think you'd need to get your kids birthday tattooed on you, since I'm sure they will remind you when it is. Over and over again....
Lori
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: leapyrtwins on June 17, 2008, 10:37:26 am
K -
I say the tattoo is on my shoulder, but it's actually on my upper arm about 2 inches below my shoulder. The pictures are a little strange since I took them myself and couldn't look through the lens while I was doing so. I would have asked one of the kids to take the pictures, but they don't know about the tattoo yet plus I would have been asked to pay for the picture taking :D No lie - I paid my son to take my BAHA pictures, enterprising young man that he is ;)
Lori -
isn't it amazing that your divorce was 11 years ago, but you still can recite the date? Mine was 10-24-06. Loved the comment about losing unwanted items!!! LOL
Jan - the droll rebel (highly amusing, Jim :D )
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: lori67 on June 17, 2008, 01:06:02 pm
Smart boy you have there! Maybe we should bring him into the business...
Yes, I still remember the date - my friends had a big party and bought me flowers and gifts. They referred to it as Independence Day. They weren't crazy about the ex either. Can ya' tell! :D
Lori
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: leapyrtwins on June 17, 2008, 01:48:44 pm
You know, after the divorce is final and everyone knows you aren't going to change your mind, all kinds of friends - and family too - will tell you that they really couldn't stand your ex :D
My son is definitely a "money" guy and he's pretty good at saving it - unless he finds something really tempting and then he blows it all :D Last purchase was an electric scooter - kind of looks like what we called a "mini bike" in my day.
My daughter is the total opposite - spends every dime she can before it even technically belongs to her. She's forever in debt to me ::)
Jan
Title: Re: I have been inked :)
Post by: lori67 on June 17, 2008, 02:06:24 pm
Jan, that's funny -my two older ones are the same - RJ will save and save and then once he finds something "good" - it's all gone. Stef will never let money burn a hole in her pocket and will probably be paying me back long after she's collecting a pension. I may have to keep a bank account open after I die so I can make sure I collect it all.