Post your tattoo!

[RunninInGA]

I'll play.

Got the first one in New Orleans during a rough part of life. Not a great photo, but it's a dragon watching my back. I needed protection during that point in time.

Second one was done in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico this past summer. I don't speak spanish very well and nobody in the shop spoke english. Turned out pretty good given the circumstances. Things were (albeit temporarily) looking up at that time. Puerto Rico is the only place outside the USA I could live and would move there in a half second given the opportunity.

Third and fourth are my maori half sleeve. The negative spaces represent the twists, turns, and overall paths life takes you on. I sat for 5 3-4 hour sessions on this one. And still have about a 2-hour touch-up session to go once I can get back up to the shop. Got this due to the extremely tough times I was (and still am) going through.

I realize it seems life has been tough for me given this post, however tattoos have always been my way of celebrating and closing the tough times. Once my current personal issues are settled (soon hopefully as 2011 was the toughest year I've had in my 35 years on earth), I'll sit for another project to commemorate survival. That said, tattoos are like guns and other toys - they are addictive. For me, the pain is as vital as the ink and design themselves - kind of a cleansing action if you will.

 

[Dagobah]

didnt we already have this thread?

Dude. I just cried a little... That is f***in' SICK!!!!!
GENIUS!!!

 

[zstampe]

Ok guys and gals I have a question for ya. I'm SERIOUSLY considering sleeving my left arm. I could get it started as soon as this Friday. My only concern is that I'm wanting to switch from firefighting/ems to law enforcement and don't want to be turned away from a job due to having a non offensive sleeve tattoo even though it can be covered up.

So what say you, fellow t4r members. Any advice is welcome.

 

[RunninInGA]

dude, I know PLENTY of cops who have tattoos. If you're scared of the needles, say so.....:flamethrwoer2:

 

[Hepar]

Ok guys and gals I have a question for ya. I'm SERIOUSLY considering sleeving my left arm. I could get it started as soon as this Friday. My only concern is that I'm wanting to switch from firefighting/ems to law enforcement and don't want to be turned away from a job due to having a non offensive sleeve tattoo even though it can be covered up.

So what say you, fellow t4r members. Any advice is welcome.

It's gonna be there for life. If you're worried about it, why not wait until after you make the switch?

 

[Trevloc]

Ok guys and gals I have a question for ya. I'm SERIOUSLY considering sleeving my left arm. I could get it started as soon as this Friday. My only concern is that I'm wanting to switch from firefighting/ems to law enforcement and don't want to be turned away from a job due to having a non offensive sleeve tattoo even though it can be covered up.

So what say you, fellow t4r members. Any advice is welcome.

i too, am hoping to pursue a career in LE.

i am avoiding all visible tattoos currently. yes, some departments will let you have them as long as they are not offensive, but some do not. i dont want to have to wear long sleeves everyday (currently live in az) and i am not sure which department i will end up working with. i would suggest waiting til youre on the department, and then follow the policy.

 

[zstampe]

All good points guys,

Couple answers to the responses, it's not the ink I'm worried about having the rest of my life, it'll be something I don't think I'll get tired of.

Needles- not afraid of them at all, I already have a tattoo.

The only think I'm nervous about is being turned down for a job due to my sleeve. I don't mind wearing long sleeved shirts here all year either. Doesnt get too terribly hot for more than a couple weeks in summer. I've wanted the sleeve for years and now I'm in the financial position to get it and have a great artist lined up as well.

I'm leaning towards saying f@ck it and jump feet first and start it in the next week or so. I like taking risks, might as well live a little right?

Thanks for the replies.

 

[zstampe]

i too, am hoping to pursue a career in LE.

i am avoiding all visible tattoos currently. yes, some departments will let you have them as long as they are not offensive, but some do not. i dont want to have to wear long sleeves everyday (currently live in az) and i am not sure which department i will end up working with. i would suggest waiting til youre on the department, and then follow the policy.

Trevloc I'll single out your reply too. You make a great point about waiting for the job, that being said do I want to work for a department thats close minded enough to exclude someone like me with a list of qualifications (eagle scout, ff/emt for 5 years, haz mat etc etc) because I have ink on my arm that I can easily cover up with a shirt? That's the real question.

 

[Trevloc]

Trevloc I'll single out your reply too. You make a great point about waiting for the job, that being said do I want to work for a department thats close minded enough to exclude someone like me with a list of qualifications (eagle scout, ff/emt for 5 years, haz mat etc etc) because I have ink on my arm that I can easily cover up with a shirt? That's the real question.

that is a good point, but i dont think its the department excluding you, its the higher ups who will never meet you. i lately have been looking into highway patrol, and thats the state that says no tats. but i still really like the dps department here. its all in what you want. find the department you like, and see what their policy is. or search all your departments you could be applying/working for and see which you would be excluded from. now i agree that you have to do what makes you happy, but being in law enforcement is whats going to make me happy, and i dont want something as simple as a tattoo slowing me down. but the tattoo might be more important than being in LE, to you. i mean you are already a FF and have all the experience (im just a phlebotomist and cant wait to leave the medical field.) so hell, do what you want. lifes to short. if you want the sleeve, then sleeve up! :guitar3:

 

[zstampe]

that is a good point, but i dont think its the department excluding you, its the higher ups who will never meet you. i lately have been looking into highway patrol, and thats the state that says no tats. but i still really like the dps department here. its all in what you want. find the department you like, and see what their policy is. or search all your departments you could be applying/working for and see which you would be excluded from. now i agree that you have to do what makes you happy, but being in law enforcement is whats going to make me happy, and i dont want something as simple as a tattoo slowing me down. but the tattoo might be more important than being in LE, to you. i mean you are already a FF and have all the experience (im just a phlebotomist and cant wait to leave the medical field.) so hell, do what you want. lifes to short. if you want the sleeve, then sleeve up! :guitar3:

That's true too. Don't get me wrong, I don't have all the experience in the world, I mean hell I'm only 27. I just mean that I have a decent resume.

I'm leaning toward a Sheriff deputy positions. My grandpa retired as the undersheriff of the county I live in. I guess we'll see where I go from here. Here's a pic to put all you tatted up low life's back on topic!!! ;-)

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Round 3 done and in two weeks more coloring on the brain and decaying parts and then work on a border that resembles outer space with some planets in the background. Looks like 3 more visits til it's done and well in time for the Maiden concert this summer.

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

All good points guys,

Couple answers to the responses, it's not the ink I'm worried about having the rest of my life, it'll be something I don't think I'll get tired of.

Needles- not afraid of them at all, I already have a tattoo.

The only think I'm nervous about is being turned down for a job due to my sleeve. I don't mind wearing long sleeved shirts here all year either. Doesnt get too terribly hot for more than a couple weeks in summer. I've wanted the sleeve for years and now I'm in the financial position to get it and have a great artist lined up as well.

I'm leaning towards saying f@ck it and jump feet first and start it in the next week or so. I like taking risks, might as well live a little right?

Thanks for the replies.

On sleeves: I think they are cool, but unless you are a tattoo artist or in a band (that makes it) you're kind of limiting yourself professionally. Right, wrong or otherwise, people make judgements, especially about things they don't understand/like.

I would challenge your statement about wanting to work for a station/precinct that is that "closed minded." Of course, you don't want to be judged, but you still have to pay your bills and survive and you may find yourself having to choose between a precinct in the ghetto (that allows tattoos) or in the county where you don't have to worry about getting shot at by some gang banger everyday.

My career path has taken me more towards the private sector where I have to call on "important" business men/women that would not be able to identify with a sleeve tattoo, and would negatively judge a choice like that. My solution is to get "shorts" instead of sleeves so my larger pieces could be covered up, even during the summer at the pool. Sure, they would not be as visible, but I'm not getting tattoos to show them off to people I don't know, I'm getting them for myself.

On a side note, when considering a tattoo, I try and think ahead and visualize how stupid it might look when I'm 70. This has helped keep me in check on more than one occasion, which is why I still only have 3 tattoos.
Just some food for thought...

 

[Hepar]

All good points guys,

Couple answers to the responses, it's not the ink I'm worried about having the rest of my life, it'll be something I don't think I'll get tired of.

Needles- not afraid of them at all, I already have a tattoo.

The only think I'm nervous about is being turned down for a job due to my sleeve. I don't mind wearing long sleeved shirts here all year either. Doesnt get too terribly hot for more than a couple weeks in summer. I've wanted the sleeve for years and now I'm in the financial position to get it and have a great artist lined up as well.

I'm leaning towards saying f@ck it and jump feet first and start it in the next week or so. I like taking risks, might as well live a little right?

Thanks for the replies.

So, like I said. Since it's going to be on your arm for life, why not wait to get it done until after you make the switch?

Round 3 done and in two weeks more coloring on the brain and decaying parts and then work on a border that resembles outer space with some planets in the background. Looks like 3 more visits til it's done and well in time for the Maiden concert this summer.
[/IMG]

Coming along great. Like a tattoo build thread.

On sleeves: I think they are cool, but unless you are a tattoo artist or in a band (that makes it) you're kind of limiting yourself professionally. Right, wrong or otherwise, people make judgements, especially about things they don't understand/like.

I would challenge your statement about wanting to work for a station/precinct that is that "closed minded." Of course, you don't want to be judged, but you still have to pay your bills and survive and you may find yourself having to choose between a precinct in the ghetto (that allows tattoos) or in the county where you don't have to worry about getting shot at by some gang banger everyday.

My career path has taken me more towards the private sector where I have to call on "important" business men/women that would not be able to identify with a sleeve tattoo, and would negatively judge a choice like that. My solution is to get "shorts" instead of sleeves so my larger pieces could be covered up, even during the summer at the pool. Sure, they would not be as visible, but I'm not getting tattoos to show them off to people I don't know, I'm getting them for myself.

On a side note, when considering a tattoo, I try and think ahead and visualize how stupid it might look when I'm 70. This has helped keep me in check on more than one occasion, which is why I still only have 3 tattoos.
Just some food for thought...

I will say that I think the stance on tattoos has soften quite a bit. They're becoming more and more common and acceptable.

 

[zstampe]

Well I have an appointment for 3 hours from now......I want the sleeve but my wife is talking me out of it. I decided to drop in and check this thread out again and you guy made some valid points. I should probably wait. I think I'll use the money to pay off my credit card instead. Or maybe I'll save for a bumper. Thanks for the tips guys.

Very cool tattoos and an even cooler forum. Maybe I'll re consider after I get a job somewhere.

 

[Hepar]

Well I have an appointment for 3 hours from now......I want the sleeve but my wife is talking me out of it. I decided to drop in and check this thread out again and you guy made some valid points. I should probably wait. I think I'll use the money to pay off my credit card instead. Or maybe I'll save for a bumper. Thanks for the tips guys.

Very cool tattoos and an even cooler forum. Maybe I'll re consider after I get a job somewhere.

I don't think you can go wrong with that decision. No harm in waiting.

 

[broncosi]

I went to get my first tattoos today. I got alchemist symbols for fire and earth. the regular triangle also represents man.

 

[ElGringoLoco]

My latest

 

[Trevloc]

I went to get my first tattoos today. I got alchemist symbols for fire and earth. the regular triangle also represents man.

watch out! youre going to want more! hahaha

 

[Hepar]

watch out! youre going to want more! hahaha

I worried about that, but so far I'm comfy with my one. I think it helps that my one and only tattoo was a big one that covers half my back.

 

[Trevloc]

I worried about that, but so far I'm comfy with my one. I think it helps that my one and only tattoo was a big one that covers half my back.

ah yeah... i started out with small ones and now want to keep going bigger.