Getting Cut

I've made up my mind: I'm gonna get inked. I've wanted to since the end of high school, but getting a tattoo at that point isn't practical unless you're going to be a college athlete or aren't even going to college. Plus I wanted to wait until my arms were pretty cut, and they should be good enough by the summer.

That's the next question: when to get it done. Instant gratification is always human nature, so naturally I want to get this now. Watching Miami Ink (one of the best shows on television) and talking with Razz, who also wants one, makes me want to throw away another $300ish. But instead of video games, pot, or alcohol, this would last the rest of my life.

The prospect of that is what excites me, not scares me. That seems to be why so many people seem hesitant to even consider getting a tattoo. It'll carry with you for the rest of your days, and even though laser removal surgery has gotten pretty damn good these days, people are afraid. Why? Of having something you're passionate about and think symbolizes you in the fullest? Of having something deep, ultra-artistic, and a reflection of your soul? It's kind of a strange parallel, but getting a tattoo seems to be kinda like trying to fall in love.

Plus, those super-religious dudes on the diag would yell at me and tell me I'm going to hell, and then I'd reply, "Well, I might as well have some fun before I go, right?"

I love the fact that a tattoo is something that lasts, because it's not cheap. Of course, I wouldn't get some stupid shit like the barbed wire or tribal designs. I'd go all out.

Brew and Mantis have awesome tattoos, Brew has one that's a type of Native American symbol, reflecting his home in New Mexico, and Mantis' I would copy, if it weren't for the fact that a tat is supposed to be unique:



This is the one that Razz wants to sorta get, but she's not sure where, whether on her hip, back, or wrapped around the back/shoulder like I want to do:



I want to get tattoos on both arms, but just for this summer I'll probably just get one on my right. I plan on getting a dragon on my right bicep, covering the bicep entirely. Here's an image of how I want the dragon's head and face to be, plus the fire:



I love how this looks, but I'd make modifications to it. I'd give this sucker wings, and the wings would extend towards my chest and also wrap around my back. Then, I'd have the fire flame out down towards the inside of my elbow and stop there, so it wouldn't be so obvious to see. Lastly, I'd add color. I'd want the majority of the dragon to be red, with the outside portion of the scales blue, and give the dragon glowing blue eyes.

I'm not worried about how this would affect me in the workplace (which is another cop-out most people use when saying they don't want a tattoo) because 1. I don't plan on working in an ultra-professional business setting. My goal is to work with other writers, who not only have creative, artistic minds like mine, but who also probably have tattoos too. 2. If I happen to fall into the aforementioned business, I'd have a long-sleeved shirt on anyways.

In any case, I'm looking forward to May/June, I'll keep you posted.

Watch Miami Ink on TLC, Tuesdays at 10, EST.
Miami Ink Website