Requestus translatum ad Latinum

[GQgeek]

J, why do you even want a tattoo? I've never seen the appeal. Then again, maybe I'm just a square because I started listening to Manton at an early age!

 

[j]

I'm not sure exactly why, except I've always wanted one and I only recently decided on a design I wanted to go with, that means something to me and I'm sure I can live with, so I'm going to do it. Unless I find another guy I trust though, it's not going to be until late September, because he's booked out that far.

You could die tomorrow - why die blank?

 

[lawyerdad]

Originally Posted by GQgeek

J, why do you even want a tattoo? I've never seen the appeal. Then again, maybe I'm just a square because I started listening to Manton at an early age!

Yeah, are you sure this isn't some sort of impending-parenthood mini-freakout?
It was only after my daughter was born that my wife started to regret her tattoos (for a number of years before that, she'd stopped caring either way). Shortly before a kid is born is probably not the best time to get your first tattoo, buy your first motorcycle, do your first 8-ball, etc.

 

[j]

Impending parenthood? None that I know of...

I agree that people with obligations like children shouldn't take on something like motorcycles, or crack. But tattoos, unless extremely socially unacceptable, are harmless. Plus it's something that's fun to explain to kids in a totally exaggerated way, like my sharkbite scar or my missing nostril.

 

[lawyerdad]

Originally Posted by j

Impending parenthood? None that I know of...

I agree that people with obligations like children shouldn't take on something like motorcycles, or crack. But tattoos, unless extremely socially unacceptable, are harmless. Plus it's something that's fun to explain to kids in a totally exaggerated way, like my sharkbite scar or my missing nostril.

Oops, sorry, that's what I get for paying half-attention to whose post I'm responding to. Sorry to scare you like that.
I agree tattoos are harmless. I'd probably get one myself except (1) I'm lazy; and (2) I've never thought of something that's interesting and important enough that I could be confident I wouldn't find it trite or boring six months or a couple of years down the road (kind of like Matt's views on buying photography).
My only point -- a totally pointless point given my mistake -- was that for some people tattoos have that "sowing wild oats" association, and if you haven't indulged up to that point in your life I'd generally recommend being cautious about doing so on the brink of a major life event like marriage or parenthood or whatever.

 

[Saucemaster]

I've thought about getting a phrase translated into a language that neither I nor anyone else I'm likely to meet speaks, then tattooed. Not because I think it's somehow cooler, but because if I get a phrase tattooed on my body, it's probably going to be for my own sake, not necessarily for others, and not something I want to talk about in casual conversation. I would also like it to just plain look cool, because after all, that is part of the point. I have a friend who got something tattooed in Arabic calligraphy. It looked amazing, but turned out to be sort of a really really horrible idea after 9/11.... So if we end up warring with Latin-speakers, j, you could be in trouble. Catholic terrorism?

There are actually a couple of Marcus Aurelius quotes I've considered, and it would obviously make sense to get those done in Latin. But I've moved away from the idea mostly--I'd rather have an image that means something to me, as it's a little more private and personal. If you don't want to talk about it, you can just say "I liked the design", and what else are they going to say?

 

[texas_jack]

Originally Posted by odoreater

Some of them have a point I suppose. For example, if a bunch of friends (or say, soldiers serving together) get together and decide to get the same image tattooed as kind of a reminder of something - that's pretty cool. .

The guys on my college lacrosse team got tatoos of a stylized lacrosse stick. I declined.

 

[Renault78law]

I'm seriously considering getting a tattoo. Always wanted one for no other reason than I think they look cool. Would love one on my neck, near the jugular.

 

[lawyerdad]

Originally Posted by Renault78law

I'm seriously considering getting a tattoo. Always wanted one for no other reason than I think they look cool. Would love one on my neck, near the jugular.

Above or below your collar line?

 

[j]

Update, getting this done tomorrow and still can't quite decide whether I want it on my forearm or upper arm. I've been saying forearm forever, and if someone can get "elvish" tattooed there then I don't see why I can't get one there... but then again I don't know if I always want it hanging out in hot weather.

 

[tiecollector]

Originally Posted by j

You could die tomorrow - why die blank?

that reminds me, it is always good to carry a copy of ID in case you are murdered so they'll know who to notify. Why not get your driver's license tattooed on your backside?

 

[j]

Sorry, I meant to bump the other thread. I'm not getting the Latin thing, I'm getting the Zen & TAOMM logo:

The wrench will be more metallic/realistic looking, and we adjusted the foliage a little to make it look more even and less anchor-like.

 

[Wings_2006]

As long as it makes you happy J, thats all that matters here.

Claire

 

[Saucemaster]

My vote's for forearm, I've always liked forearm tattoos. Nothing wrong with the upper arm, just a little less visually interesting.

 

[j]

Here's another comparo, I appreciate input.