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Tattoos

I kind of think tattoos are hot. I don't have any myself, but I think about it a bit. It doesn't help that over the past several years I've made lots of friends who have tattoos. Buddhista, Kung Fu Grocer, Pink Martini, Olive Oil... hell, even this little twinky Asian guy I know has several.

And on those shows like Inked and Miami Ink, those people do some pretty amazing things. It's not just cool drawing or design, but it looks really good on the body, too.

I've even had dreams for nearly a year now in which I have tattoos. Usually my right shoulder and arm is covered to a little past my elbow. It's kind of hard to describe.

I haven't gotten a tattoo because they're pretty much permanent.

I think tattoos should serve a primary purpose of being identifying markings. Because they're chosen, they say more about who you are as an individual than your body does on its own.

It's like dressing yourself forever.

I don't wear Tweety Bird t-shirts, so you can guess that I tend to think cartoon character tattoos are silly.

Actually, corporate logos, e.g. Harley Davidson, Nike, Apple, are things I would not get as tattoos, either. I can see why a person might choose something like that, but I would wonder if the sum of meanings and values associated with that logo are subsumed by your personal identity. And what if the business goes under due to some horrible criminal activity?

Tribal designs, aztec symbols, or words in different languages are problematic, but not inherently objectionable. Just make sure your kanji don't spell out something insipid like "frisbee" or "thalidomide baby."

A lot of people get tattoos as markings of memories. They use them to signify changes or accomplishments in their lives. It's like keeping your memory chest on your... chest.

There is a secondary purpose to a tattoo, though. It needs to enhance or at least not detract from the beauty of your body on its own. Given the impermanent nature of your body, its shape, line, and even color, this can be a very special challenge.

Have you seen really old people with tattoos? Tattoos that span stretch marks? I've never had an opportunity to examine either of those cases, but I'm sure that the distortion induced by those things moves the appearance of those tattoos away from their intended goals, particularly that second one above.

I think if I were to get a tattoo, I would want to design it myself or commission something unique. Obviously, my mind isn't made up about getting a tattoo, but if you're going to get one, you should be sure about it because you can't easily undo it.

Thoughts, anyone?