14 December, 2007 | Leave a Comment
One week from today is my birthday: 12.21 or 21.12, depending on where you’re from. Either way it’s a palindrome. Oh, and I was born at 1:21. Spooky.
On the big day I’ll be in New Yawk, otherwise known as Big Apple City. I’m thinking of getting a tattoo while there. This idea just popped into my head last night. Any birthday that ends with a 0 or a 5 is a big deal. For my last big birthday, I got my nose pierced [which I removed last year in an extremely painful reverse rite-of-passage].
Anyway, I need your help! As much as I’d love to get a tramp stamp or a slogan tattooed down my arm (such as Live Free or Die), I won’t have time for that. I need to get something small, like a little heart. But where? I was thinking on the back of my neck, but then I won’t be able to see it. Or maybe on my toe? Or the inside of my wrist? Please help! Also, where does one get tattooed in NYC? The East Village?
[I hope my mom isn't reading this...]
Anglofille said @ 12:53 pm | personal |
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Caroline Says:
December 14th, 2007 at 5:19 pmDon’t get a tattoo. It’s 90s old news.
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Lillie Says:
December 14th, 2007 at 5:35 pmI hope your Mom is reading this…
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Gregory Says:
December 14th, 2007 at 8:05 pmI think God checks for that, he might still let you into heaven, but he will labor the point.
The Vatican is still trying to get God to drop random drug testing at the pearly gates.
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You guys aren’t being very helpful!
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Gregory Says:
December 14th, 2007 at 8:45 pmIt is well known that 99.9 percent of medical staff in ERs always look at tattoos before doing anything. Why add a couple of seconds delay to a life-saving procedure?
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Alexander Says:
December 14th, 2007 at 8:57 pmAs a male, I found nothing more revolting on a woman than a tattoo. Please reconsider. Go to a trendy shop and get a new haircut, or else donate the money you would have spent on a tattoo to some womens’ organisation, or help some poor starving child in a 3rd world country. A female friend got a tattoo (mid life crisis like yours) and regretted soon after. And it didn’t help her much in the corporate world. Glad you got rid of the pierced nose. A tattoo won’t be as easy and painless to get rid of in future years
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Gregory: I must admit that made me laugh out loud. Where do you come up with this stuff?
Alexander: I’m a bit too young for a mid-life crisis, thank you very much! And I’ve never felt better, actually. If I were planning to get some Hells Angel-style tattoo plastered across my forehead, I’d understand your point. But a teeny little heart on my toe or someplace unseen to most people won’t matter.
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Alexander Says:
December 14th, 2007 at 9:46 pmIf no one is going to see it anyway, what’s the point?
Why not stand out as an ‘individual’ with your words, the way you think, and how you beahve, instead of a branding?
I once interviewed a tattooist and asked him the reasons women got tattooed. The most common was to impress men, and as a way to hang onto their youth. You were the one that said you were doing it because you’d soon be celebrating a birthday that ends with a 0 or 5. You’re probably not 20 or 25. If you feel your youth slipping away, a tattoo certainly isn’t going to bring it back.
I apologise if this offends as that was not my intention
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If you read this blog regularly, you should know that I am not motivated by a desire to please men! Quite the contrary.
As for as the birthday thing, it’s not a matter of capturing youth. It’s doing something to mark an important passage in my life, that’s all. It’s just for myself, for fun. I don’t think a tattoo makes one subversive, nor does a piercing. Both things are now quite mainstream. But I do a lot of work around body image and the body in general and there’s something about writing on the body that appeals to me for some reason.
Clearly the consensus here is that I not get one! Does anyone out there think this is a good idea? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
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Long time lurker, first time responder. I think I’m going to side with the naysayers on this one. Tattoos are permanent, and if you decide you don’t like it the laser removal process is expensive and more painful than getting a tattoo. If you would like to get an idea of what ink on your skin would look like, perhaps you should consider a henna tattoo? I believe they wear off in a few days.
If I wanted to do a splurge to celebrate a milestone, I would buy myself a lovely piece of jewelry, or some artwork I could treasure for all time.
Hope I was helpful and that you enjoy your time in New York!
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Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo and Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
Don’t do it!! Especially not a little heart, that’s so lame! As you might have guessed, I am not keen on the idea! But then, I don’t know you that well (not in the real world anyway), so my opinion means jack.
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By the way, this is slightly weird. I have a friend in New York whose birthday is 22/12. So nearly could have been a strange coincidence!
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Anita Says:
December 15th, 2007 at 12:19 amI know you in the real world. I’m trying to be supportive. Yes, commemorate this milestone year. Treat yourself in a big way. Art is a wonderful idea. But not on the body. I’d really be pleased if you found some other way. Of course I know that in some weird way this is a celebration of the body. There’s some political reason behind it, knowing you. I just wish you’d find another way to express your fiercely political self.
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Lillie Says:
December 15th, 2007 at 12:31 amAnglo -
I have the utmost respect and admiration for you. I think you’re a lovely young woman, but I agree with the others. I think a tattoo would be a mistake. In the alternative, I do like the idea that Coco suggested — the Henna tattoo. I’ve seen those, and they can be quite pretty and are very unique.
I also love the idea of a piece of artwork, as Coco and Anita have suggested.
Think about it…(please?)
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Maybe I will get a tattoo too in NYC!
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Rebecca Says:
December 15th, 2007 at 3:59 pmI’m surprised at so many people here saying “don’t do it!!!111!1!oneone!” It’s really nobody’s choice or opinion that matters except yours, Anglofille. If you would like a tattoo, then get one. It doesn’t hurt anyone else, and it’s your body. I would recommend against it if you have any lingering doubts, as usually those tend to cause regrets later (or so I have been told by others, I do not have a tattoo). I don’t have any recommendations regarding places to go, but I do recommend against the stereotypical tramp stamp for sure. I have a friend who got one on her bum, but she can’t really see it so she kind of regrets that (as in, she wishes she got it in a place SHE could see it, not that she totally regrets the tattoo altogether). I think if I got a tattoo, I would get a thistle. I’m not sure why though.
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SpliceGirl Says:
December 15th, 2007 at 5:58 pmI love my tattoo. It sometimes makes me feel like I can kick any ass I want. That’s right, it makes me a tough bitch and I love it. The long delayed plans for the large one I want are finally coming into fruition. There is nothing hotter or more interesting than a girl or guy sleeved with tattoo’s. No one can really see my tattoo either unless I wear knee length skirts so it isn’t to nab myself a boy. But a heart? Please. I just want to point out to you that every place you mentioned on getting a tattoo is a place Britney Spears has one. Don’t be that person. I think she also has a heart so that should change your idea ASAP. Get something that reflects your personality or interests. My next one is going to be some large sea creature…an octopus most likely. I must put here one more thing…I’ve known you your entire life and you just don’t seem like the tattoo kinda girl. Though I think they’re beautiful and amazing, for you I might agree with the person who said “Buy a nice piece of jewelry” instead. That sounds more you.
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SpliceGirl Says:
December 15th, 2007 at 6:02 pmOh, and Gregory is right…the first thing asked about or looked at during every medical procedure on me, even if it is a cold or flu I’ve got, is my tattoo. But if I die during their inspection of my tattoo, well, at least they had something pretty to look at before I croaked.
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Gregory Says:
December 15th, 2007 at 7:28 pmI knew a guy with a blood-group tattoo. He is a pilot, I think he is possibly in denial about the nature of high impact injuries.
We had a lady photog shooting some crusty old gits at parliament and she had one in the small of her back. My colleagues pretend not to see it.
They all looked at it like.
I think the Iranian mechanic rules apply in our dated circles. Girl with duffle bag full of complicated looking stuff quite rare.
Tattoo (not looked at) therefore to be expected in groovy era of dangerously wild girldom.
G.
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I got one recently and am very happy with it. But don’t rush and get something small… get something meaningful to you.
I have pics on my flickr acct (jasra) if you want to see it being done.
-William’s sister
But I could never see the point of tuna and sweet corn...
