So today I got my first tattoo. Yay me! My tattoo artist was very nice and fun, so if anyone’s in Toronto and looking to get a tattoo, I fully endorse Kelly at Tat-a-rama in Etobicoke. A picture of my tattoo is here. I got it on my left shoulderblade.
One thing I found that surprised me: everyone told me that being tattooed over bone hurts more than fleshy spots, so when she started over the shoulderblade and it stung but wasn’t agonising, I figured this would be not so bad. Then she hit the fleshy part of my shoulder. I don’t think I’ve ever been in so much pain in my entire life. So apparently I’m a freak that way.
Got a pic with it on you? I like the design! Is there a reason you chose that particular compound? (Sorry if it’s not actually a compound… chemistry is my worst subject.)
I have one tattoo on my wrist, it’s Sanskrit for ‘‘impermanent,’’ (anitya) and that pretty much sums up the most important guiding principle in my life. I really, really, REALLY love it. Eventually I plan to add ‘‘suffering’’ (dukkha) and ‘‘equanimity’’ (anatman) around my wrist to form a full circle, but I haven’t been able to find the Sanskrit for ‘‘equanimity’’, just in Pali. I’m thinking of just adding them in Pali on either side. I don’t know Sanskrit or Pali, but a lot of the original Buddhist terminology has survived in the original ancient languages, and I wanted to keep the tradition.
I don’t have of pic of it on me yet, I’ll be taking a few once the swelling goes down. The compound is caffeine, trimethylxanthine is the chemical name. I am a gamer and tech support geek, and coffee is my lifeblood. I’m also the woman with the coffee maker on her desk, so I keep most of the engineers going as well, hence the ‘enabler’.
What kind of alphabet does Sanskrit use? I definitely like your guiding principles.
[QUOTE=olivesmarch4th]
I really, really, REALLY love it. Eventually I plan to add ‘‘suffering’’ (dukkha) and ‘‘equanimity’’ (anatman) around my wrist to form a full circle, but I haven’t been able to find the Sanskrit for ‘‘equanimity’’, just in Pali.
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Your tattoo sounds lovely. You’ll have to attach a pic at some point. Mine is about located over my left shoulderblade, is 3 inches wide, dark, dense, and required a fair few passes with the needle to make it dark enough. It hurt like hell and bled like stink.
A minor thought - I’m unsure about “equanimity” as a translation for “anatman”. I would have thought the translation would have been “soullessness” or “impermanence of self”.
[I enclose the wikipedia page (Anattā - Wikipedia)]. I only mention it as you’ll undoubtedly have people asking you the significance of these tattoos when you’ve completed the set.
[QUOTE=Daerlyn]
I don’t think I’ve ever been in so much pain in my entire life.
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Well, that sinks it! I was vaguely considering a tattoo but this changed my mind.
[QUOTE=gigi]
Well, that sinks it! I was vaguely considering a tattoo but this changed my mind.
Cool design, though!
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Thanks!
I should probably point out that I’ve never experienced a whole lot of pain to begin with (never broke a bone or got stitches or had surgery), so my threshhold for comparison is not all that high. I also didn’t cry or scream or faint during or afterwards, although I did leave grooves in the back of the chair I was sitting in.
Agreed-it does hurt, but in a unique way. It feels like tiny razor blades going in and out of your skin repeatedly. I have one on my right shoulder blade, but will be adding soon. Congrats on your first!
I want to get one this summer. I’ve been bugging my husband to design the one that’s in my head, but he hasn’t yet.
Anyone a good artist?
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M’lady, I’m a graphic designer plus I’ve designed a tattoo for a co-worker (she hasn’t gotten it inked yet, though), so PM me with your idea & I’ll see what I can do!
I just got one of mine re-inked on Friday and it felt as I remembered–it stings but then (at least for me) I sort of get into this zone where it’s almost soothing and I don’t experience it as pain or even discomfort.
[QUOTE=Daithi Lacha]
M’lady, I’m a graphic designer plus I’ve designed a tattoo for a co-worker (she hasn’t gotten it inked yet, though), so PM me with your idea & I’ll see what I can do!
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Very impressive. Your artist is pretty durn talented. Those letters (and straight lines) would look like shit if the majority of tattoo artists tried to do that.
Yup, I was very impressed. This is also why it took over an hour to do. I will be thrilled with it as soon as I stop wincing every time I shift my shoulder.
