Tattoo on the mind

[MonetBass]

I give blood, too.

I also have tattoos.

What I find really strange is you saying you give blood every 6 weeks.

At least in my country, men can give blood 4 times a year, women can do it 3 times a year.

The minimum interval between donation is 2 months. But no more than 4 times for men, and 3 for women, each year.

Here are the requirements to give whole blood from the Red Cross web site:

• Donation frequency: Every 56 days, up to 6 times a year
  
• You must be in good health and feeling well
• You must be at least 16 years old in most states
• You must weigh at least 110 lbs

I could not find anything saying that having a tattoo disqualifies you from donating.

 

[Gregc57]

99% of my time in public, none of my tattoos show. On another note, every time I tried to donate blood they told me I was borderline anemic and sent me home, so I stopped trying.

 

[two fingers]

It would be hard for me to look cool, at all.

Even less with my tattoos, because they are all hidden.

I don't want my patients seeing my tattoos.

I look like an innocent, geeky nerd, no sleeves for me, as much as I would like to. No piercings, either.

My wife has a giant tattoo on her back, and you can see some lines going over her shoulder when she's wearing more loose clothes or the scrubs.


I can't have that on me. Women get away with it fine.


I have three tattoos.

One in the back of the lower right leg that took 5 hours to make.

Another in the side of the lower left leg. And another on my upper right back. These two were made more than 20 years ago.

These last two are going to be enhanced and grow in size, next week.

So, I'm looking at a 4-5 hours session on Monday, and again on Wednesday. I have these appointments made last year.

Looking forward to it, it'll be a fun week, haha!

About every third male MD in my hospital system has a visible tat. At the very least the edge of one sticks out below the scrubs sleeve. Way more than half of the nurses have a visible tattoo. And I work in dozens of facilities.

 

[two fingers]

Here are the requirements to give whole blood from the Red Cross web site:

• Donation frequency: Every 56 days, up to 6 times a year
  
• You must be in good health and feeling well
• You must be at least 16 years old in most states
• You must weigh at least 110 lbs

I could not find anything saying that having a tattoo disqualifies you from donating.

Yeah the reason I asked earlier about it is that I have donated several times and have NEVER been asked that question.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I have tattoos from when I was a much younger. man. I regret those decisions now. I've regretted those decisions for decades. Decades. What means the world to you now might mean doodley squat in a few years.

I advise against it.

BUT!!!

It's your body. I won't tell you no. I can't tell you no. All I'll say is think very hard about this.

This, both my grandpa and my wife's grandpa were in WW2 and had assorted Navy related tats, they both told me many times how much they regretted them in their later years.

 

[two fingers]

This, both my grandpa and my wife's grandpa were in WW2 and had assorted Navy related tats, they both told me many times how much they regretted them in their later years.

While I see the point, many of those military town tats from that era were horribly executed. They looked like a toddler with a blue marker did them.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

While I see the point, many of those military town tats from that era were horribly executed. They looked like a toddler with a blue marker did them.

Yes, that's true, they both had anchors on their forearms that looked like toddler art. But they both had some that were of better quality, looked much clearer just faded. They both did their best to cover them whenever possible.

 

[WillyW]

these are a few of my favorite things

 

[bolophonic]

I start out by selecting an artist who can execute the design that I want to flesh out.

I’m currently at the point where I have most of the bigger pieces that I wanted to finish. I’m looking for an apprentice to do my next round of sessions, which will be obnoxious rock and roll garbage to fill in the gaps. None of it has to be perfect.

I’m glad to be at the point where I’m done with all the deep “meaningful” tattoos and I can just get silly filler pieces and trinkets until it’s time to start on my back.

 

[zontar]

I have no tattoos, and no desire to get one.
But I'm not going to pick on people that have them-although some people I know- I wonder how they afford them.
Tattoos can be expensive and I get that-a good one can be a lot of work and take a lot of skill.

But if you are having trouble paying the rent & putting food on the table--don't get a new tattoo.

As for me, when I hear how much someone paid for a tattoo, I think about what gear I could have bought for that much money.
(Ok--I think that when it comes to paying money for anything other than food & shelter & related expenses.)


But some good advice about tattoos above for those that are considering one.

 

[roller]

Lots of solid info in this thread.

Tattoos aren't painful -- when being inked, it feels like you're being scratched by something sharp and annoying and it's just a matter of tolerating that feeling... and yeah, it feels different depending on where on your body you're getting it. Bicep and forearm are a cakewalk compared to ribs or shoulder blade. And if your artist is layering colors, get ready as that really smarts.

I'd encourage anyone to NOT go with fine details in their tattoos (especially with the black linework) as it looks like poop as the skin ages. Most bass necks with all the frets and dots look like poop. Go with big, bold designs that will still look great in 30 years.

Color is a matter of preference. While I've seen some sweet black & gray, I like tattoos with vivid colors. But keep in mind all tattoos fade with time, especially if the tattoo is going to see a lotta sunlight.

Listen to your artist. Go with their advice, especially if they're in demand.

And oh yeah -- if your tattoo artist can get you in the chair minutes after you meet them, turn around and walk out. Translation: if you're seeking quality work and a good overall experience, find a tattoo artist with a great reputation. Ask to see lots of samples of their work if they don't already have a gallery posted online.

 

[StevieMac]

I haven't read every post but I'll just add a counter point to the you'll regret it post(s).

I've been heavily tattooed for 35 years and have zero regrets.

 

[Corigan]

Yeah the reason I asked earlier about it is that I have donated several times and have NEVER been asked that question.

I've been asked multiple times. They told me It had to be a year from my last tattoo when I gave blood last. It has been a minute since I've given blood though. I am heavily tattooed, full sleeves and a bunch of my legs, so maybe that is why I get asked.

Googling around I see everything from places syaing to wait 3 months or a year.

I am not sure this "rule" is even applied anymore.

 

[buzzbass]

View attachment 4564370 View attachment 4564372

Got this back in December on my left leg.

nice dude

 

[buzzbass]

Some of my pieces...........

 

[Eilif]

Hi gang,
I'm not a huge tattoo guy and never really have been. However, the thought of getting a few small ones has crossed my mind.

A few years ago I considered getting the signs from The Witcher video games, starting with Yrden. Anyone familiar with TW3: The Wild Hunt knows how powerful a sign this can be. I'm still unsure how I feel about this one, and it has been six years. It's a cool design (second from left), but not much else.
View attachment 4563987

The most recent idea I had was the symbol for electrical grounding. As an apprentice in the electrical trade, I thought it would be a cool sign to sport on my forearm. Additionally, it would serve as a visual reminder to not allow myself to short out in high-pressure/emotional situations, to "stay grounded", if you will. When a potentially adverse emotional response is formed in my mind, the sign serves as a reminder to stop, think and provide that return path back to the mind as opposed to shorting out on someone. Cheesy, I know.
View attachment 4563986

Again, I'm not a huge tattoo person and haven't got any to date. Thought it would be a cool thing, with a useful secondary purpose.

How long do most people take to plan tattoos like this? What's it like getting on on the forearm? What meanings have your tattoos got?

Thanks for indulging me.

I'll Play.
I'm not as keen on pop-culture tatoos, but the Witcher symbols are pretty cool. I think the Grounded symbol is great too. Lots of personal meaning wrapped up in a cool symbol. I think it is great that you're looking into tattoos and also wise that you're taking your time.

I view tattoos as style, art and personal expression. I didn't get my first tatoo until 25 or so and my last was last year around 40. Except for my first (almost a whim) I've been EXTREMELY intentional -perhaps obsessive- with placement and subject matter. I've averaged one session every 3 years and typically mulled over a tatoo design for 6-18 months before getting it. I've got my whole life to get them and - though I really like them- there's no reason to rush things IMHO.

Lastly, I think placement can be as big a concern as subject matter I've also been relatively conservative in placement. They're quite visible with my usual rolled up or short sleeves, but invisible when wearing long sleeves. I've gone back and forth about having anything on my hands or lower wrists and have decided against it thus far, but who knows what the future will hold...

My Ink in order....
-Simple black Bass Clef. Center chest. After being a bassist for 15 years at that point, it seemed like a good choice for first tattoo and a safe choice for a tatoo that was decided almost spur-of-the-moment. Still my most painful ink by far. Chest is fairly sensitive to begin with and when there's not much muscle between skin and bone it does hurt quite a bit.

-My middle name and my wife's first name (both names have Nordic roots) in Younger Futhark (Danish) runes (my family ancestry is Danish) placed on an interwoven Danish metalworking pattern. In a band around my left forearm.

-Viking Reliquary Cross (Based on an actual archaeological find) on my right upper arm. The 4 traditional catholic symbols on the ends of each beam are replaced with the 4 dangers of Psalm 22 (Dogs, Bull, Lion and Swords of Evil Men). A mix of my religious leanings/history and family ancestry.

-The "End Slums" MOVE symbol carried by Chicago protestors during MLK's time in Chicago. Right inner forearm. As a non-Chicago-native and white-guy I had some trepidation, but after 12 years living in the North Lawndale neighborhood I finally felt I had enough investment to add some ink honoring the neighborhood and it's history with Civil rights.

-The killer rabbit from Bosch's "Garden of Earthly Delights". Left upper arm. A nod to my lifetime affection for rabbits, great appreciation of the amazing painting and a nod to my brother (a Jesuit) with the addition of a rosary belt. Also wanting to push further into the art aspect of Tattooing.

I'm already planning my next one which will probably be a modification of the square inerlocking Christogram with "IHS" replaced with "TAK" (Danish word for thanks) and some other minor tweaks.

 

[Eilif]

I've been asked multiple times. They told me It had to be a year from my last tattoo when I gave blood last. It has been a minute since I've given blood though. I am heavily tattooed, full sleeves and a bunch of my legs, so maybe that is why I get asked.

Googling around I see everything from places syaing to wait 3 months or a year.

I am not sure this "rule" is even applied anymore.

I think it varies a lot based on local ordinance and state law. For a while there was a hard number of months here in Chicago. Last time IIRC they had either a short window or didn't impose any wait as long as it had been done at a licensed shop.

The emergency blood supply is a pretty serious thing so over the years there have been various restrictions that were quite firm based on medical concerns but relaxed slowly over the years as more specific, relevant evidence and studies have accumulated.

 

[Eilif]

This, both my grandpa and my wife's grandpa were in WW2 and had assorted Navy related tats, they both told me many times how much they regretted them in their later years.

That's a good thing to keep in mind, and if someone has even an inkling (...) of thought that they might regret having a tattoo I would steer them away.

However, consider also that those gentlemen returned home to a profoundly conservative America where tattoos were still considered the marks of criminals and various "deviant" counter-cultures. Heck, the religious environment I was raised in was profoundly suspicious of tattoos, and that was in the 80's and 90's. I have zero trouble understanding how having Tattoos could be uncomfortable for men entering adulthood in the 1940's and 50's.

Tattoos today have very few of those connotations. In most places they are fairly mainstream, and except for within certain deliberately-abstaining social groups they're at worst a curiosity. As long as they can be concealed under work clothing, they're not likely to injure someone's economic or social prospects, and in many places concealment isn't even a concern anymore.

I crossed 40 as happy with my ink as I'd ever been.

 

[mrpackerguy]

Tats and giving blood according to the red cross

 

[Mike N]

Started my tattoo in honor of my Mom yesterday. 4 hour sitting with another 2-3 hours to go.