Tattoos

[OptimusPrime]

I have nothing to add to this thread other than that Street Sweeper Social Club rocks. Saw them when they opened for NIN and Jane's Addiction last month. Maybe the best part of the night. I personally wouldn't want that logo tattooed on me but it is pretty cool.

Oh, and their album dropped yesterday.

Yeah, I've listened to it like 5 times already. Boots Riley is a sick rapper. I want to pick up some of his older **** now. And Tom Morellos bass tone on the album is gnarly. I like it more than Tim Commerfords. But they sound similar. I wonder if he used his gear? I also have a theory that Les Claypool used some of Tims gear on The Antipop. I love the logo. Think it's incredibly badass. I don't think that many people have ever heard of them, so no one would know that I stole the idea.

 

[OptimusPrime]

so basically you're saying you -haven't- changed since you were 12.

and this is selling your case...how?

(j/k knock yourself out, and happy b-day ).

Oh no, I've changed a lot. But most of the stuff I like today, I liked back then.

Thank you.

 

[popinfresh]

Oh no, I've changed a lot. But most of the stuff I like today, I liked back then.

Thank you.

You need to learn how to multi quote in one post

 

[OptimusPrime]

Ehh, rreaaallly think about it. When I was 18 I thought I had all these great ideas for tattoos, most are out the window 3 years later on.
I'd much prefer to have an artist draw up an original art piece than band/show logos. Tattooing has moved ahead so much that you can really get a nice piece of art that you can appreciate all the time, even if your tastes in music/shows change. You should find a good artist who's style you like and go from there.
At 18 I loved RATM, RHCP, Primus etc etc, and had since I was about 10-13, I still like those bands but I wouldn't want anything directly linked to them tattooed in me.

It's really up to you, but take your time to think about it. A lot of people have transformers tattoos, but you might be fine with that (lately it's becoming even more popular for whatever reason), a lot of people have bass clefs (I have one on my wrist, I still like it because it's simple, but sooo many people have the same thing or always ask where the treble clef is to match).
As for 'whatever it takes', ehh. If you did do it, I definitely wouldn't do the star, that would just look childish and disproportionate IMO. But do you really just want to be ripping off other people?

Seriously, you have a lot of ideas going through your head, they'll change a lot over the years. For instance you might put the Z on your ribs or what not, then 5-10 years down the track want a nice piece (or bigger) and then just have to cover up. The ribs, though a hard place to tattoo, give you a lot of room and body lines to work with.

Oh and I agree with Latimour about the car, Merc should be a no no.

Even though some of them are logos for bands, it has less to do with the band and more to do with the idea. The Whatever it Takes has a lot more to do with how I live my life than The Nightwatchman. And it's kinda a tribute to him too. The SSSC logo is just plain badass. You can't deny that.

People are getting Transformers tattoos because of the movies. I like the show 12 years before the movie. And Beast Wars. That's what started it all for me.

 

[OptimusPrime]

Erm, I don't know your future plans, but I wouldn't be taking out a loan for a Mercedes any time soon.
What happens when you move out and have bills, food etc? Plans change? Making $200 a week is hardly making big/any money, no offence.
Seriously I took out a $6k loan for my car when I was earning 6-700 a week, paid off 2-3 in a lump sum, then put 1-200 odd on it a week for a while, then lost my job unexpectedly and since have moved to the other side of the world. Still got a good ~3k worth of debt sitting at home.

I'm making $320 a week now. But I know it would suck be stuck upside down with a loan on the car.

 

[OptimusPrime]

You need to learn how to multi quote in one post

I know how to.

 

[popinfresh]

Even though some of them are logos for bands, it has less to do with the band and more to do with the idea. The Whatever it Takes has a lot more to do with how I live my life than The Nightwatchman. And it's kinda a tribute to him too. The SSSC logo is just plain badass. You can't deny that.

People are getting Transformers tattoos because of the movies. I like the show 12 years before the movie. And Beast Wars. That's what started it all for me.

The transformers tats were coming through well before the movie, but I can see it having an effect as well.

Like I said, with 'whatever it takes' it's up to you. I definitely wouldn't get the star though.

I have no objection to tattoo's by the way, if you look through some posts i've got a few, and some not in pictures here. But at 18 I was thinking the same as you. It's an important 'becoming of age' time for many people, and where many try to find direction in life. Most of the people I left school with at 18 are now in completely different situations than they thought they'd be and taking different paths. There's a lot of growing in the next few years and I'm not even through it all yet (I honestly feel that since high school i'm only finally starting to figure out things in the last couple months).

This is the way I see it.. If the tattoo is really for you, and no one else, then what's another 1-2 year wait at least before you get it? It's not like in another couple years you won't be able to get the work done or that tattoo artists will have disappeared, but some of those ideas you have might.

 

[wayleft]

Do what you want!
But remember someday you're going to be naked with someone and you want to make a good impression. What if your girlfriend (or boyfriend) had a parent that was run over by an Autobot?!

 

[Unrepresented]

I'm not sure what exactly getting a brand logo says about you, other than your brand loyalty is far stronger than any I have.

I'm not against tattoos (I have one and expect to get more) but really think you'll be happier with something that's a little more expressive than "this was a popular syndicated childrens cartoon that many children at the time, myself included, enjoyed."

I'd support that transformers tattoo if it had some deeper meaning like, satisfaction in your sex change operation.

Let Hasbro advertize for itself.

 

[rustynuts]

Well, I don't have $11k. I have my Acura and a 2003 Saturn Ion to trade in. And a bank that's willing to loan me whatever else I need. $180 a month for 5 years. Or $230 for 3. Which I make in a week, or less. Are Mercedes unreliable? I thought they ran forever, like 300,000 miles. I know BMWs are expensive as hell to run too.

Mercedes aren't typically unreliable, but AMGs are often run hard and put away wet. I've had a Mercedes, a BMW and a Porsche and all three are rather expensive to get fixed, plus it's sometimes difficult to find someone who will work on them.

I've had two Hondas as daily drivers in the past fifteen years or so, poorer cousins of your Acura. An '89 I had finally gave up the ghost at 489,000 miles. My current '02 has 273,000 miles on it. (I drive about 150 miles a day.) I wouldn't worry too much about your Acura just yet unless it's just falling apart around you.

 

[Marlat]

Well, I don't have $11k. I have my Acura and a 2003 Saturn Ion to trade in. And a bank that's willing to loan me whatever else I need. $180 a month for 5 years. Or $230 for 3. Which I make in a week, or less. Are Mercedes unreliable? I thought they ran forever, like 300,000 miles. I know BMWs are expensive as hell to run too.

Borrowing money to buy a car is not a wise decision. There is a reason the bank is "willing" to loan you money, its because they will make a lot of money off you.

If you have to do it, buy the cheapest and most reliable car you can afford. Here's why; when you borrow money you are paying money to the bank for the priviledge of having that money now (interest). When you buy a car, you pay to keep the car on the road (expenses) plus the value of the car decreases every day you own it (depreciation). So basically you are paying money to the bank in order to pay for something that is more than you can currently afford and which will cost you money to run and lose value. Anyone can see that this is a losers game. Now its true that most people need cars (especially in the US). Your goal should be to minimise the "losing" aspect of this game. Ideally you wouldn't borrow money, buy a cheap reliable car thats already lost most of its "new" value (ie someone else has taken the hit on depreciation). That is the best solution. A terrible solution is to borrow to by an expensive to run, unreliable car (such as a used Mercedes AMG). I know its not very appealing to drive around in an unsexy car at 18, but I can think of at least 3 things you've mentioned in this thread that I wouldn't do:

1. Get a big tatoo of the autobots logo on me;

2. Borrow money at 18 to buy an unecessary car;

3. Buy a used AMG Mercedes with 100k on the clock.

That said, its your money and its your life so you need to live it how you think is best. I am gjust giving you my £0.02. If it were me, I'd keep my Honda and put the $220 per month into a bank account as your "repair fund". If during the 3 years the Honda needs repairs, use the money in the account to fund it or if it dies, get a new car from that money. Chances are it won't need that much repairs and by the end of the 3 years when you would have paid off your loan and probably have a Mercedes worth about $4-6k in your driveway, you should have around $8,000 in the bank and a car that still works pretty well.

 

[Fretless1!]

Borrowing money to buy a car is not a wise decision. There is a reason the bank is "willing" to loan you money, its because they will make a lot of money off you.

If you have to do it, buy the cheapest and most reliable car you can afford. Here's why; when you borrow money you are paying money to the bank for the priviledge of having that money now (interest). When you buy a car, you pay to keep the car on the road (expenses) plus the value of the car decreases every day you own it (depreciation). So basically you are paying money to the bank in order to pay for something that is more than you can currently afford and which will cost you money to run and lose value. Anyone can see that this is a losers game. Now its true that most people need cars (especially in the US). Your goal should be to minimise the "losing" aspect of this game. Ideally you wouldn't borrow money, buy a cheap reliable car thats already lost most of its "new" value (ie someone else has taken the hit on depreciation). That is the best solution. A terrible solution is to borrow to by an expensive to run, unreliable car (such as a used Mercedes AMG). I know its not very appealing to drive around in an unsexy car at 18, but I can think of at least 3 things you've mentioned in this thread that I wouldn't do:

1. Get a big tatoo of the autobots logo on me;

2. Borrow money at 18 to buy an unecessary car;

3. Buy a used AMG Mercedes with 100k on the clock.

That said, its your money and its your life so you need to live it how you think is best. I am gjust giving you my £0.02. If it were me, I'd keep my Honda and put the $220 per month into a bank account as your "repair fund". If during the 3 years the Honda needs repairs, use the money in the account to fund it or if it dies, get a new car from that money. Chances are it won't need that much repairs and by the end of the 3 years when you would have paid off your loan and probably have a Mercedes worth about $4-6k in your driveway, you should have around $8,000 in the bank and a car that still works pretty well.

What he said.

My wife is driving a '97 Sunfire with 200,000 miles on it. We're ready for something newer. And you know what? Since we haven't had a stupid car payment for 10 years, when I get ready for a new car, I will pay cash.

If you can't buy it, you can't afford it. Save up.

As for tattoos, well, to each his own. Sounds like you're considering having extensive work done to fit where you see yourself right now. Maybe more of a rite of passage thing than anything else.

Take a cold shower.

Seriously, wait a couple more years. What's two more years when it's going to be there for a lifetime?

 

[Din Of Win]

I gotta get some pics... but i have some.

left arm is a full sleve in japanese traditional style depicting two cranes fighting with lots of back ground.(I've been a martial artist since i was 7. I'm 26 now. The crane is the representative animal of our style)

Right arm has a Television set reading a book. (I read a LOT and i don't even own a working television. I have one to play movies and the occational video game, but that's it. My little sister drew it for me)

Also on right arm is a smashed nautical star with a bone sticking out... the Bone Star. (i use to work at a tattoo shop and we were ranting one day how every damn dude that walks through the door either gets swallows or nautical stars... so in our boredom we started drawing messed up versions of those themes and then bets were made and losst and before i knew it i had a bone star on me...)

Pics when i get home...

 

[Vic Winters]

Where's Randal Graves when you need him?

 

[MatticusMania]

I cant believe this hasnt been suggested yet...

Use your $11k to get yourself some autobot reassignment surgery, then you won't need a tattoo or a car!

 

[TOOL460002]

personal taste is personal taste. i have been asked a couple times if i regret mine. i have also gotten complements. i will be getting more. if you like it, thats all that matters buddy.

one thing i will say is that all mine are just black, no color, so i applaud your idea there (but not talking trash on those who have color). i will never get color. i dont see that aging well. plus i am super white, and cant get a tan to save my life, so the black comes across quite well.

my rule of thumb is to give it months, if not a couple years before taking the plunge. shop around artists. itll make all the difference.

 

[OptimusPrime]

I've decided to get the boombox on my back. In the next few days. Pretty big, but not obnoxiously big. It will definitely be the centerpiece if I want to do anything else though. Maybe I should find someone to try to draw out a similar concept ... but with an SVT.

I've also decided that I want to get the Whatever It Takes on the right side of my ribcage. And I still want the Autobot logo and the bass clef. Everything else has been tossed out the window thanks to you guys. And after looking back on it, they were pretty bad ideas.

personal taste is personal taste. i have been asked a couple times if i regret mine. i have also gotten complements. i will be getting more. if you like it, thats all that matters buddy.

one thing i will say is that all mine are just black, no color, so i applaud your idea there (but not talking trash on those who have color). i will never get color. i dont see that aging well. plus i am super white, and cant get a tan to save my life, so the black comes across quite well.

my rule of thumb is to give it months, if not a couple years before taking the plunge. shop around artists. itll make all the difference.

I personally really like the ideas I have. And I've thought about most of them for about 6 months.

I like the plain black too. I don't know why. But really bright colors just don't appeal to me. I live in Florida. And I like to spend time outside and go to the beach. Needless to say, I get really tan. Like really dark. The colors would fade.

A friend of mine suggested a shop. He knows the owner and has spent quite a bit of time around there. I guess they charge $100 an hour. Is that about right? I talked to him for a couple hours about what I wanted. When I told him about the SSSC logo, he was like "damn, that's so you". Really, really liked the idea. Offered to come hang out while I get it done. So I'm kinda psyched now. Going to try and get an appointment next Wednesday. He says it shouldn't take longer than that to get me in.

 

[bassman1185]

Just for the record, black fades when it's exposed to a lot of sunlight as well. The guitarist in my band has "HOPE" tattooed in big black block letters on the back of his arm. It's been there for maybe two and a half years, and it is very clearly faded because he spends a lot of time in the sun. It's not to the point where it is difficult to read or anything, but if it were anything less than just pure, solid black to begin with, there wouldn't be much detail left. I have a tube of SPF50 sunscreen that I keep in my car for whenever I'm going to be out in the sun. I don't burn, but I've already invested well over a thousand dollars into my tattoos, and I don't want them to go anywhere.

 

[OptimusPrime]

Just for the record, black fades when it's exposed to a lot of sunlight as well. The guitarist in my band has "HOPE" tattooed in big black block letters on the back of his arm. It's been there for maybe two and a half years, and it is very clearly faded because he spends a lot of time in the sun. It's not to the point where it is difficult to read or anything, but if it were anything less than just pure, solid black to begin with, there wouldn't be much detail left. I have a tube of SPF50 sunscreen that I keep in my car for whenever I'm going to be out in the sun. I don't burn, but I've already invested well over a thousand dollars into my tattoos, and I don't want them to go anywhere.

This is a problem.

 

[NS2A]

I'm making $320 a week now. But I know it would suck be stuck upside down with a loan on the car.

So you're going to be spending 56% of your income on a car payment? Responsible (I said responsible) people don't pay that for a house.

Do what you want, but I was in the exact same place 15 years ago you are in now. Bought a car when I should have used the money for better things. Got a tat with the exact design I thought about for 3 years. And it's of my favorite cartoon also. I wish I hadn't. Luckily the artist talked me into putting it higher up on my arm so it's covered mostly. (Of course it was to leave room for all the other tats I was going to get ) Luckily, it's only 2"x4" and it's faded on it's own so apparently for $1000, I can get it removed "mostly". I'd rather have a bass or a new amp for the $1000.

Good luck.