I'm gonna get me some ink

[roadie gal]

My SO thinks it's a midlife crisis... but I'm going to get my first tattoo at the ripe old age of 51. I've been thinking about this for a long time.

I'm going to get a turtle with wings. The turtle has been my totem animal for a long time. It's single minded, strong, tenacious and connected to the earth. In some cultures it's associated with medicine and healing. The wings are symbols for the times when things go easier or better than expected. They're a contrast between the groundedness of the turtle and my occasional flights of fancy. They're freedom. Last, my sister, who died last year after a long battle with breast cancer loved pictures of angels and winged things. So this brings her along with me always.

I've been asking locals with tats where they got theirs done. One place kept coming up. So I went there and talked to them a few days ago. The place was clean. Everyone was very nice and welcoming. I'd expected a "biker hangout" kind of feel. But it wasn't like that at all. The artist says he's going to have my drawing done tomorrow. I can't wait to go and see it!

[TsPoet]

I'm 43, have no ink, and I'm jealous!
Your design sounds wonderful, and the fact that you have such a clear idea of what you want is terrific.
go for it.

[Zen]

i think I was 45 when I got mine.
Your design sounds great and well thought out.

[Veronica]

Well I'd never get a tattoo - too afraid I'd hate it later - I've always admired ones that have been well thought out and have meaning. I like turtles too, ever since we went to Hawaii and I got to swim with them.

Veronica

[kacie tri-ing]

Cool! Can you post up the drawing when you get it?

[OakLeaf]

That does sound cool! Looking forward to seeing the design (and the tat, if you're comfortable sharing it here when it's done).

[Kimmyt]

I took my mom to get her tattoo when she was 48

[Selkie]

Got mine when I was 42! ENJOY. Can't wait to see it.

[badger]

I love that your tattoo's going to have so much meaning. Much better than some random chinese character people get that means little.

Where on the body are you going to get the tattoo?

[roadie gal]

I love that your tattoo's going to have so much meaning. Much better than some random chinese character people get that means little.

Where on the body are you going to get the tattoo?

I'm going to put it just above my left ankle. I haven't decided yet whether to put it on the inside or the outside. Outside: more people can see it. Inside: I can see it better. Don't know. Opinions?

I go to get the drawing tomorrow afternoon. I'll try to figure out how to post it. If not, once it's done I'll take a picture and post it.

[crazycanuck]

Way cool!

I'd like to get a tattoo but am chicken & have procrastinated for quite a while- a maple leaf behind my right ear & a silver fern behind my left.

[PamNY]

Cool! Let us know how it goes. I want a hawk on my ankle (and I'm 59).

[Tri Girl]

Cool!! I still want one, but am afraid to pull the trigger and make it permanent.
I LOVE the meaning. I think those make it far more special. I'd love to see it when it's finished. :)

[badger]

may I suggest the inside of the leg for your tattoo location?

I would imagine that the symbol is more of an inspiration for you, not for viewing by other people? I could be wrong.

When I got mine, I knew that there's a high regret factor to something permanent, so I actually got it where nobody can really see (near my left hip bone). I'm glad I got it there, because it was for me, and I sometimes do regret getting it.

[pfunk12]

I got my tattoo when I was 40 - after a relationship ended and it was a very sad and painful time for me. I call it my "midlife crisis" tattoo :). Getting the tattoo was very empowering to me. Mine is a butterfly. I found a poem on the internet about how a butterfly is about a new beginning so I thought it was appropriate.

So...good for you!

[XMcShiftersonX]

Good for you! I think it's important to have ideas well thought out, and thought about for a long time before getting them. Then of course have an artist that you think is good. I already have 1 1/2 sleeves, and huge flowers around my waist (and more to come!:)). Enjoy your tattoo!

-Jessica

P.S. - Here's a link to my tattoos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2032773&id=32400583&l=39fe83c761

[kermit]

My first was about 14 years ago, kermit on my stomach. I was in Key West with my husband and I remember trying to find someone to do it. The first place I went to, a hole in the wall, complete with long-haired biker. I walk in and ask if he can do a kermit on my stomach, his reply "you mean the muppet"? as he points to some books. "Thanks dude" as I left. That tat was a sure thing, loved kermit since I was little. My second is a man on the moon, with a shooting star around him. I got it on the outside on my left ankle. It hurt around the bottom, next to bone, of course this one did not involve alcohol (maybe thats why I felt it). I want a third I (I'm 42) , as a matter of fact I was discussing it with my husband today. Some type of sun with rays on my right shoulder maybe. Get as many as you want, they are addicting!
My husbands suggestion, a drooling bulldog on my forearm...not so much!

[PamNY]

My husbands suggestion, a drooling bulldog on my forearm...not so much!

Why on earth not? I have a drooling bulldog sleeping on my yoga mat right now, and he's adorable.:D

[Bike Chick]

I got my tattoo when I was 40 - after a relationship ended and it was a very sad and painful time for me. I call it my "midlife crisis" tattoo :). Getting the tattoo was very empowering to me. Mine is a butterfly. I found a poem on the internet about how a butterfly is about a new beginning so I thought it was appropriate.

So...good for you!

Got mine at 41--also a butterfly and for very similar reasons. It's in a very private place that no one can see unless I decide to share it. I've had it 10 years and have never regretted it.

It was very empowering to me as well. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have mine. Share a pic when it's done if you feel comfortable doing so.

[kermit]

PamNY-No offense to your pup, I have two jack russells and a malinois doing the same! Hhhhmmmm. maybe a big dog paw??????

[PamNY]

PamNY-No offense to your pup, I have two jack russells and a malinois doing the same! Hhhhmmmm. maybe a big dog paw??????

No offense taken -- we have many drool jokes at our house. I had thought about a dog-themed tattoo, but the bulldog has such a complex face and I want simple. If I didn't live in the city, I'd adopt a JRT in a heartbeat.

Pam

[zoom-zoom]

P.S. - Here's a link to my tattoos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2032773&id=32400583&l=39fe83c761

Those are SO freaking cool! Gorgeous workmanship, too! (and I love your Glen Hansard quote--Once is one of the best movie soundtracks, ever)

I have 3 tattoos...one that was my first small tat from when I was 19. My second was a mother's knot on my lower back with my son's birthdate and name and my most recent is a kitty surrounded by flames with 26.2 below her--commemorating my first marathon completion.

I'm thinking I may have to get a cycling one at some point and have already looked around for design ideas.

They are addictive...you have been forewarned! :D

[XMcShiftersonX]

Those are SO freaking cool! Gorgeous workmanship, too! (and I love your Glen Hansard quote--Once is one of the best movie soundtracks, ever)

Thank You! I feel like we've talked to each other about my quote before? Were you going to see them awhile ago and I told you about how their concert was the best one I'd ever seen and I got to meet them both after and they were some of the nicest people I'd ever met? If that wasn't you, I'm having a deja vu moment haha! Anyways, here's the pic of me with Glen, and one of my husband and I with Marketa!

-Jessica

[Catrin]

I have one tattoo, that covers a little over 1/3 of my back. It is a beautiful, and colorful, Phoenix that was done by a Hawaiian trained tattoo artist who made her own inks - I was 33 years old when I got it, and at 50 the colors are just as vibrant as they were then. I have never regretted it - and I chose that tattoo because of the symbology - I have risen out of ashes a few times in my life as well - though perhaps not in the same way as the phoenix :)

Congratulations on your decision - it is great that you found someone that you like!

[Bike Chick]

McShifteson, those are some beautiful tattoos. Thanks for sharing.

Zoom, one of the coolest tattoos I ever saw was a map of the US with a bicycle crank ring and crank in the middle. It's hard to describe but a guy on RAGBRAI had it on the outside of his calf and I just had to ask. He got it after he completed his ride across America. I think symbolic tattoos like that one and the 26.2 are pretty cool. And then of course, the ones honoring your kids. My stepdaughter had her boys' footprints from their birth certificate tattooed on her shoulder. It's pretty neat.

[zoom-zoom]

Thank You! I feel like we've talked to each other about my quote before? Were you going to see them awhile ago and I told you about how their concert was the best one I'd ever seen and I got to meet them both after and they were some of the nicest people I'd ever met? If that wasn't you, I'm having a deja vu moment haha! Anyways, here's the pic of me with Glen, and one of my husband and I with Marketa!

-Jessica

Nope, wasn't me...but I am way jealous.

[zoom-zoom]

McShifteson, those are some beautiful tattoos. Thanks for sharing.

Zoom, one of the coolest tattoos I ever saw was a map of the US with a bicycle crank ring and crank in the middle. It's hard to describe but a guy on RAGBRAI had it on the outside of his calf and I just had to ask. He got it after he completed his ride across America. I think symbolic tattoos like that one and the 26.2 are pretty cool. And then of course, the ones honoring your kids. My stepdaughter had her boys' footprints from their birth certificate tattooed on her shoulder. It's pretty neat.

Oh, that cycling tattoo sounds COOL!

One of my friends has talked about getting a footprint for each kid. I love that. My mom has always wanted a little angle to symbolize a stillborn baby she lost. I wish she would buck up and do it, since I think that's a beautiful way to honor a lost child.

[roadie gal]

Badger - I'm leaning toward putting it on the inside of my ankle. My favorite 16 year old, who I consult for the youth vote, thought that would be cooler there than the outside, too. :) You're right it is for me and I should be able to see it best.

Jessica - You're tats are beautiful. I love the colors.

[artifactos]

I got my first tattoo at 22, and it may be the only tattoo I ever have. It combines my three favorite things ever - horses, art, and archaeology. Cave paintings from Lascaux, France (over 10,000 years old) over my ribcage on my left side (so they're hardly ever visible). I love it, but the ribcage is kind of a crazy place to get a first tattoo. :)

If I get another, it might be a partial chain ring on my right calf. On my FIRST ride on my road bike in September, I fell (didn't unclip in time, d'oh) and have a lovely scar there in the shape of my chain ring. I figure I might get it filled out in white. :)

[copperlegend]

I got my first tattoo at 22, and it may be the only tattoo I ever have. It combines my three favorite things ever - horses, art, and archaeology. Cave paintings from Lascaux, France (over 10,000 years old) over my ribcage on my left side (so they're hardly ever visible). I love it, but the ribcage is kind of a crazy place to get a first tattoo. :)


I know of those cave paintings! What a great idea!

I'd love to have the white horse of Uffington on my lower leg, but it probably won't happen for a while.

[Norse]

I lost my dad to cancer this past year and have been thinking about getting my first tattoo, at age 40-something, somehow honoring him. Oddly enough, at the exact moment I first thought about getting such a tat, my brother was sitting in a tattoo parlor, unbeknownst to any of us, having our dad's name and years on Earth beautifully inked on his upper arm. My brother chose the inner, much more painful, part of his upper arm reasoning that, in honoring dad, he could suffer a little pain for a short duration that was nothing compared to what dad suffered through.

[badger]

If I get another tattoo, I've always admired this particular one found on the Siberian Ice Maiden http://www.tattoosymbol.com/timeline/timeline-5.html. I think it's so intricate and lovely :

http://www.tattoosymbol.com/timeline/timeline-images/pazyryk-drawing.jpg

[ASammy1]

I have one tattoo, that covers a little over 1/3 of my back. It is a beautiful, and colorful, Phoenix that was done by a Hawaiian trained tattoo artist who made her own inks - I was 33 years old when I got it, and at 50 the colors are just as vibrant as they were then. I have never regretted it - and I chose that tattoo because of the symbology - I have risen out of ashes a few times in my life as well - though perhaps not in the same way as the phoenix :)

Congratulations on your decision - it is great that you found someone that you like!

Wow! Great story Catrin and even better that you still love it!

[XMcShiftersonX]

Nope, wasn't me...but I am way jealous.

Wow, I wonder who it was then, haha. I should have added that my husband was REAAAAALLLY excited to meet Marketa, he has a little bit of a crush!:p

[zoom-zoom]

Wow, I wonder who it was then, haha. I should have added that my husband was REAAAAALLLY excited to meet Marketa, he has a little bit of a crush!:p

At least I don't think it was me...maybe it was. I blame it on mommy brain.

I went and downloaded the latest The Swell Season album on iTunes just after seeing your review and concert pics. I have been considering it for a long time. Wow, 3 hours of music for $16.

[XMcShiftersonX]

At least I don't think it was me...maybe it was. I blame it on mommy brain.

I went and downloaded the latest The Swell Season album on iTunes just after seeing your review and concert pics. I have been considering it for a long time. Wow, 3 hours of music for $16.

haha that's okay, I have a bad memory too! That CD is pretty good, it comes with a live CD which I really like. Their new stuff is pretty good, but not quite as good as once!

-Jessica

[bikerHen]

Well I got my first tat at age 50. Four years and seven tattoos later I still love them all. All but two are cycling related. My first and still the favorite is bikerhen on my left calf. See avatar! Isn't she cute! :p bikerHen

[malkin]

I think I'll just stick to adding charms to the charm bracelet.

[ASammy1]

Just found this GORGEOUS tattoo! It looks like a watercolor painting! I want it!

[zoom-zoom]

Just found this GORGEOUS tattoo! It looks like a watercolor painting! I want it!

That's really a tattoo? Wow...it looks like body painting. That is stunning!:eek:

[ASammy1]

Yep it's real! It was done by a female tattoo artist in Dayton, OH. She's super talented.

[mizzbananie]

congratulations! your tattoo sounds well thought out and the sentiment is lovely. i got mine when i was 45.. an intensely personal and meaningful tattoo, and i haven't regretted it for a split second... very healing, in fact.

[roadie gal]

I went by to see the drawings yesterday. The artist wasn't there, but he'd left 2 drawings for me. One was a little aggressive looking, but the other was great. They were line drawings only, with no color. I'm going to make an appointment for next week to get it done. I'll talk to him about the color then. I'm leaning toward blue and green for the turtle fading into yellow/orange/gold for the wings.

The only drawback is that I'm not going to be able to swim for 2 weeks. But better now than later into the season.

[kermit]

Sounds awesome! Photos are a must!

[XMcShiftersonX]

The only drawback is that I'm not going to be able to swim for 2 weeks. But better now than later into the season.

I know! That's the worst. Luckily I'm not much into swimming unless its the summer and I'm at the beach. So, I just don't get tattooed in the summer. But two weeks isn't too long, good luck!

-Jessica

[roadie gal]

Got it! I went yesterday. It took about 2 hours. I'm very happy with the result. It's on the inside of my left ankle, just above the bone.

Here's a pic:

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii211/sandakat/misc/P1010845.jpg

[zoom-zoom]

Oh...I LOVE that! It's perfect...and the colors, detail, shading...gorgeous! Congrats on a beautiful work of art that you get to carry with you for the rest of your life. That is awesome. :D

[ClockworkOrange]

Oh yes, that is the cutest tattoo I have ever seen, the colours are superb, no wonder you are so very pleased.

Just looked again, the expression on his little face is great.

Clock

[roadie gal]

Oh yes, that is the cutest tattoo I have ever seen, the colours are superb, no wonder you are so very pleased.

Just looked again, the expression on his little face is great.

Clock

The face is one of the best parts. It looks so hopeful and positive to me.

[XMcShiftersonX]

haha that is cute and fun! I love it. How was the pain, compared to what you were expecting?

[OakLeaf]

Wow, amazing detail and color, and I love the design!

[roadie gal]

haha that is cute and fun! I love it. How was the pain, compared to what you were expecting?

I'd had no idea what to expect. I just knew it was going to hurt. :o It's a strange feeling. It's almost like an electric shock. It wasn't too bad in the "meaty" areas, but the sections that were over bone or toward my Achilles tendon were more painful. It's certainly bearable for a couple of hours. Anything longer and I would have to do it over more than one session.

[kermit]

Really well done! That is the coolest turtle ever, and it's yours!

[PamNY]

I love it. Now I want one.

Pam

[KnottedYet]

Beautiful!

That is just perfect, and the turtle really does have a great expression.

[Tri Girl]

That is some truly amazing artwork!! It turned out beautifully- congrats!!:D

[Selkie]

It's really a work of art! And best of all, it's unique and YOURS.

PS---My DH is a U of MD grad and in his words, "fear the Turtle!"

[ASammy1]

It looks great! I'm so excited for you :D

[girlonbike]

nice tutrTle.

[kenyonchris]

I'm going to put it just above my left ankle. I haven't decided yet whether to put it on the inside or the outside. Outside: more people can see it. Inside: I can see it better. Don't know. Opinions?

I go to get the drawing tomorrow afternoon. I'll try to figure out how to post it. If not, once it's done I'll take a picture and post it.

Mine is on the inside of my left ankle....and LOVE it. Got it at 28. I got a chainring with wings on my shoulder last year and it is going to have to be removed, I don't like it. Too big, too visible.