My father always said that I shouldn't get a tattoo because if I was ever a fugitive from justice, it would be an identifying mark that could be used to ID me. I love that my father even thought that that was a possibility in my life !
I went through a period when tattoo journalism was sort of my beat. I interviewed the legendary San Francisco tattoo artist Lyle Tuttle and went to a party at his tattoo joint (he was old school; it was a "parlor") where I met a woman who'd been a tattooed lady in the circus in the 1930s and 1940s. Not a great advertisement for the art form, I have to say. I also interviewed the brilliant Jamie Summers in her studio--no "parlor" for her--where she created tattoo designs using electron microscopy. She died in a tragic accident--bicycle; New York City garbage truck--when she was just 35.
My favorite tattoo story, though, is one I didn't write. In 1993 Penn Jillette, of the Penn and Teller magic act, got a tattoo *without ink* as an on-air stunt for Showtime. Apparently it hurts more "without the ink to lubricate." He published his account in the New York Times; the headline was "All Pain, No Gain." https://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/18/magazine/endpaper-workbook-all-pain-no-gain.html
Me? No tattoos. I do donate blood several times a year. Does that count?
Interesting that tattoos used to be the gold standard for masculine flash: motorcycle gangs, sailors, Popeye.
Did Popeye have one because sailors did, or did sailors get them because Popeye had one?
Thought about it. I’m always not making a decision or making the wrong decision. A lifelong problem. Truly lifelong; I’m 73. I told a therapist that I should get a tattoo, somewhere I couldn’t help but see it all the time. A single word, “consider;” consider making a decision, consider the consequences of that decision. I never got it (they’re super pricey and I’m a scrooge) but now I can’t pass a tattoo parlor without considering whether I should. I’ll no doubt never give in, but the idea of it has turned out to be as permanent as if I had.
What a beautiful tattoo. My librarian wife got a quote from Charlotte’s Web tattooed across the palm sides of her forearms when she turned fifty: This lovely world / These precious days
When I retired, I wrote a blog post peripherally about tattoos. The only one I ever imagined getting was a pair of Chinese ideograms, which I'd read (in Alan Watts) called "wu wei." (You can see the two I referenced here: https://i0.wp.com/johnesimpson.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/wuwei.png.) Watts translated that as "sitting quietly, doing nothing"... which sounds a bit too passive, even as retirement advice. But after researching it some more, I learned that the first character represents a human hand with splayed fingers. The second is the killer, though: it represents a human leading an elephant by its trunk. Together, then, the two characters say, in essence: "Free the elephant; let it go where it will."
I'm still thinking about getting that tattoo some day, just to remind myself to chill, and never stop exploring.
In the meantime, I very much approve of your own choice. I think a tattoo made to fulfill a purpose of one's own is hugely better than a tattoo to induce whiplash or awe in others. And the purpose you describe here, well, who could argue with it???
Oh yes, I went absolutely nuts over her suit. Immediately searched for the designer name, found it, went to their suit, looked at all their clothes, snapshotted a photo of her suit ... But yes, it will forever be HER suit. Still, I do love it.
I remain tatoo-less but my favorite tatoos belong to a lovely 30 year old workmate (I am more than twice her age) who has beautiful renditions of Hogwarts on one wrist and the Disney Castle on the other forever enshrining her childhood for all to see.
The prettiest tattoo I have ever seen —and as I live in L.A. I’ve seen a lot — was a floral chain running over the top of a woman’s foot. It was delicate and flattering and looked extra good with open sandals.
Thank you for the most perfect description of Hannoh Wessel clothing. I could never figure out what drew me to that brand before, but that’s exactly it.
First, I guess i missed something.......why are you on crutches? Second, i was reading and thinking "i hope she doesn't get a tattoo". Alas, i like them. Very dainty and feminine and for you meaningful. xxx
The tattoos now are so much more elegant than even the women's tattoos I remember from the early 2000-2010s, such as dolphins, daisies, and supposed Chinese characters. This bracelet tattoo is so cute! (Dare I say, cutesy and demure?? haha)
My father always said that I shouldn't get a tattoo because if I was ever a fugitive from justice, it would be an identifying mark that could be used to ID me. I love that my father even thought that that was a possibility in my life !
I went through a period when tattoo journalism was sort of my beat. I interviewed the legendary San Francisco tattoo artist Lyle Tuttle and went to a party at his tattoo joint (he was old school; it was a "parlor") where I met a woman who'd been a tattooed lady in the circus in the 1930s and 1940s. Not a great advertisement for the art form, I have to say. I also interviewed the brilliant Jamie Summers in her studio--no "parlor" for her--where she created tattoo designs using electron microscopy. She died in a tragic accident--bicycle; New York City garbage truck--when she was just 35.
My favorite tattoo story, though, is one I didn't write. In 1993 Penn Jillette, of the Penn and Teller magic act, got a tattoo *without ink* as an on-air stunt for Showtime. Apparently it hurts more "without the ink to lubricate." He published his account in the New York Times; the headline was "All Pain, No Gain." https://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/18/magazine/endpaper-workbook-all-pain-no-gain.html
Me? No tattoos. I do donate blood several times a year. Does that count?
Thank you for sharing Penn Gillette’s account of his temporary, no ink tattoo. After reading that, my mind is made up: no tattoo for me.
Interesting that tattoos used to be the gold standard for masculine flash: motorcycle gangs, sailors, Popeye.
Did Popeye have one because sailors did, or did sailors get them because Popeye had one?
Thought about it. I’m always not making a decision or making the wrong decision. A lifelong problem. Truly lifelong; I’m 73. I told a therapist that I should get a tattoo, somewhere I couldn’t help but see it all the time. A single word, “consider;” consider making a decision, consider the consequences of that decision. I never got it (they’re super pricey and I’m a scrooge) but now I can’t pass a tattoo parlor without considering whether I should. I’ll no doubt never give in, but the idea of it has turned out to be as permanent as if I had.
What a beautiful tattoo. My librarian wife got a quote from Charlotte’s Web tattooed across the palm sides of her forearms when she turned fifty: This lovely world / These precious days
Oh what a great idea for a tattoo! I have to check it out when I see you next…
When I retired, I wrote a blog post peripherally about tattoos. The only one I ever imagined getting was a pair of Chinese ideograms, which I'd read (in Alan Watts) called "wu wei." (You can see the two I referenced here: https://i0.wp.com/johnesimpson.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/wuwei.png.) Watts translated that as "sitting quietly, doing nothing"... which sounds a bit too passive, even as retirement advice. But after researching it some more, I learned that the first character represents a human hand with splayed fingers. The second is the killer, though: it represents a human leading an elephant by its trunk. Together, then, the two characters say, in essence: "Free the elephant; let it go where it will."
I'm still thinking about getting that tattoo some day, just to remind myself to chill, and never stop exploring.
In the meantime, I very much approve of your own choice. I think a tattoo made to fulfill a purpose of one's own is hugely better than a tattoo to induce whiplash or awe in others. And the purpose you describe here, well, who could argue with it???
P.S. Thank you for the SkillShare heads-up!
👍
Oh yes, I went absolutely nuts over her suit. Immediately searched for the designer name, found it, went to their suit, looked at all their clothes, snapshotted a photo of her suit ... But yes, it will forever be HER suit. Still, I do love it.
I remain tatoo-less but my favorite tatoos belong to a lovely 30 year old workmate (I am more than twice her age) who has beautiful renditions of Hogwarts on one wrist and the Disney Castle on the other forever enshrining her childhood for all to see.
The prettiest tattoo I have ever seen —and as I live in L.A. I’ve seen a lot — was a floral chain running over the top of a woman’s foot. It was delicate and flattering and looked extra good with open sandals.
Thank you for the most perfect description of Hannoh Wessel clothing. I could never figure out what drew me to that brand before, but that’s exactly it.
Thank you! That makes me very happy!
also, do you really think Canadians are cooler than us?
YES!
First, I guess i missed something.......why are you on crutches? Second, i was reading and thinking "i hope she doesn't get a tattoo". Alas, i like them. Very dainty and feminine and for you meaningful. xxx
Broke my ankle (tripped on a step) so I’m stuck for the time being in a boot and crutches. It’s awful!
i’ve been there so i know how awful it is. i’m so so sorry.
A smile from the tattoo stories. Thank you. And just cruised NoodleStories.com, oh to be in L.A. once again, shopping.
The tattoos now are so much more elegant than even the women's tattoos I remember from the early 2000-2010s, such as dolphins, daisies, and supposed Chinese characters. This bracelet tattoo is so cute! (Dare I say, cutesy and demure?? haha)