Why do I keep pondering this?
For awhile now, I’ve been thinking about a tattoo. Is it me or does such a thing not fit with me? I look at the middle of my right forearm and see it as a prime spot for some ink. More than that, I’ve been pondering as a tattoo the background you see on Cold’s MySpace Page.
It is the symbol for the band Cold, whose new album came out today, incidentally, and it is completely amazing. I do like Cold, it is true, but my interest in the symbol does not stem from some unhealthy obsession with said band. There is something that just draws me to the spider as a tattoo more and more. Does anyone actually think this is a remotely reasonable thing for me to do?
August 30th, 2005 at 10:54 pm
“higgins.”
actually i think tattoos are completely awesome, and i’d get one myself if i wasn’t sure 1) my parents would kill me and 2) i change my mind about things too often to actually mark on myself for the rest of my life. tattoos are great icebreakers (it’s a lot easier to hit on girls with tattoos) and they are in general a decent indication of badass-ness (not talking about the small-of-the-back tattoo here). that being said it may be beneficial to work out your forearms a whole bunch since you’ll be drawing so much attention to them. maybe spend a couple days a week on the climbing wall.
that spider thing looks really cool. honestly, i say go for it. =) if i could somehow get away with wearing long-sleeves around my parents for the rest of my life, i’d do it too…
August 31st, 2005 at 9:25 am
I’m also quite sure my parents would be…displeased. I mean, what parents wants to see a tattoo like that on the arm of their child? Totally ROCKIN’ parents, I suppose. And I also agree that the consideration of changing one’s mind has to be important. I wonder what a wrinkled tattoo would look like at age 60. I mean, unless one could design a tattoo that would change shape once wrinkles form, that would be awesome.
You are officially the first person to ever think it was a good idea, and I think that makes you pretty badass. Speaking of badass, wouldn’t indicating badassness that I probably lack completely be a bit…opening myself up to being beaten up by those who actually are badass? Imagine the following scenario:
Large gentleman with lots of tattoos: “Woah, cool spider tattoo. Why don’t you grab your Harley and we’ll raise hell around town?”
Me: “Actually, I drive a Honda.”
Now angry, large gentleman with lots of tattoos: “A Honda? A freakin’ Honda? That’s it!”
(The angry, large gentleman proceeds to break his beer bottle on the bar and stab me repeatedly.)
That is giving into a lot of stereotypes, but I’m just saying, it could happen…
September 2nd, 2005 at 2:45 am
I think that the biggest problem with a tattoo is its permanence. It’s not even that you have to like it for 2 or 3 years… you have to like it forever (or go through a fairly painful process to get it removed). I think if I were to get a tattoo, it would have to be something that I know I would never get sick of. Maybe an “OM.”
If you’re concerned about your parents, you could always get it somewhere a little less… exposed. Of course, then it’s less useful as an icebreaker since presumably by the time someone sees it the ice has been good and broken.
September 4th, 2005 at 5:58 pm
No.
September 7th, 2005 at 4:27 pm
I think that it’s really weird that you are considering a tattoo..it doesn’t seem to fit with your personality. but then again, sometimes you surprise me.
In general, I think tattoos are cool if you get a couple (just don’t make the mistake of overdoing it).
As for the design, I would choose something that said “I heart computer science”. Then, you could really impress people. Just make sure that you really are committed to loving computer science for the rest of your life.
September 7th, 2005 at 6:06 pm
It is true, a tattoo seems conflicting with the personality a lot of people see. I’m thinking of changing the placement of the tattoo, though. I might move it to the side of my hand (side with the pinky). I’d get the spider on one hand and something else a bit more “gentle” on the other hand. Then, I think I could make an effort to scratch my head, etc., with the hand with the tattoo reflecting my mood for the day. Seems as though it could be subtle and interesting.
September 9th, 2005 at 11:29 am
Haven’t read your blog before (but I use RadarInMotion and worship the ground you walk, because it recently saved me from soggy carpets and a floating car when the sky opened up in Fargo and dumped 2.5 inches in 90 minutes), so I went back to read a few posts and figure out your age. I came across “Damn whippersnappers” (kudos; I like doing that too ;-), which I found somewhat ironic.
Please for the love all that is badass, don’t get (1) the generic tribal armband, or (2) a band’s logo. I know you said you don’t have any unhealthy obsession with the band, but you’d still be a part of their marketing and brand recognition if you get that particular spider. ;-)
If you get that tattoo, now and forever, there will be people who think you are a Cold fanatic or some sort of poser. You’re way cooler than that, and don’t deserve it. If you want a spider tattoo, awesome, but you can come up with some something original or a creative derivative.
Remember I think you’re great and I love your widget and please don’t hate me. ;-)
September 27th, 2005 at 7:33 pm
You know, what Darkside says here makes a lot of sense. Any alternate design ideas?
October 20th, 2005 at 1:37 pm
Sporting a couple of tattoos myself (The first one I got for christmass by my sisters) I can wholeheartedly recommend them.
However as Darkside says don’t go for something generic. The main reason I like mine is that I designed them myself. They may not be all that great, but at least they are my own.
As for getting the tattoo on the hand it might not be legal. At least it isn’t in Denmark. Propably different in the US (depending on state), but I just thought I’d mention it.
mvh
Nis
October 25th, 2005 at 9:55 pm
I am getting that exact tattoo on Nov. 3rd 2005 exept with a red outline, I have been feeling the same way about it, I like the band cold also so it fits, I am a music writer and I have similar styles to the band Cold, I think it would be a great first tattoo. I think you should go for it.
November 8th, 2005 at 4:29 pm
Hey, I have no idea who you are or anything, but I did a picture search for the cold spider on Google images for an avatar for my msn. Found your site. I already have this as my tattoo, on my left shoulder. It works well for me, though everyone thinks its a spider-man tattoo, so beware of explaining that it isnt to many in the future. I have no interest in the band and didnt know the band existed or thatit was their logo until over a year after I had it! I merely did a search for spider tattoo on google images when I was thinking of getting a tattoo. Anyway, just wanted to say its a good idea in my opinion. Great mind think alike. Later man.