i got my first tattoo at 18 too.. and a second one came just about a month later.. if not sooner.. i then waited about 7 years.. i knew i wanted more.. but i just didn't have an artist or shop that i was comfortable with.. the one after 7 years came out shitty and i waited another year till i found an artist i liked.. i ended up getting about 5 more within a few months.. i'm a little short on cash lately.. but i know that once the money is flowing again.. i'll be getting a new one every month or so until i run out of quality ideas.. but i do have about 6 great ideas so far.. so i know i'll be getting a lot of work done in a short period of time.. as long as the money allows..

go as quickly or as slowly as you want to its your friggen ink. the only ting i will tell you, though, is at 18 and 19 you really need to be sure you're getting things you'll want forever. i have a friend who finished his full sleeves by 20, and he's bummed, to be honest. he's got so many more life experiences and better ideas to draw from now, he really wishes he hadnt gotten those matching celtic half sleeves on each arm, cause they really dont match the full-color old school style he finished his sleeves with LOL. they're still cool, he still likes em, but they could be SO much better, ya know? ive been getting tattooed slowly and steadily since my 18th b-day (im 25 now), and all ive gotten so far is one sleeve, two tats across the back of my shoulders, and my very first one, a small one on my leg i regret getting so small, and on my leg, everyday. all im sayin is for me, pacing myself has worked. by 30 ill have done my chest, and i figure im saving the rest of my back for my 30s so i have something to do (since i dont think im going to tattoo my other arm, i like the one sleeve look) and do a leg in my 40s. i figure by then ill be sick of the pain of getting Fn needles Fn poking the hell out of my Fn skin. anyway, all that to say, find a pace that works for you, and fuck everyone else.

i guess that is something to point out.. don't get tattoos just to be getting them.. make sure they are ones you want.. if you're sure that's the one you want... then go with that.. but if you hit a dry spell and can't think of anymore tattoos you want.. then don't just go and start picking shit out at random..

well,let's see...
first one at 18 and 2nd one at 21 but that was a pretty
big piece,about 7 hours. now i want to get another big piece
connecting the original going up my back but i cant find my guy!
:( he's m.i.a. so im currently taking my time trying to find a new artist.
oh by the way im 25 now.

i can't recommend true tattoo is hollywood enough.. it's owned by the amazing clay decker and some of the best artist have worked there.. just to name drop.. it used to be kat von d's l.a. shop before she openned her own.. also.. chris garver, tim hendricks, a ton of really cool people work and have worked there.. you should check it out.. it's definitely worth the drive.

yeah,
i gotcha.
i think long and hard about my tattoos.
Can't go anywhere too visible since i hide them from my parents,
and don't want to die..
or lose my funding for school. hah.

well. keep in mind you will never be able to hide them forever.. so eventually they will find out.. i don't have parents.. but i have a sister who is 9 years older than me and she acts like my mom.. she always frowned on my tattoos but accepted them cause she had no choice... so what i did to fix it.. i got a portrait of her as a 2 year old.. it's the cutest thing and she insists i show it to everyone possible.. i havn't been able to wear long sleeves at a family event since i've got it.

it takes time for me. my first tattoo was when i was 19 station in italy for 2 years where there was only 2 tattoo artist on the whole fricken island. i've been wanting it since freshmen year. waited 5 years.

my second california tattoo. gave a whole lot of thought. i first wanted it on my left hand ring finger because there is a artery there that leads to your heart, but it would blur after years. so i decided to go big or go home with it and had it done like my role model travis barker of blink 182. he has cadillac on his side. california for me. got it when i was home on leave at 21. i had to wait till i got on california soil to get this. a year.

ive got so much ideas and they just need time to fall into place.

i want to start my sleeves when i'm honorable discharge from the service. 2 sparrows signifying freedom from the service with a banner saying true love never dies. i'm trying to schedule that tattoo on the day of discharge, september 15 2008. i can't fucken wait any longer.

screw everyone else its all about you! and don't get too comfortable around your parents like me. sooner or later they'll find out, unless you're a ninja.

oh,
i'm quite the ninja. hah,
when i'm home at least.
i don't live at home,
with the exception of this summer.
i have an apartment by my school starting this August.
i know they will find out eventually.
i hoping to keep it a secret until i'm
finished with school.

haha.. you went from having it being half an inch big.. to being a foot and a half long! that's crazy.. i am looking forward to having my ribs done at some point.. i want a huge koi swimming downstream.. the tail half is gonna be oranges and reds and the head half is gonna be a skeleton looking black and grey.. should be pretty dope.. but i'm guessing i'll have to set aside a couple grand first.

o dude i so did that to my mom! she HATES that im tattooed, so i went ahead and got a tattoo of her face as an old-school fortune teller/pinup girl at the top of my sleeve with a banner that says 'Sorry, Mom!' she TOTALLY loves it haha! doesnt give me crap for any tattoos anymore. boy, is she self centered. hah! jk

now that is class.. i love the tattoos that make you laugh.. at some point i'm just gonna get some off the wall tattoo.. i was thinking about getting mount rushmore with the faces of me and my 3 best friends.