Is this an awesome idea or a very very very terrible idea?

[PhillyB]

So for years I've wanted to get a tattoo, but always decided I was going to wait until I'd reached my late twenties/early thirties when I'd matured and better understood the world and what I believed was important (since I wanted any tattoo I got to have some very significant meaning. I didn't want one just to have one.)

Interestingly as I have matured I have gotten far less attached to the idea of a 'meaningful' tattoo in the sense that it implies a certain religious or philosophical attachment, and more inclined to get something a bit more whimsical. For the past couple of years I've had this idea brewing in the back of my mind to get a full sleeve on my right arm (starting midway up the forearm) with something that depicts a fundamental aspect of exploration and adventure (itself a philosophy, I suppose) combined with something that's a recognizable manifestation of it. And the first thing I can think of that inspires me is epic old sea tales... Moby Dick, Sea Wolf, Billy Budd, Typee, Kidnapped, Treasure Island. The old nautical epics that spark some kind of deeply hidden wild desire in your heart to go out and live.

Basically I want to get a tattoo of a kraken on my forearm with the tentacles climbing up my arm and battling a masted schooner on my bicep.

Is this temporal and stupid or completely awesome?

[PhillyB]

in b4 greg hardy jokes

[Herbert The Love Bug]

I just got my first tattoo. It is just the outline of North Carolina. Because I love North Carolina. I thought getting it was going to hurt but it didn't at all. I really loved the feeling a lot.

I don't know you well enough to know. I don't think it's a terrible idea. It's all about how you feel. I think it would be bad ass

[Herbert The Love Bug]

just remember it's permanent so makes sure it's something you are still going to like when you are old and not just a bad mistake you made when you were young.

[Inimicus]

Do it!

I'm a strong proponent of people getting ink that holds some meaning and expresses something about themselves and from what you've exposed to us here on this forum that absolutely nails it. I think it's a helluva idea.

So for what it worth from a near stranger I think you should do it.

[PhillyB]

just remember it's permanent so makes sure it's something you are still going to like when you are old and not just a bad mistake you made when you were young.

that's always been my concern. but i know i will always love nautical literature and references to them as well as the open sea on a ship, and the connotation of sailing towards an unknown horizon that intrinsically accompanies it, so i feel like it'll never fade into irrelevance in my life (unless it's massively stylized, which it won't be.)

[Ja Rhule]

Don't do it! It will look like poo when u'll get older!

[mmmbeans]

sounds cool. but, on the other hand... as you always say... save money and travel.

[Davis83]

I did not get mine until I was 35. Not that I was trying to wait till I matured or anything - just never could decide if I wanted something permanent on me that I might regret later.

I happened to be in Korea when I woke up with a hangover and had a realization that everyone has something that they believe in - like a life motto. I realized that I believed that there is good and evil in everyone - especially me!

I have a Ying/Yang in flames. 14 years later I still think it fits my life motto.

I say if it moves you - then go for it.

[Darth Biscuit]

I want one too, and I've finally decided what direction I want to go... Figuring out what you want on your body for the rest of your life is the hard part imo.

I say go for it if its what you want.

[pstall]

when you see AARP folks running around with tat's they kinda lose their edge imo.

the reason i don't have one is because i can always get one. i dunno. i want to rebel against something and nowadays getting penned doesn't seem that rebellious.

[Guild]

You should just go full on Maori.

[RedMage138]

Just get something that still let's you wear your Panthers polo to work everyday and you should be fine.

[Happy Panther]