Around Sandy Springs

By Joe

October 27, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

Go for it. I’ve seen plenty of tats with a hell of a lot less meaning than that.

By Mil mom

October 27, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

I fall into the under 25 group with a tat. However, mine have sentimental value, and I put a great deal of thought and research into them. They larger of the two is on my back between my shoulder blades and say in chinese charaters “big sister little sister.” It is very simple, and is something I felt I would still like and hold its meaning even when I was older, also, its locale is good for several reasons, one as I age it should misshape with aging skin, two, it is in a place to interfer with wearing work clothes.(I resarched on internet and by asking several people who read and write chinese to ensure its meaning) My second, was a little less thought out, it was a compromise between my husband and me. He had the bright idea of us tattooing each other’s names, I insisted this was a bad idea and instead we agreed on the same tattoo which is chinese characters for family, love and happiness. Again, I opted for something I could see myself living without regret.

I say life is short, if you want to get a tat, go for, just make sure it is something you can live with for a long time, and has some meaning to you. Like you said you can’t take it back and return it.

By Gram

October 27, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

I will be 60 in about 6 months. My daughter and her friends have all decided to get tatts, and invited me to go along. I have decided it’s time to do it. Just a tiny one, where only I and my significant other know about it and/or see it. Now, if you are a criminal, I would not suggest you get anything like a tatt that would make identifying you even easier! LOL

By Meme

October 27, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

I was 47 when I got my first tat. My mother had always said, “over her dead body,” so I waited until she passed. I love my tat and have since gotten 2 more.

By LilZ

October 27, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

Oh just go get a tattoo! There is nothing wrong with them, particularly when they have a great meaning! I have 18 tattoos, all of which have a meaning that is deeply important to me, and I don’t regret a single one. Besides, at age 52, you can do what you want! Life is short. Have fun.

By Olde School

October 27, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Tattoos are an unnecessary defacement of one’s body. Once frowned upon & limited to sailors, bikers & assorted lowlifes, tattoos are now glorified (& pushed “mainstream”) as “body art”. To each there own, but I feel that tattoos are gaudy, tacky & totally unnecessary (especially for adults who are supposedly mature).

By Rickie

October 27, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

Olde School: just stick to your missionary position and leave people alone who want to express themselves in their own way.

By whatsinaname

October 27, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

To me, and I was 48 when I got mine, it isn’t a defacement of the body, but more of my own personal painting on my own canvas. Mine is on my left shoulder, and no one, other than those I choose to share it with, know it’s there. I can look at it and remember every single detail that led up to getting the tat. I say go for it, and forget what others think or say.

By John

October 27, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

I’m 44 and thinking about getting my first tat. When I was younger I was told to wait till I was older and then see how I feel about getting a tatto. I’m older now.

By Jimbo

October 27, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

I’m going to get one to spite “Olde School”. The two most meaningful tattoos I’ve seen was a string of numbers on an old Jewish man’s forearm and the tribal tattoos of a Samoan drill sergeant I had that were done with the traditional chisel. A close second was the “meat tag” some servicemen get, but that’s more of a functional thing and not a bad idea for anyone.

Olde School should include holocaust victims and pacific islanders in his/her “once limited to” condemnation. I agree that most tattoos are foolishness and I laugh at the number of tattoos getting removed when people get to a certain age. I’m pretty glad I never fell into that trap, but the only reason I didn’t was because I couldn’t think of anything I wanted on my body permanently. Hell, I don’t put bumper stickers on my car because it’s too permanent. In your case however, I think it’s perfectly meaningful and a worthy thing to commemorate. It sort of reminds me of kill silhouettes they used to put on planes and whatnot because you’re putting it on the machinery that did the deed.

By Becky

October 27, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

Rickie, LMAO..I don’t have one & will never have one, but we are all diferent..So if you want one, get it..As others have said, if it means something to you & you want one, that should be all that matters in you decision..

By Robopop

October 27, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

I am 55 and my wife is 52. She is seriously considering a tattoo. It’s not for me but I support her and what she wants. My sister recently had her 60th birthday and celebrated it with a breast augmentation. I’m telling you this to let you know that it is NEVER too late. If it’s a tattoo you want, go for it! As the man said when asked about the bruises and scratches on his face: “It’s MY wife, MY stovewood, and MY business!” It’s YOUR life, YOUR body, and YOUR business.

By Texas Pete

October 27, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

I had my wife get a “Property of Texas Pete” tattoo on her back. It just tells the world that she belongs to me.

By Babs McGlintock

October 27, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

Do it! My husband got one at age 42, and he loves it. I think it looks great on him, too.

By Jim Osterman

October 27, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

Folks:

We’re not through Monday and there is a lot of discussion here! I’ll keep an eye on the comments and look forward to your opinions and advice.

Peace out….

By Sugar

October 27, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

I’m seriously considering one for my 50th birthday, a guardian angel on my shoulder. I don’t care if anyone sees it or not. I figured I made it to 50, there must be an angel looking over my shoulder. I also want to get it done in Amsterdam (my ancestors are from Holland) on my 50th, drunk as a skunk, and after hitting a few “smoking” cafes. Yup, that’s my 50th birthday present to myself.

By Top Jake

October 27, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

As a career firefighter with a brief period of military service prior, I have seen plenty of tats. I never had the desire to be inked until shortly after 9/11/01 when I learned that 343 of my fellow firefighters died in the attack on NYC. I now sport a simple number “343” on the inside of my right wrist. Surprisingly many people know without asking what the number stands for. Pretty cool you say? No. It’s a constant reminder that life is precious, fragile …and often NOT cool.

By ron

October 27, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

When I was in the Army it was sort of natural for the boys to get drunk and tattooed on a Friday night.I too got drunk,but never that drunk.

If you,sir, want to get a tattoo,by all means get one,but get drunk first.You’ll need something to blame it on someday.

By Rickie

October 27, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Becky: BAG that’s what I am talking about! If someone wants it, let them, if they don’t, then don’t down others just cause you think different. We’re all different and yes, I have seen some pretty disgusting tat’s, but hey it’s not me that got them, those folks got to live with it!

By amy

October 27, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

Do NOT get drunk and get a tatoo. that is the biggest no no.

My two aunts got their first tatoo together a few years ago-one in her early 40’s and one in her early 50’s.

I say carpe diem!!

I am 29 and got one when I was 17, it’s not bad, but it doesn’t really have any meaning, and half the time I forget it’s even on my ankle. If I ever get another it would have to have some meaning.

By double take

October 27, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Wait. Is no one else noticing that HE is bragging about finishing the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco???

By NCL

October 27, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

At fifty, I, too, ponder the question. In my case, I think about having the Christian fish tatooed on my back with the letters WWJD. This is something with meaning I would never regret. However, like yourself, I feel the pressure to walk the talk, for my children’s sake. Modeling behavior I want them to emulate is more important than my self-interest. Since I don’t want them to point to my “well thought out” tatoo to justify their “less than rational image”, I’m living without the artwork. I encourage you to do the same.

By Sunshine

October 27, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

What Jesus would NOT do is get a tattoo. In case you happened to miss it, the bible clearly states NOT to mark your body with tattoos.

By reservoirDAWG

October 27, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

Sandy, that was funny. Kinda like the one I have of a squirrel running up my left leg and down the right with two nuts in it’s mouth. Seriously though, get one if you think it will still mean something many years from now.

By KitKat

October 27, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Double Take, I wondered the same thing but wasn’t going to mention it. Glad you did. What’s up with that? 4 yrs ago I had a guy’s name tatted on my lower back. WE are no longer together (duh) and I recently had it covered. Too expensive to remove so I had the heart shaped name blacked in. I was 48 at the time and was stone cold sober. Got a wild hair and took off for the tattoo parlor. Never again!!! NEVER TATTOO ANOTHER PERSON’S NAME ON YOUR BODY!!!!!

By Second Double Take

October 27, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Yo double take: Yes I did…I was wondering the same thing. I had gender confusion…still do. What where when, and why…what was that?

By Shaye

October 27, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

If you really want it, your age shouldn’t make a difference. Never be ashamed… there will always be those who ridicule you or call you “trashy” or whatever. if you can ignore that, then by all means, go for it.

I got 4 of my 5 before I turned 25 and have never regretted a one. They have meaning to me and were something I wanted to do. I’ll probably get a sixth one day, when I find something I really have to have.

Ain’t it funny how the “bad” tattooed people don’t really make fun of the non-tattooed?

By c

October 27, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

get one if it is really what you want. i have one that i love.

i think it is about the same as people piercing their ears, wearing make up, or anything else that adorns the body.

BTW Sunshine, God did make our bodies to be beautiful and made each one different. i think he also preached on tolerance. remember, just because something is not to your liking does not make it wrong.

By Denise

October 27, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

I am with sunshine…I bet most people don’t know that it states in the bible not to mark your body with tatoos. I have seen a lot of pretty tatoos, but somehow it still looks trashy….

By Jim Osterman

October 27, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

Folks:

The event is aimed at women but welcomes all to participate. Of the 20,000 runners about 1,000 were men.

By Becky

October 27, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

OK, my sister (58) got her one & only tat about 5-6 years ago..I met her at the airport after a trip to see her middle son, when I gave her a hug, she told me to watch the arm..I said, “what do you mean”? She raised her shirt sleeve & showed me a big tat of a flaming heart with a name on it..I said who’s that? She says well, I think it’s my grandson??WTF? Her middle son had put the tat on her & it was only suppose to be the size of a fifty cent piece, instead it’s the size of a softball..To this day, she’s not sure if the child in question actually belongs to her son..

By c

October 27, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

if you want it… go and get it. it is your body. i don’t think that getting a tattoo is any different than anything is else adorns the body (make up and earrings included).

BTW, all of you who think it is a mortal sin to have one…. wow. read anything in the book about passing judgement?or maybe anything in this country about tolerance? God made each of us different with different ideas of beauty and expression. tattoo gives you a chance to express your individuality.

So remember that just because it is not in your comfort zone, or your idea of what is beautiful, that it does not make it wrong…. but it does make it wrong you to pass judgment on.

By Becky

October 27, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

Doesn’t the bible say a lot about other things that people do that they shouldn’t do? Aren’t we not suppose to be critical of others? Just wondering..

By nicole

October 27, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

My aunt got a tattoo on her leg for her 60th birthday. It looks awsome! Good thing her mother is already passed, she would have freaked!

By Denise

October 27, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

Most people don’t even know that passage is in the bible, just letting people know. I think everyone has a choice to do what they want to do, but if you know something is wrong and do it, that’s a different story.

By Tammy

October 27, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Good for you I got my tat at 33. I waited until I had something I thought about, had meaning and wasn’t a passing phase.

By Debra

October 27, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

I got mine for my 50th birthday this year.

By pamela

October 27, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

Like you I thought about it for a long time. Me at the age of 52 and my friend at the time she was 56 that was 2 years ago, both of us went and got one. We love it! We have a rose bush on our lower backs hers pink roses and mine red roses. And we have no regrets. We didn’t have to get drunk to do this. We did get margurita’s after. In fact we had a blast getting them. It’s your body, u r in control. We liked it so much, we are planning on getting another in June of next year “2009”.

By Olde School

October 27, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

Good points Sunshine & Denise. However, the Good Lord gives everyone free will, and they exercise as they wish. I am not “condemning” folks who choose to get tattoos, but wanted to mention the change in social “norms” (by design) where “body art” is now en vogue, etc. I understand the tradition for servicemen, bikers, certain musicians, etc. However, I fail to see the attraction as being stylish.

Rickie, typical vile response from someone who’s probably a humanist/hedonist.

Jimbo, I was primarily referring to “voluntary” tattoos within Western culture (done to be “stylish” or “cute”).

By Norm

October 27, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

One phrase you’ll never hear me say is ‘nice tattoo’. Sorry, they come across as trashy and dirty. I’m in the ‘defacement’ camp…instant turn-off.

By Wi9lliam McCracken

October 27, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this

Before getting tatted, big or small and located wherever, it is my humble understanding that it would be wise to consult and think more than twice, considering that there is some hepatitis risk, and worse yet, ….even if there is no hepatitis problem, you tatted beings will henceforth and forever be medically forbidden to provide blood donations or transfusions to whomever.

By Jimbo

October 28, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

The Red Cross has this to say about tattoos: “Wait 12 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

Acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. There are 32 states that currently regulate tattoo facilities. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.”

Georgia probably doesn’t regulate tattoos, we’re basically legal primitives here. I could be wrong though. Worst case, you have to wait a year.

Guys, chicks or dudes.. 26 miles is 26 miles. Good on ya Jim, I couldn’t run 26 miles if I were being chased. Thinking about it though, running with 20,000 fit chicks would probably be a best case scenario for a marathon. Well done Jim.. well done.

The closest I came to a tattoo was to get: “Faber est suae quisque fortunae” tattooed somewhere.. as a reminder.

By Jim Osterman

October 28, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

FYI — Georgia is a regulated state and requires a health inspection.

By Daughter

October 28, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

No.. no no no no no.

you can’t say don’t tell your kids if your going to put it online!!! what would you get anyway?

and just think.. now if you do it, you can’t tell your adorable daughter that she can’t- its only fair.

By Jimbo

October 28, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

There’s nothing more fun than explaining to some dumb kid that life isn’t fair.

Conversely, there’s nothing less fun than explaining it to an adult.

By PS

October 28, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

Jim,

Go for it!! As long as the shop is clean and up to code, you’ve got nothing to lose. Your kids will probably get a kick out of it! And, you might find a new hobby.

Once I got my first, I was hooked. Since then, I’ve added a full sleeve, chest piece and a big handful of others.

Also, if your idea of tattoos are tweety birds and biker babes, I’d be happy to share not only some tattoo history books and contemporary guides, but offer some advice on finding an artist.

Tattoos are not immoral and not condemned by Christ. They only look trashy if they’re trashy tattoos. And hey, a silver dollar-sized tattoo will probably go unnoticed by everyone, unless you show them… which I bet you’ll be more than happy to do once you have it. Go for it.

Best,

P.

By PS

October 28, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Jim,

Go for it!! As long as the shop is clean and up to code, you’ve got nothing to lose. Your kids will probably get a kick out of it! And, you might find a new hobby.

Once I got my first, I was hooked. Since then, I’ve added a full sleeve, chest piece and a big handful of others.

Also, if your idea of tattoos are tweety birds and biker babes, I’d be happy to share not only some tattoo history books and contemporary guides, but offer some advice on finding an artist.

Tattoos are not immoral and not condemned by Christ. They only look trashy if they’re trashy tattoos. And hey, a silver dollar-sized tattoo will probably go unnoticed by everyone, unless you show them… which I bet you’ll be more than happy to do once you have it. Go for it.

Best,

P.

By jdL

October 28, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

NO try a new haircut or get some stylish new glasses. tattoos aren’t for everyone and if you feel the need to explain your trepidation in print you’re still not ready.

By Vernon

October 29, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

No tattoo. If GOD wanted you to have a tattoo, he would have put one on your butt when you were born.

By Jim Osterman

October 30, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

Folks:

Thanks for all the input. This story is not over.

By DB

October 30, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

There is no way on God’s green earth you are ever going to get me to sit down and have some stranger inject dye in my skin!! I have spent more years than I care to count caring, creaming, papering, softening, shaving, moisturizing, sun-blocking and generally maintaining this skin, and I’ll be darned if I’m going to let someone stick needles and dye into it!

I spent many years growing up with a Dad who considered that getting discharged from the Navy in the 50’s without a tattoo to be a significant life accomplishment. :-) I grew up believing that, for the most part, tattoos were only sported by a somewhat lower, less educated class of people. Old habits die hard, I’m afraid.

That doesn’t mean that I’m going to sneer and tell you that you can’t do whatever you please — you’re an adult with full mental faculties, and if you want to get a tattoo, then nothing is stopping you. But as for me — not ever!

By Tom Keating

November 1, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

Mr. Osterman: My comment is for your 1 Nov column on “Keep the fervor….” Why did you not mention school boards since they affect our children, more money, and more volatile issues than most other governments? I appreciate your sexy/democracy reference. After teaching nearly 40 years, I know why we don’t teach local government. I would like to briefly discuss via phone. Thanks again for excellent column. Dr. Tom Keating 404.373.4973

By Tom Osterman (yep)

November 2, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this

Hey, completing a marathon is something many people dream of doing (Not me!) but never do, so you might as well, especially since people’s curiosity could give you MANY opportunities to brag about your feat.

But I think passing on the topless mermaid was a bad call!

By bytebybyte

February 19, 2009 7:01 AM | Link to this

trash=garbage=a touch without consent from the most important physical relationship GOD gave to flesh the sacred embodiment of a desired spouse. those of you that promote the idea of not caring what others think… rethink your answers… ive been there and you make me nauseous. other than that good luck and the tats that are consentual may they be beautiful though not on my desired spouse. consult with your most desired relationship for your own wellbeing, because not only is the touch more permanent than the ink but the idea of that perfection as well ought to bring joy forever. the fact is in the final result even GOD cant change the Truth that was first created by GOD.

By Jim Osterman

February 19, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this

bytebybyte:

huh?