Be the change you want to see in the world. Mahatma Gandhi

Your tattoo should look good when the lines are done, it should look finished when the blacks are done and the color is extra. Bob Roberts

Twenty years ago every other asshole had a guitar & a band, now every other asshole has a fucking tattoo machine. Anyway, there's nothing wrong with more people getting involved, but it's gotten to the point where it's so fucking mainstream. These days going to a tattoo studio is not unlike going to a clothing store & expecting to be treated like little princes & princesses. What's the fucking difference?When we were young we used to walk into tattoo shops and we would have this sense of mystery, awe, wonder, respect. We knew that we were somewhere different. And now the whole thing has become such a common occurrence in mainstream life. It's just becoming another commodity and that's unfortunate. One's experience and all these things are being represented in their tattoo when they leave, and some special things are getting watered down to the point of absurdity.Despite all of this, there is still something very special about the tattoo and these are the things that I think are very important to not forget, not to lose sight of, and to try and re-cultivate into the experience of installing a tattoo. Theo Jak

Another thing to contemplate, especially for larger custom tattoos, is the 'energy' that the tattoo will express, or the message that it will convey. This may sound a little cheesy, but it's still worth noting that the subject matter of your tattoos will project a certain 'vibe' about you into the world, especially to any up-close viewers of your tattoos. Just like a painting is meant to affect the viewer, your tattoos will affect their viewer, even though you may have gotten them solely for yourself. Images of death and destruction are very powerful, as are those of beauty, but the former may lead other people to stereotype you in a potentially worse way than the latter. Therefore, give proper thought to the images you choose to adorn your body with for the rest of your life, and be sure that you can live with any foreseeable consequences. In no way are we attempting to reinforce or justify unfair social stereotypes of certain tattooed people by mentioning this, but you should be aware of the social conditions that you live in, to determine what you do or do not want to deal with. Off The Map Tattoo: Subject Matter and Projecting Energy

Never again shall we "sacrifice ourselves for the cause." For we ourselves, happiness in our own lives and the lives of our fellows, must be our cause! Crimethinc: Your Politics Are Boring As Fuck by Nadia C.