New Ink?

Ten years ago, I had just called off a wedding, and I got a tattoo for my 27th birthday. It's a dragonfly, and I love it to this day. That tattoo marked the beginning of a journey. Call this decade: Figuring Out What I Want To Do With My Life.

This month, I turn 37, and though I'm definitely working the so-close-and-yet-so-far dynamic, there's no doubt what I want to do with my life, and I've acquired the training and location to make it happen.

So I'm calling my next ten years: Making Los Angeles My Home. I suspect that over the next decade that sentiment will take many forms, hopefully both in my work and my relationships.

Million dollar question: New Ink?

And if so, what? And where? I've spent ten years thinking about my next tattoo, and I'm still not sure.

I find myself drawn to rabbits lately, enough that I researched the rabbit totem. I'm not too pleased that the rabbit has so much to do with fear - I don't want my next ten years to be centered around that... but maybe I don't get a choice.

Rabbit is often connected with fear because they are timid and constantly on guard. Rabbit wants us to learn how to face our fear and know when to defend our space or walk away.

Rabbit shows us that defending ourselves doesn't always involve fighting back. He teaches us to listen carefully to what is going on in our environment so we can accurately use our intuition when in danger.

Clearly I'm not timid, but I am constantly on guard and perhaps that's its own form of timid? I also like what that link has to say about rabbits and their territory and learning every aspect of the lay of their land. Certainly I am on that journey here; this makes me think of Los Angeles where it's not so much about distance as it is density: "They live on a few acres of land & become familiar with every square inch."

So I'm considering a rabbit tattoo. That said, this is perhaps a little too pop culture:

So I'm taking all suggestions, including ideas other than rabbits, and about location - both where on me to put it and where in L.A. to go for a tattoo.

While you are thinking, enjoy this most awesome rabbit video:  Howard's Big Dig!  Industrious Bunny; I love it!

Comments

[Miss Britt]

I don't know where your current tattoo is. But I can tell you that mine are on my shoulder blade and on my hip bone. Both places where it can be seen if i want it to, or hidden very, very easily if I don't.

[Becca]

Not this rabbit exactly, but I like the styling of this rabbit. http://ravenari.deviantart.com/art/Rabbit-Totem-72459215

Actually, I like the more abstract elements of the design (the heavy solid black lines and the swirls) more than the more realistic elements (the tail, the eye). But I definitely like the positioning and the fact that it looks arty rather than realistic.

[Merrell]

You're looking for something to mark another decade in your life? How about something with an eraser INSTEAD OF INK! Try changing your hair color--or try tinted contact lens for your next mid-life crisis. If you are a $$$$$$ professional (or ever plan to be) "tats" are a HUGE no-no in the workplace. Personally, I would totally avoid choosing the sevices of a teacher, a lawyer, a doctor, a baby-sitter, a stock broker, a nurse, a political leader, or even a hair-dresser with visable tattoos! Why mark this decade with MORE of something you might someday regret? A bunny? And you're 37 years old? Just draw rabbit ears on your "Thong-Depends." That's radical enough--and they're disposable. {*;*}

[Liz]

Miss Britt - My dragonfly is on my hip. I got it there so it would only show when I wore my bathing suit. I was immediately wishing it was more visible and now I wear boy shirt bathing suit bottoms! LOL

Becca - Yeah, I was thinking maybe something swirly tribal.

Merrell - Well, clearly both tattoos and 37 mean something to you that they don't to me. I'm also guessing you don't live in Los Angeles where I could be a "$$$$$$ professional" with purple hair and a noise ring. ;) My hair dresser has a mori tattoo that covers her whole back.

Most important, I do what I'm drawn to do that's best for me. If getting a new tattoo is what I'm drawn to do because it means something to me, then any job or client I would lose because of it is worth losing.

I generally don't regret my decisions.

[Amy]

Check out this one: http://wanderingrabbit.com/portfolio/index.html

I think it's GREAT. I am contemplating getting a tattoo. Maybe a vining plant around my wrist. As for what Merrell had to say, does he/she not know you are working in the FILM industry? Where just about anything goes??

[Zandria]

I think that a new tattoo is a wonderful idea! Where do you think you'd put this rabbit? Where's your dragonfly?

(Sorry to hear about you-know-what on your post with the closed comments. That's never easy.)

[Liz]

Amy - Something like that is interesting, but I'm leaning towards a more realistic white rabbit, like the Matrix one, but a different design.

Zandria - I'm currently feeling maybe left ankle, but I'm giving it a lot of thought because that's a more regularly visible location than a shoulder. :)

My dragonfly is on my right hip.

[Charlotte Wright]

Hi, I have a tattoo of a key (Wonderland style) on the back of my neck and I love it so so much. I was planning it for two years to make sure I didn't regret it. I symbolises for me always finding a answer however hard it may seem. I've been thinking aabout getting another one and im a big alice in wonderland geek so I think im going to get a white rabbit tattoo on the inside of my lower arm (by the inner elbow). I'm also in the film industry so even here in New Zealand you're probably more likely to get hired if they like your tattoo!!

I think a rabbit is a great idea, you sound like you've researched it and if it feels right to you go for it. My mums always telling me to think about what it'l look like in the future but i don't want to miss out on doing something now and regret it. We only have one life and our future is subjective with all the decisions we make.
Go for it.

[Sunflower]

I have a rabbit tattoo on my wrist. I also designed a pretty cool tribal rabbit tattoo, if you're interested in that sort of style let me know and I could send ya some sketches, if you still want to get the bunny tattoo. For me it was a symbol to attest to my love for animals, the importance of living in harmony with nature, and a commitment of my vegetarianism. Bunnies are often the symbol of animal rights and things not tested on animals. Ex: Cruelty free, and peta logo ...

[lizriz]

Hi Sunflower,

I was actually thinking that if I get it I'll go more naturalistic, but I do love tribal tattoos. Very cool, and I love what you've said here about the rabbit. I'm still thinking about it / open to getting a second tattoo. Probably will one of these days.

[Flex]

Did you get a bunny tatt ?

[lizriz]

I did! I blogged about it here:

http://everydaygoddess.typepad.com/everyday_goddess/2010/11/thoughts-on-totems-past-present-future.html

And here's a pic:

http://everydaygoddess.typepad.com/rabbittattoo.JPG