EternalNewbie said:
.
Second, I'd appreciate any suggestions/advice on getting a tatoo. Given the relative permanence, I'd like to make sure it's done right the first time.
go to folks with cool tats, ask them where they got them
check for sterilization procedures
talk to the artist, you don't want to spend those hours listening to some neo-nazi ramble on about dogfighting(or maybe you do?)
love the image, photocopy it and live with it everywhere(office, car, kitchen table) for a while, this will clear up the desire
choose where carefully, joints and wear points don't hold ink well
get somehting original, nothing sucks more than seeing your tat on someone else...the exception here is getting an icon 'too(pooh, mickey, cat in the hat)
ask the bbb about the parlor
take exacting care of it in the first 2 weeks....don't get that ink and go to the beaxch immediately, or think a full back piece won't spoil you appalachian trail hike, it will
NOONES NAME!!!!!
good luck!
