I'm applying for another job today.

Woo hoo! Autocorrect tried to change that to "woo boo" which sounds passive aggressive.

I'd like to find the gung-ho go-getter in Harvard Business School who came up with this sales-based ratings process for all jobs whether sales or not, and kick him repeatedly in the liver.

I will provide the steel-toed boots.

It's been the single best thing I have done for healing and my skin.

Thanks for the advice! Nobody else is having an issue with the aftercare ointment from the tattoo studio but me, so I suspect I am a special snowflake. Also, I've never gotten a tattoo before so I don't know what's normal for me.

Were you encouraged to use A&D? I have a dermatological reaction to petrolatum products, so I quickly tossed my A&D for cetaphil (also a solid choice for healing) and vitamin E. Ultimately I prefer vitamin E because of its wonderful effect on skin and no reaction. You can rinse off your tattoo every couple of days (more after the ink has stopped weeping) but I would use the vitE at least 2-3 times a day. No such thing as over-moisturizing with freshly inked skin.

Mmm, talking about this is elevating the itch in my veins for my next tattoo even stronger. I finished my sleeve in July, after 5 years of sleeve work. I can't wait to move on to the next one.

Also, I prefer the vitE cream, not the oil.

I'm thinking of putting my next one on my forearm, seems like an easy to cover up but also easy for me to see spot. Have y'all run into any drawbacks to that placement?

I second SA's rec for vit. E cream for healing tattoos. I also like Bee Magic , which is olive oil, honey, beeswax, and propolis.

I'm thinking of putting my next one on my forearm, seems like an easy to cover up but also easy for me to see spot. Have y'all run into any drawbacks to that placement?

I haven't had any problems with that placement, and I've got three different forearm tattoos. My only warning is that the closer to the elbow a piece is, the more it will sting during the inking.

My left arm is fully covered with forearm tattoos, my right has a prominent one on the interior. I elected to keep about an inch free of ink between my wrist and the start of my tattoos for professional reasons, and I've found that's worked well, particularly when the full forearm is inked. The interior is fleshier than the exterior, though it is also more sensitive, so it's pretty neutral for me in terms of pain (though I have a very, very high pain tolerance; I can sit through about 6 hours of tattooing, so YM will most likely V).

I'll second Jilli, though. Avoid the elbow unless you're doing a sleeve. Not only does it sting, but being tattooed over your funny bone is the single worst pain I've ever experienced.

Incapable of catching up. Dropping in to say hello. Hello!

In my world: The front tires on my car are bald and thus it won't past state inspection (now a few days past due), so I am experimenting with online tire ordering and having them put on at the AAA Car Care Center. We'll see how that goes.

In the operetta I'm in (with lines! no solos, but lines!), I now have a bit of extra stage time that I didn't have before, and also I've decided to caw like whichever bird it is that says "Ca-caw ca-caw!" If such a bird in fact exists. (I've been instructed by the king to summon his people without delay, so I just caw and then they come on stage.)

Work continues to be stressful and I'm taking the GRE tomorrow at 9 am.

Avoid the elbow unless you're doing a sleeve. Not only does it sting, but being tattooed over your funny bone is the single worst pain I've ever experienced.

As I work my way to full sleeves, I'm going to avoid my elbows. The designs I want (twining blackberry vines with leaves, berries, and blossoms) will be specifically placed so I don't have to sit through that. Around the funny bone will be enough, thanks.