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Along with design, tattoo placement is key. Sure, you want something meaningful to you, but putting a tattoo on a body part that's sure to change shape as you grow old or that will get a lot of sun exposure will really damage it. Look at bikers that have tats on their forearms; whatever colour they might have had has faded and the things look pretty much all blue or black.
I have 2 tattoos, 1 of a shamrock with my family name under it on my upper right arm (got it when I was 16) and another of my life philosophy in latin on my upper left arm. Since I at least wear t-shirts outside, then I'm sure they will never fade that badly (my first one still looks great and I've had it for 9 years) and the upper arm of a guy barely changes shape as he grows old, so both tattoos will retain the same look. The back will also retain the same shape, as will the lower legs and hands. Anything on your chest, stomach, upper legs or forearms is a big gamble.
I'm glad to see you don't want to go on the traditional "chinese symbol" route that's all the rage these days. Get something personal... I waited 1 year to get my 2nd tattoo, to see if I still wanted it badly enough. I did and I don't regret it at all.
The hygiene factor also weighs in heavily. Ask around to find the cleanest place and make sure they use fresh needles right out of sterile packs everytime. In Montreal, the competition for tattoo artists is so heavy that everyone makes sure to be the cleanest, fastest and most professional place around.
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A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.
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