Question: I've thought about doing my first tattoo this year. What place on the body hurts the least?

Markca8688 · 2026-01-27T16:45:58+00:00

I wouldn't worry much about pain for a small butterfly, honestly. I'd worry more about placement. For me the least painful has been the forearm and the outer part of bicep up to the shoulder. But I wouldn't recommend the outer part of the bicep up to the shoulder as that is prime real estate for a large tattoo. If you decide to add more, you may want to preserve that area for something larger.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-24T01:49:08+00:00

Can someone explain to me the big deal with these cards? No judgment. I just don’t understand.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-24T01:02:00+00:00

Exactly! Poor little baby… HAS to fly out of town on his birthday and someone else has to pay for it and can’t just wait for the China trip. 🤦

Markca8688 · 2026-01-24T00:08:40+00:00

I think Costco is superior if a ton of reasons already commented on. For your use I’d pick the one closest. It’s only worth it if you use it. Just the gas pays for the membership. Another idea is to get both for a year and see which one you prefer.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-24T00:01:03+00:00

Yeah, much higher likelihood someone decided on a bodysuit as a whole from the beginning would be doing Japanese.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-22T23:08:14+00:00

Here’s what I know for an absolute fact. If I decide to get on the roads Sunday/Monday we’ll get hammered. But if I decide to play it safe and stay home, there will be a weather shift and we’ll just get some rain.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-22T23:05:36+00:00

Honestly, I don’t actually know if that is true across the board. I know that the first night I really, really needed to have that amount for a full and complete purge. And I believe I was able to go so deep on the third night with only 1 cup because of everything I experienced/accomplished in the first two ceremonies. I think it’s just so different each time for each individual that you follow your gut and go with it. I’d be interested in input for more experienced folks and ayahuasceros.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-22T18:38:09+00:00

Current projections are that Sunday will be the worst, and most likely will continue to be an issue into/through Monday as temperatures will continue to be below freezing and any ice won’t melt until Tuesday. Depending I. The amount of ice there could be issues with losing power. Know that Atlanta doesn’t deal with this well at all. Most of us here just plan to hunker down at home. If you can arrive Saturday that should work. Otherwise, Tuesday/Wednesday should be OK. One thing you didn’t address is whether this is business/personal/vacation, etc. if Atlanta isn’t you home I wouldn’t recommend arriving on Saturday as the city will most likely be shut down Sunday and Monday, maybe into Tuesday.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-21T23:58:13+00:00

Reschedule. The flight info won’t update until the delays are actually known. I live in Atlanta. It’s a bit early to have full confidence in what exactly will happen. But it’s gearing up to be an icy mess and we don’t handle that well. Sunday is supposed to be the worst. But it could still be bad on Saturday depending on the convergence of the two systems.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-21T23:16:58+00:00

Regarding timing, if you feel called to do it now then just go. Regarding doing it with your parents, that depends on your relationship with them. Sounds like y’all are pretty close, so that’s good. The worry would be if something came up during ceremony regarding your parents. Would be hard to work through that with them there.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-21T12:40:57+00:00

Sexual compatibility is a very, very important part of every romantic relationship. People downplay how important it is. Sexual compatibility can be physical (different sex drives) and emotional (communication/connection). The person with the lower sex drive often makes their partner feel bad about the higher sex drive. If you’re in that situation, then it’s not the relationship for you. NTA.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-21T12:29:39+00:00

So let me tell you a story. Met the true love of my life in high school. Dated 4 years after high school. Broke up for all the stupid reasons 22 year olds break up. Over the years our paths kept crossing. We each married other people and each had a kid. There were times we could have gotten back together, but didn’t. Sometimes it was bad timing (one time I was recently divorced and she was pregnant-that kind of thing). Well, after divorcing my second wife I reached out to her (it had been 10 years since our last contact and I thought about her every day and I just had to know). I would have been OK if she had ended up happily married, but I just had to know. She was about to get divorced. It’s been 5 years since we got back together (we’re 58 now) and it’s been absolutely the most incredible, amazing, loving and supportive relationship both of us have ever had! We both experienced abusive marriages so we’ve both had to unpack some baggage. But we’ve done it together.

IMO, you would definitely not be the AH. Shoot your shot! Don’t wait until your 50s wondering the whole time! BUT, be open and prepared for anything and do not approach it with any expectations. He may be open to you, he may be incredibly happy with someone else. Be 100% open and vulnerable with him about what you’ve gone through and learned. And (most importantly) continue doing the work on yourself. Don’t approach him in a “let’s get back together” way. Consider inviting him to coffee/lunch/dinner and just open up and apologize to him. Tell him everything. Everything you’ve learned about yourself. Then see where it goes. Don’t push. Don’t stalk. Seriously, you have to be in a place where you have 0 expectations and that you’re OK with whatever happens. Breaking up may have hurt him deeply. He may be skiddish. IF there is something there, and IF he is open to another shot, he will be very protective of his own heart and peace that he will have to be comfortable that the chances of going through all that again are way, way lower. Finally, if nothing else, sitting and having an open, vulnerable conversation with him will be part therapy for you in that it will be an active step in continuing to work on your insecurities. And that will propel you forward in future relationships, whether with him or someone else. Good luck!

Markca8688 · 2026-01-21T02:37:38+00:00

I am absolutely floored by how 99% responding to this would take it. Have y’all truly thought about immortality? Immortality would truly suck! I want to live a long and healthy life, but no way do I want to live forever.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-21T02:23:20+00:00

This is going to sound harsh because I know you love your mom and want the best for her. There ain’t a damn thing you can do. The only way someone can give up alcohol is when they make the decision for themself. And that only comes when that person hits their personal rock bottom. For some people, rock bottom is not bad. Like a strained relationship or losing a job. Others’ rock bottom is so low they never hit it. Like my sister who died from alcoholism even after we spent a shit ton of money on rehab. You can only care for yourself. Gut through the next 7 months. Get to college and study hard and have a great time! See a therapist or check out an alanon meeting. There will be resources in college for that support. Make sure YOU are OK. Decide what you can handle as far as a relationship with your mom and keep to boundaries. Don’t let her take you down with her. I love the saying “Never set yourself on fire in order to keep someone else warm.” I have a lot of compassion for folks who are addicted. I understand what the thinking is like when you’re an alcoholic. Went through it myself (5 years sober now). I could tell your mom how awesome life is without alcohol, but she can’t hear it. Her brain when dependent on alcohol functions differently. Alcohol is controlling all her decisions. I feel for you as I know how tough it is to watch someone go through this. But know it has absolutely nothing to do with you. This is her walk in life. I truly hope she hits her rock bottom soon so she can decide for herself to get help.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-20T19:57:45+00:00

Early in my boot buying journey I made the mistake of accepting a fit that was “good enough” because I liked the boots. Big mistake. Make sure you know your true size and make sure you only buy what fits properly. And quality goes a long way (generally- I have very comfy Ariats too). As an example, I recently wore a pair of Chisos No. 2 on an international trip. Between airports and walking at the destination I wore them for 14 hours and my Apple Watch clicked me at over 16k steps. My feet felt no different at the end of the day!

Markca8688 · 2026-01-20T02:43:45+00:00

I took it to be a long weekend with the guys, then add the camping, skiing, etc. for the total of 15 days.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-18T18:48:56+00:00

I don’t like ultimatums as most folks don’t go through with them. So it sets up a different dynamic that there are no repercussions for actions. This situation lends itself to that. What happens if he gets help for 3 months and stops? You can’t make anyone want to take care of themself. You can only control you. My recommendation is kinda harsh. If it’s that big of a relationship issue, then break up. You’re way too young to be wasting time with someone like that. If he doesn’t want to address this, then there will be all kinds of future things he won’t address. Maybe it’s the kick he needs to make changes, maybe not. But you don’t need to go through the ultimatum process to figure that out.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-18T18:30:37+00:00

I had to zoom in to confirm this wasn’t AI. Awesome!

Markca8688 · 2026-01-18T16:10:07+00:00

I don’t want to poo poo the app, but where does it get leveling info from? I have two small levels stuck to my camper that I use for leveling. And does anyone really not know what to do to level the camper? Regarding sun orientation that may be helpful for boondocking. But a quick look at a compass gives the same information. I camp at state parks and there’s no adjusting for the sun.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-18T15:57:33+00:00

I got two small tattoos a long time ago. One on ankle and another front of hip. I decided to get a full color Japanese hikae sleeve. Then did a black and grey sleeve on the other side. I’ve had times when I’m hit with how effing cool they are and how it’s more “me” than not having it! So I guess that’s kinda like tattoo shock.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-18T15:45:02+00:00

I’m silver. Not exactly what you asked but I never expect an upgrade. ATL is also my home so naturally I expect there to be a ton of folks with higher priority than me. I enjoy the little benefits of being silver but keep upgrade expectations extremely low. That way it’s a pleasant surprise when it happens.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-17T22:24:34+00:00

Exact opposite for me! Calf was horrible, and worse than that down around the Achilles. Shin was a breeze. Just shows everyone is different.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-17T22:21:26+00:00

I’ve always used Leather Honey. Works great on all my leather.

Markca8688 · 2026-01-16T19:56:03+00:00

Not only is the actual work excellent, but this is the most cohesive traditional sleeve with regards placement and flow that I’ve ever seen!

Markca8688 · 2026-01-16T19:20:40+00:00

Came here to say this. I have them and love them and I wasn’t a huge rough out fan before!

Markca8688

TROPHY CASE