So enough about fitness already...

I figured I should balance out the blog a bit from the beginning, before the fitness aspect seems all-consuming.

As I've noted before, I've been considering getting ink for quite a while now. The main thing that has held me back is that I've never really known what I've wanted.

I don't want to do anything generic for a first tattoo. No barbs, no Celtic weaves, and though I might actually have a unique perspective and idea for one, no Chinese characters!

What?

The more and more I've thought about it, the more I'm finding the idea of some sort of neat looking hot pepper to the right choice.  Anyone who knows me well knows that I'm a bit of a chilehead.  It would not go too far to think perhaps a hot pepper could be my totem.

A habanero would be ideal for myriad reasons, but I have not yet been convinced it can be done well, or at least in a manner which doesn't have to be explained time and time again.  I think a more well-recognized pepper of some sort would be better.

Where?

Probably the side of my left shoulder. I'll be honest, I've heard that's one of the least painful places, and thus probably a good location for a first tattoo.

How (big)?

I've seen some really cool pepper tattoos, and some really frightening ones as well. A lot of the cooler ones I have seen have been smaller and in less conspicuous places.  I don't want a start with a huge tattoo, but if I'm gonna get my first ink, I don't want to do something tiny.  I think I'll have the split the difference.  I'm guessing probably about the diameter of a baseball, no bigger.

Who?

This appears to be one of the trickiest parts about getting ink, from what I can tell. In short, I don't have an artist in mind yet. If I start seeing the weight come off, I will start consulting with some local artists, and move out from there.

When?

I guess it's true, I've never talked about my milestone.

I'm looking to lose around 30lb (13.6kg), or maybe more.  I'd like to be in the 160-170 range.  Also note that I'm not hard set on a number, necessarily. It's reasonable to think that putting on muscle mass may affect actually hitting the weight loss number. 

In short, if I'm to the point where I'm significantly happier with how I look, that might suffice.  But I consider myself a far way off from that, either way. I guess we'll see!