The obession of the tattoo

Lately I have been obsessed with tattoos… not that I have any or am planning on getting any, but I just love to see who get's them and why.  
Tattoos' have long been a part of the human life form, with artwork as far back as the 1800's showing the art of the tattoo.   Japan, Polynesia, and India are just a few examples of places with a strong culture history in Tattoos.  It is also believed that Egyptians were doing tattoos as far back as 4000 B.C.  While the history in tattoos is long and complex, Americans can only go back as far as their short history.  James Cook saw tattoos when traveling to Tahiti and it's believed hand made tattoo's were always a small part of America.  But in 1891 Samuel O'Reilly patented the first electric tattoo machine.  Since then tattoos have been a underground trend in the states.  In World War I and WWII military started using tattoo as a means of remembrance, good luck charm and entertainment.  Solders with young women on their arms had ladies to look at wherever they went and to this day that retro style of pinup is still a very popular tattoo.  
Many celebrities and designers have found tattoos to be there very own personal fashion statement.  Angelina Jolie, Megan Fox, Marc Jacobs and David Beckham just to name a few.  I personally like tattoo's that mean something.  A special time and special memory forever marked on your body.  I hate the tattoo's that are spur of the moment mess-ups like the Ume tattoo my Japanese friend pointed out to me one day while walking down the street.  Obviously the Un-Japanese guy with the Japanese calligraphy tattoo, had no clue that he was getting a tattoo that meant Ume, a pickled plum….  I've heard of so many tattoo mess-ups of people going in and letting the tattoo artist have their way.  Even if they are your best friend, I recommend doing a consultation, looking at sketches etc… before you let the permanent ink hit your skin.  
I've been on the tattoo look out for a while and here are a few of the things I caught digitally.  It's amazing how when you ask to take a picture of someone's tattoo, you have no clue what you're getting yourself into.  Beware because tattoo enthusiast, are often ready to strip down and show you their most prized tattoos, wherever they may be.