Strikke-Along goodness

Ya know, sometimes I just feel like if I could get untangled from stuff long enough, I could do important things, like surf the 'net, post in my blog, visit cyber friends. But these days, that just doesn't seem possible.
As you will no doubt recall, I had ordered my yarn for the Strikke-Along in 2 parts, so I could spread out the expense. The final batch of yarn came some time around the 18th or 19th, and I've been knitting on my sweater since then.
First picture:



It's got a right nasty pucker that you can't really see in the picture - seems there were some very tense rows there for a bit, but I've decided that since it's right at the part that'll be across my butt, and the rows before and behind are a bit looser, it will all work out in the end.
I didn't get a whole lot of knitting done this weekend. Saturday was spent mostly sleeping (note to self: GO TO BED AT NIGHT!!!) Sunday I did this (or had it done, more accurately):



I have wanted a tattoo for nearly as long as I can remember, and I finally discovered something that meant enough to me to have it permanently inked onto my body. Guido (yep, his real name) was a wonderful artist - he helped design the tattoo based on my description of what I wanted, and he knew exactly what I meant when I said "shaded". It was 2 hours of pain, and I didn't realize how good I am at meditating, but I have some MAD skills! It feels about like you'd think - like someone sticking needles in your skin, and what they say is true - the shading feels completely different. I am so completely happy with it, and I'm so looking forward to the part where it doesn't hurt any more!