Oh yeah, in answer to your mania question. I wondered the same when I got my first. As soon as I saw it in a book I was fixated---planning, figuring out what I wanted it to look like, etc. I was actually hypomanic during that time, but I don't regret the tattoo.

I have enough wherewithal now that if I want one, I give myself at least a couple of months of researching, determining if I really want it. Besides the fact that I'm OCD and want to make sure whomever does the ink knows what they're doing and doesn't ***** it up. Not to mention the money issue.