Doesn't a lightning rod on the top of a church show a lack of faith?
Download AVG Free edition. Scan your computer in safemode. Sounds like you have some virus problems. How long has it been since you reformatted? I might suggest doing a backup and reformatting. Before restoring your backed up data scan the data with a virus scan (AVG Free or whatever you prefer).
I have 5 sheets of the best practice skins on the market, and they honestly aren't too much better than the shotty stuff. I would recommend getting an orange or a cantelope to practice on. They absorb the ink just like human skin does, and its just about the closest you can get to real skin. If you don't mind, you can also practice on yourself, like upper thigh if you want an accessible and normally covered up spot. Also, you can fill up most of the arm your not tattooing with, and that way, you'll have examples of your work at ready disposal, and you can feel if you're going too deep or not deep enough. But please only do that with PRO MACHINES!!. Don't bring a homemade gun to yourself, or anyone else. That's just dangerous.
