So, by the way, I have a tattoo now. First off, yes, this is my first tattoo. Second, despite the pain and the price, I would love to get another. I got it on Sunday, August 26, 2007

Alright, now for the information. Late last week (Thursday, I believe) I was given the opportunity to go with my cousin and get a tattoo on Saturday. I had been wanting to get one since high school, but both being indecisive about what design and the pain that would go into it drove me away. I don't know why, but when the opportunity came up, I knew I had to go for it. Speak now or forever hold your peace kind of a thing.

So Saturday rolls around and I just got off work at a store that I don't normally work at. I call her to see where to meet and she mentions that she's in the same city that I'm in and that we have to meet somewhere. I mention a local shopping center, but she doesn't know exactly where it's at. I told her that I would come and find her, and we met up maybe a half hour later. We go to the guy's apartment (yes, I know, but believe me when I say that I'm paranoid about that kind a thing, so you know he had to be safe). We meet her husband, who was there already, and the three of us talk to Bruce (the tattoo guy) about what we want. Originally, all I wanted was how the date was done here (October 28, 2003 in case you can't read it). He gave me a look and said that since it was my first time, I should go big or go home. He then proceeds to draw this amazing design that I know that I want on my skin for the rest of my life.

While my cousin's husband proceeds to get his tattoo (we were all going to get our first tattoos together), I'm talking to a certain lady friend of my on the phone and hanging out with a friend of ours who literally is the real life Jolly Green Giant (I say this with total admiration and I know that he wouldn't be offended by it). I'm getting bummed out because it seems like this certain lady friend of mine isn't going to make it and I really wanted her there when I got my first tattoo. Turns out that his tattoo took longer than expected, and we had to head home. In a way, this is a good thing.

Sunday: I've just had a really bad day at work, and I'm not exactly in the mood to get a tattoo. Nevertheless, my cousin once again picks me up at work and we go to the guy's apartment. The mutual friend of ours is only there briefly, as he had to leave for a date. His new tattoo is just awesome. My cousin's husband is also there, waiting for us to arrive. His tattoo is looking good and he mentioned that it kept catching his eye all day at work. Bruce announces that it's my cousin who's going first, with his eyes smiling as he says this. He wants to make sure that I really know what I'm getting myself into.

I call my lady friend again, and once again, she doesn't think that she's going to be able to make it. She had left work and had just gotten home when I called her. She heard the disappointment in my voice and told me not to be and that she was really proud of me for getting it. For those of you who don't know, the date on my tattoo was the day my Dad died. I told her that my cousin was going first and that it was going to be a while. We talked for another couple minutes and then she told me that she had to do something and that she would call me back. She did, five minutes later and we talked for a bit. While we were talking, I kept wandering over and watching my cousin get her tattoo done. This did absolutely nothing to help my courage. I told her (my lady friend) where we were, but she said that she wasn't sure if she would up to it. After a couple more minutes, she mentioned that she had something to do and that she would call me back later.

Ten minutes later, she calls me and asks me "hypothetically" how to get there from a nearby restaurant. I'm beyond ecstatic by this; and hand over the phone to my cousin's husband who is a lot better at directions than I am. We both go outside as he gives her directions over the phone. We both see her car and he hands the phone back to me as she rolls up and parks. She gets out of the car and looks absolutely stunning. Here I am, looking like I've been through hell and she is just breathtaking. He had left back for the apartment when she parked, so we hugged and walked there together. As soon as we got inside, I announce her to everyone.

Since my cousin had just finished getting her tattoo before my lady friend showed up, it was my turn. Now or never. And there's no way I'm going to back down with her there. She told me that she would tease me for the rest of my life if I cried. I did not cry. I lied down on the table and Bruce grabs my leg and pulls me toward him. My lady friend offers her hand for the pain and I told her that I would make it up to her some day. I took her hand (come on now, do I look like an idiot?) and for most of the time I held it. Yes, I will admit that there were times when I definitely gave it a squeeze. On a few occasions, from the range of one to ten, it was a twelve. Especially around the Achilles tendon. And she kept telling me to stop moving and to breathe in through my nose and out of my mouth. She was clearly enjoying herself.

The tattoo itself took about an hour and a half. During that time, she sat there and entertained Bruce's grand kids and kept me focused. She would tell me to go to my happy place, so I would either think of my Dad who I know would be proud or I would think of her and how she was with me. She is my happy place.

At first, it hurt more than anything. The pain is constant and it's totally unique. After a while, the buzzing numbs the area, until it finds another rather touchy area. One thing that totally surprised me is that you sweat when you get a tattoo. I knew that it would drop my blood sugar, but I wasn't aware that you would sweat so much. All in all, I would love to do it again.

After the tattoo was done, he gave me the run down about not to do and how to maintain it. His daughter took the official photo of it for his book (which is actually his myspace page http://www.myspace.com/n_e_ta2u in the photos under "my work") and we hung out for a bit. My special lady friend mentioned that she wanted another tattoo, so we all went through different designs and such. I stood (there's no way I could have sat down) right next to her and she bounced ideas off of me. We were there for about a couple hours after my tattoo was finished.

It was late when we left and the moon was perfect. I seriously had the best night in long time last Sunday. As a foot note, I would highly recommend this guy if you are looking for a tattoo. Not only is he amazing, he's also a really cool person. He's got a great sense of humor, but he has his definite serious moments as well.

Anyway, now that I've probably bored you all to death, I'll leave you be. As usual, I'll post soon when something (or more likely nothing) happens. Take care and don't do anything I wouldn't do...