Tuesday, July 15, 2008

So I have this tattoo....

I know. You're shocked, right? I think my husband was, too, when I told him a couple of years ago that I wanted to get one. He had 2 at the time so what *could* he say. But me? A tattoo?

Let's review the whole tattoo process.

First, there's the design. Figuring out what you want permanently engraved on your body. For life. Forever. Sometimes that's where people stop. I mean, it's PERMANENT. (I'm 43. What's this thing on my back hip area gonna look like when I'm 70?) Then there's choosing the artist to do the work. And the shop. You want cleanliness. And someone who knows what they are doing and cares about their work. And then there is the $$. It ain't cheap. That's all I'm saying. Final decision is placement. WHERE do you want this FOREVER AND EVER piece of art on your body? In plain view? Hidden to the world?

All the decisions are made. You are ready. And then....then....there's the needle.

Yes. The needle. And that's why my husband was shocked I wanted one. I don't do needles. I'm not as bad as my friend, Karen, but I don't like them. Hate them. And needles are involved in tattoos.

So I fly out to Michigan one summer to meet some on-line friends. (I didn't go alone. I took friends with me.) One of the gals had some connections to a local tattoo parlor (Which calling it a parlor, by the way, lends one to believe alcohol will be served. It is not. It should be.). The guy was nice, gave me a deal, and drafted a beautiful one-of-a-kind tattoo drawing from something I had sent ahead of time.

Have I mentioned the needles?

So getting to the parlor (that doesn't serve alcohol) was half my battle. I empowered my friends to NOT let me back out of this endeavor. And on the way I had a mini panic attack. Probably because I started thinking about the needles. I mentioned those, didn't I?

We get there. Go in. He shaves my hip...which my friends tell me is really my butt. However, I refuse to acknowledge that some strange man has just shaved my butt. So it's my HIP. He applies the copied outline to my skin. And we are ready.

Wait. I need just a moment.

Okay...no, wait. I need another moment.

Okay. I'm ready.

He just does a tiny part of the outline just so I know what to expect. Not soooo bad. This will be a breeze!

1-1/2 hours later it was done. It was NOT a breeze. Outline, shading, coloring....auuughh!! And on a completely sensitive area of my body. I mean, it doesn't even see the sun, people! What was I thinking? The area was throbbing in pain when he was finished. I almost didn't make it to the white highlights. I had tears in my eyes and I was just DONE.

But I loved it.

Photobucket

I'm a bit of a Wizard of Oz freak. But that's another post altogether. The meaning behind this tattoo, other than the obvious? I had to have one. It's the law when you get a tattoo. Did you know that? You have to have meaning and reason behind the design you choose. If you don't, they won't give you one. It's the law. Okay, not really. But my husband insisted that I really think about the design and make it personal and meaningful.

I had a rough few years prior to the tattoo. They involved family. The ruby slippers represent me traveling the road to find my way back home. And there is no place like home.

Corny? Maybe. But I have permanently marked my body so that I will forever be reminded of where I was and how far I traveled to get where I am. And I really do love the final product. It's a good thing it turned out so lovely.

Those needles are never coming anywhere near my body again.

17 comments:

  1. I did know you had a tattoo. Don't think I ever saw it or knew what it was. It does seem so you, the deep meaning behind it only makes it more you. I wish your husband had been around when I got my first tattoos. No meaning, just did them to piss someone off. Now they never see it, or me and I am stuck with the reminder of a really sh&%@y relationship and my stupidity.

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  2. You are much braver than me. I can't get past step 1 but even if I did I couldn't get past the needle part.

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  3. That's a good looking tattoo and the meaning behind it is great.

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  4. and to think I was part of this history! I watched the others put cream on your butt all night while you drank tequilla straight from the bottle LOL

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  5. LMAO! First off at what Patti H said!!! I didn't get to rub lotion on your butt, but I got to see someone else do it!! Good times! Good times!

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  6. It is beautiful and I love the signifigance in meaning that it has to you. But I am with you on the not liking needles part!! And i don't think there is enough Tequilla in Texas and Mexico combined to get me past my needle fear!!

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  7. I think your tattoo is really 'hip"

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  8. I think I've seen your hand pulling your pants down one too many times. =)

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  9. I feel all left out now that I didn't get to she Cheri getting her butt shaved! lmao

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  10. how the heck did I not see this last year????????????

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  11. I love the design - and the meaning behind it. I don't like needles - just in case you wonder if I have a tattoo.

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  12. Hi! It's Dawn from the old SJ days. I'm just checking in on old friends :)
    You are brave to get a tattoo. I don't think I could ever stand the pain of having one done. My daughter gave herself a few when she was a teenager. OUCH!

    I like the symbolism of yours!

    take care,
    Dawn

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  13. wow..the road home leads to your ass?

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  14. Hey, anonymous...it's not my butt. It's my hip. I stand firm in this distinction.

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  15. :O
    I love it!
    I want one, but not sure what or where...

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  16. Hello : )
    Why women and men (society generally) still pre-judge people with body art. women especially?
    I'm a 26 year old F, have 10 tats, lots of which can not be seen on my daily travels. 5 - 6 during the summer are pretty much constantly on display. I do not strive for notice and I have a loving boyfriend Without TATTOOS .I get the impression that a lot of people believe that tattooed persons are blind, as we get stared at, even if we return a glance people keep on looking. When will society change?

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