The Tattoo Story (part 3)

We enter the shop. Two guys are working at flat-screen monitors and they look pretty much like I'd expected them to look -- but they are much nicer and friendlier than I would've guessed. When they nod approvingly at my tattoo idea, I feel a little more bad ass and a little less like we walked in here accidentally on our way to The Gap.

My tattoo artist's name is Rush. He is Asian, dark-skinned, shorter than me, and with hair longer-than-mine-has-ever-been slicked back into a ponytail and twisted like rope. He kindly lets me take over his computer when I get all graphic-designery and ask to find my own font: Georgia, bold, 24 pt. Very simple. I wanted it "typewriter-ish" but with a nicer serif than Courier. I sign a release. BKG hands over 50 dollars. From down the hall, I hear a high-pitched noise that sounds unnervingly like a dentist's drill. I hadn't thought about what it was gonna sound like. I ask Rush if it's gonna hurt. With tattoo shop wisdom, he replies:

"It's more irritating that it is painful."
(Which, now that I think of it, is an applicable description for many of life's circumstances).

We head down the hall to a private room. I do not make eye-contact with any of the tools or devices Rush has laid out. I do not want to see the needle...

I'm glad my husband is here with me. Always get a tattoo with someone you love standing by. As I sit straddling the back of an office chair with my shirt half-off to expose my right shoulder blade. As I stare at the face of a wildcat emblazoned on the back of a black motorcycle jacket hanging in the corner. As I feel the mildly irritating burn of the needle like a the tip of a hot pencil being rubbed against my skin. On the night before my 34th birthday.

The process is finished In less than ten minutes and probably more like five. I get to look in the mirror now, just like after a haircut. There it is, backwards in the mirror image and a little bit puffy:

j o y .

After Rush "bandages" me up with what appears to be Saran-wrap, BKG and I thank him happily and say goodbye. I feel like skipping and twirling on the way back to the car.

I am a little bit different now. In a good way.

photo borrowed from Rush's MySpace page

Comments

[Amy]

Excellent story. Thank you for sharing. You are a bit of a different woman now. This just goes to show that you cannot "judge a book by it's cover". Often, those who look quite "scary" are actually very respectful.

[Kristen]

I have been following this story like a soap opera - is there more? Do they all live happily ever after? Why Joy? You can't leave me hanging mid season!

[Jill]

Hang in there Kristen! The "season finale" is coming soon and will answer all your questions. LOL Thanks for reading!

Amy - you will have to tell your tattoo story next. you have one right?

[natalie]

you are a writer...

your words have captivated me.

[Kathy]

What a fun time for me to find your blog. I have enjoyed reading about your tatoo adventure and like another commenter I have been following the story like a soap opera. I will have to remember your experience if I ever decide to get a tatoo.