Left Arm Longs for the Caress of a Brillo Pad

It's now been a week since I got my half-sleeve started.  Day three it started peeling.  Day four it started itching.  Those two things [for me] are the worst part about tattoos.  I'd rather have the raw feeling of a fresh tattoo than this shit.  This has been the ultimate test of my will power.  Only my desire to not fuck up this awesome original art on my arm has kept me from disfiguring my arm for a moment of relief.

I'm a picker, and not in a cool way like the Steve Miller song.  I'm the one peeling my sunburned skin after a trip to the beach and popping enormous black head zits on our sedated patients ... you get the picture.  It sounds gross, but I know plenty of people who compulsively do these things.  Oddly enough, or maybe not, they work in medicine like me.

I have a new-found respect for people stuck with a cast and aren't able to scratch the itch beneath it.  It's really driving me crazy.  Tank-tops are a bit too chilly for this time of year so I have to dress in long sleeves which makes my arm itch even more.  I thought getting tattooed in the winter would be better--I wouldn't have to worry about getting too much sun exposure.  Now I'm not so sure.

"If it itches apply some lotion."  Well that's what I've done, but then I start worrying that the friction of rubbing the lotion in might pull the pieces off too early.  "Don't use regular soap or get your shampoo on it because it might have perfumes." Right.  Okay. Trying to wash my Rapunzel-length hair is an ordeal to say the least.  I lean to my right side to wash and rinse it which gets water in my ear...ugh.  Is the water pressure in my shower too much?  Will it rip the loose peeling pieces off?  Did it stay wet too long?  

This is starting to sound more neurotic than I think I actually am.  Am I over-thinking this?  Probably.

Bottom line:  This is worth it.   My badass tattoo is totally worth all the annoying shit that comes with it.  But I still say the hardest part isn't getting the tattoo, it's taking care of it.  And waiting for the next session.  That's pretty hard too.

[Had to reschedule my next appointment to accommodate John's class schedule. So I'm back to a five week countdown again.  March 1st is too far away.]

My Christmas Theme

What I want for Christmas by Ralphie Parker Aven McNab

What I want for Christmas is a Red Ryder BB gun with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time  gift certificate to Black 13 Tattoo Parlor.  I think that everybody should have a Red Ryder BB gun gift certificate to Black 13 Tattoo Parlor.  They're very good for Christmas.  I don't think that a football is a very good Christmas present.

[This is applicable to all gift-giving occasions.  Here is the link.  Please and Thank You]

Aww, shucks.

Thanks to Zan Marie for the Stylish Blogger award.  I'm not sure how to do this awards thing.  I think all the folks from the Compuserve Forum (who have blogs and those who don't) are stylish, so I'll pay it forward by giving them all a shout out from here.

The definition of stylish (freeonlinedictionary.com) 1. having elegance or taste or refinement in manners or dress  2. being or in accordance with current social fashions.

Elegance is a word I would Not use to describe myself, nor do I think I am refined (exception: taste in whisky).  I do in fact have a certain "taste" in my manners (using curse words too much, sarcastic by nature, sometimes blunt to a fault) and my dress (I live in my jeans, tshirts with humorous sayings which may be considered inappropriate to others which pretty much knocks out "being in accordance with current social fashions").  So, I'm glad to know that in my life something is stylish, even if it's just my blog.

t-minus 35 days and counting

Not quite 48 hours post-tattoo...

Is it possible to have a crush on one of your appendages?

Exactly five weeks until it's finished, and I'm as giddy as a school girl.

Tattoo #3

Some people see their body as a temple and feel they should not taint it.  Other people, like me, see their body as a temple and choose to decorate the canvas with art.  And sadly, there are people who don't see their body as anything at all.  I feel bad for them.

The idea for this tattoo came to me when my husband gave me a necklace back in 2004 (exactly like the plaque below).  I always thought it would be a great tattoo, but waited six years for money, time, and to be sure I still wanted it.  The shape and layout are perfect for the upper arm.  Ian White (Black 13 Tattoo Parlor) took the two pictures  (below) and created this beautiful piece.  I'm ecstatic with the results.  He changed the scrollwork to a tree which would probably be the length of my whole arm if you straightened it out. We have one more session in February to finish it off.

The artwork represents the three phases of Woman--Maiden, Mother, and Crone.  (Scroll about halfway down for the individual explanations)

The tattoos I have, as well as the future ones, are for me-not the rest of the world.  I do want to share them, because they are beautiful and part of me. Until tattoos are accepted in the workplace, I'll keep mine covered.  I understand the stereotypes and don't want to scare any of my older patients.  But outside of work, I'll show them with pride.

You better bring it, 2011.

With the exception of a few rare treats--Scotland, Bonnaroo, SIWC--and the daily entertainment of my children, 2010 sucked ass.  I welcome 2011 with open arms...I promise not to strangle it.

Happy Fucking New Year.