Inked

I've been wanting a tattoo for a while. I hadn't gotten one yet, though, for two reasons: 1.) I'm a big chicken with a very strong anti-pain platform and 2.) I didn't have a friend crazy enough to go with a 32-year-old mom to a tattoo parlor.

Well, I recently discovered that I DID have a friend crazy enough to go get a tattoo. In fact, she already had a few. So that was one obstacle checked off the list. And the second one, well, I figured if I was tough enough to push out a 8.5-pound baby, a tiny tattoo would probably be cake.

So, last Saturday, off to the tattoo parlor (Twizted Images - I know. I thought the name was lame, too.) we went. I already knew what I wanted - the word "stillness" written in Arabic. I wanted it in Arabic because I am half Lebanese, and I wanted the word stillness because, well, it's a reminder that I could use. I'm a do-er. I'm always running around like crazy, trying to accomplish tons of things and experience life to the fullest. And that's great. But sometimes I forget the value of just being. Just sitting there, just listening to the quiet, just being present in the moment I'm IN, not the one that's coming or the one that has just passed.

So, stillness it was. I had my Dad check my scripting (Arabic is his native language.), and off I went.

Our tattoo artist was this tiny little woman named Asha (pronounced Asia), and it all happened very quickly. I showed her what I wanted, paid my money, and filled out a form. Next thing I knew, she showed me a rendering of the tattoo, transferred an outline of it onto my skin, and then started the process.

And it really didn't hurt. At the beginning, it didn't even feel that uncomfortable. The longer they work on the area, though, the more it starts to sting a bit. I think I grimaced once or twice, but it was a little tattoo, and it was over fast. I had it done on Saturday, and it didn't feel sore or anything.

So, if you're thinking of getting a tattoo, here's my two cents:
1.) It's not that big of a deal.
2.) It's not really expensive. (My little tattoo cost $35 plus tip.)
3.) If it's something small, it doesn't really hurt, it doesn't take very long, and recovery is minimal.

Hubs totally tried to talk me out of it, but some things you just do for yourself, you know? (And now that it's there, I think he digs it.) Now, I kinda feel like it's been there forever, and I love it. I don't think I'll be getting any MORE tattoos, but I'm really glad I have this one.

Comments

Stacey said…
I'M crazy? You're just unmedicated. :P

And I don't think I got any pictures of your tattoo itself, just the process. Might have to get yer own pics.
Nicole Bradshaw said…
Hee hee! Maybe we're both just crazy in our own ways? I could buy that.

Thanks for going with me, though. And thanks for all of those jokes about how thank goodness the tattoo artist had FINALLY finished coloring in the ONE dot . . .

Love you, girl.
Sandi said…
I'm sure there are tattoo parlors in Tupelo and Oxford.
Unknown said…
yeah, seriously---where's the pic of your new tatoo? i have a small one, too. got it w/ a friend in college. we got the same one, a dorky small flower for lack of appropriate inspiration. it was my one little slightly rebellious thing...congrats!