So I finally got the tattoo I have always wanted. I have been thinking for a long time about what I wanted permanently imprinted onto my body. At first I wanted a heart or something. Well, that thought passed, and I moved onto the love of my life…Scooby Doo. What says coolness other than the Scoobster?! Nothing, I know. But mother did not approve, and as much as I love Scooby, I did not go with him. (Though one of the tattoo artists can do a really good Scooby Doo.)

        In the end, Jessie and I went to the parlor downtown, and scoped things out. We made friends with the tattoo artist Bryan, and just looked at all the examples of tattoos on the wall. We left really considering it. About a week later, Jessie and I traveled back to the Ink Factory and talked once again to Bryan. We set up our appointments for Saturday August 16^th at 2:00. Now we had to be serious. We both new what we wanted and we were ready and raring to go!

        When we arrived on Saturday, Bryan was there with his friend Keith who hangs out at the parlor on the weekends. Both heavily tattooed, they seemed to smile as Jess and I prepared ourselves for the pain that was to come. Jess went first because her tattoo was one color and not as detailed as mine. She laid foot exposed and took a half hour of needle to the foot. As she was receiving her tattoo, we chatted it up with Keith. Come to find out, Keith knew Jess' brother Jake. Small world eh?! Well not that small considering its Hudson. But anyways…Jess was done in a flash.

        Now it was my turn. I took a breath as I sat on my weird arse chair made for giving back massages. As comfy as it was, it was still an awkward position. I was a little nervous, but some slow breathing exercises calmed me right down. Bryan asked it I was ready, and I answered "As ready as I will ever be." He started, and I will tell you the honest truth…it hurt like the worst bee sting you can imagine…or the worst case of floor burn you have ever felt. But the initial pain did not last long, and soon it just felt like a warm prickling feeling. For 45 minutes, I sat chatting and enduring the needle. Now I am proud to say I am branded for the rest of my life with a symbol I know and love…

 

Here is the process of Jess and I removing the bandages in the bathroom downstairs with Kyle and A-Dawg watching:

1.        Bandaged

2.      Bandaged is stuck

3.      Eww

4.      All clean

5.      Here it is again