Borrowing from Alexa today, the stories of my three tattoos.
I have only three tattoos. I used to be the type of person that would get like full arm sleeves, but somehow I distanced myself from the industry.
My very first tattoo was done here:
That’s old school, fuckers — Geneva-on-the-Lake biker shop. A guy named Sarge inked me up. Three of my high school friends (Gin, Juice & Malt — I was Mad Dog, but that’s an entirely different post) and I — all between the ages of 15-17 — joined forces to get “friendship” tattoos. Yeah, things were so much easier and cooler in our teenage years. Thankfully, we each got our own design. I actually borrowed $20 from my sister to get a couple of hearts drawn in on the inside of my right ankle. Another friend had Mickey Mouse (at least it was a tribute to her recently passed father) painted on her belly and another had a tiny, tiny heart within the boob region of her bra line (her mom would kill her). I don’t remember what the third chick got. Maybe something on the back of her shoulder? Damn, can’t remember. Not surprisingly, our friendships grew apart that summer.
Next morning, my mom asked if someone threw up on my slouchy-slouch sock (I guess there was some ink spray on it). I folded, ahem… slouched down my sock and was like, “No, LOOOOK!” Of course, she rolled her eyes and told me I would regret it (I don’t).
Number two, is the prime location for any sexy hottie tattoo — the lower back (oh, don’t you dare Tramp Stamp me, asshole!). My HSS and I went into Legendary Images in Mentor. I had a black butterfly done, but I don’t even remember liking butterflies that much, but whatever, it was done. Again, I have no clue what HSS got. Maybe he had his shitty sun fixed from the tattoo he had done when we were in high school… or maybe it was that No Use For a Name bio-man caricature. Or his own punk band’s logo? My memory sucks. And while I’m completely rambling, I cannot for the life of me remember where I had my tongue pierced. I just remember it was in the basement (professional shop, not my uncle’s basement or anything) somewhere around Cleveland (that helps, right). I used to think it was Body Revolution. Did that place exist ten years ago?
Anyway, my third was an addition to the butterfly on my lower back — a purple petunia. At least, I think it’s a petunia. It could be a campanulas, but what do I know? I love that Freddie (the tat guy at Medicine Man — seriously, does ANYONE know where he went?) fused the black tribal-ness that already existed in the butterfly into the stem of the flower. Because I worked in bar, Freddie comped my tattoo, for means of “advertising” his artistry. He was so awesome. He was also very patient with me, as it pretty much felt as though somebody was CARVING into my tail bone and I was super squirmy. Oh, holy hell that was painful. I want him to complete the tattoo around my hips.
It has almost been TEN YEARS since that third tattoo. I really, really, really want another one. Three more actually. I am just a big pussy now for some reason. I want inside of both of my wrists inked and a quote on the back of my ribcage. One day, I will grow some balls.
Shit, maybe I’ll tattoo those too.
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August 7th, 2008 at 9:56 am
ha, you can have my tatoo… i only have one and it’s an arm band (so 1990’s!!!) of a leafy vine pattern; it’s black. I had them place it not around my bicep, but a little lower so it was more femine looking and it would show right beneath my sleeve when i rolled the sleeves up on my t-shirts (again 1990’s!! oh wait i still do that…)
It’s not a bad tatoo because it’s pretty normal looking, but every time I put a nice dress on or a sleeveless top, i really wish it wasn’t there. i’d like to get it removed, but i’m not sure it’s worth the money and probably the scar.
August 7th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I almost forgot that my HSS was also there with me during the flower addition. He got an armband. Awesome.
August 7th, 2008 at 11:17 am
I’ve almost gotten a tattoo a few times, but always held back, because I couldn’t make up my mind on what I wanted to get.
The circular Van Halen logo was a contender at one point
August 7th, 2008 at 11:35 am
It was Body Revolution somewhere around East 105th, right by MLK… funny thing is I worked across the street from there at my last job in the W.O. Walker buidling - strange how things change. I got my navel and tongue pierced there by some huge guy with nipple rings and a Dr.’s coat on. I remember Sade was playing. I think mine was more like 15 years ago… geesh! And now that I am in Cali, I am getting a sleeve - but only the shoulder area. I figure what the hell I can’t wear sleeveless shit to work anyway. I swear I am a 23 year old circa 1998 stuck in a 33 year old’s body. Haha… I hope all is well.
August 7th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
I’ve got 5 of those bad boys.
Six if you count the one under the last one… a cover up from a past discretion.
Anyhoodles… I’m gonna get my TRAMP STAMP *wink* finished. I wussed out of the sides and it’s gotta be done.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:31 am
i have a sailboat on the inside of my wrist, and believe me, it’s painful! it was my second tattoo, the first was on my foot (which was also painful but not so much). got the boat done at a shop in kent, and i basically was swearing through my clenched jaw the whole time. he told me it was an appropriate tattoo, as i have a mouth like a sailor
haha