I recently just got my very first tattoo. And by recently, I mean yesterday. It’s kind of a funny process, getting something permanently inked on your body by a complete stranger. And it kind of went like this.
Spring out of bed in the morning hyped and ready to get your super meaningful (or maybe not so much) piece of art placed somewhere on your body.
Drive to the tattoo parlor, jamming to some groovy tunes, full of energy and butterflies as you anticipate the impeding pain and discomfort.
Get to the parlor, walk inside, and become awed and slightly appalled at all the different tattoo art they have spewed over all of the walls.
Joke about getting a tattoo inspired by Mike Tyson down the side of your face. Feign seriousness.
Hand over your ID, assure the artist that you are, in fact, 18 and gleefully explain to everyone in earshot the true meaning of the quote you are about to get etched into your ribs.
Feel as though you are walking to your execution as they lead you to a hard, unforgiving, metal table.
Size up the artist who is about to come at you with what looks like a weapon, and pray that he was not the one that did the “less-than-tasteful” tattoos that cover his neck.
Become slightly concerned as the artist proceeds to spend the next 15 minutes trying to stencil the tattoo on your body somewhat straight.
Whimper slightly as the artist asks if you're ready, and inches towards you with what sounds like an angry hornet.
Try not to focus on the scraping and puncturing of skin as the needle attacks your senses, over and over, for what seems like an eternity.
Sing a praise of hallelujah when the buzzing finally stops, and you are proclaimed done.
Wince as the artist cleans your open wound, and rubs it down with ointment.
Admire your new ink and feel like the badass you always knew you were.
In all reality, getting a tattoo was a much more pleasurable experience than I anticipated. Friendly service in a calming environment can make all the difference, so choose your parlor wisely! Get something that holds a lot of meaning for you, which you feel passionately about, and you won’t go wrong. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that bad.
