I've been inked

Well, after three or four years of pondering it over, today I did it. I got a tattoo.

The tattoo is of a phoenix. It's a design that I've actually wanted for a while, but since I'm now facing a potentially life-altering move and am really working to "rise above" some past things, it seemed like particularly appropriate timing. I like to think that, every time I see it, it will remind me that I am strong enough to overcome anything.

I found an awesome artist with whom I got along really well: Will, the owner of Cicada Tattoo in Seattle. He's very easy to talk to and never made me feel stupid, even if some of my ideas were less than articulate. He drew the design right on my back--with highlighter pens first, then with permanent marker, and lastly with the tattoo machine--which I think really helped it to look like it "belongs" on me. Merak, my sister-in-law who has multiple tattoos herself, came along with me for moral support.

Here's the final product:

And now--because I know that I kept desperately trolling the internet in search of insight on how much getting a tattoo would hurt--it's time to dish on the pain factor.

Not gonna lie: It hurt.

It wasn't unbearable. I didn't scream, or faint, or burst into tears. But I'd definitely reached the end of my pain tolerance by the time it was done, and my feet and hands occasionally spasmed during the process. Of the two types of tattoo needles, I thought that the shader hurt more than the liner, which is contrary to how a lot of people feel. And certain spots on my back were worse than others; for example, right beneath my shoulder blade hurt like a bitch. I took a deep breath every time needle touched skin and sloooowly breathed out the entire time it was sticking me. And I ate a huge lunch beforehand. I think both of these tactics helped immensely with the whole not crying and/or fainting thing. Now that it's all over and securely bandaged, it barely hurts at all. If anything, it feels kind of like I have a sunburn there or something.

When I come back to Seattle over the holidays, Will requested that I drop by the studio so he can see how it looks all healed up. He also said that, if I decide I want more color and/or more details, then we can touch it up then too. At the moment I think I like it as is, but we'll see if I have ideas for additional details by winter....