It seems that everywhere you go, you run into someone who has tattoos. These days its rare to run into someone who doesn’t have one. Personally, I have 7 tattoos; 6 fairly decent sized ones and 1 half sleeve. I grew up surrounded by tattoos. My mom has a few of them. I even remember going with her when she got her Winnie the Pooh. I had to have been no older than 10 years old. She’s also had a couple removed. I remember growing up her telling me to never get a guy’s name tattooed on myself, that I would eventually come to regret it. She learned that mistake the hard way. My stepdad has a bunch; as do my step sisters.
When I was about 15 years old, I came across a design that I knew I just had to have as a tattoo. It was a simple design-falling hearts and stars. I couldn’t wait to turn 18 so I could get it done! Around this time my sister was dating a tattoo apprentice. We would always say that by the time I was 18 he should be set up and would be able to do my first tattoo. That never happened though.
My first tattoo I ended up getting done by Nero at Clandestine Rabbit. It was a simple design-3 yellow hearts with 12-20-05. I remember walking in there and being so TERRIFIED! Everyone kept saying how much it was going to hurt. Shortly after laying down on the table, I asked Nero if he was going to get started yet. He responded with “I’m already halfway done!” I didn’t even feel it! After that, I was hooked!
Less than a year later I finally made an appointment with my sister then-boyfriend, Nick. I was finally getting the tattoo I had wanted since I was 15! This second tattoo was going on ribs. Again I was scared. I had heard how painful it is to get your ribs tattooed. As I was waiting for him to get all set up, there a chick in there who was getting her knuckles tatted. She was barely able to get one letter done when she got up and ran to the bathroom to puke. This made me even more nervous! If they chick, who was COVERED in tatts, couldn’t handle her knuckles, how could I handle my ribs?? I shouldn’t have been so worried. Yes, there was some pain but not much. I ended up getting two more tattoos done by him; a Sailor Jerry Pin Up and a Moogle.
I also have a devil Hello Kitty done by Jessica, a sound wave of my dogs’ bark and bone on my left wrist done by Etch. These are all fairly small and can be easily covered up. I used to always say that I would only get tattoos in places that can be covered up. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to get a job or be taken seriously with visible tattoos. But that all changed in 2011.
A friend of mine was unable to make a tattoo appointment that he made. He told me that I should take the appointment since he didn’t want his artist to lose out on the money. By this time I had been messing around with the idea of getting a bigger tattoo. Man, you have never seen me move so fast! I printed out my ideas that I had saved and rushed out to Hollywood. This one appointment end up turning into 3 or 4 different sessions! Bok did such an amazing job on my half sleeve. This one was by far the most painful one I’ve had yet. But evening knowing that I can’t wait to get the other side done.
I used to be pretty worried about getting such a visible tattoo. I was afraid that I would be turned down at jobs because of it. But so far that hasn’t been the case. I worked at Lowes and they never had a problem. So long as the tattoo wasn’t offensive they didn’t care. My current job doesn’t care either. They don’t even care if we have a piercing or crazy colored hair!. At this point, I am no longer worried that my tattoos will hold me back. If someone has a problem with them so I really want them in my life or to work for them? No way.
I couldn’t imagine my life without tattoos. They tell a story. I can remember what was going on in my life when I get them. Yea my tattoos might cause people to stare and strike up conversations but I don’t mind it. Like my best friend says how are you going to make new friends if you don’t talk to anyone. My tattoos are my built in icebreakers.
Do you have any tattoos?
Or do you plan on getting any?
Leave a comment below!
Yay! I enjoyed reading this a lot. I have two very small tattoos as of right now. A sun/moon on the inside of my middle finger and a heart on my hand. I plan on getting a very detailed weeping willow tree on my (whole) side in the future. That one I am little worried about. But I have more piercings than tattoos, and I guess that’s just because they are cheaper to get. I have 11 piercings and I wish I could get more.
I know people would always tell me you are going to get tired of your tattoos or what about jobs? I just figure if they don’t want to hire me because of them, it’s probably a company I don’t want to work for anyway.
I can’t wait to see the big one! I’m currently down to one piercing 😩 but I’ve had more. Yea that’s how I feel! Tattoos and piercing don’t affect my work so why should it affect someone hiring me??
Nice tats. I have a tribal covering my right arm, roughly the same size as the one you have. I like the one you have on your ribs, very rare I see a decent looking one on that spot but yours look pretty awesome. If you’re interested to see a pic of mine let me know and i’ll show you. Take care and good article.
Thank you! Do you have just the one tattoo? Would love to see it 🙂