Tattoos, Tattoos, Tattoos

The post that my Uncle Cocoa posted yesterday on his blog (http://notshady.blogspot.com) really made me smile, and I haven't stopped since. That damn Cocoa, that's my nucca! His picture really inspired me to write about my own tattoos and piercings and I would've posted it sooner, but I was holding out because today is actually the birthday of my first tattoo (my treble cleft)and a week from today will mark the anniversary of my second (my Chinese characters).

Let me first just say that getting tattoos is one of the most fulfilling decisions I've ever made. I LOVE my body art and I hope to keep building on my collection in the years to come.

Now, a lot of people ask me various things about my tats and piercings (i.e., why did you get that?; how much was it?; ooooh did it hurt?; etc.) and I'm here to answer all of that for you. Let me just start with a little bit of education though...

Tattoos are made by a needle or multiple needles penetrating your epidermis and planting ink into your dermis... that pretty much means the ink is not going anywhere. That also means since it's going so deep into the layers of your skin, it's no joy ride on the pain side.

Getting a tat usually starts off with you picking a design, graphic, etc of what you want (i.e. a star, pookie's name, a cross) and these designs can be anywhere: the internet, a drawing, in your head. Now I know everybody has seen those tattoos that are just like wtf?! Why would she get that tattoed on her? What is she going to tel her grandkids? Folks, just be wise in your tattoo choices... if you don't plan on being in the House of Whatever, don't get it tattoed on you...

Then comes step 2, picking the place you want it. Theres the arm, leg, chest, and the ever popular lower back. Now of course different places wield different levels of pain, but it's all good.

Step 3 is finding out who's gonna do the honors and finding the venue you want to have your PERMANENT piece of art done (parlor, your house, tattoo party, 7-11). THIS IS A CRUCIAL STEP... Do your research. If you've heard that the person that is doing your tattoo or the place that you're getting it done at is nasty, please don't go because it's probably true. Last thing you want are diseases and shit because you wanted a tattoo soooo bad that you couldn't make sure that the place is clean.... Also, another big thing is, find out if the artist has tattooed and is comfortable with tattooing people of color. This may sound minute, but its big, especially if you're getting a color piece done. Certain colors don't look good/show up on darker skinned people. Take my star piece for example: that tattoo is emerald green and turqoise, but if your just glancing at it, it looks dark blue and light blue... make sure that the colors you decide to use are going to look good on you(cuz uhhh... newsflash... it's permanent)

Step 4 is HAVE FUN! ummm... this is your body we're talking about! Yes, the tattoo is gonna hurt.... like hell... but it all depends on 3 things: where you're getting it, the size, and your pain threshold... Certain people say different things about the feeling. Some say it tickles, some say it itches, some say it's an annoying sensation; I say it hurts...but is the pain worth it? Absolutely, and that's evident in me still wanting more... But anyway, take a magazine, your iPod, your best friend... all of the above make the tattoo go faster and take your mind off the pain...

Last, but most certainly not least, please take care of your investment. Depending on the size/detail of your tat, it can be a pricy lil endeavor, so take care of it! During that first week, A&D ointment will be your best friend. USE IT! During the initial stages of healing, it's natural for your tattoo to peel, itch and be ugly... just bear with it because it'll be over soon enough....

If you're kinda sorta thinking about getting tat tat tatted up, I hope these little nuggets of info helped.

Now to my tattoos:
My first one was my treble cleft. I got it because I love music... I just love it... I sing, I listen, my family is musical.. it's my first love. It was $60. All black. It took about an hour, and I don't quite remember if it hurt all that bad.

My second was the chinese characters on my back that stand for love, happiness, peace, and blessings. That was also $60. That shit took like only 10 minutes, but it hurt like the dickens :(....

My third and favorite are my stars. It's my favorite because I actually drew this one freehand... this one was $250. It took about 2 hours and I was physically and emotionally drained after it was over lmao.. It hurt pretty bad (especially at the ribs) but it was worth it cuz I was definitely showing it off at beaches, pools, the bedroom, etc...

And my fourth one was just my initials: JS... that was $90 and it took 45 minutes... not too painful.

There will be more to come in the future and I can't wait to share them with you guys, but for now............

That's it for me....
Later gator!