I'm Inked

Ignore my nasty back but ya, I was inked yesterday. I always thought about getting a tattoo but I need to be prompted because the idea of a needle poking me continuously wasn't exactly a comforting thought. So, Cyren (my partner) decided to pay for my first tattoo as a Christmas present (which I'm deeply grateful for :D) and he encouraged me to take one since I talked about it from times to times. Let me tell ya, the experience was novel and awesome but whoever says getting inked doesn't hurt is a major liar.

So the story started with me admiring Cyren's tattoo (he has a few) and I lamented about getting one. Since getting a Christmas present for a loved one is always a hassle, he just settled for a tattoo for me. Of course, he told me that my first tattoo has to be something that's significant to me. Duh, LEGO comes to my mind. I did consider other choices (e.g., comic book characters, some weird but cool tribal symbols which is cliche, and a little ghostie in white cape cuz I thought it was cute). Nevertheless, I have decided to settle for a LEGO minifigure and since I used this little guy to represent me, I'm like, "What the heck."

Good thing that Cy knows all these tattoo parlors and which ones are the best for specific kind of arts. Some tattooists are good in cartoonist stuff while others are adept in sophisticated arts. He chose a parlor in Sunway Pyramid by the name of Black Cat. So, arrangements were made and I was scheduled for my tattoo yesterday.

To be honest, I was extremely petrified when it was my turn. I thought it was just needles so no biggie but no. I found myself pulsating and speechless when I knew I was going next. Hours earlier, I have trained to tell myself, mindfully, that I can block out the pain and the anxiety that comes with a first tat. As I sat down on the chair with my back facing the tattooist, I waited for the needles to poke. Before that, there was a long procedure or cleaning and shaving the back and outlining the details. Fast forward, after those minor stuff, I waited for the long sharp needles puncturing me. I know I was exaggerating with the pain because as soon as the needle touched me, I'm like, "that's it?"

Of course, the first step is to use dark ink to outline the figure. I can't say there wasn't pain in that but it didn't hurt throughout. I supposed certain parts of the skin on my back are more sensitive. Anyhow, I cringed a bit for some parts while I enjoyed the rest. To put myself at ease, I kinda imagine I'm at a massage parlor instead and the needles are some new forms of massage therapy with some scientific proof that it works. When the outline was done, I knew the subsequent step is colouring and given that the pain will intensify, I decided to put on my earphones and listen to some Avicii and drown myself into the techno beats.

Colouring hurt more than the outlining. The dude had to shade it and move the needle up and down, left to right, basically everywhere. I required more effort now to block out those pains because it became unbearable at a certain time. My music stopped giving me comfort and I was begging for the dude to finish up. I tried to remain a neutral face cuz I didn't really want others in the parlor to see me cringing in pain. I'm thick-skinned.

Anyhow, less than 2 hours passed and I'm down. In my mind, I was thanking the heavens. Nevertheless, I like the outcome and I really am grateful for it and Cyren for giving this special gift but you won't see me in any tattoo parlor any time soon. I know I would need tremendous efforts to block out those sharp dreadful pain.

So, now I have officially joined the tattoo crew with my geeky tattoo. Really appreciated it.

Oh and Happy Holidays!