The ideas of body modification had tantalised me for years. I've been a regular, and bastardly free, visitor of BME for around three years, and enjoyed countless hours of roaming a world that I wasn't yet physically a part of, but a world that I longed to be a member of. The experiences and pictures had me yearning for many mods of my own...
At A Glance Author Yon Contact Yon@bme.anon When Three months ago Studio Peril City Underground Location Melbourne, Australia Being from an area that's extremely conservative, and going to a high school that was very much the same, even piercing was effectively out of reach. So having finished high school for good in December, and saving some money...I decided that I'd just go and do it. Well, start it...the journey begins, right?
I had decided on the studio to be long ago...Peril City Underground in Melbourne...in, well, the city. Having had a few friends already have very successful piercing done there, I knew this would be a good place to start it all.
So, one day in early February I wandered on into the city and down the alley, down the steep stairs (watching my head on the fucking low roof), and into the shop, I wandered over to the studio counter and asked if there was anyone around who could help me out. The bright lights from the studio shone in stark contrast to the rest of the dimly lit shop. Soon enough, this friendly guy came from around the corner, his tattoos and other mods clearly visible (much to my delight!) and said that he could...but, what did I want done?
I'd thought about this long beforehand, and had decided that my first blessing from the body mod community would be the helix of my left ear, so on telling him – we went through prices with different jewellery and, not being a fan of CBR's in the helix (no offence to those with), I decided on a 14 gauge barbell, we set about the procedure.
I was impressed at the calmness of the piercer (I've forgotten his name, even though I've been back there few more times - I'm only good with faces). He took about sitting me down and explaining it all with ease. Having washed his hands and cleaning up, he explained about the gear he was going to use and set about unwrapping the packages in front of me...that of course ensues more confidence.
After decided on the perfect spot, I said I was ready...and it was done.
No pop, no tear, and fuck all pain to what I had expected - and it was done! It was amazing...
I lived in that exact moment for so long...I loved that feeling...piercing the flesh and knowing that your appearance, "you" had changed.
So, after inserting the jewellery, he cleaned me up...and asked me what I thought.
PERFECT! I was so happy with it. Exhilaration is the only way to say it. Finally, it was done.
On giving me the cleaning instructions, he wrote down their number and said that if I had any problems with any of it that I could call or pop on in anytime.
So I handed over my hard earned cash, feeling that the whole experience was well worth it.
I asked him about their prices for other jewellery and other piercing...and even the tattoos (I have so many plans and personal designs...it's hard to choose which will be my first so I'm taking my time in deciding that).
Than out the door walked a fucking happy customer, promising to be back.
I've been back for more, and have plans for many more mods in the months and years to come (and they're all other stories to come)...but time is an important thing to take notice of when making such decisions - I recognise that fact very well.
My friends who aren't pierced or those conservative people I know all have their differing opinions. Some (try and guess who) are very dismissive of my mods (and their plans), but I have some friends who are very supportive in my 'quest', and I think for a few they want to see someone else go through with it first...so I take it as me being some kind of pseudo-semi-guide for them. But no matter the opinions that spring up, I'm content with what I've done and those things that are to come, however heavily opposed they may be by others.
My food for thought I suppose, and something that I'm sure has been through these pages countless times: Do it for yourself, no one else. And I owe a mega thank you to EVERYONE at BME, for supplying me (and so many others) with the necessary advice and visuals for the unique experiences of body modification. Please keep it coming in amazing hordes for our benefit and education, not to mention that of others.
Kudos to you all, et merci beaucoup.