So where do I begin? I'd been getting impatient with my ear stretching (even though I went from normal gunned piercings to 4mm in four weeks) because I wanted something new and exciting. I originally planned on getting a helix piercing in my right ear, but was browsing the miscellaneous cartilage piercings on BME, and remembered conch piercing. I remember when I first saw it I thought it was cool, but I forgot about it entirely, until the other day. My love had been reformed.
At A Glance Author hazz Contact the_logic_of_crocodiles@hotmail.com IAM the_logic_of_crocodiles When It just happened Studio Eclipse Location Camden, London, UK
So I spent all week looking at photos, reading experiences, and trying to imagine what the popping noise would be like. I also talked myself out of it, then realised how stupid I was being. Then all day Saturday I was getting myself ready and focussed on getting it done on the Sunday, as I was going shopping in London and had £100, so what better time? I originally planned on getting it in my left ear, because I'd always imagined it in that ear, but I'm a girl whose big on symmetry, so I had to get it in my right, to even my ears out. Which I'm glad I did now!
I got home from work to a text message from my friend saying she had to cancel our meet due to problems with her flatmates, so I immediately asked all my other friends if they could come instead, but all were either busy, or had no money.
I was getting frustrated. I'd spent all week getting myself ready for this; I couldn't just give up. So I got up this morning and got on the train to London by myself. So many thoughts were running through my mind. The pain, how it would look, which shop to go to, what the people would be like, and of course, the popping!
I got to Camden station and out onto the high street and put my mind at ease by buying a new belt, then I was stood outside the shop I'd chosen. I decided on Eclipse because I was in there the week before, and it seemed nice and open and clean, and the people were friendly, which is exactly what I wanted. I went down the stairs and looked at the plugs for a little while, before I got the courage to go up to the people and say, "I'd like a conch piercing please!" They gave me some forms to fill in, and the guy went through the cleaning and aftercare procedure with me, and I paid him £26 and was told to take a seat.
I was waiting for probably about 15 minutes, but it seemed like ages! I was watching people come in and out, then was called into the piercing room. The lady was really friendly (but I cant remember her name!) and she discussed the placement with me, and told me to lay on the table once we'd agreed. She said, "it's quite a stingy pain this one..." which helped, because I knew what I was expecting. Then the next thing I know, the needle is through my ear. It was, as she said, a sharp stinging pain, but it was fast. Putting the jewellery in hurt more than the actual piercing. I was hoping for a ring, but she told me it's better to start with a bar, then change it for a ring once it's healed. I was quite disapointed because I didn't hear the popping noise. Although that is probably a good thing!
Once it was all over, I sat on the bed for a couple of minutes because I was feeling light-headed. I should have eaten first really. Once I was feeling okay, I jumped up and looked in the mirror grinning. I was so happy with my wonderful new piercing! She went through the cleaning and aftercare procedure with me as well, and I was given a piece of paper with it all written on to remind me when I got home.
So I left the store very happy with my conch, and a slight pain in my ear. I stepped out onto the street, and it was boiling hot, and there were loads of people. I was feeling quite claustrophobic and paranoid that someone would bump into me and hurt my ear. But I soon got over that, and did some shopping. I kept getting waves of pain through my ear, and at one point my legs went all shaky so I had to sit down for a while. It sucked how I had nobody to talk to, and show it off and be excited with, but I'm really happy I did it today. I stopped off at the supermarket on the way home to buy some sea salt, and I've just cleaned it. It's so tempting to play with it, but I'm resisting!
All that's left now is to show it to all my friends and people at school. I've sent photos to a couple of people online, and had the usual "did it hurt?!" responses. Pain and piercings go hand in hand. When will they learn!
Oh, and I have to show my parents...