I've wanted a rook piercing ever since I first saw a picture of one on BME when I was doing research for my tattoo two years ago but I've only had it done for about a month. When I first saw it, I was still in highland dancing, for those not familiar with it, we have to follow very strict rules of dress when performing or competing. The only jewelry allowed are wedding and engagement rings so earrings have to be taken out. In fact, my dance teacher flipped when she saw my helix piercing, of course that was back when they weren't as popular as they are now. I could take out my multiple lobe rings and my helix but with the rook that was not an option so I would have to wait.
At A Glance Author LaTwigg Contact LaTwigg@bme.anon IAM LaTwigg When A month ago Artist Wendy Studio Waves Location Maple Ridge Quitting dancing was a very emotional thing for me. I started when I was five and kept at it for sixteen years. It was a big part of my life for a long time as well as a big part of my identity. At the end of last year I knew it was time to move on. My part time job combined with my studies at university made it impossible to stay committed to it and it was also starting to take its toll on my body. Knowing it was time and bringing myself to do it were two very different things. At the end of last year I meant to tell them I wouldn't be returning in the fall but I couldn't do it. That would make it seem too final. Even when I didn't go back last fall, it still didn't seem totally real. I could still go back, it wasn't too late. The relevance of this will become clear shortly.
I got my navel pierced in March and started thinking more seriously about the rook piercing I'd fallen in love with so long ago. I was bored one day and decided to look at pictures and on impulse I decided that I wasn't going to wait any more. As soon as I got paid, I was going to go do it.
The friend that I'd gone with to get my tattoo and my other piercings was recovering from surgery and couldn't get anything done so I would have to find someone else to accompany me. It's not enough to just have someone there to watch, I want someone to suffer with me! I ended up bribing my sister with a conch piercing. I'm such a good sister, paying for my sister to get holes in her head.
Payday rolled around and I was psyched. At last I was going to get my lovely rook pierced, my first less common piercing. I met my sister outside my work and we headed over to the piercing place. We talked with the piercer, filled out the usual forms and were good to go. My sister went first because she's only got her lobes done and was afraid of the pain. About ten minutes later she was all done and it was my turn. I wasn't really nervous. I love needles so getting poked is the best part; the jewelry is a nice bonus. She cleaned my ear and marked it. I checked out the placement in the mirror and gave her the go ahead. I lay down on the piercing table, turned my head to the side and waited. Breathe in, breathe out and done. I was expecting incredible pain but it never came. I was kind of disappointed to tell you the truth. She had to fiddle with the ring a bit because it's such a small area but she got it in and the bead on then cleaned the small amount of blood off my ear. I looked in the mirror and was instantly in love. It just looked like it belonged there.
Now for the relevance of my highland dancing history. Although it's been 8 months since I'd officially quit dancing, I'd never totally accepted that my days as a highland dancer were over. I'd never totally ruled out the possibility of going back. It bothered me because I knew quitting was the right thing. Getting my rook pierced ended up actually allowing myself to fully accept that I had closed that chapter of my life. To go back I'd have to take it out and I couldn't do that so though I didn't realize it at the time I got it done, it ended up being symbolic of the end of an era.
Aftercare has been pretty simple. I haven't done too much with it other than sea salt soaks because I find that leaving it alone works best for me. It was sore for a few days but mostly I don't know it's there unless I accidentally bump it with a phone or sleep on it. I love my rook and would recommend this piercing to anyone who wants a piercing that's a little unusual.