For any of you out there who are debating as to whether or not to get your rook done, I highly recommend it. Not only does it look awesome, but in my experience as a wimp, the pain level is not as high as one might expect.
At A Glance Author Liz Contact Liz@bme.anon When It just happened Studio White Lotus Tattoo Location Fredericton, New Brunswick It all started about 6 months ago. I saw some pictures of a pierced rook while browsing the BME ear piercing section and instantly fell in love with the idea of having a dainty little hoop through my ear like that. I went to my parents, your average old-fashioned "I don't think so!" folks, and they downright refused to let me go through with it. "It's so ugly...why would you want to do that?" But I was already of age to go get it done by myself, so the idea to rebel never really left me...if only I had the money at the time.
Only yesterday, 6 months later, did I convince my mother to let me go through with it. I guess she was just tired of hearing me whine and complain about wanting to get it done. Plus, she knew she could use that forever-annoying "I told you so" line on me that she oh-so loves. Besides, I just got paid and had the money to do it, so she wasn't really involved at all. I called up my best friend Jordan, and we decided to get together at 1:15 the next day - White Lotus doesn't open till 1.
That night I thought it over what felt like a million times, and then shoved it out of my mind before I could think about chickening out. That's a good tip: don't think about it. Keep your mind on other things. That way you won't have time to get second thoughts.
We went in and waited while a group of what looked like 10-year-olds got their belly buttons pierced (shrieks emitted from one of the rooms) and after what felt like forever, due to the anticipation, they were finished and paid for, and the tattoo guy had cleaned up the space. The piercing guy was quite good-looking, so I didn't want to make a fool of myself and whine about how much it'll hurt. I just asked a few questions ("How long will it take to heal," etc), chose a little silver hoop with the ball on it, and clambered up in the dentist's-office type chair. Jordan came in and graciously allowed me to crush his fingers in nervous waiting.
The tattoo guy (I never did find out his name) got his tray-on-wheels thing all ready with some frightening-looking needles that I tried to not look at (I'm not fond of needles) and tools of other sorts including some intimidating pliers, and he cleaned off my ear and we picked the exact spot where I wanted it. Finally, the big moment...I was expecting an excruciating pain resulting in my bawling and a horrific loss of blood, not to mention the eternal embarrassment. Nothing of the sort occurred. I took a deep breath in when he said and there was pressure while he stuck the needle through a tube pressed flush against my rook. I breathed out as instructed, and some more pushing while he inserted the ring and screwed the ball on. It bled a little, but that's all. He gave me an instruction sheet on how and when to clean the piercing. I was impressed at how professional and patient he was with me. Maybe I'm being judgmental, but you take one look at some of the piercers and wond er if they know what they're doing. Some guys look incredibly scary. But White Lotus is awesome, and I suggest if you're in the area and want a tattoo or piercing, go there. It's a very clean environment and the staff is great. The prices aren't too bad either.
Anyway, six months of waiting and 50 dollars later, I have a beautiful rook piercing that was totally worth it! Nobody I know has their rook pierced, so it'll be a unique piercing among my friends. Or, as my dad blatantly put it, "self-disfiguration." He'll get over it.
Those of you who want it done - do it while it's still unique. It's noticeable, but not in-your-face. Nose, navel, eyebrow, helix, tragus and conch have all gone mainstream where I live, so to get an original piercing that few people have before it catches on will allow you to stand out.
And if you do go through with it, here's how I was informed to clean it: wash it with Johnson & Johnson Baby Wash, because it doesn't leave any residue, once in the morning, and again at night. Soak the piercing for 25 minutes every day with a mixture of sea salt and warm water. I mix half a cup of sea salt with a litre of hot water to dissolve the salt, and I use soaked cotton balls.
Believe me, if I can get through this experience alive, you can. I have an insane low pain tolerance level. It's worth it in the end.
My next endeavour? Maybe I'll get my other rook pierced to match...