So I wanted an industrial. Had wanted it for quite some time. And one Sunday decided to go through with it. I find piercing to be my creative outlet, a constructive way to deal with a sense of down which I used to default to other detrimental bodily harm. Over the past year and a half I had been gauging my ears; starting at standard and making my way up to five-eighths, finally settling at half-inch. I sat on my couch calling local shop to see if any were open; and those that were accepting business, if they had a piercer on staff that day. A few places were ready and willing, but the price seemed a little too steep, and my inspired attitude began to falter. I reached one shop, South Tacoma Tattoo and Body Piercing, who instantly impressed me over the phone. The person I was speaking to seemed to be very optimistic about my possible industrial and was very encouraging. Not encouraging that I come in and get the piercing now, but encouraging that I make the right choice for my body, and my mind.
At A Glance Author Yanni Contact Yanni@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Hook Studio South Tacoma Tattoo & Piercing Location Lakewood, WA My mom said she was going to McCord air force base, to do some shopping. The shop was pretty close to her destination so I decided to go with. After a half hour she got to the base, I dropped her off and took the car on my own adventure. I quickly found the place, cutting off three cars to reach the shops' front door. I walked in and was instantly greeted by a man holding a mountain dew. I sat down with him and looked over his work, some of them done to himself in the mirror... There were photos of him preparing for, and being suspended, superman and suicide style. Truly the first five minutes spent with him gave me a notion that he would become someone I would come to know and trust. He showed me other industrials he had done and asked me what I truly thought of his work... I replied honestly: I was truly impressed. I did not think that someone around here could have done such an array of piercing so well and keep such good records of them. After the little meeting session, he told me of what COULD go wrong, though he doubted too much could. He showed me the needle, the safety tube, and the jewelry, all in its own individual sanitary packaging that he would be using. He explained that he believed in piercing one gauge above that of the jewelry to allow easier entry for the jewelry and more space for the ear to contract in cold weather... I live in fucking Washington, its November, and it is fucking cold!
We prepared for the piercing when my cell phone rang, my mom calling, telling me she was finished. She asked me where I was, and I told her... I had nothing to hide. I am eight-teen and what I was planning on doing is perfectly legal for someone my age. She told me to come and pick her up and then I could come back to the shop and do what I wanted. I explained the situation to Hook, and surprisingly, he didn't seem to mind in the least. He might have possibly lost a customer but I think he was at peace with the fact that if I was truly supposed to have this piercing, I would return and be "Hooked" by him.
On the drive back to the shop, my mom and I had a discussion, concerning my depression, the gauging of my lobes, and my plans for future piercing. I explained to her my views on piercing and gauging and she (surprisingly) understood. She asked me if this would prevent me from cutting myself any further. I told her I truly hoped so. She smiled, for the first time since finding out my plans, and told me that if I promised not to inflict bodily harm to myself, she would go as far as paying for my piercing. I promised as good as I could, letting her know that sometimes it is hard not to, and we were headed back to my awaiting industrial.
We returned and were once again greeted by hook, his mountain dew replaced by a mug of tea. He talked to my mom before going to wash his hands and prep...etc... We went into the private piercing room and he told me take a seat on the table/chair. In front of me there was a case of interesting oddities. Shrunken heads, shark's jaws, bottles of liquid, and a sign that stated: "worse than pain is the fear of pain" He asked me if was allergic to any thing, metals, shellfish, lobsters. I said shrimp, which prompted him to tell me I was allergic to Iodine. He had gloves on, procured fresh jewelry and needles from his drawers, and got everything ready. He marked my ear, told me to get up and look at it to see if I liked the placement, I did. He asked if I wanted something to bite on when he pierced, I Replied, I have a tongue to bite. He told me that breathing would be the most important thing in this going well and then told me to take a deep breath in.
He said breathe out, and began to shove the needle through. I barely felt it. Four more breaths and the needle was completely through both holes, and the jewelry was in. He stood me up, shook my hand, and then sat me back down because my ear was bleeding. the congratulated me on my recent addition and gave me my aftercare sheet entitled "Hooks' Laws" He escorted my mother and myself to the lobby of the shop and sat us down, and thoroughly explained how to care for my piercing, what to do when various things happen, and to come back and see him every two weeks until two months had passed.
Hook was more professional than my doctor. This amazed me... He is the best piercer I have ever met, and I recommend him to every one. I am currently trying to get my girlfriends' industrial done by him... He is good. And I am happy!