I have had four piercings before getting this rook. My first two sets were the typical gun at the mall type. These first two I still have today. I had my eyebrow done, but it migrated, and I had to remove it. Finally I had my tongue, until one night the ball came loose while I was eating dinner, and of course I swallowed the stupid thing. It closed before I could replace the ball. Hehe, not a very good track record, is it?
At A Glance Author anonymous When It just happened Artist Byriah Studio Taurian Piercing & Metals Location Houston, TX Fast forward to 2006 and I've got the hankering to start decorating my body again. I decide to start with a rook in my left ear. I did research a few years ago and after brushing up on things again, I learned that Taurian is still one of the best studios in town.
My good friend Matthew is playing the part of chauffeur and supportive friend. We meet at my place, hang out for a bit and hop into his car at around 7PM. We put in a Vnv Nation CD and head over the pharmacy for my aftercare kit. I pick up saline, distilled water, gauze pads, cotton swabs, cotton balls, latex gloves and Nexcare Tegaderm dressings. I'll get the Provon at the shop. I'm already getting the grins as my adrenaline ride prepares for takeoff.
We stop by Starbucks for some lattes. Hehe, coffee is the last thing I need as I am already all pumped about getting pierced, but what can I say? I'm an addict.
After the coffee we make our way down to Montrose and Westheimer area, where Taurian is located. This area of Houston is a lot of fun, especially on weekend nights, and yes tonight is Saturday night. There are lots of coffee shops, thrift shops, tattoo and piercing studios, clubs and restaurants crammed into this section of town.
We pull up to Taurian, a nondescript little house and park on a side street. I get yet another giddy rush of nerves. Matthew and I keep grinning at each other, and we joke back and forth on the way into the shop.
Inside Byriah, the owner, greets us and we make our way to a long, wooden bench. There are three people in front of me, so we settle down with some Tattoo magazines. After about 20 minutes Byriah and I get started on the paperwork. He checks my ID, I pay and then we pick out the titanium curved barbell.
Tick...tick...tick...finally! I'm up! Byriah leads us into the piercing room. The three of us chat about placement as Byriah gets his tools ready. He lays out all the autoclaved packets, prepares the dye, etc., all the while switching gloves. My piercing's placement is a little more difficult, but I feel completely comfortable in Byriah's capable hands. Matthew knows exactly what I want and after Byriah marks my ear, Matt says it's perfect.
Next I have to lay down on the table and Byriah puts the final touches on the markings. He tells me everything he's doing as he does it. He bends the needle, presses the back of it against my ear and tells me we are ready to go. Here it comes! I take a deep breath in as he tells me and then let it out slowly when he says to. The tip of the needle smoothly pierces the skin, then meets the resistance of my cartilage, presses noiselessly in and out the other end. Then he slips in the bar, which I don't even feel, deftly screws the ball on and I'm done!
Pain? Yes, but it's not a sharp, tearing pain, it feels more like someone is squeezing my ear really hard between their fingers. Hah, that's probably exactly what Byriah is doing as he pierces it. I also didn't even feel him put in the jewelry. There is pain, but it's so short that the piercing is really worth the discomfort.
I bleed a little bit, but not much. Byriah is pleased because it went a lot smoother than he had expected. I'm pleased because I have a beautiful new rook! I rest a minute longer on the table, and then I get up to check myself out in the mirror. It's perfect and it looks so cute! I'm so glad I chose the rook.
I'm the last customer so I get to talk with Byriah about what other plans I have for my body. I'd like to get a rook in my right ear, a stud in one of my nostrils, an inverse navel and perhaps stretch the first holes in my lobes and put in some bone spirals. Then he answers all of my questions about aftercare, which I have a lot of. We shake hands and he sends me home with a pamphlet and Provon. Matthew and I walk out the door, very satisfied customers. Next? A late night snack and then a movie.
In conclusion, I think going to a well qualified professional is what makes the difference between and enjoyable experience or a nightmare. That and attitude. Yes, the pain is a factor, but that's not what this is about. This is about doing something awesome for yourself. Don't be afraid, be happy. Life is too short, go get pierced. It's worth it!