Ever since I was about ten or eleven years old, I always knew I would be the "trouble" or "wild" child. I was more different than anyone else in my family and I had dreams of being an ultimate rock star with sleeves or photographer with piercings everywhere. I loved bloody action movies, hard rock music, midnight walks: more original things that the rest of my family didn't really find interesting. My older brothers would tell me that I'd be the only sibling with piercings and tattoos everywhere.
At A Glance Author poeticeyesore Contact teallindsey@hotmail.com When Two years ago Artist doby Studio doby's tattoo and body piercing Location temple, pa
They were right!
I went into high school knowing way more about body modification than algebra or biology. My tenth grade year I went to get my tongue pierced. Since my mom is still kind of in that mentality of "no facial piercings, you'll never get into college," or "don't get anything visible, you won't get a good job!" I read up on tongue piercings just to prove that, stereotypes like that don't really exist.
I was taking a creative class in school that required a speech and a written essay. Topics were by choice so I decided my topic was on tattoos and body piercings, mainly piercings. I researched the origins of piercing and where they were most common. I decided I should have a video recorder to watch what was being done, how and what the outcome was.
So I called my piercer, Doby (who, by some weird way was somehow related to us through marriage) and made the appointment to come in for my piercing. I wound up going the next day. The experience would cost all of 50 dollars, but knowing his reputation and the cleanliness of his shop, a five dollar tip would not do. So 70 dollars was what I handed to him. (If you really know your piercer and your confident in his or her work, a small tip seems insulting so go with something bigger.)
It was amazing! He explained how everything would happen, (i took friends to watch, some are a little touchy about audiences but Doby didn't mind), he took out the needle from the sterile packing and jewelry. I was told to gargle with some Listerine then come back and sit down to wait.
I have a pretty big tongue therefore Doby didn't use a clamp, (THANK YOU!)I stuck my tongue out, he marked me, and then finished by putting his gloves on.
He explained that since my tongue was kind of long, he would have to pierce it back further and on a slight angle. The angle was just so you couldn't tell i had a tongue ring in while I was talking.
The tape recorder was on and then it came time came for me to breathe in and stick my tongue out. He asked if i was ready then he counted to three and pushed the needle through. I didn't feel anything except when he put the barbell through and screwed the ball on. I think it just felt as though I'd bitten my tongue but it didn't hurt!
I went to gargle again to get all the blood that was starting to surface out of my mouth and went back to show everyone my new hardware. The second gargle was painful because I naturally suck on my cheeks and that is a definite no-no. (In fact, I don't think your even supposed to suck out of a straw, just in case it brings up blood, something like that) That night i went for dinner with the same people who came with, ate french fries and frozen yogurt and it felt great!
I think for about five days i couldn't really say words with "L"s or "R"s but two weeks later I could play with it and eat solid food: spicy food was kind of hard to eat, also eating with a fork can be dangerous for a fresh piercing. I learned the hard way but eating spaghetti a couple days after the experience.
I have to admit that gargling or brushing after every time i ate or kissed someone got boring and was not fun, but the way it attracts people now is awesome!
Anyway, I got an A- on my speech and essay so everything turned out great. I got my tongue pierced, I made the grade, my mother was happy I wasn't covered in metal. People who don't know me but find out i have a piercing find me much more interesting than anyone without body mods. In all, this was by far the best experience yet, and i still haven't taken my tongue ring out!
If anyone is thinking about getting a piercing but not sure where at, the tongue is definitly a safe, sexy piercing to go with. Plus, it's a great topic starter during a social gathering.