At A Glance
Author	Cassandra C Schroeder
Contact	Cassandra C Schroeder@bme.anon
When	A week ago
Artist	Myself
Studio	My house
Location	Seven Hills, OH

I've never had a body piercing. I come from a conservative family, and don't have any outrageous friends to tell me about these things. But I've always loved them. Something always intrigued me. But yeah, I'm like everyone else. I used to hate septums. I thought they were ridiculous. But then as usual, something changed my mind. I watched Mel Gibson's Apocalypto (don't laugh). And I have Mayan blood (my mom is from Guatemala), and I thought that would be the perfect way to show my heritage. I had to give it TONS of thought. I decided to go through with it. I had seen gorgeous girls with septums, and I realized that it was a fierce piece to add to my face. I also considered the fact that it's the easiest piercing to hide.

After much deliberation and drawing on tons of my pictures to decide, I knew it was right. A few obstacles: I'm not 18; My parents would NEVER sign a consent form; and my "reliable" source for piercing parties was being stubborn. So I went on a hunt to find a place to sell me piercing supplies. Ebay. I had pierced my labret before, so i was hoping I had enough balls to do this. Every day while I waited for my kit to come, I would be sitting watching T.V. touching the sweet spot in my nose preparing it. I almost had a heart attack when it came in the mail.

I went to a local store and bought alcohol for sanitizer, and qtips. That night, when my dad was watching T.V. or something, I went ahead and did it. I washed my hands. I opened the needle. I was pumped. One new text message. Fuck. Of course, it was my best friend, asking if I had gone through with it. I texted back, and washed my hands a second time.

Now I'll admit, I'm pretty much a pussy. Every time I started to poke a little, I teared up and stopped. I numbed it with ice for a bit, and just did it. I think I went a little too slow, and it hurt when it came out the other side. Okay, hard part's over. Lets get this retainer in. Wait, it doesn't fit. I can't thread in the jewelry. Fuck again. Why didn't I check first?? The kit said a 16g needle and a 16g retainer. I hate you Ebay. After minutes of debating with a needle in my nose, I just decided to take it out, buy a new ring, and try again.

The two days in between all I did was buy a new 16g ring, and blow my nose only to see blood on it.

Alright, NOW I've tested the ring to make sure it fits. I have to do this, I told a few people I was, and if I run into them and they don't see a ring, I'm a fucking liar. I went through the piercing process again, this time a lot smoother. I struggled a little with threading the jewelry in, but it was successful. No words can describe the grin on my face. I sanitized it, took a few pics, and went to bed.

It's been about 1 week, and I still love it. I haven't developed the "funk" some people mention yet, but I do get the occasional crusties on it. I can't blow my nose the same way, I gotta bunch up the tissue or use a q tip. My mother still has yet to find out. Actually the other day she left the house, and I flipped it down when I showered. I forgot the put it back, and she came home with my brother and the two of them were staring at me. My brother said something about me having black boogers (my ring is black) to which I swore under my breath and flipped it up. My mom said something like "You're gross" and left that subject. Also one day I skipped my first period class and chilled in my car with it out. On my way on some black guy was staring at me funny, but I'm used to that, since I attend a pretty urban school. When I went tot he office for a pass the secretary said "What is that? Is that a nose ring?" I think I swore under my breath again and flipped it back. I have a pretty good rep in my school so she just said "ew" and left me alone.

Also, sometimes if I bump it a certain way, its fucking murder. My eyes water, and I wanna scream. I was picking my nose (that's really the only good way to clean it) and I hit it and fuck did that hurt. It turns out my ring actually came out. I tried putting it back in but on the one side I don't know, it really hurt. Tried the other side and it only stung a little. Probably because of the alcohol I've used. I think I've used so much the past week I might have brain damage. Oh well. I also want to put some jade jewelry in it, some real Mayan stuff. If you know a place, get at me. :]

Also, I don't endorse self-piercing. I really only trust myself, and I did TONS of studying before piercing myself. If you think you're not up to the task, or you're even the slightest bit worried, go to a pro.