I started working on my parents for an eyebrow ring the summer of 2002. I had seen a few people with barbells and had gotten it into my head that I would look completely awesome with a metal object in my forehead as well. Of course it took a lot of convincing for my parents to see it my way, and even now that they have they still dislike the fact that I am facially pierced.
At A Glance Author Sarah Contact Sarah@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Jon Studio New Tribe Location downtown Toronto I started bringing up the subject of an eyebrow piercing at school and pretty soon one of my friends (Stephanie) confided in me that she wanted her tongue web pierced but there was no way she would ever be able to do it (with her mother's knowledge). We swore we would go together and get pierced and we kept up our promise for about 4 months. We would make 'piercing dates' and then fail to keep them for various reasons (mainly because of issues with cash).
One Saturday (actually, it was yesterday) we were at the school for an animal rights event and Stephanie had her dad's van. We decided that we would drive downtown at 4:30 and drop off some of the things we had collected at the Toronto Humane Society and then stop by New Tribe on the way home. We stopped by Stephanie's house so she could print off directions and then we planned to be off.
However, Stephanie's mom had gotten it into her head that we shouldn't be downtown. Although she had agreed to let us go earlier in the week, she told Stephanie a bunch of things all majoring around a definite NO. "Stephanie isn't good with directions...it's late at night...we're no experienced in downtown life...we'd get lost" and the like. We finally convinced Stephanie's older sister Charlotte to drive us and then we were off on our adventure again.
Charlotte drove us to the humane society and then we begged her to drive us to New Tribe. We got there and bounded up the stairs, extremely excited, only to find that I had forgotten my ID at home (an hour away). I could have kicked myself for my stupidity but settled for moping and struggling against my tears in the backseat of the van while Charlotte told me how stupid it was to get a piercing anyways, and how it wasn't worth it.
Stephanie convinced me that we'd go out for dinner and as soon as Charlotte left the van we began one of the most rebellious journeys of my life (thus far). I don't recommend the following part if you ever wish to be on good terms with your parents again:
We picked up a friend (Karen) and drove to my house so I could grab my ID. By stretching the truth a little bit I managed to get my mom to write me up directions. We took off before she could ask too many questions. I phoned her maybe 10 times on our way downtown because we were getting quite lost. Our excitement began to die down when we couldn't find a parking space. After half an hour of searching, I finally paid and we parked in a public parking lot. We were shaking when we walked down the street and up the stairs to New Tribe (even Karen which was odd because she wasn't getting anything pierced).
I went first. I spoke with the girl behind the counter who was very friendly, and then went with Stephanie to one of the small piercing rooms in the back. Jon (the piercer) was extremely nice and I got along with him instantly because he didn't seem to mind my endless chatter (hey, I was nervous) and joined in on the joking around that took place. He walked me through it and then I lie down, all the while thinking how Stephanie's mom would murder me if she found out I had made Stephanie drive downtown. The piercing was done before I knew it and I felt like I was going to burst because I was so happy. I loved the way it looked and where it was placed. After buying some soap I sat back and relaxed while Stephanie debated getting her web pierced.
I realize this has nothing to do with eyebrow piercings but it was quite the experience we went through, so I'll add in here that Stephanie did end up getting her tongue web pierced. I still don't know how it went over at home but I'm hoping her mother wasn't to angry. Plus, we made up an elaborate story in case her mom found out accidentally.
If anyone lives in or around Toronto, I highly recommend New Tribe. They did a great job and made me feel comfortable. If I ever get another piercing or a tattoo I'll more than likely go there. It was a really clean and friendly place. And it's reasonably priced which comes into play a lot more than you probably realize...
So we drove home and I showed my mom and my sisters (my dad still doesn't know). Our little rebellious adventure was over and I am so happy that it happened! So thanks New Tribe and Jon, and thanks to Stephanie who probably has hell to pay at home for all of this!