Let's get one thing straight right off the bat. I really don't fit the stereotype for someone writing a tattoo experience. I'm a political junkie. I spend my time reading the newspapers and arguing about world issues, when not attending classes or (heaven forbid) participating in a Model United Nations conference. The last person you would expect to get a tattoo. But I still wanted one.
At A Glance Author David Contact David@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Eric Studio Adrenaline Location Montreal, Canada After extensive research on BME, I ended up choosing the United Nations insignia, the flattened globe with olive branches, to be placed on my left shoulder, in blue ink. The reason behind this isn't that I'm a diehard UN supporter. I recognize that while they're out there to do good, they've also messed up a bunch of stuff (almost a million Rwandan Tutsis would agree, were they still alive.) No, the reason I chose this design was because I believe in the principles that they operate under: to stop conflict, promote justice and equality, and improve standards of living. The UN insignia best sums up my beliefs.
So after making sure that I really wanted this, and investigating several shops around Montreal, I chose Adrenaline. They have a pretty good reputation here in town, and they're very conveniently located (about 15 minutes from school, so touch-ups would be easy). Having made an appointment the week before, I went in on March 6.
I was supposed to get there at 4:30 in the afternoon, and nearly didn't make it thanks to our wondrously efficient public transit system. Then, after finding out that they were backlogged anyway, I had time to wait for my friend Lea, my generous financial backer. After we were all there, it was still another half hour till I got the call. We watched a 17 year-old boy show off his brand new navel piercing and then persuade his father to get one. I casually browsed the flash on the walls and in binders, highly amused by some of the potential tattoos. Still, the waiting was far worse than what was to come.
Finally, after being called to the back room, I met the artist, Eric. He took things slow, explained what he was doing. After transferring the stencil to my left shoulder, he asked if I was ready. "What should I expect?" "The worst pain of your life," he responded with a grin. "With Eric, yeah, that's about right," said Ron, one of the other artists, setting up for another job, "Real reassuring, guys." After kicking Lea out of the room because her laughing would undoubtedly distract Eric, we began.
It's hard to describe precisely how it feels, the closest thing was someone scraping a pin across my back forcefully enough to break the skin. Bearable, but just. After the endorphins kicked in, it became merely an annoyance, and eventually some parts were actually pleasurable. The outline was more painful than filling in the design, and all in all, it took about 45 minutes. After he was done, he put on the bandage, explained the aftercare instructions, and sent me off to the front desk to pay, at which point we found out that my friend didn't have enough cash in her account to pay like she promised. After scaring myself senseless expecting to hear "Eric, get the cheese grater!" we finally found another friend who could pay.
Healing has been pretty good. I changed the bandage when I got home so that I wouldn't stick to my sheets that night. Applying A&D cream was easy at first because I could still feel the raised outline of the tattoo, but these days either a mirror or a helpful friend are required. So, about a week later, things look good. I've noticed a few little things that need fixing up (Indonesia was left out, but I don't hold it against Eric, it's pretty small) so I'll go for a touch-up next week on one of my breaks.
A few things I have learned along the way: Do your research. It's impossible to stress that enough. BME was incredibly helpful. Don't be hesitant. It's not as bad as everyone says, and aside from the momentary pain when getting tattooed, there's just the slight soreness the day you get it to contend with. Also, having liberal parents helps. Mine are fairly conservative, and pretty opposed to mods, so that means I have to keep my shirt on all the time. Lastly, when you get your first tattoo, you may go in thinking this is all you want. So did I. Trust me, tattoos are addictive. Since getting mine, I'm thinking about a few other designs, particularly the armourial bearings of Canada, the lion and unicorn with Scottish, British, French and Irish symbols, probably on my right shoulder blade.
I don't feel complete with this piece, but I certainly feel more like me than before getting it. Plus now I can laugh at all the other students at my Model United Nations conferences, and tell them that I wear my beliefs on my shoulder in the most literal way.