I guess it all started way back when I was 18 and got my first tattoo. It's a small star on the side of my heel. I guess I have a flare for the dramatics because when I went back and watched the video that was taken of me getting the tattoo my face is contorted in immense pain. Four touch ups later I've come to realize that it doesn't hurt nearly as bad as I thought it would. I think I got more pain from my parents refusing to talk to me and my dad putting tattoo removal shop fliers in my car whenever he drove it. I swore to my parents from that day on that I would never get another tattoo, that the star was all I wanted. What tattoo artists fail to mention is that tattoos are addicting. You get pricked once, your addicted for life. Since then I have added five more tattoos to my body. A shark to the top of my left foot, a symbol meaning strength to my hip, Carpe Diem with leaves and a flower to my left ribcage, Sanskrit to the back of my neck and most recently I have started the addition of a back piece which involves a bird, a sun and a flower.
Tattoos to me are more than just ink on skin. They are works of art and self expression. I mean after all 14% of Americans have at least one tattoo. You see them everywhere and on every age. Just today we had a 63year old man come in and get his first tattoo ever; a badge from the police department that he worked at. Earlier this week a woman in her sixties came in and got a tattoo of a flamingo on her ankle, her first as well. She works at the hospital in New Hanover County and she is not the only doctor or person in a high position of work who has tattoos.
If you couldn't tell, I work in a tattoo shop as a receptionist. Basically all I do answer phones, do paperwork and make appointments besides the occasional sushi run for the guys. Each guy has their own artistic style. It is my job to make sure that each of them walks out with at least one tattoo a day. I guess we have it pretty easy though. The other day I watched a movie with one of the artists because it was a slow day and there is always somebody down for a Wii bowling match or two. Working in a shop gives me lots of free time, even though my hours are always long. Every weekend I work 30 hours a week and normally get home around 12:30am. I don't mind it though, I love working here.
You meet so many interesting people when you work in a tattoo shop. One guy in particular always makes my day though. His name is Tony and we normally see him on the weekends. He owns no restaurant but brings in huge tubs of food to sell to people all over front street. What he sells depends on what he was in the mood to cook. Recently I've had amazing Angus hamburgers from huge roasted chicken with gravy to spicy shrimp and sausage with vegatables and rice. And here's the kicker, he never sells his food for more than 8 or 9 dollars. And when he walks in, the smell can make anybody hungry. It could put a smile on your face when you've had a bad day or make a boring day that much more interesting. Thank god for Tony sometimes. His food can always cheer me up.
Tattoos. I have two, but want many many more. Although I think I was spoiled in terms of cost, because my only tattoos were free, because I was good friends with the artist in middle school. I have a really big appreciation for tattoo artists. It must take a lot of confidence and skill to know what you're doing to a person will potentially be on them forever. And about this cook Tony?... I've worked and lived in a good number of places downtown and have never heard or seen of this guy! You're lucky you have a chef at your doorstep.
ReplyDeleteDang, this was a cool blog post to read. You can tell that there was passion in every word you've written. It's really nice to read stuff like that. It sounds like you are definitely enjoying yourself at this tattoo shop. Is this something you plan on doing in the future? Do you plan on being a tattoo artist? Also, this guy Tony, he sounds awesome. I immediately like him, you're living a pretty sweet life right now it sounds like.
ReplyDeleteI actually got my first tattoo a few months ago andI'm 19 years old. i thought it was going to hurt real bad since I planned on getting it on my ribs, but it honestly barely did hurt at all, and it's decently big. But I guess it depends from person to person because my friend got one the same size and in the same place and she was almost crying! I decided to get my tattoo done at Cape Fear Tattoos, I actually considered having it done at Hardwire but my friend, who went with me knew the artist at Cape Fear. It sounds like working in a tattoo shop is a blast! I know this might not be the same thing but I watch Miami, London, and LA Ink all the time and life at a tattoo shop looks very interesting!
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