Pins and Needles

I've been meaning to update but I didn't have the energy or the willpower until now. (1:41AM? Why not?) Keep calm and carry on is my motto whenever I feel an oncoming panic attack, when life throws me a curveball, a hard run, a bad day. It's my personal mantra. It was only a matter of time (and a matter of life slapping me across the face a couple of times), before I had the epiphany to get this permanently done.

The original Keep Calm posters were all over England during WWII to encourage citizens to let calmer heads prevail even in emergency situations. Apart from the amazing message, I love the historical reference and I'm British on my dad's side, so this one has enough background behind it.The handwriting featured is my dad's.

This tattoo was designed and done by Anabela at Way Cool Tattoos in Kitchener, Ontario. I based it off of clip art I found of British Crowns. She drew it up, made it look pretty and then kicked ASS.

I highly recommend her, I love her work, she's personable and hilarious, and she's great at what she does. She did this entire tattoo standing up and hunched over my shoulder for two hours. I didn't want breaks, and neither did she.

All the pictures were taken by my darling Rebekah, who was there, along with my sisters, to see the whole process and the faces I made during it. They talked to me to keep me away from the pain for the most part. That didn't stop it from hurting, of course. I just helps to have people close by to keep you company.

Inkling

GUESS WHAT DAY IT IS TODAY! Welcome to the first Fresh Ink Friday here at Arcade Ragdoll.



Yes, I'm finally getting my third tattoo today! FINALLY. (My artist was sick the date of the original appointment, so we had to reschedule to now!) My little sister left this card on my bed for me when she left for work this morning. I'll update with pictures and news later! USING MORE EXCLAMATION MARKS!!!!

xo

Countdown

Lately even though I feel like I haven't been doing much, there seems to be lots of different stuff going on in the near future, which will surely turn into blogs. For now, we're going to have to sit and wait for them to all unfold. Welcome to the FINAL COUNTDOWN post. [Insert Will Arnett dancing here.]

Waterloo 5K Classic Race: 2 days
Did I mention I'm running a 5 kilometer race on Sunday? Well here it is: I'm running (or trying to) a 5K race this Sunday! As part of my new fitness routine, I've signed myself up for it. My sisters and my mom have also signed up, so we're all in it together. This is the first road race I've ever run, EVER, so I'm hoping it's going to be good... Of course by good I mean that I finish with a reasonable time for myself, I don't fall down, burst into tears or puke anywhere... and I'd still like to enjoy the whole thing because I'm thinking about running a 10K in October.

My 21st Birthday: 4 days
I love clip art so much!

It's my champagne birthday (turning 21 on the 21st!) in four days! I don't really have any big plans, but I'm hoping whichever ones I do have involve cake and dancing.

New Tattoo: 8 days
On the 25th, I'm getting my 3rd tattoo done. I won't say what it is because I'm definitely going to take pictures and write a post about it, but I will say I am PUMPED about it! P.S. The picture is a hint, definitely.

PRIDE: 16 days
JULY 3rd is the PRIDE PARADE in Toronto! This year, instead of just watching, I'm volunteering at one of the Human Rights booths, informing people about rights (and violations of them) for homosexuals in countries around the world, and at home. Lots of my friends are big supporters of the movement so it's going to be a big colourful party!

Think Ink

I've been thinking about tattoos lately. Maybe it's because on Saturday, big sister's boyfriend is getting a consultation for his half sleeve. Or that a friend of mine is getting cozy with tattoo's friend, piercings. It could even be a whim, but whatever it is, I'm feeling a need for the needle.

I got my second tattoo in early September 2010. It's a proven fact (or something) that they're addictive, so I set a time frame before I would even think about getting another. When you get a tattoo or a piercing, you can't donate blood for six months. As a donor, I made that the goal. I want to give blood at least twice before I get another tattoo. Maybe twice and then some, just to make sure I want it. I'm coming up on that eligible donor mark, and already, I've got plans going.

My parents are anti-ink. They think it's a waste of money. They insist people with them don't get hired, as if the presence of pigment underneath the skin retards any skills or attributes that make me employable. They try stress the fact that I am going to have them for life. FOR. EVER. Even when I'm old. As if I didn't know that already?

Maybe a tattoo will be on your body forever, but how long is forever? You could have them until you're 80, yeah. Or you could have it for two days and then get have a disease, an accident, anything. The fragility of the human condition should be reason enough to DO IT NOW. At 80 years old, we should be happy to have made it to 80. You'll show them off to your grandkids, telling them stories about what they are and why. Tattoos are the new battle scars.

Currently, I have two. One is a small tribute to my love of music. The second is to remind myself of what and who I am capable of being.Reasons to NOT get a tattoo: to look at yourself in the mirror and be reminded every day about how crazy/neurotic you are. Also, gag tattoos-- the woman who did my nightingale told me she once gave a guy a gangster banana. A GANGSTER BANANA.
Beyond that, memories you have, quotes you love, if it's personal, lovable, powerful, it might just belong under your skin.

Talking to myself here, I know but I gotta throw the question out there, pretending like there are followers. Do you have any tattoos? Of what- and why? And if not, would you ever get one?