Yup, it happened - I gots ‘tood!!!

It all started yesterday morning. I was soooo nervous, absolutely freaking out - I had no idea what to expect or anything. Not to mention Manda was psyching me out, saying that it was going to hurt and I was going to cry and all that (which actually helped me, I’ll tell you later how). I had butterflies in my stomach all day, couldn’t eat a lot in case I threw it back up, and was just a mass of jitters.

Anyway, to cut it a bit shorter, we left work at 4:30, when Zandra picked Manda and I up to take us to Tattoo Magic for my 5:30 appointment. We got there at about 5:15, which was good because we just went in and sat down, allowing me to relax a little. My tattooist, Caleb, came out and introduced himself and asked me where I wanted my tattoo, told me how he thought he’d do a darker blue than the one I had on my original image (which was fine with me), and then said for me to take a seat for 5 minutes while he set up.

Five minutes later, he called me up. Manda had come with me for emotional support (!), so she came in and sat with me. He had me strip off (well, down to my singlet anyway), then told me to stand relaxed with my hands by my sides so he could place the stencil. He then had me check out the placement, which he got perfect the first time.

I then sat down on the chair back-to-front, and prepared me - reminding me to breathe, had me cough to clear my throat first so I didn’t cough halfway through, and then said he’d do a small line so I could get the feel of it. It was fucking nothing! Didn’t hurt at all - and this is where Manda’s psyching me out comes in - she’d done it purposely so that once I sat down, it wasn’t nearly as bad as she was making it up to be, so I immediately relaxed.

Caleb completed the outline of my tattoo, then started on the colour. I’m waiting on Manda to send me through the progress shots that she took of me on her phone, but from what she’s shown me he started with a dark blue line along the inside edges of the design, then faded it into the lighter blue. I have the photos from throughout now - take a look after the cut (IMAGE HEAVY!!!):

After about 10-15 mins (I was sooo expecting it to be longer!), Caleb said “Okay, all done!” and I took a look in the mirror at it - I FUCKING LOVE IT!!! He did such a fantastic job, I was so pumped. Caleb then went through the care instructions - leave the plastic wrap and tape on for about 2hrs or more if possible, then take it off, clean with hot soapy water, then use some Bepanthen on it to calm and soothe it (and cream it up 3-5 times a day). I bought some Bepanthen on the way home, and then after a couple of hours took the wrap off, had Michael help me clean it and put the cream on.

Here’s the photos from about 3-4 hours after the experience - it looks rather red and sore (and I bled a lot, apparently), but it’s looking heaps better already! I will definitely post pictures when it’s completely healed.

As for the design, it means numerous things to me:

1) I love the moon - always have, always will.
2) The Triple Goddess - maiden, mother and crone; aka three stages of life
3) I am one of three children
4) Everything in my life seems to happen in threes (as it does in many other peoples’ lives too)
5) Past, present and future - Remembering the past, living the present and looking forward to the future.

Some people have said it looks kind of like the biohazard symbol, but I think it all matters on what it means to me, not what it means to other people (and maybe I am a biohazard, I don’t know!)

Also, if anyone thinks they’ve seen it before, part of its meaning is as the emblem of Diane de Poitiers, Henri II of France’s mistress. BUT, according to Wikipedia:

Diane possessed a sharp intellect and was so politically astute that the King Henri II trusted her to write many of his official letters, and even to sign them jointly with the one name: HenriDiane … She was full of confidence, and her maturity and loyalty to Henri II made her his most dependable ally in the court.

So not just a pretty face!

If you live in Melbourne (or are looking for anywhere to get a great tattoo), I highly recommend Tattoo Magic - Caleb was a fantastic guy, and the rest of the staff are ultra-friendly and helpful!