Monday, June 18, 2007

Tattoo You

15 years ago, when I was 'closer to thirty than I was to twenty,' I went out & got my belly button pierced. I wanted a tattoo, but decided a belly-ring would be less permanent. It didn't take long for me to realize that I still wanted to get 'inked.' I had a little drawing of sunshine, I had carried in my velcro wallet as a teen. Every six months to a year, I'd pull it out & change it up a bit. After high school, it stayed the same for years & the corner of my folded up drawing frayed. In college, I added thorny, spinning braids as accent & stuffed it back into my my more adult-like wallet. A years or so after the belly-ring, I finally got inked. The drawing I had toted around in my ever-changing wallet became something more permanent. It's mine & I love it.

The rip-tide at the beach was strong. The waves slapped me like a big old dog licking a newborn, dousing me in the salty seas' saliva. Sometimes the undertow sucked my feet right out from underneath me. And sometimes it slammed me back to the sands. At one point, the seas saw fit to slip my belly ring right off of me. The belly-ring that I had in place for 15 years. The belly ring that marked my youth. The belly-ring that doctors simply taped down during surgery because I didn't have the nerve to remove it and their technician decided that he didn't either. Mother nature saw fit to steal my turquoise away, splashing salt water upon the wound & leave me with a new freckle right above the navel thus marking another stage in life.

So now, I want more ink & I'm not alone. (Singleton, I found this little yellow butterfly just for you)
Little Jose, one of the wayward boys, I took to the beach is six years old. He had 20 bucks to spend as he saw fit & his materialistic desires were two-fold.
One...he wanted a hermit crab
Two...he wanted a tattoo.


One of the surfshops offered henna tattoos at a not-so-reasonable rate. Jose was SOLD! He thumbed through the books of flash & found a pic he liked. It was big... well, twenty-two dollars big. But the henna-artist pointed out that he had the same design in a fourteen dollar size. Jose looked up at me. I shrugged my shoulders...'It's your money babe, just remember you want a hermit crab & he'll need food.' Jose looked back up at the artist and concluded. 'No, I want this big one & I only want to spend ten dollars.' He sighed heavily, 'You're just gonna copy it, right?' The artist smiled, 'OK kid...I get it. Ten bucks for the big one.'
He chose a scorpion because they are red and red is his favorite color, even if the tattoo only comes in one color~ henna.


Mermaid, dragonfly & fairie tattoo's just fascinate me.

My brother has a male fairy holding a violin and resting his head upon his bow...it's beautiful.

Inked by Eric Roberts of Prodigy Art in Silverspring, Maryland....I love the realistic appearance of this dragonfly. Give me a little more green in the wings...a little less black & a little more periwinkle blue in the body & make my tail two segments longer, please.


Above is a picture of a statue of a mermaid. She's beautiful & she looks like Kimbies. I know there are tattoo artists out there that could work wonders at bringing this basking beauty into the skin.

32 comments:

Kati said...

love your point of view! just stumbled here and plan to return to read your refreshing thoughts!

eric1313 said...

Your writing is really good!
I love the metaphors for growth and how their stages are marked by your tattoos, marked forever, these graceful pictures of youth carried skin deep but displayed with pride. And the mermaid satue is priceless.

Thanks for the thoughts.

skinnylittleblonde said...

Kati~ TY for stumbling on in. Reading your post about smiling in the face of darkness...I think that a little butterfly sent you my way, so that I could follow you back to the wise reminder!

eric1313-TY and it's a pleasure to meet you! I followed your trail, like Kati's, and was wonderfully & delightfully pleased at what I stumbled into!

singleton said...

You know how I feel about this SLB....thirsty tides take what they need to rock and roll and when their bellies are full, and they have had enough, and they roll over to loll in the sun, they leave little gifts in the sand, under their salty drool.....
You'll find it when it's meant to be....in the shape of ink, a lucky coin, a shadow dance.....in the shape of another day....
ILYSVVFM....

Beerspitnight said...

now I'm just trying to show off...
Tat1
Tat2
Tat3

singleton said...

beerspit....
you show off well!

Scott from Oregon said...

Pretty women should not spoil a good thing with ink and ugly women should keep their clothes on...

SHE said...

love it, love it, love it. every word, every thought

every great vision

so tender the henna;
so profound the tattoo

hair color, eye color, skin color... we see what's outside.

henna, tattoo's and art
we see what's inside

-how nice it is to be seen inside and out.

Bardouble29 said...

OHHHH! I figured out what I am getting for my tattoo! I wish us girls could go together!!!

skinnylittleblonde said...

Singleton~ I know you're right & my belly ring was nothing I needed. What I need, like you, is another damn vaction...a celebratory one! ILYAKSVM

BeerSpit~ I don't even know how you were able to do that, put pic links in comments, but thank you. I loved your work. It's my pleasure to have you show off a bit here! ;)

Scott~ LOL, typically I try to keep my clothe on.

She~ Lol, I love you words here. Inside out!

barD~ When, where, what????

Special Note to all commenters from Post Removed. Thank You & I apologize.

SpongyBones said...

Wow so you finally return! With stories too that make my day! Pictures to go with it! Your every school boys dream! Hope you had fun! I dig them tatts they are cool as hell!

Angela Marie said...

This was great! I have wanted to get a tattoo, but never have... Hey where is the Temporary post! Put it back up! Girl, you have that won hands down! Paige, you look great! and should be proud!

I am glad that all of you had fun! I don't think that I could keep up with you though. I am feeling a little old these days... I have had my grand babies... and trying to keep up with them has done me in. I am really feeling it... uh, and then, yeah! Come over to your site late last night and see Temporary post. LOL! Put it back up! You are not evil! just keep spitting! giggle!

skinnylittleblonde said...

Spongy~ Thanks for bopping in Wild Child! Next year we want you to join us at the beach, the tiki bar, the seawall & the sandbar....

Angela Marie~ LOL, I am terribly embarrassed today by my reactions of yesterday... I'm really not so vain, more insecure is like it. I'm not proud, I'm tired & too old for that crud. I really appreciate the support. I guess I needed to stroke my own ego for a spell. That being said, the beach was wonderful. Kimbies & Singleton are ever so beautiful & wonderful & their love is infectious. If you didn't catch my little link under the mermaid pic... KIM IS IN REMISSION!

The power of peace & love carries the strength & beauty of Hurricanes & Butterflies!

skinnylittleblonde said...

OH & not that anyone other than me gives two shits, but I woke up this morning realizing that for another few months I am closer to 20, than I am to 60, and I re-pierced my belly. Gold Hoop In! Handmade Turquois Pendant are flapping in the breeze.
Sounds crazy, but when I first pierced my belly I was young, alone & down, but determined & still a believer of peace, love & me. In some screwed up way, it represents my youth, my beauty, my strength, perseverance & determination.
So anyway, hoops are in & the mermaids & dragonflies wait for some skin to crawl upon... for the moment.

Anonymous said...

Artists nowadays can "ink" just about anything you desire nowadays.

I do like that one of the dragonfly. It looks real.

You kept a drawing in your wallet all those years???

skinnylittleblonde said...

Hi Slick! Missed you, you Sumbich! The dragonfly does look real doesn't it! I love the shadow, as well.
Yep, in fact I just took it out about 5 years ago. The original was from when I was like 13 & I used it to taunt my mother...'see this, one day I'm gonna get this tattooed on me' LOL, bless her patient, kind, sweet lovin' soul!

Me said...

Mother nature can be as cruel as she can be kind.

Me said...

(Good to see you back in action. Missed you, lots)

singleton said...

Congrats on fixing the belly thing! Shine on sweet slb, ILYSVVFM!

eric1313 said...

Well, thank you very much for the welcome. You and your group of friends are imensely tallented writers and artists. I'll link you as well. Thanks!

eric1313 said...

I'm terrible with spellchecking. Thanks for reading my work and any time you have a suggestion say it.
Thanks

skinnylittleblonde said...

Orhan~ Oh Yeah I definitely try to never fool with or second guess Mother Nature. in the long run, she'll always have her way. Missed you much & wondered if we gave you a years notice, if you'd meet us at that Tiki Bar?

SIngleton~ GILY...yup, I'm still clinging & swinging!

eric~ Lol, link as you like...at least, that's what I do. Your writing is beautiful & you need no suggestions from me. P&L.

Angela Marie said...

This is so wonderful to read about Kim being in remission! I don't know how I missed that before. This must have been more than just getting together. This was a time to really Celebrate for all of you! I am so happy for her and your family!

Me said...

I might just take you up on the offer..

mindy said...

so, no more belly ring?? i still have mine too. i didn't even take it out my entire pregnancy! i wonder how long i'll keep it. this summer, i'm getting a new tattoo. a lotus. :)

skinnylittleblonde said...

Oh Angela Marie... a time to celebrate indeed. Never to deny reality, but we never gave up the faith. Your loving support feeds that faith! TYSVM!

Orhan ~ I'm working on some plans & will keep you posted.

Mindy~ A Lotus?! How beautiful! You will have to post a picture! Well, I gave in & re-pierced my belly yesterday...not trying to fool with Mother Nature or anything, but I'm going through some changes & that little ring represents some self-empowering things to me.

singleton said...

orhan...
do it!

kj said...

skinny, i am 99% sure i am getting a tatoo for my 60th (oh geez) birthday in august. what the hell. i like that i will be able to tell a good story of why and when i got it. i think it will sound especially fine when i am 85.

i recently read that the tatoo industry is the 4th fastest growing in the usa.

:)

skinnylittleblonde said...

KJ~ Life is for living & if that's what you want to do, go for it. No harm done. Your stat doesn't surprise me, as so many people have them nowadays. So whatcha planning on getting?

Anonymous said...

Hmmm what an amazing Mermaid!!! When does it go on ebay? :) Is this beauty in your yard if so where did you find her? Hi Paige I miss you~

skinnylittleblonde said...

LOL, Lotus we will probably never see her on ebay. She is life size & is located on the grounds of Barnsley Gardens... a resort here in north Georgia. One day, a smaller version will hopefully appear on my shoulder ;)
Sister & I have spoken about you so much & are so glad you tracked us down. We have missed you much too!

Unknown said...

I have the exact same tattoo as your brother, male fairy with violin. I would like to send you a pic of mine if you want. Let me know.