For Part 1, click here.
While I kept busy on the big day until we had to leave for my appointment to get my first tattoo, my Sister Rain logo, designed by Justin at Nowak Creative Studio, I did take a moment to ask my husband, “Should I really be doing this?” Without hesitation, he replied, “Yes.”
Arriving at Atomic Lobster, Dan greeted us, giving me paperwork to read and sign. As Mister Rain reviewed the document, I asked Dan how he had made out finding a color to match Sister Rain blue. “I nailed it!,” he exclaimed. He had combined two different ink colors to create my blue. I was touched.
Leading me to his chair, Dan asked which side I was putting the tattoo so he could set up accordingly. I had decided to place it on my right inside wrist, since that is the arm I use to write.
I was very interested in the tattooing process. Dan had taken the logo I had emailed him and turned it into a stencil. If you have ever put on a fake tattoo, like from a Cracker Jack box, it is similar to that. He printed the stencil, then he and Mister Rain helped me choose the size and exact location since I couldn’t properly see, taking pictures for me to enlarge the image. After thoroughly cleaning my wrist, Dan carefully positioned the stencil in the spot we had agreed upon. Wetting it, then applying pressure, he removed the backing.
Before he began to use ink, Dan told me he would first let me to feel the needle for a few seconds so that I I would be prepared when he began to color in the tattoo with ink. I did not flinch, make a sound, a face, nothing. While we listened to 80s on 8 on Sirius XM, Dan began to work. We talked about music and sports. Forty minutes later, it was done.
Dan covered the area in a clear material similar to Saran Wrap called Tegaderm. My instructions were to keep the dressing on for three days. I could get it wet but not submerge it. Once the Tegaderm was removed I was to wash it with soap and water, followed by a white, fragrance-free moisturizer several times a day. There could be scabbing and flaking, he said. Thanking Dan for his talent and kindness, we walked to the car.
“That hurt!,” I said. “It did?!?!,” Mister Rain asked, thinking I was kidding. I was not. “I kept watching your face and you seemed fine.” It had been uncomfortable while it was being done, now it was stinging like crazy. I am pretty tough; I was surprised that it felt the way that it had and did. Of course, the skin on the inside of your wrist is a sensitive spot.
Driving to dinner before going home, I felt different: a little proud of myself and a lot happy I had done it. It wouldn’t be completely real, though, until I took the dressing off and could run my fingers over the tattoo. It would feel like my skin always has . . . which is exactly the Sister-Rain-blue point.
For Part 3, click here.
#sisterrain #alittlesightalotofheart #legallyblindwriter #writer #writersofinstagram #humaninterest #life #lifeisgood #lifestories #behindthescenes #bts #atomiclobster #thedanschuster #nowakcreativestudio #atattooinbluepart2
