So some of you may have notices... or not... that I have a tiny dragon tattoo on my left hip. He is approximately 7cm tall and 5.5cm wide (at his head).
And for my first tattoo, surprisingly a lot of thought went into him.
So first thing you need to know is that I am a reader. In face I am currently in desperate need to manufacture a new bookshelf as I have run out of space on my current shelves. I have been reading since I was very mini.
The second thing you need to know is that during my high school years I discovered Terry Pratchett and his marvelous Discworld.
So at the age of 16, I came across a book which combined my love of reading, my love of the Discworld and fed my need to get a tatoo (and you know, be a complete rebel). The book was 'The Last Hero' illustrated by Paul Kidby.
Of course all the illustrations were fantastic. Of course I wanted them all. Alas I knew that I could only choose one. It was initially going to be the Death of Rats, who is arguably the best character of them all.
But I always loved the idea of dragons, and eventually came to the conclusion that a dragon tattoo would be way better. So I decided to pour over each dragon in the book (and if you have ever read the book, you will know that there are a few dragon pictures). Eventually I came across one who looked like he would be a great match for me.
But now of course I was still only 16 years old. Which means by South African law, if I did not find a guardian to sign for me, I was unable to get the tattoo. Still being a marginally good girl, I decided to wait. And thus I promptly photocopied my little dragon picture and had him on my wall for the next two years.
Needless to say that when it came to my 18th Birthday I was so in love with my dragon, I could not wait any longer to get him done. I hopped into my then boyfriends Ford Anglia....
which was actually painted VW blue and I no longer have a picture of...
And set off to Gateway Theatre of Shopping, to Electric Eye Tattoo and met my first tattoo artist Dylan.
He was very cool about the whole thing, although did not want to place my tattoo on my hip because of pregnancy distortion (yeah, because I was totally concerned about that at the age of 18.... I was just like 'Can we do this already? I have waited soooooo long!').
Being the gentleman, he had me for the last appointment of the evening, closed the shop and put screens up to protect my modesty. In hindsight that is a little funny.
It did not hurt at all, and I remember feeling intense relief at finally getting my dragon on me. He didn't even feel like a new addition to my body, and I did not need to get used to him. It was like he was meant to be there.
And that, is the story of my first tattoo.
He was named George by my ex.... although the name never stuck.
So a happier blog, thanks to the new Homework topic set by @missy and @rambo
