Ink

On this issue of Kathy's Quips: INK!

Yes, I want to get a tattoo or two. I've always been fascinated with body art (piercings, tattoos, etc.) I used to watch Miami Ink faithfully each week. I loved watching the artist come up with custom designs and taking beautiful works of art from their clients minds, transferring it to paper and then onto skin. The details and effort put into one piece of art, no matter how small, that is what fascinates me.

Tattoos are beautiful. They are art. Whether it's redundant designs like tribal tattoos or custom, one of a kind designs, tattoos are the untold stories. To me, it's like graffiti; totally underrated.

There's always a story behind each tattoo. Sometimes it's a profound and lengthy story about someone's past, their struggles and loves. Sometimes it's just a joke or a bet. Either way, it's a part of life. Much like memories, permanently etched onto your body.

Ever since I saw my first few episodes of Miami Ink, I wanted a tattoo. Kat Von D looks awesome. Of course, I don't think I'll ever get as many tattoos as her, nor will I get them in totally unusual spots like the side of my temples or my knuckles, but I do want my own tattoo.

I've given it a lot of thought over the past few years and I've finally come up with tattoos that I want to get. Yes, I said, "tattoos"; plural. I won't get them all in one go, but I definitely want more than one.

First, I want to get a cross on my left wrist. Like this:

Just a simple cross on my wrist. The cross means so much to me. Firstly, I'm a Catholic, born and bred. I love my faith and I love God. He's with me always. I have a cross pendant that I wear on my necklace everyday. It makes me feel safe. Whenever I'm sad or scared or happy, I can always hold that pendant in my hand and feel God with me. 

There have been times when I've forgotten to put my necklace on (being the forgetful and absent-minded young lady that I am) and those days have never been all that good. Either I have a bad day or I end up being totally un-Christian. So, I want this tattoo so that I can have my cross with me at all times. Even if I do forget my necklace, I have my cross with me. It's a reminder for those times when I forget that God is with me, always.

The next tattoo I want to get is this:

I want to get this tattooed on my left arm as well. But, I want to get it as a mirror image. How I make this clear...? (So, in real time, I took some time off writing to come up with this poorly constructed picture to give you a clearer idea of what I'm talking about). Behold:

The resolution isn't too good but I think you'll get the gist of it. You see, I can't decide which way I want to place the tattoo. Should I place it so that others can see it the right way up (like the one above the crook of my elbow) or should I place it so that it's the right way up for when I look at it (like the one below the crook of my elbow)? In the end, I decided that I want to do both because art is for everyone to enjoy: Everyone, as in other people as well as ME:)

This is the Simple Plan icon from their first album. This tattoo will be my tribute to them. The past 7 years of my life have been filled with Simple Plan and I foresee my future to be filled with Simple Plan too.

The next tattoo idea I have is to get a phrase on my left ankle in white ink. I want to get:

I want it to spiral around my left leg, near my ankle. This also has meaning, probably the one that is related directly to my mental health! Hahaha:) When I was young, and even now, I've always had this group of imaginary friends in my head. They are the ones I run things by, have debates with, and talk to when I'm bored. Some might say it's my conscience, some might say it's just my over-active imagination. I say it's a little of both. 

Ever since I was a small child, I used to talk to myself. My mind has always been one of my closest friends. I used to be very socially awkward. I never had many friends and I really didn't want to socialise. So, I'd always just fall back on my imaginary friends. I'm better with real social interactions nowadays but I still have a very active friendship with my inner mind. 

Sometimes people think that I'm lonely (they don't say it but I know, because they try and make conversation with me with this really pitying look on their faces). Hence, the tattoo.

That's it, really. These are the ideas I've come up with after years of contemplation. I really want to get these etched on my skin forever because firstly, they all have a profound meaning to me and secondly, it's art that I want to share with the world. Also, on a side note, they'd make pretty good conversation starters. Not to mention that other Astronauts will be able to identify me as one of their own at one glance :)

So, recap: 

1. a cross on my left wrist done in black
2. the Simple Plan old school icon (mirror imaged) above and below my left elbow done in full colour
3. "I am not alone; I have my imaginary friends" (without the quote marks) spiralling my left leg near the ankle done in white.

Of course, I've researched tattoo studios and parlours around KL. I've found one or two reputable places and I'm talking to people who've gotten tattooed as well. I know the importance of finding a good tattoo place that makes hygiene it's number one priority and has professional tattoo artists. 

Something that is permanent should be done properly and I'm taking all the precautions and checking everything I need to. It's like marriage, don't do it unless you're sure and you've found the right person.