Why a Tattoo?

I had to have been around fifteen years old when I first decided I wanted a tattoo. Not immediately -- this was something to do in the future, like getting a job and my own place to live. At first it seemed like something cool to do. At that age, you start to draw fake tattoos on your body with permenant marker. But that marker just isn't permenant enough sometimes. I wanted a real one.

When I started working at Mary's Corner Market (Marathon gas station) in 1999, I saw tons of customers with tattoos. I would ask them questions, ask to see more, why they got it, why that choice of one, etc. My manager at the time, Ray, had a whole sketch for how he was going to cover his back in inkwork. He is pictured below, where you can see his pretty tribal arm band. He and I got close and he was determined to help me get my tattoo. I keep hesitating and it never got done.



By 2001 I had decided that I wanted a tattoo as a gift to myself, half for completing another exhausting year at college and so I could have it to show off in the summer. Plus I was really depressed and wanted something to cheer me up, I had the money. A treat for myself. My long awaited tattoo seemed a perfect choice.