I read somewhere once that less people take high school physics than get tattoos. The writer’s theory was that you should therefore express your individuality by taking Physics. So I took physics. I didn’t feel like an individual. I felt like a nerd. Not surprising since I like physics and am, in fact, a nerd.
I also like tattoos. I have been talking about getting one (or several) for a long time, but a less than friendly relationship with needles, among other things, has held me back. I think most people thought I was all talk. So finally, with the impending doom of my 25th birthday looming in the all too near future I got inked.
The words “Gardez Bien” are now permanently drawn on my chest. The Montgomery Family originally came from Scotland and this was their family motto. It means “Guard Well” or “Keep Well”.
My first tattoo experience taught me a few things:
1. It doesn’t not hurt, but it’s nowhere as bad as I thought it would be.
2. It takes a lot longer than Miami Ink would have you believe.
3. Don’t mention Miami Ink to your tattooist, unless they are, in fact, Miami Ink. If they are not chances are they consider those guys as being in it for the celebrity and not artists in it for the art. They will become agitated. You do not want someone who is about to spend the next hour or more stabbing you with inky needles to be agitated.
4. It really is addictive. I am already planning my next one. It will be much bigger, with lots of colours. Lets just hope it doesn’t take me turning 50 to finally get it done.
I got my tattoo at Talisman studio in Mississauga-Streetsville. They were awesome. Really great about explaining the whole process since it was my first one. Their artwork is amazing. And they are super crazy about being clean – they show you everything coming out of the sterile packaging to start and then chop it up and put it in the bio-hazard bin when you are done.
You can find Talisman Studio at 212 Queen St. South in Mississauga- Streetsville, Ontario, (905) 286 0786. They don’t take walk ins so give them a call. I highly recommend you check them out.