Friday, December 7, 2012

The "Yep, I'm Heading To The Tattoo Studio" Story


It was an ordinary day.  Starting to think about my trip to the tattoo studio next week.  I have been thinking of having a tattoo for quite a few years now and the fellow that runs the studio called "Transcendenting Flesh" in downtown Lancaster was a student of mine when he was in high school.  Great talent in the late 80s and he has put that talent to work in his tattoo studio.  My friend Jerry and I both talked about having a tattoo and I must admit, he beat me to it.  Two years ago he had a palm tree and some water tattooed on his arm in color.  At first I thought it was one of those fake tattoos so I rubbed and rubbed it, but didn't come off.  He had this smirky smile on his face like he did it and I didn't.  So, I'm heading to see Steve next week.  But, not for the same reason that you think.  Ha, you thought I would really do that?  Not ready quite yet!  I'm going to the studio to take some photos for a story about what you have to go through to get a tattoo.  My youngest son, Tad, is getting a tattoo as a remembrance of his grandmother's passing.  Having "Dorothea" in script letters with an African Violet, her favorite, underneath it.  Not sure she would approve, but I guess she's not going to be able to talk him out of it.  He did the same thing when my father died.  I wrote a story about that also, but this time I actually am going with him to visit with the artist Steve and see how it is done.  I anticipate an antiseptic smelling-like room with all kids of needles and colored tubes of ink all over the place.  Maybe a projector above the table where you lay, or do you really lay down or sit up.  I don't know!  You'll find out along with me, in vivid color.  I just hope that I can survive my visit.  Usually don't mind seeing blood, as long as it isn't my own, but I'm not sure about my son.  We'll see!  I was telling my wife about my trip and then she pulls out an article from her lunch bag about the SF 49er's quarterback Colin Kaepernick and all the tattoos he has.  Seems that there is some conflict in the religious sector as to whether getting a tattoo is upright or not.  Is it really a pagan ritual?  Should a Christian ...... or any human being for that matter ...... get a tattoo?  Seems that in the Old Testament in the book of Leviticus 19:28 it says, "You shall not make any cuts on your body or tattoo yourselves."  There it is in black and white people.  But is it the same if you get a colored tattoo.  The pastor who is writing the article seems to think that if you are getting tattoos to glorify the things of the world, the flesh, and the devil, it is wrong.  But something as neat as a remembrance to your grandmother, that is to glorify the Lord and Maker of the universe.  With me on this?  The pastor actually considered what he would tattoo on himself if got one.  Hasn't yet, but maybe .......  Hey, he's the same as me.  He also points out that in Leviticus 19:19 that it says it is wrong to wear a garment of cloth made of two kinds of material, then he goes on to say his shirt is a 90/10% blend that he has on as he writes his article.  So, go figure.  Anyway, he probably has different reasons for not getting one just yet.  For me, it's because I'm scared.  See how I survive the photo session!!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. T

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