Ink and Honesty
Here we are… Or here I am… I might have zero clue where you are, or what you are thinking.
I finally decided to put up the site. It was roughly constructed about two years ago. Crazy enough, for how rough it was (and still is), it took me a few months of consistent work. Then, as what happens to a lot of us, life got overwhelming. I started the site right after the passing of one of, if not my closest friend, Adam and not long after the passing of another person who really impacted me in the short time I knew her. I didn't give those things much time to process. During the same time, we all got to experience the uncertainty of a Covid-World, with no idea when life might resume.
So... I halted my own momentum. I realized that I should put it into the world regardless of how it was perceived, or even if only a handful of people view and appreciate it.
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The hand tattoo.
I got my hand tattooed on Wednesday. You can look at the picture for reference. It's a partial compass, and partial clock, two classic (or cliché) tattoos, with the clock set to 6:20. The essence of the tattoo is to be a constant reminder that our time here on this Earth is limited and we shouldn't waste it. It not the first time I have said this and it won't be the last. We need to go where we want now, while we can. We need to do what makes us happy, while we can.
Obviously I am obsessed with travel. I have always loved maps, compasses, clocks. I have always been a complete nerd. Even later with fitness, I jumped straight into the science (anatomy, rep schemes, nutrition). The compass has the points for North and West, with the north point extending out to my index finger. North being the primary point of reference, and West being the direction I traveled to get to Japan. The clock, with the numerals from I to VII, with the hands at 6:20. I set it to 6:20, because June 20th is when Adam passed away.
Not a day goes by where he doesn't cross my mind and I think I better suck up my depressed feelings and do something that actually matters. I can still hear his voice talking shit to me about being in a bad mood. His unique, snarky tone to rip on and poke at his friends was fantastic. A conversation between us, and other friends of ours was guaranteed to be a hilarious one to eavesdrop on with our sarcasm, and often horribly deep digs.
Along with Adam, and other friends that have passed, I want to think of those that are still with us and battling to stay with us. Another one of the closest people in my life is in a fight. That person was given a grim prognosis back in April, but they are not going out easily. He is kicking and fighting and reminding me not to waste what we can enjoy currently. Sometimes I think he is trying even harder to make sure I live my life to the fullest for him. I think I can find it in myself to do that much more easily when it (at least seems) less selfish. Given any other situation, that would certainly be an unhealthy justification for behavior.
NO PLAN Bs.
Location... I wish I had gotten tattoos in very visible places much earlier in life in order to really push me away from a typical 9-5 situation. No fail-safe plans or back-ups. “Job Stoppers” as they used to be termed; hands, neck, face. An old friend had a tattoo in the middle of his forehead from a young age and I always respected that. He knew he better make it at the music or wrestling game because Bed Bath and Beyond might not be in his employment future. I thought that as I often ate crow from rich people working retail near Keystone at the Crossing in the rich part of Indy for a few years. My old boss Deb wouldn't have let the hand tattoo ring out someone's Flax Seed Oil.
Lastly, for anyone needing a tattoo artist, I encourage you to reach out to my buddy Mitch Preston at Underdogs Tattoo Gallery in New Castle. I had about six tattoo artists that I didn't love throughout the years. I always hoped I would find one that I just vibed with. One of my dear, sweet friends ended up as the receptionist for Underdogs a while back and through her I met two dudes, Mitch and Chad. I love those guys and they just happened to be two of the best tattoo artists I have ever seen. I am thrilled to send business their direction.
Anyway, that is the long story long version of it. I'll write to you all again soon.
