Old-Lady Tattoo
80
Body art or disfigurement?
I was never a fan of tattoos, considering them to be permanent disfigurement and only for bikers and punks, until I discovered that it is an art which may or may not be gross, depending on a variety of circumstances. I didn't consider getting a tattoo until I was thirty-eight. I reckoned that was an age suitable for such a decision -- I would choose a design that I would not later regret and I fully understood the consequences of my actions. And besides, tattooing was not permitted in South Carolina at the time, so it would mean a short trip to Savannah, Georgia -- a city I thoroughly enjoy (except on St. Patrick's Day).
What made it more fun was that a group of older students was already going with just such an errand in mind, so I decided to accompany them. They thought it hilarious that their English professor was going along, and I was intrigued by their plans, designs, and motivations in getting tattoos. One student had a spouse in the military, and was getting a tattoo to match one that the spouse had. One student had designed her own -- an intricate Celtic Tree of Life with circular swirls and Celtic embellishments -- that she was going to have tattooed on her lower back, over that chakra (whichever that one is, I get them mixed up). One student was having a rose tattooed on her big toe. I wasn't sure what design I would get, but I would know it when I saw it. I knew the destined body-part that was going to receive these tiny inked injections, and that would influence the design to some degree.
We went to The California Tattoo Company (the old one, on Whittaker Street), which was the first tattoo parlor to open in Savannah. The guys who apply the tattoos were licensed, clean-looking (long hair tied back, etc.) and eager to have us inspect the place, proud of the cleanliness of their individual workstations and anxious to help. We must have looked like a bunch of church ladies. I wonder what they thought? Debbie showed them the design she had drawn, and not only was it no problem, but I think two of the guys almost duked it out to see which one would get to do the tattoo. Meanwhile, I wandered around and studied all the designs on the walls, looking for the one that would appeal to me most. I quickly found it, in a series of lizards that looked kinda native American. I didn't want the whole design, just one lizard, and that was no problem at all. I forget the young guy's name, but he was very pleasant and helpful, so I pulled out my left boob and showed him where I would like the tattoo applied. As he worked, he showed me that the needles were all sterilized and gave a little history of his career (he looked to me to be about twenty, but it seemed he had been licensed for some years). He was very respectful and considerate, asking if I needed a rest at one point, as the application does hurt a little. In fact, he was sweet. We made all the requisite jokes about my breast being in good hands, but he was never once even slightly out of line with his banter.
My lizard is black, with a blue eye, and he is draped along the side of my left breast. If I wear a low-cut top, he is visible, but I usually don't. When I was a professor, I hid him under layers of professional fabric; now, though, I feel too old to be showing my flabby breasts in public too much. Here are a couple of photos, anyway.
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Comments
It's a free country and I try not to judge people in anything they do as long as it doesn't harm others. I don't have any tattoos but my son and step-son have them. It didn't make them different people. I did see a hilarious video of what happens to lower back tattoos as a young lady approaches middle age.
I don't think there's any doubt it's art, rather than mutilation; and I think your interesting choice of the lizard shows your artistic side. (I'm the sort who, upon considering any tattoos, would think along the lines of an eensy-weensy daisy or almost microscopic butterfly (both uninteresting and un-artistic); which essentially tells me that I'm really the non-artistic, blank-canvas sort. :) ) Then again, if I had that lizard I would be tempted to make stick-on hats for "him", depending on my moods and any holiday seasons. :)
hmmm. surprising. I'm not saying where mine is, but it's a whole ruler in scale, done when drunk and thanks for the great hub.
Why is it surprising, CC? That I have a tattoo, or that I wrote about it? lol. I won't try to guess where yours is. I think I'd rather not know!
Very interesting. I'm surprised, yet I'm not. Funny how that is. I didn't picture you to be 'the type', yet after you unfold the story, it seems so fitting. Maddening, when you really think about it. Congrats on your tat. :)
By the way, CC.....when you mention "being drunk", "not saying where" and "ruler"......OH MY! That had to hurt!!!
Were you a hippie girl? haha, lol just kidding. If I may, I don't think your left boob looks flappy. Pretty well put in that bra, if you ask me!
LOL.....down boy, down.....LMAO Who let the dawgs in? woof, woof, woof, woof.....
Just kidding...I couldn't resist. I agree RK.....Teresa's got it going on! *hi-five*
Why thank you, kind people, for the compliments. My boob appreciates your kindness!
RK, she has nice cleavage, that's why I was so surprised, she showed it. Oh prof.
KCC, dumbest thing I ever let my buddies talk me into. sore and pain does not do justice to what I went through.
Wow guys -- is this hub inappropriate for a retired professor to publish? Maybe I should un-post it.
Sometimes I look at some tatoos other guys have. Some have an arm band or a design on their leg. I think if I went in for one I would have them do a bicycle chainring mark on my right calf. There's one there half the time all summer anyway!
Gee Willikers, Teresa, what a revealing hub. I wish I had a good reason to post my boob on a hub, but it would barely be a blip without a lizard or something. In another thought ... I hope to never have a lizard of any kind on any normally protected part of my anatomy.
What fun, though to hve it done as a communal and bonding experience with your students. I'm sure they will always remember you.
I had my ears pierced at age 35 and thought that was pretty daring-- I just got tired of losing my clip-ons.
And don't you dare un-post this. I'm taking a screen shot.
Don't you dare, Teresa! It's a great hub! It's not inappropriate!
Funny KCC-- I know you didn't see mine.
You never cease to amaze us. (and delight us as well!)
No,no Teresa. I love it and your lizard boob is about to make me wax poetic. woo-hoo We just havin' fun here tonight haha
Teresa, you never cease to amaze me! I'd never have guessed you the type for a tatoo anywhere.
C.C., I await your poetic waxing with great anticipation!
Hey Ms English Professor! That was so cool that you went with your students! I love the strory behind the tattoo and how you got it! I remember exactly my frame of mind at the time of getting each of my tattoos ;-) Now don't go unposting this, eh? :-)
Wow! What a great story, Teresa! Thanks for sharing.
Love and peace
Tony
PS - I don't have a tattoo but my older daughter Sarah does and I think its, as she would have said a few years ago, "way cool!"
Brilliant that you did it with your students and a lovely choice of design and situation ! I've not got one but have been thinking of getting a small red devil tattoed on my hip bone. Wht red? Why a devil? And why my hip bone? If ever I get it done I'll write a hub about it.
BTW - I'm not surprised that you have a tatoo - I'll bet that you have a few other surprises that you could hub about .............
i think all old ladys should get tatoos. it should be a law!!!
I like the tattoo and the hub
Don't dare unpublish this, Teresa! Once word gets out your boobs on this, you'll be raking in the bucks and that will surely help with your school. Besides, it's a nice boob and a great tattoo.
Yeah, what Frieda said! :-)
Great hub! There really is no "type" of person that gets tattoos. I just wrote a hub called "Good Girls Get Tattooed, Too." I'm the type you wouldn't expect to have a tattoo either... let alone 4 of them! :)
Thank you all for your comments -- I've been scared to read them, in case you were all disgusted at me for boob-slinging in public; you are all very kind!
I'm nevr scared, except when I see the ones down to knees. LOL
very cool, I got my tat on my right arm, a big ass dragon that goes from shoulder to elbow, I need some more work on it though, its gettin' faded
if I hadn't gotten the lizard, I would have gone with a dragon design -- but it was too big, and had too many colors (I wanted something simpler). Yeah, the ink does fade, doesn't it?
how can you mangge to write such wonderful hubs?
Read your hub a few days ago, but did not comment as sudden disaster struck! (one of the kids got hurt. Turned out to be nothing serious) How brave of you. I myself am too paranoid to get one, but if I did, it probably would have been a steal your world peace. (the grateful dead skull with a world peace in the middle.) Loved your hub.
Thats cool. =D I'm getting two tattoos soon. One will be on my left arm, and it will say "Made in China," and the right will say "Assembled in Mexico"
=)
I missed this when you first published it - glad I found it! I've always been too chicken to even think about the voluntary pain of a tatoo....maybe I should think about it while I still have pain meds :-)
LOL, okay Dineane, then all my children will be "tattoed ladies!" You could get Camille to design it.
I have also been (and still am) too chicken. I also have difficulty making up my mind and that alone is enough to keep me at bay lol...I have always admired a person who knew what they wanted and went for it...kudos...
nice hub. I think is sexy a tatoo for ol lady.
Sally's Trove says:
7 months ago
Ah, decisions and regrets. All on the same boob. Isn't that life?
TX Teresa, another wonderful window into a spectacular woman's life.
(Yes, I've inspected the lone semicolon...gorgeous.)