HE'S (ALMOST) GONE

On my way to work today I received a text from my EX. We have been on decent terms, and it's been months since my relationship scars have had time to heal. The fact that he is moving away isn't new news, and I have had time to think or consider the implications. 

I am beyond happy for his opportunity. And it's not as if we would would ever get back together. 

And I'm happy...for him. 

But it's bittersweet for ME. I'll say it as plain as I can, it's another person I was or am close with that is moving away. And it makes me sad. Not depressed, but...

...CHICAGO just seems to be a weighing station for people. A friendly, yet diverse city for those that need to get the fuck out of wherever, almost a stepping stone. Not to be an "old salt", but I have seen it so many times. An there's nothing wrong with moving on. 

But I am a ROCK here. Quiet. Unassuming. Is it condescending to think I don't need to a take a similar journey from small town to big city? Or perhaps I have. 

Last night, someone, drunk, peeked at the tattoo of the Chicago flag on my left arm, and grudgingly accepted it. I almost hit this person on his drunk face. But I didn't. Because these days I feel calm. Boring, yes, but have no need to live the "high life". 

All I want is to live with dignity, patience, and maybe a measure of sobriety. 

PS - Bulgarian Beer is the TITS. 

I FINALLY DID IT...

The world is divided into two kinds of people: those who have tattoos, and those who are afraid of people with tattoos. ~Author Unknown

Not sure how true that is, but one thing is for sure, after tonight I now fall into the former category. For years I've been wanting to get some work done, but I guess I just never got around to it. One of my first blog posts was about my intention to get a Louis Sullivan design on the back of my neck (see it here).

After much consideration I decided that was too ambitious for my first time (kinda like losing your virginity to Grady Sizemore). Last Saturday I got high with my friend and I suddenly decided we both needed to get tattoos RIGHT NOW.

My friend, who possesses mad design skills made a template for me and off we went. And what did I choose? I decided to follow in my dear Mother's footsteps and get a dolphin on my ankle, just like hers. Here's the end result:

Kidding! Fuck that shit. Naw - see I wanted to get something fairly simple, but also something TOTALLY RAD. Also, something close to my heart, something that will age well, and something...well, rather than describe it, here's the actual template I used:

And no, that is not an Israeli flag (for some reason people seem to confuse that with the Chicago flag. Not sure why or how, but that's neither here nor there).

Friend measured it out so it would wrap around my arm. Then we went and got quotes and put down a $50 deposit, making a joint appointment for today. All week I've been waiting and waiting, totally anxious and excited for game day.

Since my friend was perfecting his design until the very last minute, I went alone to the tattoo parlor and proceeded to lose my "ink cherry". Surprisingly, it really didn't hurt, and at one point, I found myself enjoying the feeling of the needle punching into my flesh...

...until, that is, the tattoo artist got to the "north branch" blue strip (the blue strips represent the north & south branches of the Chicago river) on the inside of my arm, near my armpit. Holy Shit - that hurt like a bitch. My friend told me later that my hand was shaking. Oh well...no pain, no gain!

My good friend Jim Beam has dulled the post tattoo pain, and my arm is all wrapped up again in plastic. God, I cannot wait until I can take this shit off - although at that point the un-sexy scabbing should begin. Cross one thing off my list of things I want to do before I die!

HAPPY 4th! :)

LOUIS TAT

For the last few years I’ve wanted to get a tattoo but I could never choose am image to permanently adorn my body, but I really want this Louis Sullivan drawing applied at the base of my neck, just above my shoulders. I’m thinking it would be about 3 ½ by 3 ½ and the color of oxidized copper. The challenge now is finding someone capable of replicating it; however I have a friend who can do the initial drawing.