a new tattoo

Today finally came. I had been waiting to get this tattoo for some time and after a few income bursts I ended up with a little extra cash in my pocket and decided it was time for a new tattoo. Jesus is often depicted as an effeminate white dude in a robe carrying a lamb on his shoulders. This is not the carpenter who worked with his hands that scripture describes. This is not the guy who scared the sit out of the money changer in the temple. Today, tattoo #7 (the number of perfection) joined my body as badass Jesus. This is the kind of guy I could worship. This is the kind of guy who inspires others to follow.

So let me tell of the process. While I had much anticipation about this there was a little apprehension as well. I know these things hurt. In fact, I think it’s stupid when people ask if they hurt. Did they not wear a helmet as a child? Of course they hurt. A needle is dipped into ink and then repeatedly it outlines or fills a part of your skin with the ink. Fuck yeah it hurts. But it is a good kind of hurt. There is a heat and tickling sensation. Pain and pleasure are mixed in equal parts as you make a permanent statement with your body. Back to what happened today. Megan of Galaxy Ink in Ashland (go see her) shaved my calf and then applied the stencil she made. After filling in any marks that did not transfer she began the outline, words first then the face of Jesus. This hurt and felt good at the same time. I could see the skin raise into welts as the ink and needle did their magic. When the outline was finished she changed needle tips to one that had more needles for the shading process. She filled in all of the blank parts taking breaks every so often to wipe it down with what I term “wonder juice”. Not sure what this stuff is but I know it feels nearly as good as the climax of an orgasm as she wipes clean the area she has been working on and the cooling relief of this is immediate (I may have even moaned). There were areas of more intense pain, particularly toward the end but what a gift this was to have placed on my body.

A sacrament is an outward sign of an inward eternal grace. Today I received my seventh sacrament on my body. Thank God!