Hot Topic Girl

Alrighty, so today was a day of much awsomeness. After getting off of work (which lasted too long and was just plain horrible) the Roomie and I decided to go mall hopping for a bit. So we jump on the bus and ride to the mall. We shop around for a little bit, I buy some jewelry and clothing, she buys a shirt for work and treats me to diner, and then get on the bus to go back home. While on the bus I ask if she would mind if we stopped of at the local tattoo shop because I want to get one of my more recent piercings checked out as well as a high quality ring earing for my cartilage (I try not to buy cheap mall stuff for anything but lobes.) So I pick out the ring and then accept the offer to get it put in for free (because i have big sausage fingers and can never get it in right.) I come out and my Roomie has a huge grin on her face.

Roomie: "I am making an appointment for Sunday!"
Me: "Appointment for what?"
Roomie: "For my tattoo!"

My roommate is getting a tattoo on Sunday and i am so freaking excited. Both of us were jumping around and just getting all giddy in the shop. This is something she has wanted for a while now and now she is going to get it! So of course since she is getting a tattoo on Sunday and since I want to come anyway, I too will be getting some work done. Don't worry rents (yes, my parents read my blog) it won't be tattooing, I am well aware of the consequences for that one, but I would like to inform you (out of respect) that I will probably have more holes in my head the next time you see me.
It is at this point that i would like to take a little time to talk about how and why I am addicted to piercings.

My first set of piercing came as an exchange of services. My mother didn't want me to suck my thumb any more and I wanted to be able to wear earrings. The deal was struck and off to Claire's we went. Add: one to each lobe = two lobe. The second one came rather randomly when walking around the mall with my mother and simply asking, "can I get my second one?" she said yes, and another trip to Claire's ensued. Add: one to left lobe = three lobe. My third pierce is my most precious, and is the most important one for me. I received my first cartilage piercing in Canada over memorial day weekend of the summer before my junior year. I got it done with one of my best friends, Mo, and we each got one. A couple of weeks later she was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) and she died in December of 2007. Throughout her treatment she kept having to take the earing out and was worried it might heal over, it never did and we matched till the day she died. Add: one cartilage to right side = four. The next two piercings happened only this year. I decided I wanted to be rebellious after entering my first year of college so i went to the local tattoo shop and got what is called an industrial done. An industrial is when two separate piercings are done in the cartilage part of your ear. Then a metal pole is slid between the two and secured with two bar bell bearings. Add: two cartilage to left side = six. My last, and most recent two, were done with my friend while at a mall. It was the anniversary of Mo's death and Megan (I am giving up on the nickname thing, it was fun, but now it is just stupid) and I decided we would go get some holes punched in our heads to commemorate an amazing friend. You have to understand about Megan and I; we both have the exact same perspective when it comes to things like piercings and tattoos, they are amazing and addictive. Megan received her second set of lobes and I received the third on my left lobe and the second on my right. Add: two lobes = eight piercings altogether. My next desired piercing is called a rook. It is done through the long ridge on the inside of the ear and also requires two separate holes. Add: two cartilage = ten piercings. Notice how I stick with my ears a lot? Part of this is because I don't like scaring the other part is that I am a bit of a chicken and like sticking to what i know. If I were to venture onto other parts of my body it would likely be: eyebrow or nose.

There is something amazingly primal and exhilarating about getting pierced. It is a rush and a total adrenaline shock to the system. I see it as an art form, and one of the oldest known ones at that. Adorning yourself with jewelry is one thing, but integrating that jewelry into yourself is a whole different experience. Mixing the flesh with the metal and the pain with the amazing feeling of conquering that pain. It is taking two natural elements and combining them. Lastly, I like shinny things, and the more holes I have the more shinny things I can put through them. If you know what I mean, then you know what I mean. If you don't then chances are no amount of explanation is going to help you with that.

I am so excited. I hope you all can be excited for me too. :)

Think outside the box,
~Singing Ginger