For as long as I can remember, I have always been the dutiful, quiet, bland child in my family. Being the oldest, I was expected to be like that. Set a good example for my younger sister. But deep inside, I longed to express my wild side, to show that I wasn't truly meant to be the goody older sister stereotype. Wow, isn't that all cheesy. Well, let's move on, shall we?
At A Glance Author Miss Mab Contact alexandrite@adelphia.net When A year ago Artist Rob Studio Buddha's Body Art Location Erie, PA I've always been drawn to the world of piercings and tattoos. Being raised around a bunch of bikers, it tends to rub off, you know? So, I was determined to get a piercing before I graduated, but, I didn't want a piercing that everybody else had, like the eyebrow, the side of the lip, etc. I wanted something different, something no one else had that would truly make me stand out as an individual. While searching the internet, I managed to find BME, and all their wonderful coverage on different piercings. My eyes finally landed on one that was absolutely different (to me, at least) and wonderful: the vertical labret.
I knew from the moment I saw it, I wanted it done. But, there was the problem of convincing my parents to let me get it done. I don't know how many times I talked to them (calmly, of course) to let me get it done, they said no. I finally convinced them, after I told my mom that my sister pierced her own nose and belly button. Cruel, I know, but it let my parents see that I was responsible enough to want a professional do it than do it myself.
Once all that was done with, I promised my parents that I would save up my own money to pay for it, and my dad told me that I could get it done after my birthday. That was where most of my money to pay for the piercing came from, after all. My dad called up his biker friend Scobey, who knew Rob, a piercer and tattoo artist, very well. Yeah, my dad has connections, which is lucky for me. Anyway, the date was et for August 17 at 2 PM, a couple weeks after my birthday. I couldn't wait.
So, time past, my birthday came and gone, and I waited. Finally, August 17 came, and I was ready to go. Almost. I set my alarm for noon, so I could get ready, but somehow I set it for midnight. Lovely. My dad woke me up, yelling at me that we're going to be late. I had enough time to get dressed, and soon we were off. After a half hour, we finally arrived at Buddha's Body Art. I must say this now, this is the only place I will ever go to for piercings and tattoos. This is probably the best place in and around Erie, and I wouldn't go anywhere else.
We get in there, and the lady behind the counter (I wish I knew her name, she's very friendly) asks what I want done. I tell her I want a vertical labret. She's says ok, and hands me the necessary papers to fill out. After that's done, my dad and I sit and wait on Rob, who was working on a girl's tattoo. After what seems like forever, he finally calls me into the piercing room. It's nice and clean, like the place should be, and Rob shows me the autoclave, the needle he'll use, and the jewelry, all in individually sealed packets, proving how well everything is sterilized. He then cleans my lip, and put two marks on it, for where the needle will go. I go to a mirror to check to see if everything's to my liking. The dots looked a little crooked, but after moving them where I thought was straight, Rob pointed out that it would turn out crooked. I decided to go back to the original placement, since I had more faith in his skills than my excited perception.
I sat back down, and he put the clamp on my lip. Honestly, I didn't feel it, despite other people's claims, but that's just me. So, with the needle ready, Rob asks me to breath in, then out. As I did, he stuck the needle through. My eyes squeezed shut from the pain, and I could feel and hear (or so I thought) the needle pop through every layer of my lip. It was so weird, yet amazing at the same time. He then threaded the jewelry in. I was so shocked by happened, that I could only say one thing, even though it's incredibly stupid and obvious.
"Is my lip bleeding?"
A second after that, I mentally slapped myself. Of course it's going to bleed! But I didn't care. Rob handed me gauze or a tissue (I can't quite remember) to hold over my lip until it stopped bleeding. He took me out to show my dad, who thought it looked good. I remember seeing this girl and her friend looking at me in amazement. Guess they never seen a vert. labret before! So, Rob gave me an aftercare sheet, and I paid the $40 for my piercing (seems a little expensive, but I didn't care). I grabbed a couple bumper stickers, said my goodbyes, and left. I swear, I couldn't stop staring at it for a week. It was so cool, and it was something I had done to express myself. It remained swollen for a week, which during that time, my sister started calling me "n**** lip". It really was annoying.
It's been over a year since I got it done, and I'm still proud of it. No one else has done a vert. labret piercing, which means I can bask in the glory of my individuality (at least, in my town). If you want to get one done, go for it. As long as you're prepared for all the "Did that hurt?" questions.
Also, if you live near Erie, Pennsylvania, I definitely recommend Buddha's Body Art. It's a great place to go for everything, and they've even won awards for the work they've done. Lately, I've been hearing a lot of people at my school put down Buddha's for other less known shops, but I still think Buddha's is the best in the area. I plan on going back for a tattoo and a septum piercing. And I know I won't be disappointed.