You know once you get the bug, the itch, the urge for a new mod, you just have to do it. No questions, no hemming and hawing, just go. Not counting the spontaneous stretching bug, the I-need-my-next-one bug occurs about every 3 months for me. Sometimes it's a piercing I've been seriously in love with for awhile, sometimes a tat I've spent months boarding out. Occasionally it's a completely spur of the moment, shows-up-in-a-dream-and-there's-no-forethought-involved type of mod.
At A Glance Author CarolynSpider Contact CarolynSpider@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Brian Demaio Studio Big Joe & Sons Tattoo & Body Piercing Location Yonkers, NY This is where my Monroe comes in. You see, she's been in the back of my mind for about a year, but she's never been pushy, allowing other more pressing mods to get ahead in line. But two nights ago I dreamt so vividly about walking into the studio and getting her, I just HAD to go yesterday. I don't have much choice in the matter when they come to me in dreams. I just go as a matter of course.
I decided to try a new place, Big Joe & Sons in Yonkers, NY. My friend has gotten some ink done there, and loved the guys, so I trusted my instincts and her suggestion. Granted it was a grey and rainy day, so there wasn't much foot traffic, but when I walked into the studio, it was quiet and calm. Sort of nice, actually. I could hear the buzz of the tat in the backroom, but otherwise a friendly and quiet atmosphere. Very, very clean and aesthetically uncluttered.
Two people were seated at the front desk, sort of hanging out, one of whom was to be my piercer. Brian. He stood up, introduced himself, shook hands and got the paperwork started ASAP. He left to get the supplies ready while I filled in the paper and chatted with the woman at the front. Once we were done with that bit of biz, he led me into his room and seated me on the chair/table. His room is super clean, uncluttered, bright and very accessible. He has pics of his little buddy, his son who is about 9 months old up on the wall, makes it more personal and friendly. He's a great guy, absolutely. Has a calm, professional energy about him, he's knowledgeable and smiles a lot. Good looking, too, which never hurts.
I'm not nervous about any of this, I thoroughly enjoy the anticipation and the pain and the whole experience. Brian chats with me about my other piercings and gets the sharpie out for marking the placement. The dot was in the perfect spot, so I turn back to him and he clamps my upper lip. Lifts up the lip to check the inner situation, puts it back down. Not too tight, but enough to feel a nice, heavy pressure. Needle in hand, he asks me to inhale, a deep inhale, and exhale. I can feel the needle going in, but only as a pressure. No pain, no pinch, no heat. Just pressure as the needle quickly and smoothly goes through the soft inner lip, through the middle layers and out through the skin in the front. Fun to watch. Huh. I'm slightly disappointed that there wasn't much sensation, but pleased with Brian's quick and steady hand. He pops in the jewelry, tightens it up and I'm good to go. I turn to look in the mirror and am beyond psyched! Its so F'ing cute! Love love love it. He goes over the aftercare and I pay him and tip him for a perfect piercing. He graciously accepts the tip, which is pleasant, he doesn't have that sense of entitlement that can ruin a genuine gesture such as giving a tip. We talk a bit about what I'm considering for my next mods and we shake hands, gives me his business card, etc. I leave the studio a very happy customer.
All in all, I think I was in there for about 15 minutes, start to finish. Perhaps even less time than that. It was the quickest, easiest and most pleasant piercing experience I've had in about a year. Who's better than Brian?!
Its day 2 now, and I've had zero swelling, zero pain, zero problems. Not even with eating, sleeping or kissing. I'll probably be able to switch out the post in a week instead of a month. This post isn't too long, but it still sticks out a bit more than I'd like, so I keep playing with it, kind of sucking it into my mouth, another pleasant experience, as it sort of tugs a bit on the front. Of course, the standard Listerine after everything, and washing my hands or using Purell every time I feel like I want to put my hands near my face is a bit inconvenient. But the temporary wrench in the routine is nothing in comparison to the beauty of this piercing. I'm looking forward to going back to pick out the new post next week. I'm definitely not a gemstone type of girl, but that's fine because he has a fabulous selection of jewelry on display. Either the blue titanium or simple black.
Can't wait to go back and get another piercing. And another. And another. And probably some more ink...