So, we were going to the movies last Saturday, but before we left Janine mentioned that she wanted to stop at Checkered Past. She had told me that she was thinking about a Tragus piercing. I told her that if she wanted one, we'd better leave soon since the movie started in two and a half hours. I also told her that if she was getting a piercing that maybe I would too.
At A Glance Author SpidR Contact SpidR@bme.anon Artist Wes Moore Studio Checkered Past Location new Cumberland, Pennsylvania We drove to Checkered Past, and it was packed! While we were there we saw a friend that had asked us what piercing shop we used. At our suggestion she went to Checkered Past. Good choice! Janine and I both love the shop. The employees are friendly, and the place smells great. Though I've never noticed, they must burn a lot of Nag Champa incense. Heidi asked us what we wanted, and Janine told her that she wanted a Tragus. As Heidi started going over jewelry choices with Janine, I opened up and said that I wanted a Hafada. Heidi said "Okay". Then I said "No, I want two"! Heidi grinned. I told her that I had originally thought about getting two Didoes, but had decided at the last minute to go with the Hafadas. She said that was a good choice, since Didoes sometimes migrated out.
Then Wes came out from the Piercing Room. It was great to see him. Heidi told him what we wanted, and he said he would do it but that he had a couple of other piercings to do first. We told him "No problem" and started looking around the store. It was good to know that Wes was going to do our piercings. While it's certainly odd having another guy piercing my privates, I trust Wes the most (though the rest of the staff has probably had a "stab" at us at one time or another, and they all do a great job). Heidi then helped me pick out my jewelry. Two niobium 14g CBR's.
Janine and I and the kids browsed the store, and as we walked around more and more people were coming in. By what I could tell, most of them were there to get pierced. "Great" I thought! I love the store and always hope that it does well. It was good to see them getting (well deserved) business. I was very warm, and started worrying about the piercings I was about to receive. I haven't had a piercing in a while, and here I was getting two in the same sitting! Something I had never done before...
After what seemed like an hour, I started to worry that we were going to miss the movie. We were meeting a friend at the theater, and I didn't want him bitching about us being late. Janine said that we had better get done soon, otherwise we'd have to leave and come back another time.
Wes came out and told us it was our turn. We went in to the Piercing Room. I like that room! It's very clean (as is the whole store). There's an old dentist's chair, though I've never seen anyone actually get pierced in it. The staff always uses the medical examining table. Wes asked "Who's first"? Janine kind of smiled and told me I could go first. I think the fact that we were kinda in a hurry really helped me. I wasn't anxious at all about getting stuck twice in a row.
Wes had me drop my pants, and took out a marker to make sure the placement was correct. At first he wanted to go lower then I thought they should be, so I asked him to move them up a little higher. He made a few more marks, and then asked me what I thought. I looked down, and there were two little marks on each side of the base of my penis. I told Wes that I thought the placement looked good, and he agreed. He then had me lay on the exam table, cleaned me up and asked me if I was ready. I said "Yes". Wes started some small talk as he was cleaning the area to be pierced. He has a great way at putting people at ease. He then told me to take a deep breathe and then let it out. After I did as he said, he told me to do it again. On the third exhale, I felt the quick stick of the needle! He put the ring on in seconds, and told me it was done. Wes asked me how I was doing. I said "Great", and I really meant it! Janine said that she thought it would really hurt since there were so many nerves "down there". I laughed and asked her if she had noticed that in her scrotum. Janine and Wes laughed, the Wes asked me if I wanted to wait a little longer before getting the next one. I said "Nope. Go ahead". Wes smiled, and we started the breathing procedure again. As before, on the third exhale, I felt the sharp stick. The second Hafada hurt more then the first, but still was nothing like my PA (for instance). A few more seconds while Wes put the CBR in, and then I was done. Wes asked me again how I felt, and as before "Great" was the only answer that I had. Wes took off his gloves and started cleaning up before doing Janine's Tragus. I stood up, and was finally able to look in the full length mirror across the room. Fantastic! Perfect! Wes came over and asked if I would let him get pictures of my Hafadas after they healed, for the store's portfolio. I said "Certainly". I feel honored! He then proceeded to do Janine's Tragus, while I stood and admired my new piercings in the mirror.
When Janine was done, Wes gave us a shortened version of the "cleaning process" speech (due to the fact that we've had so many piercing done there, I suppose) and let us know that we would get cleaning instructions at the counter. We put a tip on the tip plate and left to pay our bill and pick up our instructions.
As for the Hafadas:
They never bled. Not at all.
No problems the first day that I got them.
However, the next morning they hurt like hell, and it got worse as the day progressed. The more I walked around at work, the worse they felt. They may have felt better if I wore underwear but since I don't, I'm not sure if a little support would make a difference. Personally, I think it would since it seems that they rubbed against my skin as I walked and eventually the ball would be pressed up against the piercing hole. I also think though, that the reason I had no more real problems after the fifth day was that without underwear the piercings stayed drier and got more air then they normally would.
Soaking was impossible unless I sat in the tub, which I did every night after work (It felt so good).
Cleaning was done with antibacterial soap only, followed by a good rinsing. This was done twice daily.
I really wish that I had allowed Wes to place them lower, as he wanted to. As I said, I wanted them higher then he had originally marked the holes. With an erection though, they ride at the base of my penis. Not sure if that's what makes them sore, or if it's simply that I've only had them for a week. Hope that it's the later (and it probably is just that). If they work out where they are, I would like to start "ladders", with another pair or two directly below the Hafadas that I now have. That's what I call planning!
I've submitted a few pics as well as this essay. I hope that one of them will show up in the gallery....