In the middle of April, of this year, a local radio station, 103.7 the revaluation, was holding a contest. They were giving away free tickets, to see Blink 182 and GreenDay, to the person that would do the craziest and most extreme thing, but what ever you did had to somehow pertain to one of the two bands.
At A Glance Author Andrew Burdette Contact EightBallMadness@aol.com When A month ago Artist Josh and Tracy Studio Voodoo Tattoo Location Hagerstown, MD USA Well, one afternoon me and my one roommate, Liz, were sitting around listening to the radio when the commercial for the contest came on. I looked at Liz and said, "I wonder if they would let me get Blink182 pierced on my back." Personally, I really wasn't in to much of a hurry to call, but Liz finally persuaded me to.
When I got through to the radio station, Brad the DJ that was working, was thrilled by the idea. The only problem was; I had to find a studio that would be willing to help me out. As soon as I got off the phone with Brad I immediately thought of calling Voodoo. I know Ray, who with the help of his wife Tracy, owned the studio.
Once I had the shop on the phone I was completely unsure of who to talk to. Tracy gave me Josh's cell phone number, explaining that if he was interested, then they would let me know. I called Josh right away, to my disappointment he didn't answer so I left him a message. The rest of the day I waited and wait for someone to call me back, but no one did.
The next day I call Brad and explain that I possibly found a studio that was interested, he says "You mean Voodoo right? Tracy called me this morning and wanted to make sure that the contest was real." Happily I got off the phone Brad and called Voodoo to speak with Tracy.
Over the next few days everything got set up, we decided to use my back. They mapped it out, drew a stencil, and had the jewelry over-nighted. Everything went as planed and (I am pretty, sure I forgot the exact date) on the last Thursday of April, I woke up ready to get pierced.
Josh was nice to give me and my two roommates a ride from our house to Voodoo. Once I got there they placed the stencil, checked there equipment, and walked me through the procedure. They let me know that I would be pierced 41 times, to trust myself and let them know how I was feeling the entire time, and made sure I knew how to breath, shortly after we were on our way. The radio station had requested, as part of the deal that I had to be pierced on air. So me, Josh, Tracy and my 2 room mates, Liz and Sean climbed in the shops Durango and drove to the radio station.
We made it to the station around 4:15. It only took a few mins for everything to get set up, and by 4:30 we were ready to go. I took off my shirt and laid down on the table that had been set up. Tracy and Josh were both going to be piercing me, so they cleaned my back, gave me a min to start my breathing, then they started. Tracy started with the B, and Josh started with the K. I felt Tracy pinch my skin with her fingers and put on the forceps, about the same time Josh put on his clamps. They told me they were going to do the first two piercings at the same time. I nodded, and they started to count. 1, 2, 3, and at that moment I felt the needles enter my skin. The feeling that went through my body is almost impossible to explain. It was defiantly pleasure and pain. At first it what I guess acupuncture feels like, somewhat tingly, and would have brought goose bumps all over my body. Then a split second later the worst pain I have ever experienced in my entire life. Then again a split second later, once the needle was passing through the other side, more goose bumps.
Well, this went on for 8 piercings. On the 8th one, the needle went through, I know something was wrong, but as I went to say something the ninth one went through. I am not sure witch one did it, but at some point I was told I passed out. All I know is thank God for breathing exercise, and meditation, because I went to that happy place I was always told about, and did it ever make me feel better. At this point let me tell you that I was not a piercing virgin. I had then, as well as I do now, gotten my ears pierced and currently stretched to 1", I have my tongue pierced and at one point that was at a 2, I have my labret and that was at a 6, and my inner counch witch also was at a 6. Also I have had other ear work, eyebrows, my bridge, and nipples, as well as a few decently sized tattoos. In saying this, I, in no way mean that I have achieved and large feat. Nothing I have, or have had compares to some of the things I have seen people do, but I am say that I do know what pain feels like, and never once have I ever gone to a place like I visited, but I would like to return there again someday.
After that small set back, we took a break. They took some pictures, I smoked a cigarette and got some sunlight. after about fifteen mins. I went back for more. In all the entire Procedure took a little more then an hour and a half from start to finish.
Against popular opinion I left the piercings in for almost 6 weeks. For the first week or two sleeping was difficult. I had to adjust the way I did almost ever thing, from the way I sat on the couch, to the was I took a shower. In the end this was defiantly the one of the best experiences in my life. I got to meet new friends, and have a great time.
In ansewer to one major question I am sure you are probably asking, No, I don't even really like Blink182 that much. I enjoy some of there music. The reason I did this was because I love getting piercings. Its a fun and healthy way of expressing yourself, and getting in touch with your body.
-Andrew Burdette.
P.S.
Oh, and yes I did win the contest. See ya around