It's a Tuesday afternoon, in a sleepy town, and I'm bored as shit. When a girl (or boy for that matter) gets an itch to be poked, where's she to go? Well to Penetrations Piercing of course, the friendliest body modification shop in town. Being a regular affords me the opportunity to take advantage of spontaneous piercings, which is my greatest joy. On this particular day, our local girl decides to make two new additions to her sternum project.... which is indeed something, as the intensity of the sternum piercing is still fresh in my mind. Trusting in my piercer, Chris X, he plans out the placement of the two diagonals that will measure about 2 1/2" each of tygon. Being the perfection as always, Mr. X takes his time in marking the new project, ensuring they are symmetrical over my center line. Half an hour later, newly marked and shivering in the piercing room, we begin...
At A Glance Author tuffsoundtohear Contact tuffsoundtohear@bme.anon When Two years ago Artist Chris X Studio Penetrations Location Eau Claire, WI Sitting on the cold examination table, I watch him. As he readies his tray, he changes his gloves.
Stretch.....POP.
I always love the cartoon-like, sound effect quality of that pop. He opens his drawers one by one, looking for the right tool, changing his gloves every time he touches something.... something unclean. He grabs two packages out of one drawer, one out of another.
streeeetch.....POP.
He lays the packages on the table and slowly unpeels the plastic layer. (stretch...POP) As he continues, I study the room for perhaps the millionth time, attempting, vainly, to avoid his gaze. I look towards the cabinet before me with the hazardous waste sticker. How many times have I been scolded for bumping its side?
I smile softly and turn to the windows, lined with treasure, each a tribute to his craft. Photos of ritualistic pullings, suspensions. Markers of those who have come in contact with him before. None of us leave untouched, unscathed. As if to confirm my thought, the statue Mama Needle invades my peripheral vision. She stands proud over her charges, the others aspiring to her level of modification. Displaying her own maturity down such a path with her many afflictions, as if trying to imitate a pincushion.
stretch...POP.
"Are you ready, Miss Nikki?"
Am I? As I lay back on the table, I see my favorite memorial. The winged goddess holding court high above me, suspended over all who enter here. Bare breasted and tranquil, she keeps me centered. My breath comes out short.
In.... out..... in..... out. Everything else fades. This is my meditation, my calm.
I hear the scraping of the metal tray against the cold floor. My breath quickens in anticipation. With one hand on my chest, he instructs me once more to concentrate, and relax. How funny the thought that the former can, indeed, lead to the latter.
Pulling the needle out of its casing, he explains to me the procedure, but I've already slipped into breathing techniques. He kneads the tissue of my already tender chest. He finds something he doesn't like, or perhaps his thought process has once again changed. I try to read the look in his eyes. Frustration, I've determined.
stretch...POP, and we continue...
He speaks slowly into my ear, and once more I breath. After all that, this is what truly matters. His gloved hand manipulates my tissue once more. Placing the needle tip against his mark, he slowly tells me to breath in. He smiles, and in one quick motion, pushes the needle through to the exit mark. I instinctively exhale, needing his guidance no longer. Slipping the tygon through, he has succeeded. I watch as he screws his face up in concentration, trying to secure ball to tubing. Once done, I have my first chance to relax.
Stretch....POP! He busies himself with part two. I canvas the room.... how interesting the changes in perception after pain.
He pauses, looking over my body. After a moments scrutiny, he speaks. "One down," he laughs. Leaning down, he grins, that crazy famous grin, "you did real good."
After completing the second piercing, we giggle about my bleeding habits. The Y created by my chest diagonals and my sternum is beautiful.
****This experience took place over two years ago. I was so proud of these pieces and they did beautifully through one change-out (done by Chris X)of tygon for the diagonals, and three (one performed by Derek of St. Sabrina's in MN) for the sternum. I did consider having custom bars made for these beauties, but they never healed to the point where I would have felt comfortable changing them. I am sad to say that after my two diagonals started to settle, my sternum, healed until then, started acting up. After battling with the piece for over 6 months, I finally relented and had them pulled. this experience taught me just how temperamental surface pieces can be, and to consider them thoroughly before attempting to heal such a piece.****