2. Get a tattoo

So this is a big one. It's also what inspired me to restart my '52 New Things in 52 Weeks', so it should be at week one, however I wanted to wait until it healed before posting photos everywhere, so here it is, week two, Get a Tattoo!

I have always been interested in tattoos. Despite never having any myself I love seeing what other people have picked to put on their bodies. I like hearing why they chose a particular design. Whether sentimental or just a drunk dare, I find it really interesting. I love watching tattoo shows; the bad ones, the good ones, the cover ups, the many US shows and of course the UK ones. I will watch them all. I follow tattooists on Instagram, amazed at what they can create. So despite this obsession why have I reached my 30's with none for myself? I gave this a good thought and came up with two reasons. Firstly the pain, secondly I'm not very decisive and tend to go through interests quickly. What if I picked something, and then hated it five years down the line? Finally I decided I could stomach the pain (surely it couldn't be that bad?!), and I had something I would never hate, no matter how many years down the line - Sauron.

If you haven't met Sauron yet, he is the best cat in the world. Handsome, smart, annoying, demanding and aloof, he's everything you'd want in a cat.

So having my inspiration sorted it was time to find a tattooist. Having followed different artists on Instagram I knew I liked the watercolour style so that narrowed it down slightly. After doing some serious research (googling best tattoo studios in London) I found Fifth Dimension Tattoo in Shoreditch who offer fully custom tattoos - no picking out of a book! Looking through their artists I really loved the style Yuki had on her gallery. She has a very strong watercolour style, keeps it very contemporary and also has quite a few animal pieces. What really won me over was this abstract piece. I had already decided I didn't want a portrait of Sauron, because as pretty as he is, being a fully black cat photographs don't do him justice. I wanted more of a representation of him. So I booked a consultation with Yuki and before I knew it I had left the studio my deposit to get my first tattoo done two days later.

And here it is....

I picked my ankle because I wanted somewhere I could easily show it off, but also cover if needed. So now to the pain. This small(ish) tattoo took an hour and a half. At first I was fine. It was almost like when a cat kneads you, sharp but not terrible. And then the time ticked on, and the needle dragged across more and it was already sore, and I didn't know how much longer it would take. I started to feel myself get fidgety and had memorised all the colours of the inks lined up on the shelf across from me (to try and distract myself). I didn't move or complain once but I think if it had taken any longer I would have just left with it half finished! But then, finally, it was done, and I didn't need to worry about any more stabbing! So that might sound a bit dramatic, but to sum up, it didn't hurt as much as I imagined but it does take longer than I thought. Damn those TV programmes that cut sessions so it looks like a full chest piece takes 20 minutes! The healing was probably worse that the tattooing. First it felt like sunburn and then came the itching - that you absolutely cannot scratch! But two weeks passed and the inky scabs had all gone so it was time for a few photos with the inspiration himself!

These two photos were the best of the bunch! In most photos Sauron really looses all his definition and because a black blog of fur! 

So, having got my first tattoo, what have I learnt? Firstly, it doesn't hurt that bad. Secondly it's your body, you can decorate it however you like. Will I get another? Honestly, I probably will. I really love my first one and I'm looking forward to seeing what other people think of it. I like the watercolour effect, I love how his tail curls round, almost making a circle and if you look closely it has some lovely detail. And yes - the cat tattoo also only has one eye!

At the moment he looks quite alone, so I wouldn't rule out adding more to my leg in the future. Will it be another cat? I don't know. I don't want to look too much like a crazy cat lady that I already do!

I don't know what I'm going to do next week to top this! For now though, I'll leave you with two more photos of The Dark Lord himself. He is a handsome chap!