The Pandemic

If anyone hasn't noticed, there's been a bad drug going around not just the country, but the globe. Spreading at such a fast rate that, its practically a Pandemic. The drug can be found in all areas of the world, and purchased from all different types of people (big people, small people, even medium sized people) lol. Its becoming a growing addiction by the day, and its slowly trickling down to the younger generations at record speed. As parents, all you can do is hope your children head your words of caution or atleast get your approval before obtaining their first "taste". Eventually, if they (your children) want it, then they'll get it when they're of legal age. Unfortunately, some parents find out in the wrong way or at the wrong time, but have no choice but to live with it. Its socially accepted by the masses and is even bolstered in magazines and on TV. To obtain this drug you simply need to find the supplier ( or a trusted ' up and comer ' ), tell em what you kind you want, flash some ID [in most places] and boom " There ya go " .

I myself was subjected to it at a young age. When I showed interest trying this, my mom "advised" me against it and "suggested" I didn't try it... ever [meaning she told me not to do it, lol] But as I grew, I became friends with addicts of this drug. Some where teammates, some were friends, some were male, some were females [obviously].... Peer pressure's a bitch sometimes (this I know), but this was a decision I made. However before my first "taste", I waited and did some research to figure out exactly what kind of "fix" I needed. After the first hit, I was hooked.... like Pookie in New Jack City ("yo it just keep callin me and callin me")  lol. Ok, well maybe not quite like that, but I do know that slowly, my own addiction is growing. And truth be told, its 1 I won't be seeking any type of rehab treatment for....its running through my veins, and its in my skin. I, along with millions and millions of people am infected with this socially accepted Pandemic. I'm infected with Ink.

I've had my ink since fall of 2005. I'm actually kind of shocked I didn't get it while in college but seeing as though I was giving mom enough to worry about then (you know, the parental worries of "college life"  ) kinda glad I didn't. Because most likely I'd have probably gotten something I regret. Fast forward to today, 8.19.11, and I have a total of 6 " ink spots " [for those who aren't keeping up, I'm talkin about tattoos] and like I said, I'm getting more. :)

Lets see, no better place to start than at the beginning.

Chapter 1 (2005) "My Guardian Angel". I have a broad wing Angel in the middle of my back with the words "When you Cry I Cry" across the top, and "When you Smile I Smile" along the bottom. The entire design has several meanings. The angel is for all my fallen relatives that I know are still watching over me. It also reminds me that like those who have passed on, I will ultimately be watching down over others on day. So these are my " beginners wings ". The real ones come later, [ its a simple fact of life] . The words remind me that I am never alone. Regardless of what kind of bullshit that I go through that makes me upset, or the pleasantries in life that make me happy. Those looking down on me, are doing the same thing. Its something I'm defintely going to teach my lil brother, my godsons, and my own children (someday). When I originally compiled the design, I actually wanted the wings to stretch up and down my entire back. I've seen it on some people and it looks tight. But after looking at it, I realize that had I gotten those broad wings, I wouldn't be able able to add additional content. It needs to get touched up a bit, but I'm proud of it. Got it done at Ally Cat Tattoo, by Cat, took 3.5 hours, didn't hurt at all. I wanted on my back for 2 reasons actually, 1) angel wings, back, duh! 2) out of sight from those who didn't need to see at first (oops :) )

Chapter 2 (2007) "Mom's Message":  On my upper right arm, I have the message my mom has conveyed time and time again. No its not, "if your rocket takes off, make sure its covered"  (althought that was used often in high school ) lol its "Everything happens for a reason". These words are written along the top and bottom of cross (with a halo) with angel wings coming off the back. The idea to get this one came several days after my back healed. Clipp said they were "addicting". lol Got this one done at Ally Cat Tattoo as well. Eric did this one. Took 2 hours. About time to touch up the lettering.

  

Chapter 3 (2008) : "The learned message"

I made the decision to get the upper portion of my left inked at the same time I made the decision to get my right. When I got 'Moms message' the notion came during a time when some things weren't going the way I pictured. The words in  "the learned message" came when things were shaping up. Together the phrases match up. The learned message is that "The answers will come". So together, "Everything happens for a reason, and the answers will come". Its 1 of the many quotes I live by. the "learned message" portion of the phrase reminds me that I can't go looking for the answers, per say. They'll present themselves.

Chapter 4 (2011): "The Comedy and Tragedy of Karma"

Well hmm..how do I put this...I believe in the entire cycle of cause and effect. Sometimes shit comes full circle, and well it did. This ink reminds me of it. [All my ink reminds me of the instances in which I chose to get them.] Its true that whatever happens in darkness, eventually comes out in the light. Not getting into that but its also true that "without bad, there will never be good" . And without bad Karma, there will never be good Karma. I'm tired of putting myself in the position for the bad. Time to make some good. The words are written on a banner that goes around and through both mouths of the Comedy/Tragedy masks. While one face is frowning at the bad, the other face is smiling at the good, and vice versa. "Karma" is scripted along side.  My homeboy Carter of Inkognito did it. I found the image online and tweaked it to my liking. Carter cised it up from there. (Shout outs to Carter, we gotta set up another appt homey) Its one of my favorites. Sitting on the right side of my chest. Took about 2.5 hours. Clear and concise.

Chapter 5 (2011): "Leo"

For the last few years my friends and I have travelled down to Memphis for the Beale St. Music Festival. Always rains, NEVER a bad time. Some hilarious stories and crazy events but ALWAYS a good time, and GREAT music. I'll talk more about Memphis later on, but this last year Choc Giddy Up (CGU) and I have  been positively infected with the idea of adding more ink. This is where you can say things have gone into overdrive. CGU had an idea of what he wanted, and 3 weeks after he got his 2 inkspots (both within a week of each other) we were planning on adding a trip to a Nashville ink shop to the activity list. And hey, why not, we stop in Nashville every year anyway. I originally wanted to get the my sign [I'm a leo if it hasn't sunk in yet] around most of my back. But it wasn't in the cards financially and not getting it that way has again, provided me with more space for additonal ink. So I opted for the Leo sign with a sunburst pattern around it. Its on the upper right portion of my back. And this is only the beginning for what I have planned for my entire back.  :)

Chapter 6 (2011): "Deathly Hallow"

"Hi my name is Foots, and I'm into Harry Potter" No this isn't a line, but I suppose it could be? lol Its true though, I'm into the books about the boy who grew to defeat the most powerful wizard ever. I started reading the series while at work one day, it was actually book 4, somewhere in the middle. But it passed the down time we (always) had and I quickly grew to like it. So before the book ended I stopped and went on vacation. While in Florida, (on spring break nontheless) , I had flu like symptoms for the 1st 3 days. Fortunately Speed Racers mom lived close and allowed me to stay there and get better. To my surprise his lil younger brothers were reading the series too. So if you were to ask me what it was that  I did on Spring Break for my Sophmore year of college. I read Harry Potter for 3 days. After that I was hooked. I've read all the books, seen (and have) all the movies. A couple weeks ago M&M came into town. We were discussing the possibility of getting ink, and while I hadn't originally planned it, I started picking up magazines to get some more ides. I have a piece that I'm defintely getting before the New Year, but its not quite finished yet so I put that one on hold. M&M and I were looking to convince Mother Goose into getting one, and of course CGU was immediately up for it. So we started looking at ideas, and low and behold Mother Goose pulls up the "fuck yea tatto site ( fyeahtattoos.com ) . I saw some HP tats and thought about what my favorite portion of the book is and if any of the spells had some kind underlying meaning. Of course " I solemnly swear that I am up to no good" fits... And if you know the book, you know  about the "merauders map". So thats what I have...thanks to the steller research of Tater, I have a small parchment piece of the merauders map with the words written on it. The best part is Chrissy (of Exposed Tattoo) damn near flipped in excitement over the idea up and added footprints like the actual map (which is tight as hell when your nickname is 'Foots') and the sign for the 'Deathly Hallows'. Shit looks DOPE! Got it on my calf. Took 2 hours.

So those are the 6 chapters, but like I said, the story will continue. I like symmetry so my ink has to be level. Left calf done, right calf will get done. Both upper portions of my arms are done, thinking about biceps ink. The left side of my chest is reserved for further down the line so I'm going to start adding to my back and both rib cages. I keep it professional though, so you wont see anything past my shirt sleeves. At least not right now, you never know though, ink is a sickness. ;)