Day 58: Why I chose a condor for my first tattoo

Between You, Me and the Lamp Post

Day 58: Why I chose a condor for my first tattoo

Yesterday I mentioned that I would explain why a chose a condor for my first tattoo as a condor is not an obvious choice. Let’s face it, a condor is an ugly bird, and if young girls are compared to pretty birds than older women are ugly birds. As such, I’m an ugly bird.

But there is another reason why I chose a condor tattoo.

Many years ago, I started playing ten-pin bowling tournaments. I was not exactly champion material, but I wasn’t a bad player either. My average was 175 with an occasional 200+ and a top score of 257.  

In tournaments, however, I went to pieces. All my opponent had to do was give me a dirty look, ignore me, or say “You’re gonna lose” and my confidence went from 100 to zero in two seconds flat.

How it happened exactly I can’t remember, but I came across a picture of a condor. As mentioned earlier not exactly a pretty bird, but definitely a bird to be feared. And for some reason, I started to identify with this bird.

From then on, whenever I stood on the approach, I was no longer Conny, I was ... the condor. Now, at the start of a tournament, or even just a practice game, I imagined the condor, waiting to take flight. 

As the condor, I might not be the most beautiful bowler, but I would soar to new heights and I was to be feared. 

And it worked. A few years ago, Dieter (a.k.a. Raven) and I took first place at a Halloween tournament and we took first place in the league.

Dieter and I no longer play league or tournaments, but we do bowl every Saturday morning. We have a mini-competition going, just for the fun of it. Do I beat him? ... hardly, he’s way better than me. He’s got a 200 average while I only have a 175 average. But occasionally, I do manage to snatch a game from him or manage to come close.

To learn more about the condor and see some great photos.

https://www.chimuadventures.com/blog/2016/07/andean-condor/

http://justfunfacts.com/interesting-facts-about-california-condors/

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Day 57: I did it!

Between You, Me and the Lamp Post

Day 57: I did it!

I did it! I got my first tattoo. For years now I wanted a tattoo but a number of reasons held me back.

Like most people, I’d seen tattoo parlors on TV and they looked, to say the least, dark scary places manned by rough-looking men. You know the type, big, bald, burly men with dark glasses and facial hair, in other words, people you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley.  

Another thing that scared me were the possible dangers. I’d heard of people getting infected by HIV and hepatitis due to dirty needles or contaminated ink.

And then last but not least, the pain. Getting pricked by a needle a few hundred times seemed like a mild case of torture. In short, why would anyone take the chance and do this to themselves?

Then last week Dora S. posted a picture on Facebook of her first tattoo and I thought ... If she can do it, I can do it.

I went online, searched for tattoo places in Toronto and was presented with a string of possibilities. After having dismissed a few, because I didn’t like the look of them, I found Black Line Studio https://blacklinestudios.ca/

We exchanged a few emails and I sent them a picture of the tattoo I had in mind. 

I got an appointment for the following Wednesday. Since Dieter was on vacation he would accompany me (for moral support).

When I arrived at Black Line Studio I couldn’t have been more surprised. This tattoo parlor was nothing like I’d seen on TV. It wasn’t dark and dodgy but modern and full of light. Neither was there any sign of big, bald, scary-looking men. I was greeted by a friendly stylish looking receptionist.

I got another surprise when I met the artist (Victoria) who would do my tattoo ... a pretty young girl in jeans and an oversized sweater was a mass of long wild curls. This was a tattoo artist? She looked like someone’s favorite cupcake baker.

Much to my disappointment, I couldn’t get my tattoo right there and then. This was merely a consultation and then (if I didn’t chicken out) I could get the tattoo at a later date. We set a date for the following Friday.

And so today was D-day.

Before getting started, Victoria showed me her version of the picture I had presented her with. Hm, to tell you the truth, I had reservations. This didn’t look like a condor, this looked like an oversized turkey. 

But I was there, I had given my deposit, so I might as well go through with it.

Victoria got busy. Without going into too much detail, there was no cause for concern of a dirty needle or contaminated ink as everything was new and sterile. Even the armrest was wrapped in plastic and Victoria wore gloves.

As for the pain ... not worth mentioning. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would say ... 2. I felt something, but I wouldn’t actually call it pain, more like a bit of irritation.

After the initial excitement it actually got quite boring, Victoria seemed to know what she was doing, so I read my book and enjoyed a cup of coffee.

And then suddenly the humming of the pen grew quiet, I had a look and my tattoo was finished.

I’m very happy with the result. As you can see, the tattoo doesn’t resemble an oversized turkey but a proper condor. At the moment the tattoo is still covered with a type of protective plastic. This will come off in 48 hours. 

Before leaving, the receptionist and another tattoo artist/master gave me instructions for aftercare ... special soap and a pure vitamin E cream.

In case you're wondering why I chose a condor ... well, come back tomorrow and all will be revealed.

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