Okay, so I know many of us have them.  I know many of us are proud of them.  I know many of us have them for a certain special meaning.  I'm talking tattoos.  Do you have one?  Two?  More?

I only have one tattoo, but it covers my entire back.  It's also not finished.  I designed it myself (drew it out, gave it to the tattooist and had him work on the patterns for it).  I love it.  I started it when I was 19, and want to have it finished before I die. :P  There's a lot of delicate work that needs to be done on it, lots of details.  I have about 5 hours into it so far- an hour for the words, two hours for each wing.  The words were done first.  Then the wings were done in one four hour period, one break in between the two so the tattooist could have a smoke and I could drink some water.

I really am looking forward to getting more work done on it, because it's really quite pretty.  I get complimented on it constantly- even by older (we're talking 60's age) people.  The only time it can be seen is if I'm wearing a tank top or a dress that exposes some of my back.  T-shirts cover it all.  That's the way I wanted it.  I did it for me, and no one else.  The words in the middle are "Dum Spiro Spero" which is Latin for "While I breathe, I hope".  I had it done when I was in a really low time in my life.  I'd just found out that my brother had tried to commit suicide on more than one occasion (he's bipolar and unmedicated because he's a stubborn prick), I was 3000 miles away from my family and real friends.  I was studying from 5 am to at least 8pm to try and make it through nuke school.  I was very stressed, and getting very depressed because of it.  But I knew I had to keep my head up, I had to keep hoping that things would get better, would work out, and  while I'm still alive, I can always do my best to make that happen.  The wings are tattered for that same reason.  I was feeling very torn, but I couldn't let myself stop. 

I love my tattoo, and I can't wait to have the time and money to finish it.