When people Suchen for a tattoo design, it's not something to take lightly. It's something that's going to be imprinted on their bodies for the rest of their lives... usually. But how long does it take to find a satisfactory design? Some find theirs right away. I am not one of those people.

The idea of a tattoo had always disgusted me - it's how I was raised to think. The summer of 2007 brought lots of changes for me - some good, like making new Friends and feeling accepted and somewhat normal for the first time in my life. Others weren't so good, such as fighting with my mother about aforementioned changes.

I decided that I wanted to do something big; something different, something that could signify me breaking free of my old, quiet, nearly nonexistant life. And yes, something to piss off my family a bit, but that was a very minor reason. I decided in July that I wanted a tattoo.

From the start, I knew I wanted a shamrock of some sort. I'm Irish, I've always loved the Irish culture, always had luck with finding four-leaf clovers (jinx, knock on wood) and shamrocks are just cool. I searched through July and August and still found nothing I really liked.

I also decided that I wanted a three-leaf clover, thus making my Suchen harder, because honestly, who wants a three leaf clover? I decided on a three-leaf because of that very reason - everybody wants the lucky four-leaf clover. I wanted to be different, but also the same. When you're on the hunt for a four-leaf clover, it's common (not to mention frustrating) to find hundreds with just three leaves. But when it comes to tattoos, everyone wants what's hard to find.

I was suffering from boredom in August, so I started re-reading the Harry Potter books, which is something I've done every summer since middle school. It's a good thing I did get so bored as to read the series twice in one summer, because what I found will be with me forever... literally.

I'm American, so our Bücher are illustrated Von Mary Grandpre. Her art has fascinated me since I started Lesen the books. In chapter seven ("Bagman & Crouch") of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," the chapter art is of an Irish Quidditch supporter's hat. I looked at it, read a few Mehr pages, then stopped. The proverbial lightbulb lit up, and I flipped back and stared. Yep, that's it.

Some people laugh when I tell them my tattoo Design came from a chapter of Harry Potter. I don't care. It's my Favorit series of Bücher (and my Favorit escape from reality), and has been since I was about eleven. I think if something means that much to Du for that long, it'll stick with Du forever. In my case, that couldn't be Mehr true. ;)

After lots of careful Photoshopping, I knew exactly what I wanted. I found a nearby tattoo studio online, talked with the artist about what I wanted, and set up an appointment. On September 19, 2007, I got my first tattoo.

...and it's addictive. Anyone care to Mitmachen "DarkSarcasm and the Quest for the Celtic baum of Life?" ;)