So, I've been thinking. What about, you might ask.
Books (obviously) and bookish quotes more specifically. I just discovered Contrariwise, a place where people can submit photos of their book/poetry/song inspired tattoos. It's pretty amazing. After perusing the site for quite some time, I was left feeling rather emotional but inspired.
Warning: Things are about to get personal up in here!
You probably don't know this but I have a tattoo. I got it when I was an impulsive and rebellious 19 year old. You know the story, the one where the girl goes out and defies every rule her parents give her despite having to suffer the consequences. Yeah. That was totally me. I won't delve into the reasoning behind exactly why I did it (a messy divorce + a fierce independent streak may have played a bit part), but I had my reasons. But didn't we all at that age? Shit. I was a teen living away from home for the first time --- what did they expect? Getting a tattoo was probably the craziest thing I did as a college student, so the way I see it, they got off pretty easy.
Anyway, I'd wanted a tattoo for quite some time so one day my friends and I decided to just go and do it. I won't lie --- it kinda hurt but I survived (and even have the video to prove it!). I walked out of the tattoo parlour with a black and white gothic dragon snaking up my right hip. Pretty bad ass, right? Eeeeh, maybe not when I'm 60 but at the time I didn't really care. Looking back now, I don't regret what I did but if I had to do it all over again, I'd probably choose something a little smarter. Saaaay, a literary quote, perhaps.
I know tatooing isn't for everyone but I find them to be a great form of self expression. They are works of art. There's something so personal and intimate about inking yourself up. I mean, tell me --- doesit get any more personal than making such a permanent statement for all to see on your phsycial self? Didn't think so. I love the feeling of freedom it gives you, the way you can express how you feel or who you are in a way that nobody else can. It differentiates you from the crowd and you can make it as public or personal as you choose.
Several of my friends have inspiring tattoos, many based off of books and some from song lyrics. After seeing their tattoos and looking at some of the ones on the interwebs, I've been really considering going back in for round 2. Only this time, I plan to do the smart thing and get something that sits close to my heart, something more meaningful, something of the bookish variety. It's true what they say --- tattoos are addictive. I still have a lot of thinking to do before I make the final decision but it's been creeping around at the back of my mind for awhile now. I don't know if/when I'll get it done but I'll be sure to share the photos if/when I do!
Meanwhile, here are just a few examples of some of my favourite bookish tattoos:
Do any of you have any tattoos? If so, what is it/are they? And if you were to get a(nother) tattoo, what books/movies/songs would inspire it? I'm thinking of something from Robert Frost, Edgar Allan Poe or Shakespeare. Sound off in the comments below!
