Look what I did.

I got my ear pierced.

I've been thinking about doing it for a long time. I was the last of the Courtney siblings to get a body modification (piercing or tattoo).

I've wanted to do it for several years, but I had someone in my life who wouldn't allow it. I was belittled and scorned for even thinking it.

But when I met Ali, that all changed. She encouraged me to do it. When I was in France last month, she mentioned that she had been thinking of having her nose pierced. I told her  I thought it was a great idea. I said, "I'll get my ear pierced if you get your nose pierced."

We decided we would have it done at the same time. The problem was, we couldn't find anywhere in small town France to get it done. When we were in Bordeaux the day before I left France, we visited a large mall to do some shopping. There were a couple of places that would pierce ears, but none would pierce her nose.

I told her there were a number of piercing shops in Lexington, and the next time she visited, we would do it.

So yesterday after having lunch with Jo Ann, Laura, and LittleMike, we headed for the Lexington location of Tattoo Charlie's. Inside the tattoo shop is a piercing studio called Always N-2-U, Ltd.

The piercer, Chris, was very professional, very cool, and he put us at ease. Ali was in the chair in the hospital like piercing room within minutes. I held her coat and scarf and watched as Chris pierced her nose with a honking huge needle. It was obviously quite painful from the expletives that escaped her lips, and the tear that ran down her cheek.

Chris placed a silver stud in her nose and  she was done. Now it was my turn. I thought for sure it was going to hurt, but I was determined to be brave and take it like a man.

I felt the needle pierce the flesh of my left ear lobe and exit the back. The pressure that is. But there was no pain. I couldn't believe it. I asked, "So you're done?" Chris answered in the affirmative.

I was a bit surprised that he placed a loop in my ear rather than a stud like the mall piercing places do, but he assured me that this was the best way to do it, and that it would make the healing process go faster with less chance of complications.

Chris spent a while giving us post-op instructions, then I paid him, and we were on our way.

It will be a month before we can change the jewelry, and I will be in France again, so Ali will have to wait until she gets back to Lexington, as Chris has to change hers the first time. I'll wait and go with her.

Click the link below to see my new look. Then visit Alison to see her new look.

I'm glad I finally did it. It is a very freeing feeling. I finally feel like I am in charge of my destiny again.

Now to pick the perfect graphic for my first tattoo.

Comments

[bothenook]

pierced my ear with an 18 gauge spinal tap needle sitting on the shore of pearl harbor in 1977. caught sh*t from the powers that be in the navy...had to wear a bandaid over the hoop until the ear healed. couldn't take it out, couldn't wear it in uniform. but i dealt with it. the toughest was my old man, who started calling me "tinkerbell" when i came home on leave. that's ok. the babes all loved it.
and regarding tatoos, i went in one sunny afternoon in 1975 and came home with Mr. Natural on my left shoulder. been a part of me ever since. i haven't regeretted either decision. i was just 30 years ahead of the curve.

[Mike]

For the record I want everyone to know that I'm the sibling with a pierced ear but not with a tattoo. My problem with tattoos is how they change as you age. That cute butterfly on a young woman's ass will look like a pterodactyl by the time she's 60.

[Karan]

Very nice! Mike is right about tattoos not aging well...my dad had a topless woman on his bicep and what must have been a perky pair when first needled into his skin eventually looked old and saggy like the grandmother she would have been in real life.

[Sallie]

Good for You and Ali...you both will weather IT {uhh your collective wound} well...my ears are jeweled...my story someday maybe. I tend to agree with Brother-Mike... butt, it must be my age. :-} Happy late T-giving Weekend to YOU Both! I am jealous{but glad you are hugging together and not away!}

[Smitty]

That's sweet!

While I don't have a piercing, I do show-off some ink on my left shoulder. Tattoo Charlie's does great work, my wife fashions proof of it. But I had my design tattooed at Underground Ink on S. Limestone and Maxwell.

Stay cool, dude.

[bhd]

Nice! Just big enough for Ali's hook, eh?

Yer both pretty brave. I bought a life jacket today.

[fatguyinfrance]

GIVES YOU A TOUGH LOOK!
NOT BAD.

[Susan]

Congrats on getting it done.
I hate tattoos, no matter what they are on who they are.

[Allan]

You might change your mind if you saw Ali's tattoo.

It rocks.

[Beth]

I like the hoop - kinda swashbuckling, ya know?

So, do we get a picture of Ali's tatoo?

[Amber]

Looks great, and there is certainly something liberating about getting something like that done 'just for you'! Well done!

[Margaret]

Very debonair. In the olden days, you used to have to wear a stud before you could have a hoop. (something about the hole closing up) I think it looks very dashing.

[Chris]

Excellent! You did it the easy way though. I did mine myself when I was 15. So, by "easy way" I also mean "better way."

[John of Argghhh!]

You can double all that stuff, Allan, I give you my allocation.

Only excess holes in this bod are accidents.

[Sarah]

It looks great, Allan. :-)

[Carrie]

I was just going to ask "are you telling me that Mike has a tattoo or a piercing?????" LOL And then I saw *his* comment.

You guys are a fun bunch :)

[John of Argghhh!]

Hmmmm, upon reflection, I realize *most* of the holes in this body are the needle piercing repairing the accidents... I have a *lot* of piercings, being the klutz that I am.

But it looks good on ya Alan!

[Anica]

Cool! That is great to overcome stereo types and negative feelings of such. Good for you!

[newwavegurly]

Just let me know when you want me to design a tattoo up for you, my friend. ;)