Aghi is the Italian word for needles. The reason I was thinking of that word is because I remember having a conversation with an Italian guy and used the word “needles.” Can’t remember why. His response was “Oh, like the Chinese food!” That made me laugh. He obviously thought I was referring to “noodles.” I corrected him and looked up the Italian word for needles on my nifty English-Italian translator on my Android.
There are two reasons I’m mentioning needles. The first is that because, after nearly a year and a half, I’m thinking of getting another tattoo. My last tattoo was in Bali in October of 2012. What was meant to be a small Polynesian-influenced cross on my right inner forearm (to “match” with the fleur-de-lys on my left inner forearm – a Christmas gift from my ex-husband AFTER we were divorced! He was French and the fleur-de-lys can stand for both France and Italy; two of my favorite places) ended up being something unexpected My tattooist in Bali, who’d last tatted me in April of 2009, drew up a couple of designs and asked my preference. To make a long story short, the Polynesian-influenced cross ended up being more centered in the middle of my forearm, when my fleur-de-lys is more towards my wrist. He said that it’s more painful when it’s closer to my wrist. There was truth in that, as that fleur-de-lys had swelled up like crazy. Also, the tattoo artist insisted on making the cross MUCH bigger than I’d anticipated; his explanation being that it needed to be bigger to show the detail. I ended up with what I considered to be a “gang” tattoo, which took me quite awhile to get used to. It didn’t help when my friends would glimpse it and comment “Wow, that’s HUGE!” I got over it after a few months and am now completely comfortable with it.
My tattoo history began in September of 1996, the Labor Day weekend that I moved from Los Angeles to San Francisco. My then-boyfriend and I went down to Venice Beach several hours before my flight to San Francisco and took the plunge. We’d talked about it for months; that was our last chance to do it before I left L.A. We both picked Chinese symbols; mine for “happiness” and his for “good luck.” I wanted mine on the top of the back of my right shoulder; he wanted his in the same spot. I decided to go first. If he went first, I might have chickened out altogether! In truth, for me, the outlining of the design always hurts more than the filling in. I now have 3 Chinese symbols on the right side of my back, 3 flowers on the left side of my back and a somewhat large Polynesian-style one of sting rays on my lower back (yup, the tramp stamp). None of the flowers are stupid roses. The first is a lotus flower from some guy in Bali, the second is another “artsy” flower from a design in Bali and the third is a Polynesian-style flower; not hibiscus, possibly tiare. The flowers ended up being bigger than the Chinese symbols, though, so I’ll have to get 2 more Chinese symbols eventually to even out my back! As for the sting rays, I actually cried when getting that one. Once they tattooed over my kidneys, I thought I was going to pass out! I started crying quietly. Another tattoo artist sitting across from me saw, came over, hugged me and said “Don’t cry; it will be ok.” Then he told the guy tattooing me that I definitely needed a little break to mentally prepare myself to finish it. That makes a total of 9 tattoos. Aside from getting 2 more Chinese symbols to even out my back, I wasn’t planning on getting any more. I don’t want any on my outer arms or outer forearms, lower stomach, anywhere near the breast area, neck or any of those places. I’ve thought about getting a tattoo around my ankle, but hear that it’s very painful. What made me contemplate getting more tattoos, and I’m NOT referring to the Chinese symbols, was my most recent trip to Hawaii. I saw several designs for Polynesian-style fish, octopus, more sting rays/manta rays, Hawaiian war helmets, flowers and those triangle ones. So my idea is to take some of those designs into a tattoo studio and have them draw something up which they can ADD to the one of my lower back. Of course, they’ll have to price it out for me as well, so it can’t get too crazy.
My second reason for writing about needles is that I have to go get a blood test next week. I’ve probably had my blood drawn 2 or 3 times in my life. It freaks me out every time. Having someone tattoo my back (or even my arm) where I either can’t see it being done or can avert my eyes is one thing. Having someone stick a long needle into my arm/vein and TAKE blood out of me is another thing completely! I can avert my eyes, but it’s pretty difficult.
It’s actually funny to me that, whenever I get a tattoo, the sound of the electric needle makes me break out in a sweat. Yet when I see a big needle that’s going into my body, I practically hyperventilate! The dentist always has to cover my eyes when they’re getting ready to shoot me up!
In closing, I’ll let you know if I pass out next week. The blood test is something that my doctor really wants me to do. It’s nothing to worry about (i.e. no diseases or anything life threatening). In fact, I don’t absolutely HAVE to do it, but I really should. As for the tattoo, that could take awhile. Maybe by the end of the year; maybe sooner. Whenever it’s done, I’ll post a photo!