Apr 30
Tattoo #19
So, here we are, nineteen tattoos in something around three years. Nineteen thoughts bouncing around in my head, etched into my flesh. I think about my tattoos like I think about my writing, being honest is the most important thing. I have happy tattoos, and melancholy tattoos, each representing different versions of me. I carry around a constant visual record of my dark and my light. Nineteen tattoos that add up to the current me…
Tattoo by Colt, artist and hardcore motherfucker at Doc Dog's Las Vegas Tattoo, Ybor City
My mind is never quiet, sometimes it’s loud enough to make me crazy, especially when I can’t get the noise out. Not being able to talk is one thing, but not being able to write is something totally different. So, I was listening to Elliott Smith’s Tomorrow Tomorrow when one line in particular really hit me, “I got static in my head, the reflected sound of everything…” It so perfectly describes how I feel much of the time, but especially lately.
Tomorrow Tomorrow is a gorgeous song, it illustrates the feeling of drowning in thoughts, thoughts that lead to nowhere. Now, I have part of it written down the side of my chest. This is probably my favorite tattoo, as it says something about me that is constantly true.
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6 Comments so far
Love the tatoo. You can say the same about me. Very noisy head.
Great tattoo. I don’t know anyone’s mind who is truly quiet – so always remember that you are not alone.
Hey Mike. Yes! I finally found your blog! Nice tat. I have to say I’ve been meaning to contact you for quite some time..ever since I saw that episode of This American Life. I’m sure you are quite tired of hearing about it at this point, but I can almost completely understand your situation.
Hey Mike. Yes! I finally found your blog! Nice tat. How’s it going? I’ve been meaning to contact you for quite sometime, yes since I saw that one episode of This American Life (I’m sure you are tired of hearing about it). But I could almost completely relate to your circumstances as they were presented. I am 30 years old and have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. And I currently live at home with my parents. I know how frustrating that can be. The struggle for independence is a tough one for us. So feel free to e-mail…anytime (buzzstein@gmail.com). I think we might get along. I’ve never been depressed nor am I unable to speak, but I dig what I know of your taste in music and we could talk tattoos. I just got my first ink just three weeks ago for my 30th birthday. E=mc² on left arm in honor of my deceased service dog, Einstein. It was an awesome experience. My artist was a cool dude. And they were really accommodating. They even let me play a tattoo themed mix CD I made just for the occasion.
the playlist:
01. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – The Mercy Seat
02. Concrete Blonde – Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)
03. Morphine – Cure For Pain
04. Folk Implosion – Brand Of Skin
05. Tool – Stinkfist
06. Pixies – I Bleed
07. Modest Mouse – Never Ending Math Equation
08. The White Stripes – Black Math
09. Dressy Bessy – This May Hurt (A Little)
10. Fountains Of Wayne – Red Dragon Tattoo
11. Guided By Voices – Game Of Pricks
12. Editors – Blood
13. Luscious Jackson – Under Your Skin
14. Andrew Bird – Skin Is, My
15. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Fault Line
16. Neko Case – The Needle Has Landed
17. Jarvis Cocker – Quantum Theory
I definitely want to get more tattoos. My next one is going to be a Celtic symbol. I’m heavily involved in the Kansas City Irish Fest so I’m going to get the logo without the text. It’s gonna look great.
Anyway hit me up on e-mail or IM or something. I would enjoy conversing with you in some form or another.
Jeff
Thanks!
Great article, great ideas! Thanks for the cool tattoo story!