Happy New Year?

So, it's January 31st. I'm much later than I had anticipated in posting.

First, I wanted to explain why I am blogging. As I was driving home from Chicago on New Year's Day, I vowed I was not going to compose a list of resolutions that I will never keep. Instead, I thought it would be better to actually start living my life. It sounds weird, but I really felt I have been a spectator in my own life for far too long. I'm 35 years old. I want to actually do the things I'm always talking about. So, this year I am setting out to do at least one new thing a month. 12 things. Simple enough. I have a running list of things I would like to accomplish this year. Check back to see what I'm doing every month. Not every thing is scary. Some things are costly.

So, my first thing: get a tattoo. This actually scared me more than I thought it would. I had been wanting one since my undergrad, but was too chicken to go through with it. I had this perception I would be perceived in a certain way. That was 13 or 14 years ago. Now, a tattoo is not really taboo. Nevertheless, I did lots of research (being the nerd that I am), received recommendations on local tattoo parlors (do they still call them that?) and garnered support from friends. It took me nearly all month to finally get up the nerve.

When arrangements were finally made and the day came, I was nervous excited. My friends were troopers that day. I wasn't able to get in when I thought I could (my fault) and my friends actually were wonderful enough to come back later that day with me. Sitting in the waiting area I began to have second thoughts. Imagining all kinds of horrible pain, not to mention the fact what I was doing was PERMANENT crossed my mind more than once!!! My name was called and I was shown into a curtained off area with an window though which my friends could view.

My tattoo artist, Jeremy was wonderful. He did a test area and it was mildly annoying. I don't know that I would have enjoyed it all day, but it was bearable. After 45 minutes of scratching me, Jeremy was done. It burned with the white hot pain of a million suns, but I had a tattoo, gosh darn it. He did a fabulous job. Exactly what I had asked for. My only complaint is with me. I should have shrunk it down even more. It seems enormous on my back (right shoulder blade to be exact). Well, virtually no going back now. I was told I would want another one now that I have one. I think I'm good. I did what I said I was going to do. That is all that matters to me. I'll be certain to post pics later.

I still don't know what's on tap for February. I have several things in mind. I'll see what pans out first.