Universal Tattoo

After painfully trying to remove a tattoo on my back, $2,000 later it was still there. So what does a person who's trying to remove a tattoo with no success do? get another one - jeje - nope, I didn't learn my lesson, plus instead of paying another grand to keep on trying to remove it I rationalized that a couple hundred was cheaper to cover up what was left.

Avoiding beach fees, we headed west.
Not many tattoo parlors are open on Sundays at 6pm, but I'm impulsive and determined (maybe I should have waited a week and gone to Hell Bound City but what's done is done - I'm happy).

Stopped at a few closed places and ended up at Universal Tattoo. The place was so clean and sterile-looking that you could have eaten off the floor. A las, this isn't a restaurant so no one was eating.

Upon entering everyone was friendly. I had the design I wanted saved in my picasa web album, and with no hesitation they let me sit in the computer and bring it up. It was just an idea of what I wanted and a few artists discussed what would look best and how the tat should be designed. I liked it. a swirly line that would cover the old tattoo, and cherry blossoms (symbolize: living every moment fully for what it is - a unique and unrepeatable moment.)

Two hours later Jaime (the artist) was done. It is not what I was expecting, but I like it. I was hoping it wouldn't be something too big, and he shaped it on my body to go with the contours of my hip, so I like the direction the line takes. The cherry blossoms were supposed to be white, but I don't think the ink took too well, so there's a chance I'll have to be back to color it in. That's what's keeping the rating at three stars, rather than four. Jaime was super nice, and didn't mind staying long after closing to do my tat. A lot of places tell you to go and come back, but I think he wanted to take advantage of my impulsiveness and did the design and tattoo right then and there.

I'm no longer selfconscious about the shaded proof of what once was a lasered tattoo, and I love the flowers and the meaning behind them. I will keep living impulsively... but that's just my style!