#365DaysOfHabits Day 7; Ink A Ginger Day 2.0 (13 January 2015)

To be or not to be, that is the question. I did not realise the full power of that sentence when I typed it in this blogpost yesterday, when it was meant to go out. I had already started typing it as the day went along, but life interjected and the course changed. Yesterday was Kiss A Ginger Day. So, let’s try this again, because it was not meant to be yesterday.

To be or not to be, that is the question. Being a ginger has not only become something I am extremely proud of, but also a statement that I wear proudly. As a young boy, and even throughout my High School years, it was quite the trigger and inspiration behind nicknames. Sure, I adapted and got use to it, but it wasn’t until much later that I made complete peace with my hair and in fact, wished I was even more orange. As the year progressed my hair became darker, but a ginger I have always been and a ginger I shall always stay. We have to go through that, to appreciate it. For me, however, it has always meant so much more. My grandmother was a ginger and also the direct reason for me being one today. I am the only one in the family — well, without the help of some or other colouring product. I never knew her, I have never met, but I firmly believe that someday, somehow, I will. She passed away shortly before I was born. She was so excited, but the big C got the better of her. I so wish that I knew her, that I could spend time with her. I got so much from her — at least from what I have been told. My mother explained to me once that she walked into my apartment while I wasn’t there and it smelled like her mother. She realised that it must be something in the hair. I got my creativity from this red-headed grandmother of mine, my love for dance and fashion — show owned her own clothing store. She means a lot to me. So what better day than on Kiss A Ginger day? I have been wanting to do it for months — now was the time, I was getting that tattoo I always wanted — her name, Ida, behind my ear.

What is in a name? I began doing research to find out what her name means. Hardworking. That’s quite something to wear on yourself, isn’t it? I am very for hard work. Life requires hard work, nothing ever worth getting is going to be easy. If you want to achieve your dreams and you want to do what you have always wanted to, that is exactly what you will have to do. So, yes, proudly I will wear it. What my father will say, however, I have no idea! He has this thing about tattoos.But then again, I think it is a divine parental intervention that kicks into action when children decide to get their bodies permanently inked. It has got nothing to do with not being allowed to do what I want, it is more a combination between personal preference and the general idea created around it. I believe that if there is reasoning behind it and a meaning to you then there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s interesting. My best friend also got a tattoo a while ago, his first in fact. His mother wasn’t too excited about the prospect of her son sporting a black ink design on his arm, but made peace with it because really, it is his choice after all. That and his father also has one — so not to much to be done about it. The real thing is his grandmother — there will always be that one person you will have to hide it from — not because it will take too much explaining or because you are embarrassed about it, but purely because it would just be easier to keep it quiet and far less complicated.

Be it as it may, yesterday was going to be the day — 12 January 2015. It happened very unplanned, honestly. I know some people take months to plan and design and pick and decide, but for me it happened very much on the instant of the moment. I have been wanting to get it for a while, like I said, but it wasn’t really until this morning that it just hit me to just get it done. As I phoned to make the appointment I was very calm, besides — this isn’t anything big, physically I mean. It was confirmed, 17:30. “Please phone if you aren’t coming anymore.” I was going, or so I thought. They were so adamant on the phone that I please just not forget to let them know if I can’t make it anymore. Little did I know.

After that it was sitting down and putting some thought into what I wanted it to look like. At first I just wanted it very plain, simply her name in small caps, nothing fancy and nothing complicated. Then I got to playing around with fonts and trying out different shapes. Once I got on Photoshop and did a bit of research, the conclusion looked quite a bit differently than I initially envisioned it. I started playing around with the idea of making use of freehand, in other words writing it myself. Still simple, but just more following. While busy with this I came to the conclusion of how I wanted it to look — or at least in which direction I wanted it to go. Her name starts with an ‘i’, and I thought of using a symbol. So I worked in the Cancer ribbon into her name instead of the ‘i’. She passed away because of Cancer, it wasn’t who she was, but it is apart of her story.

Taylor Swift’s album was still playing in my car, as it has been for months now — someone seriously needs to do something about that. I left work and went to Canal Walk, where I was going to get my tattoo done at Wildfire. I arrive a tad early and strolled through some shops first. When I got at the parlour at 17:20 I got the news — the artist had already leave, wasn’t feeling well, forgot about my appointment, blah blah blah. I was understanding, but a little pissed! This wasn’t happening, I needed to get that tattoo on Kiss A Ginger Day. I swore into my phone as I sent a voice note to several of my nearest and dearest. Then it suddenly came to me, perhaps this wouldn’t be such a bad thing after all. So, I would get it tomorrow, I thought to myself — 13 January 2015. My reasoning behind the numbers (because, I’m all about the number, just like Jacob from Lost, I have a thing for numbers.) First there’s the number 13, which is Taylor Swift’s favourite number. I love the idea of the number thirteen, just because it is considered as an unlucky number, and I think that is hilarious! The it is the number one, because it’s January, the first month naturally. Number one, “because I’m number one” (he says in that sarcastic Lorelai voice the way she said that line in Gilmore Girls.) Lastly there is ’15’ and that needs no explanation — it is a Lost number!

So, let’s try this again. Day two, today, 13 January 2015. I wasn’t getting my hopes up, what if something went wrong again? But it wasn’t, I made myself believe that. Today was another day of saying goodbye, this time to my dear friend Marli — who is embarking on the most exciting journey of her life! I am so excited for her, a life changing experience. We went to get smoothies, talking about the future and just life in general. I really am very privileged to have a group of friends that are doing so extraordinary well in life, it makes you feel great! It’s not that I am unhappy or jealous, not in the least! I am nothing but happy for them. They are a constant reminder of where I come from, the love and support I have in my life — a life that is filled with people that care about me and that helped to shape me to become the guy I am today and that I continue to grow into. Like Christopher McCandless said: happiness is only real when shared. Today, today I am very happy, because I get to do something special between me and someone who is such big part of who I am, physically and emotionally. I don’t see anything wrong with getting a tattoo — I believe it is something that you need to make a decision about on your own. Some people are so against it, and sure, each to his or her own, but don’t pass judgement onto someone for expressing themselves in a creative way. People who get tattoos are not crazy, insane, satanic or drug addicts. If you don’t like to see drawings/words/images on someone else’s body — I honestly couldn’t care less. I am getting a tattoo and I can tell you that I have never in my life used drugs, nor have I so much as taken a drag or a puff from a cigarette, pot or a Twisp. I enjoy the occasional glass of (obviously good) red wine, but I don’t drink myself into oblivion every weekend. I am not trying to justify getting tattoo or judge anyone who smokes, uses drugs or gets drunk every weekend — not at all. I’m just saying: don’t go on stereotypical on me and say that only a certain type of person gets tattoos. Okay, done preaching.

When I got into my car this time around, Taylor Swift wasn’t playing — I am happy to report that I finally managed to take the album out of my car. My car is still the type that doesn’t have an aux port or doesn’t like playing mixed CD’s, so I am forced to play authentic records — which, luckily, I have more than enough of. I am still one of those who actually buys CD’s.To all Taylor fans out there though, please don’t take offence — but I have been driving around with the CD in my car for MONTHS and my poor housemate is probably going to cut off his ears if he has to get into my car one for morning and Wonderland is playing. And the Swifties all go: let him walk! Well, now, I don’t think Tay would approve, now would she? Okay, okay, done talking about Taylor, dammit! I got into my car, yes, that’s where I was. I was still a little nervous, that the same thing would happen tomorrow that happened yesterday. It didn’t. This time everything worked out. I wasn’t stressed or nervous, not even a little. It wasn’t even really sore, far less than I had anticipated — it being against the skull and what not. I’m sure the guy had a ball of a time trying to get behind my ear, shame, I had to move quite a bit to make it as easy and comfortable for him to do his job. All and all, he was great. I’m really happy with it. Out of sight, but right there against my mind.

#365daysofhabits #tattoo #ginger #ink #13 #1 #15 #13january2015 #taylorswift #cancer #ida #2015