Rat Tattoo

Yes, you read correctly. I decided to get a rat tattoo. I had been thinking about doing something like that for quite some time (even before my boys died, though I never thought too seriously about it until recently). I had seen some rat art/tattoos that inspired me, but nothing that knocked my socks off.

A little over a month ago, I stumbled across this on Pinterest:

(Try as I might, I could not track down the original posting or the artist. I scoured Pinterest, DeviantArt, and Google and came up empty handed. I hope the original artist will forgive me! This was the only link I found: rat art.)

This one hooked me, so I decided I wanted something similar and I wanted the rats to look like Romulus and Remus, obviously.

Even after the last several months and having new rat babies to love, I still miss them like crazy. They are so often in my thoughts and dreams and always in my heart. Their absence weighs so heavily on me. I would have been happy to have the two of them forever. They were so special and I felt inspired to show that. Plus, I feel like I really am the crazy rat lady, so why not make it official? Extend the crazy, as it were.

So I showed them the above image and sent a few pictures of Romulus and Remus (like I don't have enough, right?) The guy who owns Fallen Owl and did my first two tattoos was, once again, booked through August! (WHAT?!?) And the lady who did my Labyrinth tattoo is no longer at that studio, so Adam (the owner) made a few recommendations for me based on what I wanted and pulled out portfolios. I actually ended up liking the portfolio of a visiting tattoo artist best for this type of thing. So we set up an appointment a couple of weeks out.

That gave me more time to solidify my decision and make sure of the placement. Tattoo placement seems to be the hardest thing for me to decide on and I am amazingly picky. I aim for places that won't wrinkle/stretch too much over time, as well as places that I can cover them up (in case I ever want a job... actually, at my current job, no one cares! Awesome). I had been thinking about my collar bone area. I carried them around on my shoulders so that seemed appropriate. And then I could put it close to my heart. Because I am a cheesy person.

And that was that! I went in Friday before work to have it done. The guest artist who did it was great-very nice and talented. Plus he keeps everything really clean (a must in my world. Fallen Owl always keeps things clean, though). It took not quite two hours and it hurt like the dickens (all of my others were either done in one hour or one hour sessons).

I was happy with the way it turned out. But I couldn't take any good pictures right off because the artist covered it with a special bandage. It was clear, but blood and ink pooled inside of it. It was pretty nasty looking!

So I waited the 24 hours and took off the bandage. Carefully, so as to not get blood everywhere (again, nasty). I washed it and tada!

It obviously needs time to heal (and boy is it tender!), but it looks pretty good, right? I got several compliments on it when I went into work. My kind of people on night shift: nerds with crazy hair colors and tattoos. I feel like I fit in!

I imagine some people will find me very odd for getting my rat tattoo. But I am happy with it! It's a nice reminder of my boys. I love how they are all curled up together. It reminds me so much of how they always curled up together when they were alive. I think that is part of why the original image made such a strong impression.

Now to heal and contemplate future tattoos.

Remembering Leonard Nimoy

Yes, another remembrance.

As a Star Trek fan, I was incredibly sad to hear of the death of Leonard Nimoy. He was such a famous icon for the Star Trek fandom and I know that his loss is deeply felt. Even after the original Star Trek series, he has appeared numerous times in the following seasons and movies. I will miss that connection to the originals.

But I will miss some other things, too.

I'm sure everyone remembers this one?
Leonard Nimoy - The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins.
(Which makes this video better, if you are interested: Legendary Frog: One Ring to Rule Them All 2)

Plus, Leonard Nimoy says the line "Pure Energy" in this 80's treasure: Information Society - What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy).

And last, but not least, here is one of my very favorite videos featuring Leonard Nimoy for all of the pure silly nerdy-ness of it: Zachary Quinto vs. Leonard Nimoy: "The Challenge."

It may seem silly, but this is how I will always remember him.

Thanks for the memories and inspiration. Rest in peace.

Leonard Nimoy's last tweet.

General Update

Sorry for the lack of posts lately.

I just started a new job at a lab (finally!) but life has been completely hectic. First off, it is a night position, which took some adjusting. On top of that, I have still been helping out at the auto shop in the mornings, Tuesday through Friday. And, of course, I am still tutoring. Which means that I hardly have time to sleep, much less do anything fun or hang out with friends. Plus, I find it difficult to find time to read, unless its the weekend. So I am listening to lots of audiobooks, which is great, but not the same.

Adjusting to a night schedule is strange and has been pretty tough. It will be much easier when I am all done at the auto shop so I actually have more of my day free to sleep and get things done. I am hoping I will be finished with that by the end of this week at the latest. Three jobs is at least one too many! And I get headache-y and nauseous when I don't get enough sleep and have to stay up all night.

It has made it a little difficult to see and spend time with Isaac. We just kind of see each other in passing and on weekends, when one of us isn't sleeping, that is. I seem to do better if I stick to the night schedule all of the time, even on days off. I hope once I am really adjusted, that I will be able to be more flexible on my off days.

However, I generally enjoy my new position. It will definitely provide me with opportunities to learn and grow. And I like the night shift. My coworkers are pretty awesome. To my utter horror, I broke a tube in my centrifuge for the first time ever, but one of the gals who is training me came to help me out and my manager walked me through the reporting of the incident. It sucked, and I felt like crying, but I am glad that no one freaked out. They know that such things happen and were willing to lend a hand. (I was still miserable for a couple days, and I'm sure I will be nervous when I go back Monday night).

In other news, I am trying to spend time with my rats. Being so short on time is hard. I make sure to spend some time with them every day and I clean their cage every week. But we get the most time together on my off nights while Isaac is asleep. They get to run around and get into trouble and climb all over me. I am just part of the scenery, really.

But the girls are all doing well. They are all very playful and super full of energy. I don't think they ever get tired of running around and climbing. And, of course, I spoil them rotten with treats and snacks. My main failing has been my complete inability to litter box train them. I never managed to really train the boys, either. It might be something that requires me to have a lot more time with them than I have. I read articles about litter training rats, and I do follow the advice, but I can't be here all the time to monitor. Oh well. I suppose that won't be the end of the world.

As of right now, that is my life. And man, do I miss hanging out with my friends! Top priority once my schedule calms down!