Tattoo Me

Thank you for Tattooing Me

…with Beauty.

(Original Post From September 2009)

Mark My Body For Life:

Only $5.

The Birthday:

I am turning 30 on October 21, 2009. For the past three years I’ve been thinking about what it will mean to turn 30. In that time, I’ve watched a number of friends celebrate their 30th birthday by inviting friends to join them in significant and memorable ways. One friend held a ritual/funeral for her 20’s. One friend decided to write his own memoirs and asked others to help by sending a story, poem or thought to add. One friend was surprised by a book of postcards spelling his name, which two of his friend’s arranged to have sent from all across the country.

All these invitations to memorialize and celebrate a friend as they left their 20’s behind marked me as well. What could I invite others to do with/for me? Is it really okay to ask extravagantly for others to join me in crossing this rite of passage? Reflecting on how much I loved being able to participate in those birthdays, I think I can safely say the answer is ‘Yes’.

The Invitation:

I have wanted a tattoo for at least five years, but couldn’t think of anything that wouldn’t just be arbitrary for the sake of getting a tattoo. What did I want to have marked on my body? What has already marked me in my life? What do I most want to be marked by as I get older?

Well, certainly I have been marked by the people with whom I’ve worked, played, laughed, danced, performed, lived, talked, questioned, prayed, fought, and loved. In other words, you.

What better way to be tattooed than to be tattooed by the individuals who have already “tattooed” my life in diverse and colorful ways? I now know exactly the tattoo I want (to be revealed later) and yes, it’s kind of wierd to ask for donations for a tattoo but think about it, next time I see you, even if we just run into each other in Union Square on some random December 17th, I can kick of my shoe (where my tattoo will be) and say “This is the tattoo you gave me! Thank You!” Doesn’t that sound rad?


For my 30th birthday, will you join me by chipping in $5 to give a gift that will still be with me when I’m 37, 49 and 82, etc?

It’s fun and easy and I can’t do it without you.

Thanks for helping me celebrate.

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Posted on Wed, Sep 23rd, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Filed under Uncategorized.

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