Each time I get a new tattoo I walk out of the shop feeling a little ragged, thinking, I love this, but I'll wait a few months before going back. By dawn the next day I'm thinking about heading right back down for more. My partner just shakes her head at me. "Addict" she says with a smile. How can something so painful be so compelling? I had a consultation at The Pearl a few weeks ago and we mapped out my right forearm. When we booked the date I was disappointed that I was going to have to wait until late March. While I would have liked to start immediately, its good news for Tim that he is so busy. I realize my perspective is a little selfish, so I want to acknowledge that I am actually very happy to be in such capable and talented hands and the wait is really not a big deal.

I am interested in how much attention my brain pays to the upcoming sessions. I think about it throughout the day, mulling over new ideas, looking for inspiration, posting in forums, and reading on and offline. I do manage to get my own work done, I don't neglect my partner (she is hugely supportive - I'm an incredible fortunate guy), so I'm not suggesting that I am so obsessed that things get missed in other aspects of my life. The feeling I get thinking about an upcoming tattoo is similar to the feelings I had as a child in the week before Christmas. Sometimes its an almost giddy excitement about what lies ahead. I like the entire experience. From walking into the shop and being hit by the smell of disinfectant, to signing the waver, to hearing the buzz of the machine, the entire experience is electric. And at the end I'll have a new tattoo to love.