Goth Awful World

I really never thought I'd make it this far! I'm a real tattoo artist with people who actually appreciate what I'm doing and want me to do it for them. Art means so much to me and I'm at the best point in my life so far! Artistically, socially, and every other way. My bipolar is medicated and kept in check, I have an amazing friend, wonderful kid, and lovely boyfriend. Financially I'm finally past the struggle. (I need tires and it's no big deal for the first time in my 31 years!!!) I can look forward to going to work even though I know I'll be working well over 60 hours every work week.

Gosh, I'm just so fucking happy with everything.

I took today off because I feel like crap. Sore throat and super weak feeling. I slept most of the morning/afternoon but I'm still feeling kinda ick. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be doing better because all of this weekend is going to be crazy with two of the artists away at the tattoo convention and Friday the 13th.

I'm really looking forward to Friday the 13th and hoping I can beat some personal tattooing records. I'm going to tattoo until I can't even hold up my machine. I'd love to do 25 tattoos, if possible. We'll just have to see how it goes. I got a nice big set of designs ready.

I should post something but I'm not really sure what to say. Work is all consuming lately. Yesterday was swamped and we were short a artist but today is super slow. Tomorrow I'm going to the tattoo supply store to pick up some new inks so that should be really exciting!

Over the past week I did a ton of cleaning and finally got my son's room and the living room/dining room area all straightened up. I feel very accomplished because I've really let it go to hell over the past few months. I've instituted new rules for my son to keep his areas under control and he's doing great so far. Also, he's doing well folding all his clothes on his own.

My new meds seem to have settled in really well. I can drink again without feeling like shit afterwards which is fantastic. Although I know it's a bad habit I do enjoy my weekly art and drinking night with my friend. Another benefit of the newer meds seems to be that I'm actually starting to like being in the sun a bit now. I just couldn't stand it for the past couple years which was weird because previously that wasn't a problem.

It'll be interesting to see how this weekend goes. I have a larger tattoo appointment and am looking forward to that. Maybe there'll be a nice photo that I can put up here afterwards.

A guy I previously tattooed came in today for a fun little Chronicles of Narnia tattoo. Although the books pissed me off eventually I did enjoy doing the cool little illustration piece.

 I'm back at work and who knows what will happen this week.  The shop owner doesn't like the nickname our newest artist goes by.  Ugh.  I don't think it matters because we're tattoo artists but whatever.  He's going to have to go by his actual name which I know he doesn't like but I guess it's a small price to pay for working at a nicer, busier shop.  He's a great artist and I hope it won't deter him.  I'm a little concerned because he has it tattooed across his eyebrow and a couple other face tattoos.  I know the owner doesn't like face tattoos so hopefully because he's so great it won't result in instant firing.  I think that would be very unfair and a bad business decision too.  He's bringing in a lot of clients, does fantastic work, and is great with the walk in customers.

Whew, I'm tired of worrying about the work stuff like that.  My meds are really helping with the anxiety and emotional ups and downs though.  I guess the current worries are at least a lot less than my normal freaking out.

On a good note, I'm feeling so much more confident in my tattooing.  I had some interesting customers and received another great review.  I'm glad because I stayed an hour and a half late that night to work with her.  I really do truly enjoy my work.  Hopefully I can do some painting or some more artistic things outside of it because I do miss all the time I used to spend painting and drawing.  Right now it's hard to find time with so little free time.  I usually spend it all hanging with my kid, boyfriend, and best friend.  Can't really complain about that because I love all of them an every moment with them is so important to me.

Work is like a whole new experience without assface working here now. I'm tattooing a bunch and still piercing with no worries of bullshit and drama from him over it. One guy came and got his first tattoo on Wednesday and has already contacted me for his next one.

I feel so optimistic and better in general. Hopefully this will continue and we'll have another artist to fill the vacancy soon.

 So after a year of bothering my boyfriend, we'll just call him Jer, finally he let me pierce his ear!  We did a little captive bead ring on the helix.  He didn't have any piercings, tattoos, or other body modifications and has been pretty against getting any himself.  This was a big thing so I hope he likes it and it heals well for him.  I think it's super sexy.

In other news, my artist has almost finished the design for my next piece.  It's going to be an old school styled pirate ship.  He designed it kind of like a ship in the bottle and we'll add some rope and flower embellishments.  I'm hoping to cap off my right sleeve with it so that'll be nice.

My new meds are making me constantly sleepy.  I immediately notice it when I take them and I'm downing so much caffeine just to make it through the day.  It probably isn't helping that I'm working such long shifts lately.  Luckily staying busy distracts me from the sleepiness.  The only thing that's really concerning is I'm having some difficulty driving at night.  I might be getting Jer to drive me to and from until I get more settled with the new meds.