Mar 03 2008
Requiem For a Boy, His Tiger, … and Liberal Socialism
I was 19 years old when I got my first tattoo. It was 1990, I was a sophomore at Arizona State University, and I guess I thought it was about time to get a tattoo.
Recently, however, I haven't been able to pinpoint just why I wanted, or how I even came to the decision to get the tattoo. Nor have I been able to recall exactly the thought processes that led me to pick that particular picture — the one directly above — to get permanently etched on my skin.
This image in question is of Calvin & Hobbs, the 2 title characters in a popular comic strip popular in the 1980's - 1990's, written and illustrated by Bill Watterson. For those of you not familiar with Calvin and Hobbes, the comic followed the humorous antics of Calvin, an imaginative six-year old boy, and Hobbes, his energetic and sardonic, albeit stuffed, tiger (named after Thomas Hobbs).
Granted, my mom wasn't thrilled to see the tattoo — especially when she realized it would not come off no matter how much soap I used. But when I got the tattoo, the comic strip was ubiquitous, well-known, and loved by both men and women. At the time, it was the best of both worlds for me — guys thought the tattoo was cool, while girls thought the tattoo was cute. It was great.
Unfortunately, times have changed.
My tattoo no longer held that same sway with my audience of late, thanks to a variety of factors — Bill Watterson's retirement of the comic strip in the the mid-1990's, the ravages of time and sun exposure to my skin, and the seemingly ceaseless efforts of American rednecks whose numbers are legion who chose THAT particular comic to decry their outrage over the quality of Ford trucks.
As such, for the past several years, the result has been a bluish blur on my left shoulder resembling something some people in some places vaguely recalled seeing at some time in the past. Moreover, this problem was exacerbated after I left the States. As a result, lately, all I seemed to hear was:
"Oh wow, is that an old tiger tattoo on your arm? What, were you in the French Foreign Legion or something?"
Uh, not so much … no.
So I've been searching for years for a 'replacement' tattoo to cover up ol' Calvin & Hobbs. Either fortunately or unfortunately, I was never able to find something I liked enough to replace them, nor have I been in many places where getting a tattoo was a practical (or healthy) idea.
But eventually I designed my own cover-up tattoo, and I'm now in Bangkok — one of the premiere locales in the world to get 'inked'. So I figured it was about time to finally ink it over up with the new design.
That's what I did today. Actually, THIS is what I did today:
The design itself is larger than I otherwise would have gone with, but it was necessary to cover the original. And the photo isn't the best — it doesn't show some of the smaller details (there are some wave designs and cross-hatching that my camera can't pick up), but all in all I'm pleased about how it came out.
Given all the issues with the old tattoo, I thought getting this new one would be a non-issue. And quite frankly, it was … until after it was gone. It was only when I saw the figures of Calvin and Hobbs slowly disappearing under a blanket of fresh black ink that I finally remembered the underlying reasons, and circumstances of, why and how I got that first tattoo.
I won't bore you with those details — most of which are inane and irrelevant to everyone but myself and my former college roommate Stacey (who came with me and got his first tattoo at the same time). But I will say this much: I am a bit sorry to see it gone.
Although it was old and faded and much of its initial meaning lost to the ravages of time, every time I looked down at my left shoulder, I was unknowingly reminded of an earlier — and very happy — time of my life. I haven't consciously thought about those college years for quite a while. Nor have I thought about the comic strip itself for a while.
My apologies, but I'm keeping my fond youthful memories to myself. I will, however, remind those of you who are interested of at least one of the reasons why I chose those particular comic strip characters to first decorate my skin.
So, to summarize, I quit my job and life in the States to go goof off traveling around the world for a few years, where I eventually go and cover up a tattoo of a comic strip poking fun at the same societal norms condemning goofing off from which I fled.
Well goddammit, if that ain't irony, I don't know what is.
“We haven’t had any irony here since about, uh, ‘83, when I was the only practitioner of it. And I stopped because I was tired of being stared at.”
The parallels in our lives continue, my friend. I just got back from my artist because we’re doing a design to cover up one of my early-age tattoo mistakes. Literally, like I just got back 20 minutes ago, and then read this. Weird.
Unlike you, however, I won’t be sorry to see mine go. It was a bad idea then, a worse idea now.
Take care bud.
At long last, Ironicles’ emerges from the rice paddies. ;0}
The Miami Herald ran a brief piece on your friend Chez and his termination from CNN. I didn’t realize his dad is Ralph Page. Cool.
Here’s the link: http://www.miamiherald.com/418/story/430871.html. It’s in the same piece about Dwight Lauderdale’s retirement.
As far the tattoo, I like Calvin and Hobbes but do whatever makes you happy as you’ll likely do anyway!
Slouch,
“I, uh, notice you don’t have any tattoos. I think that’s a wise choice. I don’t think Jackie Onassis would’ve gone as far if she’d have had an anchor on her arm. ”
TK,
That’s just creepy … still. BTW, I ran into someone (not literally, so don’t worry ’bout me) from S.A. with similar tattoos of prehistoric drawings as yours. Is it like an S.A. national pride kinda thing to do that, or what?
K,
It’s only a brief emergence. All the bright lights, shopping malls, and running water is starting to get to me — I’m heading back to Amish country ASAP.
V,
Yeah, Chez’s dad is a really cool guy. Nice to see Chez is still milking this thing for all it’s worth. Fuck CNN. Yeah, I still like C&H too, but the tattoo itself was looking a bit nappy - and you’re about the only hot woman who remembers who they are … so there’s that too.
you look hot.
finished reading abt your tattoo, cover up is wild. i didn’t get my first tattoo until i was in my middle 40’s. had one done, then i was hooked, inking is like a drug(but legal). good for you, in your quest for your soul & life. i’m @ a crossroads myself, can’t figure out which way i want to go. do i walk away from 21 years of marriage or stay and make the best of it. suicide crosses my mind, but i’m scared i miss something….. keep blogging….
Gina, thanks for the comment. Yes, tattoos are like potato chips - it’s hard to stop at just one.
As for quests and cross-roads, you’ve obviously gotta do whatever is best for you, but quitting life is just not the right answer - ever. Really, why voluntarily give up what billions fight for every day?
And if you are seriously contemplating that route, please, for yourself and your family, maybe you should consider talking to a therapist. I’ve been in that place you are, and therapy helped me get past it and to remember there are still many more things left to come.
At a minimum, please check out these guys: http://suicidehotlines.com/
Thanks for reading, good luck with your next tattoo(s), and I hope to see more comments in the future.
I remember Calvin & Hobbes, and I think I was only 17 when it got cancelled. I was so upset because it was my absolute favourite, and certainly not because it was cute. It was hilarious and brilliant.
I didn’t get my first tattoo until I was 28. I had just had the worst spring EVER (highlights would include an unplanned pregnancy which, after I decided to keep it, turned out to be ectopic so I had a miscarriage) and I finally stopped being afraid that I’d picked a design I might change my mind about. There are far worse things that can happen, after all. I don’t hate it yet, but if that day ever comes I think I’ll be sad to see it gone. I don’t quite understand why something that reminds me of the worst thing that ever happened to me would be something I’d miss, but there you go.
hey Bro ,
, he loved that comic strip .
Your new tat is cool , did You design it?
ive recently been a little bummed i drew a
cool tat on my arm with an ink pen around 1992
of an indian motocycle Native American face and
headdress , anyway i didnt go get it made permanent , it was good . anyway do Yous Know of an Artist
named Martin Emond , He had tats of Calvin and Hobbes
around both arms/biceps and a massive Calvin on
his back
i reckon Youll enjoy looking up a photo of
Him and His tats . Beautiful Hearted Person
and amazing Artist ,unfortunitly He commited
suiside a few years back in LA . it was like
losing Kirt Cobain but worse cause Marty is a Great Friend . check out his pics . Yo Your tat is cool , im getting
more tats myself soon as , 4 so far ,should have been 5