Totally Random

Ok, I have only been to two places today (Kaiser for a Drs appt and Trader Joes) and I've gotten four comments on my tattoos. What's up with that? I rarely get comments anymore unless I'm at the bar. Only two stood out today, though.

The phlebotomist at the lab was taking my blood and noticed the mom/anchor tattoo I have on my forearm. He looked at me and said, "Aw, your mom passed away?" to which I replied, "no." He was so freaked out that he'd made that mistake, but I joked with him about it a bit. He started to feel better and continued discussing tattoos to get past his faux pas and distract me from the fact that he was taking like, all my blood. I had to leave and get something to eat I was so woozy.

Which leads me to Trader Joe's, where I spoke to no one but the checker and the guy who came up right as I was paying to change shifts. He looked at me and asked if my tattoo was done (which I get asked a lot, I think because the flowers are striped and that looks unfinished to some people), and then the requisite "who did the work?" I mentioned my awesome friend Rachel, who has done all of my tattoos and works at All American Tattoo in Fullerton. To this he said, "Crazy! You know what?"

Now, at this point, I'm thinking he's going to say, "I know someone who works there," or "Another person I know got a tattoo from her," or any number of things related to the specific shop. Right?

But no, he continued..."The guy who did my work, his wife does incredible tattoos. Like, take a look at these lines here (shows bicep with tribal fish). She can get that intricate line work really straigtht and neat. And your gal did too, I can see." It was like he had witnessed a dog play the piano or something.

I guess he's saying that women can be good tattooers? Or that they can tattoo thin, straight lines? And that this is somehow remarkable. I looked at him kind of confused and said, "Yeah, a lot more women are tattooing now, right?" and walked off pleasantly, but still kind of confused looking, I'm sure. WTF? Isn't Kat Von D's picture and line work splattered all over the place? Get it together, it's 2009, bro.

This is what I get for trying to be friendly and actually making eye contact with people. I had it coming.