This year might not have been the best year on record for me, as I can count only a handful of GOOD things that happened. Although the year was mostly marked with lowlights and sad events, I have been able to find strength in a place I never expected: Lee House.
I remember as a kid, looking at people with tattoos and thinking, "What in the world?" I couldn't understand why someone would want permanent art on their body. As I have grown up, I realize people get tattoos for many different reasons. Everyone's reason is personal, and no one is wrong for how they choose to express their joy, sadness, accomplishments, or other expressions of the self. My tattoos are all very personal to me and I find strength in them. It was after I got my second tattoo that I realized how much strength could come from art. When I expressed that on social media, needless to say I took some heat from some people. We all get our strength from different places and I don't believe one person is right over another person. To each, his own. Judge no one, embrace all. I'll get into that a little later. Here is a short background story for those interested in my art.
Ironman 70.3 7/13/15
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Here is my very first tattoo. While training for Ironman Raleigh 70.3, I told myself if I completed the distance I would get a tattoo. There were times during that race that I wanted to throw in the sweaty towel and just say I was finished. But I kept thinking, "I don't want to start all this training over again to try to get that tattoo." I already knew what I wanted as far as tattoos went, and now I just had to finish what I started. It wasn't until about a month after crossing the finish line that I actually got the tattoo. My friend, John, gave me the name of a local artist who had an amazing resume. I looked at some of his work, and some of the clients he has had in the past and told John to set up at appointment as soon as possible! His name is Brian Lee and he is the owner of a place called Lee House Art Studio and Custom Tattoo.
My tattoo is simple but meaningful. The M-Dot is half filled since I did a Half Ironman. The idea was that I would fill it in the rest of the way when I complete a Full Ironman, which I of course have signed up for. It was meant to motivate me to work harder towards a full and it has worked! In the summer, my tattoo was visible since I wore nothing but shorts and skirts all summer. It started conversations with people and was a way to silently say, "Hey, did you know I'm a badass?"
The chainring around the M-Dot is significant because cycling is my strongest of the three disciplines in triathlon, and the joke too is that I never seem to ride without getting a "tattoo" of the chainring on my leg. What is also important about this particular chainring, is that it has the same number of teeth on it as the small ring on my bike, Monsoon. It's all about the details!
The chainring around the M-Dot is significant because cycling is my strongest of the three disciplines in triathlon, and the joke too is that I never seem to ride without getting a "tattoo" of the chainring on my leg. What is also important about this particular chainring, is that it has the same number of teeth on it as the small ring on my bike, Monsoon. It's all about the details!
Tribute #1 10/15/15
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"So Brian, I have an idea. . . " is how the conversation started.
I got my second tattoo in October. I knew that I wanted something as a tribute to Justus. I looked online at different ideas so I was able to go in with a general idea of what I wanted. I wanted something unique, and one that couldn't be duplicated. I showed Brian two ideas and told him that I wanted to sorta blend the two concepts. The silhouette inside the paw is none other than Justus. It was made using a picture of Justus in the snow. I am a pretty open person and I am open to different ideas and concepts so when Brian asked how I felt about adding color instead of just black, I said, "I trust you completely, and whatever you think will look best, I'm on board!" Once again, I was impressed with the result. Every time I see this tattoo in the mirror, I smile. I've had people comment that the tattoo is pretty big. My response, "Go big, or go home!" The colors are absolutely gorgeous! It hurt like hell, and I probably dropped the F bomb a few dozen times. When Brian finished, I looked in the mirror and wanted to cry. Justus, my guardian angel, was forever etched on my shoulder. My reason for putting it on my shoulder is because when I started running half marathons, I used to put temporary tattoos on my shoulders, to pull in the spirit of dogs in the past, who would push me forward when I wanted to give up in the race. This tattoo gives me an incredible amount of strength. When I want to stop, give up, quit, go to bed, or whatever, I think about Justus on my shoulder telling me I can keep going, that I am strong, that I can push through anything. Now, this you see, is where things get a little controversial. I posted this picture of me in the bathroom mirror, and the caption was something along the lines of "my tattoo gives me strength. . ." which was met with responses I didn't expect. My tattoo suddenly opened up a conversation about religion which then publicized my views on religion. I don't hide my views, but tend to keep them private, as I do not follow a certain standard religion. Long story short, I believe in doing the right thing because it's the right thing to do and not necessarily because a spiritual guide tells me so. I believe in helping others (human or animal) no matter where they come from. I believe I have good morals and it should not matter what religion I do or do not follow. Regardless, the conversation of strength got a little out of control. Oh well, what are you going to do? Again, don't judge me for what I do or don't believe. Judge me on who I am as a person, and my impact on the world around me. Okay, I'm done explaining myself here. . . Let's move on to the third tattoo, shall we?
I got my second tattoo in October. I knew that I wanted something as a tribute to Justus. I looked online at different ideas so I was able to go in with a general idea of what I wanted. I wanted something unique, and one that couldn't be duplicated. I showed Brian two ideas and told him that I wanted to sorta blend the two concepts. The silhouette inside the paw is none other than Justus. It was made using a picture of Justus in the snow. I am a pretty open person and I am open to different ideas and concepts so when Brian asked how I felt about adding color instead of just black, I said, "I trust you completely, and whatever you think will look best, I'm on board!" Once again, I was impressed with the result. Every time I see this tattoo in the mirror, I smile. I've had people comment that the tattoo is pretty big. My response, "Go big, or go home!" The colors are absolutely gorgeous! It hurt like hell, and I probably dropped the F bomb a few dozen times. When Brian finished, I looked in the mirror and wanted to cry. Justus, my guardian angel, was forever etched on my shoulder. My reason for putting it on my shoulder is because when I started running half marathons, I used to put temporary tattoos on my shoulders, to pull in the spirit of dogs in the past, who would push me forward when I wanted to give up in the race. This tattoo gives me an incredible amount of strength. When I want to stop, give up, quit, go to bed, or whatever, I think about Justus on my shoulder telling me I can keep going, that I am strong, that I can push through anything. Now, this you see, is where things get a little controversial. I posted this picture of me in the bathroom mirror, and the caption was something along the lines of "my tattoo gives me strength. . ." which was met with responses I didn't expect. My tattoo suddenly opened up a conversation about religion which then publicized my views on religion. I don't hide my views, but tend to keep them private, as I do not follow a certain standard religion. Long story short, I believe in doing the right thing because it's the right thing to do and not necessarily because a spiritual guide tells me so. I believe in helping others (human or animal) no matter where they come from. I believe I have good morals and it should not matter what religion I do or do not follow. Regardless, the conversation of strength got a little out of control. Oh well, what are you going to do? Again, don't judge me for what I do or don't believe. Judge me on who I am as a person, and my impact on the world around me. Okay, I'm done explaining myself here. . . Let's move on to the third tattoo, shall we?
Tribute #2 12/15/15
"Hey Brian! So I was thinking. . . "
Before I got the last tattoo, I got on Pinterest and looked at other ideas people had for animal tattoos. I came across something similar and once again came to Brian with an idea that was open to suggestions. Brian has a great eye for art (obviously) and details. If you look at the paw print, you will notice that it is an upside-down heart. The dog in middle is once again an outline of Justus. It is perhaps not as obvious as the silhouette from the paw print, but I can see it! The message is that my heart is connected to not just Justus, but all dogs. Without dogs, I lose my heart. With dogs, I am a survivor.
Today, while at work I kept looking at it and thought, "I bet I could do something to wrap this all the way around my wrist." I stopped by the shop on my way home from work and said, "So while I was at work today I started to have this idea. . . " and the conversation went from there. One reason I decided to get this tattoo now instead of later was because I will start swimming again in January as part of base training, and when you get a tattoo, you have to stay out of public water for about two weeks, for obvious reasons.
Before I got the last tattoo, I got on Pinterest and looked at other ideas people had for animal tattoos. I came across something similar and once again came to Brian with an idea that was open to suggestions. Brian has a great eye for art (obviously) and details. If you look at the paw print, you will notice that it is an upside-down heart. The dog in middle is once again an outline of Justus. It is perhaps not as obvious as the silhouette from the paw print, but I can see it! The message is that my heart is connected to not just Justus, but all dogs. Without dogs, I lose my heart. With dogs, I am a survivor.
Today, while at work I kept looking at it and thought, "I bet I could do something to wrap this all the way around my wrist." I stopped by the shop on my way home from work and said, "So while I was at work today I started to have this idea. . . " and the conversation went from there. One reason I decided to get this tattoo now instead of later was because I will start swimming again in January as part of base training, and when you get a tattoo, you have to stay out of public water for about two weeks, for obvious reasons.
Where things go from here, I do not know. What I DO know is that my tattoos give me strength and confidence. You cannot put a price on that. I have Lee House listed on the side of my blog as part of "My Support Team" because it is the only place I will go for art. I am also loyal to those who support my crazy ideas. Brian said he is ready to see the first tattoo filled in next year! The tentative plan is to have the rest of the red filled in during my recovery week after the race. With strength, will, and confidence (and a support team) anything is possible. Surround yourself with those who support your goals. And don't forget one last piece of advice from the tattoo shop:
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