h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm making plans to enhance my existing rather shabby tattoo into a phoenix, so I've been looking at different ideas and designs. I was in Edinburgh last weekend, and it's a standing tradition that when in that fine city I get a temporary airbrush tattoo. So I chose a phoenix for my arm.

Back at work, I'm in charge as the boss is on leave, all the project guys are out, so it's only me and the admin staff. They've seen and joked about the tat, so I didn't worry about covering it up and wore a sleeveless top to work on Friday. Lo and behold, one of the project guys, B, arrives in with one of our funders in tow!

Now B has a tatt on his arm and we've spoken before about showing them in the office.

There then followed a conversation which was on 2 levels. My voice was talking to the funder about budgets and foreign currency fluctuations, while B was making eye contact with me in such a way as to say "What the eff is that on your arm, missus!" and my eyes are signalling back at him "gee thanks for the advance warning!"

First stage of getting the real one done starts next week.

Why stop at the tat? You could order the full phoenix suit, as modelled here by Aldershot Town's mascot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/willsurvive/2957118133/

Should go down well in the next blue-chip client presentation.

Well, that should distract everybody from any tattoo on show!

Did you know there's a phoenix constellation? A37329834

Marvellous!

This time tomorrow I shall be in excruciating pain, so maybe all your good vibes will ease it somewhat.

* offers a hand to crush ... *

Weeeellll...not as sore as I'd feared, but bigger than I'd imagined, and its still not finished!

We started about 2.30 with paperwork etc. Because I'd gone away from the tribal style, I was assigned a new artist, Ralph, a Brazilian-Canadian specialising in freehand art. So he had to take a look at the existing tat, then search online for some images he could work from, and then start sketching on my with his Sharpies.

So it was nearly 4 by the time he'd actually got everything ready to start work with the needles! The outline was sore, like a very deep scratch, but bearable in that it wasn't constant - Ralph was moving from one section to the next. And some areas of the body are easier to bear than others - anything near my spine was agony, near the buttocks was scarcely noticeable, and near my hips and stomach was almost ticklish (Scuse me while I just remember Ralph's fingers....)

Outline done about 10 to 5, and we agreed we'd press on and start some of the shading work for another half an hour. But there's probably another couple of hours work to do on the wings and tail, so I'll have to go back in a few weeks for that.

Photos to follow!

I'd like a tattoo, but not the needles and ink in my skin.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39858614@N03/sets/72157624902576474/

Should be the set of pics...

That's huge.

Mmm, bigger than I'd imagined! But you know what? I don't have to see it all the time - nor does anyone else. In fact, there's very few situations I'd be in that it'll be seen. I quite like it being my guardian, at my back, protecting me.

Oh my, my, oh hell yes. That looks fabulous, Bea. Can't wait for the next pics...

That IS large and impressive. I expect a lot of hours under the needles too. But very nice.

If you thought today was painful, just wait til it bursts into flames!

Perhaps we've discovered the secret of spontaneous human combustion...

Well, 3ish hours today, another 2 will finish it off. I am rather proud of it!

Bit worried about flames in case it looks like I've just set one of my farts on fire...

Phoenix natural gas, eh?

OK she has a name: Beatrix.

Natural combination of online name and phoenix.

Whaddya think?