Its Only Skin Deep

     I have wanted a tattoo ever since I was little. I always thought that there was 
something so intriguing about them. Or at least about the ones I liked. Though they might have a significant meaning to the individual who has it, some tattoos come across as just another tattoo.
     Growing up I was taught that you don’t get a tattoo. That it’s wrong. At one point a few years ago when I was out to lunch with my mom, the topic of tattoos briefly came up. My mom stated that "If you ever get a tattoo, I will disown you." I thought that was a very strong stand against tattoos. She is my mother, I love her very much, that is her belief on the topic, and it doesn’t sway me one way or the other. I am going to get a tattoo, but only one.
     I was told once that every time a certain famous singer (I don’t remember who) wants to get a tattoo he pics the design and then waits a year to make sure he really does want another one or that he really does want that design. I thought that was very good advice especially since this is a very permanent accessory to attach to you. So I figured my first step should be to figure out what I want. I have drawn my own a few times and I have liked them but there was something missing.
     Also figuring out where on my body I wanted it seemed like an important thing to know also. My own personal preference is that it should be as discreet as possible for maintaining a position in the business world, i.e. easily covered by most clothing. Though the foot or ankle is fine; and the wrist area works as long as it is not obnoxious. It’s also a private thing for me so the location is important. Now these are my own preferences and thoughts, what others do or like are fine for them.
     Very rarely do I wake up remembering any dreams I might have had, to the point that I feel like I don’t dream at night. So a few months ago when I woke up and could remember bits and pieces from a dream that night I was excited especially since it was of me and my tattoo. I dreamt the location and what it was! But when I went to try and figure out exactly what it was all I got were impressions and ideas. And that started me on my hunt to figure out my tattoo. I knew a few of the elements that were in it but I couldn’t exactly put my finger on it, until last night that is!
     I have spent weeks looking through pics online of tattoos or drawings that had pieces in it that I liked. I have saved so many pics to my computer and probably accidentally texting a few to the poor guy from my previous post. Slowly I found the right pic for each part of my tattoo. I am so excited! Now my next step is to have a friend draw the tattoo and then find an artist, someplace in town, who can replicate the drawing onto me.
     Finding the artist is probably the most nerve wracking part for me. They are the one that will make this permanent and I don’t want it messed up since I will have to live with this forever. I’m also a little nervous about the actual tattooing process because, I might think I have a decent pain tolerance, I’m pretty sure this is going to hurt. After that comes saving for it. Since it is not a priority in my list of bills it will be a few more moths. But I think it will be well worth the wait.

So, does anyone have tips for me getting my first and only tattoo? Or, recommendations of artists to check out in the Des Moines area?