www.nicholasroussos.com

I've never really been a big fan of tattoos. I can't think of a specific reason why, but mostly I never saw any that I really liked. That all changed after my first theatrical viewing of Pirates of the Caribbean. There was something definitely cool about Jack Sparrow's self-identifying tattoo. I'll admit it; since then, I've wanted a tattoo.

In fact, I've seriously discussed it with my wife, Cindy, albeit on a whim, driving down the road. At first she was against the idea, she had always wanted one, and I had always vehemently declared that I did not. She didn't understand the sudden change of heart anymore than I did. She tried disuading me with threats of pain. It didn't work. She tried forseeing certain regret. I still persisted. Of course, more pragmatic concerns won out. I didn't know what I wanted to get, and the moment passed.

It came up again this past weekend. This time (6 months later), my wife felt I had proven that my desire stood the test of time. So, she not only consented but supported the idea. Just one problem, I still didn't know what I wanted to get.

What To Get?
The location had already been agreed upon in the six month duration. I wanted one on the underside of my forearm; Cindy wanted it less visible. So, we agreed on my upper arm. I always knew it would have to be my left arm as a fencer my off-weapon arm only made sense. That one question still haunted me though, what to get. In fact, Cindy had agreed to let me get one on Sunday, but as Saturday wore on with no design in mind, her approval was waning.

I bounced ideas off of her, but they all were half-hearted and met with negative responses. In a last desperate attempt, I enlisted the help of my BUDS and we searched the internet looking for ideas. After looking at countless celebrity tattoos we determined two things: (1) it had to be single colored (black), (2) basketball players had some of the better tattoos. Still, I was no where near finding my own design. My BUDS left, and I began to accept defeat. Sunday would be here too soon.

Not wanting to hit the sack on a bad note, I surfed around for a while. As my thinking began to become more and more sleep influenced. I came up with a few ideas. So, I hit the sack trying not to wake my sleeping wife, but excitement had already set in. I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking on how I might have found the design. Finally, I drifted off only to wake up early to a wife who was still sleeping. As I tried to lay there silently, I came up with a third idea. It was the best one yet because it was completely original.