Tattoo Tuesdays: Give me some vulnerability...I am your neighbor

Gone are the days of my youth, the days of chubby cheeked innocence and a naïve soul you could gamble on. I don't miss the chubby cheeked days, in fact I often shutter at the thought of looking at the old me. Mostly because I have a low toleration for pictures of myself and the days of curly-headed ignorance...short hair and me don't go well together. However, many are the times I miss the naïve Maddie. She was not weighed down by the bitterness and grudge ridden years of the girl before you now.

 

"...you have a courage and feroicty inside of you that I admire."

~Best Friend*

Old and new me have always been stubborn and determined. I'm not sure my determinedness has necessarily been a positive always, but it is there nonetheless. The very thing I "demand" of others I struggle with conjuring in my own day to day life. I'm not for certain I demand, per say, that people in my life be vulnerable, but I frequently write a code of ethics in my mind's eye of which honesty, of character namely, ranks extremely high. I admit to having standards that are borderline unattainable, to a ridiculous level in fact.

 

Perhaps I see my own downfall in the area of being vulnerable and thus so adamantly require it of my friends and family. I test you, I weigh you, I find you wanting, and I don't even tell you. How do you like that for trial by fire?

 

Putting it lightly and rather ineloquently...being vulnerable sucks. Yet I find myself in this mode of repeat time and again of having opened my heart to someone(s) and being burned again. I let my mind wonder at the many thoughts and schemes of a self-reliant, wall building, "you ain't gonna hurt me" attitude. My efforts go so far as to include the people that love me at my worst, the God who created me, and the people who don't even know how they hurt me. I find it to be further manifested, in those ignorant of my hurt, that I have projected a good deal of my hurt onto their "little" infractions as to render them damned in my eyes. A bleeding heart is want to believe the worst in everyone and every situation that comes across their path.

 

I hate to toot my horn--or do I?--but this post is of an extreme vulnerable nature. I'm coming clean. That I fall short so often of the character attributes I so fiercely clutch to my bosom, I blind myself and in the end I hurt me and by default I cut the ropes that bind me to an ever forgiving Lord, an eternal lover of this sinner you see before you.

 

I know I have talked about it before, "a few good men friends" and so therein lies my encouragement for you and for me. From one of my greatest friends and encouragers found in this world...my Mum's advice to me today:

 

1. Let your vulnerability be sprinkled with love...and mostly this comes from others. The people who mend your broken resolves, after what you feel is one too many times of being open and honest.

2. Turn your hurt over to the Master. This is so hard, I know, but shall we try to do so more...together?

3. Realize you are not exempt. I am not exempt from this unending game of hurting each other, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Once we remember this, maybe we will be more willing to forget our bitter promises to never be real with those around us.

4. Remain loving no matter what. If God (aka the Master of the universe) is big enough to forgive our everyday sins and still love us...I should be able, or try Lord help me, to remain steadfast in my loving nature. More bees with honey and all, right?

 

“Speak your mind even if your voice shakes.”

~Maggie Kuhn

 

There are times the notion of letting another person in, another person see the me I might not show everyone else...makes me sick with fear. The wall builder begins to take residence in the background of my mind, ready and waiting. Send the wall builder flying and surprise the hell out of it by remembering you are never alone.

 

In light of this "heavy" post, today's featured tattoos are of the wordy variety. By no means do I wish to come across as "preachy" or "condemning". I speak from my heart, and often my own words flowing out as a means of comforting others, oddly enough, are the very thing I should be enacting in my own life. Hello kettle?

Get wordy with it

Pinterest Find

 

 

Pinterest Find

 

 

Pinterest Find

 

 

Tumblr Find

 

 

Pinterest Find

 

 

 

 

 

Follow me on Pinterest

 

 

 

 

There will be a pop-quiz (Footnotes):

• *Anna's encouragement from Korea. I'm missing her like crazy.
• Tuneage today, everything Grouplove!
• There is so much "practice what you preach" in this post. Do you think I'll be struck by lightning?

Tattoo Tuesdays: Pass the Change

 

 

Welcome to a Tuesday that feels too much like a Monday. I had a bad start to my morning, all because I couldn't find my black zipper hoodie. I have this way about me that I let the smallest detail send me on a highway to negativity land. Finishing up my hair in the bathroom this morning (the color still 'frightens' me a little) I whispered to myself "Bad morning, does mean a bad rest of the day. Get with it Maddie!" Yes I talk to myself, don't you?



 

Today's Features:

 

Pinterest Find

 

Needle and thread by Dr. Woo, Shamrock Tattoo, California.

 

I'm all about 'wearing' your passions. Simple, sweet, and great placement.

 

Instagram Find

 

Hearts and me...you know we go together. The vintage appeal of this tattoo, not only because it features a gramophone, but with the inking style (sketchy pen and ink) really sets this tattoo off for me. I am not always a fan of back tattoos, but I like the creativity behind this one; manipulating the heart and gramophone to make one unique piece of skin art.

 

Tumblr Find

 

'Wearing' your passions for the win in this post! A chef, foodie, minimalistic tattoo...on the shoulder...on a guy. He can cook for me (insert wink)!

 

 

Pinterest Find

 

Honestly? At first I didn't like this tattoo, but for some odd reason the more look at the more I like it. The wispy typography taking over the arm is a definite eye catcher for me.

 

 

 

“Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn't stop for anybody.”

~Stephen Chbosky

 

 

Find me on Pinterest

Tattoo Tuesdays: Talk Shop To Me

It is 2014 and you know what that means?!? Honestly I don't know what that means, it just sounded like an appropriate beginning to a post...the first post of 2014.

The latter part of November and the entire month of December were CRAZY for me. One of those occasions where you are stuck between wishing the time away and wishing for things to slllllllllloooowwww down. Yeah that kind of crazy.

In other news, Tattoos have been on the brain. Ideas are floating closer to the surface and they are all pleading "Me! Me! Me!" I got a quote...oh didn't I tell you? (insert wink) I'm not quite at the necessary funds level to go for it, but I'm close. I've been chatting it up with my fellow ink crazies, all the "inky" details. My honest to goodness hope is before mid-February. My best friend is leaving for Korea and I have wanted her to be my tagalong since darn near the beginning of the ink madness. We shall see. My Tattoo budget is being heavily "preyed upon" by the impending need for more piercings as well. We all realize, as a writer, I have voices floating around my head, right? Well they also plead for the ink and the holes as well. Confusing, right? (insert smile)

I have many thoughts right now, some good and some none too pretty. That being said this post is an update and a sharing time, rather than a wisdom/from the mouth of babes (me being the babe) time.

The Tattoos:

Pinterest Find

Wow, talk about crazy for color! I'm still up in the air about color, but I absolutely love the strikingness* of this tattoo. The purple/pinkish/magenta? color is bam in your face. I am not a huge fan of placement, mostly because I personally don't like my back and therefore do not own backless clothing. How would I show off such gorgeous ink? Octopuses are always a winner in my world.

Pinterest Find

 

I am all about showing off your craft, your creative outlet...and yes being a beautician is a creative outlet. Placement is spot on for me. The red works, it helps with the over all "popping" vibe. The scissors are by far my favorite part of this ink. I like the old-fashion appeal. According to Pinterest this tattoo is by Xoil Tattoo.

Pinterest Find

 

Why are you looking at me? Oh...wait...because I picked another Octopus tattoo? I can't help myself, this tattoo made me sigh. (insert wink) I am a sucker for forearms, what can I say? The shading and detail is awesome. Can I touch it?

 

 

Updates and in other News:

I'm giving the 'ole 365 photography project another go. If you would like to follow and/or encourage the process please do so! You never know when you might be a part of it. (insert wink)

 

 

I reopened my Etsy shop today! I'm putting my knitting and other creating techniques to the task of some Etsy fun. Take a look and tell me what you think. I have more things listed than I have before and I'm anxious for feedback and of course to sell something.

 

From the shop of yours truly, RapaciousCurls!

 

 

If you guessed that I'm hyped up on caffeine while writing then...Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!

 

  

"Write it. Shoot it. Publish it. Crochet it, sauté it, whatever. MAKE."

~Joss Whedon

 

 

Find me on Pinterest

 

 

 

Footnotes:

• *Is strikingness a word? (eyebrow raise anyone?)
• I wrote this post in silence, can you believe that? No music today (insert sad face).

Tattoo Tuesdays: Quick Feature

This is my first Tattoo Tuesdays post in several months. I want to do it justice because I like tattoos and Tattoo Tuesdays' post so much, but my internet keeps freezing. Today will be a quick post; this way I'm less likely to toss the computer across the room. Anger management classes may be in order. (wink)


Pinterest had some fine pickings today. However, the first feature is curtsy of Tumblr by way of a friend's email.

According to this person's Tumblr the middle tattoo pays homage to this guy's, Hero Jaejoong, band. Below that is “Hope to the end” (Bible quote: I Peter 1:13) and left G-clef is “The pleasures of the mighty are the tears of the poor" (a Latin proverb). The right G-clef is “A song will outlive all sermons in the memory," quote by Henry Giles. Thanks Anna for sending me this tattoo!

Another Tumblr find. Tattoos with color are awesome to me. I know the colors fade over time, especially if you don't go back for touch ups, but they are so pretty and alive.

You know me and "Day of the Dead" things. I like the placement too!

Of course an anchor tattoo has to be featured!

Quote of the Day

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” 

~Mae West

Tattoo Tuesdays: Don't Give In

“Don't give in to your fears. If you do, you won't be able to talk to your heart.”
~Paulo Coelho

 

 

I'm sure I've written about fear here on my blog before. As I was contemplating the direction of today's post I let my emotions play the part of compass. I have heard it said and even told myself that fear is a good motivator, but I find more often than not, fear is a prison. It is the hitch in your chest as a thought causes your next breath to stop midway on its escape. It is the excuse to stay put where you are, even though you want to jump over that hurdle and blast it to kingdom come while you’re at it. Fear is a poison that can and will continue to corrupt, if you allow it. I know because frequently I allow fear to 'motivate' me into inaction.

 

 

Thanks to Jeff Vinson for posting this tattoo on his Google+. Hopefully he doesn't
mind me featuring it on today's Tattoo Tuesday.

 

I have no easy answer for you. If I did I would follow the advice myself. Heck I'd bottle and sell it if I did! Some of you might not like me spouting scripture and band-aid like platitudes, but I have an answer nonetheless; one I even struggle to apply to my own life. Trust. It's not a four letter word, but it is just as hard to swallow. I feel like a hypocrite writing this because I can't follow this at times, but trust; trust that the Lord can and will get you through these times of fear. As the tattoo simply states: Fear IS a LIAR.

 

Quote this to yourself:

 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

~Philippians 4:8

 

I can't see fear falling into any of those categories, can you?

 

 

Other Features for today:

 





Tattoo and Photo credit goes to Deanna Wardin on Flickr here.

I want to destroy something beautiful. ~Fight Club

 

Awesome detail (clean and simple), typography and a heart, what more could I ask for? I like the flying paper planes too. (insert smile)

 

 

 

Cut me lose and let me live . . . no strings attached please!

 

 

 

She is a rare breed, matter fact,

she's an endangered species.

her heart’s been broken and just

like mine it remains in pieces.

But every time we’re near each

other smile is all we can do,

Our shattered souls intertwine,

I know I’ve felt the same agonizing

pain that she’s been through.

I find comfort in her grasp

so I reach out with both arms…

 

 

If you can tell me where this poem originated (you must back it up with sources folks) I will kiss you! Okay I will not kiss you, but you will get a prize of some sort. (insert smile)

 

I like the tattoo because of the poem, but I'm not sure I like the placement. I realize you are limited when the poem or words are this long. However, I couldn't walk around with a backless shirt all the time (or ever really) and how else are people going to see my tattoo?