The Stress Has Begun

I’m writing this in the library on my phone as, despite being plugged in nearly all weekend, my iPad has decided that the battery has no juice. In its defence, it is a long walk in very cold weather to get to the library. I expect the cold is what killed the battery. Alas.

Luckily, my phone was in my pocket, and so protected by body warmth. So I can get my hour of writing done. It will require more careful editing, however, as my phone’s autocorrect has a habit of changing words earlier in the sentence at random. Alas.

Annoyingly, this does mean that I likely won’t get to my book writing portion of that hour today. The outlets at the library trickle electricity. I have lost power (albeit slower than usual) while writing, despite being plugged in here. Alas.

Alright, I’m done being silly with the ‘alas’ nonsense.

There isn’t much to say that wasn’t covered in the monthly report from last week. I was supposed to start the painting for Can-Con this weekend, but ended up largely sleeping instead. I’m annoyed at myself, and intend to get start and finish the under-drawing this evening, at least.

Thursday has been booked off work. I’m getting my half-sleeve tattoo done. I’ve been saving for years and years for this, and am so excited to be getting it done at last. It pays particular tribute to my insular European heritage, with Neolithic Irish and Iron Age British La Tène art styling. I can’t wait to get it done.

I haven’t told my dad yet. He knows I’ve planned one for ages now, but he doesn’t know I’ve booked it. In fact, two days following, I’ll be headed to my aunt’s birthday celebration, so I’m going to have to find a pretty, long-sleeved top to cover it. It’s going to still be wrapped up and thus a little bleed-y and very ugly. Not for public viewing yet.

I’ll also be getting a tattoo of Galahad’s paw print, which I had made when he died. I’ve been meaning to get it before now, but struggled to find the time. And the artist, to be fair. This is another one I’ve wanted for a long while. It will be going on the right side of my chest, close to my heart.

There is one more I’ll be getting: the autobot symbol on the left side of my chest beneath the clavicle quite close to the arm. A cheeky nod to where most of the autobots have their symbol (on the arm, but that will get in the way of the sleeve, so I’m not getting it there). I wavered on this one a little bit, but now I’m quite sure I want it. It will be relatively small, and very simply done, only visible if I’m wearing a very scooped-neck or off-the-shoulder top.

This, because The Transformers has proved much more impactful on me than I thought, having come to the realisation after Peter Cullen’s passing, and reflecting a lot on my early life and the places I found comfort.

Anyway, all of this to say that I hope I won’t be too tired from the hours in the tattoo chair to get paint on the canvas Thursday afternoon. It’ll probably be quite late in the afternoon, as my appointment isn’t until mid-morning, and I expect to be there a few hours at least. If I can get started, I know I’ll have no problem finishing it. I just need to get started. I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to do.

I’m trying to focus on the tattoos, because I’m quite stressed about Can-Con. I always am on approach. I’m going to spend this coming weekend pulling out the various boxes and trying to get them prepared properly, so it’s not a mad, last-minute dash the morning of. It has definitely been that before.

I think this time I’ll make the painting acrylic, rather than oil. I need more time for the oil paintings I have planned, and the image I have in mind would be better served by that particular medium. I also have an idea for a series of similar paintings. I’ll explain more in my exclusive post after the painting is complete, I think.

Anyway, the painting needs to be finished this weekend, or it’ll just not get done at all. Luckily, Thanksgiving is coming up, so I’ll also have that holiday to finish the work and send the pics to the Can-Con organisers for approval.

And get my stuff together properly for the actual convention. I’m very glad I booked a room at the hotel this time. It’s going to make the experience so much easier.

Alright, I have to go. I have a lot of stuff to get done. The next time I write a general post, I shall be newly tattooed. Not going to lie, I’m excited.

Slán go foill!