Fadedwords

Yesterday Tiani and I went to Warlock’s in Raleigh to have our tattoos done.  This was where I got my first tattoo done, and I knew what a great shop it was.  This was Tiani’s first tattoo so she was nervous.  I knew the people at Warlock’s would make it a good experience.

We got there right as the shop opened, and gave our ideas to the artists.  My stencil was ready first so we went back to the room with Byron and he got ready.  Tiani watched as he started my piece, but soon after her tattoo artist came to get her for her tattoo.  We were both a little bummed because I had wanted to be with her, and I know she wanted me to be there too!  Byron explained that my tattoo would take much longer, so to get us both done they had to do them at the same time.  He was right about the time mine would take; I sat for about an hour and Tiani was done in about 25 minutes or so.  Byron made it a very fun experience for me though… he’s had a lot of tattooing experience (28 years) and a lot of great life experience as well.  It was a great time.

The final products are fantastic.  Tiani’s is in remembrance of John Lennon, and mine is the ladybug tattoo I’ve been wanting since I was about 16.  Mine didn’t really “hurt” until the end, when he was adding another layer of shading to areas he had already tattooed.  That was a little rough, but I got through it and I am incredibly pleased with how the tattoo came out.

The best part of this tattoo was that I got to go with Tiani.  That will be a memory I have forever, and it’s a good one.  I’m so proud of her for getting through it, and I think her tattoo is gorgeous.  It was well worth the wait to get this tattoo so I could go with her.

Today is a pretty wonderful day.  Why?

Tiani is on her way to see me.  I actually just received a text message from her in Boston where she awaits her flight to RDU.  She should be in by 5pm or so.  Tonight we’re going to order food from Two Cousins, a fantastic pizza place nearby the house.  I am already looking forward to the scrumptious calzone that I plan to get.  I made peanut butter cookies for a sweet treat, so it will be a night of yummies.  Tomorrow we’re going to go get tattoos.  It will be Tiani’s first and my second.  I’m extremely excited about it and cannot wait until I get it done.

Also on the list of awesome things is that it is Merlin’s 10-month ‘birthday’.  I can’t believe that my once 14lb pup is now an 80lb monster!  He’s become such a wonderful dog, and he’s such a joy to have.  I waited a long time to get this dog, and I am so glad that I picked him.  He’s incredibly intelligent, loyal, and fun.  He is quite the fantastic mutt.

Still on the list is that I have a new job.  I’ve received many messages from friends and coworkers at the old school congratulating me and telling me how happy they are for me.  I’m going to miss them all a great deal, but I know that this is the best possible move for me.  I am so excited that I get to leave the middle school and move on to a school that I can be happy going into every morning.

Everything is falling into place, and it feels great.

I received a call at about 3:15 this afternoon from the Director of HR at Johnston County Schools.  I was officially offered the job and accepted it!

Following that call I emailed my former boss my resignation, per his request.

I go next Thursday for a paperwork and orientation session.

Life is good.

I received a phone call a little bit ago, and it was my friend Sandy from the middle school.  She said that my principal had spoken to the director of HR in Johnston County this morning, and that the principal told her that they were going to offer me the job.  Soon after that phone call, I received an email from another friend at the middle school congratulating me on the new job.

So apparently everyone at the middle school is under the impression that I already have a job.

I have no official offer yet, but I’m hoping to hear something either today or tomorrow.

Some trivia to share:

The guy who has done the voice of Optimus Prime in the movie and in the cartoons? He also is the voice of Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh.

More than meets the eye indeed.