Kelly ([info]sherlockelly) wrote in [info]literarytattoos,
2008-10-06 08:47:00
This is the best idea for a group ever! I'll have to hook my roommate up with it so she can post her tattoos, too!

I got my fourth tattoo yesterday on a whim1 when my roommate asked me at brunch if I wanted to go to the tattoo parlor. Of course I did!

Got this done at Empire Tattoos in Upland, California. It took a WHOPPING 90 SECONDS to finish2, and I love it dearly, dearly, dearly.

I don't know if you all heard about David Foster Wallace's suicide on September 12th, and if you did, I'm sure you heard about how he was a professor of English and Creative Writing at Pomona College.

I had the pleasure of having him for a professor last year, the last year he taught, for Creative Writing. On a year to the day of his death, I was in his class, where my piece was being workshopped. I got it back the next day with this lovely note at the top.








After the shock of his passing3, I knew I wanted that face. All of the things I have from him are special to me, but this one is by far the most so. For starters, he genuinely liked the piece, so I felt the smile was legitimate, but also because of the fact that it was, unbeknownst to all of us, the start of the last year of his life, to the hour.

I decided on the placement, slightly off-centered, because now, when I write, I can see this guy smiling up at me with his goofy, lopsided grin and weirdly ungelled toupee.

It's a reminder to me that, while Dave might have succumbed to his depression not long after, he was a genuinely silly, thoughtful man and ought to be remembered as such.

It might be the simplist of all my tattoos, but it is already easily my favorite4.


/|:v)

________________________
1 The idea wasn't on a whim, but the trip was.
2 Note the sarcastic use of capital letters.
3 Though, I am not sure that ever really goes all the way away.
4 But let's face it, the others aren't all that great.
Tags: david foster wallace

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[info]tattermuffin

October 6 2008, 15:53:56 UTC 3 years ago

What a lovely tribute. Thank you for sharing it with us.

I'm sorry for your loss though :(

[info]tibblerooni

October 6 2008, 15:54:30 UTC 3 years ago

aw. i'm sorry for your loss. but that's a wonderful way to remember him. i like it a lot!

[info]zanylikethat

October 6 2008, 15:54:53 UTC 3 years ago

My friend went to Pomona and he was her advisor. It was rough on her. :( I've only ever read his stuff, but loved it all so much. This is a great tribute tattoo.

Also, nice use of footnotes. ;)

[info]michellecore

October 6 2008, 16:01:22 UTC 3 years ago

I'm sorry for your loss, I loved his books. That's a great way to remember him though.

[info]ohyoutrendygirl

October 6 2008, 16:03:29 UTC 3 years ago

yay, i'm glad you posed this! :D

[info]sherlockelly

October 6 2008, 16:12:59 UTC 3 years ago

Me too! I didn't know this community was here, but I sense a lasting friendship. My roomie has lines from Paradise Lost on her, so I'll bet she'll be hanging out 'round these parts as well.

:D

[info]christophrawr

October 6 2008, 16:11:43 UTC 3 years ago

+1.

[info]girlcameralife

October 6 2008, 16:14:42 UTC 3 years ago

I think that is so amazing. Both the tattoo itself (not to belittle it, but it's so cute!) and the incredible meaning.

[info]kitsuneh

October 6 2008, 16:18:35 UTC 3 years ago

My condolences. This is a great, personal tribute. I love that you now have that encouragement whenever you're writing. I'm sure it will come in handy.

[info]zagzagael

October 6 2008, 16:20:59 UTC 3 years ago

What an amazing, amazing tattoo. It's fantastic! And an incredibly "upbeat&happy" piece of memorial ink!!!

[info]bagawkkin

October 6 2008, 16:23:43 UTC 3 years ago

I really enjoyed reading that. It was very kind of you to remember him like that in such a creative way.

[info]loki_fledermaus

October 6 2008, 16:30:18 UTC 3 years ago

This is a really wonderful tattoo. A fitting tribute. I love that you can see the little guy when you're writing.

I hope more posts on lj will have footnotes! I'm off to use them on my personal journal!

[info]cheekytubemouse

October 6 2008, 16:34:23 UTC 3 years ago

That may be a simple piece on the surface, but the reason behind it makes it complex. Great choice. :)

[info]100ofme

October 6 2008, 16:36:19 UTC 3 years ago

That is an absolutely wonderful tribute to him. Thanks for sharing!

[info]ifancylust

October 6 2008, 16:38:00 UTC 3 years ago

wow..lots of footnotes..but the tattoo is cute.

[info]katealaurel

October 6 2008, 16:45:19 UTC 3 years ago

What a lovely idea.1 I hope it makes you happy to remember him, whenever you see it.

1: Likewise, the use of footnotes.

[info]peregrin8

October 6 2008, 16:52:14 UTC 3 years ago

I think it's adorable, and a very sweet tribute. I'm so sorry for your loss (we were devastated here too, despite never having met him).

[info]i_broke_it_

October 6 2008, 16:56:15 UTC 3 years ago

Wow, that's a wonderful tribute, and a very original and meaningful tattoo. Thanks for sharing.

[info]spy_a_rainbow

October 6 2008, 17:16:10 UTC 3 years ago

that's epic. i'm so sorry for the loss, but the tribute is amazing.

[info]awarmplace

October 6 2008, 17:30:46 UTC 3 years ago

I'm terribly sorry you have to deal with the loss of someone you admired so much. I can understand how much it hurts to have to lose someone who you looked up to so intensely. However, were he here now, I'm sure he would simply adore your tattoo, as much as everyone else, including myself, does. Wonderful tribute, and the placement is darling, especially since you'll be able to see it when you're writing. It can be your own little personal muse. :]

[info]theatercab

October 6 2008, 18:19:38 UTC 3 years ago

That is so great. From a fellow writer, I know it would be difficult to lose one of my professors/mentors. And what a great way to remember him.

And I love the addition of footnotes. ;-)

[info]milklungss

October 6 2008, 18:25:56 UTC 3 years ago

this is so wonderful!!!

[info]sinkthesea

October 6 2008, 18:32:30 UTC 3 years ago

This is really sweet.
Both the meaning behind it & the actual tattoo.

[info]suthnoli

October 6 2008, 19:16:42 UTC 3 years ago

That's just perfect.

[info]adwe10

October 6 2008, 19:36:50 UTC 3 years ago

I think that is a wonderful way to pay respects to a great teacher.

I love this, I love the tattoo-- that it's small and unobtrustive-- and I love that you have real meaning behind it.

[info]chad_etc

October 6 2008, 20:33:58 UTC 3 years ago

beyond words wonderful.
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