Saturday morning summoned forth a mix of sensations. I had planned for this appointment months, if not years, in advance, yet my mind swirled with apprehension, anxiety, and fear.
The decision to become a lifelong ahgase had not come easy.
In early 2022, I had stumbled upon Kettle's designs. As per Instagram's algorithm, I was shown images of similar styles in subsequent browsing sessions, though none had spoken to me nearly as strongly. Towards the end of last year, I had succeeded in securing an appointment with her (and even funded a deposit tacked with heavy PayPal fees). It was with much regret that those plans fell through, and the deposit refunded consequentially.
Just a few months prior to departing for Vancouver, my eyes glazed another guest work post from her. This time, the destination was Vancouver.
The decision to become a lifelong ahgase had not come easy.
In early 2022, I had stumbled upon Kettle's designs. As per Instagram's algorithm, I was shown images of similar styles in subsequent browsing sessions, though none had spoken to me nearly as strongly. Towards the end of last year, I had succeeded in securing an appointment with her (and even funded a deposit tacked with heavy PayPal fees). It was with much regret that those plans fell through, and the deposit refunded consequentially.
Just a few months prior to departing for Vancouver, my eyes glazed another guest work post from her. This time, the destination was Vancouver.
As promised, the design was discussed and settled two days prior. Nevertheless, this hadn't eradicated the restlessness I'd be experiencing in advance of the procedure.
My suburban bus route transported me to the Brighouse terminal once more, and I began my trip into downtown. Upon boarding the SkyTrain, I was overwhelmed by early weekend morning commuter volumes. The incredulous number of travellers spanned either tourists with large backpacks or locals in groups of friends. Already a somewhat toasty morning, the boisterous, sardine-style format persisted for majority of the trip and was hardly appreciated.
My suburban bus route transported me to the Brighouse terminal once more, and I began my trip into downtown. Upon boarding the SkyTrain, I was overwhelmed by early weekend morning commuter volumes. The incredulous number of travellers spanned either tourists with large backpacks or locals in groups of friends. Already a somewhat toasty morning, the boisterous, sardine-style format persisted for majority of the trip and was hardly appreciated.
 |  |
At Vancouver City Centre, I'd transfer to the 14 bus into Hastings, and braced myself for the sights to come. Surely enough, we passed several flashing police cruisers along the way.
The doors opened to reveal more residents of the streets. Lovely.
Pigeon Park was not the delightful urban green space one would anticipate. Infested with goons of all ages, shapes, and sizes, I brazenly weaved through towards the doors of 369 Carrall Street, averting eye contact at all cost and camouflaging trembling pupils underneath blue hair and artificial assurance.
Pigeon Park was not the delightful urban green space one would anticipate. Infested with goons of all ages, shapes, and sizes, I brazenly weaved through towards the doors of 369 Carrall Street, averting eye contact at all cost and camouflaging trembling pupils underneath blue hair and artificial assurance.
Thankful to have looked up the address prior, I had no issues locating the entrance. The Millennium building was beautiful; the homeless-flooded territory and those with their heads planted at the base of tree roots, butt cracks on full display, were not.
Source: Google Maps, 2022
I hurried entered the access code as Kettle had informed me, chancing across a thin Korean girl gnawing on an apple at the entrance. We then both took the elevator to the third floor, with "Is that Kettle?" running through my mind the entire time. As it would turn out, my suspicions were correct. As we both stepped into the third floor waiting area, we turned to face each other.
"Are you Kettle?" My eyes bright with anticipation.
"Yes, are you <insert Quirky name here>?"
"Yes!" I replied with an ecstatic nod.
"Are you Kettle?" My eyes bright with anticipation.
"Yes, are you <insert Quirky name here>?"
"Yes!" I replied with an ecstatic nod.
Inside La Maison was a world utterly unlike the one beyond its heritage façade. Bright, welcoming, and with plenty of shrubbery to complement the rustic décor, instant relief, and temporary disregard for the horrors of Hastings, would be achieved.
Kettle navigated towards one of the salon beds to prepare, gesturing for me to complete the salon's QR code-based waiver in the meantime. Conditions of receiving a tattoo included, but were not limited to, being free of alcohol/drugs, pre-existing skin conditions such as eczema, and acknowledging that the permanent physical change would not entitle one to sue the studio due to potential occupational restrictions. The liability waiver also required upload of ID for record, making the process was more stringent than expected.
Kettle navigated towards one of the salon beds to prepare, gesturing for me to complete the salon's QR code-based waiver in the meantime. Conditions of receiving a tattoo included, but were not limited to, being free of alcohol/drugs, pre-existing skin conditions such as eczema, and acknowledging that the permanent physical change would not entitle one to sue the studio due to potential occupational restrictions. The liability waiver also required upload of ID for record, making the process was more stringent than expected.
 |  |
RSS Feed