David's Rant

Blessed Be Gail

I think I hate you!

Not for the usual Dermatological Prejudice, but because it looks like you're going to get there first! I was considering the same subject - The Librarian in popular culture and Private life - for a potential MPhil/PhD topic.

I'm a Graduate Librarian (I studied Part time at UCE in Birmingham (That's the UK one, not Texas), and now I'm waiting for the results of my Thesis as to whether that "graduate" is a Post Grad. Diploma, or an MA.) .

At the moment I'm working as a paraprofessional (have done for about 10 years - in Public, Company and now Academic Libraries - I spread myself about a bit! :) ) but I'm looking to find a professional post within the next few months. I'm 31, and live in Cheltenham (England) with my partner and our two cats.

I always thought I was the only Tattooed Librarian on the planet! (OK, that's an overstatement - but I've not *physically* met another, only a few who have replied to our Homepage). I love tattoos!. I have 9 separate tattoos, including work on both arms, my chest and both ankles (ouch!). The current piece is a large work-in-progress on my back. I love the beauty of line and colour across skin, the way it defines and transforms at the same time. I also like the way it defines ones control over ones own body - hell, I even enjoy the pain in a perverse sort of way!. I'm also a witch, and I view the process of incising marks under the skin as very akin to the ancient art of Runes and talismans. This is over and above the anthropological links to Rites of Passage and Initiation.

I have a page dedicated to tattoos on my own site at: http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/6643/tattoo.html There's pics of some of the work there too - although not the latest work for the back piece as I'm waiting for that roll of film to be developed. There's also some explanation to why each design, and what they mean. You're welcome to crib from it, as long as you credit and give a link (like you wouldn't! :) )

Most of my work has been done by "Ian of Reading" or Bob from "Mantra Tattoos" in Cheltenham. Both are very good, but Ian's work is my favourite - in my opinion he's possibly one of the best freehand guys in the country. He's a decent bloke too!

As well as the tattoos I've also got both ears pierced (the right once, the left twice) and my left nip. done.

How's it affected my work? Well, I work in a Higher Education College (mostly 18-24 year olds), most of them are pierced, and a good few tattooed. If anything, I think it helps to break that "You're a Librarian and I can't talk to you" barrier.

It can be worse with other staff - some get a little hostile and "how can you defile yourself this way", or "It's not very professional, is it?"; However, most just think "It's David - he's eccentric!". Like "Librarian X", I think it's partly an age/generation thing. I have had it suggested that I should keep the designs covered at work - for fear that some users might be offended or upset. Sadly that means no "T" shirts in the summer as my arm tattoos reach to my elbows. I can just see their point - although I'm not sure how much the suggestion is motivated more by a personal squeamishness over the art form than god customer care!

Like with "Librarian X", I think that the usergroup in Academic libraries tends to be younger and more open to "eccentricity" - they're less likely to expect their Librarians to look like "Librarians"! Old Joe Public, however, can be a different matter...

I haven't had any (noticeable) reaction from Academic staff - maybe they just haven't noticed the tattoos (as they're not normally visible), and the pierced ears are fairly standard. I used to get more reaction over my long hair, but rarely was it negative.

Again, maybe it's because they are hidden, but most people react in an intrigued way when they discover that I'm tattooed. Some get a little upset or squeamish, a rare few get indignant. If they ask, they all get told my views and my reasons for being tattooed, and after they've seen the quality of the work most change their minds with a "Well, I couldn't do it myself, but it *is* very beautiful!". Any colleagues tend to know me Professionally first, before they know quite how odd I can be <grin>; they know that no amount of ink under my skin or metal in my body could make me any less Professionally rigorous than I am already. They quickly realise that unconventionality need not mean a lack of professionalism.

OK, that's a long rant, but I hope it provides you with some of the info you wanted. I'd be more than happy to answer any other questions - I can ramble on for pages if you like! You're welcome to look at my Site - if you want copies of the pictures/designs, ask and I can provide you with more recent copies.

Good luck with the research, and hopefully we'll speak soon,

Merry part

David

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"Every man and woman is a star, governing their own orbit..."

(Aleister Crowley)

...So Twinkle, twinkle, little one...

David & Geoff's Home on the 'Web - Paganism, Partnerships and Tats!

URL:- http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/6643

e-mail:- davidt@trapdoor.chelt.ac.uk

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