Gil's Tattoos

I went to a Catholic high school, complete with uniforms and a strict dress code. A typical teenager, I needed to rebel. Since long hair or earrings weren't an option, I decided to get a tattoo.

There were two problems: first, I didn't have much money, and second, I didn't know what I wanted. That's how I wound up with something small and simple for my first tattoo--a symbol for my Chinese zodiac sign, the year of the Rat. I can identify with many of the typical Rat traits (charming, aggressive, loyal, secretive, and bad at saving), so it seemed fitting.

It's a tiny tattoo, located square in the middle of my shoulder. It features a glowing blue border, blue being my power color.

I've heard the horror stories about tattoos with Asian lettering not meaning what the bearer intended. The truth is, I can't read Chinese, and if it doesn't mean what I think it does, I'd rather not know. Ignorance is bliss, right?

This tattoo has a deeper meaning. At that stage in my life, it seemed like everything was in a constant state of flux--my friends living situation, grades, interests, etc. Getting a tattoo was a way to remind myself not to worry--that not all things are temporary.

My second tattoo, the Raft is a powerful reminder of one of the major events of my life: Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. While I was fortunate enough to be on vacation when the storm hit, it was a major turning point in my life, one that forced me to grow and change as a person in amazing ways.

The raft is a fleur-de-lis, inflatable like a beach ball. It floats in a turbulent river, with the roof of a flooded shotgun-style house in the background. The fleur-de-lis is wrapped by a band of metal spikes, a symbol for the stubbornness and determination of those whose love for New Orleans keeps them there despite the many hardships that exist in the city today.

On May 16, 2008 an interview of myself and the raft appeared in New Orleans' City Business magazine.

Just as the Rat is my Chinese zodiac sign, Leo is my Astrological zodiac sign. I embody many of the stereotypical traits of a Leo, such as loyalty, passion, confidence, and motivation.

As the design for my lions, I chose the traditional Scottish pattern, something you would expect to see on a family crest. I have one of each shoulderblade--facing outward as my protectors.