On Tuesday I got my tattoo. Its not too big and its not too complicated, but I'm a big fan of it. I like it more and more every time I look at it. Which is much better than the alternative. Its weird having it there, though. I'll never be completely naked again. I like seeing it there, too. Its weird, because when I wash it it doesn't go away. I suppose that's not weird, because its a tattoo, but it is weird, because I'm used to drawing on myself with pen. This looks rather like it was drawn on with pen, too.
After its healed I'll probably draw all over it.

I decided a while ago that my body would be the recipient of a tattoo.
I struggled a while with concepts, art work and such. I didn't want a tattoo that simply "looked cool," I wanted it to mean something. I looked at my heritage, I am predominantly Swedish, Scottish and Brittish. The Scots have some cool art designs, but Celtic is really big right now and I am not one to be a follower. I have no respect for the Brittish. Luckily, I am quite fond of my Swedish heritage. I visited Sweden and loved it and have done substantial fact finding (for me) on vikings and early peoples and whatnot. So, I decided to go with a rune. I settled on Algiz, which is in the Second Aett, but then the matter of price came up. Each rune is relatively simple and most tattoo shops have a minimum charge or 40 dollars or so. I didn't want to pay $40 for a meager three lines. With that in mind I have picked three more runes to go with it. Uruz, Algiz, Teiwaz and Dagaz will now adorn my arm(probably).
Here is a description of what each means.
Uruz- Energy, vitality and passion.
Algiz- Protection. Affiliated with the god Heimdal who guards the gate to heaven. It also has a connotation with choosing what kind of person you'll be.
Teiwaz- This is closely associated with the god Tyr, who sacrificed his hand to save everything else. It is standing by your morals and being a good person.
Dagaz- There is an interconnectedness to everything. This is also sort of a blessing rune, hopefully granting a good outcome for my life.

So those are the runes, hopefully they work. I don't see myself growing tired of them and they mean a lot to me. Now I just have to pick a position. I want them to be somewhere that I can see them, so I'm thinking my left forearm.

Someone brought up that you need to be a Prince or King or something to marry a princess. Well, I'm going to secede a small part of property (once I buy it) from the union and declare myself Prince or King or Something. Take that naysayers.
In a related matter. If anyone knows the rules for seceding and declaring something a country, please email me at kbarollins@yahoo.com
Also, Country names will be accepted at the same email address.

I've got it all figured out. I'm going to be the King of Sweden.
"Krister!" you say, "How do you think you'll manage that with all your cunning and good looks and unfortunate American ancestry?"
Well listen up!...er...read up! loyal reader. Gah, we need a book of things with words for things that mean the same thing.
Anyway. It just so happens that one of the princesses, Princess Madeleine is 21. 21 is the age I will be next year. You see the similarities. So here's the plan. I'm going to move to Sweden, inject myself into her social stream and romance her while I learn Swedish. After we become an insepperable duo I am sure something convenient will happen to her older sister so that nothing stands in the way of my becoming king.
I will be a kind a fair and rich King. Ruling with a...hmm not quite iron...with a copper fist and a soft, marshmallowy heart. And getting paid for it.
Flawless.