 anima sana in corpore sano  |
I got a Latin phrase tattooed on my left forearm today to commemorate the marathon. I'd planned all along to get inked if I managed to finish. But it wasn't until I saw our friend Darrell's tattoo, and then the tag on my new running shoes, and then the manager of our local bike shop, that the pieces fell into place.
Darrell's tattoo is also on his inner forearm, and is also a quote in Latin. I can't remember what it says, but that's not important. I loved the idea of something that's meaningful to the owner, that others would have to ask about. The best thing about tattoos, in my opinion, is the conversations with strangers that they elicit.
The problem was, I didn't know any quotes in Latin that really resonated. Until this past week, that is, when I picked up a new pair of top-of-the-line Asics running shoes for $35 at Ross (SCORE!). The tag on the shoes explained that ASICS is an acronym for the Latin phrase "anima sana in corpore sano", which translates "a sound mind in a sound body". As soon as I read that, I knew what my next tattoo would be. As I've told many of you, I run as much for mental health as for physical fitness.
On Sunday, V rode his bike up to Cycle Spectrum to have the rear gear changed out. When I arrived to pick him up, Freddie, the manager, was there. Freddie has great tattoo sleeves. I asked him--once again--who did the Japanese-style work on his left shoulder. And this time, I drove to the shop (Acme in Atlantic Beach) and asked for the artist (Dwayne Crafton). The shop is actually very close to the turnaround point on the marathon route. I made an appointment for Wednesday (today) at noon.
V helped me choose the font. His mom, a Classics scholar, proofed the Latin. Dwayne repositioned the stencil twice to get the text straight. He promised the end result would look exactly like the art I brought in, and it does. I found out in the course of our conversation that he designed the original Salt Life logo. Every other car here at the beaches, including mine, has a Salt Life decal. To think I worried about whether he'd be able to execute text!
Hopefully the new tat will be all healed up in time for Spring Break, three weeks from now. We're taking the girls to Club Med Sandpiper in Port St. Lucie, four hours south of here. We're meeting our friend Gwenyth from NYC, her parents, and her son Dylan there. The kids are going to Circus Camp!
.:.
| The only Latin phrase I have is for my medieval persona: "Ministerium proceri supererit", Latin for "the bureaucracy outlasts the monarchy". It works as an inside joke in the medieval group. Love, --Bill (2010.03.04) |
| Oh, and I'm thinking sponsorship from ASICS. With that tattoo, they should give you money. --Bill (2010.03.06) |
| I'd settle for a new pair of running shoes every six months. --amy (2010.03.06) |
| DIGGIN IT BORROWIN IT ! --Madeline (2010.03.07) |
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