Dragon tattoo. This was Usus’s first tattoo that their mother bought it for them on their 18th birthday, in Long Island, NY.

Greek Change tattoo. This is the Greek symbol for change.  Usus bought this with their friend Brenda Roberts in Arlington Virginia. They got drink one night and figured they would get the “best tattoos in the world!” Usus got this tattoo. They were both making changes in their lives, and they wanted to celebrate it with tattoos.

Hindi Tattoo. This is Usus’s last name in Hindi spelled wrong. Hoffie is the Hindi of their last name Hoppie. Usus was drinking one day in Greenville, NC, at Sup Dogs. They were talking with an Indian guy, and asked what their last name was in Hindi. The Hindi guy said this is what it would look like. Usus went across the street, and for $20 got that scribbled on their wrist about 20 years ago.

LYYFF tattoo. Usus was dating a guy at the time and they got matching tattoos. They used to say to each other, “Love You, You Fucking Fucker.” Since they are not together any more, the tattoo is now means, “Loath You, You Fucking Fuckface.”

Ruined and Haughty Chinese Kanji tattoo. This was from a drunken stupor in Myrtle Beach about 18 years ago. The one of the left is Ruined and the one on the right in the middle of a cover up is Haughty. Haughty like snob. The reason why they are faded is when Usus got them, Usus fell a sleep and got the sheets stuck to them. When Usus woke they snatched the sheet and pulled up the scab. Most of the ink came with it. The tattoo represents the emotions Usus was going through. Usus was in a bad place in their life. Usus said, “When you grow up, you figure stuff out.” Usus made sure all of their tattoos were easily covered with a long sleeve shirt.

BMK Tattoo. Usus’s best friend is Barbara Marie Kruger. She was doing travel nursing in Spokane Washington. Usus flew up there for about 6 months. One night Usus decided to get a tattoo of their best friend. Usus put her initials on the back of their arm.

Six months after the BMK tattoo, Usus got their mothers birthday, 2-15-45, tattooed on their other arm.

Dragon tattoo. Usus got that while they were living in Rocky Mount, NC, in 1997. Usus’s mother got that for them for their 23rd or 24th birthday. There was a lot of orange in that tattoo that has since faded over time.

“Basic white guy tribal tattoo.” Usus does not regret this tattoo. It is just a tribal tattoo that means nothing. It was on sale for $40, and Usus decided to get it.

Perry the Platypus tattoo. Phineas and Ferb the cartoon on Cartoon Network. About 6 months ago, a whole bunch of them went to New Orleans. Usus loves platypuses, and likes the cartoon. Usus went to a tattoo shop in the French Quarter, and said “I want a tattoo of Perry the Platypus.” This particular tattoo is on their butt.

Eye of Ri Tattoo. Usus was in Egypt for about 3 months. It is illegal to have tattoos in Egypt. Usus had this tattoo illegally done in Cairo. Usus got it just say, “I got an illegal tattoo in Cairo!”

Buddhist Prayer Tattoo.  this is a Buddhist prayer. Usus was living in Thailand for about 4 months. When you stay for a long time in Thailand you have to know a family. The family holds certain properties. This is basically like a tour guide. One of these people’s sons was a tattoo artist. Usus stated they wanted a tattoo. The son started doing the tattoo with the original bamboo in Usus’s hotel room. This was too much pain. The son finally got out the tattoo gun and finished it off. The symbol is Buddhist prayers. The reason they are up high is they have to be above your heart to praise Buddha. The tattoo is a protections spell. It is kind of like the Jewish Mezuzah. When you go into a dwelling, the symbols protects you in that dwelling.

Phra Phrom Tattoo. Usus got this done in Meeting Street in right outside Jump 10 Beach. It is the street were all the tourist go. The tattoo artist had just won the award for Thailand’s best tattoo artist. He drew this tattoo freehand. Usus said they maybe paid $12 USD for this. Usus did the tattoo just to do it. Usus was experiencing the culture and the memory. Usus was getting things tattooed on their body to remind themselves of these memories.

Koi Fish tattoo. Usus recently lost 227 pounds. Usus is very proud of this. Usus said, “I feel good. I look good. I am very happy. I love orange. I love Koi Fish. I love the Japanese design.” Usus said they will be making their whole arm a sleeve. It will be a fishing village. The green dragon will be covered up with a mountain scene, junkets, with a village in the back as a theme.