my life is yellow lines, concrete, and parliament butts

I'm in the midst of drawing a tattoo for my boyfriend. Drawing is the only artistic outlet i seem to keep up with. I wouldn't say I'm particularly good at it, but I enjoy it. I've been trying to save up for another tattoo as well. I have an almost unhealthy fascination with them, and it seems like once you start to mark your body you can't stop! I feel like it gives me a voice and it says something about me without me having to say a word. The tattoo I'm drawing has a bit of a contemporary, urban feel to it. It's the skyline of New Orleans with random other elements of the city incorporated into it. There's a bit of grafitti here and there, and I think this project has really taught me to appreciate the world of hip hop. My boyfriend is involved in the underground scene, and I think it's starting to rub off on me. I've always enjoyed the underground scene and anything that develops within it, but lately I've been really paying attention to what these artists are trying to say. To me, it's all about the message. You can have your million dollar record deal, fancy cars, and Cristal; I want something with depth and insight. I want to experience the story from the artist's perspective, and with people like Slug of Atmosphere and Aesop Rock, you really are able to envision what they're saying. It's like street poetry to me. I really respect these groups for caring about the message, the fans, the underground, and the local scenes rather than doing it for the money. Money isn't want counts. You can hear in their voices the passion they have for what they do, and that's admirable in anyone. I can see the fire in my boyfriend because hip hop is his heart, and hopefully I'll be able to witness and assist him in his pursuit of happiness.