Last Saturday, I had a large Steemit tattoo etched in my leg. I did this to commemorate the decision to not hide my secret life any longer. My fans only know the Barry Cooper of NeverGetBusted and KopBusters. Little else has been told about my life because I hid my stories and for a good reason. My stories hurt.
My stories are also a bit ridiculous because it would seem a mastermind was behind all of them. I am not that smart so don't credit me with the true stories I am going to unfold on Steemit. I never saw my life as worthy of being re-told. For me, I was just living and being as sincere as I could in whatever I did.
It feels good when I see my new Steemit tattoo because it reminds me of the decision I made to be transparent about my life. I cannot wait to tell you why I really hated marijuana and launched my own war on the plant. How my first wife of fifteen years wore a body wire for the DEA to try and bust me for something I never did. How my best friend and brother-in-law that I met in high school and graduated the police academy with, later raided my house. During the raid, he left bruises on my eight-year old daughter and deep scars on my heart.
How my pastor and father figure groomed me into a Christian preacher of six years then betrayed me by making a move on my wife and pretended to "hear from God" in an attempt to control me. Why my latest wife of eleven years left me over a year ago and returned to the United States. For the record, I have been married three times and I dearly loved all of my wives...and still do.
I am excited and relieved I no longer have to hold these hurts any longer. I can release them to you and hopefully you will find a healing or a laugh or something within the madness of it all. When you hear the tales, understand I am not complaining, I am only explaining. Although dreadfully painful at times, my life has been extraordinary and filled with love, fun, rewards and happiness. I never saw my life as being sad and I still don't.
I cannot think of a better way to start being transparent with you than to share the intimate meanings of my tattoos. When meeting me, the first thing a person should notice is my smile and that I am heavily inked...everywhere. I even have one "there" and although it's hilarious, I am not sure it's tasteful for me to share it here.
The first tattoo I got at age twenty-five represents one of the most embarrassing times of my life. The tat is weird montage of a Texas flag, a badge, a K9 paw, a cross and the Star of David. I received the mistake while wearing my police uniform when I was a narcotics investigator in Gladewater, Texas. The tattoo was given to me by a member of the Ku Klux Klan. I was never a member of the hate group but regretfully and embarrassingly I aligned myself with their philosophies. I was a racist.
OUCH. That hurt to say. Can I beg my audience for forgiveness of my past racism? I promise I have changed.
Any person who knows me will testify that I have none of that crap left in me. In fact, my blonde haired, blue-eyed daughter and best friend is married to a black man. Leandrew is a genius and he is also my best friend. They both live a few miles from me and are my partners and the web masters of NeverGetBusted. During your journey with me, you will learn that I am really close to my children and their families.
I was a hardcore racist during high school and the first few years of being a cop. I became a racist because of the sick culture and teachings that came with living in the deep woods of E. Texas. I graduated from one of the few remaining all-white public schools. The atmosphere of my culture was so poisoned, I actually believed black people were not really humans. I always felt being prejudice was wrong but I was too heavily influenced by the old white men who controlled everything.
I remember after receiving my first tattoo, the pastor I mentioned above "led me to the Lord" and I was "saved." One of the first things I had to settle with God was, "If you are so loving, why are black people not allowed in heaven." This issue was almost a deal killer for me in terms of dedicating my life to Christianity. I was so relieved when my pastor explained black people had souls and could go to heaven.
This news was especially endearing to me because I always secretly had black friends and admired their uniqueness. I was elated to learn black people would join me in heaven and God loved them just as much as He did me. You may know from reading my previous chapters that I am an ultra-sensitive person.
Hypocrisy has never stopped causing my brain and heart to swirl in an uproar of confusion and disillusionment. You can understand why I was incredibly hurt and disappointed when my pastor wouldn't stop using the "N word" when referring to black people. It made me sick.
After my conversion, I understandably hated the tattoo on my left shoulder. I quickly had it covered with a image of a lion wearing a crown of thorns and a nail hole in his paw. Because I am not proud of either the original tattoo or the cover-up, I tried to have it removed but it won't leave. It only fades. I plan to cover the entire mess very soon with something positive and pretty. I'm going to cover it with a beautiful rose.
A big shout out to three artist at my second home, the Aztlan Tattoo shop in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico:
Saul did the Steemit tattoo.
Gogo Santana was one of my first friends here and has also stamped me a few times.
Karyn And Rafael are the owners. Rafael recently inked a large piece on my back.
In the second part of, "The intimate details of my heavily inked body" I will show you my back piece and tell you the story of my largest tattoo pictured below. I may also tell you what is tattooed "there."
Keep following and be sure to leave me your thoughts. I read each comment and usually reply. Your support encourages me to continue moving forward with the decision I made as commemorated by the new Steemit logo stamped on my leg.
First thing that came to mind when I saw that joint. ROFL!
edit: It's actually a pretty cool piece. But I have a perverted mind and this is what I saw. lol
hahahah. I love it! Humor is always welcome....especially edging humor. lol.
<3
How many tatts you got exactly? Shit man you look like some of the gangsta's I've seen in movies. :D
Nice boobs dude!
You mean nice boobs on his boobs? :P
Yeah what you said....Nice tits between your boobs!
Fucking Awesome!
That's no bad, but my "tattoo" is better))
I like yours better. NOT! hahaa.
her eyes are prettier.
I dunno barrycooper does have them sexy eyes tho.
ha! thanks so much Sergeant. Glad you like it. Fist bump.
I really appreciate the courage and openness you show in this article. Much love, brother.
Thanks Nathan. Hope to see you again soon brother.
Now steem is always with you @barrycooper!
scary. lol.
You're not afraid of anything! I know))
every picture tell a story ....good article
Thanks @ladypenelope1. I'm glad to hear your say that. Big hippie hug.
one right back at you :)
Wow man, that shit's for real!
Could that be steemit's first steemit tatoo!?
And thanks again for sharing your life's tales with us. Very cool.
It's definitely my first Steemit tattoo! lol. Big heart to you @azurejasper. Thanks for the love.
Super:)
That's what's up @barrycooper
keep it real... thanks for sharing your personal story with us and dope tat as well..
Thanks @MrWang. Big love to you sir.
You've led an interesting life! Thanks for sharing with us. Look forward to reading the next instalment :-)
Tip of the hat to you @dazedbunny. Thanks for reading my stuff! See you back here soon.
Awesome man! Love the tat and always enjoy your posts, will continue to follow, read, and upvote. having the will power to change from such a strong upbringing is almost never heard of. This makes you one very strong person in my book and being able to share and except your past is inspiring keep it up.
I'm very happy to hear my stories inspired you and it was very nice of you to take the time to give me your thoughts. I'm very glad you are following my work. Big love.
I swear to whatever god is that you COULD NOT say or do anything to make my respect for you to grow more than it is. Serious respect and love to you brother.
Don't sweat your past.
You only have one thing, your future, both here on Earth and elsewhere.
Your words are sincerely warming. Thanks man.
@barrycooper
you know, I can't help but think there is a better life waiting for me outside the US.
I've thought about Costa Rica, but I hear too many US persons there already, and the folks don't like the influx. I wonder if Mexico is different.
Would love to hear your thoughts.
oh, and Barry, as far as the elsewhere is concerned...
Check out neurosurgeon Eban (not Evan) Alexander.
Here's an interview with him, no video, just audio.
His book called "Proof of Heaven" about his experience while being BRAIN DEAD for a week.
Had an infection that deactivated his cortex, put his in a coma for a week.
He spent what seemed like several months, with total amnesia, in a place of ultimate love and healing power. Said tonal music emanated from a choir of angelic spheres that flew by overhead, and the sounds they made left trails of golden glitter that rained down over the entire scene.
Then he saw his son's face, and knew it meant something, but didn't know who the face belonged to. Later he returned, and spent several weeks in the hospital recovering. Memory of who he was slowly came back, and his ability to speak slowly returned. At that point he had almost total recall of the journey.
A memory of what had happened while his body lay comatose with aboslutely NO brain activity whatsoever.
As a neurosurgeon, this proved to him and his colleges something was fully not understood. Seriously. Like where consciousness comes from. Certainly NOT the hardware in our skulls.
Our neural network acts like an antenna. Not merely a central processor unit, its an antenna.
He knows this now. As fact.
You got some nice Tattoos
Thanks. That's what happens when you get drunk! lol. jk.
I'm so glad you did a post about your tattoo. I'm actually having a consult done today for a steemit related tattoo. How funny is it that you got yours and posted a bit earlier. (Mine might not be until next month, but I am excited).
I've had a lot of people ask me why I would do this when steemit is not out of beta and could crash tomorrow. I think we can both attest to the fact that steemit has helped us be more transparent and open with others than we most likely have been on any other social media.
I'm sorry to hear of the hypocrisy of your pastor. I understand there are far, far too many people who do not follow what they preach.
I look forward to hearing more about you and it's funny how we both enjoy black people even more than most white people. I'm an honorary "n***a" (by other friends terms not my own). I love the culture so much.
Keep up the great work @barrycooper
Ha! Cool man. What are you getting? Do you know where you are going to put the new tattoo?
It will be a stylized steemit logo I'll let my artist have fun with it. I was hoping more in the community would want to come up with ideas, but it should be fun
Some thing like this would be cool, but I'm open to any creative idea
https://steemit.com/tattoo/@bendjmiller222/help-me-design-my-steemit-tattoo-and-get-25-of-the-usd-sbd-this-post-makes
I love the design you just posted. No kidding man. I'm not just saying that. It's really good. And it's always a good idea to let your artist flow.
Ya that was a two minute photoshop, but i liked a "blockchain" incorparated into the logo in some way :) Have a great day brother! Hope it's a fruitful one for you. You're more than welcome to use that artwork I made for you on anything at all. I don't care about getting paid for it. If it helps you that's awesome :)
IDK if i sent a high res version but here you go
Ya that was a twi minute photoshop, but i liked a "blockchain" incorparated into the logo in some way :) Have a great day brother! Hope it's a fruitful one for you
I'm going to get a tattoo on my dickbutt
Thank you for being so open and honest with us! We all have moments we are not proud off and false truths we've had to unlearn. It takes a brave man to admit that in public. Much love and respect!
Love and respect reciprocated. Thanks for spending your time here.
thanks for sharing your story Barry <3
...that pic. well hello! Nice bod and pelvis.
I always give compliments where compliments are true and due.
XMR is going to be as big as BTC brother, I suggest you take a look soon.
I agree @kingjohal. Did I say something that would make you think otherwise? Just curious.