Tattoos, piercings and the like

Ms Lauren at Feministe has comments on the art of tattooing and questions for everyone else.

Ask a person why they got the tattoo they did and you'll get a myriad of answers. A memorial, a symbol, an appreciation for art, a calling card for this group or that, pure vanity, a reason different for each person who has one and likely a different response to it after wearing the art for years.

Seems fair to me. I can't even remember the last time someone asked me why I have tattoos or whatnot, but it used to be a common enough question when I was younger. I would pretty much say that body modification comes out of the same urge to cut your hair into severe haircuts or dye it purple or whatever. Natural is boring. Anyway, the questions.

1. Do you have tattoos or body piercings? If so, what are they?

Yep. Two tattoos, one of which I think has been glimpsed on this blog. I used to have a nose ring that I pulled out so I that I could get a job with a paycheck.

2. Why did you get the tattoos/body piercings?

For the same reason people climb Mt. Everest and hang curtains over perfectly serviceable windows--because it was there. I wish I could say I have deeper reasons, but that would be a line.

3. Do you still like it/them?

Yeah, though one of them I think needs more work to cool it up a little. I miss my nose ring and wish I could get it back. In fact, I am working to make myself an institution at my job so that if I get my nose ring back, it wouldn't even occur to them to say anything. This may be a long process.

4. Plan on getting more? Why?

Yes. Because two tattoos is not enough. Plus, I have a cool idea for another one. But I have to admit, my vanity won't permit me to get huge sleeves of tattoos or anything like that. Also, I favor wearing sleeveless shirts to work in the summer and tattoos on my arms would make it hard to pass for a normal workaday square.