« Enjoying the Moment | Main | Off the Ground »
August 08, 2005
Body Modification – Webring Assignment #2
This week's topic of Body Modification is brought to you courtesy of Fliven, or Mr. A Prize in Every Box, which is much too wordy and so, he shall henceforth be called Mr. Fliven. For the record, Mr. Fliven has two tattoos and is generally against body piercing for himself, although is fine with other people doing it as long as they aren't jangly when they talk. So now you know about him.
What can I say about body modification? Not much, although what I do know can be broken down into three categories.
NUMBER ONE
As part of that first crazy month in college, I went with a friend to a local tattoo parlor and got a shoddy piece of art forever imprinted on my body. From that experience I share with you Lesson #1: Stop. Breathe. Think. I should have done some research, looked at more photos, and waited until the initial excitement of being old enough to make permanent body modifications had worn off.
NUMBER TWO
A year later I went with my boyfriend to a different tattoo parlor, this one right across the street from my apartment and MUCH more respectable, and we got pierced. He got his tongue done, and I had my nipple and upper ear done. From that experience I share with you Lesson #2: The second piercing is always more painful than the first.
The guy who did the piercing (The Piercer?) had mentioned that the first piercing sensitizes the body to pain, and that it's better to do them simultaneously, or have the less-traditionally painful one done first. (Apparently, most women who get both nipples pierced have them done simultaneously, for just this reason.) At any rate, I took his suggestion and had the, ahem, less traditional body part pierced first.
I can't comment on the truth of his advice, since the first piercing was undoubtedly the most painful three seconds of my life—and continued to be painful for months afterward anytime I came in contact with an after-shower towel. On the other hand, had I done the ear first, I probably would have passed out when we moved south.
NUMBER THREE
Under the broad term of Body Modification, I think that body art (tattoos and body piercing) is the least of our obsessions. Instead, I would like to broach the topic of "diet and exercise" as America's main form of body modification, as we all seek to be the most "attractive" people we can be.
From a health perspective, it makes sense. An out-of-shape, fat person is much more likely to face serious health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. On the other hand, I don't look in the mirror every morning with aversion and see an "unhealthy" person. No, the reason I feel such dismay has nothing to do with the likelihood of a trip to the hospital.
Ask any fat person. If you had three wishes, what would they be? I guarantee the answer (even if it's just a silent scream in their head, while out loud they speak of world peace, financial security, and fabulous shoes) is TO BE THIN.
When I close my eyes and think of body modification, I don't dream about getting another tattoo, piercing another part, or any other form of wild "art". No, I dream of sitting at the bar with my girlfriends and not being "the fat one".
So what's Lesson #3? Maybe it's not so much a lesson as a reflection: while tattoos and body piercing are becoming more acceptable in mainstream society, being fat is not. Phrased another way: beware the girl working from home a mere 15 feet away from the refrigerator.
----------
For other commentary on "Body Modification", see:
Post No Bills
A Prize in Every Box
Bad Apologies
Wish to See
A Little Maryment
