Rush for Tattoos

People have been getting tattoos for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. However, in our society they're just beginning to be widely accepted. In the past, people have seen tattoos as a sign of rebellion; the mark of a trouble-maker. Now that people are, generally, okay with others having tattoos, many more people seem to be getting them. All too often, these people get their tattoos with little to no thought about whether or not it's worth it. If you are one of the many who are thinking about a tattoo, here's some things you should always consider before getting ink done.

1: Will it affect your life in the work place?

     Many employers are less likely to hire someone with a tattoo. Tattoos are considered to make people look less professional; more rebellious. While this might fit some businesses, such as an auto body shop, it'd be unacceptable in others, such as a store manager. When deciding on a new tattoo, make sure that your boss will find it reasonable, or get it in a place that's easy to conceal at work.

2: Will it affect your personal life?

     Many people, particularly those with no tattoos, think that people who have ink are less attractive. However, the same can be said in reverse; people who have tattoos are generally more inclined to find someone else with a tattoo attractive. If you're single, you need to ask yourself if you're okay with narrowing down who will find you attractive. If you have a significant other, especially if you're already married to that person, it's definitely good to consult that person and see what they think before you go out and find a tattoo parlor.

3: Will you regret it?

     If you often change your mind about things, you might not want to get a tattoo. They are, after all, permanent and just because there's technology to get rid of tattoos doesn't mean that (a) you can afford it, (b) you can and will be able to handle the pain, and (c) it'll be gone completely afterwards. Consider that, though you might have beautifully taught skin now, in a few years your skin will be old and wrinkly. Ladies, consider that at some point in life you may be pregnant and that can cause stretch marks over your tattoo. Just because it'll be pretty when you get it, doesn't mean it can't fade, stretch, and generally become much uglier over time. Not to mention if the artist doesn't do it well you're sorta stuck with it and, in a manner of speaking, SOL.

4: Do you want it for the right reasons?

     Many people think there's nothing wrong to get their lover's name tattoo'd somewhere. They are wrong. Even getting the name of someone you're married to can turn out badly, with divorce rates as high as they are. Usually, when people go through a bad breakup they want no reminder of their failed love. Not to mention, how would that look to the next person you call your own? If you absolutely insist on having a name forever inked into your flesh, make it your last name (especially if you're a girl, and it'll become your maiden name) or the name of a close family member - someone who's passed away, a child, that sort of thing.



     Another bad reason people get tattoos is because they know somebody who will give them a free one. If the fact that it's free is the sole reason you'll be getting that tattoo, don't do it. Especially since people who do free tattoos often don't do things correctly. They don't always use sterile needles, or know what you need to do for the aftercare of the new tattoo. Not to mention people often do it as practice and free tattoos are often badly done ones.

   
 Obviously, you should also avoid getting a tattoo when you're drunk. Under the effects of alcohol, no one is in the right state of mind to be making such permanent decisions spur of the moment.

5: Is it compatible with your life style?

     If you're someone who will donate blood at every given chance, it might not be a good idea to get a tattoo as you can't do this within about a year of getting one. You also shouldn't be getting tattoos if you're pregnant. If part of your job or a hobby includes swimming, it'll most likely ruin your tattoo. All these things and more should come long before a new tattoo if it's part of your daily life.

   





There's absolutely nothing wrong with getting a tattoo as long as you'll be able to live with it your entire life. If you've considered the things listed above and have decided it's still a good idea, the next step is to find a place. The only advice I have to give on this is to do your research. Make sure you find an artist with a good reputation and reasonable prices; a good tattoo doesn't have to break your bank.



Happy tattoo hunting :)

Gay Marriage Laws

For many years, views on gay marriage has been a subject of serious debate. Many people feel it's no one's business who someone chooses to do what with behind closed doors. Some argue that it's "unchristian" and therefore both unethical and not what kids should be raised to be ok with. A more logical opposition is that it's a known fact that gay sex is the root of certain STD's, namely AIDS. For years and years, people have been trying to establish, and also to prevent, laws against or allowing gay marriage. A result is that many people decide which politician to vote for based largely on their views on this topic.

I have recently come to the conclusion that not only should homosexual marriage be legal, it should be illegal to make laws against it.

There are three points to my reasoning:

1: By definition, laws prohibiting gay marriage is discrimination.

Discrimination, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is:

1the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex:victims of racial discriminationdiscrimination against homosexuals

By this definition and as seen in the examples, it is in fact considered discrimination to exclude homosexuals from things in the same sorts of ways that black people were once excluded. It's now illegal to discriminate by minority, and homosexuals are indeed considered a minority. It may be a bit of a leap to make, but in following that logic wouldn't telling two gay men that they aren't allowed to get married technically be the same thing as telling two African Americans that THEY aren't allowed get married?

2: In the US, we have the right to choose whom we marry.

Everyone who's been taught about the Bill of Rights in high school should recall that one of the ten amendments states that we, in a nut shell, have the right to make certain choices. Personally, my Constitution teacher explained it to me like this: This amendment is the reason why I can choose what I wear, where I go, how my hair looks, and who my significant other is. When considering this amendment, shouldn't that also apply to gays? I can choose to marry any man I want to. Why can't a man also choose to marry any man he wants to? In short, I feel that a law prohibiting same-sex marriage would be unconstitutional.

3:  "Gay Marriage is unchristian" Is not a valid point in the US.

One of the statements I've seen to justify a law that prohibits homosexual marriage is "The Bible says that homosexuality is a sin, and this means gay marriage would ruin the sanctity of marriage." That statement seems all fine and dandy, and actually appears to be a good point at first. Most marriages DO include a christian ceremony, after all. The problem is that the United States is not allowed to make laws that are either for or against any religion. Therefore, just because the christian religion says that homosexuality is bad doesn't mean the US should ban it. If anything, it means this country CAN'T ban it. Besides that, the Christian Bible also strongly preaches against divorce. But you don't see anyone saying how divorce needs to be illegal because the bible says its bad. And even if someone did try and get that to become a law, that'd be dismissed as unconstitutional for the same exact reason of breaching the 1st amendment.

In conclusion, the only valid argument in the US seems to be that it can cause/spread diseases. Of course, even straight relationships can cause or spread disease. Laws against gay marriage should be declared illegal and/or unconstitutional. They are the same thing as discrimination, and they technically go against 2 different amendments. Don't get me wrong, I'm not pushing for these homosexual rights for reasons like being a lesbian. In fact, I'm somewhat homophobic; the thought of another girl hitting on me makes me rather nervous. But I don't see a problem why to men can't hold hands in public while wearing wedding bands. It's not like every gay person shoves their way of life into the face of others on a daily basis. It's not like a man that prefers a man is therefore going to hit on every single man they see. If you're going to be against gay rights, at least be more logical about it.