A Blog/Link Tammy shared with me....

[Lochlan]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/reyeschow/detail?entry_id=72177

I was just wondering if the whole "meme" thing has dissappeared, and then lo' and behold, friend Adam Copeland who blogs over at A Wee Blather "tagged" me to particpate in his tattoo meme. And...

Blog Meme: My Tattoo, My Faith

. I was just wondering if the whole "meme" thing has dissappeared, and then lo' and behold, friend Adam Copeland who blogs over at A Wee Blather "tagged" me to particpate in his tattoo meme. And because Adam is a great guy and I have some good stuff to avoid getting done today, I fugured why not?

Instructions from Adam's post and my responses:

In a few sentences, respond to the questions below. When you're done, share, tag a few friends, and pass on the questions. Keep the title, "Meme: My faith, my tattoo" for easy searching. For background on what the heck a "meme" is, see this article.

1.Describe your tattoo(s)

Just one, a Celtic cross on the inside of my right ankle. Blurry pic to the right.

2.What made you want that tattoo(s)?

I had always wanted one, but never did until I was 23. My mom was not a big fan and not many of my friends had any ink. Then one day while at a conference a friend of mine - another pastor - and I decided we would do it together. So after searching for a place to do it, we got them done at some bar/tattoo parlor in Black Mountain, NC by some dude with a homemade needle. Priceless.

3.How did your faith influence your tattoo, indirectly or directly?

Honestly, this was not a "faith" decision. I wish it was deeper, but alas was just something that I think looks cool and always wanted to do. Still, the fact that I got a cross certainly has some significance in that I was willing to mark myself with something that I felt was integrally part of who I am.

4.What’s the relationship between your tattoo and your broader understanding of your body?

I was really hoping it would make me look skinnier and taller ;-) I have never had a big issue with tattoo's and the marking of one's body. I do realize that it is permanent, but there is something about being able to control your body that makes tattoos a powerful expression for many folks. Certainly there can be an level of usage that is not healthy and there are historic usages of marking/branding that are significant, but in general I think tattoo's are simply another expression that I and other should have control over.

5.Was it worth it…do you have regrets?

Less than a fan of the tats, if you were to ask my wife about this, she would say yes. I will certainly not get any more - though I REALLY want to - because it is not just about me. When I got this one, I asked her if she would mind. Being in the same space around people's control over their own bodies, she simply said, "I would prefer that you didn't." I obviously didn't listen to that and, yep, was a rough few months for us. So I am not sure that I regret it as much as it is a bittersweet marker of my understanding of self and my relationship to my wife.

6.What funny story has happened because of your tattoo?

When my friend and I went to get the tats I went first. As I was sitting there in A-G-O-N-Y he kept asking me if it hurt. Not one to give him ANY opportunity to bug out on me, I played it cool, "Naw, it's not too bad." Upon the the beginning of his process - and after he had to get his hairy ankle shaved - the look on his face was priceless, kind of a combination of "THIS HURTS!" and "Bruce, you are a LIAR!"

7.How did your tattoo change your faith (and if not, why not)?

Again, my tattoo was not originated by any significant theological crisis or life-changing event, so *hanging head low* will have to say, not much.

I am not a big tagger, but if you are up for a quick post idea and you have a little ink you want to highlight, join on in. Again here is the ORIGINAL MEME POST.

Posted By: Bruce Reyes-Chow (Email) | September 13 2010 at 11:45 AM

Listed Under: Random

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/reyeschow/detail?entry_id=72177#ixzz0zTaIMWpX

Edited September 14, 2010 by tammy

[Jake]

Man, what kind of dude marries a woman who gives him "a rough few months" for getting some tiny little tattoo. AND decides not to get more than his little ankle cross because she disapproves. Fuck that. Don't be with someone who doesn't respect your body. If my girlfriend wants to shave her head I probably wouldn't be stoked (unless it's a hot chelsea cut ;) ) but it's her choice and I'm not gonna make her life tougher for an aesthetic/cosmetic choice. Weaksauce.

[dari]

But what if it was her one stipulation? I told Scott that he could do whatever he wanted, except braid his beard and add decorations to it. One woman's tattoo is another woman's beaded beard.

[Jake]

An ankle tattoo is easily coverable. A beaded beard not so much. Granted I see what you're saying Dari, we all have to make sacrifices in relationships and if that's her ONLY request it might be doable for some. But unless you're getting a "blue collar contract" tattoo they're not always visible and therefore shouldn't be subject to an agreement like that. But hey, that's just my opinion and that's why I'm not in a relationship like that guy (or have a shitty little celtic cross on my ankle haha.) To each their own I guess.

Hold the phone- just reread that he's a pastor. Ok this makes wayyyy more sense now.

[tammy]

But what if it was her one stipulation? I told Scott that he could do whatever he wanted, except braid his beard and add decorations to it. One woman's tattoo is another woman's beaded beard.

what if we started a poll and voted on scott braiding his beard and adding decorations?....majority rules right?

[dari]

Um, no. My Beard, my rules.

[tammy]

pretty

[dari]

Tammy that's disgusting. How do I flag this post? Are you really trying to have your account suspended so quickly?

[Jake]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

imagine Scott rocking these Brad Pitt beads:

[dari]

Ugh, ruined.

[Lochlan]

Hey Dari, I'll be at the warehouse all day with Scott. We're supposed to work on tattoo machines but maybe I can talk him into letting me braid his beard instead???? It'd be a late Rosh Hashanah gift!

[stevew]

Hey Dari, I'll be at the warehouse all day with Scott. We're supposed to work on tattoo machines but maybe I can talk him into letting me braid his beard instead???? It'd be a late Rosh Hashanah gift!

the thought of you sitting around braiding scott's beard is a little disturbing.