Saturday April 10th at 6h22 pm:
Before we even got off the train a rogue hustler attempted to swindle me and Amanda out of $20. It didn’t work out so well for him. Once I saw him reach for his pocket to take out money my instant reaction was to sternly say, “no way,” but his eyes was n the woman sitting next to me. Even so, my assertiveness was enough to dissuade any real advances. As we got off the train, he followed Amanda, who was trying to be nice enough to the guy, but still retain her air of lacking interest. I rushed around a small throng of people, with gliding suitcases lingering behind them, in an attempt to give us some distance, but Amanda lost me for a few seconds. After spotting me again, she rushed away from the swindler-in-training and attached herself to my arm. We chuckled shortly about the instance, fully aware of what his intentions had been.
Next, we find ourselves four minutes away—by car—to the MoMA, where we were to explore the fascinating world of Tim Burton’s amazing creations, sketches, videos, and character figurines (both play-sized and real-sized). Being a Saturday, it was inevitable that the crowds would play their roles in irritating the crap out of us from time to time, but it was worth every drop of sweat, every unapologetic nudge and push; every cry of the babes that should not have been there, just to bear witness to such a great, intriguing mind of dark mysterious, artistic genius.
“If I could have my absolute dream wedding…” I said at one point to my sexy partner in crime, “I swear I would have Dave Tuterra and Tim Burton design my masquerade wedding.”
Oh yeah, and did I mention that I had almost paid $84 for the 5 minute cab-ride there? Yeah, this is why one MUST pay attention to every detail that is the great, fabulous, and never-resting New York City. I thought the number key pad that thrust itself upon the taxi-cab screen was for my PIN number, because I paid with my debit card…but OH NO! it was for the tip, which I had intended to pay with the $3 in my hand. The excitement and thrill of being in the city had completely engorged my sense of commonness and flung it out the window, into the chilled air of New England’s spring-time. Luckily, I was caught before any damage was done and had plenty to spend on interesting, fun things; including the pomegranate mojito and margarita I had at Sinigual, a Contemporary Mexican Cuisine restaurant on THRID STREET NOT 42nd St. Amanda and I were slightly misguided by googlemaps.
We had not eaten all day, took too long for us women to get ready and our train schedule was out of synch with reality, but we made it safe and sound and strutted through the crowds that wouldn’t move, crossed streets where we shouldn’t have and dodged incoherent cat calls, even though we were slightly amused and took them for compliments.
Our gaydars were off like car horns on the busy streets of the rumbling city, and we wanted to take them all home for pets. Big gay pets, that would crack the best jokes until our abs burned so much we’d have a six-pack in a week. Pets that would shop with us, as they have a better sense of fashion than I. Pets what would party and make drama that served a purpose for entertainment rather than agitation. They were all so adorable, even the ones we didn’t talk to could still be pegged as gay. Like the one who may have had a bad day previously, until smiling like a child after having home-made cookies for lunch, instead of desert. He strut down the sidewalk carrying more than enough shopping bags for three. Who can’t be cured with retail therapy?
And now we sit on the train, facing the city we never really want to leave, can never visit enough, but only rarely visit due to financial difficulties. Stamford or New Haven? Which is the one we have to be on? Information told us three minutes we had to get to track 105 for New Haven. Damnit, I knew that was the one. Like the scene in Home Along “run run Rudolf” ran through both our minds as we partially sprinted across Grand Central station, down the stairs, through the good court and onto platforms…hm, something and 105. One more cat-call of the simplest courtesy: “beautiful…” and a quick attentive and appreciative reply of: “thank you!” escaped my lips, as I scuttled behind Amanda and onto the train home. There was no time for hesitation, only now can I think to imagine my reluctance to leave this excitingly busy landscape. Back to a home where my heart lives not, back to a reality where my mind is constricted by unhappy responsibilities and riddled with a select few persons who help maintain my sanity. I can only be thankful for the contentions I do find scarcely from day to day, and hope, tentatively, that my life will become far more interesting and fulfilling than now.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
A Paper for my ENG 112 Class...
Acceptable Skin Colors are Not Just Inherited.
Negative stereotypes are beginning to fade as more people begin to ascertain tolerance for the fascination of tattoos. Recently, the media has been influencing dominance in the love for tattoos by portraying more protagonist characters with tattooed skin, as opposed to the well-known antagonists involving gangs, pirates, hard-core bikers, and inmates. There are sections of the military redefining their guidelines to maintain a higher number of possible recruits. Additionally, there are other professions that are becoming more tolerant towards employees with multi-coloured flesh. Tattoos are gaining more confidence to peek out from the hems of shirt sleeves, shorts, and necklines and exposing themselves on the covers of magazines. Celebrities, musicians, sports icons, and authors are dressing themselves in this permanent fashion; feeding their audiences and fans with sights of exemplary ink devices. There are alternative means of expressing ones individuality, and certain facets of society are changing their views to accept people with tattoos as a positive reinforcement to modern culture.
There are prejudices of all kinds, especially when it comes to outward appearances. Many people find it difficult to accept new and…well out of the ordinary, or alternative, things. Authors have, generally, been known to be crazy-eccentrics or drug-induced, creative types. Some scholars argue, or in the least bit assume, that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a drug addict, since Mr. Holmes had such a prominent issue with cocaine and morphine; Edgar Allen Poe married his 14 year-old cousin and died drunk in a ditch; and Oscar Wilde, well-known for his extravagance, spent time in gaol for being homosexual. Tattoos are most certainly the lesser of these apparent “evils,” and a wide variety of authors now have tattoos and show them off, proudly. Some tattoo images portray the passions of a writer, others are written words from their works and inspirations or even a compilation of “four or five book covers and original text running in between them” as with Horror writer, Brian Keene’s back piece (abebooks.com). He proudly displays the covers of his published books forever on his skin. This kind of expression is seen as artistic motive for many audiences and fewer crowds are throwing verbal pitchforks at those who enjoy having permanent pictures fixed onto their skin.
Since one picture is worth a thousand words it cannot be difficult to comprehend a liking for tattoos as a representation of memories. Elaborating on that cliché, Kat Von D expresses in her book, High Voltage Tattoo, that her life’s “story is etched in the lines and shading” of the tattoos she dons over most of her body (15). Author, Shelley Jackson took this idea in a more literal sense. She decided to write a novella, but not on paper. Known as the ‘Skin Project,’ Jackson is having one word tattooed onto 2095 participants (abebooks.com). People are accepting tattoos in many regards, and are lining up to own souvenirs of their lives. Kat Von D decided that she wanted to make it in the Guinness World Book of Record; in a twenty-four hour period, she tattooed her shops logo onto 400 fanatics. People were lined up outside the doors of the High Voltage Tattoo shop for hours, just to be a part of a famous artist’s attempts at a world record.
Tattoos and piercings are known to be part of an alternative fashion. Things outside the “norm” have always gotten a bad rep from the general society, but now that tattoos are showing up all over the place it is hard to wean out the black sheep in the flock. Of course looks are always deceiving, many people from “federal judges to a retired corporate vice president [are] lining up for body are these days” (Roelf 52). Acceptance is persuaded by popularity and a lot of famous icons are flaunting their tattooed skin. They are on the red carpet, accompanying Versace gowns, showing up on the big screen and jamming on main stages. Today, ink stains the skin on sports professionals and is exposed on pin up spreads. Having these positive idols to look up to, instead of the stereotypical idea of tattoos as a sense of rebellion or criminal activity, is a heavy influence towards the acceptance of this particular art. Recently, one will find that it is a rare demonstration to define a person with tattoos as being in a gang or on their way to prison.
Protagonist characters displaying alternative fashions, including tattoos and piercings, are starting to dominate specific television shows. Derrick on Criminal Minds is a BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) Special Agent for the FBI, who has a lion on one bicep and a half-sleeve covering the other. Then there is Abby, from NCIS. She is a giddy, goth-girl, forensic specialist with a spider web tattoo on the left side of her neck. Of course the obvious shows on television involving tattoos are the well known Miami Ink and L.A. Ink. Reality shows portraying the life of tattoo artists and their clients. Diving into the stories behind the tattoos, the audience is able to see the emotional side of the art. Clients have been reduced to tears after glancing in the mirror at the final product. A few common themes of tattoos are that of memorial, remembrance and triumph. One of Kat’s good friends, Dan Smith had her do a family portrait of his friend (Bryce), Bryce’s fiancée, and their baby daughter. All of whom were killed in a horrible car accident, and this piece is what Dan wanted so as to “represent them just as he remembered” (84). Tragedies are remembered and lives honored after their passing. Tattoos present a certain outlet for some who have lost loved ones in untimely ways. Who can look down on that?
The military certain cannot. Recruiters have noticed the growing number of prospective military participants adorned with tattoos. The pieces that typically matter are in visible areas of their bodies. Certain sects of the military are more relaxed about those who have tattoos on their forearms, hands, and the backs of their necks. The only thing they ask is that the visible tattoos be in good taste, nothing provocative or demeaning. The military is more comprehensive of their recruits’ needing to express themselves; it boosts morale and gives the soldiers something else to think of, other than the chaos that surrounds them. In the September 2009 issue of Inked, there is a lengthy cover story about a young man in the U.S. Army who, after completing his duties in Iraq, was set up in his tent on base tattooing many of his fellow soldiers. The artist, Marcos Sierra, was also astounded to realize how many of the higher-ranked individuals were amongst the crowd wanting to be tattooed.
Of course if a tattooed individual is not interested in a career in the military, there are other options for careers and big companies are starting to see the pattern here. Taking into consideration the growing number of newer generations obtaining tattoos, executive companies are being more lenient about their initial rules of outward appearances. Many companies are:
…leaving it up to individual managers to set the rules for the employees who report to them…some take advantage of the open-mindedness and innovation that younger employees bring into the workplace (Roleff 53).
This is important to consider when applying for a job or even before getting a tattoo. Just because some bosses may be apathetic, or accepting, of a tatted individual, does not mean that every boss holds the same perspective. Though it is nice to see that more companies are giving leeway for those who enjoy expressing their individuality. People with tattoos are being given the chance to exert themselves in professional careers without having to worry too much about being judged for their tattooed appearances.
There are certainly strength in numbers and it would seem that many people are making it a point to accept tattoos because they are…well, they are showing up everywhere. Even if you know someone who looks as if they would never be the type, do not be surprised at what can be hidden under the wrapping. But the good ol’ media is also keeping everyone up to date on the latest trends and happenings and inspiring others with visions of beautiful designs on canvases of epidermis. If the militaries are making room for tattooed individuals, it can be believed that a positive means of acceptance is in order due to the structure of what societies have built upon. And thanks to the many icons involved in the media, sharing their stories and art; being positive influences to the generations to come. Whether one has visible ink or not, the fact that there are those leading the way to have businesses refurbishing their ideology, and are more apt to accept the uniqueness of individuals in a grandiose scheme. Everyone is different, though we may have similar likes, dislikes, hobbies and fashion senses it is about time that we all just learn to get along. You cannot judge a book by its cover, but you can cover yourself with book covers!
Negative stereotypes are beginning to fade as more people begin to ascertain tolerance for the fascination of tattoos. Recently, the media has been influencing dominance in the love for tattoos by portraying more protagonist characters with tattooed skin, as opposed to the well-known antagonists involving gangs, pirates, hard-core bikers, and inmates. There are sections of the military redefining their guidelines to maintain a higher number of possible recruits. Additionally, there are other professions that are becoming more tolerant towards employees with multi-coloured flesh. Tattoos are gaining more confidence to peek out from the hems of shirt sleeves, shorts, and necklines and exposing themselves on the covers of magazines. Celebrities, musicians, sports icons, and authors are dressing themselves in this permanent fashion; feeding their audiences and fans with sights of exemplary ink devices. There are alternative means of expressing ones individuality, and certain facets of society are changing their views to accept people with tattoos as a positive reinforcement to modern culture.
There are prejudices of all kinds, especially when it comes to outward appearances. Many people find it difficult to accept new and…well out of the ordinary, or alternative, things. Authors have, generally, been known to be crazy-eccentrics or drug-induced, creative types. Some scholars argue, or in the least bit assume, that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a drug addict, since Mr. Holmes had such a prominent issue with cocaine and morphine; Edgar Allen Poe married his 14 year-old cousin and died drunk in a ditch; and Oscar Wilde, well-known for his extravagance, spent time in gaol for being homosexual. Tattoos are most certainly the lesser of these apparent “evils,” and a wide variety of authors now have tattoos and show them off, proudly. Some tattoo images portray the passions of a writer, others are written words from their works and inspirations or even a compilation of “four or five book covers and original text running in between them” as with Horror writer, Brian Keene’s back piece (abebooks.com). He proudly displays the covers of his published books forever on his skin. This kind of expression is seen as artistic motive for many audiences and fewer crowds are throwing verbal pitchforks at those who enjoy having permanent pictures fixed onto their skin.
Since one picture is worth a thousand words it cannot be difficult to comprehend a liking for tattoos as a representation of memories. Elaborating on that cliché, Kat Von D expresses in her book, High Voltage Tattoo, that her life’s “story is etched in the lines and shading” of the tattoos she dons over most of her body (15). Author, Shelley Jackson took this idea in a more literal sense. She decided to write a novella, but not on paper. Known as the ‘Skin Project,’ Jackson is having one word tattooed onto 2095 participants (abebooks.com). People are accepting tattoos in many regards, and are lining up to own souvenirs of their lives. Kat Von D decided that she wanted to make it in the Guinness World Book of Record; in a twenty-four hour period, she tattooed her shops logo onto 400 fanatics. People were lined up outside the doors of the High Voltage Tattoo shop for hours, just to be a part of a famous artist’s attempts at a world record.
Tattoos and piercings are known to be part of an alternative fashion. Things outside the “norm” have always gotten a bad rep from the general society, but now that tattoos are showing up all over the place it is hard to wean out the black sheep in the flock. Of course looks are always deceiving, many people from “federal judges to a retired corporate vice president [are] lining up for body are these days” (Roelf 52). Acceptance is persuaded by popularity and a lot of famous icons are flaunting their tattooed skin. They are on the red carpet, accompanying Versace gowns, showing up on the big screen and jamming on main stages. Today, ink stains the skin on sports professionals and is exposed on pin up spreads. Having these positive idols to look up to, instead of the stereotypical idea of tattoos as a sense of rebellion or criminal activity, is a heavy influence towards the acceptance of this particular art. Recently, one will find that it is a rare demonstration to define a person with tattoos as being in a gang or on their way to prison.
Protagonist characters displaying alternative fashions, including tattoos and piercings, are starting to dominate specific television shows. Derrick on Criminal Minds is a BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) Special Agent for the FBI, who has a lion on one bicep and a half-sleeve covering the other. Then there is Abby, from NCIS. She is a giddy, goth-girl, forensic specialist with a spider web tattoo on the left side of her neck. Of course the obvious shows on television involving tattoos are the well known Miami Ink and L.A. Ink. Reality shows portraying the life of tattoo artists and their clients. Diving into the stories behind the tattoos, the audience is able to see the emotional side of the art. Clients have been reduced to tears after glancing in the mirror at the final product. A few common themes of tattoos are that of memorial, remembrance and triumph. One of Kat’s good friends, Dan Smith had her do a family portrait of his friend (Bryce), Bryce’s fiancée, and their baby daughter. All of whom were killed in a horrible car accident, and this piece is what Dan wanted so as to “represent them just as he remembered” (84). Tragedies are remembered and lives honored after their passing. Tattoos present a certain outlet for some who have lost loved ones in untimely ways. Who can look down on that?
The military certain cannot. Recruiters have noticed the growing number of prospective military participants adorned with tattoos. The pieces that typically matter are in visible areas of their bodies. Certain sects of the military are more relaxed about those who have tattoos on their forearms, hands, and the backs of their necks. The only thing they ask is that the visible tattoos be in good taste, nothing provocative or demeaning. The military is more comprehensive of their recruits’ needing to express themselves; it boosts morale and gives the soldiers something else to think of, other than the chaos that surrounds them. In the September 2009 issue of Inked, there is a lengthy cover story about a young man in the U.S. Army who, after completing his duties in Iraq, was set up in his tent on base tattooing many of his fellow soldiers. The artist, Marcos Sierra, was also astounded to realize how many of the higher-ranked individuals were amongst the crowd wanting to be tattooed.
Of course if a tattooed individual is not interested in a career in the military, there are other options for careers and big companies are starting to see the pattern here. Taking into consideration the growing number of newer generations obtaining tattoos, executive companies are being more lenient about their initial rules of outward appearances. Many companies are:
…leaving it up to individual managers to set the rules for the employees who report to them…some take advantage of the open-mindedness and innovation that younger employees bring into the workplace (Roleff 53).
This is important to consider when applying for a job or even before getting a tattoo. Just because some bosses may be apathetic, or accepting, of a tatted individual, does not mean that every boss holds the same perspective. Though it is nice to see that more companies are giving leeway for those who enjoy expressing their individuality. People with tattoos are being given the chance to exert themselves in professional careers without having to worry too much about being judged for their tattooed appearances.
There are certainly strength in numbers and it would seem that many people are making it a point to accept tattoos because they are…well, they are showing up everywhere. Even if you know someone who looks as if they would never be the type, do not be surprised at what can be hidden under the wrapping. But the good ol’ media is also keeping everyone up to date on the latest trends and happenings and inspiring others with visions of beautiful designs on canvases of epidermis. If the militaries are making room for tattooed individuals, it can be believed that a positive means of acceptance is in order due to the structure of what societies have built upon. And thanks to the many icons involved in the media, sharing their stories and art; being positive influences to the generations to come. Whether one has visible ink or not, the fact that there are those leading the way to have businesses refurbishing their ideology, and are more apt to accept the uniqueness of individuals in a grandiose scheme. Everyone is different, though we may have similar likes, dislikes, hobbies and fashion senses it is about time that we all just learn to get along. You cannot judge a book by its cover, but you can cover yourself with book covers!
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