Got Ink?

So here's an update on my reality ... even though my boys are my life, I guess you could call them my soft spot, but the truth is, I have some distinctively rough edges. It's funny because people tend to only see me as one sided, and like I've said before, they are quick to stereotype. Especially people that know me as the blonde cheerleader with a big heart ... they tend to look at me strange when they climb in my car, turn on the radio and here Nine Inch Nails or Disturbed playing. That's right, I'm a rocker, a hard rocking, tattoo and piercing loving, moshing, screaming rock chick.

See the thing about me is, once I find something I love, I get a little obsessed with it. And once I realized that rock was my style, the whole lifestyle took over well, my life. I fell into the trap of loving everything it encompasses, from the living on the edge-screw you attitude to the clothes and like I said ... the tattoos and piercings. For as long as anyone can remember, hard rock and body mods have gone together like electric guitar and power bass. But unfortunately so have the negative views, the no-no pointing fingers, and the dirty looks.

Let's see what you think .. this video was taken at by far my favorite concert I've been to - Rock the Ink 2008, a music festival incorporating the Inked out and the Rocked out with over 35 bands in 3 days. It's representing a culture... so view it with open eyes, and enjoy Godsmack's "I Stand Alone" in the background.



I'm not going to even say what I think about the video, because honestly, I think I'm done with trying to convince people that "my music" isn't just about sex and violence, I'm done with trying to convince people that tattoos aren't disfigurements and piercings aren't just holes. All I know is that what can be so bad about something that SO many people flock to, that so many people participate in? I personally love seeing art on another person's body, trust me, a tattoo a great conversation piece.

Not all people with tattoos are big and scary, burly and motorcycle riding, and they definitely aren't like Joe from the interview we read. They are just people who love personal expression, and in a "free" world, what's wrong with that? I have a tattoo, I have a handful or more of piercings, and trust me, they're addicting - and remember, I'm not a leather wearing, chain hording goth chick am I? My "rough" edges are a part of me, they make me who I am, and I could go on and on and on about how much I love tattoos, rock music, and screw you attitudes, but it's all in your perception - I can't change your mind, even if I try. Let's just say, I wish I could sketch better, or else I'd be putting ink to skin instead of ink to paper =)

So to cut myself off and make a point, I'll just leave it at ...