Tattoos and Taboos

Tattoos, do I have any? Oh yes, I do.  Am I going to get more? Absolutely.

Tattooing has been around for almost ever.  There are plenty of opinions on the subject, and it makes it hard to distinguish some facts.  First of all, people from all walks of life have tattoos, there isn’t anything inherently evil or wrong about getting a tattoo, however, that is also dependent of the tattoo you are getting.

There has been (and probably will be for some time) a debate amongst Christians on whether or not it is a sin to get a tattoo.  For the side that thinks it is a sin, they will usually quote Leviticus 19:28 - "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourself".  Those that use this verse as their proof that it is wrong are actually misinformed or are taking it out of context.  

Our modern concept of tattooing isn’t actually addressed in the Bible, as it wasn’t really in practice at that time.  That verse is actually referring to a practice that was in use at that time, cutting, marking or gashing your own body for ritualistic purposes, used frequently while mourning the dead.  Instead of being called tattooing, it should really be called scarring or scarification, which is completely different that our modern definition of tattooing.

That being said, anything on your body that is sacrilegious would be a sin by all accounts, so basically, you have to use common sense to figure out if the tattoo you are getting is in direct defiance of your religious beliefs, so it should be a pretty cut and dry matter.  Often the simplest explanation is the best.

Back to my tattoos, well, I have a Batman Logo on my right shoulder, a Nightwing Logo on my left shoulder, a semi colon on my right inner wrist and a tear away revealing machinery on my right leg\calf.  Each one I have has a special meaning to me, even if it is silly, and not one of them violates any of my religious beliefs\morals.  As I said, I plan on getting more, but haven’t set in stone (or flesh) for sure what they are.  I want to get another tear away revealing machinery on my forearm, but I haven’t decided which yet.  I also want a lion on my chest (Leo’s gotta represent, right?).

Here are some good examples: 

I also have a very special tattoo planned that I am getting next, and it will be a matching tattoo that Cassie and I are both getting.  By far it will be my most emotional and meaningful tattoo.  Now, I hear an all too familiar comment very often, and it’s something like “You going to regret getting a tattoo when you are old and saggy.”  First off, the tattoos I’ve gotten so far and the ones for the future are not in locations that will actually “sag” that much, if at all, so that’s not a worry in my mind.  Now, about the old part?  I doubt that when I get old my biggest regret is going to be that Batman Has been on my shoulder all that time.  I also think of this couple when I hear the “old” argument come up:

I see no problems with tattoos as long as you stay true to who you are when you decide what the artist will do when they put the needle to your skin.

Your thoughts?

Look for a special podcast episode coming up soon, the first (of many hopefully) with an incredibly special guest.

Until next time, dear readers...

Structure, We All Need It

So here's the deal. Structure.  I've decided that the blog needs a bit more structure.  I am going to try out having regular sections on it, and see how that goes.  Feedback is appreciated and mandatory.

I was looking on Groupon the other day and saw that there is a murder mystery dinner on there.  It's at the Stone Lion Inn in Guthrie.  That is supposed to be one of the most haunted places in Oklahoma.  My interest peaked.  There is something about having my wits scared out of me that is awesome.  This is also the reason I ride with Lyndsay when she drives.  I am on the fence about just getting the tickets and then Lyndsay will feel like she has to go or it will be a waste of money, but as I have just explained about the Inn, odds are good that she will read this and stop me.  If she isn't up for it, would anyone else be?

I have always fancied (yes fancied) myself a brilliant actor with a wide range of acting abilities.  However, after reading about this murder mystery I thought about myself as an actor in it.  I would be be nervous so close to the 'non-actors' (it's what we call them in the biz) that my timing would be all off.  I have created a lovely comic to demonstrate:

See, I'd blame the first child that walked into my line of sight.  I think I'll skip on being an actor at one of these and stick to be an over acting bystander.

The Regular Dad series is going well, I did take a break from it for a few days, but I'm back on it and soon the first episode will make you laugh so hard you might rupture a bladder.  Seriously though, if you do rupture anything while watching or thinking about it, don't blame me, my lawyers Mr. Mason and Mr. Matlock assure me that they can get me out of it in less that 60 minutes.  I'm finding the hardest part so far with creating the series is figuring out how to get the girls to act on command.  Madison especially does not want to be on camera, and Victoria jumps in the camera as soon as it starts recording. Alexandria is neutral most of the time.

Ok, so I'm one more thing to add to today's entry, and that is a thought.  My youngest, Madison, turned 4 on the 12th.  I now am the proud father of 4, 5 and 8 year old girls. Little by little I am coming to terms with my aging, but it occurred to me that in addition to my aging, I have to cope with my daughters aging as well.  Some advice I receive all the time (and on several occasions from complete strangers) is to cherish each moment because you won't get a second chance and they pass so quickly. I have realized it is so true, and everyday with them is a gift, and not everyone gets three gifts a day like I do.  So even with all the yelling, screaming, fighting, and groin hitting (them hitting me of course) I love every minute of it, even if it is not apparent at the time. Being a dad is awesome and heartbreaking.

Ok, so I'm like an Apple Strudel, Crusty and flaky on the outside while sweet and gooey on the inside. I don't have any apple chunks though, I mean unless I've eaten an apple and got sick and barfed up some apple chunks, but I probably won't be sweet when that happens.  Forget the strudel thing. 

Thank you everyone for reading, and remember - when life gets you down.  That's it. Just remember it.

A Little Bit of Serious (Part 1)

Since you are reading this, I figure you are my friend and interested in what is going on in my life, or you are an evil genius looking for my single weakness. If you are the latter, good luck with that and FYI I hid a rancid piece of cheese somewhere in your closet. I win, and you stink - literally.

I thought I'd take the time to post a little about myself, just in case you really didn't know too much about me, but had a burning desire to learn more. That's right, I'm talking to you.

I was born when I was only two... well, I could skip forward a bit. My name is James. Let me list the things I am, both good and bad:

• Son (duh)
• Husband to a beautiful wife
• Father to three gorgeous little girls (3,5 & 7)
• Brother to a great sister (who will never read this I'm sure)
• Uncle
• IT Director (Think Computers)
• Gamer
• Out of Shape
• Bipolar
• Former podcaster (along with my wife)
• Writer (Search for me on Amazon)
• Student (You never stop learning)
• Teacher (You are always impressing upon others with your actions and reactions)

That's just a few things off the top of my head. I don't want to say that I have had a difficult life, but I've had quite a few challenges and I, in turn, have created challenges for those in my life.  Life is always a work in progress, and I'm progressing (not regressing).

A little more about me you say? Oh I couldn't. 

When I met Lyndsay on a blind date back in 1999, I knew it was special. I mean, I got nervous, the diarrhea kicked in and I almost passed out. That's pretty special in my book, the same thing happened at each of my daughters births - see, it's special. We were married in May of 2004, and our family grew in December of 2005. Again in May of 2008. Once more in March 2010. And ... I better stop there or my lovely wife will have words with me.

It's also am important note that out of the two of us, I remember all the dates. Birthdays, anniversaries, everything. She does remember some, but I love the look on her face when someone asks her the birthday of one of our children.

I am a writer, yes - I write things. I have two works of fiction in progress right now, and because I'm bipolar I am also reading five different books. My first published work has been received well, but with little financial success - I'm not in it for the money, if I was I'd be in trouble, at least at this point. It might interest you to know that I'm starting a book that is a series of bedtime stories. I have been forced at sippy cup point many times to make up a story on the spot at bedtime, so I'm writing them down, at least the good ones, you know the ones that don't just end because all the kids are asleep.

I think that's enough for now, I'll see if anyone is interested for a "Part 2". If you are, please let me know.

With great power comes great ... something

WARNING DO NOT GET OFFENDED THIS IS FOR FUNNIES

I know that the internet was created for complaining, and I try (usually not so well) to refrain from gratuitous use of that right. After much reading and holding my tongue, here are some of my findings.