tattoo rant
today in my theater class, performance of the human body, we had a discussion about tattoos. there were three pro-tattoo and three anti-tattoo volunteers from the class to talk about their opinions.
i wish i went up to speak my own opinion, because both sides of the argument irritated me.
the pro-tattoo people were talking about how their tattoos are symbols of their faith, or have very personal meaning to them. it was discussed that most tattoos are in memoriam of something or someone. even the pro-tattoo side said never ever get a tattoo on a whim.
i have a tattoo, and i got it on a whim.
my tattoo is an ampersand symbol just below my neck on my spine. it’s a reference to a jason mraz song, based on a lyric i really like, and he’s my favorite artist. but it doesn’t represent someone who died, or my religion, or any kind of spiritual thing.
now don’t get me wrong, my tattoo wasn’t some idiot drunken decision, i did deliberate over it for a few months, but it’s not like it was something i had been wanting to do for years. i got it in a place that can be visible sometimes, but not always. it’s not like i wasn’t thinking ahead to my possible future career and whether it would jeopardize it. i made sure it was easy to hide.
but yeah, i got it for the aesthetics mostly. i like ampersands. i think they’re cool.
and i know it shouldn’t bother me when people ask me about it, especially because i got it in a place that’s often showing, and i like it to be seen. and i’d have no problem telling people why i did it if people wouldn’t judge me about it.
usually when people ask, i try to make it seem like it has more meaning than it really does.
if i told everyone who asked why i got my tattoo that i got it simply because i think it looks cool, they’d certainly judge me. and that’s not their fault, it’s society’s fault.
modern society puts less stigma on tattoos than ever before, but the negative stigma is definitely still there. tattoos are a little more accepted now than they were in the past, but it seems you only are accepted or get respect for a tattoo that has very strong personal meaning.
i once asked a friend what his tattoo meant, and he told me it was symbolic in commemoration of his mom who had passed away. of course i have a lot of respect for that. but hearing that made me feel awkward and embarrassed that my own tattoo doesn’t have significant meaning like that.
and it shouldn’t. my body is my own and only mine, and i should be able to express myself with it however i want to without being or feeling stigmatized.
so, yes, i got my tattoo on a whim. do i regret it? nope. should i? maybe. will i one day? who knows. but whether i still like ampersands in 40 years or not, it will always be a small symbol of how i tried to express my individuality and (self-perceived) independence one impulsive day when i was only 18.
and yeah, i’m planning on getting more. :)
i need some advice. i’ve never skated before, but i want to learn. all i want to do is skate to class and around campus, not planning on doing anything but riding it as transportation. of course to learn, i need a board first.
these are the ones i’m looking at:
- penny board (22” x 6”)
- globe bantam ST (23” x 6”)
- arbor woody (23.5” x 6”)
- stereo wood vinyl (23” x 6”)
i want a mini cruiser board because they’re more convenient and light to carry to class. bad idea for a first board?
the first two are plastic and the second two are wood. plastic seems like it’d be more durable, but everywhere i read says wood is better?
please help me :) what do you think?
lucy--couture asked:
i just got into UCSB and i'll probably be attending in the fall, so i have a few questions [: how are the freshman dorms? like are they doubles, triples, bathroom situation etc. do people mainly hookup or are there actual relationships there too? because from what i've heard, it's mainly hookups haha. and how is greek life? obviously you don't need it to party, but i hear they do philanthropies and socials which i think sound fun. thanks!! [:
congrats! it depends what dorm you’re in. i’m in santa catalina (everyone calls it ft) which is the off-campus dorm. these rooms are set up suite style, so it’s two rooms connected with a bathroom. it’s really nice to have our bathroom in our room! i think santa catalina used to be all doubles, but my class was so big, that every other room is a triple, so the suite has 5 people. i got lucky enough to be in a double, but tripling isn’t as awful as you’d think. i really recommend putting santa catalina first choice! the other dorms are slightly smaller, and almost every room is a triple. none of the other freshman dorms are suite style, so there’s usually one bathroom for a whole floor or wing of a floor.
there’s a lot of hooking up, but i’ve seen relationships around too! it’s definitely doable if that’s what you’re looking for haha everyone is different
i’m not in the greek system, it’s not really my thing, but my friends who are in sororities love it! and sometimes i’m a little jealous that they have pretty fun socials or like date parties and theme parties. if you are considering greek life at all, you should rush! you could always drop out during rush week if you’re not into it!
top down on the drive home? i think yes. peace out #ucsb ✌
Anonymous asked:
best place to study abroad from ucsb?....your really pretty....i come from a school of exceptionally all skinny, put together, and pretty girls... is it the same at ucsb? ...i hope not
i don’t know about studying abroad! i’m only a first year, and most people study abroad in their third year. but i’m sure someone will have a good answer for you!
thank you :) well that is the stereotype for SB. if you check collegeprowler, we apparently have A+ girls and A+ guys. hahaha. but as most stereotypes go, it’s there for a reason, but a majority of people don’t fit into it. while you probably will encounter the occasional gorgeous and skinny prissy bitch here, you probably will anywhere, and most people aren’t like that. so don’t even worry :)
Anonymous asked:
whats the weather like at ucsb ...would you pick sdsu over ucsb...how is the sense of community because i heard sports wasn't big there? what are the worst thing about it
the weather is overall great. it’s typical southern california weather, so there isn’t much difference between the weather at SD and SB. we have our rainy days on rare occasions, but it doesn’t normally drop below 50 degrees and typically is in the 60s or 70s in fall and winter.
i chose UCSB over SDSU because it’s ranked higher academically, and it’s in the UC system instead of the cal state system. there are a lot of athletics here, but we don’t have a football team. ehh. we make up for it by going to soccer games! we have strong gaucho pride for our men’s soccer team, and everyone throws tortillas onto the field :)
worst things about it? i can’t even think of any. well i guess some of my friends have trouble getting classes or passing classes, but that’s because they’re in really difficult majors. it is pretty competitive academically (contrary to popular belief).
to be completely honest, the worst thing about it is we’re going to have to leave this place after graduation.
internet101 asked:
have you heard any nightmare roommate stories?
hahaha not nightmare. but i do know a few people who got stuck with a roommate they hate or don’t get along with. it’s hard to start living with someone when you’re not used to it! the best way to avoid this is to choose your roommate so you don’t get a random. either room with someone you know from highschool, or meet someone on Facebook! (i guarantee you there will be CO 2017 roommate search groups popping up soon.) that’s what i did and i adore my roomie :)
