What would Jesus Do? Well, what about you?

I got thinking about Molly's post, about her angel, and it seems to me that although it's bullshit and never should have happened to her, it's HARDLY surprising considering the way things are going in the world right now. So I'm writing down this sort of random, miscellanious things that make you go Hmmm... about the way folks deal with each other these days. If we, as tattooed people notice these things, maybe we can see beyond what causes them, and we can help make the world a cooler place... Just some random stuff... Add in yours too! Let's see what we get! 1. I hate my neighbors. They are about the most right wing fundamentalist people you'd ever want to meet... except that they are not... actually, they are quite hypocritical... you see, they basically take what they need from their religion, call it their "value" structure, and then use it against everyone else that doesn't see the world the same way that they do. They act like elite assholes all week long, and then go to church to get a cleansing on Sunday, which makes it all better so they can go back to being fucking elitist all week. I should say that I used to hate their guts until I realized how scared of me they are... I frighten them to death. . I'm free. I do what I want. I listen to what I want as loud as I want. I wear large tattoos because I want, and I don't apologize for being who I am. Not that I'm in thier face, because I NEVER push my life on them, but I just never realized how scary I am to them, because I am educated, articulate, kind, gentle and forgiving which is not what their "value" structure teaches them that a "bad" person like me should be! Plus, my daughters are about the most well mannered, kind hearted little girls that you could ever want to meet. That completely freaks them out. How could this be so? I mean, I have ink, I drink, and I don't own an oxford shirt that is pink? I've learned to see them a bit differently since I've realized that most of their day is spent scurrying around like little rats, trying desperately to stick to their plan... whatever that is, keeping up with the joneses, buying that new 4runner, having that grass mowed in diagonal rows, keeping the garage clean so if the garage door is open everyone will see how perfect their life is, and trying desperately to socialize with as many people just like them as possible so that they'll feel better about the choices they've made. Is it possible that people who are free through acts of kindness could change their minds about people in general? Is it worth trying? 2. Ever notice how scared people are these days? If you ever let your guard down for 2 seconds, you have the media right there to reinforce how bad life is going, and if you ever get too comfortable and start thinking for yourself, we'll jack that terrorism color level up a few notches just to make sure we keep ya in line. 3. Ever notice how people tend to use religion to judge other people that are not like themselves, and to justify just about every mean spirited and spiteful, judgemental thing that they do? What would Jesus do? Would he act like the woman who slammed Molly's Tat? Would he really? Really? So, then why is it that so many people these days, regardless of their religion, feel that they have some kind of calling to make everyone else just like them? Where do they figure they get the right to make a negative comment to another human being at all about ANYTHING that doesn't directly affect their own safety and well being? 4. Does anyone really sincerely NOT understand how Columbine High School could happen? I mean, it was beyond tragic, and so far beyond excuseable it's not even plausible, but does anyone who went through high-school and WASN'T the bell of the ball, or captain of the football team really NOT understand the kind of mentality in schools these days that brings this stuff to pass? 5. What should happen to people who allow trends of alienation, bullying, bigotry, isolation, misunderstanding and hatred to continue into the next generations to come by simply saying "Aw. kids will be kids" all kids do that... what if all kids DIDN'T do that? Would it be the same? 6. You might as well accept the fact that by being a tattooed person, you ARE different. You are not the same. You don't fit into cookie cutter society, and people that do, may never understand you. I keep saying that I got my tattoo for my daughters, but honestly? I just got it for myself. I wanted it. I'm different. I've always known I was. I'm not happy in a Subaru Outback. The sooner I realized that about myself, the happier I would have been throughout most of my life. It took about 25 years to be honest with myself. If I had been honest with myself, and honored my true nature earlier, with that kind of self-love, what could I have given back to the world by now?? 7. Why do people think that people who ride motorcycles are criminals? How many people have ever actually met someone who rode with an organized motorcycle gang at all? What about the Hells Angels Christmas Rides? 8. And finally, for now, Would Von Dutch roll over in his grave if he realized that I'm sitting here drinking an energy drink with his name on it? What would he do if he were alive if he realized he had been commercialized? 9. What would happen if we all just decided to stop "consuming" for a week? Okay, y'all's turn.....

Damn, Daddy Rose (formerly Cactus Al), just after I thought I had opened a 'good one', ya topped me, bro. Well said and I think this one could get very interesting. One point I'd like to make is that throughout history it's been the 'rebels', 'non-conformist' and those with, shall I say the GUTS to be 'different' who are responcible for almost every invention and improvement these sheep take for granted. You're an 'educated' man so you know where I'm coming from and that it IS a FACT, one the 'sheep' can't dispute, well, at least not intelligently but then again, when did that stop 'em? Think for a moment just what the world would be like if it were'nt for those who 'think outside the box', we surely would not be on computers, now would we? Personally, I have long suspected that a big part is actually JEALOUSY, they're actually jealous that they do not have the guts to do what some others do and rather than admit that, they ridicule us and try to make us feel like they do inside. Hell, think of what yesterday was really about, a bunch of 'troublmakers' making waves against England and who refused to conform, bless 'em. Can ya imagine how THAT would have gone with today's 'society'? Personally I am PROUD to 'be different', as the alternative would to be just like them and THAT I cannot/will not be. Again, I think this should be an interesting topic (ya might be a klutz but ya got a good brain and heart).Doc

Amen.... what they said...

I definitely agree that it takes a lot of guts to do things that other people view as different....getting tattoos is just one of those things. No matter who you are or what you do someone is going to view you as different. Hell, I view the judgemental neighbors DaddyRose has as different...am I any different than they are because I chose to live my life in other ways from them? (by the way I'm not condoning religious bigotry or of pushing thoughts onto someone else...I hate that and I've had enough people pushing their ideals on me in my life to know how shitty it is). Anyway, I think it's just something we have to deal with as PEOPLE...someone is always going to dislike what you do, even if you are what society deems to be "ok". Cause I know I sure as hell don't agree with half the shit society says is normal. I'm different, you're different, we're all different and unique in our own ways. And you know I don't want to change that...we need to teach tolerance of the differences, not try to fit everyone into a nice little box like our society often seems to try to do. Dana

Yeah guys! Like you know what I did a couple of days ago? I actually LET THE JEHOVAH WITNESSES IN!!!! And I talked to them for a couple of hours, actually, and know what I learned?? Well, I seriously don't agree with a gigantic amount of what they have to offer. This conversation got really good actually. But I thought that it would get really heated, and it didn't... they were kind, polite, and more than willing to do whatever it takes to keep me from going to hell (too late) but hey! Their heart was in the right place... But think about this... we are different because we are tattooed, right? Well, these guys go around every Saturday morning, no matter how fucking hot it is in a suit and tie, and knock on peoples doors that they don't even know, and get their ass shot off as likely as not, but they are walking the walk. They say what they think, and they think they can help. I'm not saying I agree with them, in fact, I in particular love to look deeply into their eyes cause it's kind of clear that they actually BELIEVE what they are saying and that fascinates the crap out of me (but that's another story). But ya gotta love em for walking the walk, right? I mean, how many "SELF-PROFESSED" PIOUS people do that these days? Maybe they are not so different than us. You know what guys, I just think I seem to have a problem with ORGANIZED RELIGEONS of all types. (Buddhism isn't a Religion really, more like a system for living) I think any time one group of people gets together and says "WE HAVE THE TRUTH AND WE ARE RIGHT", then, out of necessity, that means everyone else is wrong. You mix that with the fact that we are just animals to an extent anyway, and you get most of the evil in the world. Lord of Flies. Anyway... Thanks for your thoughts guys... keep addin on!

I will end up contributing to this thread, just not at this particular moment. I still have to become unwired from my day at work, and the day just happened to piss me off. I'm not one of those people that should try to explain my points of view when I'm angry. They come across way more harsh than I intend them to be. But I think in another hour or so, I can contribute the theval way of thinking. although, on a slightly different note, as soon as I read the subject line, the first thing that popped into my head was ' what would brian boytano do'

Theval, it's not intended to make you mad at all... Just some interesting little stuff to think about. Just some stuff to kick around. But if something I said DOES make ya mad, then why not lemme have it?? It's okay, I'm big enough to take it...

No, the thread didn't make me mad!! The course of my day at work pissed me off. I just don't want the negative energy that I feel for my job spilling into a terrific, thought provoking and conversation inspiring thread. That's all. :o)

Im going to try and not be long winded here, I understand what your saying about your elite neighbors, and your right, people like you and me do not exist in thier world, and there are ALOT of people who dont or cant understand people of our culture. this past weekend I ran into a harsh reality. I got thrown into the dumbass class because of my apearance, I showed up at a 5 day party to celebrate the 4th, after me and the ol' lady went through all the greeting pleasentries, we settled down to eat and was shot the shit with one of the guys who rode up there with me, when one of my uncles came up and jumped in the conversation, he began attacking my intellect, and then made a comment like "Mortis grew up with me, man he USED to be smart, the guy could read before he was 3, and was doing trigonometry in the 4th grade, he USED to be so smart they actually created an advanced class for him alone in his school. but look at him now, " he started to imply that because of my apearance, I was somewhat less intelligent, I guess in his opinion, long hair, tattoos, leather and Harley's mean stupid. Well it pissed me off, This is someone who knows me, and knows the education Ive had, and continue to have, I was astonished that he could even make an ignorant comment like that, about me. So I proceeded to show him how someone who is barbaric could still be educated. I body slammed him, then jumped on his face and hooked both my thumbs in his mouth and streched, and the whole time I sat on his chest trying to stretch his lips to his ears I recited Shakespear's King Lear, and went through 3 acts of the play, then before I let him loose I made him say "Lord Mortis in all his wisdom and knowlege allowed me to live in his world even though I am an ignorant child." he had to repeat it 3 or 4 times ( I guess its hard to talk with your mouth stretched that wide) one other thing, those Jehova Witnesses you mentioned, I have got to agree, im not a religous person at all, but I do have to respect the determination and dedication of those people, they do go door to door non stop, and see alot of harsh rejection, but they keep at it(wow) something I learned about them when I talked with them, they dont celebrate any holiday, except thier day of birth, other than that they dont do christmas, easter, thanksgiving, or anything, work 7 days a week, never taking a day off. WOW! I may not agree with thier teachings, but man, Ive got to respect thier dedication, and from what ive seen they dont judge apearance. and the girls who came by to talk didnt seem to mind that I was more interested in getting them naked than talking about god. Anyway, dont sweat ignorance in other people, just be yourself. Mortis

This might not be exactly what you are looking for but I am pretty mellow, I do what I do. I am very picky about what I let people know about me. I have one and only one true friend. She has never passed judgment on me and I have never passed judgment on her. We have been friends for almost 30 years. I can be 100% honest with her and vise versa. I have learned in past years that unless I can be absolutely myself with the people I’m with, then fuck it….I’ll be lonely. I guess my point is be who you are honestly.

Exactly You guys Mortis and Molly, I agree with you 100%. Makes ya think a little. Doesn't it? I'm sorry Mortis, I want to be above all that, but I just can't...I had to laugh about your story. That was great....

Exactly You guys Mortis and Molly, I agree with you 100%. Makes ya think a little. Doesn't it? I'm sorry Mortis, I want to be above all that, but I just can't...I had to laugh about your story. That was great....

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! I have plenty to say!!!!!!!!!!!! I just don't have time today............... TCE

..........................but I'll tell you this much, I studied the Bible for two years with Jehovah's Witnesses, and those people truly were selfless with their time, never asking for anything in return. In the end, I felt guilty about wasting their time on me, knowing I would never be able to live as they do. You think they wouldn't rather be watching football or fucking off like the rest of us on Sunday's? I start in on the other aspects of this discussion as soon as I can manage it...........................HOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAH! TCE

July 4th, prior to the mindless self destruction that took place at Taz's house, I had to make an appearence at an acquaintances house whom I'm I had been invited for beer and barbeque. When I should up at the house I had little to no idea what I was in for. Have you ever walked into a place and felt everyone not only looking right at you, but looking right through you too? Talk about highly uncomfortable and out of my element! Picture me in your typical middle-upper class household, pool, couple of statues here and there, rec room, no dust in site, shiney shit with lights, take your shoes off at the door, don't sit on the printed couch, don't use the decorative towels, etc, house, all (partially) sleeved out and ready to have a good time. The person who had invited me was to concerned about what everyone thought about her hosting skills. And this is not an assumption either. She literally kept repeating, "I'm just trying to be a good hostest, this and that, blah, blah, blah...." There were only three other people who I knew at this juke joint. After exchanging the usual, "Hey, have't seen you in a while. What are you up to these days?" BS, these people have literally nothing to say... NOTHING. I thought I would be a smart as and ask one where they purchased their sun glasses and that sparked a conversation on sales at Old Navy.... ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!??? I even made it a point to at least say, "hello, how are you?" to everyone and 8 time out of 10 the only response I received was a blank stare. Needless to say there I was standing back watching these people talk about this guy and that girl and what they wore last saturday to the bar and looking at pictures and commenting on hair. About that time I figured it was time for a beer. The "hostest" who had invited me, would had told me that there would be plenty of food and drink, asked me if I wanted a cup so I could get some beer from the keg, tells me after she gives me the cup, "That will be $2." WHAT! So being the bastard I am I told her that I had my money out in my truck and that I would get it right away. I then grabbed a cup, got some beer, downed it, and left without saying a word. I talked to one of my best friends about this yesterday and he said that he could imagine what everyone was thinking when they saw a guy like me, with my tattoos, and what was going through their minds. He also stated that it was a bunch of bullshit that those people would be that way. Who would have thought an interracial couple and their family judging me by the colors on my skin.... No shit!

No shit work. That's exactly what I'm talking about. Only in my neighborhood, if you want to start a conversation, the appropriate conversation starters are something along the lines of" 1. "So, Kelly, What activities have you got your kids in this summer?" 2. "Wow, that's a nice new 4-runner ya got there... Is that an SR5?" 3. "Well, my kids go to Coal Creek Elementary because their scores are consistently in the high 90's for reading and arithmetic"... 4. "Well, we are going to go to France this summer... ya know, just a little getaway". 5. And my absolute favorite exchange of all time which goes exactly like this... "Hey Pam, you want a beer? I've got a few extra?" "Oh, no thanks..."

Big Daddy Rose your observations are very astute and on mark. Unfortunately the people you are describing don't live is some wack colony somewhere and don't bother us normal people :). Seriously, I agree with your assessment that people are SCARED.. they're SCARED to be different because 99.9999% of people are so friggin insecure they can't stand to be looked at unless it's with some kind of ego-stroking bullshit. My whole in-law side is like this and I can't stand it.. you can't have a conversation with them because they just want to talk about how much money they have in this stock or that stock.. like I care!! Talking to impress has got to be one of the most annoying things in the world. I once read there are 4 levels of conversation and you can gauge your 'relationship' (or lack of one) on them.. I don't remember exactly but it was something like - 1. Things like 'Hi', 'Good morning', etc (me to most of my neighbors) 2. Talk about things like the weather 3. Talk about things that could cause dissent like politics 4. Talk about actual feelings, fears, dreams, intimate type stuff How many conversations go to even 3 these days never mind 4. People have always stereotyped and cast others in certain light to make themselves feel better or shore up their insecurity. For example, my brother-in-law will go to the extreme of using what you eat to prove that you aren't as good as he is (even non-verbally). Shit, I like potato chips, french fries, and all kinds of crap.. I like to drink and get shitfaced.. I used to smoke but quit that when I coughed up something weird looking.. I'm not fat and am in decent shape.. don't go looking at me like I'm a dirtbag because I like french fries! Ok.. little rant there sorry.. Anyway.. I think you're right in that FEAR is what makes these people act like assholes.. they can't stand to break out of their 'scheduled lives' or to even do anything that would be considered 'different' to society. Their opinions are the opinions of the masses, and they have no imagination since imagination is bad. As Professor McGonagal said "They are the worst sort of muggles!!" (for all you Harry Potter fans (like me)).. Craig (my style of 'art' links -) www.creativecutgems.com www.pet-gems.com

I just wanted to say something about judging other people. We ALL judge other people...doesn't matter what we look like. It's the way humans get through the world. It's actually a good thing if the judgement isn't used to discriminate or isolate past the initial judgement. I mean that's what a first impression is...a judgement. I was thinking a little more about this topic...it really is interesting. And I was thinking that although we are all different, no one is really different. Somewhere out there, there is someone who looks a lot like you, dresses a lot like you, and probably thinks and acts a lot like you. We are social beings and like to be around people who have similar view and beliefs. Unfortunately what's been said a lot on this thread is true...people are just down right afraid of what is different from them. So it's up to reasonable people to keep judgements from running their lives, to stand up to and accept what they're afraid of, and to accept that we're all different but basically all the same. Hope that makes sense. Dana

Craig, you've got it right on the nose man. Keep posting! I think I've seen you before, but are you new around here man? Or somebody we know? Anyway, that's exactly what I'm talking about. Damn good post! By the way, for those of you who are feeling insecure about it, I don't own any stocks either.

J-werk, Sounds like you were invited to one of those 'LOSER' parties!!! Don't attend any more of those if you have a rep to uphold. After first time I realized I had been invited to one of those, I just quit accepting invitations from people I don't know.....................they inevitiably end up being a bunch of fucking humorless stiffs, and I end up drinking myself to illness just to give these dipshits something to talk about the next day. That ain't gonna be TAzFEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......................although I may still get sick. No pooty tang for me............... TCE TCE

TCE...I don't think Jwerk explained too well about this party...this chick kinda made it sound as if she really wanted him to come and party with HER!!! ANd once he got there she wanted to CHARGE HIM!!....She didn't say anything about this being a pay as you drink party and so on... So He came to his senses and came to MY party!....When I have a party I don't charge admission or for drinks...guess thats just me though!!But if the dipshit would have showed up at MY house at noon as he was SUPPOSED to do he would have avoided all that bullshit ya know? Jason...all I have to say is.....GOAT TITTIES AND YARD GNOMES!!!!...TAz

But in retrospect it's probably best that I slept in like I did! "Tell me about the rabbits George."

Now Tim...Don't throw away your checkbook before you go to the store...you might change your mind when you get here to the 'fest"! If it is anything like the last one it will be a regular fuggin buffet!!!! Just reserve judgement til yaet here ol pal! thats all I'm Saying!!

TAzZy, I was implying that TAzFEST will NOT be a bunch of humorless stiffs!!!! If I can't find a lively bunch there, I'm giving up. I just hope Ahlyn doesn't break my nose.......................I've been lucky so far........ TCE

Oh my dear Tim, you have no clue what you may be in for! Taz, did we end up capturing the yard gnome? Tim could play with him.... hehehe.... pretzel testicles....*snot*

I'll probably be fucking him by the end of a night...........he'll be the only one who'll let me throw up on him while I'm doing it. Y'all heard of watersports and such? Well this is my kinky interpretation. That scene in The 40 Year Old Virgin where the chick puked.....................what a turn on! I think I was a fly in a previous life. TCE