Who are the people out there saying that getting a tattoo doesn’t hurt? I does hurt, I don’t care what anybody else says.

I got my first tattoo the year after I graduated from highschool. I got a compass tatted on my upper back. I was 19 years old and in the mood to shed my old skin. Since highschool wasn’t the highlight of my youth, getting a tattoo was somehow meant to inflate my sense of worth. I don’t regret getting that tattoo but I must admit that I didn’t really want one.

I’ve gotten a few more tattoos since then. I don’t regret any of them and I wont regret tattoos in the future. How do I know? Because I know that being regretful about things that are in your circle of control is a choice.

“Okay Erik, what happens when you get turned down for a job for having a tattoo?”

I’m a person of principle. I have no problem with that. And let me make this clear; I do not want to work for an employer who will make judgements about my ability to do good work based on the fact that I have tattoos. I wouldn’t want to work for a company like that anyways. It’s 2019 people, I think we’ve surpassed the point of cattering to the man.

I don’t make many exceptions either. My mom asked me the other day how I would react if I was rejected by a nice girl because of any of my lifestyle choices. Well it’s a damn shame, but I’d rather defend the principle. I don’t want to be with a girl who doesn’t accept me for who I am.

Take this advice. Be yourself. Fuck, if you want to put tripple aught gauges in your ear, than do it! I mean, don’t be stupid. We live in the real world; so if don’t expect not to be judged. You will be judged and scrutinized. My only point is to say that you should not sell your authenticity for advancement in the world of corporate bullshit. It’s called civil disobedience. Do it.

Well Jesus, I better stop before I get on my tirade.

Erik Hight