Body Mod: How's That Workin' For ya?

I was watching a show called "Taboo" that my hubby rented from the Library.  This thought was brought on by the episode about Body Modification throughout the different cultures in the world.  Well, they had the infamous "Lizzard Man" of Austin, TX.  For those of you who do not know or have heard of this guy, he makes his living being, well, a human Lizard!!  Let me describe what this guy has had done to himself:

*Teflon Implant Bumps in his eyebrow ridges
*Had his toung split in two for a "Forked" illusion.
     ~NOTE: he can move both parts semi-independantly from each other.  ew.
*Nipple Piercing and Ear Spools...the least of the freakiness.
*FULL BODY TATOO IN THE DESIGN OF REPTILE SCALES, some colored green...
     ~plus a few tribal designs and the words "FREAK" across his chest.

Oddly enough, this wasn't the result of a guy who thought one day "Hey, wouldn't it be cool if I made myself look like a total nut job painted green and had a freaky tongue?"  As a matter of fact, he was raised by normal parents, had a pretty good childhood, and was majoring in Philosophy in College!!!!  His plan with this was actually brought on by a philosophical question he wanted to enact. 

Is it possible to cross the realm from Person to Reptile?  Or something very similar to that line of thought.

From there, he proceeded to invest his money, time, and personal "normalcy" to persue this feat.  To this day, he performs freak shows to captive audiences everywhere.  He is very happy with this choice and I'm sure if Dr. Phil asked him "How's that workin' for ya?", he'd honestly reply, "It's working quite well for me!  I've never felt freeier in my life!"...and I'd buy it!

But having said that, as much as I accept body mod as one's personal expression of themselves, and as cool as I think it is, to make the commitment to have something extream, unnatural, and most times permanent done to you, it's something that I think you would have to make ABSOLUTELY SURE you want done.  Seriously, with something like having tattoos, Piercings, Brands (shudder), and even Plastic Surgury, you really have to think of the long term repercussions of this decision and listen to who ever is doing the proceedure if they have any concerns with what you have chosen, placement, and possible side-effects from having said thing done.  Especially if they tell you "This could result in something VERY not cool if I miss the target even by a little bit."

The one thing, though I think people really need to ask themselves is what's more important to you in the world you live in;  Your own positive view of yourself and ego, or the ability to make a decient life for yourself?  Really, walk into a couple of businesses.  Any busienss, weither Blue Collar, Offices, or even Fast Food.  How many people can you visually pin point have visual body mods, not including peirced ears on women?  Less than 2 holes a lobe, mind you.  That right there should be a good gauge on what's worth spending the money and risk on and not. 

There is no knowing if you are going to try for a job at a bank, retail, or even high-paying job after you leave High School and/or College.  I'm sure that as free as one becomes upon leaving your parents house, you want to go and do all the things possible to define yourself to the world.  But when you go and get that Mike Tyson style Tribal Tat on your face, as hot as it looks on you, you eventually graduate Lawschool and are wanting to practice Criminal Law.  I don't know about you, but I don't want to be the Defendant in a Murder Trial and my Lawer looks like someone who's former girlfriend was his Cellmate Jimbo.  See?

So, to paraphrase, Tattoos & Peircings are cool, but keep it tastefull and hidden if you want a job.