My septum's still swollen. It should be back to normal by now but I guess having a cold/sinus infection or whatever this is will slow down healing. Anyhow the swelling has gone down enough so that the jewelry doesn't look crooked anymore. Perhaps I won't have to tape it to my face to train it into the right spot.
Grrrrrrrr I'm missing Dead to Fall right now. I missed them in September when they were with the A.K.A.'s, who I also have yet to see. My friends went to that show, and apparently it wasn't that great. This show at Broadway Joes, which is a very small venue, so I think it is probably an excellent show because there's really no opportunity for everyone to be wallflowers (which I guess is what happened at the last show- no one really moved or anything). And yes I did miss the Explosion Tuesday, and Haste the Day for that matter. Again, too too sick, and I had an overwhelming amount of school work- which is almost all done now!!! I do have Reverend Horton Heat to look forward to on Wednesday. I have tickets and a ride so I'll be damned if I don't make it. Seriously though,they have one of the best live shows I've ever seen. Interesting crowd, very few kids, good opening bands, and a two hour RHH set. It just doesn't get any better than that.
Ok back on topic. I was considering exactly why people get modified. I know there are several reasons; beauty, to remember a certain time in your life, to take control of your body, to do something fun/dangerous, or to reach a higher state of being. I know there are probably other reasons but that's what I have for now. Anyhow, it's this last reason that kind of scares me. Well, maybe not scares me, but at least raises a few questions.
Now, although I only have a few piercings, I have experienced the adrenaline rush that comes with some modifications. It made the experience really fun, and also relatively painless. I wish it had kicked in for my last piercing- for some reason it only kicked in afterwards so the actual piercing was much more painful than it had to be! When I got my nostril and ears done, I barely felt any pain. I felt totally psyched for the rest of the night. I felt the way I do when I see a really awesome concert, or when I'm making some sort of art work that's turning out really well, or when I get a really good idea for an art work or essay, or when I get to do something nice for someone (yes I do get really excited about stuff like this- again, shut up). So, when I get pierced, I can't wait to go and do it again. Seeing as I have a moderate cash flow now, I'll probably be able to get pierced again once this one heals- and the more I think about it the more I like this idea. Even thinking about it now makes me really excited to do it- I really can't wait til my septum's healed.
Anyhow, about this higher state of being- it could be the adrenaline rush. It's like a natural high, so I'm cool with it. I won't get modifications solely for this reason. It's just sort of like a perk. The higher state of being could also be the feeling of really being one with your body, realizing the potential your body and life have, and exploring primitive cultural practices (some of which I believe are much more advanced and sensible than modern cultural practices).
Now that I'm really thinking this out I don't think I really have a problem with it. I was sort of considering the possibility that some people might seek modifications in order to fill a void in their life. Not that I'm singling out modifications as evidence of someone having a void in their life, though. I think that everyone has the desire to reach a higher state of being. Religion usually fulfills this desire. I guess it's really a desire to extend beyond your body and the physical world. It might be a part of realizing your own mortality, and knowing that there has to be more than what you see and touch.
I guess I was considering that some people get modifications with the intention of getting rid of the void in their life and maybe also as a way to fulfill themselves without committing to a religion. Not that there would be anything wrong with doing so, but, again, I don't think that's what I want to do. So that issue is pretty much covered for me. Maybe I should just consider why I want to get modified, not why other people do. I was really concerned about the kind of culture I would be committing myself to if I were to get permanent modifications, but I guess that having tattoos doesn't necessarily make you part of the culture. I know I will very carefully consider any modification I get- permanent or not- so I don't really have to worry about doing something stupid.
I was also thinking that I might not like whatever tattoos I get once I start to get older. I have to consider though that I am a rather strange person. I don't know if I'd qualify as eccentric, but I do have a very odd way of looking at the world. So even if I do end up being a soccer mom or what not, I'll still be me. I still have more to consider about this topic, but now I'm not nearly as confused as I was when I started this.
and here's a pic of Reverend Horton Heat
