Tattoo

I have wanted a tattoo for years now. I have had this tattoo in my head for a few years now. I want to have a large cross inked onto my left arm. The bottom of the cross will look like it is digging into my arm, while the rest of it will be in flames. When I described that to my very religious mother, it took her about 5 minutes to speak (there was much silent prayers for my soul during that time). She then asked why would I do that,because I grew up Catholic, was an alter boy (was never touched), and was raised in a religious household.

I explained it as this...

The burning cross on my arm represents my feelings about religion and how I think not only do I no longer feel like it defines me as a person, but I feel like religion can be a destructive and violent force when wielded in such a way (Middle East, The Crusades, etc.). The reason the cross will be dug into my arm is to symbolize how no matter how much I reject what is propagated to me by a preacher, TV, radio, or any other medium people use to try and spread their message... some of the Bible's teachings helped make me what I am today. Honor thy mother and father, love your fellow man, do not steal... those are just some of the basic beliefs that make me a decent guy. No matter how I feel about religion in general, I still value some of its teachings.

2009 will be the year I finally get this tattoo.

Either that... or the NY Mets logo on my spine. That would be so bad ass!