Sunday, April 15, 2012

Gravity is undefeated & Choices

I'm sure that at least some of you have noticed that I haven't been online much lately, there's a reason for that.  I actually took a week's vacation.  Over the course of the last week, I drove from my home in Charleston with my family  to visit friends and family in DC; and then I drove on to New Jersey (yeah I know, who goes to New Jersey on a vacation right?). While I was in Jersey I took the train into New York City a couple of times to spend a couple of days enjoying the sights and food in the Big Apple.
While I was on vacation a couple of things that stood out in my mind.
First while I was having breakfast one morning, I saw an older couple who were probably in their 60s. He was clearly an old school G, complete with a green derby, with matching gators and a lime green suit.  Dude actually looked like an old man Stymie from the Lil Rascals. I almost took a picture, but I was trying to be kinda discreet.......ya know? She was showing a lot of skin.  She had a few tattoos on both of her calves, arms and left breast. Why do women get tattoos on their breasts?!? Sure these tattoos look good when we're young, but we all eventually get older. Both time and gravity are undefeated when it comes to people. We all end up with something that droops. It's just not a good look (to me anyway) when I see women with saggy tats on their arms and boobs. I also noticed that old girl had a big ass hickey on her neck.
One of these days I plan on being one half of a stylish older couple.
The second thing that I noticed while I was out and about in New York City was a woman's clinic. The only reason that I noticed it is because there were flyers on the ground in front of it where people were apparently protesting the fact that women could get abortions there.
While I wouldn't want my own child aborted, I believe that it's wrong for anyone to dictate to a woman whether or not she should bare a child.  I believe that ultimately the choice is hers and that she and she alone should be responsible for that decision.  Don't get me wrong, it would be nice to know that a man and a woman sat down together to make the choice.  But since she is responsible for carrying the child and eventually taking care of it, I believe that she should make that choice.  


Who am I to tell a woman what she should do?!?

42 comments:

  1. Awesome post as always. You are so right about the tattoo thing I always wonder why people put them certain places. And I totally agree with you about the abortion thing. The decision to bring a child into the world is a very difficult choice for some women and it's not decision to be entered into lightly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The thing is Roz that some tattoos look good on us when we're young, but not so good when we're older. Gravity and Father Time are definitely undefeated when it comes to people; and yes, bringing a child into the world is a major decision not to be entered into lightly.

      Delete
  2. Great post Reggie as usual and I hope you and the family had a great time. The tattoo thing I don't get. The abortion thing I agree with you. For me it's not something that I would have chosen for my self but to each his own. I believe every woman should have the choice to select what's right for them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh we had a great time jjbrock. We got to see friends and family we hadn't seen in years.

      Hey I don't have any tattoos yet, but tomorrow is another day. Our freedoms in this country are supposed to be based on our individual rights to choose.........right?

      Delete
  3. Welcome back!! Yup you were missed in blogland. I'm glad you were able to get away and for a vacay. What did you bring me back? LOL! I hear New York is lovely in the springtime and is on my list of places to visit soon.

    I know a few folks with their baby daddy's name boob tats and I have always thought no Ma'am no Sir! I like the new places tattoos are being tatted and I'm contemplating a few.

    I want the war on women to stop. The right to choose is difficult enough without all that pressure and interference.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometime this week I will go around and catch up on the posts I missed last week.

      I am not a fan of tattooing people's names on bodies, but to each his own. Abortion is something that I believe should be left to the individual.

      This time New York was nice, though the last time I was there in April there was a frigging sleet monsoon going on.

      Delete
  4. It sounds like you had an interesting trek.

    I've had a single tattoo on my left shoulder for 35 years. When I made the decision to go and get it done it wasn't so common place. When people would see it their reactions were so mixed. I had a woman actually rub across it once to see if it was real while we were watching a live concert. I almost knocked her the hell out because she was a complete and utter stranger to me. She apologized but she wanted to see if it was actually real. Every once and awhile it is visible to the public eye. Now people think it's a recent addition.

    As far as the old G's are concerned- I've been tempted to take their pictures myself. When I go to old school concerts I spend a lot of time looking at the couples because I find it interesting that they still dress in similar colors etc.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. People never cease to amaze me. What makes a complete stranger think that it's okay to touch you?

      I see these old dudes all the time that haven't stepped into the 21st century yet, complete with shiny shirts, bell bottoms and greasy curls.

      Delete
  5. I have 14 tats, which were all carefully chosen and strategically placed for the reasons you mentioned. I've often asked myself the question of both men AND women who get inked becuse gravity affects both genders.

    The Old G's are so amusing to me because you can't tell them ish about how they look etc; even if their outfit is overly matched or colourful. I give them cred though because they do tend to treat women rather well.

    As for the abortioin topic; it's ALL pro-DECISION in my book. A woman has to DECIDE if she's keeping, terminating, or giving the baby up for adoption. Pregnancy is a decisive move and NO ONE should be telling a woman what she should or needs to do with it other than herself. However, I do feel; unless there are grave conditions precluding a mans input, that he should at least have some consideration in the decision given that he helped cause the pregnancy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 14 tattoos sounds like a lot to me. It also sounds like an excellent blog topic for you, particularly if you'd like to discuss why you chose each one. Maybe one of these days I will get one myself?

      My mother has a boyfriend like this and he's funny to me. If I had been thinking I would have posted a picture of him. He is definitely hilarious.

      These people that feel that they need in impose their opinions on other peoples choices about abortion are tedious to me.

      Delete
  6. Reggie, you went to my hometown, that's so cool! Did you have any White Castle burgers? And New Jersey isn't bad as long as you stay in Northern NJ. Southern New Jersey is kind of Tea Partyish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know if I told you or not Val, but prior to moving south 7 years ago I lived in Maplewood, New Jersey. I've been to NYC dozens of times and yes I had to stop at White Castle.

      When the World Trade Center burned I lived in Bloomfield, New Jersey. That was close enough to see the smoke for weeks on end.

      Delete
    2. Wow, Reggie, I didn't know you lived in the NY metro much less that you were there on 9/11. That's interesting. Have you written a post about your 9/11 experiences?

      Mmm, man I miss White Castle!

      Delete
    3. Val I lived in Jersey from 1998 until 2005 and I grew up in upstate New York.

      I don't think that I've ever written a post on 9/11.

      Delete
  7. Reggie sounds like you had a good break always good for the soul. You know the tatoo thing like with anything else its a choice I like the first pic with the hand grabbing those boobs ;-). I personally dont have any but my sister has a huge dragon on her left shoulder initially everyone gave her the 3rd degree about it and then got over it!!....Gravity does catch up eventually though I know what you mean have seen tatoos on the slightly older and for those that have not aged gracefully does look a bit blahhhhhh.

    A woman's body truly is her temple and if she chooses to abort or keep a baby is her right......sometimes you can't keep a baby for many reasons and NO one should have to be interrogated over that!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life is about choices. We make good choices and bad choices, it happens. Individual choice is what should drive these decisions. I dont hate on anyone for getting tattoos, though I might laugh at those that I consider fucked up.

      Abortions are best decided by the individual, they're the ones that have to live with the decision.

      Delete
  8. @Reggie - 14 may seem excessive, but because of where and how they're placed, it's not as bad as it seems and yes, I will do a post on them. I live in SoJo (Southern NJ) and graduated from Hackensack High and lived in Teaneck, so I'm very familiar with your NJ towns.

    Yes, you should have posted a pic of your mums boyfriend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cool BluJewel I will look forward to that post.

      Oh your towns sound familiar too.

      Delete
  9. Hi Reggie! One of these days I will get to NY. I have so many blog friends from the Big Apple. Though they say NYers are harsh, I believe they are straight shooters, not dealing with BS lightly.

    As for abortion, I feel that it's a kind of oppression. I know that sounds harsh and depending on one's viewpoint, maybe even crazy.

    My reasoning is this: the unborn baby is a living human being with human rights, a most vulnerable human being and completely unable to protect him/herself. This human is at the mercy of his/her mother. The mother is the empowered person for that unborn child. The child relies solely on her. Women considering abortion need to realize the power they have over that child. The child is real. We women are not powerless. Will our power be oppressive power? We must ask ourselves.
    My opinion has nothing to do with pro or anti choice politics or religion. We see uncaring, ulterior motivated fanatics on both side of this debate. These people dont care about women or their issues at all in my mind. Oppression of women and money motivates most of them.
    I find it ironic that Americans go all over the world to adopt, while millions of abortions are happening right here. Something is badly skewed, and we women should work on discovering what it is. I don't feel that we women should argue our empowerment on the life/death of unborn children.
    If we look at it from another perspective, then we can see that we ARE empowered with the stewardship of unborn life. Women, we have to ask ourselves if oppression is how we want to be empowered. If yes, then how are we different from white patriarchy?

    It has been said that of the abortions performed: Rape: 0.3% Incest: 0.03% Protection of mother’s life: 0.2%.
    The issue is very difficult. As a woman, with the right to speak on this,(& men of conscious have the right as well) I feel that we should be working to correct the disconnect - girls getting pregnant, the adoption process, giving babies up for adoption, our girls' emotional health, the constant media images of sexualized girls and easy mindless sex as a pasttime. We women have to up the ante in educating our girls from a holistic, life honoring perspective. We need to work on creating that village and reconnect to our elders wisdom. That's where the choice and empowerment should be placed.

    *stepping down from soapbox*

    ReplyDelete
  10. I enjoy a little NYC every now and again; and surprisingly I've enjoyed the Broadway shows, concerts and other nightlife I've indulged in when I've been in The Big Apple.

    Thanks for sharing your heartfelt passionate thoughts on abortion in this post.........and stay up on that soapbox if you like.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I don't have any tats. I've seen women get tattoos in the most ridiculous places. One girl I know put her boyfriend's name on her neck and now they aren't together. What do you do with your neck after the break up?
    I'm also pro-choice. My body, my choice.
    Glad to see ya back!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad to be back BayouCreole.

      I don't get the name tats either. I guess you have to cross one dude's name out and put another dude's name under his?!? Or if you've got a tat with one former dude's name on one boob, I guess you've got to put the new one's name on the other boob. But what happens when you run out of boobs?!? Do you move to the cheeks then?!?

      Delete
  12. That's my city, NY! Dc too. i lived there from 1999 to 2001. I agree with you about the tats. Why put them in places that will eventually sag?

    ReplyDelete
  13. welcome back from your vacation, hope you well rested and recharged to re-engage the rat race.

    tats, never had one, never will. nothing against them, just don't see the point of it.

    abortions, hmm .. I'm pro-choice, kinda anchored along the lines of abortion for reasons of rape, medical problems, etc. the woman should have the full right to call it. But I've seen the other side of the fence, where an abortion is for reasons like "this pregnancy is not right for us", "it was a mistake, the condom broke", "If I have his baby I can get at his dollars". psychologically fucks up everyone involved and scars most for life. fucking tough call and needs more considered debate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Chrome, I just wish that I had taken 2 weeks instead of 1. It would have been nice to have relaxed and recharged for a little longer.

      I don't have any tattoos either and I probably won't ever get one. We're old school I guess.

      I have always been pro-choice. I think it's kinda hard to say that a woman could NEVER have an abortion. Since everyone's situation is different I believe that it should be left up to the individual.

      Delete
  14. im ink free... but i often think i might like a small tasteful tattoo.. maybe a little canadian flag or a mapl leaf someplace inconspicuous... but not on one of my breasts. id really have to think long and had about it before i did it.... and i dont feel like racking my brain over it. so in te mean time ill just leave it be.

    i am also pro choice.
    some folks shouldnt have kids period.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A Canadian flag Michelle, that sounds like you. Maybe you should get a little Canadian flag and a flag of Julius's home country as well?

      Delete
    2. hmm... im thinking that would make it too much.
      just mine. lol

      Delete
    3. Hmmmm, just a little Canadian home cooking ehhhh?

      Delete
  15. You're so right about the tats. Mine are on my back in a hopefully sag free zone, lol. I gave a lot of thought to that.

    I'd never have an abortion, but I do believe that people should have a safe option.

    I missed your presence....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I missed being here too.

      Yeah a sag free zone sounds like the best option to me.

      Delete
  16. I have a tat on my thigh up high enough that most dont see it and very rarely do I wear anything short enough that anyone can see it. that is done on purpose.

    as for abortions... I am PRO CHOICE and dont figure another can honestly tell any woman what she can do with her body however I do have an issue with women that use abortions as birth control. We live ina time that their are plenty of options to control that. There are times that some just cannot and should not.

    glad that you had a time to vacay.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Discretion Is important where tats are concerned.

      I can't imagine not being pro-choice.

      Delete
  17. Hope you had a great vacation with your family.
    The thought of aging is the sole reason I haven't got a tattoo. I'd love a lil one somewhere discreet, but I think in my mid-twenties I'm past that age. Unto something else.
    On the topic of abortion, I tell people to stop criticizing, i mean wouldn't it be better that the ßα̲̅ßγ̲ isn't born than that it is born to a mother who doesn't give a damn about taking care of him/her or that he/she moves from foster home to foster home. Thankfully, I haven't had to make that decision. My motto is: if §Ħз ain't ready for it don't force ♓èл to have it, both will suffer.
    Besides, I believe that unless a man has run the course of his life he'll return.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Abortion is a serious decision that I believe should be left to the person that would ultimately have to bare the child. If that person isn't ready or fit to be a mother, then they shouldn't be one.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hello there! Quick question that's completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My blog looks weird when browsing from my iphone4. I'm trying to find a
    template or plugin that might be able to correct this problem.
    If you have any suggestions, please share. Thank you!

    my website sparkle paper towels

    ReplyDelete
  20. If you would like to obtain much from this paragraph then you have to apply such techniques to your won weblog.


    My web blog ... online coupons

    ReplyDelete
  21. It's impressive that you are getting thoughts from this paragraph as well as from our argument made at this place.

    my web site ... homemade Laundry Detergent

    ReplyDelete
  22. I absolutely love your blog and find almost all of your post's to be what precisely I'm looking for.
    Does one offer guest writers to write content for yourself?
    I wouldn't mind writing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome blog!

    My site ... extreme coupon shopping

    ReplyDelete