A tattoo.
The final expression of a serious, serious mid-life crisis.
Naturally I feel compelled to get one. I try not to be half-assed about anything--mid-life crises included.
Should it be the MDot?
I admit, I want to flaunt an IM finish eternally. A tat seems a good way.
I don't like two things about the MDot, however. One is that it is a corporate symbol. Yes, it means more than that to those of us competing in IM, but still, it is first and foremost a company--and a company that makes a buck at that.
I also don't like that M stands for MAN. I will not be an IronMAN. I do not have a penis. I will be an IronWOMAN--a middle-aged IronMatron with a vagina--to be exact.
So what if I turned the MDot upside-down? You know, into a W? (This is, I admit, not my idea. Andy, the hub, thought of it.) I could still put the dot on the top. I am also considering putting the first letter of each of my children's names around the dot. The dot, as womb, my little babies outside of me now, but with me, surrounding me, guided (I hope) by my strength.
Yet another problem I have is that I don't like the color red very much, especially when thinking about it on my body. I think I may get a black, upside-down MDot. What do you all think? Do not worry about bashing the idea. I'm interested in all thoughts.
Finally, the question is where.
I'm thinking back shoulder.
I also like the idea of the small of the back.
I spend much time thinking about these matters.
I have spent the majority of my life being too mature to give into the desire to have a tattoo, or a belly-button ring, or leather pants or -- whatever.
(I don't really want leather pants, actually.)
I am happy to say I have moved past being too mature.
I no longer give a fuck what I am.
I just am.
That's one thing a mid-life crisis is good for.
27 comments:
GET IT! LOVE IT! OWN IT!
so i sold out to a corporate image - a brand. im a sell-out - i get it.
but i will look back when im 70 and still have that same sense of pride. seeing that Mdot on my ribcage = goosebumps and an incredible sense of self.
I like the idea of the small of the back (probably b/c that's where I have tattoos too!). I like the idea of being able to hide it if you want to.
Yes, tattoos are silly and immature. I have one because I was silly and immature (and dumb). Not really anything to be proud of...
I like all of it: the W, the dot, the kids' names. I would go with back of your shoulder or just below your calf, above your ankle, but that's just me.
I was thinking of getting one, too (big surprise): a wing above my ankle. We can go together. I know someone who can get us a discount if you can travel...
I did always want the leather pants. Alas, they never looked that good on me. DAMN! Why don't we sketch this out over dinner tonight???
Rose
First I have to say...will you Please STOP saying you (therefore, we) are MIddle Age!!!! Geez. 38 is NOT middle aged. nor is 40!!!!
ok, got that off my chest.
Second, get a tattoo. I have one. It's not so scary. Just have it in a place that you can conceal or not.
I like the ideas you are having with Andy's help...they're original.
(and corporations aren't all bad... we are one and I think we live a fairly moral life right? just sayin')
I'm not an IronMAN yet, but I've been giving it a lot of thought myself. While I don't have the Man vs. Woman discussion, I have thought of giving the tattoo additional meaning, such as family or in some way commemorating the achievement with the exact race. I like your idea of the W*dot with additional customization, very unique and meaningful to you. I'm also 38 with no tattoos, as I've never had a good enough reason / justification. I think Ironman would be justification for a tattoo.
Paul
www.familyfanclub.blogspot.com
what about just a 170.6 with the date, and IMLP. That's what i was thinking about doing. in black. on my back somewhere, or calf/ankle.
me and dominic are getting matching tattoos soon. and he's getting a porttrait of bruno too.
once you get one pice, you'll immediatley want another.
A tattoo is a PERMANENT reminder of a TEMPORARY feeling... don't do it!! Do something temporary. Do something indulgent. Do something off-the-wall. Do something just for you. Your body is beautiful it doesn't need an M-dot or W-dot. Now all your on-line friends will hate me, especially the ones with tatoos... but i just had to get that off my chest. I'm done with my rant....love you
Wait... wait... wait...
...
...
... you have a VAGINA?!?! GROSS!?!?
;)
OK, now that the 10 year old boy comment is out of me, I think you should get the regular old M-dot. I know it's for "man," but I think that's OK. But I can't help you with WHERE you should get it. My wife has been pondering that for 2.5 years now...
Good luck!!
Having a strategically placed tat myself in rememberance of a turning point, i say GO FOR IT!
As to placement -- is it something just for you...or something you want other people to see and know about you right off the bat...meaning, the ankle or shoulder blade is something people will see often, so do you want people to see you and say, "wow...she's an ironman" or do you want to be something for you a select few to see, to always remember and secretly draw from?
You make me laugh - a lot, and frequently when I read your post.
First of all, Miss Mary, you are NOT MID-LIFE!!!! 40s are mid life, NOT upper 30s!! (Ange, I agree w/ you!) I don't feel like I am mid-life at all....
My good friend,Jenny G has an upside down M dot tatoo on her ankle...it is cute!
Whatever you do - just do what you WANT! :)
I'd say the ankle is a good place or even the small of the back...(on the small of the back chicks please only my dad got a tat there and it freaks me out.) You can flaunt it at the beach and around loved ones, but won't feel well like a freak...when you have an office function or a fancy date and are going strapless.
On the M-Dot or the W-Dot I'm not really big on coporate symbols but whatever floats you boat. Get something that is meaningful to you..
Don't do it. I don't care if I sound like a party pooper. But I work in healthcare and I will spare you any graphic detail but simply put: old skin looks bad enough without decorations. Get an IM decal for your car instead.
Mary, have you seing an old lady with tatoos? Wrinkle skin with fated paint. It's gross. Don't do it.
I have a tatoo, and I really don't like it (got it when I was 18). I think the key is to think about what you really want and will enjoy 30 years from now. I love the ribcage area, and the kids names is a perfect addition.
At the same time, I started a marathon with an 70 year man last year. He had an IM tatoo on his calf and it looked fantastic.
Go for it! I love the W idea with your childrens names too. And, if you're going to go it, put it somewhere where the world can see it. Its a huge accomplishment.
And, I am 39 and have 3 tattoos, the most recent I got 2 weeks ago, add will get more.
Go for it. By the time you're 80, who gives a crap what anyone thinks?? (heck, who cares what they think now!!)
You're an inspiration to all of us out there to get moving and stay motivated!!
Interseting division between commenters. I'm personally not a tattoo person, but i would say to think about what it will be like in 20 or 30 years. Hence why I think if anyhwere, ankle is the best.
Even though I'm biased on the matter (I have multiple tattoos), I say go for it. You've clearly thought it out & there's pretty much no possibility of you regretting your kids' names, along with an important milestone in your life.
As far as the whole "who wants to be wrinkly with multi-colored skin" logic goes, you didn't mention wanting a sleeve, so really, the worst case scenario is it may look like you have a brightly colored mole. On the bright side, this could provide hours of entertainment when you're chumming it up with other octogenarians by playing a rousing game of "guess what my tattoo is supposed to be."
I'm amazed no one has mentioned the other issue. First, should you get it before you finish IMLP? I say no. Second, there are those who feel you should only get it if you finish Kona. I disagree.
You are so much more than a brand, you do not need a label! Just saying... :)
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mdot tat = self-absorbed dick (or "loser" depending on the plumbing of the wearer).
Mdot tat = uncreative tool
Mdot tat = a kick me sign for anyone ELSE who has also finished an ironman and didn't get the tattoo because they think they look retarded.
You are a creative person. Don't get the world's least creative tattoo. I couldn't be your friend anymore.
The upside-down Mdot thing has also kind of been done (ironwidow.com), not to mention that you would spend half your pre- and post-race time explaining to boneheads (probably with their own Mdot tattoos) that the tattoo guy didn't fuck up.
And please don't tattoo anything on your body about penises, vaginas, or wombs. It's just way TMI.
If you do get a tattoo, I like the idea of "Iron Fucking Matron" (from one of your race reports) on your ass. Then you could race in leather chaps.
you are so miserable!! Get over it. Ironman is ironman. woman has the word man in it. be proud of your achievement and get one. dont drivell on about your lack of penis and the colour red!
Genial fill someone in on and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Thank you on your information.
Well I to but I think the brief should have more info then it has.
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