Good things about the beard... Yes, i'm making an entire blog post about this...

Some women like the 'tall, dark and handsome' thing. Others prefer a man in a suit. I have a type as well... Its  a man with a big scruffy beard. More so, ginger beards! Sigh. They're the stuff dreams are made of. Jager is kind of... dear I say it (Don't read this husband) the whole package for me. Beard, bike, badassery... I'll even  take it a step further and tell you that jogging pants (Yes, I'm serious) are on that list too (Lets not get carried away. There is a type of jogging pants that are acceptable... No elastic ankles here people. No holey, mustard stained ones either).

I'm shocked to learn that some women don't go for this. More so, some men don't like it either. This is why I've compiled a list of reasons why beards are great.

1. They instantly turn any man into a badass
2. Bits of food stuck in it make for great snacks later
   
   
    
   
   
   
    
   
   
    
   
   
   
    
   

   

   I love you Ragnar!

3. Potential to achieve Viking status
4. Good for making extra money (Pretend you're homeless)
5. Tell ladies you were a Sons of Anarchy extra
6. Always have somewhere to hide things (Like weapons, food...)
7. Ability to keep you and your friends warm (Like a giant scarf!)
8. Makes a great disguise
9. You can use it for a sail on your boat
10. You can use it for a slide in the winter
11. You have the option to be a Tom Selleck look-a-like at anytime.
12. Women cant resist touching it.
13. You will never be mistaken for a woman
14. Khal Drogo had one
    
15. George Clooney had one
16. They don't just make you hot in the summer, they make you hot all year round!
17. People make blog posts about them
18. Hides acne
19. You can be a wizard (or at least look like one)
20. They protect against the sun, therefore, will keep you looking younger and healthier!

Tattoos and piercings = Horrible, Dangerous people

I've discovered something recently. A friend of mine (Pictured right) on Facebook loves to share encounters he has while working at his costumer service job. People stare at him. Others who are braver confront him, ask to touch him, ask him why he chooses to look the way he does. My  nephew (pictured below) is in this same category.

I'm not talking about some kind of disease or skin condition here people. I'm talking about piercings and tattoos. I don't know many people who aren't tattooed in some form or another. One or two small illustrations seems to be acceptable, but what about the guys and girls who are covered? Arms, neck, legs, face? I get it, I mean, when you are covered in metal and ink, you're going to draw more attention. People will do a double take. I understand that. It's not typical for everyone to look like this. But the stigma that they are dangerous, or criminal seems a bit old fashioned to me. I know more people who aren't tattooed that are insane (myself included) than the ones who are inked and/or pierced.

The tatt'd and pierced people I know, all of them, from the ones with one or two all the way to the ones who are covered and who's bodies are more metal and ink than skin, are thee most amazing, friendliest people. And I'd be lying if I said that they weren't some of the best looking people. I think that's why I gravitate toward characters who fit this category. Besides my mom and people her age (no offence), I think women my age(ish) love a good man with a beard (That's a topic for another day. Beards...Yumm) and lots of tattoos. I think they represent someone who doesn't care what society thinks, someone who thinks for themselves, who like to express who they are and are proud to show it. What's braver than literally wearing your thoughts, interests and beliefs on your skin for the world to see?

When I moved from home (St. John's, Newfoundland), my nephew was only about 9 years old, with a shaved head, tan and clothes from Sport Check . I went back last September to a 6'3, gangly, pasty-white 15 year old with pierced lips, nose and long black and green hair. I loved it, however, he is the oldest of the nieces and nephews. He was my first 'baby'. To me, he is just as much mine as my own kids. I was scared for him. I didn't want people to harass him or look at him for anything other than what he was: The most handsome, amazing little shithead in the world. And, to be honest, he was a shithead. I dragged this kid into timeout when he was two, dangling from my arm by his teeth. I thought when I saw him last year that this look suited him, only to find that he wasn't this evil spawn of Satan anymore but the most polite, mature and grateful teenager I've ever known. I bought him a pair of sneakers, and he thanked me and hugged me at least 10 times for it. For a pair of sneakers?! Who would have thought?!

When girls get full sleeves, I'm always really excited for them, like Yeah! F*&% you society and your 'beauty' standards! Look at this chick ROCKIN' those tattoos and piercings (Same goes when they cut their hair off for some reason but again, that's a different post).

I kind of feel like, being one of the only ones of my friends without tattoos, I need to get something outrageous. Clearly being tattooed and pierced makes for more awesome individuals. Just thinking about it makes me what to be a better person... ;)

What's your opinion?

(Some tattooed friends of mine below.... :)